Boycott Christmas in Thermopolis, yes really!

Thermopolis kicks of the Christmas season with "Buffalo Bill" Boycott performing his "Rocky Mountain Christmas" show on Thursday, Novemeber 29 at 7 p.m. in the Hot Springs County School District Auditorium.

"Buffalo Bill", also known as William Frederick Boycott, lives in Lander and performs throughout the country playing fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar. His Christmas program includes holiday stories, skits, songs, poems and instrumentals with a decidedly Western flair. One of his popular renditions is a “cowboy” version of “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

“Buffalo Bill” Boycott was a member of the Grammy Award-winning “New Christy Minstrels” from 2005 to 2008 and has performed in concert with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band as well as Waddie Mitchell and Riders in the Sky.

In 2011, Boycott was named "Best Male Yodeller " by the Western Music Association. He and sidekick "Dr. Jo" (Flower of the Prairie) also won the 2011 Harmony Duo Award.

Boycott is a popular presenter in the schools, teaching history of the American West and demonstrating Native American sign language.

A long-time Wyoming Arts Council roster artist, Boycott has produced two programs on the history of the West and Wyoming in cooperation with Wyoming Public Television. He has also released five audio recordings, including "Rocky Mountain Christmas." That CD won the Wyoming Historical Society's Honorable Mention Award.

While in Thermopolis, Boycott will also present a short afternoon program for residents of the Pioneer Home. He will also work with fourth grade students on Wyoming history.

Boycott's appearances in Thermopolis are sponsored by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, in conjunction with Wyoming Arts Council, Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts with additional support from Broadway Bygones.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors. Students are free. Advanced tickets are available with a $1 discount at Broadway Bygones until Nov. 28. For more information: 307-864-4070.

Simpson Family performs classic Civil War poem, "John Brown's Body"

Pete and Lynne Simpson interviewed on Wyoming Public Radio. Listen to interview here. 

American Civil War classic "John Brown's Body" Nov. 15 at the Cheyenne Civic Center

Next Step Performance Company holds Oct. 2 planning meeting for Madrigal Dinner

The Next Step Performances Company will hold a planning meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, in the Central High School Choir Room in Cheyenne for its first production, a Medieval Madrigal Dinner. Auditions will be in the same location on Oct. 9-10, 7 p.m. FMI: http://www.facebook.com/events/528778490482018/

"Chattanooga Choo Choo" pulls into Pinedale

Tickets for the Oct. 5 Glenn Miller Orchestra performance in Pinedale are now on sale at: Rock Rabbit, The Cowboy Shop, Isabel Jewelry, Office Outlets, the Big Piney Library and at the door on the night of the event. If you live outside of Pinedale and would like a ticket, please call 307.367.7322. Sponsored by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council.

Piatigorsky Foundation performers launch Wyoming fall tour Oct. 10 in Greybull

Rodrigo Garciarroyo

The Piatigorsky Foundation and the Wyoming Arts Council announce the fall 2012 Wyoming tour. It will feature tenor Rodrigo Garciarroyo and pianist Mario Alberto Hernández .

At press time, some of the schedule details are incomplete. Please see tour updates on the WAC blog at http://wyomingarts.blogspot.com or on the web site at www.wyomingartscouncil.org

Wednesday, Oct. 10, Greybull: 7 p.m., Greybull High School Auditorium, 600 North 6th Street, Greybull. Contact: Darla Haller, dhaller@bgh3.k12.wy.us

Thursday, Oct. 11, Worland: 7 p.m., Worland Community Center, 1200 Culbertson Avenue Worland. Contact: Sheryl Ley, sherylwccc@yahoo.com, 307-347-8616, Fax 307-347-3445

Friday, Oct. 12, Dubois: 6 p.m., Headwaters Arts & Conference Center, 20 Stalnaker Street,, Dubois. Contact: Tammy Lucas, headwaters@wyoming.com, 307-455-2687

Mario Alberto Hernandez

Saturday, Oct. 13, Rawlins (details TBA)

Sunday, Oct. 14, Green River (details TBA)

Tuesday, Oct. 16, Rock Springs: 7 p.m., Western Wyoming Community College Theater. Contact: Debora Soule, dsoule@sweetwaterlibraries.com, 307-362-6212

Wednesday, Oct. 17, Kemmerer: 7 p.m., South Lincoln County Events & Training Center. Contact: Jennifer Lasik at 307-828-4083.

Thursday, Oct. 18, Lander: 7 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church. Contact: Marvin Brown, marvjobrown@wyoming.com

MTV's Streeter Seidell at CWC in Riverton for free show Sept. 7

From Pitch Engine:

Comedian, editor, author and staff writer and star of MTV’s The CollegeHumor Show is on the Central Wyoming College campus Sunday, Sept. 7 and the public is invited free of charge.

Streeter Seidell appears on the main stage of the Robert A. Peck Arts Center at 7 p.m. He is the executive editor of CollegeHumor.com, co-author of the site’s first book, The CollegeHumor Guide to College, and co-star and staff writer of the site’s first television show, The CollegeHumor Show on MTV.

He has written and acted in many CollegeHumor original videos and penned hundreds of articles for the website.  Seidell is also a standup comedian and co-hosts the site's monthly New York comedy show, as well as performing regularly at clubs in New York and over 30 colleges last year. 

Outside of CollegeHumor, he has written for The New York Times, Men's Fitness, Mental-Floss Magazine, McSweeney's, The Washington Post, Wired Magazine, and Metro New York.  He has also appeared as a talking head on numerous television shows including spots on CNN, Fuse, TruTV, VH1 and Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC. 

He is currently the co-host and writer of “Pranked,” on MTV.  Seidell lives in Manhattan.

Cheyenne NAACP dinner features dramatic presentation of "Manservant York" of the Lewis & Clark expedition

Casper College grad Emily Brantz adapts Orwell's "1984" for the stage

FMI: http://www.caspercollege.edu/sandbox/12.html

Miss "V" weathers heat wave, fires and rattlesnakes during summer 2012 tour of the West

The Wyoming Arts Council follows the travels of roster artist Miss "V" the Gypsy Cowbelle:

Unwilling or unable to let moss grow or dust settle beneath her feet, The Gypsy Cowbelle has launched her latest “Calamity Unleashed Tour” into the Black Hills country of South Dakota. Following up a reconnaissance trip last spring, Miss “V” scheduled two weeks of shows in a variety of settings. She launched the tour at the Antler Restaurant and Lounge, entertaining the coal-mining community of Newcastle, WY on July 28. Then on to the Silver Dollar Saloon, in Hill City, SD on the 29th, where her Genuine Cowbilly Music was warmly received by motorcycle enthusiasts, ranchers and tourists alike. Sunday, July 1st found “V” entertaining at the “Moonshine Gulch Saloon”, a remote oasis deep in the heart of the Black Hills, alongside new and old friends and local musicians.

Surviving the 100+ degree heat wave, surrounding forest fires, Fourth of July crowds and one very near disaster with a rattlesnake, The Cowbelle weathered the early days of the next week exploring the Black Hills. July 5th brought her into the Historical Landmark town of Deadwood, and the namesake town of the Calamity tour. The street party at the Deadwood Loading Dock was only slightly hampered by a torrential rainstorm, which was welcomed by all as a means of thwarting the ever-growing fires of the area. Then back down to Hill City for a rowdy crowd and multi-faceted birthday party at the Big Horn Crossing Sports Bar. Highlights included a room-wide singing of “You Are My Sunshine” and foot-stomping rhythms along with “The Battle of New Orleans” while “V” frailed away on her homemade banjo. The weekend rounds out with a dinner show and wine tasting at the Naked Winery in Custer, SD tonight, July 7.

This week, “V” is off to climb Harney Peak (the tallest mountain east of the Rockies) and continue her exploration of this very special area, gleaning knowledge of its rich history of outlaws, mining, railroads, Native American culture and unique geography. There is always research work to be done on days off…

The shows resume on Thursday, July 12th at the Historic Homestake Opera House in Lead, SD. Part of their summer “Concerts in the Courtyard” series, this performance will afford “V” the opportunity share her own stories and songs of Western history with the community. Friday the 13th, The Gypsy is back at the Silver Dollar Saloon and the following day she rounds out the tour entertaining on the streets and in the parade for Hill City’s “Heart of the Hills” annual celebration.

The Calamity Unleashed portion of the tour is just the forerunner for the weeks to come. After leaving the Hill Country, Miss “V” is back to her home state of Wyoming. She’ll be on the air live with Leslie Stratmoen on Riverton’s KVOW July 17th at 8:30 am, then at the Wind River Casino the same day for two performances at noon and 8:00pm as part of their monthly “Seniors’ Tuesday” series. Then “V” will kick off Meeteetse’s “Cowboy Days” weekend extravaganza with a street party at the Meeteetse Museums on July 20th at 6:00pm. Whirling up to Three Forks, MT, The Gypsy Cowbelle performs the next day with a porch party at the historic Sacajawea Hotel at 4:00. Her month culminates with a grand finale in Jackson Hole, opening up for the Grammy award winning singer/songwriter, Kostas, at Stiegler’s Austrian Restaurant on July 28th.

August holds another West Coast Tour in store for this Wyoming Troubadour known as “V”, The Gypsy Cowbelle. Details are sure to come…

Piatigorsky Tour makes stop in Lander May 16

Classical guitarist Jack Sanders will perform twice during his Piatigorsky Tour stop in Lander on Wednesday, May 16:

1:45 p.m., Lander Middle School, 755 Jefferson
Contact: Susan Masson, Music Teacher, 307-332-4040

7:00 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church
Contact: Marvin Brown, (307) 332-2509, marvjobrown@wyoming.com

Cheyenne Guitar Society presents Jalan Crossland concert May 16

Ten Sleep, Wyoming's "trailer park troubadour" Jalan Crossland will perform in concert on Wednesday, May 16, 7 p.m., at the Historic Plains Hotel ballroom in Cheyenne. Tickets are $10, $5 for students. Sponsored by the Cheyenne Guitar Society. FMI: http://cheyenneguitarsociety.com/

LCCC presents "Stabat Mater" concert April 29 at St. Mary's Cathedral

The Laramie County Community College Music Department presents "Stabat Mater" on Sunday, April 29, 3-4 p.m. Free; St. Mary’s Cathedral, 2107 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne.

Karl Jenkins has blended musical ideas from our Western culture with musical ideas from the Near East to create a stunning and expressive masterpiece.

Admission is free. Donations will be accepted for the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

"Dust in the Wind" -- UW Symphony performs with legendary rock band Kansas on April 27

Legendary rock band Kansas will perform with the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m. in the UW Arts and Sciences auditorium. Tickets cost $49 for premium seating and $39 general admission. For ticket information, call the UW Fine Arts box office at (307) 766-6666 or visit www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

The 2012 Kansas Collegiate Symphony Tour is an effort to raise funds and awareness for collegiate music programs.

"The UWSO has performed with some of the world's great artists, but this is the first time we've backed a rock band," says Michael Griffith, UW Symphony Orchestra conductor. "It's a terrific opportunity to be heard by a new audience, and to have this wonderful new experience. We'll be the ‘warm-up band' before Kansas takes the stage."

Kansas' hits "Carry on My Wayward Son," "Point of Know Return," and "Dust in the Wind" will be performed with orchestral parts. The symphony's conductor, Larry Baird, has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony, in addition to major pop-music names such as Three Dog Night, Al Jarreau, the Moody Blues and Michael Bolton.

In 2010, Kansas began performing concerts with college and university symphonies throughout the United States. After the successful 2010 Kansas Collegiate Symphony tour, the band expanded the 2012 tour to include 27 collegiate symphonies with added performances in the western region.

"Kansas and all the school symphonies hit it off big time," say Phil Ehart, Kansas drummer. "The only people having more fun than us are the students playing on stage with us."

This concert tour is presented by D'Addario & Company. For more information on Kansas, visit http://www.kansasband.com/ .

Photo: The University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra will perform with the legendary rock band Kansas Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m., in the UW Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Verismo Trio hits the road for spring residency and performance tour

Thrilling audiences throughout the Rocky Mountain region with dynamic performances, the "Verismo Trio," in conjunction with the UW Fine Arts Outreach and the UW Department of Music, will launch its spring residency and performance tour on Wednesday, April 25, at various locations around the state.

"Verismo Trio" is composed of UW Music Department faculty members Theresa Bogard (piano), Nicole Riner (flute) and Scott Turpen (saxophone). The group performs regularly throughout the state. Verismo also is featured on the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster.

The spring tour will take the trio to Buffalo High School, Cody middle and high schools, and Northwest College in Powell for residency activities where the UW musicians will work with students in master classes.

The group will perform a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, in the Northwest College auditorium.

For more information, contact Janelle Fletcher-Kilmer, fine arts outreach director, at (307) 766-5139, or email Janelle@uwyo.edu .

Photo: "Verismo Trio," in conjunction with the University of Wyoming Fine Arts Outreach and the UW Department of Music, will launch its spring residency and performance tour Wednesday, April 25, in various locations around the state.

Casper College Opera Workshop performs scenes from "The Magic Flute" on April 21

The Casper College Opera Workshop will perform six scenes from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” on Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. in Durham Recital Hall.

The workshop is under the direction of Kristen Robinson, Casper College voice instructor. This is the third semester for the opera workshop, but it is the first time that we will be doing all scenes from one opera,” said Robinson.

Members of the CC Opera Workshop are Ty Hebbert, Danielle Hockett, Molly Green, Alex Arveschoug, Mike Schadwill, Ashlee Belveal, Gwen Colgrove, Phil Carlson, Alison Zick, Heather McAteer, and Emily Appel. Paula Flynn, who provided musical preparation, will provide piano accompaniment for the concert.

Durham Recital Hall is located in the Aley Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

Aquila Theatre presents "bold" version of "The Importance of Being Earnest" March 23 at UW

From a UW press release:

Aquila Theatre will perform a bold interpretation of "The Importance of Being Earnest" Friday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Tickets cost $26 for the public and $23 for senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.uwyo.edu/fineart_ticket/tickets.aspx or by phone at (307) 766-6666. Tickets also are available in-person at the Wyoming Union ticket office.

Oscar Wilde's most famous play is an audience favorite. It portrays razor-sharp wit in a dizzy romantic comedy. "The Importance of Being Earnest" tells the tale of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, both young men, who have taken to bending the truth to add excitement to their lives and to secretly escape the social expectations of the English upper class exemplified by Lady Bracknell.

Based in New York City, Aquila Theatre creates bold interpretations of classical plays for contemporary audiences. The New York Times describes the theater "as a classically trained, modern hip troupe." Aquila is the professional company-in-residence at the New York University's Center for Ancient Studies.

Aquila presents a regular season of plays in New York, performs at international festivals and tours approximately 70 American towns and cities each year. It also produces an extensive educational program on performing and producing classical plays through schools, workshops and rural and urban communities.

Photo: Aquila Theatre will perform a bold interpretation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium March 23.

The Hostile Takeover Hip-Hop Tour hits Cheyenne May 14

THE TRIBE ZOO TATTOO, THE DEN and JAKE BYRD PRESENTS THE HOSTILE TAKEOVER TOUR FEATURING TECH N9NE AND MACHINE GUN KELLY!

IT WILL BE AT THE CHEYENNE ICE AND EVENT CENTER MAY 14. TOUR CONSISTS OF 91 SHOWS IN 99 DAYS MAKING IT THE BIGGEST TOUR IN HIP HOP HISTORY! TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE AT ERNIE NOVEMBERS STARTING APRIL 1ST

Military and Student discounts available for PRESALE ONLY- Must have VALID ID and present it to Ernie November's.

$26 PRE-SALE for MILITARY or STUDENT
$31 PRE-SALE for General Admission
$36 Day of show.

Get your tickets FAST cause this WILL SELL OUT! Go to http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001453619003

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in story and song at the Paramount Cafe

"The Story of St. Patrick: Celtic harp with narration and friendly conversation" by Michael Riversong at the Paramount Cafe, 1607 Capitol Ave. Cheyenne, on Saturday, March 17, 5:30-8 p.m.

This is an informal family friendly performance by Michael Riversong. Children are especially welcomed.

FMI: Michael Riversong, Biblical Bards, http://home.earthlink.net/~mriversong

Bring your songs, stories and poems to open mic night March 28 at Laramie County Public Library