Author and Star-Trib columnist Mary Billiter will be keynote speaker at Casper GED graduation

Author and Casper Star-Tribune columnist Mary Billiter will be the keynote speaker at this year’s GED graduation ceremony at Casper College on Saturday, May 5. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the “Swede” Erickson Thunderbird Gymnasium on the Casper College campus.

Billiter, a weekly columnist for the Casper Star-Tribune and author of “Not My Kid…” earned a bachelor of arts in journalism from California State University at Northridge. She has taught fiction writing courses for both Western Wyoming Community College Outreach and Casper College. “We (ABE/GED employees) knew about Mary from her weekly column in the Casper Star-Tribune and we felt that because of her openness in regard to her struggles that she would be able to relate to our students and their struggles,” said Kelsee Miller.

According to Miller, Adult Basic Education and GED instructor, approximately 150 people are eligible to walk in the GED graduation ceremony this year. “We are encouraging all those who either are, or know someone who is, a GED graduate to contact the GED Center at 268-2230 for cap and gown information if they haven’t already done so,” Miller said.

The GED graduation ceremony is free and open to the public.

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle: "Oklahoma" comes to Cheyenne this weekend

"Oklahoma" comes to Cheyenne this weekend

Details:

Cheyenne’s East High’s spring play, “Oklahoma!” by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein


When: 7 p.m. tonight (Feb. 24) and Saturday (Feb. 25) and 2 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 26)


Where: East High auditorium, 2800 E. Pershing Blvd., Cheyenne


Tickets: $5 for students and seniors, $8 for adults

Auditions Jan. 14-15 for summer Performing Arts Intensive in Colorado Springs and Central City

Auditions will be held in January for student singers, actors and dancers, ages 14-19, for the ninth annual Performing Arts Intensive Singers, July 14-28, 2012.

Students who love to perform will dig deep to develop skills in acting, dance/movement, vocal technique and composition in this two-week summer workshop in residence in Colorado Springs and Central City, Colo. Master teaching artists assembled by the Colorado Springs Conservatory and Central City Opera provide instruction as students team-create a short opera, learn and perform scenes from opera and musical theater, attend performances and classes, and perform their own work at the Central City Opera Festival.

AUDITIONS

• Saturday, January 14, 2-4 pm – Colorado Springs

• Sunday, January 15, 12-4 pm – Denver

• YouTube auditions through January 30

• Audition requirements: 2 contrasting songs, 1 monologue

• Students will be notified of participation by February 3, 2012. A $500 non-refundable fee is due upon notification of participation. Students selected for the program pay $2,500 in tuition, which includes all room, board and tickets for festival productions. Scholarships are available.

• Call (719) 577-4556 for more information and to schedule your audition.

Additional details and blog posts on past Intensive activities are available online at

centralcityopera.org/highschoolintensive or coloradospringsconservatory.org.

"Ricky Nelson Remembered" Sept. 17 at Atlas Theatre in Cheyenne

From a press release:

He is the only artist to have a No. 1 song, No. 1 movie and No. 1 TV show in the same week. Life Magazine coined the phrase ‘Teen Idol’ after him and he is credited with pioneering the country rock sound. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Nelson’s life and music touched millions; his twin sons, multi-platinum recording artists, Matthew & Gunnar Nelson, relive the music and memories in their multi-media event, Ricky Nelson Remembered.

Ricky Nelson Remembered is live in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Saturday, September 17, for two shows at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Atlas Theatre. Reserved seating costs $35. Applicable fees may apply. Tickets can be purchased at Ernie November, KRRR FM office, via phone at (800) 514-3849 or online at Tickets300.com. Doors open one hour prior to performances. 

Featuring hit songs like “Hello Mary Lou,” “Poor Little Fool,” “Travelin’ Man,” “I’m Walkin’,” “I Gotta Feeling,” “Teenage Idol,” “Garden Party” and many more, RNR showcases his life with never-before-seen interviews from artists he influenced, including Paul McCartney and Chris Isaak. Matthew and Gunnar’s musical event is heartfelt and full of laughter. 

Ricky Nelson died in a plane crash on his way to perform a New Year’s even concert in 1986. He left a legacy that included 53 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and nineteen other top-ten hits.  He is one of the biggest-selling artists of all time, a Golden Globe winner for his performance alongside John Wayne in Rio Bravo and in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

From Ozzie and Harriet to Ricky to Matthew and Gunnar, the Nelson’s are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only family in history with three successive generations of No. 1 hit makers. Matthew and Gunnar are also nephews of NCIS star, Mark Harmon, on their mother’s side.

The Atlas Theatre is located at 211 West Lincolnway, in Cheyenne. Visit http://www.RickyNelsonRemembered.com for additional information.

FMI: Melissa Kucirek, Melissa@jadepresents.com , 402-677-0930

NASAA guidebook shows ways to engage adolescents in the arts

From NASAA (National Assembly of State Arts Agencies) Notes:

Meaningful engagement in arts education can have a life-changing impact on teens. An initiative and guidebook from the National Guild for Community Arts Education, Engaging Adolescents: Building Youth Participation in the Arts outlines a holistic approach that integrates arts learning with principles of youth development. It is designed to help staff and faculty develop new programs and services for teens or to rethink and strengthen programs they already offer.

Call for entries: Emerging Young Artist Contest for Laramie County

The Arts Alliance of Cheyenne and the A.S.K. After School for Kids Program is hosting the first annual:

Emerging Young Artist Art Contest for Laramie County

This first year’s art contest will have a science theme. Draw or depict a science idea, whether existing or something you imagine existing in the future! The sky is the limit. Be creative. Be innovative. Have fun!!

The contest is open to all students and children anywhere in the Laramie County School Districts, grades Pre-K through 12, and home-schoolers. Entries can be submitted in 2D (drawings and paintings) or 3D (sculptures). All entries must be inspired by some aspect of Science. Artists may submit one entry only to the contest. Postmark deadline is April 30, 2011.

Entries are grouped by age and judged against their peers.

Category         1st place   2nd place    3rd place
Grades Pre-K          $15        $10                  $ 5
Grades K to 2         $20        $15                  $15
Grades 3 to 4         $25         $20                 $15
Grades 5 to 6         $35         $25                  $20
Grades 7 to 8        $75          $50                  $25
Grades 9 to 10    $100         $75                  $50
Grades 11 to 12   $100         $75                  $50

For Contest Overview, Official Rules and Entry Form, CLICK HERE.

Poetry slam for teens and adults April 16 at Natrona County Library in Casper

April is National Poetry Month. If you are a poet and you know it, show your stuff during “Poetry Slam” sponsored by the Natrona County Public Library. The event will be held at the Metro Coffee Company Saturday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

Poets should prepare two or three original poems to read aloud during their three-minute time limit, and will receive a free drink courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries. Don’t forget to bring your own audience! Teens and adults, grades 7 and up, are welcome to participate. The event is free and open to the public.

Performance time is limited, so please sign up in advance at the library or by calling 577-READ ext 2. Poets will need to arrive and check in at 6:45 the night of the event.

FMI: April Szuch, (307) 237-4935; www.natronacountylibrary.org

Wyoming Poetry Out Loud awards presentation set for 10:30 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda

Trek on down to the Wyoming State Capitol Rotunda for the Wyoming Poetry Out Loud awards announcement at 10:30 a.m. today. State Parks and Cultural Resources Director (and musician and theatre guy) Milward Simpson will serve as emcee and Secretary of State Max Maxfield (he'll be seen as The Cat in the Hat this week reading to students at various schools) will hand out the awards. Come down to the Capitol and celebrate the arts in Wyoming.

For those who attended the state finals last night at the Historic Atlas Theatre, you know what a great batch of  competitors Wyoming had this year. The program keeps growing. If you're a teacher or a student, grades 9-12, give the Wyoming Arts Council a call at 307-777-7742 for more info. You may also e-mail Linda Coatney at lcoatn@state.wy.us.

See you at the Capitol...

Call for student artists: AVA Center Art Attack Youth Show in Gillette

Circus Circus by Will Lopez
2010 Best of Show

A reminder that entries for AVA Center's annual ART ATTACK YOUTH Show are due February 28.

This is a chance for our locally talented youth to show off their work in a gallery setting.
Open to Students from pre-school age to College age.

April 4-29

Reception is April 15, 6-8:30 p.m.


FMI: 307-682-9133 

Call for entries: Teen videos for ALA's "Why I Need My Library!"

From the American Library Association:

Attention teens! You can help win up to $3,000 for your library. Here’s how:

Make a video for "Why I Need My Library!"

Gather your friends and put together an original 1-3 minute video about why you need your library. Up to six people can work together to submit a video.
Pick your technique: Entries can be live-action, animation, machinima, or a combination of these. Check out this list of tips and resources on making a video.
Read through the judging criteria to see how entries will be judged.
Upload your video to YouTube

Upload the video to YouTube between January 11, 2011 and midnight April 18, 2011.
Be sure to tag your video with alaneedmylibrary15 if your designated videographer is between the ages of 13-15 or alaneedmylibrary18 if your designated videographer is between the ages of 16-18.
Mail in your entry form

One more thing: Don’t forget to mail in an entry form. Videos are submitted online, but an entry form needs to be received in the mail by April 18 in order for a submission to be eligible.
Read the complete guidelines for more information.
Prizes

From each age category (13-15 and 16-18):

Three 3rd place winners will receive $1,000 each for their selected libraries.
Two second place winners will receive $2,000 each for their selected libraries.
One winner or group of winners will receive $3,000 for their selected library, plus $50 gift cards to an online bookseller for each individual member of the winning group (limit of 6 participants per group)
The Why I Need My Library Video Contest is an initiative of 2010-2011 ALA President Roberta Stevens to engage teenagers as library advocates.

For more information, contact whyIneedmylibrary@ala.org.

Check out the 2011 Boys & Girls Club art exhibit at the Laramie County Library

From Mike Shay, one of your trusty wyomingarts editors:

I was pleased to serve as one of the judges yesterday for the annual Boys & Girls Club National Fine Art Exhibition at the Laramie County Public Library in Cheyenne.

I've been a judge the past three years. Interest in this competition grows every year. This year, there was a big increase in 3-D entries in the pottery and sculpture category. Art Coordinator Michael Raper gets some of the credit for this. In December, he was a recipient of the Golden Apple Teacher's Award from Cheyenne's CBS Channel 5. Michael is assisted by Shanda Tryon.

Youth that attend programs at the Cheyenne Boys & Girls Club participate in four age categories. First-place and Best-In-Show recipients will go to the regional competition. You can find out more at www.bgcchey.org.

The library exhibit will be on display through Feb. 11. Look for the paintings and drawings on the second floor children's section and pottery and sculpture on the second floor and in the display cabinets in the library's entryway.

The Cheyenne Boys & Girls Club has received grants and other assistance from the Wyoming Arts Council.

On Dec. 29, outgoing Gov. Dave Freudenthal made this announcement about funding for Wyoming Boys & Girls Clubs:

CHEYENNE -- Gov. Dave Freudenthal has committed up to $1.3 million in federal funds for Boys and Girls Clubs around Wyoming for major maintenance and repairs on club facilities as well as the purchase of equipment.

"Boys and Girls Clubs have difficulty raising funding for their important infrastructure needs," Freudenthal said today in a media release. "It's important that we dedicate these remaining federal stimulus funds to help meet those needs."

The $1.3 million for Boys and Girls Clubs is the available balance from State Fiscal Stabilization Fund monies which had earlier been dedicated to the construction of juvenile detention facilities in the state.

"The clubs have significant infrastructure needs but they just can't raise the money to address them," Freudenthal said, "so we're dedicating federal funds to these community projects."

Jack Tarter, president of the Wyoming Alliance of Boys and Girls Club, said, "I'm very excited about the money as it not only will enlarge the scope of opportunity within the clubs but also allow for a greater number of teens to become involved in the clubs."

Boys and Girls Clubs are located in Buffalo, Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Douglas, Eastern Shoshone Tribe, F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Gillette, Glenrock, Kaycee, Powell, Rawlins and Rock Springs. The funding will allow clubs to apply to the State Land and Investment Board to use the funds for major maintenance of the facilities and expenditures such as computers, software and educational materials to support activities within the centers.

"Boys and Girls Clubs give children a safe and affordable place to go after school and our programs help lower dropout rates," Tarter said.

Club programs that assist children with school homework or prepare them for future development could benefit from the funding.

The State will determine which projects are eligible for the federal funds, which may involve site visits in addition to the standard application process. The money comes from the State Fiscal Stabilization funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Musician Kathy Moser conducts school residencies Jan. 10-13 in Casper

New Jersey singer/songwriter Kathy Moser will conduct school residencies in Casper in January. Here's some bio info on Kathy from her web site:

Kathy Moser is a songwriter, performer, teacher and social artist, working to bring positive change to the world through music.  She performs and tours nationally. Kathy has appeared at well known folk venues such as Club Passim and Godfrey Daniels, as well as colleges, churches, coffeehouses, prisons, and benefits too numerous to mention!

Known for her poetic lyrics, driving guitar style and goofy stage presence, her songs confront a variety of topics ranging from world peace to lawn mowers, dysfunctional families to shopping malls, drug addiction to the wisdom of trading in your car for a horse.  Audiences leave her shows entertained and uplifted, thoughtful and motivated.

Working with young people is one of Kathy’s passions and she gives workshops, artist residencies and concerts in a variety of educational and institutional settings.  Her work encourages young people to find a place to make a positive contribution to their communities

The schedule:

Monday, January 10th

Roosevelt High School

Some 1 Like U Performance - all day event

Casper 

Tuesday, January 11th

REACH High School

Recovery Songwriting Workshop

Casper

Wednesday, January 12th

Star Lane Center

songwriting residency

Casper

Thursday, January 13th

Star Lane Center

student songwriting workshops

Casper

Wyoming Arts Alliance launches arts education advocacy campaign

Find out more about the Wyoming Arts Alliance's current arts education advocacy campaign!

New YA novel set in Jackson is "Unearthly"

This is the publisher's trailer for Cynthia Hand's debut TV novel, "Unearthly," set in Jackson Hole. Cynthia grew up in Idaho Falls and neighboring Idaho communities. She spent a lot of time in Jackson. She now lives in California and teaches creative writing at Pepperdine University.

YMCA Teen Program holds fund-raiser Nov. 26 at the Cheyenne Barnes & Noble

The Cheyenne Family YMCA Teen Program is holding a fund-raising event.

On Friday, Nov. 26, all day at Barnes and Noble on Dell Range -- a percentage of gift-wrapping sales and merchandise sales will go to the YMCA Teen Program. Pick up your vouchers at the YMCA or at Barnes and Noble. Just say you are supporting the Teen Program.

Click here for a printable voucher.

FMI: YMCA, 634-9622

Zak Pullen teaches watercolor workshop for teens June 22 in Casper

Zak Pullen's illustration of Teddy Roosevelt

The Natrona County Public Library in Casper presents "Watercolors with Zak Pullen" on Tuesday, June 22, 2–4 p.m., in nhe library's Crawford Room. For teens entering grades 7-12.

Description: Watercolor your imagination. Afterward, Zak will give us a tour of The Corridor Gallery, 120 E 2nd St. Sign up at the Teen Zone desk.

FMI: 307-577-READ or http://www.zacharypullen.com/

Festival Orchestra holds open auditions May 22 for vocalist

Grand Teton Music Festival announced today an open audition to choose a vocal soloist to sing the national anthem with the Festival Orchestra at the Festival’s annual outdoor 4th of July community concert, Music In The Hole.

All community members with a talent for singing are invited to audition. Open Auditions will be held Saturday, May 22 at 12:30 p.m. in Walk Festival Hall, Teton Village. Sign-in begins at 11:30 a.m., auditions will begin promptly at 12:30 and be finished by 2:30 p.m. No advance registration will be accepted. Audition participants are to enter through the backstage door to Walk Festival Hall, located on the North side of the building next to the Ticket Office.

Piano accompaniment, provided by Laura Huckin, will be provided to singers in the keys of F, Ab, and Bb – singers must be able to perform the song with accompaniment in one of these three keys. A cappella auditions will not be considered. Audition hopefuls will be expected to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” once before a panel of judges, and the auditions are open to public audience – friends and family of auditioning singers may attend.

The winner will perform “The Star Spangled Banner” with the Festival Orchestra under the direction of Music Director Donald Runnicles on Sunday, July 4, 2010 at Music In The Hole. This performance opens the Festival Orchestra’s portion of the concert, which will be a program of patriotic favorites selected by popular vote.

Music In The Hole is a community program of the Grand Teton Music Festival, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is 100% funded by community support. This annual 4th of July concert is a favorite way to celebrate Independence Day in Jackson Hole and features local musicians, recreational activities by area non-profits, and good, old-fashioned family fun all afternoon on the 4th of July. More at www.gtmf.org.

Art show features Pinedale H.S. students

The Pinedale Fine Arts Council will host an exhibit featuring art by Pinedale High School students on Thursday, May 27, 5 p.m., at the Sublette County Library in Pinedale. The artwork was produced during the PFAC-sponsored residency by Cody artist Steve Schrepferman. The event is free and open to the public.

Teen Poetry Slam May 7 at Teton Co. Library

Teen Poetry SLAM will be held on Friday, May 7, 6-10 p.m., in the Teton County Public Library Ordway Auditorium in Jackson. The program is free and open to the community with support from the Charles Engelhard Foundation and Teton County Library Foundation.

Teton County Library invites teens to recite poems and perform other forms of verbal expression, including rap, during a Teen Poetry SLAM at 6 p.m., Friday, May 7 at the library. Pizza and snacks will be served.

During the month of April, the library invited teens to submit original poems to the library's excellent panel of judges. Winners of the April contest, celebrating National Poetry Month, will be announced at the SLAM. Contest entries gave a lyrical twist to an array of topics, including grandma, cats, music, love, social customs, school, skiing, rainy days, horses and much more.

For information about teen programs at the library, contact Teen Program Coordinator, Steve Whisenand, 733-2164 ext. 247 or visit online at www.TCLib.org.

Teton County teens invited to submit poems

In celebration of National Poetry Month --

The Teton County Public Library in Jackson is sponsoring a Teen Poetry Contest.

Teens are invited to submit original poems for judging by the library's panel of judges, and prepare to recite them aloud at the Poetry Slam in May.

Contact: Teen Program Coordinator, Steve Whisenand, 733-2164 ext. 247.