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.

Renegade Americana's fiddling poet Ken Waldman travels to Wyoming in November

Great article in 10/27 Denver Post about Ken Waldman, Alaska's fiddling poet who will conduct a number of residencies and events in Wyoming in November. Read "Alaska's fiddling poet brings his renegade Americana to Lakewood" at http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16450806

Ken leaves Colorado for a series of renegade Americana events in Wyoming (and vicinity). Here is the schedule from his web site:

Friday, November 5th, 2010 8:00 PM

ARTCORE event

Casper, WY

Two-day residency for this fabulous performing arts series. Evening concert will feature special guests.

Saturday, November 6th, 2010 7:00 PM

Teton Arts Council show

Alpine Wines

Driggs, ID

http://www.tetonartscouncil.com/

This will be sponsored by the Teton Arts Council, on the other side of the mountains from Wyoming. Beautiful spot, and we'll certainly have some fun. There will be special guests. In addition to the Saturday evening show, there will be a workshop on Sunday.

Monday, November 8-12, 2010 10:00 AM

Pinedale residency

Pinedale WY schools

Pinedale, WY

Five days in schools, and an evening event or two--more details as I have them! The residency is sponsored by the marvelous Pinedale Fine Arts Council.

Saturday, November 13th, 2010 8:00 PM

Kemmerer show with Jalan Crossland

South Lincoln Events and Training Center

Kemmerer, WY

I'll be joined by Ten Sleep guitarist and banjo player, Jalan Crossland.

Monday, November 15th, 2010 10:00 AM

Lander PALS residency at various Lander schools

Lander, WY

I'll be spending 4 or 5 days in and around Lander through PALS, an acronym for Promoting Arts in Lander Schools. More details as I have them.

FMI: http://www.kenwaldman.com/

"Songs from the Land" CD features musicians from Idaho and Wyoming

From the Valley Citizen in Driggs, Idaho:

Not only is the Teton Regional Land Trust’s new album release, “Songs of the Land,’ a work of musical art, it is an amazing compilation of Teton Valley’s best musical talents and voices.

Born out of the guiding statement, “Evoking emotion to inspire change,” the Land Trust’s Matt Lucia and Emily Nichols worked closely with some of Teton Valley’s favorite singers and songwriters (Ben Winship, Michael Batdorf, Greg Creamer and Mike Hurwitz to name only a few of the 16 artist) to pull together the album debuting at the nonprofit’s annual summer picnic next Saturday, Aug. 7.

Wyoming artists on the album include Anne and Pete Sibley, Jackson; Alta’s Merissa Wilson and Mike Hurwitz; Margo Valiante, who grew up in Jackson; Screen Porch Door and Loose Ties, Jackson.

Margo Valiante, who grew up in Jackson and recently played at Targhee Fest and is set to complete the Music on Main concerts series in August, sings "First Born Son" on the album.

“This song is dedicated to those who redirected their entire life to be in a place of inspiration. I feel blessed that my family picked up everything and moved to Wyoming when I was six years old. For anyone whose life has been shaped by the shadow of a peak or the sound of a river, you are a First Born Son.”

For more information and to purchase a cd, contact Emily Nichols, 208-354-8939 or emily@tetonlandtrust.org 

Ballet Idaho seeks new executive director

Arts Consulting Group requests your interest in or candidate recommendations for the Executive Director position at Ballet Idaho in Boise, Idaho.

THE ORGANIZATION

Deeply rooted in the community, Ballet Idaho and its Academy create, present, teach and preserve the art form of classic ballet, serving the citizens and visitors of Boise, the state of Idaho, and beyond. The Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy - a rehearsal, recital and performing space that also houses the administrative offices of Opera Idaho and the Boise Philharmonic – is home to Ballet Idaho. The organization is poised for tremendous growth in a Company that currently employs 25 artistically superior professional dancers and an Academy that inspires more than 300 students annually. Ballet Idaho currently has a $1.5 million annual operating budget. The Company performs a mainstage series at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts and the Special Events Center, both located on the campus of Boise State University. Its Ballet Innovations and Family Series performances take place at its home facility in the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy in the vibrant Downtown Boise Cultural District. The 2010-11 season also includes performances of The Nutcracker in Colorado Springs.

THE POSITION

The Executive Director works in partnership with the Artistic Director to develop a strategic vision that grows both the Company and the Academy. The position engages in a broad public dialog as to why it is important to embrace Ballet Idaho as a vital component of the quality of life in Boise, throughout Idaho, the West, and the nation. The Executive Director provides inspired managerial direction to the organization to achieve the artistic and entrepreneurial goals established in tandem with the Board and Artistic Director. The role can be seen as the chief translator of Ballet Idaho’s strategic artistic and educational goals into a language of best business practices that result in institutional vibrancy and sustainability. This includes the ability to 1) maximize audience development, student enrollments, earned, and contributed revenue for the institution, 2) expand the branding, marketing, communications, and public relations efforts for the Ballet, the Academy, and other programs, 3) develop, oversee, monitor, and report on the organization’s financial position, 4) guide the administration and integration of Ballet Idaho and the Academy and 5) supervise staff that guide operations, fundraising, marketing, public relations, facilities, technology, and financial management, as well as the administrative support team needed to implement artistic programs.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Ballet Idaho seeks an individual who will create a focused, positive, and dynamic working environment while setting and maintaining expectations that will challenge the organization’s leadership to strive for and sustain the highest workplace values and institutional goals. The selected candidate will be a leader in the field of arts management who demonstrates a commitment to entrepreneurial leadership. He/she will partner with the Artistic Director to set and maintain a collaborative leadership model that will strengthen the organization by creating a positive and synergistic relationship between the artistic and administrative sides of the organization. A leader who proactively engages with the Company’s senior artistic team to ensure that the artistic and educational programs are understood and well supported in every area of the organization. The Executive Director will support the Academy’s artistic leadership and training programs to ensure the delivery of high quality and economic sustainability.

APPLICATIONS AND INQUIRIES

Send letter and resume with demonstrable accomplishments to:

Rebekah Lambert, Senior Consultant
Arts Consulting Group, Inc.
818 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 236
Portland, OR 97204-2405
Tel (503) 236.3379
Fax (503) 828.9896
E-Mail balletidaho@artsconsulting.com

Cracker and Frontier Ruckus making music in Victor

This week, the Teton Valley Foundation's "Music on Main" series presents Cracker and Frontier Ruckus. Travel across the border to Victor City Park from Jackson and Alta via the START bus. FMI: http://www.tetonvalleyfoundation.org/music-on-main.php

START Bus to shuttle fans from Jackson to "Music on Main" in Victor -- first concert features Jackson bands

JH Underground reported this on June 16:

The START Bus will shuttle people back and forth over the pass during the "Music on Main" concert series that kicks off July 15. The special START service will offer two pick-up times for concert goers coming from Jackson. The ride from Jackson to Victor, where "Music on Main" has been relocated to this year from Driggs, will take about an hour from the first bus stop, at the Snow King Center, and about a half-hour from Wilson, the last stop on the Wyoming side. Riders can take the round-trip ride for $8, or pay $5 for a one-way trip back to the Wyoming side. Shows are scheduled to end by 10 p.m. and a START bus will depart from Victor City Park at 10:10 p.m. The bus will also run the other direction from Victor, shuttling passengers to Driggs, Idaho, and Alta, Wyo.

The Valley Citizen carried this story about the concert line-up:

The series opens on Thursday, July 15 with Calle Mambo and Rotating Superstructure, two of Jackson Hole’s premier local talents.

“Calle Mambo played an opening set last season and was so well received that we simply had to bring them back,” Potter said. “And Rotating Superstructure is one of the youngest bands making waves in the regional scene.”

With any luck at all, the Foundation won’t be able to afford Big Sam’s Funky Nation in the future. Like Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue last year, Big Sam’s Funky Nation is likely to blow its way into the hearts of concert goers Thursday, July 22 after Teton Valley’s own LUNKuR sets the stage.

"Big Sam Williams has long been one of New Orleans’ best trombone players,” Potter said. “After honing his chops with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band for many years, Sam was inspired to form the Funky Nation after Dirty Dozen began touring with Widespread Panic. With upcoming appearances at Bonnaroo, Gathering of the Vibes and Jamcruise, Big Sam’s Funky Nation will bring another set of high energy funk to the Music on Main stage.”

The last Thursday in July will feature the Band of Heathens, an Austin-based Rock/Americana group that has drawn comparisons to the Black Crowes, the Band and Little Feat.

“Following last year’s appearance on Austin City Limits, the Band of Heathens played the Mangy Moose with rave reviews, and they were recently added to this summer’s Lollapalooza festival in Chicago,” Potter said.

Jackson Hole’s One Ton Pig is scheduled to open for the Band of Heathens.

While the band featured on the first Thursday in August is still up in the air, look for the black smoke of the Backyard Tire Fire on August 12. With recent comparisons to Wilco, Son Volt and the Flaming Lips, Backyard Tire Fire has drawn the critical acclaim of Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin, who produced the band’s newest release, “Good to Be."

“It takes a pretty special band to rivet the attention of everyone in my band,” Berlin said. “In my opinion, Backyard Tire Fire is one of America’s best young bands.”

Jackson Hole band the Outfit will open for Backyard Tire Fire.

Two beautiful and talented artists are set to wrap up the 2010 Music on Main series as Carolyn Wonderland and Margo Valiante are set to sing the blues August 19.

Wonderland was named Austin’s Best Female Vocalist and her band the Best Blues Band at the 2009 Austin Music Awards. She has toured with Buddy Guy and John Winter, jammed with Los Lobos and Bob Dylan, recorded with Asleep at the Wheel, and has been featured on Austin City Limits, drawing comparisons to the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi.

A Jackson Hole native, Valiante moved to Austin a few years ago and joined Wonderland on the 2010 Austin Music Awards Best Blues Band list. Valiante will join Wonderland again on stage as her opening act. As a volunteer driven organization, the Teton Valley Foundation is always in search of people interested in donating their time to their events and serving on committees. To get more involved, please contact Jeff Potter by emailing him at jeff@tetonvalleyfoundation.org

Kim Barnes & Robert Wrigley at Equality State Book Festival Sept. 24-25

Idaho writing couple Kim Barnes and Robert Wrigley are two of the presenters who will be featured at the Equality State Book Festival Sept. 24-25 at Casper College.

Here's info from the bookfest web site:

Kim Barnes is the author of two memoirs and two novels, most recently A Country Called Home, which received the 2009 PEN Center USA Literary Award in Fiction and was named a best book of 2008 by The Washington Post, Kansas City Star, and The Oregonian (Northwest). She is the recipient of the PEN/Jerard Fund Award for an emerging woman writer of nonfiction, and her first memoir, In the Wilderness, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her work has appeared in a number of journals and anthologies, including the New York Times, MORE, O Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Fourth Genre, The Georgia Review, Shenandoah, and the Pushcart Prize anthology. Her forthcoming novel, American Mecca, an exploration of Americans living in 1960s Saudi Arabia, will be published by Knopf in 2011. Barnes teaches writing at the University of Idaho and lives with her husband, the poet Robert Wrigley, on Moscow Mountain.

Robert Wrigley was born in 1951, in East St. Louis, Illinois, and grew up not far away in Collinsville, a coal mining town. Wrigley attended Southern Illinois University and the University of Montana, where he developed an abiding love for the western wilderness. Since 1977 he has lived in Idaho, teaching first at Lewis-Clark State College, in Lewiston, and since 1999, at the University of Idaho, where he teaches in the MFA program in creative writing. His books of poetry include The Sinking of Clay City (Copper Canyon , 1979); Moon In a Mason Jar (University of Illinois, 1986); What My Father Believed (Illinois, 1991); In the Bank of Beautiful Sins (Penguin, 1995); and Reign of Snakes (Penguin, 1999). His most recent book is Lives of the Animals (Penguin, 2003). He is the recipient of two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Among his awards are the J. Howard and Barbara M. J. Wood Prize, and the Frederick Bock Prize, from Poetry magazine; the Wagner Award from the Poetry Society of America; and six Pushcart Prizes. In the Bank of Beautiful Sins received the San Francisco Poetry Center Book Award for 1996. Reign of Snakes was awarded the 2000 Kingsley Tufts Award in poetry. Lives of the Animals won The Poets’ Prize for 2005.He lives with his wife, the writer Kim Barnes, near Moscow, Idaho.

Jackson Hole Chorale and Symphony team up for "The Messiah" in Driggs, Idaho

The Jackson Hole Chorale and the Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra will perform Handel's "The Messiah" on Sunday, Dec. 6, 3 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church on South Loop Rd., Driggs, Idaho. This event is free and open to the public -- donations accepted. Free refreshments following the concert.

The performance is directed by Al Young. Accompanist is Laura Huckin.

FMI: http://www.jhcenterforthearts.org/index.cfm?id=residents_chorale

Details for 2009 Northwest Booking Conference

Here's information for Wyoming arts organizations and performers interested in the annual Arts Northwest conference:

The 29th Annual Northwest Booking Conference will be the largest gathering of artists, their management and presenters of the performing arts in the region. In 2009 hundreds of participants from the Northwest and well beyond will attend the conference in Boise, Idaho, October 12-15, 2009.

Attendees will enjoy activities including dynamic performance showcases, an expanded roster of late night showcases, keynote speakers, professional development seminars, workshops, block-booking sessions, networking opportunities, a packed exhibit hall, sales spotlights and social events, all adding up to four fun and highly productive and professional days. Presenters of the performing arts can discover untapped resources, ideas and inspiration. Performers / artist's management have a medium that allows them access to the presenting organizations and individuals throughout the northwest, and helps get them in front of the audience most capable of booking them into the western U.S. market!

Who Should Attend the Arts Northwest Booking Conference?

Performing Arts Presenters: The Annual Northwest Booking Conference allows you as a performing arts presenter, to see, hear and meet with hundreds of artists, their agents and management in a friendly yet professional setting. From the well seasoned and well known, to the cutting edge and the “about to be known”, you will find artists and ensembles to fit you every need and budget. Participate in the block booking activities to get a jump on your season or event.

Performing Artists, Managers, and Agents: Share your work with western based performing arts presenting organizations – theatres, festivals, community concert associations, college presenters and more. Spend time with the presenters, widening your network of connections, educating them as to your work, or that of the artists you represent. Broaden your skills and take advantage of the possibilities that will allow you to plan tours, performances and residency activities in the many communities they represent.

Arts Associates and vendors to the performing arts: (any individual, business or organization supportive of the performing arts or active therein).

All Attendees will enjoy extensive professional development opportunities, along with opportunities for networking and conversation with peers and colleagues. Enjoy keynotes, social activities and the opportunity to renew, refresh, and remember why it is you do what you do with commitment and passion.

Click here for a PDF of the 2009 Conference Registration Brochure.
Click here for the Schedule at a Glance.