May the food be with you -- at July 7 "Star Wars" food-raiser

Darth Vader wants your food -- for Cheyenne NEEDS

Highlands United Presbyterian Church announces its "Star Wars" Festival “food-raiser” for NEEDS. The STAR WARS FESTIVAL, is scheduled for 6:30-9:30 p..m., Thursday, July 7, at the Highlands United Presbyterian Church, 2390 Pattison Ave., Cheyenne . The public is invited to attend. Admission is FREE with the donation of any non-perishable food item or baby item such as diapers. All items collected will be donated to NEEDS, Inc. for their food bank.

A variety of events are planned as part of this family evening: 

6:30 pm - Intergalatic Meet-and-Greet
Want to meet Darth Vader, Imperial Stormtroopers or R2D2? Come early to the talk and meet some of your favorite characters from the Star War films. Bring your camera and take as many pictures as you like! Re-enactors include members of the Mountain Garrison of the 501st Legion -- www.501st.com. Members reside in both Colorado and Wyoming.

Dr. Toby Rush presents "The Music of Star Wars"

7:30 pm - Presentation: The music of Star Wars 
This 90-minute multimedia presentation from UNC music professor TOBY RUSH, includes excerpts from all six films. Dr. Rush will present the music of Star Wars and explore how John Williams used the soundtrack to help tell George Lucas' epic tale.

9 pm - Costume Contest
Wear your Star Wars costume! Guests are encouraged to dress as characters from any of the Star Wars films. A short fashion show, allowing guests to strut their stuff, will be held following Dr. Rush’s talk. Prizes will be awarded for the top outfits!

All this FREE with your donation for NEEDS! So bring the family, this is one event you don’t want to miss! And it’s for a good cause – with all foodstuffs to be donated to NEEDS Cheyenne. 

Highlands Presbyterian Church is located in north Cheyenne at 2390 Pattison Avenue. From Dell Range at Mountain, drive north on Mountain Road to the intersection of Pattison and Mountain.

For more information, contact Rodger McDaniel, pastor of Highlands Presbyterian, at 307-634-2962 (church office) or rodger.mcdaniel@bresnan.net.

Eat, shop and watch a cool movie tonight in downtown Rawlins

Rawlins DDA/Main Street has been working extremely hard the past few years on its downtown. Tonight, Rawwlins DDA/Main Street and the Carbon County School District #1 Rec Board present Downtown Moonlight Movies, a outdoor movie series showing four films June through September. Tonight’s show at Depot Park, 4^th and Front streets, is the animated feature “Despicable Me.”

This year's movie line-up is:
Despicable Me - June 24th
Back to the Future - July 8th
Jailhouse Rock - July 29th
Happy Gilmore - September 23rd

Movies will begin at dark, about 9:30 p.m. Come down early at 9 p.m. for the costume contest. Dress to the theme of the movie to win Main Street Money, gift certificates good at over 15 downtown businesses. 

Vendors selling food, drink, glow-in-the-dark items and popcorn will be present. 

July 8th's movie showing is in conjunction with SummerFest, Rawlins Jam and Outlaw Show N' Shine. For more information on this great weekend in Rawlins, visit www.rawlinsfest.com. 

September 23rd is in conjunction with state golf and will begin at 7 p.m.

Donkey Creek Festival June 24-26 at Gillette College

The Donkey Creek Festival takes place June 24-June 26 with music, vendors, film and food.

The Donkey Creek Festival kicks off on the evening of June 24, with an Avenues of Art Reception at the Gillette College Tech Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The night concludes with a free outdoor film on the lawn of Gillette Campus featuring the animated hit Megamind.

On June 25, the day begins with a 5K walk/run at the Gillette College Tech Center hosted by the Campbell County Parks and Recreation Department. Then, the Boy Scouts of America hosts an all-you-can-eat pancake feed at the Gillette College Health Sciences Building beginning at 8 a.m. The Classic Car Show runs for five hours beginning at 10 a.m. at the Gillette College Tech Center parking lot.

Both Saturday and Sunday is filled with 12 hours of live music from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. A beer garden is available from noon-9 p.m. Saturday, and from noon-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Altogether, the Avenues of Art Reception, musical performances, outdoor film, and the classic car show are all free and open to the public.

Klezmer music and Israeli folk dancing highlight Yiddish Food Festival May 22

The sixth annual Yiddish Food Festival is scheduled to take place in Cheyenne at Mt. Sinai Synagogue on Sunday, May 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Festival is an open house type event with free admission and cultural food for sale. Mt. Sinai Synagogue is located at 2610 Pioneer Ave in Cheyenne Wyoming. The Festival is designed to introduce visitors to Mt Sinai Congregation's historic building, rituals, music and delicious ethnic foods. Synagogue President Marv Wolf says "You'll kvell over the food, music, and hospitality."

FMI: Michael Sherman, YiddishFoodFestival@MtSinaiCheyenne.org, www.MtSinaiCheyenne.org

Next Art Design & Dine tour takes place May 12

Pinedale LocalFest features food, jazz and a movie

Painted Sage Farm presents a gala reception for the 2011 Spring Into Summer LocalFest. Featuring locally grown food, drink and the compelling food film "FRESH, The Movie." Gourmet tapas prepared by Wyoming culinary artist Christine Wylde. Accompanied by favorite local musical talents, Johnson & Stowe. Sponsored by the Sublette Local Food Alliance and UW Cooperative Extension. Thursday, April 28, 6-9 p.m. at Sublette County Public Library, 155 S. Tyler, Pinedale.

Shining a spotlight on film, visual arts, food and the future this Thursday evening in Cheyenne

Remember the Art Design and Dine art walk from 5-8 p.m. Eight local galleries and exhibition spaces are open with new work this evening. Mixed-media artist Pravina Gondalia will be at Glen Garrett's Gallery, Haitian art will be on display at Clay Paper Scissors, glass artists will be at Prairie Wind and Deselms, the art of Ukrainian native Ringo Stavrowsky is at the Link Gallery, and Georgia Rowswell (sample of her work in photo) at the Nagle-Warren Mansion B&B Gallery.  

Also at the Link Gallery -- Alan O'Hashi will announce the line-up for the Cheyenne International Film Festival. The first festival last spring was fantastic and I'm looking forward to some boffo movies (and box office) this year. Get more info atwww.cheyenneinternationalfilmfestival.org

And don't forget the food and beverages at Ruby Juice and the Laramie County Public Library Cafe, co-sponsors of the art walk.

Prior to the art walk from 4-5:30 p.m., the Cheyenne Arts Council will host a meeting at the Historic Atlas Theatre, 211 W. 16th St., to "present its mission, image, goals and action plan -- the arts community is invited to express interest and to get involved." Get more info at 307-222-4747 or www.cheyenneartscouncil.org.

Claire Lynch Band headlines BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival in Worland Aug. 19-20

The Grammy Award-winning Claire Lynch Band (pictured above) headlines the seventh annual Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival August 19-20, 2011, in Worland.

Other performers include Spring Creek, Left Over Biscuits, and the Mountain Holler Bluegrass Band. Also a jam session.

The festival gets under way on Friday, Aug. 19th at 5:30 p.m. For Friday, the festivities end at 10:30 p.m. On Saturday, August 20th, the event is from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Admission is free.

The event includes the Wyoming State BBQ Championship sanctioned by KCBS. Each year 30-plus BBQ cookers come to compete for this year's prizes totaling over $7,275 (plus trophies and ribbons).

FMI: http://wyo-bbq-bluegrass.com/

Link Gallery hosts Ringo Stavrowsky's art and film festival preview April 14 for Art Design & Dine

This announcement comes from Rebecca Barrett at the Link Gallery in downtown Cheyenne:

Come and join us on Thursday April 14th from 5PM to 8PM at the Link Gallery at 124 West Lincolnway for our monthly Art, Design and Dine art walk.  This month we have some very exciting things  that we think will provide an evening you won't soon forget, including the Cheyenne International Film Festival program release reception and party, and new paintings from a wonderful new artist, Ringo Stavrowsky.

This Art, Design and Dine evening we will be hosting the second Cheyenne international Film Festival's Program Release Reception.  Be among the first to know what movies they will be screening at the Historic Atlas Theatre from May 19th to the 22nd. Join friends and make new acquaintances as you enjoy an evening of catered food sponsored by Suite 1901 and tickle your palette with a wine tasting sponsored by Table Mountain Wines  or enjoy a choice of beers provided by and sponsored by Shadow's Restaurant.  It promises to be a wonderful evening so be sure to bring your friends along as well.

We will also be showcasing the art of Elvira Stavrowsky, better known as "Ringo." Ringo Stavrowsky's art is best described as whimsical Western,  a sort of Walt Disney approach to the West.  It will bring a twinkle to your eye.  Ringo, whose background is in interior design, was encouraged by her father in law, the famous artist Oleg Stavrowski, to paint the West as she saw it while growing up on the shores of the Black Sea in the Ukraine at Odessa.

"I remember seeing films and reading books about the West," she recalls. "I knew that I would find a way to get there.  Even when there was almost no hope of getting out of the Soviet Union I felt this special place calling to me and I knew that I belonged there.  I saw an overdubbed version of John Ford's "Stagecoach" and i was completely captivated by it.  I kept going back again and again until my friends began calling me "Ringo".  The name stuck and I did finally find my way to the wonderful  Wild West.  Originally  my work was more traditional but as I gained competence I found myself longing to do something different.  I began distorting and stylizing my work into something more interesting for me and into something that is  much more of a personal expression of how I feel about the West."

Among Ringo's pieces that we will be displaying are "Two of a Kind" a 16X20 Acrylic on Canvas which portrays the humorous relationship between a cowboy and his horse.  We will also have "War Party" and "The Archer"  two 16X20 acrylic on canvas pieces  and also "Hunters" a  24X35 acrylic which portray the American Indian in her singular way.  We also have "Gaucho" an 11X14 acrylic on canvas done in Ringo's singular style.

Opening reception for "inside/OUT" exhibit set for April 8 at Rawlins Main Street Gallery

Rawlins Main Street Gallery is excited to present inside/OUT, an exhibition of paintings by Mike Karr. The exhibition is being held in commemoration of the gallery’s two-year anniversary. An anniversary celebration and opening reception for the artist will be held on Friday, April 8 from 5-8 PM at the gallery, and will introduce a number of new approaches to community art display in downtown Rawlins. 

For the first time ever, work by the gallery’s featured artist will be presented in a curated show that examines a specific theme. The event will also be the first at the gallery to offer guests beer on tap from Snowy Mountain Brewery in Saratoga. A selection of lounge music by artists on the label Cold Busted, owned and operated by Rawlins resident Derrick Daisey will be played throughout the evening. As always, the wine, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks gallery visitors have come to appreciate will also be served. This event is free and open to the public.

The exhibition will remain on view through early May. FMI: Rawlins Main Street

Albin promotes the ag arts at expo March 22

Spring must be on its way! National Ag Day is March 15 and we're in the midst of National Ag Week. The Southeastern Wyoming Home and Garden Farm and Crop Expo will be held in Albin in Laramie County on Tuesday, March 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Prizes given away every hour. Get more information at http://albinwyo.com/calender_view.aspx?id=47, (307) 632-8411 or agrecruit@juno.com. Find more ag-oriented arts & crafts activities in The Fence Post.

Best of music, arts, food and more at "Best of JH 2011" bash March 9 in Jackson

From JH Weekly:


Join friends and staff of JH Weekly for the third annual Best of Jackson Hole party at Q Roadhouse. Enjoy winning food and beer samples, tunes by winning DJ and live musicians, door prizes galore and more. Champagne toast to all the winners at 7:30 p.m. Also check out a sneak preview of the anticipated "Best of JH 2011" issue. 

Free shuttle by JH Limo Lounge from Albertsons to Q Roadhouse every half hour starting at 6 p.m. $5 at the door.

PERMALINK 

Winter Farmers' Market features gardening arts and culinary arts and arts artsts

The next Winter Farmers' Market will be held at the Historic Downtown Train Depot in downtown Cheyenne on Saturday, March 5 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

It features local foods grown raised or created within 150 miles of Cheyenne. Also includes arts and crafts items handmade within 150 miles of Cheyenne.

Items for sale include :
Local Honey
Jams & Jellies
Fruit Butters
Winter Squash
Pumpkins
Chili
Cupcakes
Sauces
Bar-B-Que to-go
Beef
Bison
Chicken
Lamb
Turkeys
Tamales
Tortillas
Salsa
Empanadas
Winter Garden Produce
Farm Fresh Eggs
Gourmet Mushrooms
Wyoming-made Baked Goods
Cakes and Pies
Soups and Chowders
Roasted Coffee
Gourmet Pasta
Smoked Turkey
Handspun Yarns
Hand-knitted Garments
Handmade Clothes
Natural Skin Care
Art from recycled glass
Handmade Jewelry
Tole painted items


Sponsored by Wyoming Business Council, Cheyenne Depot Museum, Wyoming Farmers Marketing Association, Wyoming Community Network and individuals who support the local food movement.

For more information call 307.649.243

"Let Their Voices be Heard" co-author addresses "Body Image Awareness" week at UW

How society views body image will be explored through a series of discussions and interactive demonstrations during "Body Image Awareness" week Feb. 21-26, at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

On Tuesday, Feb. 22: Betty Holmes speaks about the book that she co-authored, "Let Their Voices Be Heard: Quotations from Life Stories Related to Physical Activity, Food and Eating, and Body Image." Holmes works for the Wyoming Department of Health and was WIN the Rockies regional project coordinator. WIN the Rockies helped to educate community members to value health, respect body size differences and enjoy the benefits of self-acceptance, physically active living and healthful and pleasurable eating. Event is free and open to the public at the UW Union west and center ballrooms, 7 p.m.

For a complete list of the week's activities, visit the University Counseling Center website at http://www.uwyo.edu/ucc/ or call Tracy at (307) 766-2187.

Dine on traditional foods of the Jewish culture at Casper College Humanities Festival

From Casper College:

Traditional foods of the Jewish culture will be served at the next Casper College Ethnic Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 24, in conjunction with the 26th Annual Casper College Humanities Festival February 23-25.

Dishes to be served at the dinner include three entrees: Ashkenazi beef brisket, citrus-baked fish with rhubarb, and potato pierogies with caramelized onions, which is vegetarian. The side dishes include noodle kugel, carrot and sweet potato tzimmes, matzo ball soup, and Sephardic salad with nuts and dried fruits. For dessert, mini rugalah is tentatively planned.

Advance tickets for the Traditional Jewish Dishes ethnic dinner will be sold through Friday, Feb. 18 at a cost of $8.50 each. Tickets will also be available at the door for $11 for adults, $7 for ages 6 through 12, and free for children 5 and under. Tax will be added to all ticket purchases. Because dinners often sell out, advanced ticket purchases are highly recommended.

Tickets may be purchased at the Accounting and Financial Management Office, located in the Liesinger Administration Building, Room 103; the Roberts Commons Cafeteria; and the coffee bars in the Liesinger Administration Building and the Wold Physical Science Center. Cash is accepted at all locations and credit cards are accepted at the cafeteria and coffee bars.

The final dinner in this year's series will be Hungarian with a special presentation by the Casper College forensics team on April 14.

The ethnic dinner series is sponsored by the Casper College Diversity Committee, and is presented by Sodexo Campus Dining under Justin Dreslinski with the menu composed by Chef Josh Kronberg.

Art Design & Dine -- Just in time for Valentine's Day

From the Art Design & Dine site: Art Design & Dine in Cheyenne has a new look! Each poster will list the dates for the next three months of art tours. The flyers will list the featured restaurants on the back. Each quarter there will be new restaurants added to the flyer to give you more options and a longer time to use the coupon.

Jackson duo offers art and chocolate for Valentine's Day

From Wilson artist Shannon Troxler:

Art and chocolate. The bare necessities of life.

Two girls from Jackson have teamed up to bring you just that. Kristen Simpson, a chocolatier. (Teton Chocolat) and Shannon Troxler, a fine artist, have combined their talents to create Teton Chocolat Boxes. We use repurposed cigar boxes decorated with a limited edition print of Shannon's art work and filled with Kristen's delicious hand crafted chocolates.

Each box is filled with an assortment of milk and dark chocolate (with nuts) hand-crafted in the shape of ornate flowers or Venus nipples dusted with iridescent colors. A portion of the proceeds from each box sold goes to the oncology department of St. John's hospital in Jackson to help in the research and treatment of
cancer patients in our community.

Order Direct by Feb 4 for $28 ($3 goes to charity).

After Feb. 4, the Chocolate Boxes will be at Ella's Room and at the JH Flower Co. for $34 apiece.

FMI: paintergirl@bresnan.net; 307-733-0378

Combining the artistry of food and music at Casper College

From a Casper College press release:

Mardi Gras-inspired dishes will be served at the next Casper College Ethnic Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 27, in the Roberts Commons Cafeteria from 5-6:30 p.m.

The Mardi Gras celebration will feature chicken and andouille jambalaya, crawfish court bouillon, okra etouffee, gazebo garden gumbo, confetti chopped salad, red beans and rice, ratatouille, and bananas foster for dessert.

The dinner will feature live music to promote the upcoming Kinser Jazz Festival Feb. 8 and 9 at Casper College.

Advance tickets for the Mardi Gras ethnic dinner will be sold through Friday, Jan. 21 at a cost of $8.50 each. Tickets will also be available at the door for $11 for adults, $7 for ages 6 through 12, and free for children five and under. Tax will be added to all ticket purchases. Because dinners often sell out, advanced ticket purchases are highly recommended.

Tickets may be purchased at the Accounting and Financial Management Office, located in the Leisinger Administration Building, Room 103; the Roberts Commons Cafeteria; and the coffee bars in the Leisinger Administration Building and the Wold Physical Science Center. Cash is accepted at all locations and credit cards are accepted at the cafeteria and coffee bars.

The final two dinners in this year's series will be traditional Jewish dishes featured in conjunction with the Casper College Humanities Festival on February 24, and Hungarian with a special presentation by the Casper College Forensics team on April 14.

The ethnic dinner series is sponsored by the Casper College Diversity Committee, and is presented by Sodexo Campus Dining under Justin Dreslinski with the menu composed by Chef Josh Kronberg.

New year's first Art Design & Dine on Jan. 13

http://artdesignanddine.blogspot.com

"A Cowboy Christmas" and chocolate pretzels just a few offerings at the Trails Center's Dec. 11 event

Received this press release from the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center which is perched on the ridge in north Casper. If you haven't visited, this is a great opportunity to take a tour with the whole family. The Center has hosted a number of Wyoming Arts Council events, including poetry readings and Wyoming history events during the first Equality State Book Festival in 2006.

Here's the info for the center's holiday celebration:

Bundle up and visit the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) for a day of holiday cheer and family fun. The event is free and open to the public.

The Trails Center’s annual "Holiday on the Homestead" will be held on Saturday, Dec 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will feature holiday music, and a variety of activities, including making paper snowflakes and ornaments, and dipping pretzels into chocolate melted in a Dutch oven at the Prairie Sweet Shop.

Music and stories will be performed by Casper College's I Cantori, Buffalo Bill Boycott and Ana, Rachel and Friends. 

"Holiday on the Homestead is a community holiday celebration," said Trails Center Director Mike Abel. "We are offering a variety of family-oriented, educational and fun activities."

For a full list of activities, go to http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/news_room/2010/november/22nhtic-holiday.html