ARVADA, CO – The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities presents the 19th Annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering Thursday, January 10 through Sunday, January 13, 2008. This four-day event features a line-up of over 30 poets and musicians from 11 states, Canada and Australia, who capture the spirit and lifestyle of their Western heritage through poetry, song and verse.

During the Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, cowboy poets, Western balladeers and yodelers bring to life the joys and hardships of modern ranch life, from driving cattle during the 1880's to waiting behind the chutes at the rodeo. Audiences can take a break from the fast-paced, high-tech world and revel in the performances which vary from side-splitting to tear-jerking.

This year's event will pay tribute to Buck Ramsey, who profoundly influenced the writing and music of contemporary Western performers. Buck's widow, Bette, will be in attendance as we honor his life, outstanding achievements and contributions to the art of cowboy poetry.

International performers at this year's gathering include Milton Taylor, who is considered the premier "bush poet" in his native Australia. Jennifer Haig will also be traveling from Australia for this year's event. Doris Daley, cowgirl poet and Academy of Western Artists honoree, and Cowboy Celtic will grace the gathering from Canada.

Closer to home, Colorado boasts some of the best in the business, including singer/songwriter and seventh-generation Coloradoan Jon Chandler, acclaimed cowboy singer Bill Barwick and singer/guitarist/yodeler Liz Masterson, who has performed at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the Lincoln Center in New York City. A complete list of artists, performance times and dates is attached. Biographical information is available upon request.

The long weekend of events includes five different Main Stage concerts of poetry and music (Thurs, January 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Fri, January 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Sat, January 12 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sun, January 13 at 1:00 p.m.), as well as two open mic days filled with music and poetry in the new Black Box Theater (Fri, January 11 and Sat, January 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.).

Tickets for daytime sessions may be purchased at the door and are $14 per day for an all-day pass. Tickets for main stage evening and matinee performances are $28 each. A daytime session and concert package is available for $35 – combine one daytime session with one evening or matinee concert and save! Seating is limited, so get your tickets in advance. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200 or visit arvadacenter.org/on-stage.

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is one of the metro area's largest cultural attractions, devoted to all aspects of the arts. It is generously supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and located two and a half miles north of Interstate 70 on Wadsworth Blvd.

                                                            
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AT A GLANCE…

 
WHAT:  19th Annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering

WHEN:  Thurs, January 10 – Sun, January 13
Daytime and Evening events

WHERE:  Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
6901 Wadsworth Blvd.

COST:  $14 - $28    

MORE INFO:  (720) 898-7200 or arvadacenter.org/on-stage

 

19th Annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering Schedule

Evening and Matinee Theater Performances
Tickets: $28
Each individual performance lasts 15-25 minutes.

Thurs, January 10, 7:30 p.m.
Jean Prescott (Ovalo, TX)
John Nelson (Gunnison, CO)
Chuck Pyle (Palmer Lake, CO)
Milton Taylor (Hartley,
New South Wales, Australia)
Cowboy Celtic (Turner Valley, AB, Canada)

Fri, January 11, 7:30 p.m.
Andy Hedges (Lubbock, TX)
Georgie Sicking (Kaycee, WY)
Richard Elloyan (Dayton, NV)
Doris Daley (Turner Valley, AB, Canada)
Yampa Valley Boys (Steamboat Springs, CO)

Sat, January 12, 1:00 p.m.
Gary McMahan (Bellvue, CO)
Cowboy Celtic (Turner Valley, AB, Canada)
Andy Nelson (Pinedale, WY)
Bill Barwick & Sons of the Tumbleweed (Aurora, CO)

Sat, January 12, 7:30 p.m.
O'Brien Family Band (Evergreen, CO)
Yvonne Hollenbeck (Clearfield, SD)
Jon Chandler & The Wichitones (Commerce City, CO)
Jill Jones (Driftwood, TX)
Jerry Brooks (Sevier, UT)

Sun, January 13, 7:30 p.m.
Vic Anderson (Estes Park, CO)
Dick Warwick (Oakesdale, WA)
Liz Masterson & Friends (Denver, CO)
Jennifer Haig (Australia)
Barry Ward (Copeland, KS)

 
Daytime Session Performances
Fri, January 11 & Sat, January 12
10:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Tickets: $14
Marty Blocker (Merriman, NE)
Bob Campbell (Kilgore, TX)
Ken Cook (Martin, SD)
Zeb Dennis (Longmont, CO)
Duane Dickinson (Scobey, MT)
Willard Hollopeter (Wood Lake, NE)
Leslie Keltner (Cody, WY)
Bonnie Krogman (Wood, SD)
Mark Gardner & Rex Rideout (Cascade & Conifer, CO)
Al Mehl (Boulder, CO)
Bette Ramsey (Amarillo, TX)
Diane Tribitt (Hillman, MN)
Andy Wilkinson (Lubbock, TX)

Note:  A delicious soup and sandwich grub line has items for sale on Friday and Saturday for the guests' eatin' pleasure. You can keep your horse hitched to the rail and mingle with the performers!

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