December is moving quickly

The holiday season is here and all of us at the Basin City Arts Center wish all of you peace and goodwill. In keeping with the spirit of the season, our ballroom is becoming a great site for Christmas parties, wedding and baby showers, and dinners.

The November Craft Bazaar was quite a hit for both vendors and visitors. We are excited to see what next year's bazaar will bring--so start crafting now.

The Community Choir Concert is at 2.30 PM on Sunday, 18 December 2011. This is always a wonderful event put on by our local talents.

Continuing at the BCAC is Zumba, both morning and evening classes. The newest posters say keep off your unwanted holiday pounds, and Zumba is a fun way to do it. We have three instructors that cover all five weekday mornings from 5.45 to 6.30 AM and four weekday evenings (not on Friday) from 5.45 to 6.30 PM. Come in and join in the dance revolution!

Bingo is another regularly scheduled event. December's Bingo is on the 15th, so bring your friends and your money. We'd love to see you there.

Coming up in future months: MOTHER OF NORMANDY, a documentary film shown on 21 January; our annual fundraiser dinner and dance on 4 February; and Missoula Children's Theater rehearsal and performances from 6-11 February.

Enjoy your holiday season and come by and see us at the Basin City Arts Center.

Courtesy of Neil and Jennifer Miller

Miss “V”-The Gypsy Cowbelle in Concert at BCAC Friday, Nov. 11“Nothing Fancy but Guaranteed Authentic”Independent recording and roving country artist Miss “V” appears in concert at the Basin City Arts Center on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. Traveling from the Wyoming Rockies, “V”-The Gypsy Cowbelle brings her signature “Classic Country” music to Basin accompanying her engaging lyrics and campfire vocals with strong rhythms on the acoustic guitar and old-time frailing on her homemade banjo. To honor Veteran’s Day “V” will include songs that speak to the sacrifice America’s Veterans have made to secure our freedom and way of life.“V”s compelling ballads depict a cross-section of history, lifestyles, and emotions stemming from two decades spent exploring America and living on a remote homestead with no modern amenities. Clever lyrics, rich vocals, banjo, guitar and autoharp blend classic country, folk and cowboy music to create her unique ‘Cowbilly’ sound.Miss “V” has a B.A. degree in History from New York State University College at Geneseo and has hosted workshops for all ages on homemade instruments, songwriting, women’s and Western history, and The Modern Day Homesteader. She has honed her homesteader skills such as haying and logging with horses, building saddles and elk hide britches, sewing on treadle machines, shoeing horses, grocery shopping once a year, canning food, concocting herbal remedies, and entertaining around campfires and woodstoves.“V” has been featured in the pictorial book, "Wyoming Working Girls," and at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev.; Ten Sleep’s Nowoodstock Festival; the Wyoming PBS “Wind River Music Showcase”, and appears in a small role in Robert Redford’s movie “The Conspirator” in which she plays her song Mary Surratt. She has self-produced four CDs.Come on down to the Basin City Arts Center on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7p.m. and enjoy a heartwarming evening of country classics including old favorites like Folsom Prison Blues, I Saw the Light, Ghost Riders, Redheaded Stranger, Rocky Top, and more including a special tribute to America’s Veterans! Tickets available at the door are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 60 & over, and $5 for Veterans, Active Military, and kids 12 & under. For more information contact Wendy Taylor at 568-2915.The Basin City Arts Center located at 121 S. 4th Street in Basin, Wyoming is a nonprofit organization developing and supporting the arts in the Big Horn Basin.

Don't forget the Veterans' Dinner tomorrow night at the Basin City Arts Center second floor ballroom.

On this Veterans' Day, the BCAC thanks all our country's veterans and active military for defending our freedoms, no matter the cost.

Courtesy of Neil and Jennifer Miller

50’s, 60’s, & 70’s Music with Davis & Mavrick at the BCAC Saturday, Oct. 22

Back by popular demand The Basin City Arts Center presents Davis & Mavrick in concert on Saturday, October 22 at 7 p.m. For the past twenty years, Davis and Mavrick have performed tributes to the best-known songwriters of light rock, folk, country, and the standards of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Join Davis and Mavrick for a nostalgic musical journey through these decades including a tribute to the Beatles. With polished vocal harmonies and versatile arrangements on acoustic guitars, Davis & Mavrick offer a diverse song selection that will evoke memories from an era of music that will last forever as they keep audiences of all ages listening and singing along.Before the concert at the BCAC, Davis & Mavrick will entertain the residence at the Wyoming Retirement Center. Davis & Mavrick are always happy to share their music with an extra show either for the seniors or the youth of the community. The WRC residents will be snapping their fingers to familiar tunes from their past.Davis and Mavrick features Susan Davis on vocals, acoustic guitar, and percussion and Ron Mavrich on vocals and acoustic guitar. For over 20 years they have performed at many venues throughout Wyoming and the west including the BCAC in June 2010, Casper College, the Vee Bar Guest Ranch in Centennial, Concerts in the Park in Rawlins, and Snow King Resort in Jackson. Since 2004 they have been performing artists on the Wyoming Arts Council Artist Roster. In addition to being talented and engaging musicians, Davis & Mavrick are professional caterers. They have made their home in Laramie since 1985 and enjoy cross country skiing in the Happy Jack area in winter and biking in the summer.Playing music is a passion for Davis & Mavrick; Susan’s lovely clear voice and Ron’s masterful guitar playing strike a chord with those who love music. Their appealing “Beatles Unplugged” show offers an all-acoustic tribute to the music of the Beatles, including sing-alongs and trivia contests. Their lively, high energy show is guaranteed to brighten up your day.Come on down to the BCAC on Saturday, October 22 to enjoy a fun-filled evening full of your favorite tunes from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s including many from the Beatles, and who knows maybe Davis & Mavrick will need your help making these tunes come alive! Tickets available at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children 12 & under.The Basin City Arts Center located at 117 S. 4th Street in Basin, Wyoming is a nonprofit organization supporting and developing the arts in the Big Horn Basin. Lodging for Davis & Mavrick is being provided courtesty of the Yellowstone Motel. This project is supported in part by a grant from Wyoming Arts Council through funding from the Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts who believes a great nation deserves great art. For more information contact Wendy Taylor @ 568-2915 orJennifer Miller @ 568-9346.

Autumn at the BCAC

The season is changing, and so are the upcoming events at the Basin City Arts Center. Before we get in the new scheduling, I should remind you that we have some continuing favorite events.

Bingo at the BCAC--the second Thursday of every month...October's Bingo Day is the 13th.
Zumba continues, both in the mornings and evenings. If you are looking for a way to add some fun activity, Zumba could be for you!

We have some wonderful choices if you need something to do as the daylight disappears. On October 22, Wyoming performers Davis and Maverick will play the BCAC. These gentlemen are returning favorites, so be sure to check out their performance. Also, in the works is a three-day spooky movie to help the grown-ups get ready for Halloween. More to come on the title, but there will be three showings from October 27-29 at 7.00 PM. Come and join us for a little Halloween fun.

In November, the BCAC will be hosting its first annual Arts and Crafts Bazaar from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM. All you crafty people take note: we'd love to have you take a table in our second floor ballroom. Also in November is Miss V, a favorite at the Arts Center.

We currently have the ballroom with a functional kitchen available for your events. The BCAC recently had Hal Cannon and Theresa Jordan perform with refreshments prior to the entertainment provided and hosted by Security State Bank. We would love to provide a beautiful location for your event, so please keep us in mind.

The Basin City Arts Center Board wishes you a wonderful fall season! We hope to see YOU at the BCAC!

Comedian Jon Clark at BCAC This Saturday

Comedian and Singer/Songwriter Jon Clark will perform at the Basin City Arts Center this Saturday, April 16 at 7pm.

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Born on April Fools day Jon Clark was doomed to a life of laughter. His parents started playing pranks on him right from the beginning and Jon soon learned that he didn't care if people were laughing with him or at him, as long as they were laughing.

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Jon started his performing career at the age of 12 as a juggler, and has spent his life performing at fairs, festivals, and birthday parties. For the past ten years he has worked as a stand-up comedian.

Telling jokes and singing songs about his life growing up, his five daughters, and his wife of 17 years, Jon's sense of humor is fun, playful, and sometimes a little obscure. He says “I'm not a mean comedian. I don't try to embarrass people in the audience or lambast someone just because their cell phone rings during my show. No one has to be afraid to sit in the front row with me.”

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Although his show is “TV clean” it is more of a 9 p.m. TV clean than a 6 p.m. TV clean. “There aren't any swear words in my jokes, but there is innuendo,” Clark says. “I'm not a comedian that tries to 'shock' the audience into laughing. I want them to laugh because the jokes are funny, not crude." Clark says of his set, "It's not a kid friendly show. Not because it's dirty, but because kids won't get any of the jokes. It just wouldn't be that fun for them.” Clark suggests ages 16 and up.

So come enjoy an evening of comedy on Saturday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at the Basin City Arts Center!

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Tickets, available at the door, are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children 12 & under. The Basin City Arts Center located at 117 S. 4th Street in Basin, Wyoming, is a nonprofit organization supporting and developing the arts in the Big Horn Basin.

For more information about this event or the arts center contact Wendy Taylor at 568-2915.

Attik of Beswink Rocks the BCAC this Friday

Get ready to rock with Attik of Beswink this Friday, April 1 at the Basin City Arts Center at 7 p.m.!

The first public performance of this up & coming band headed by Hans Peterson on lead guitar and vocals with Colan Cheatham on guitar and Collin Peterson on drums will make the audience jump. Hans and Collin Peterson are home-schooled high school students from Basin and Colan Cheatham attends Greybull High School.

Covers of Green Day, Nirvana, Nine Days, and Semisonic highlight the show. Attik of Beswink will also perform original songs including All American Jogger, Gone Under, and Distraught which will showcase their talent and rock the audience with rhythm, energy, and emotion. Their music will create a powerful atmosphere that will speak directly to the heart of the listener.

The origin of their band name derives from the board game Balderdash. Beswink, an old English word, means gainfully employed. Attik refers to all the different types of out-of-the-way practice spaces that the band uses to jam. Attik of Beswink is a group of young dynamic musicians using their time wisely practicing in attics or basements the music they love. They gotta rock!

Attik of Beswink’s future is bright. They’re breaking out by producing their first album and music videos. Catch them on Facebook and YouTube.

Let Attik of Beswink turn your head at the Basin City Arts Center Friday night at 7 p.m. Cover charge is $2 or a can of food for the Basin Food Pantry. The Basin City Arts Center located at 117 S. 4th Street in Basin, Wyoming is a nonprofit organization supporting and developing the arts in the Big Horn Basin.

For more information contact Wendy Taylor at 568-2195.

Jalan Crossland In Concert

The Basin City Arts Center presents Jalan Crossland in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, January 28.

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"There ain't much to see in a small town, but what you hear sure makes up for it" is the old adage. In Ten Sleep WY, population 307, what you'll hear - more often than not - is a clanky old banjo ricocheting off the storefronts and buttes, like a renegade .22 rifle shell. This clamor is Jalan Crossland, the local trailer park troubadour. His singing voice is as dusty as the Triassic shale hillsides, spinning yarns and painting portraits of the lives and people of the rural Rocky Mountain West. "Gossip is even better when you sing it" says Jalan.

Raised in a small Wyoming town, Jalan Crossland is one of a very few “alt country” artists his age who still claims the “country” as home. Maybe this explains the lyrical, 'truth is stranger than fiction' wobble to his songs about 21st century rural life. Live and on recordings he adds dazzling guitar and banjo fingerpicking to his kanky tales of hobos, tires, “mobile homes”, strippers, motorcycles, trucks, cars, vice presidents and methamphetamines (“Drugs are bad” says Jalan).

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Jalan has been touring both solo and with a band for ten years, but his musical upbringing is of course longer, and more sordid. Though the guitar spends a lot of time in Jalan's hands these days, the first stringed entity that caught his young eye and ear was the banjo, his uncle Dan figuring prominently in this. Despite this banjo affliction, Jalan somehow survived his Wyoming Teenage Boy Instinct for Self-Destruction well enough, to emerge in his twenties playing electric guitar for money on the road. All big hair playing a whammy-bar Ibanez Firebird copy, in Iron Maiden wannabe bands."

But the 'country' was and is always with him. Later Jalan's metal phase gave way, to touring with honky-tonk country bands as a hired gun. He moved to solo status in the late 1900s, which is also when he began crafting his strange, new-old-timey tales of sagebrush and asphalt. While building his reputation as a solo artist, Jalan spent a lot of time at home in Tensleep, Wyoming (pop. 300) either by the woodstove or on the porch, picking and picking and picking, becoming a roots music virtuoso. True to his slacker past, Jalan managed a mere second place finish in the 1997 Winfield National Guitar Fingerpicking competition but grabbed onto 1st in the state flatpicking contest of his Wyoming home.

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Crossland's songs are vivid, first-hand accounts of life in the small towns and backcountry of 21st century America. Like the people they portray, the songs are tough and honest. They also reflect the tremendous heart and soul of their colorful characters. Even where the warp and weave is of hardship or heartbreak, the songs are threaded with strings of optimism and humor.

Crossland’s lyrics travel in a musical vehicle more akin to a rusty, hopped-up '66 Ford (with 3-on-the-tree) than an air-conditioned Prius. The sound glides along on the wheels of a country music clearly not to be mistaken for mainstream. Old-time and bluegrass are present, but treated to the creative freedom of rock-n-roll.

"More than just a great picker, Crossland's performances feature graceful delivery and genuine character." [Planet Jackson Hole, Jackson WY]

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Whether performing solo or with his band, Jalan's concerts are energetic, upbeat and fun. On stage, he is as comfortable as he would be pickin’ on his own front porch. This relaxed demeanor disarms the coolest of audiences, pulling everyone onto that porch alongside him, with their luke-warm beer and paper plates full of hot-wings.

Crossland has been the opening act on several tours with alt-country legend Robert Earl Keen. He has also appeared on television, radio, and in dozens of magazines including The New York Times, No Depression, and Fingerstyle Guitar, and has shared concert and festival stages with many of the biggest musical acts in the nation.

"If you're lucky enough to hear Jalan play live, observe the audience. It will be made almost entirely of drop-jawed, glassy-eyed, altogether astonished listeners." [Panache Magazine, Black Hills SD]

All tickets are $12 each and will be available at the door starting at 6:30 p.m.

For more information contact Wendy at 568-2915.