The 26th annual Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering will take place Oct. 2-5.
The gathering features an array of events in downtown Durango, with headquarters at the Strater Hotel. A complete schedule and ticketing information can be found at www.durangocowboypoetrygathering.org or by calling 749-2995.
This year's gathering honors the Working Ranch Woman. She is embodied in a this year's poster for the gathering, "Eye of the Beholder" by artist Billy Schenck.
Featured performers include Georgie Sicking, Trinity Seely, Juni Fisher, Diane Tribitt, Kristyn Harris and many more. The opening show will be by popular singer/songwriter Tom Russell.
Other highlights of the weekend are special gallery shows by western photographer Barbara VanCleve at Open Shutter, and author/painter Teresa Jordan with her husband, folklorist Hal Cannon at Sorrel Sky. Honoring local strong women, Toh Atin Gallery will feature a special tribute to founder and owner, Mary Jane Clark. The Boot Barn Cowboy Parade Grand Marshal will be local ranch woman Francis Hotter, who is 91 and has ranched in the area all her life.
Another special event at the Animas City Theater, will be a screening of a the documentary "Ridin' and Rhymin'" about the life of Wyoming rancher and poet, Georgie Sicking. This will be followed by a panel discussion with several ladies about the challenges and joys of being a ranch woman.
To encourage more young performers in the genre of cowboy poetry and music, the Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering has created a special Youth Show called "Rising Western Stars." This show is on Saturday Oct 4th at 1:30 p.m. in the Henry Strater Theater. It will feature young performers from age 6 to 18 and is hosted by the popular young lady, Mikki Daniel. The Durango Arts Center will feature a favorite band, "Wild Country" for a benefit dance at 7 p.m. on Friday Oct. 3. Tickets are $15 at the door to benefit the Durango Arts Center. For complete details of the schedule visit www.durangocowboypoetrygathering.org.
