The Western Folklife Center was proud to present a National Cowboy Poetry Gathering favorite, Andy Hedges, in concert on May 4. The evening's activities, including local youth performances, was free of charge as a thank you to the many volunteers and sponsors contributing to the success of the most recent Gathering.
Performers, Marinna Mori and Andy Hedges, May 4, 2018. Photo by Charlie Ekburg.
The Western Folklife Center teamed up with the Northeastern Nevada Museum to offer a full evening of activities, including the Museum’s annual Halleck Bar Party. Both organizations looked forward to celebrating the "wild and wooly" history and culture of northeastern Nevada through a progressive party at both locations.
The evening began at 6:00 pm at the Northeastern Nevada Museum on Idaho Street with the adults attending “the best cocktail party in Elko for the past 40+ years!” Old West attire was encouraged. The Halleck Bar Party ($20 suggested donation) was established to honor the acquisition of the antique bar and back bar from a saloon in the nearby town of Halleck. An annual fundraiser for the Museum, your $20 donation opened the door to spirits, light refreshments, art and yellow duck sales, live piano music, and a brief appearance by Andy Hedges.
Photo by Charlie Ekburg
Meanwhile down the street at the Western Folklife Center, a younger generation took the stage for a free concert beginning at 7:30 pm. Andy Hedges then took the stage at 8:00 pm, and performed two 45-minute sets with a 15-minute intermission. The historic Pioneer Saloon was open for the evening at 7:00 pm, featuring special "poetry inspired" cocktails and other spirits, including its famous sarsarparilla.
Photo by David Tau
Andy is a self-taught songster, reciter and storyteller on tour with his family, from Texas. He will be sharing selections from his diverse repertoire of obscure cowboy songs, dust bowl ballads, blues and classic cowboy poetry recitations, accompanied with banjo and guitar, at the G Three Bar Theatre and Pioneer Saloon. The Andy Hedges concert was family friendly and free to the public. Donations to the Western Folklife Center are always gratefully appreciated and contribute to the presentation of our year-round concert series.
The Pioneer Saloon, with its impressive, 40-foot 1890 Brunswick back bar constructed of mahogany and cherry wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Learn more about Andy Hedges.
This event is sponsored and supported in part by:
Blog updated May 8, 2018.
