Due to continuing health concerns, we remain taking precautionary measures to maximize social distancing and minimize the potential spread of COVID-19. Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, the Western Folklife Center Gift Shop, Wiegand Gallery, and administrative offices will temporarily close until further notice. The Western Folklife Center staff will be periodically checking phone and email messages.

We invite you to join us online for music, poetry and other interesting and entertaining programs of the Western Folklife Center. Watch videos on Vimeo and YouTube, listen to interesting and entertaining audio pieces, explore through online exhibitions, join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more.

Thank you for your understanding. Stay safe!

"This was A++! Enlightening,
Informative - interesting
with good humor;
the hospitality was A+
and the food was A++.
Our bus leader for the day was
So! Interesting and knowledgeable."
                - tour workshop participant

The 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering delivers again with a line-up of exciting, thought provoking, and educational special discussions and compelling speakers. There will be something for everyone in the scope and number of discussions and special sessions presented January 30-February 1, 2020.

On July 18, 2019, acclaimed contemporary cowboy singer/songwriter Mike Beck returns to Elko and the Western Folklife Center stage for a one-night concert of acoustic music and stories. Add even more fun to your evening before the concert with a free docent-led walking tour of our downtown Elko storefront exhibition, Portraits of the Gathering!

We've been sponsoring our community events for several years now, and such "parties" as Southwind St. Patrick's Day celebration on Saturday, March 16 are definitely the place to be in Elko. It was 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (or maybe…8:30 if the band forgots to step down)…you can always plan on a great time, with a happy crowd wearin' the Green and a bit of the ol' Irish sing-along, and more.

The 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering was a lot of fun, and we're glad to have been able to share our event with so many wonderful folks. If you've not made it to Elko yet, it's not too early to start planning for our 36th, January 27-February 1, 2020. Here are a few of the great moments, captured by photographer Charlie Ekburg of Sweet Light Photography. Enjoy!

Country music legends Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives were in Elko for their first time at the Gathering, with their “Way Out West” Tour! The tour celebrates their love of the West and on Thursday, January 31, in an 8:30-10:00 pm show at the Elko Convention Center, the crowd went wild. It was, indeed, a a toe-tapping, spine-tingling treat of an evening! Stuart and music producer Jim Rooney also hosted a fascinating discussion of Marty's career, music and songwriting earlier in the day!

At the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, we're inviting practicing leatherworkers – intermediate experience and above – to open new avenues of creativity and improve their floral carving designs in a three-day workshop!

A border by cartography standards, the 49th parallel distinguishes Canada from the United States ̶ on maps, anyway. But try telling these musicians that as they sing themselves from side to side and back again! Making beauty out of coexistence and proving that lines are never quite what they seem, the five bards of the borderlands in our 8:00 pm Saturday night show exemplify the artist as ambassador. Sharing the Elko Convention Center Auditorium in Bridging the 49th are Jamie Fox, Alex Kusturok, Corb Lund, Sid Marty and Colter Wall: read on to meet them!

The Western Folklife Center hosted John Reischman and the Jaybirds on Thursday, June 29 for a 2:00 pm Bluegrass Rhythm Band Workshop and 7:00 pm Concert! The Pioneer Saloon opened at 5:30 pm and we invited everyone to join us for libations and a FREE exhbition reception and illustrated talk by Jean Earl about "Basque Arborglyphs of the Great Basin" in the Wiegand Gallery.

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 performers, was free of charge as a thank you to the many volunteers and sponsors contributing to the success of the most recent Gathering.

The Western Folklife Center is known for bringing interesting artists to Elko for performances and workshops throughout the year. For our first in 2018, join us on Saturday, March 24th, when we present – with host, GRAMMY award-winning singer/songwriter Rick Nestler of Rick Nestler and Donna “The Banjolele Lady!” 

We've been having a great time going through photos of the 34th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering by our photographers Jessica Lifland and Charlie Ekburg. We wanted to share some of them with you -- Enjoy!