New at the Western Folklife Center

The 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering—Right Where We Belong

To be at the Gathering is to witness the power of making one’s place in the rural American West. To be at the Gathering is to nurture the well-being of our cherished lands, our neighbors, and ourselves. To be at the Gathering is to two-step closer to answering that vexing question of modern life, ‘to what do I belong?’

Thank you for gathering with us as we embraced long-standing cowboy knowledge, deep-rooted traditions, and rural innovations for the 39th year, with a week full of captivating performances, interactive workshops, vibrant conversations…and unexpected experiences. We laughed, we danced, we listened, we discussed—together, we opened up possibilities for the future to create a place that is right where we all belong. 

39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Jan. 29-Feb.3, 2024 | Elko, Nevada

Thank you to our members, donors, and sponsors who make the Gathering possible.

 
 

Upcoming Events

Western Folklife TV

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Let's Dance! May Day
Apr 25
Let's Dance! May Day
Jam On!
May 8
Jam On!
Let's Dance! Line Dance
May 9
Let's Dance! Line Dance
Southwind
May 15
Southwind

Open MicS

Interested in learning about future open mics opportunities? Sign up here and we’ll email you with details as opportunities arise. 

Straight from our archives to your streaming device, it’s TV made for you. Decades of archival recordings and live entertainment rooted in life in the American West—cowboy poetry, music, gearmaking, educational and thought-provoking programming—you’ll find it on Western Folklife TV, with new content released every week.

Unlike the big streaming services, Western Folklife TV subscriptions go toward our nonprofit’s mission to document and share the cultural expressions of life in the West. Thanks for watching. Thanks for sharing. Your support matters.

 

Become a Member

It’s not too late to become a member and support the creative vitality of the rural West (and be first in line to buy tickets for the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 2025!).

Members enhance their experience with other perks too, including complimentary subscriptions to Western Folklife TV (at the Bronze level and above).

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The Latest

From the Blog
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Artistic License"
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Artistic License"

This month, the cowboy poets discuss artistic license in poems as they answer a question posed by The Man Who Didn’t Shoot Liberty Valance: “Could you comment on how you approach decisions about taking artistic license in your writing? Also, could you comment on any historical poems you’ve researched where you’ve found the legend has outpaced the truth or the truth is in fact stranger than fiction?”

Editing "The Cowboy" Archetype
Editing "The Cowboy" Archetype

Respected buckaroo, horseman, and ranch manager Jeff Mundell advocates for the role of the horseback cowboy in a collaborative, future-oriented, regenerative agriculture movement. Read Jeff’s essay about shifting “The Cowboy” archetype with conversations across occupational cultures that connect story-wise cowboys, data-wise scientists, and the living flora and fauna that tie them together.

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Board Spotlight: Chrissy Menicucci Benna

Chrissy Menicucci Benna's experience with the poetry and music of western artists transformed her understanding of western ways of life, even after a lifetime spent in Nevada. A memorable moment hearing poet Paul Zarzyski perform spurred her to become an ardent supporter of the Western Folklife Center and an engaged board member. Read about why Chrissy calls the WFC "a beloved treasure" in the second of our board spotlights.

A Little Cowboy Poetry for a Leap Year
A Little Cowboy Poetry for a Leap Year

For this leap year, DW Groethe and Bill Lowman share poems about the longest of Februarys. February, these are your songs.

Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Best Canines"
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Best Canines"

Whether they’re herding, heading, guarding…or sharing a beer at the end of a long day…some dogs just make an impression. This month, the poets reflect on the cattle dogs (and companion dogs) that have come their way, answering Crazy About Canines’ question, “Who was the best canine companion you ever had the pleasure of working with?”

The Gathering's Electric Energy
The Gathering's Electric Energy

About attending the Gathering for the first time, Piper Wiest writes, “I realized, then, how being in the Gathering audience was a different experience than watching a Gathering performance on my computer. The lyrics and verses of any performer at the Gathering are moving and meaningful no matter the setting. But in person, the Gathering performances spark emotion throughout the audience, creating a collective warmth to share in.”

Board Spotlight: Kristi Overgaard
Board Spotlight: Kristi Overgaard

Western Folklife Center Board Member Kristi Overgaard (proprietor of Oniya Ranch) answered a few questions for us about her personal story, what draws her to the WFC, and why she thinks the WFC is important for everyone. For Kristi, it’s about culture, traditions, talent…and finding that different pace.

Q&A: Entrepreneur Paige Callaway
Q&A: Entrepreneur Paige Callaway

Rancher and entrepreneur Paige Callaway discusses how many people, ranchers or not, can benefit from knowing more about the nuts and bolts of marketing a particular skill while managing a busy life.

Q&A: Leather Worker Mark Barcus
Q&A: Leather Worker Mark Barcus

Artisan Mark Barcus discusses how he got started working leather out of necessity and grew his lifelong passion for building quality gear based on a strong foundation of traditional knowledge.

 
 

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