Jackson’s got talent

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-The extraordinary talent pool of performing artists in Jackson is something we can all be proud of. A generous sampling of this creatively fertile mountain population will be featured this week in what has been dubbed simply, Jackson Hole Showcase.

A smattering of bands, comedians, dancers, and thespians will each get a 10-minute window, giving you a glimpse into the minds of the folks we see day in and day out. Your friend, the performer, is an exaggerated version of his or her self; it just takes a stage underneath their feet to spark adrenaline.

The variety show was assembled and will be hosted by nomadic strummer James Booth. Booth has been super active in the arts scene the last several years—more than 100 appearances at the JH Hootenanny as a singer-guitarist, host of KHOL’s Live in the Hole, as House Sound Technician at the Center Theater, and stagehand for Off Square Theatre Company, Jackson Community Theatre and Riot Act, Inc.
“When it came to inviting performers, I wanted a sampling of blues, bluegrass, rock, cowboy singer, comedy, dance, and theater … as much of a variety as possible in a two-hour show,” Booth said. “I started by calling a lot of my friends from the Hoot and Live in the Hole.”

The stacked lineup of bands will feature up-and-coming bluegrass quartet Random Canyon Growlers, classical virtuoso and Jackson native Byron Tomingas, female singer-songwriter trio The Outskirts, fluid saxman Jason Fritts fronting jazz trio and the experimental hip-hop/nu jazz sextet The Outfit. What stands out with this particular lineup is that they are primarily composers, contributing a novel imprint to the airwaves.

“The music community keeps getting stronger,” Booth said. “There are perennial favorites and institutions like Bill Briggs, but also a constant influx of new blood like Random Canyon Growlers. KHOL has had a wonderful impact as well.”

Cowboy poet and owner of one of the few remaining horse and cattle ranches in JH, Puzzleface Ranch, David “Kid” Kornblum will perform pieces from his CD, Kid Kornblum, Alive! at The Puzzleface Ranch.

Breaking up the evening with some laughter, The Laugh Staff is a new improv comedy troupe that will get the audience involved, shooting to make those cheeks sore. The program also presents Flamenco dancer Emy DiGrappa, a skit from Off Square Theatre Company and members of Dancers’ Workshop. JHW
    
The family-friendly Jackson Hole Showcase begins at 7:30, p.m.,  Friday at the Center Theater. $5. 733-4900.

Photo by Cathy Aronson
James Booth

PERMALINK:
Jackson’s got talent | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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