Backbeat 7/15/09

Thursday, July 16, 2009

By PJH Staff

Ringholz tells stories
Jackson Hole, Wyo.-The gallery district? The Art Block? Nouveax row?

The old Center Street block once known as “Gallery Row” might need a new name after most galleries moved away, closed, or shifted spaces and a couple of new ones moved in. Time will tell the block’s new identity, but its newest resident Alta Mira fine art brings a strong dose of “Western contemporary.”

Co-owners Mark Tarrant and Dean Munn left Mountain Trails gallery and artists like John Nieto and Amy Ringholz, who paint Western subject matter with saturated colors and abstracted lines, followed them across the street to the airy glass, steel and brick building at 172 Center Street.

The gallery, which still carries the scent of fresh paint, will host a new show by Ringholz called Storytellers this Saturday. There will be some typical Ringholz wildlife portraits, but the eight “totem paintings” steal the show. They depict animals from different continents stacked upon one another in a vertical line, juxtaposing animals like hippos and owls, grizzlies and polar bears, and giraffes and eagles. Each painting has a purposed narrative that Ringholz developed in her journals while traveling this winter in Africa.

As her subject matter expands, Ringholz’s style matures. The splotches of color that fill her ink-dropper lines are more realistically shadowed with a broad, believable palate. – HS

At the opening for Storytellers, Selectress (a.k.a. Jessica Baker) will spin tunes in the courtyard of 172 Center Street. It will be the first public event in the building, from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday.

Petticoat Rules rides again
Of Square Theatre Company, with director John Briggs, revives a favorite Jackson-centric libretto, Petticoat Rules, Thursday, at the Center for the Arts.
In 1920, five women were elected to the Jackson Town Council and other public positions, including mayor and town marshal, according to historian Ronald Diener. Some of the women, like Rose Crabtree, beat out their own husbands in landslide victories.

Petticoat Rules, written by Jackson pianist Pam Philips and NYC writer Mary Murfitt, sings the story of these progressive valley women who ran for public office, and won.

The play, Briggs said, has been rewritten since it’s last production in 2001 to create “a story more focused on the actual women who ran for office themselves and the significance of the accomplishment.” Briggs said the musical has new songs, new choreography and enhanced production values. Each nightly production features a cast of 12, including Jackson jazz singer Nicole Madison, and a five-piece band. - PD

The 10-day run is kicked off by a $10 preview July 16, followed by nightly performances through July 26 for $25. All shows begin at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts. Call 733-4900 for tickets.

Art fair nears 45th birthday
The 44th annual Art Fair Jackson Hole returns to Miller Park this weekend with artists from across the nation and a concert stage booked full of musical performances.

Starting this year, Art Fair patrons can try their hands at drawing with the Art Association’s  “Step up and Draw” event. Art Fair Director Amy Fradley said the event is intended to “expose people to their hidden artistic side.”
As economic stresses are getting to everyone, this year’s fair focuses on local talent, with members of the Grand Teton Music Festival String Quartet and local bands like Screen Door Porch and the Outskirts.

While the location of the fair was considered being moved to the Center for the Arts lawn, it’s location at Miller Park is secure for another year. Director of the Center for the Arts Stephen Schultz said that while the Center lawn had more space and would be a great place to host the fair, the Center for the Arts is still unsure of what exactly they are going to do with the property in the long-term. – HH
The Art Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday in Miller Park on the corner of Millward and Deloney. Food and drink will be available.

A little-bit-a chicken fry
Get ready for some fried chicken at the Wilson Volunteer Firemen’s Association’s 42nd annual chicken fry. 

Event organizers expect between 3,000 and 4,000 hungry guests. Hartz said the department hopes to use the money to purchase a machine to fill oxygen bottles for their Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses at station two in Wilson. - PD
The event starts at noon Sunday at the corner of Hwy 22 and Moose Wilson Road in the Stilson commuter lot. $8 at the fry or in advance at the Jackson fire station on Pearl Street, station six on the Village Road, station two in Wilson, or Wilson hardware.

Free laughs at Knotty
Finally, a little stand-up comedy in the Tetons.
The Knotty Pine hosts Scot Shields and friends for a free night of stand-up comedy. Dont bring the family, though, because Scot’s routines traverse the typical comedic depths of drugs, alcohol, anal sex and the neverending give-and-take between civilians and law enforcement officials.You can check out some of his clips on Youtube or myspace comedy. – HS

The performance is 9 p.m., Friday at the Knotty Pine in Victor.

“What only fireflys can see,” by Amy Ringholz.
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Backbeat 7/15/09 | Planet JH News Article: General News

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