Our hills are alive with the sound of music this weekend

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

By Sabra Ayres

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-There’s so much music in the Hole this holiday weekend, it’s a wonder any of us are going to get any sleep.

The variety is a huge change from when I first moved to the valley, back in the early ’90s as a recent college graduate. I worked at what was then the Teton Valley Ranch Camp, and our nights out on the town usually consisted of going to “church” at the Coach on Sunday nights. It was either that, or a makeshift local band playing at what used to be Snow King’s Shady Lady. On a good weekend, we had something out at the Mangy Moose.

And mostly, it was bluegrass, country, and every once in awhile, some swing music. Slim pickings for a 20s-somethings crowd of counselors, cooks and ranch hands from Kelly looking for a good time. Kip Attaway and his musical satire act at the Rancher was another option.

Then came the infamous Disco nights at the Coach on Thursday, when we would all dress up in our most outrageous outfits, platforms and all.

That scene has changed, as any hip newbie from the latest hatch of young, college grads to move out here will tell you. What used to be the Rancher is now the Town Square Tavern, which features a DJ on some nights.  Even those of us who are a little older can find a variety of musical options on any given weekend, or weeknight for that matter.
This week, we highlight something that definitely didn’t exist when I first moved here: talented DJs. Ben Cannon’s cover story on Jackson’s spinners goes behind the turntables to tell the story of how these new mixers came on to the scene, as well as what’s keeping them employed. I’ve got say, even though I’m not a 20-something anymore (just barely), I’ve seen some of these guys working at a few recent events. They are good and worth checking out, even if you have no idea what four songs they are mixing all at once.

This week’s Planet also highlights some of the concerts for this July Fourth weekend. Music in the Hole will again be a local favorite as thousands of us run like mad to save our seats on the lawn at Alpine Field. The Grand Teton Music Festival orchestra will end the evening with some patriotic fare, right before we all turn our heads toward the sky and the fireworks over Snow King.

If you have the energy, you can catch some of the hottest names in hip music after the fireworks at the Declaration 2008 Party at the Snow King Center.
And speaking of the Grand Teton Music Festival, its season kicks off this week at Walk Festival Hall in Teton Village. Robyn Vincent gives you the details on the GTMF in her new, weekly Notes from the Tetons column. 

Even if you live over the hill, there’s a full schedule of entertainment. Check out Aaron Davis’ description of Teton Valley events in this week’s Music Box.
And for those of you who have complained that Jackson lacks enough metropolitan-culture, this weekend should prove you wrong.

Happy Independence Day.
PERMALINK:
Our hills are alive with the sound of music this weekend | Planet JH News Article: Editorial

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