Photo by Charlie Ekburg, 2016.
Livestreamed & In-Person
from the G Three Bar Theater
An evening of open mics and open hearts, driven by creativity from around the West. Expect poetry and music. Expect prose and stories. Expect an open flow of western vitality and expression from the folks who answered our open-ended call for this surprise open mic show. They include inspirational newcomers and impressive old hands–they are, quite literally, the creativity of the rural West, driving in from around the rural West. They’re plucky. They’re talented. And they’re mic’ing up and going live from our iconic stage in Elko, NV. Expect to leave open-mouthed.
Featuring:
Gary Gragnani (music)
Ken Harriman & Carolyn Steninger (music)
Larry Hillberg (prose)
John Murnane (poetry)
Luke J. Murnane (poetry)
Hunter Ostler (music)
Sharon S. O’Toole (poetry)
Robin Wignall (poetry)
For more information on the performers, see below. Unfortunately, Kalyn Beasley will not be able to join us tonight. We’ll catch you next time around, Kalyn!
How to Watch
Livestream: Facebook (FREE) or WFC Member Portal
In Person: $5/ticket
Pioneer Saloon opens at 5:30 pm.
It’s all a part of the 2022 Wild Ride–a year of performances and thought-provoking programs recognizing the unfolding stories of life in the American West. Because your story is still a story to tell.
Interested in mic’ing up and taking the stage in Elko? There’ll be more Mic’d Up, Live from Elko open mic events in 2022. Check out the details and sign up now–performer slots are limited and first come, first served.
Photo courtesy of artist.
Gary Gragnani
Every year for the last 16 years, Gary has performed at the Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale. Besides playing western music, he recently published My Search For Murrieta, a lifelong compilation of research into the true story of Joaquin Murrieta.
Photo courtesy of artist.
Ken Harriman & Carolyn Steninger
Ken and Carolyn have played music together as two thirds of the band Southwind for over 22 years. Initially, Southwind played mostly fiddle tunes for contra dances, but over the years they have greatly expanded their repertoire to include Americana, Western, and Celtic music.
Photo courtesy of artist.
Larry Hillberg
An IBM-retired, working computer software consultant from Colfax, CA, Larry hosts a music show on Community Radio KVMR/FM. He’ll share the story of a backroads journey from Albuquerque to Lake Superior, a couple cowboy encounters, and his Ellis Island immigrant grandparents’ homestead dairy farm–and how it defined him.
Photo courtesy of artist.
Luke J. Murnane
Luke is a fourth-generation horseman and fourth-generation cowboy poet. He memorized his first 5-minute poem after hearing it twice and has gone on to become a featured poet at the Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering and a winning professional horse trainer at the Colt Start Championship in Corvallis.
Photo courtesy of artist.
John Murnane
John is an equine and wildlife veterinarian who has spent several thousand miles horseback in back country working grizzly bear and buffalo capture operations. He trained Special Forces A-Team in horsemanship and packing. 42 years ago, John met his wife in horseshoeing school. Together, they raised fourth-generation poets and horsemen.
Photo courtesy of artist.
Hunter Ostler
Hunter comes from a family farm in rural Nevada. Between work, he writes songs about everyday life and the things he experiences.
Photo courtesy of artist.
Sharon S. O’Toole
Sharon is a rancher, writer and poet from the Little Snake River Valley on the Wyoming/Colorado border. She and her family raise cattle, sheep, horses, dogs, and children.
Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland.
Robin Wignall
Robin is a wildland hydrologist for a land management agency who spends time keeping heavy equipment out of trouble on fire lines and restores riparian systems when not slaying red tape and conquering mounds of paperwork.
Kalyn Beasley was originally scheduled to join us. Unfortunately, he is not able to make it this time around, but you can check him out here.
