More than 40 Authentic Cowboys Share Music & Poetry in three-day event
Prescott, Arizona is known as the Cowboy Capital of the world. It also comes alive with authentic cowboy poetry with the 32nd annual Gathering of Cowboy Poets at Yavapai College Performing Arts Center. Performances are Aug. 8-10 at 7 p.m.
More than 40 authentic cowboy poets and singers will perform for two days and three nights, sharing the heritage and the culture of the American Cowboy. Organizers of the Gathering believe in educating about the authentic way of the cowboy and how their poetry and music is developed. They feature free daytime sessions where attendees can meet cowboy poets and singers to enjoy stories about the colorful culture and history that celebrate the true American cowboy.
The Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering has maintained a standard that has been abandoned by most other gatherings by inviting men and women who are now or have been in the past a part of the working cowboy’s environment and workplace. It is respected by the cowboy poets as one of the best gatherings in the country because it helps maintain the true “working cowboy” culture and heritage. This gathering each year has kept its focus on the working cowboy, the land and their livestock.
The collectible poster this year is titled “A Cup of Joe” by Joe Netherwood and features a cowboy on a horse receiving coffee from a fellow cowboy. Also new this year to the show will be five outstanding western artists and their art on display in the Yavapai College Art Gallery adjacent to the lobby where the show takes place.
Patrons can come in and view paintings and sculptures by Netherwood, Bill Nebeker, Steve Atkinson, Shawn Cameron and Marless Fellows. Beautiful scenery, animals and cowboys are all captured in their one-of-a-kind pieces and depict the heritage and culture of the American West.
At its inception, a small group of volunteers produced the event at the Sharlot Hall Museum. Due to its popularity, the Gathering was moved in 2008 to the bigger venue on the campus of Yavapai College.
“It is the dedication of our more than 100 volunteers that make this event possible year after year,” says Jim Buchanan, board president of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering’s. “The culture of the American cowboy comes alive on stage, and it’s been an honor to bring this unique form of entertainment to locals and tourists alike.”
The public is invited to attend five different venues throughout the Yavapai College Campus. Daytime sessions run on Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees are invited to experience more about the cowboy heritage and culture by having “Coffee with the Cowboys” on Saturday at 8 a.m. Nightly performances begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Thursday night will feature award-winning performer, Trinity Seeley.
Friday night’s featured performer is Chris Isaacs, three-time winner of the Academy of Western Artists Will Rogers Award.
The Trio, “The Cowboy Way” made up of Doug Figgs, Jim Jones and Mariam Funke, will be featured on Saturday. Tickets are available at the door, but advanced ordering is advised to assure seating, which can be done at azcowboypoets.org.
Board member Joe Konkel adds, “The Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering is respected by the cowboy poets as one of the best gatherings in the country because we’ve done so much to maintain the true ‘working cowboy’ culture and heritage. Our patrons can’t say enough good things.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit azcowboypoets.org.
