Annual Alzada Cowboy Poetry, Music and Art Show

The twenty-ninth Annual Alzada Cowboy Poetry, Music and Art Show will be held on Sunday, October 7 at the Alzada Community Hall in Alzada, Montana. The theme for the 2018 annual show is “Why we do this… .” The theme was prompted by the friendships and continuing support the show has received since it began to celebrate the Montana Centennial in 1989.

Seven people and one group will be featured at the event and organizers expect over fifty other performers and artists to participate. The honored poets are Kevin Adams, Casper, Wyoming and Karen Stockett, Mildred, Montana. The special artists to be showcased are Angeli Coover, Hulett, Wyoming; Kathy Thompson, Whitewood, South Dakota; and Slim and Darlene McNaught, New Underwood, South Dakota. Musicians to be featured are Pam Nisley, Broadus, Montana, and the group called The Amigas, Sundance, Wyoming. Members of the group are Susan Rice, Peggy Howard, Jean Quaal and Pat Liebsack.

Organizers of the show are excited each year to see the new and interesting art and performances. The building opens at 10 a.m. for viewing of the artwork. The free program of poetry and music begins at 1 p.m. and traditionally continues until about 5 p.m. The Alzada Community, Club along with help from many community members, will serve lunch all day with the proceeds used for yearly expenses and maintenance. Door prizes will be given.

An additional bonus of the show are the many friendships which have been formed in a four state area among the performers, artists, audience and the Alzada community members. It has been likened to a huge family reunion since, traditionally, about 200 people attend each year. Children have grown up attending the event and now bring their own children to enjoy the show. Senior citizens especially enjoy sharing the day each year.

When the Alzada Community Club first organized the show it was to provide funds to rewire the old hall. Over the years, the show has helped facilitate the building of a smaller meeting room and kitchen and refurbish that building several years ago. Siding and new windows have been added to the hall, along with a new heating system.

Each poet, musician or musical group may do two selections. Artwork may include paintings in any medium, photographs, leatherwork, sculptures, needlework, quilts, woodwork or other art projects. Each artist may bring three items to display.

Anyone interested in performing or showing artwork are asked to contact Gay Arpan, (406) 828-4517, email kgarpan@rangeweb.net or Chris Maupin (307-467-5260), email cmaupin@rtconnect.net.