The 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Gather With Us in Elko—Right Where We Belong
About Elko’s National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
“The Gathering” is a week-long coming-together of people rooted in the poetry, music, and arts of cowboy country. It is a delightful, immersive experience for those who appreciate the rural West’s boundless creativity. It is an open-hearted occasion to forge connections and grow knowledge among, and with, people who live life on the land. It’s a mid-winter, multi-generational, merrymaking event full of food, art, gear, film, discussions, dance, music, verse, and more. It is the place to talk cowboy poetry. And, it’s a darn good time for all!
First produced in 1985, by a small group of folklorists and poets, the Gathering has grown into a national and international happening. Expect a full week of entertaining and educational programs highlighting cultural expression of the rangeland West. And, expect an atmosphere ripe for spontaneous “you couldn’t dream this stuff up if you tried” moments. If you do it right (and there’s really no way to do it wrong), you’ll listen, you’ll laugh, you’ll reflect, you’ll connect, you’ll learn, you’ll cavort, you’ll live tradition, and you’ll leave refreshed in the creative possibility of the West.
What Will You Find at the Gathering?
The Gathering celebrates the creative richness of cowboy and ranch life. If you’ve ever cowboyed for a living, or even lived cowboy-adjacent, you’re practically guaranteed to find the Gathering a compelling experience. But, even if you don’t know your hackamores from your mecates, you’re sure to find something of interest at the Gathering.
There’s a reason the event lands on so many peoples’ “bucket list.” It draws open-minded characters who share the joys and realities of a life on the land. Everyone from cowboys and saddlemakers, to insurance salespersons and plumbers. They all share a mutual admiration, respect, and dedication to what the West was, is, and will be. It’s a chance to engage with the substance, nuance, and soul of what it means to “cowboy,” whether you’re cowboy or not. And, while there are as many ways to “be” cowboy as there are cowboys, one thing we can say—to be cowboy is to be human. No matter who you are, you’ll find humanity at the Gathering.
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering takes place In our very own high-desert cowboy town of Elko, Nevada! The heart of the Gathering lies at the corner of Railroad and Idaho streets. Here, you’ll find the historic Pioneer Hotel building, which serves as the headquarters of the Western Folklife Center, the nonprofit organization that produces the Gathering. Inside, you’ll find shows, exhibits, shopping, and probably a new friend or two at the Pioneer Saloon. The carousing doesn’t stop there. Over the course of the week, the Gathering features more than 60 artists and dozens of shows, workshops, dances, films, open mics, and vendors in multiple venues around town.
Need ideas for what to do? We’ve got you covered. Read on to learn about a few of this year’s special shows and workshops.
Spotlight on Special Gathering Shows & Workshops
The 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering takes place January 29 through February 3, 2024. This year, we’re celebrating the sense of community and camaraderie that comes with finding a place that is “right where we belong.” Come be with us as we laugh, dance, listen, and discuss—and create a space that is right where we all belong.
Early-Week Activities
Experience hands-on workshops and intimate shows before the full Gathering crowd hits town. Here are a few early-week picks we’re excited about this year:
Right Where We Belong
Mon, Jan. 29 | 7-8:30pm | G Three Bar Theater, Western Folklife Center | $30
Setting the tone for this year’s Gathering, this lineup packs a punch with poetry and music reflecting pride of place. Carin Mari’s musical storytelling is formed in the Rocky Mountains. Olivia Romo’s poignant poetics echo the feel of the Sangre de Cristos. And, Forrest VanTuyl’s cowboy music and verse gleans character from the Wallowa range. They may get their inspiration from very different high countries, but they get it. This evening sparkles with the real, relevant, rural sensibility that resonates in the high desert. Right here, in this moment, the realization will hit ya, that you’re right where you belong.
Write On!
Tue, Jan. 30 | 9am-noon | Cedar Room, Elko Convention Center | $50
Story. Pacing. Originality. Revision. Technique. Sparkle. Doris Daley makes the case that writing cowboy poetry is like a sports event (maybe even rodeo, but in this workshop, nobody gets bucked off!). Natural talent is good; natural talent plus knowledge and hard work are even better. If you write in a traditional rhymed-and-metered style, this is the workshop for you. If you write in any style, this is also the workshop for you. Doris promises a fun experience that blends the “work” of poetry (pattern, meter, figures of speech, the importance of sound, editing) with the inspirational. For all ages and all levels.
Home Is Where the Horses Are
Tue, Jan. 30 | 7-8:30pm | G Three Bar Theater, Western Folklife Center | $30
What does home mean? For these three accomplished performers, home means the gentle nuzzle, soft nicker, and warm breath of a trusted partner. Home means a shared respect between human and animal that allows complex work to feel effortless. Home means starting fresh, riding hard, and cooling down together. Home means all the places we come from and the places we come back to…and, the horses we come back to. Juni Fisher, Amy M. Hale, and Gail Steiger share odes to steadfast steeds in this poetry and music filled evening dedicated to all the horses who feel like home.
Beef & Baklava
Wed, Jan. 31 | 9am-noon | First Presbyterian Church | $100
Reem Odeh, proprietor of Odeh’s Mediterranean Restaurant, the cowboy-approved local joint known to have the best cheeseburger in town, leads this cooking workshop where the Mediterranean Sea meets the sagebrush sea. First up, learn how to make pistachio baklava. Baklava holds the distinction of being the most notable traditional dessert in the Middle East. Reem is constantly sought after for guidance on how to prepare this staple dessert which pairs great with Arabic coffee, any time of day! Then, learn to make the spiced beef dish known as kofta, prepared in the oven with potatoes and onions, and served with tahini sauce. Join Reem for a bit of beef, a bit of baklava, and a bountiful experience for your tastebuds.
The Main Three Days—What To Do?
During the main days of the Gathering (Thursday-Saturday), there are dozens—dozens!—of sessions with poetry and music performances, talks, films, demos, art, dances, workshops, tours, vendors, open mics, exhibitions, and more. To get you started, here are a few highlights we recommend:
Keynote Address
Thu, Feb. 1 | 9:30-10:30am | Elko Convention Center Aud. | Included with day pass
0Steeped in vaquero traditions, Jeff Mundell began learning the art and care of bridle horses when he, a town kid, wandered into a tack room while visiting his uncle. Working as a buckaroo, he is as well-versed in hackamores, two-rein, and spade signal bits as he is in stockmanship and regenerative grazing. At the Gabilan Cattle Company, Jeff finds ways to speak to both data-driven scientists and economically-minded, wild-spirited ranchers. Science, says Jeff, is catching up to what ranchers and shepherds have long known about nourishing healthy ecosystems. And, ranchers are catching up with science to abandon practices that are no longer sustainable. Trumpeting cooperation and the importance of local solutions to contribute to big issues, Jeff contends that, in today’s world, horseback cowboys aren’t merely archetypal “shepherds of livestock” but, more accurately, “stewards of land” who herd us toward a bountiful and biodiverse future. Painted Horse drum group and horse dancers open the Keynote with a welcome honoring the day the horse was created.
Sponsored by the Humanities Center at Great Basin College, made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities
Leather Working Basics
Thu-Fri, Feb. 1-2 | 11am-6pm (Thu), 9am-noon (Fri)
Elko Euzkaldunak Clubhouse (Basque House) | $125
A basics-based class for the leather curious. Whether you are thinking about taking up leather working, or just want to make a cool project, this is the class for you! Make your very own neck scarf, or tie, hanger—just the thing to keep your wild rags tidy. Artisan Mark Barcus, leatherman extraordinaire, will guide you through the two-day process of stamping small designs into four pieces of leather and riveting them to a strip of leather that will hold up to 12 scarves or ties. All tools and materials will be supplied. For beginners (and those who want to go back to basics to corral some neckwear).
Cow Country by the Sea
Thu, Feb. 1 | 1-2:15pm | Elko Convention Center Aud. | $50/Free to members*
A cowboy doesn’t have to see the open sea to smell it. Salt air wafts overland with a sense of boundlessness that, when mingled with the aroma of cow patties, does something to a person. Pushing the bounds while staying aground, these ocean-adjacent musical acts express their ranchiness with overtones from the bayou, the islands, and the “California Alps” (yes, the marine sensibility drifts that far inland). Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Gary Haleamau & Kāwili, and Ismay bring the sonic waves with poetic interludes from Sean Sexton, the host from the “Treasure Coast.” Give this show the ocean sniff test. It’s sure to pass.
*Become a Western Folklife Center member and get free tickets to this show!
All About That Bass
Thu, Feb. 1 | 8-9:30pm | Elko Convention Center Auditorium | $50/$35
Every crew has that one undersung player who keeps things moving along, steadily strumming in the background. But, sometimes they get their moment to shine. This one’s for the bassists. An evening of toe-tapping, rhythm-jumping, slap-happy thumping, featuring tight-knit bands and their even tighter bass players. Mike Beck, Lara Manzanares, and The Quebe Sisters show off the saunter in their low lines with a musical extravaganza built on the back of that biggest, baritone-iest bull of them all, that western standard whether acoustic or electric, the one that puts the boom in the boom-chick—the bass.
Yodeling 101
Fri, Feb. 2 | 1:30-2:15pm | Great Basin College Theatre | $35
Learn about the history of yodeling and the basics of how to use your vocal chords to call the cows home at night from master yodeler and musician Wylie Gustafson. As the voice of yodels used by many well-known media advertisements and the author of How to Yodel: Lessons to Tickle Your Tonsils, Wylie is perhaps the most recognizable yodeler in the Internet world. But, his technique comes straight from the range. He learned to yodel from his cowboy-singer father and perfected his warbles and breaks on the high plains of his Montana ranch where he raises cows and cow horses. The foundations taught in this workshop will give you a solid start in the high art of cattle calling and mountain hollering.
The Whole Beef
Fri, Feb. 2 | 6-7:30pm | Elko Convention Center Auditorium | $50/$35
A little bit of everything! This show’s sure to satisfy your cowboy poetry cravings and keep you (and the crew) fed on beefy western music for the rest of the winter. So, bring your friends, divvy up the seats, and dig in for an evening of thorough cowboy sustenance. Feast on the all-round catalog of Andy Hedges, the tender-not-tough tunes of Brenn Hill, and the ribbing-and-wry humor of Andy Nelson. With this kind of variety, you’re sure to get your favorite cut. Sponsored by Home2 Suites by Hilton
Ranch Family Show
Sat, Feb. 3 | 1-2:15pm
Elko Convention Center Auditorium | $50/Free to ranch families (ticket required*)
The theme for this show is one that will be familiar to ranch families—ranch things getting done by women with a proclivity toward horses! Join self-proclaimed “horse-crazy” poet Maria Lisa Eastman, cutting horse expert and musical performer Juni Fisher, writer Deanna Dickinson McCall who has horses in her veins, and “Horse Director” and songstress Trinity Seely for an afternoon of entertainment that never strays far from equine inspiration. Expect songs and rhymes about the ranch business of keeping the forelocked family members happy. *If you earn 50% or more of your income from ranching or a ranch-related job, request your free Ranch Family Show tickets from the Western Folklife Center.
Free Life & Fresh Air
Sat, Feb. 3 | 8-9:30pm | G Three Bar Theater, Western Folklife Center | $90/$45
These trail-worn troubadours find their stories in years on the road, and their songs in years of working together. Balancing wanderlust and rootedness, their sonic paths converge in a folky state of mind. With the slow dash and virtuosic danger of Mike Beck’s laidback Americana, and the sensory life of Margo Cilker and Forrest VanTuyl’s songwriting, their musical trails all lead back to the belonging found in free life and fresh air. As they sigh for the green beneath and the blue above, these roamers always return to the musical places they love.
Last but Not Least…Back-to-Back Dances
Shine up your boots and close out Saturday night with us at not one, but two, stellar dances, with Wylie & the Wild West (Sat, Feb. 3, 10pm, Elko Convention Center) and Jesse Dayne & the Sagebrush Drifters (Sat, Feb.3, midnight, Western Folklife Center).
Got kids? There’s also a family dance on Saturday afternoon just for you.
The Gathering where it all began—It’s right where you belong!
For more Gathering events, information, and tickets:
NationalCowboyPoetryGathering.org
Western Folklife Center
501 Railroad Street, Elko
775-738-7508
