Art,  WY People,  Wyoming Athletics,  Wyoming Family,  Wyoming Travel and Tourism

Wyoming Happenings in February!

LINK TO OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

WOW there are a LOT of great events happening in Wyoming in February! Read on below for information…and if you have events that you’d like to add to our list here, just give us a shout at editor@wyolifestyle.com!

image — South Fork Ice Festival

SOUTH FORK ICE FESTIVAL —  This awesome annual event is on its way! News from the South Fork Ice staff…

Friends, guides, gear reps and instructors-

From the staff of southforkice.com — We now have 23 more days until the 14th annual “Waterfall Ice” Festival starts in CODY, WY! Event starts on Friday, February 17 at noon and will end on President’s Day, February 20th at noon.

image — South Fork Ice Festival

We are very excited for the 83 participants already signed up on-line and for the sponsors and vendors who are coming to support this “friendliest little ice festival” at the Cody Auditorium located at 1240 Beck Ave, same as last year.

image — South Fork Ice Festival

Visit www.southforkice.com for schedule of events, details on registration and more — this is a great annual Cody-area event!

image by Rebecca Stern

JACKSON HOLE JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL —  Read on for exciting details on the upcoming Jackson Hole Jewish Music Festival! (Read our current issue for more information on Chabbad Wyoming.)

JEWISH KLEZMER CONCERT

Klezmania — www.bennybemusic.com

The opening concert for this year’s annual Jackson Hole Jewish Music Festival is the widely acclaimed Klezmania, founded in 1989 in San Francisco by world-class artist Ben Brussell.

A classically trained jazz musician and musicologist, Brussell plans to perform primarily Klezmer and Yiddish music followed by a sing-a-long with traditional Israeli songs that are popular in the US. He became enamored with Klezmer upon discovering it in high school. “I was a Jewish typical kid from the suburbs and I was so proud that this was part of my culture,” he said.

Klezmania is a contemporary representation of Klezmer music, he explained. “It’s interesting to be a modern Jew doing this antiquated music with the community and hearing peoples’ response to it.” He stresses that here has been much innovation, noting the influence of classical and American jazz.

Much of the band’s improvisation is based upon Eastern European folk music idioms. “My contention has always been to push the boundaries of music. I think the music itself shouldn’t be sacrificed spiritually. The Ashkenazi Jewish experience is channeled through this music. The music itself is very pure, a soulful expression of the Jewish narrative.”

“Our approach is more like a New York society band. We dress up in suits. We’re a jazz band doing Klezmer. We don’t use a clarinet; we use a soprano saxophone. We’re probably the only Klezmer band on the planet that doesn’t use a clarinet,” Brussell says.

The accolades they get are manifold. “Their performance exceeded our wildest hopes,” one fan enthused.

“No words can describe how terrific you were,” raved another. “Being a musician myself, I’ve always believed that music is the most important element of any event.”

According to Brussell, “what we’re doing is unique because we’re a thriving simcha [celebration event] band that has transcended into the concert realm.” The musicians are of diverse backgrounds and were chosen for their superior talent.  Depending on the event, they play mandolin, violin, saxophone, accordion, keyboard, guitar, bass and drums. “Klezmer has many layers, just like any type of music,” Brussell said.

As for the Jackson Hole event, he thinks that it’s “exciting, and I’m honored to be going.” The kick-off event takes place Sunday, February 12, 5 pm, at Snake River Lodge & Spa, Sundance Ballroom, 7710 Granite Loop Road, Teton Village, Wyoming.

image by Rebecca Stern

For more information about the Klezmania concert and for tickets call 307.462.0847, or visit jhjmf.org.

CRYSTAL CLASSIC WINTER FESTIVAL — GREEN RIVER

February 17 & 18 brings annual excitement to Green River, as ice sculptors, foodies, runners and more from many locations converge for the Crystal Classic Winter Festival! An $11,000 purse prize is being offered in the Crystal Classic Ice Sculpting Competition…events such as Soup Cook-Offs, Snowshoe Softball, a 5K run, Human Dog Sled Racing, a pancake breakfast and more add to the fun — visit the City of Green River’s website and find schedule, registration information, and more! The whole community gets into the event! Green River is known for its love of art and this weekend doesn’t disappoint — make sure to visit the ice sculpting competition while you’re there to view some acts of wonderful winter art!

image www.cityofgreenriver.org

WILD WEST WINTER CARNIVAL — Riverton

image from Wild West Winter Carnival

The annual Wild West Winter Carnival in Riverton is FULL of fun! Ice sculpting, Quick Draw, Crab Crack and more! Visit their website for event schedule and lots of details!

RAILS & BAILS TERRAIN PARK EVENT — Cody 

Check out all the fun at Sleeping Giant Ski Area in Cody — an AWESOME community resort right in Yellowstone’s backyard!

KNOW OF ANOTHER FEBRUARY EVENT THAT WE NEED TO PROMOTE? Shoot us an email at editor@wyolifestyle.com and we’ll be sure to add it! Pictures make the post even more interesting to the viewer — be sure to include all credits!

Till Next Time…

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK TO OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

OUR SISTER PUBLICATIONS:

Wyovore — www.wyovore.com

Wyoming Weddings — www.wyoweddings.com