Genoa Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival kicks off Thursday

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

The entire town of Genoa is the stage where cowboy poets and musicians, storytellers, artists and craftspeople perform during the first Genoa Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival, beginning Thursday and continuing through May 2.

The dance hall and Masonic Lodge, the community church and oldest bar, barns and stables, the parks and cemetery, the old firehouse and the new firehouse, and every available storefront are the backdrops.

"Every business in Genoa has offered their spaces to put events in," said Genoa Town Manager Sheryl Gonzales. "Any building here - any space empty or full - will be used for the festival."

The Genoa Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival, co-sponsored by the Carson Valley Arts Council, features music, dancing, cultural presentations, cowboy dinners, Indian tacos, flapjack breakfasts and spaghetti Western lunches.

Most events are accessible with the purchase of one-day or two-day passes, with extra admission charged for dinner events and for concerts by performers on the Mormon Station main stage. Cowboy poets and musicians at the Genoa Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival include Waddie Mitchell, Don Edwards, Lacy J. Dalton, Paul Zarzyski and David John & the Comstock Cowboys.

"A lot of people can't get enough of cowboy poetry," said Sue Knight, the event's entertainment and recreation events manager. "They will have open mic in the Genoa Bar Annex where all the cowboy poet wannabes can stand up to do their thing. There's also jam sessions after the events on Thursday through Saturday nights at the Carson Valley Inn."

The festival kicks off at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Native American Cultural and Historic Center on Genoa Lane. Events at the cultural center include Washoe storytellers, Great Basin songs, basket makers, drum makers, acorn processing, silversmiths, and dancing by the Eagle Wings Dancers. Art, beadwork, jewelry, and Indian tacos will be for sale.

Western art galleries will be in the Pink House on Genoa Lane, and in the 150-year-old Genoa Stable south of the Genoa Town Hall on Foothill Road.

Off-site events include the trail ride beginning at the Douglas County Fairgrounds to the Pine Nut Mountains, and the conservation and bird walks at the River Ranch on Genoa Lane.

Parking will be on each end of town with shuttle buses running.

One-day passes for access to all non-ticketed workshops and concerts on either Friday or Saturday are $20 adults, $10 for children.

Two-day passes for access to all non-ticketed workshops and concerts on Friday and Saturday are $35 adults, $15 children.

Full event schedules, prices and ticket sales are posted at genoacowboyfestival.com

Day and individual event passes are available at the Genoa Town Offices, 2289 Main St., Genoa, at 782-8696, or from the Carson Valley Arts Council, 1572 Highway 395, Minden, 782-8207.