Community Calendar

Founded in New York City in 1991, the ensemble Barynya is internationally recognized as one of the leading presenters of Russian folk arts outside of Russia. For more than three decades, the group has delighted audiences with vibrant performances that celebrate the rich cultural traditions of Eastern Europe and neighboring communities. The repertoire features an exciting blend of Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish, and Gypsy Roma music, dance, and song, showcasing the diversity and beauty of these enduring cultural heritages.

Known for its energetic choreography, colorful costumes, and exceptional musicianship, Barynya presents authentic folk traditions alongside dazzling virtuoso performances. The ensemble’s musicians perform on traditional instruments such as the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion), and balalaika contrabass, creating a distinctive and memorable sound that captivates audiences of all ages.

Barynya has earned widespread acclaim through performances at many of the most prestigious cultural institutions and venues. The ensemble has appeared at venues such as Carnegie Hall, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the United Nations, and the Russian Embassy. Through its dedication to preserving and sharing traditional folk culture, Barynya continues to serve as a cultural ambassador, bringing the spirit, artistry, and traditions of Eastern European folk performance to audiences throughout the United States and around the world.

We begin with Aesop’s classic fable of The Tortoise and Hare but continue the story which finds them 10 years down the road, now with children of their own and exploring modern day distractions. Smartphones and video games create a new landscape of lost connections to life experiences. The Next Gen features Tortoise Junior and Lil’ Hare in a whole new kind of race, where their adventures lead them into unexpected territory. Old Man Tortoise and Big Daddy Hare must come together despite their differences to find and save their children. What hurdles will they have to overcome to make it to the finish line? With dazzling visuals, poignant storytelling, and the creative use of music from classical to pop, this production brings this tale into a new brilliant light.

Taken from a catchy little number found in the 1679 edition of John Playford’s compendium of popular tunes entitled The English Dancing Master, the early music ensemble, No-Body’s Jigg was formed in 2005 by harpsichordist Ronan Khalil, recorder and traverso player Thibault Viviani, both hailing from France, Venezuelan cellist and gambist Tulio Rondon (and later, Anton Baba of Australia), and violinist and Wyoming’s own, Conor Jacobson, while all were studying at The Royal Conservatory of The Hague. The band was known for lively performances of diverse baroque repertoire centered around the four, core members, but they would often expand their ranks to facilitate orchestral works, concerti, and vocal programming. No-Body’s Jigg was quite active in The Netherlands until 2009.

Now, after having gone on in pursuit their own adventures, with great pleasure Conor, Thibault, Ronan, and Tulio reunite after nearly two decades, and for the first time, will be playing together in the USA. Co-sponsored by the Casper College Foundation.

Nathan Baker is the music theory coordinator at Casper College where he teaches music theory, music composition, low brass performance, history of rock, and occasionally a course on film and video game music. In addition to his teaching and nationally-recognized research into music theory pedagogy (particularly from historical and cognitive perspectives), Baker is an active performer on the trombone. He is second trombonist with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and principal trombonist with the Casper Municipal Band, and he has played with the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, the Yellowstone Big Band, the Blues Brothers, the Casper Brass and Storm Door Company, Dem Bones, Deer Creek Brass, and in various musical theatre productions at Utah State University, the University of Oregon, and Casper College. In his (limited) free time he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and hamster, playing contemporary board games, and exploring world cultures by learning to cook their cuisines.

Rockabilly, rock and roll, hot rods, drive-in movies, surf music, early Elvis, and Sun Records—this is the sound, look, and style that defines the Texas-based band The Vinyl Stripes. Deeply inspired by the music and culture of the 1950s and ’60s, the band delivers an authentic vintage experience with high-energy modern appeal.

Adorned with skinny ties, pork pie hats, Gretsch guitars, upright bass, and rockin’ drums, The Vinyl Stripes bring classic American music to life. Their repertoire features rockabilly and early rock and roll favorites made famous by legends such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, and The Beatles—along with surf guitar instrumentals that transport audiences straight to the California coast of the 1960s.

The Vinyl Stripes aren’t just about nostalgia. The band also performs original songs that capture the spirit and sound of the era. The core trio—guitar, upright bass, and drums—features all three members singing in tight three-part harmony. For select performances, the band expands to a four-piece lineup with the addition of tenor saxophone, adding extra punch and classic rock-and-roll flair.

From rockabilly and vintage rock and roll to California surf music and instrumental guitar jams, audiences will definitely get real gone to the sounds of The Vinyl Stripes.

Violinist Likai He enjoys an active career performing as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician. Likai’s solo engagements include appearances with the Jacksonville Symphony, Cheyenne Symphony, Georgia Philharmonic, and the Columbus State University Philharmonic, among others. Likai has also performed at the Kennedy Center, Artist Series of Sarasota, Jacksonville Friday Musicale, and ARTCORE. Among Likai’s awards and honors include prizes at the Jacksonville Symphony Young Artists Competition, Artist Series of Sarasota Competition, Georgia Philharmonic Young Artists Competition, Young Texas Artists Competition, and Presser Award. Currently, Likai is a tenured member of the Nashville Symphony, as well as the Grant Park Festival Orchestra. Prior to his position in Nashville, Likai has performed with the Pittsburgh and Houston Symphonies.

Born into a musical family, Likai began his violin studies at the age of four with his father, Jianjun He. At the age of 16, Likai was admitted to the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, studying with Sergiu Schwartz, and awarded the prestigious Woodruff Award. Likai received his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the tutelage of Cho-Liang Lin.

Thursdays in July & August. Top Jackson Hole yoga instructors conduct weekly summer classes outside on the south part of the Sculpture Trail (parking lot to your left as you come up the hill). Participants will feel inspired doing Sun Salutations and Downward Dogs as they look across the grand vista of the National Elk Refuge. Join us in connecting with two art forms—visual art inspired by artists over the centuries, and the art of yoga, ensuring healthy mind, body, and spirit. All levels welcome. Free.

*Please bring your own mat and water!

Thursdays in July & August. Top Jackson Hole yoga instructors conduct weekly summer classes outside on the south part of the Sculpture Trail (parking lot to your left as you come up the hill). Participants will feel inspired doing Sun Salutations and Downward Dogs as they look across the grand vista of the National Elk Refuge. Join us in connecting with two art forms—visual art inspired by artists over the centuries, and the art of yoga, ensuring healthy mind, body, and spirit. All levels welcome. Free.

*Please bring your own mat and water!

Kevin Utter began his classical organ study at Casper College with Donna Mcintire in 1981, studying on this instrument. He graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1982. Kevin received his Bachelors and Masters of Music in Organ Performance from Colorado State University in 1985/1989 respectively, studying with Robert Cavarra.

Kevin is currently the organist at Christ United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, a position he has held since August of 1995. He has been a church musician from the age of 8, playing for traditional and contemporary services, accompanying choirs and soloists, and providing other special music. He is equally comfortable with the organ, piano, and electronic keyboards and synthesizers, and also sings and plays the theremin. He believes music is very important in helping bring people together in worship and communicating truths of God which cannot be expressed in words. Kevin is married to Valerie and has three children and two grandchildren.

Rooted in folk, blues, country, Latin, rock ‘n’ roll, and psychedelia, intent on uncovering and sharing old hidden gems and forgotten treasures, the music of Indian Paintbrush embraces & continues to pass along the stories and styles of our mixed folk traditions, with a passion to celebrate and share them with all who listen– lest these songs slip through the veils of antiquity into obscurity. Like a vast western horizon, their sound captures and depicts a wide range of history, nature, and feeling; a lone, steady, undying wind singing through red rock mesas, whistling through mountain trees, billowing across grassy plains; silhouetted atop a cosmic pastel skyline, of Venus star, crescent Moon, and setting Sun; from a rumbling boxcar ramble, to the warm reprieve of an ember glowed campfire, to high times in a swinging old neon clad honky tonk; fervour like crying coyotes over a fresh kill, warning like the shake of a rattlesnake’s tail, endless possibilities of an open highway; drawing upon timeless existential human themes, as old & relatable as love & betrayal, lust & romance, triumph & self-doubt, freedom, redemption and realization. These are the feelings and images conjured by the music and sounds of Indian Paintbrush.