For the first time ever, the famous Stagecoach ‘Sunday night service’ comes to the Center for the Arts for a western cocktail of film, live music and dance with the world premiere of the documentary film, The Stagecoach Bar: An American Crossroads. Buy tickets now at the Center box office, Big Hole Music in Driggs, The Stagecoach Bar in Wilson or online at jhcenterforthearts.org and dust off your spurs for this community celebration Wednesday, June 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Have you spent a memorable night at the iconic Stagecoach Bar in Wilson? Kick off the evening and celebrate local history by swapping your own ‘Coach’ stories before the debut of this one-hour documentary produced for the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum by award-winning Jackson filmmaker Jennifer Tennican. After sharing Coach memories, sit back and enjoy an intimate portrait of a roadhouse that, for more than 70 years, has been defining and defying our visions of the Wild West and Jackson Hole.
The renowned Stagecoach Bar serves as a prism projecting 70 years of Jackson Holeās cultural evolution. The film introduces a multifarious cast, including the beloved Stagecoach Band, which has been serving up musical entertainment every Sunday for more than 40 years. Meet the Stagecoach Barās first owner Walt Callahan and attend his rowdy rodeos, beginning in the 1940s. Then roll through the decades with the ranchers, hippies, second homeowners, skiers, downhill bikers, Sunday night toe-tappers, Stagecoach Band members and Disco Night dancers, who all mix it up at this unpretentious and cherished community watering hole. The high-definition film features rarely seen and newly discovered historic footage and photos along with interviews with everyone from old-timers to newcomers to Western scholars.
After the screening, the Center’s stage will stand-in for the dance floor at the ‘Coach.’ The audience will leave their seats and come up on to the stage to enjoy live music by the world-famous Stagecoach Band with special guest David Romtvedt. Dancers’ Workshop’s top-notch instructors will be on hand for two-step and western swing lessons.
Bring a little cash to sate your hunger with Cafe Genevieve’s pulled pork sliders and quench your thirst with beer from Snake River Brewery, or wine, whiskey or soft drinks from The Stagecoach Bar. Find memorable souvenirs created by local artists to celebrate this community icon, with John Frechetteās glass ‘Stagecoach’ belt buckles and Sue Flemingās āStagecoachā necklaces, both available for purchase at the event. Proceeds from the evening benefit the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum.
Corporate sponsors for the premiere include: Coldwell Banker Christian Andersen Realty, CafƩ Genevieve, High Country Linens, Mountain Khakis, Snake River Brewery and The Stagecoach Bar.
The film, a program of the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum, has been supported in part by grants or awards from:
- The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, a program of the Department of State ParksĀ and Cultural Resources
- Wyoming Arts Council, through funding from the Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts
- Wyoming Humanities Council
- The Wyoming State Historical Society
- The Wyoming State Historical Records Advisory Board, through funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), National Archives and Records Administration
Another valuable source of funding for the documentary was $25,0000 in prize money from the 2011 Wyoming Short Film Contest sponsored by the Wyoming Film Office and the Wyoming Office of Tourism. Jennifer Tennican donated her first-prize winnings to the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum to help fund The Stagecoach Bar: An American Crossroads.
In addition to grants and prize winnings, over 200 individuals, foundations and businesses have supported the project through tax-deducible donations.
“This film about community was made possible by the community,” Tennican said.
Find out more about the film online at http://thestagecoachbarfilm.com or “like” the film and follow upcoming events at http://www.facebook.com/TheCoachFilm.