Last Saturday’s event, “It’s Another Art & Music Thing,” was held at the Gryphon Theater. Doors opened at 11 a.m. to all ages of Laramie for a full day of local talent. The event showcased local live bands, poetry readers, and burlesque dancers. Artwork from local artists, such as paintings, drawings, glasswork, and photographs, was on display. Much of the artwork was also for sale, but some artists used the event for exposure.
Local painter Katherine Nawilis displayed her art for the first time in Laramie at the event. Nawilis, a Texas native, offered to display some of her paintings after seeing the event was in need of local artwork on Facebook.
“It’s cool to see representation of so many different artists in town,” Nawilis said. “It’s also been really cool to have exposure like this. I didn’t really expect to sell any pieces; I just wanted new people to see my work.”
Musicians played all day and into the night across theater. Bands could be found performing in the auditorium, the hallways and the gymnasium. Local burlesque dancers performed in the lobby, hallways and the gymnasium as the evening grew later. Some attendees brought hula hoops, starting up a hooping session in the gym.
Local music favorite Harriman Exit were among the 25 bands scheduled to play. Harriman Exit was founded in Cheyenne by close friends, Clancy Gill and Keaton Elsasser. Seth Leininger and Shawn Hess. Harriman Exit usually plays small, local shows and house parties. The band members describe their music as 60s inspired, psychedelic jam consisting of two guitars, drums and bass guitar. Like Nawilis, they saw an advertisement for the event on Facebook and signed Harriman Exit up on the line-up.
“We were really excited to play this show for the exposure,” guitarist Leininger said. “Plus, networking with other local bands on this level is always a good time.”
Leininger said he was also excited to play on a larger stage because the band is used to playing smaller venues, such as people’s living rooms.
“It’s always a lot of un to get people up and dancing,” he said. “Today was a lot of fun for us.”
Harriman Exit bassist Shawn Hess echoed his band mate’s enthusiasm for the way the event helped the art community.
“This kind of event really helps local artists to branch out and further their artistic endeavors,” Hess said. “I think we all are really stoked about the set we played today and hearing all the other music was really cool, too.”
After 12 hours, the event ended as quickly as it began. Attendee Cody Cikanek, was one of many that left that night with a smile on his face.
“A hell of a damn good time,” he said.
