National Cowboy Museum News

Learn to Play the Guitar, March 27

March 27, 2010

2:00 p.m.

Introduction to the Guitar

Is there a guitar gathering dust at your house or have you always dreamed of learning to play? Get started with a one-hour group lesson from Oklahoma musician Jim Garling. Gain knowledge about how to care for and tune your guitar and learn an old cowboy song. Designed especially for beginners, ages 12 and up, this program is offered in conjunction with the exhibition “The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans.” Reservations encouraged, (405) 478-2250, Ext. 277. $10 fee includes lesson and Museum admission.

Make a full day of your visit and enjoy the Western Movie Marathon beginning at 11 a.m.

Power of Music Program and Book Signing Slated for March 16

Tuesdays At Sundown—The Music and Instruments of the Power of Music

March 16, 2010

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Hear Mark Gardner, curator of the music-themed exhibition, “The Power of Music.” Using vintage instruments from his own collection, Gardner will demonstrate the songs and instrumentals popular during the time period represented in exhibition subtitled “Photographic Portraits of Americans and Their Musical Instruments, 1860-1915.” Some instruments he uses are identical to those found in the exhibit photos. He also will demonstrate the historic playing styles common to those instruments, with an emphasis on music of the American West. Book signing follows

Author Book Signing for To Hell on a Fast Horse and Jack Thorp’s Songs of the Cowboy

March 16, 2010

7:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Immediately following the Museum’s Tuesdays At Sundown program, author Mark Lee Gardner will sign his latest release To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West. Drawing on voluminous primary sources and a wealth of published scholarship, Mark Lee Gardner digs beneath the myth to take a fresh look at these two men, their relationship and their epic ride to immortality.Gardner’s award-winning book Jack Thorp’s Songs of the Cowboy and CD Frontier Favorites: Old-Time Music of the Wild West also will be available.

See Oklahoma Youth Art Show March 13-21

March 13 – 21, 2010

Oklahoma Youth Expo Western Art Show

The top award-winning entries from the Oklahoma Youth Expo Western Art Show are exhibited outside the Nona Jean Hulsey Rumsey Art Education Center in the Museum’s east hall. This art show coincides with the Oklahoma Youth Expo, the world’s largest junior livestock show, held at State Fair Park.

No admission to view this display

Edgar Cruz Stars in Concert at The Cowboy, March 12

Museum Launches Concert at The Cowboy Series in March

In conjunction with the exhibit, “The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans,” the Museum presents free concerts featuring Oklahoma musicians. Enjoy these special evenings in front of The End of the Trail.

March 12 Edgar Cruz—Acoustic

Each year Edgar Cruz performs more than 200 concerts and has played throughout America, Europe and South America. He has been a headliner at The Chet Atkins Festival in Nashville, TN since 1995 and is a strong icon at most festivals in Oklahoma. Those who have witnessed Cruz’s performance immediately become entranced at the precision, speed and complexity with which his fingers strike the strings of his guitar to create a symphony of sound unusual to just one instrument.

He has been named the Oklahoma’s Top Performing Artist and/or Acoustic Guitarist for more than 10 years by the Oklahoma Gazette. He has received numerous civic acknowledgments for his contributions to various charitable events.

And, don’t miss:

March 19 Brandon Jackson—Red Dirt Acoustic

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; Event is 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

No Cover Charge

Appetizers and Beverages Available for Purchase

Gallery and The Museum Store open

Shop the Sidewalk Sale, March 13-27

March 13-27, 2010

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Museum Store Sidewalk Sale

Bargains await shoppers at The Museum Store’s first Sidewalk Sale. More details to come!

New Music Photography Exhibit Opens February 20

February 20 – May 9, 2010

The Power of Music: Photographic Portraits of Americans and Their Musical Instruments, 1860-1915

This exhibition provides a rare insight into the prevalence of performed music among 19th century Americans. With the birth of photography, many musicians—including Civil War soldiers, cowboys, Vaudeville performers and middle-class Victorians—were able to pose with their favorite instruments to show their pride and love of music. The images were collected over a period of 25 years by historian and musician Mark L. Gardner and the vast majority have never been published or assembled for public view.

Concert at The Cowboy Series Features Oklahoma Musicians Beginning March 5

Concert at The Cowboy

March 5 Otis Watkins—Blues/Acoustic/Classic Rock

March 12 Edgar Cruz—Acoustic

March 19 Brandon Jackson—Red Dirt Acoustic

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Event is 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

No Cover

Appetizers and Beverages Available for Purchase

New Guitars Exhibition Opens February 12

The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans

The guitar is the world’s most popular instrument. From its historical roots in Europe, the instrument became popular throughout the American West, evolving into an icon of cowboy music. Often a stunning visual art form, the guitar is the star of this exhibit. Learn about the making of guitars and see nearly 50 examples—including many that are historically significant or guitars that are truly works of art. Exhibit continues through May 9.

Make Valentine Craft at Saturdays for Kids, February 6

February 6, 2010 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Saturdays for Kids—Crafting Valentines

Visit the Museum for some sweet time spent together. Children can make a puffy valentine heart to share with friends or family. Stay after the activity to visit the galleries and gardens. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Adult Lecture Series Scheduled for February

Adult Lecture Series—Every Picture Tells a Story

February 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2010 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Ron McCoy, Professor of History and Co-Director of the Center for Oklahoma Studies at Oklahoma State University, will teach this four-week class. Topics will include the study of symbols involving Ghost Dance shirts, shields, bead and quill work. The effect of Fort Marion artists and their impact on the development of modern Plains Indian art also will be addressed.

Member Tuition: $25, Nonmember: $30. Classes cannot be prorated. Pre-enrollment required; call (405) 478-2250, Ext. 264.