Bringing Culture to the Rustics

(Webster: rustic: 1. rural; 2. simple or artless; 3 rough or uncouth... noun-a country person)

We're not New York City; our basic population in metro Casper is around 60,000 people. Are we culturally devoid or challenged? I think not. We're going to a play at Casper College tonight. The title is "Seagulls in a Cherry Tree." I've never heard of it but I'll bet most of the urban theatre goers haven't either.
I have been inventorying what in a cultural vane is offered to us in our isolated part of the world. Let's start with "theatre." We're patrons at Casper College. We give just enough that we get two free tickets to each production. They have about five big plays a year-everything from the well known to something like tonight. In addition to Casper College's two theatres we have our own little group of amateur players at Stage III. We are also patrons there. We don't get complimentary tickets there but I get a senior discount. We are hoping our patronage will result in newer more comfortable seats; however, sometimes a person, like artists, just has to put up with a little suffering. It's not really that bad but better seats and more legroom would be appreciated. The Big Daddy of them all is the Broadway series at the Casper Events Center. For about $40.00 a show a rustic can enjoy the best of Broadway with extremely talented casts.
The Events Center also brings in a variety of musical events. Elton John played here last year. The Eagles were here two years ago. Country and Western is still the biggest draw. Years ago Garth Brooks put on a great show. I have to admit I'm not a country fan and didn't recognize a single song.
We have museums (nothing like the Buffalo Bill in Cody)-both art and otherwise. We have a few galleries but we're still pikers next to Jackson Hole and Cody. We have a local who works in bronze and sends his works out to several areas of the country.
We have Art Core, which brings in talent in several genres. It's music, poetry, plays. It's inexpensive and unlike most cell phone companies' unused minutes, a person can roll over his unused tickets to the next season.
Don't feel sorry for those of us with rural zip codes. We're doing just all right culturally and a person can only tolerate so much of a good thing. I look forward to the play tonight.