JACKSON, Wyo. — You can’t get more Wyoming than ace instrumentalist-songwriter Jalan Crossland and former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson. In fact, the two would make a pretty darn good duo. They both register extremely high on both the wit scale and original one-liner scale. Past performers at The Center’s only fundraising event of the year has featured Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, and The Avett Brothers. For the first time in the event’s history, the sold-out Benefit Concert will be held outside on The Center Park lawn this Friday.
A lot of things have been written about Jalan Crossland over the years, and it can be difficult to convey what boils down to being a charismatic triple threat—virtuosic instrumentalist, singular singer-songwriter, and engaging showman. From his early days of playing in Jackson’s one-room Silver Dollar Bar in the late 90’s/early 2000’s to becoming one of the region’s most sought after acts, he’s a workhorse and an experimenter that can paint a charming impression of a Western derelict, a train-hopping hobo, or forgotten one-horse town.
Though this year’s concert has already sold out, there are still ways to benefit The Center’s 80,000 sq. ft. facility and their effort to provide “a community campus, dedicated to arts programming of all varieties and keeping the arts accessible to a wide audience.” For more information about becoming a benefactor or sponsor, and FAQs about concerts at The Center Park, visit jhcenterforthearts.org/benefit-concert.
Center for the Arts 2021 Benefit Concert featuring Jalan Crossland, Alan Simpson and other special guests, 6-10 p.m. at The Center Park.
