JH Underground – news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jazz Fest is still two months away, but tonight the Knotty Pine again will be bathed in the sweat and spirit of the festival with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.

Denson and mates, who have established themselves as some of the late-night kings at Jazz Fest, take the stage at 10 p.m. and no doubt will test the structural integrity of the Victor log cabin before a rabid capacity crowd.

This show should be on par with some of the Knotty’s historical best: Maceo Parker, Galactic, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and perhaps North Mississippi Allstars. If your game is tight, just might stay up all night.

Following the show, I’ll be getting a groove on with friends on a backcountry yurt trip. Barring an earthquake, this site will be quiet for a few days. Enjoy.

Posted under Music

Tags: funk, jazz fest, karl denson, knotty pine

*Updated with video after the jump

You can practically set your calendar to it: Wyoming Blue Cross/Blue Shield informs of yet another “rate adjustment” — its third in little more than a year, by my count. (They happen so frequently that it’s hard to keep track.)

Because I am a relatively healthy, young, single male with the highest deductible possible, I will not be gouged as badly as other Wyoming residents. But I feel for those who are sick, who have kids, who have higher rates and cannot afford this constant escalation.

The letter is signed, as usual, by Rick Schum, senior vice president of external affairs. When you call the toll-free number on the letter, as I have done in the past, you get a customer service rep whose sole job, it seems, is to deal with customers complaining about rate hikes. The rep does an effective job of disarming anger by saying, essentially, you’re right, this system sucks.

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Posted under Democratic Party, Economy, Politics, Republican Party, Wyoming Legislature

Tags: barack obama, john barrasso

Jalan Crossland, the trailer park troubadour from Ten Sleep, Wyo., returns to Dornan’s in Moose for two shows Friday and Saturday.

Crossland and his band will perform at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15, available at Dornan’s and Valley Bookstore.

A hillbilly hobo he may be, but Crossland is also a dizzying-fast banjo and guitar picker with an equally quick wit. He is well known in these parts, having made Jackson his home on and off while playing solo and with Steam Powered Airplane years ago.

Don’t be surprised if a few guests add to the fun. Ben Winship and Anne and Pete Sibley are among the artists Crossland has played with in the past. His last two-night residency at the Spur Bar had fans moving chairs out of the way to dance.

The shows are being co-promoted by What’s Good Here? Productions, the impresarios behind a string of hit folk and bluegrass concerts since last fall. Here’s the rest of the What’s Good slate for the winter:

• March 4 — Tony Furtado (solo) at Dornan’s
• March 17 — Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band at Town Square Tavern
• March 19 — Dead Man Flats with Random Canyon Growlers at Jackson’s Hole Bar and Grill (aka Eleanor’s Cuvee)

Posted under Music

Tags: bluegrass, jalan crossland

When the Olympic women’s giant slalom begins today at Whistler, Jackson Hole artist John Frechette will be hoping to spot some of his handiwork.

Frechette, maker of glass belt buckles and jewelry, outfitted three skiers from the U.S. team when they trained at Snow King earlier this month. Megan McJames, Hailey Duke and Sarah Schleper will be sporting designs like the Wyoming flag and Olympic rings around the athletes’ village.

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Posted under Art, Business, Sports

Tags: gear, ski racing

Photographer Tristan Greszko gets creative with the JHMR Pipe and Park Crew. Alpenglow on Sleeping Indian and the Gros Ventre Range provides a backdrop.

The Dick’s Ditch Classic banked slalom race is March 5-7 at Jackson Hole. Registration opened today and is limited to 150 riders. Click here to sign up.

Clear skies of late have made for pretty sunsets and fast runs on the hard pack. Hopefully, that’s about to change.

Posted under Art, Sports

Tags: jackson hole mountain resort, photography, snowboarding, tristan greszko

Maybe it’s the water in Cheyenne, or a surge of Republican testosterone.

But there’s something about the Wyoming legislative session that turns otherwise rational, reasonable men into a pack of chest-bumping bro’s trying to out-redneck each other.

This year the aggressive posturing has reached a near-absurd low. First, the governor moved to effectively squash wind power in Wyoming.

Then came a slew of bills railing against the federal government, stopping just short of secession. Five bills challenging federal authority have passed the House, including one that would further sanctify the Cowboy State’s central obsession: guns.

Rep. Keith Gingery, R-Jackson, talks of a “palpable anger” toward the federal government from Wyoming residents.

What are they so angry about?

Oh, yeah: We elected a black Democrat president.

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Posted under Humor, Politics, Republican Party, Wyoming Legislature

Tags: gov dave, keith gingery, Media, rednecks