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

Fireworks may have sent everyone on their way following the Grace Potter concert, but there was one last blast to close out Mountain Fest weekend.

Greyboy Allstars had the Pink Garter shaking Sunday with colorful explorations of funk and jazz. The band was tight, and the lights and sound superb.

After a disastrous experiment with a Reba McEntire-narrated tourist movie last summer, the Pink Garter re-established itself as a music venue this winter, with this show and the wildly successful Haiti benefit in February, both produced by Poppa Presents.

For years Jackson has lacked a downtown club for shows of this caliber. With the Mangy Moose and Center for the Arts either unwilling or unable to fill the music void, the historic Pink Garter — where Willie Nelson played his first Jackson gig in the ’70s — could be the spot.

Photo by David Stubbs. After the jump, more photos and video.

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Posted under Business, Entertainment, Music

Tags: david stubbs, festivals, funk, karl denson, pink garter

This much we know about the 2010 Pole Pedal Paddle: Brooks Holmes and Kathleen Crowley were the champs, with both winning at least a share of the Triple Crown as best all-around skiers in Jackson.

And it was frigid. Freeze-off-parts-of-your-anatomy frigid.

But the breakdown of times is kind of hazy, as a new electronic timing system malfunctioned at the nordic finish, much to everyone’s frustration. The Ski Club has posted incomplete results here.

It was a strange morning. Doug Cook, winner of the men’s rec division, had his alpine skis run over in the parking lot before the race (by another competitor rushing to get ready). A JHMR employee, he was able to retrieve a spare pair, albeit unsharpened, in a nick of time.

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Posted under Sports, Weather

Tags: cycling, pole pedal paddle, river running, ski racing

Still haven’t gotten your fill of Grace Potter? Don’t worry, she’ll be back for another visit to the Tetons this summer.

Potter and the Nocturnals will play Targhee Fest on July 17. This will be the third straight year she has performed at the festival.

To recap:

• Friday, July 16 — Steve Kimock’s Crazy Engine, Moe

• Saturday, July 17 — Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, David Lindley, Los Lobos

• Sunday, July 18 — Shawn Colvin, Michael Franti and Spearhead

Targhee also has assembled its lineup for the 22nd annual Bluegrass Festival on Aug. 13-15.

Booked so far: Punch Brothers Featuring Chris Thile; Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain; Keller Williams and the Keels (will close Friday night); Bearfoot; Sam Bush Band (will close Saturday night); Sarah Jarosz; Brother Mule; Fishing Music; and Rich Moore and Mollie O’Brien.

For updates, check Targhee’s festival page.

Posted under Music, Ski Resorts

Tags: bluegrass, festivals, grace potter, rock, targhee

More than 60 people filled the Old Wilson Schoolhouse last week to learn more about and give input on the proposed Wilson Bridge Recreation Area.

The dialogue was thoughtful, and public comment overwhelmingly positive.

One group not usually heard from in community planning discussions showed up in force: kayakers.

While many were there to lobby for inclusion of some sort of play feature, Dan Abraham, director of the Jackson Hole Kayak Club, talked of the broader importance of a community river facility.

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Posted under County Government, Environment, Politics, Sports, Town Government

Tags: jim roscoe, river running, snake river

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals served up three cups full of bottled lightning, and the Jackson Hole Mountain Festival audience drank it up.

On a cold day that saw Pole Pedal Paddle competitors frosted with ice, Grace and her band warmed the hearts of her adoring fans better than a bottle of peppermint schnapps.

Dressed in a leather jacket with her hair blowing in the wind, Potter recalled playing at Targhee Fest last July. “It was a little bit warmer that day,” she said. “But I’m from Vermont.” Cold was no big deal.

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Posted under Entertainment, Music, Ski Resorts, Sports

Tags: festivals, grace potter, jackson hole mountain resort, parties, photography, pole pedal paddle, rock, teton village

Talk about extra motivation to get us across the finish line of the Pole Pedal Paddle on Saturday: Grace Potter awaits for the post-race party at Teton Village.

The Jackson Hole Mountain Festival kicks off with homegrown rock sensation Rotating Superstructure playing from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. behind Nick Wilson’s. Jet Black Ninja Funkgrass Unit plays an opening set on the big stage at 5 p.m., and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will be on by 6:30. Fireworks follow the show.

Woody’s weather forecast is calling for sunshine and mild temps, meaning Grace hopefully won’t have to be bundled up in a puffy ski jacket.

Since the festival was booked, the soulful siren from Vermont has made an even bigger splash nationally, with marquee performances at South by Southwest and belated heralding by Rolling Stone. “I don’t think we’d be able to hire her now,” says Andy Calder, who is producing the festival for the resort.

This video — the second coming of Grace Slick — was recorded last year in Burlington, Vt. Test your body in the PPP, then feed your head.

Posted under Music, Ski Resorts

Tags: festivals, grace potter, jackson hole mountain resort, pole pedal paddle, rock, teton village