Jackson, con't

Two organizations I would love to be involved in more reside in Jackson, too far for all the fabulous classes and opportunities they offer. Those are the Dancers' Workshop.

The Dancers Workshop, in the same building, offers dance classes in everything from ballet to hip hop, modern to ballroom dancing, plus yoga and something which looks very painful called jazzercise (I think I spelled that right). I was watching one of the jazzercise classes last time I was there and thinking this is dance? It looks very, um, mechanical, not to mention aerobic (not that dance isn't aerobic, but this had no redeeming gracefulness). The director, a sweet lady and excellent teacher, dancer and choreographer, told me that isn't one of their classes, however; the lady rents the space from them. Dancers' Workshop has 4 beautiful classrooms, which any dance studio would die for, and one of them is a blackbox theatre. See, I could be taking classes and attending dance performances if I lived there. Dancers' Workshop also houses Contemporary Dance Wyoming, our own wonderful and sole professional modern dance troupe.

All this, and so much more I haven't even mentioned here, in a town of less than 9000. They also have the National Museum of Wildlife Art (which currently, 8/2006, has an amazing Andy Warhol show), Jackson Hole Film Festival and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, plus the Jackson Hole Music Experience and so much more. Most of these and more at the

Jackson

Jackson, ah, Jackson. A lot of people don't like Jackson, but I think that is because they see the surface only. If you spend some time there and get to know locals, and see what is happening under the polished western facade, Jackson starts to look quite wonderful. The Grand Teton Music Festival, for example. Not only is it a world class music festival, but they offer free private lessons to middle and high school kids during the school year. How cool is that? They support local musicians, and grow student abilities, while boosting the music program at schools.

I am in love with Jackson, truly in love. I could live there, if only I could afford it.