Ohio Wild West Artists Head Up Greenville Event

GREENVILLE, OHIO - Skills of the old west come alive again in Greenville as three highly specialized Wild West arena artists from Greene County head up the 2009 Annie Oakley Western Arts Showcase. The internationally-known event runs July 23 through 26 during the Annie Oakley Days festival at the Darke County Fairground.

Wild West arena arts include skills of the old west that were a staple of American entertainment from the late 1800's through the early 1960's. Spectators can watch as the participants showcase proficiency in lariat artistry, also known as trick and fancy roping, precision knife and tomahawk throwing, gun spinning, Native American dance and precision whip artistry, or whip cracking.

Many of these skills were developed by working cowboys in the mid 1800's but others have been around for thousands of years. As a kind of professional convention the Annie Oakley Western Arts Showcase provides the opportunity for attendees to participate in workshops, compete in skills contests and present free public performances throughout the weekend.

Originally started in 2002 at Freedom Farm in Jamestown, the Annie Oakley Western Arts Showcase attracts western artists from around the world. In 2003, the event moved to Greenville to help increase public awareness for these activities as performing arts and competitive sports.

Most regional events of this time have not continued for too many consecutive years because of a lack of expertise and resources. Fortunately, there is a representative of each of the three major Wild West arts right here in Greene County, and they work together to make this event possible.

Musician and roper Doug Smith, of Medway, is an award-winning lariat artist, performer and instructor. He has undertaken the task of managing the roping events at the Showcase. Smith is a regular at the City Folk festival in Dayton and travels around the country performing with his ropes and steel guitar.

Kirk Bass, of Xenia, is a certified thrown weapons instructor and competitor. Bass's educational and entertaining presentations include authentic Native American regalia to honor his family's Cherokee heritage.

Bass runs the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame events. On why he and his family enjoy this event every year Bass noted, "Where else could you learn from people who have worked with Halle Berry and Antonio Bandares?"

Freelance journalist and columnist Gery L. Deer, of Jamestown, is also an award-winning whip artist and coach and director of the Showcase. His work has been featured on film and television including America's Got Talent and the 2003 film, The Rundown.

Deer and his family provide most of the resources for the Annie Oakley event each year through his entertainment company GLD Enterprises & Productions. "These professional performers are an invaluable cultural resource and should be utilized more by local festival and event promoters," noted Deer.

He added that he has been trying to encourage local event programmers to take advantage of these specialized talents. "I would love to bring some of our events and activities to the Greene County Fair, but so far there has been little interest."

According to Deer, the Showcase events draw, on average, 75 competitors and an estimated 2,300 spectators to the Annie Oakley Days grounds over a 4-day period but the recession may limit those numbers this year. "The economy is hitting us hard this season," Deer remarked, "but we're still hoping for a few more sponsors and participants."

As an unincorporated non-profit event, the Showcase is funded primarily through the registration fees paid by the participants. Businesses and individuals can also help support various parts of the event through promotional sponsorships. The musical group, The Brothers & Co. Entertainers will be donating their talents to the Saturday night awards dinner to help with the costs.

A couple of major changes to the event this year include a free public performance at 7 p.m. on Friday July 24 on the back lawn of the Garst Museum in Greenville. Spectators can bring lawn chairs and watch a professional western arts performance free of charge. Plus, at the performance, 5-time Guinness Book of World Records whip artist Robert Dante will make an attempt to break his own record for the most whip cracks in 60 seconds.

The 2009 Annie Oakley Western Arts Showcase officially opens at Noon on Thursday, July 24. The events and Saturday night awards show are open to the public. Tickets and a complete schedule of events are available online. For more information call (937) 902-4857 or visit www.ohiowesternarts.org .