Starting August 23, the lively streets of Downtown Laramie will pulse with the sounds of regional music and the creativity of local artists as the Gem City Nights series returns. Hosted by the Laramie Plains Civic Center’s visual and performing arts facilities, this year’s Gem City Nights is set to elevate Friday evenings, coinciding with the Laramie Main Street Farmers Market.

The summer series promises a vibrant showcase of talent with performances by nine regional musicians, four pop-up art-making experiences for all ages, and the opportunity to purchase unique ceramics from local artisans.

“The Civic Center community is rich with artists of all mediums, and Gem City Nights is our way of showcasing the importance of their work for the community at no cost,” said Jessica Brauer, Executive Director of the Laramie Plains Civic Center. “A summer night at the Laramie Farmers Market is the perfect place to gather and connect around music, creativity, and celebration of the wide array of talent we have in our town.”

Each Friday evening from August 23 to September 13, Gem City Nights will transform the North side of the Laramie Train Depot into a hub of artistic expression and live music. Events kick off with an all-ages drop-in workshop from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by two musical acts from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“We’re excited to be able to host live music at the markets through this collaboration,” said Angela Peterson, Farmers Market Coordinator for Laramie Main Street. “It’s a fantastic way to showcase the region’s musical talent, farmers, and makers.”

The lineup for this year’s Gem City Nights is as follows:

• August 23:
  Music by Pleasure People with Matthew Wilburn Skinner
  Handmade fabric cempasúchil workshop hosted by Gorgon Gallery artist Ismael Dominguez
• August 30:
  Music by Rumours with Carriages
  Creative-reuse mosaic workshop led by LPCC tenant and mixed-media artist Nicole Foss
• September 6:
  Music by Megan Burtt with Kira Dawn
  Community Artmaking hosted by visiting Gorgon Gallery artist Kelwin Coleman
• September 13:
  Music by House of Cards with Prairie Smoke
  Expression-celebrating pop-up experience hosted by LPCC tenants and performing artist company Relative Theatrics

Gem City Nights is free and open to the public, made possible through the generous support of the Wyoming Arts Council and local sponsors. For more details, visit lpccwy.org/gemcitynights.

The Laramie Plains Civic Center, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to fostering connections, nurturing creativity, and enriching the future of the community. Discover more about the historic building’s facilities and programs at lpccwy.org.