'American West' Program Planned At Neligh Library Sept. 9

“Romancing the West” producers will be stopping in Neligh to perform “Time Travels through the American West” at Neligh Public Library.

The performance is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m.

“Time Travels through the American West”, features singer/songwriter Christina Lynn Martin and Cowboy poet Butch Martin performing highlights of the critically acclaimed documentary concert “Romancing the West,” which tours throughout the U.S. 

History-style documentary meets live concert performance in this unique and epic time traveling experience, taking the audience through 24 decades of history in 2 riveting hours. “Romancing the West” has toured Western states in many historically significant theaters and venues from Gene Autry Museum’s Wells Fargo Theater in Los Angeles, Historic San Juan Capistrano, to Piper’s Opera House in Nevada,  Portland Oregon. This marks the shows first Midwest tour, giving the show’s producers a chance to present highlights they perform in the show, in the more intimate performance “Time Travels through the American West”, in rural communities as they travel East.

Writer/Producer Christina Lynn Martin chose to come to Neligh to see the town where her grandmother was born, in hopes of meeting distant family members as she is a decedent of the Bowker and Crellin families.  Her grandmother Harriett Mansfield was the daughter of Harry Bowker and Sue Crellin.  Harriett was christened in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church one hundred years ago.  Harriett’s parents went West in the 1920’s and Harriett became a chorus line dancer in the 1930’s, touring with her husband, radio star Ronnie Mansfield and settling in Los Angeles.  She lived with granddaughter Christina in her final years in Oregon, and passed away at 90 years old in 2006.  Harriett often spoke of Neligh, and the Bowker family.  

The show brings to life in music rare film, historic photos and video, memorable original music taking the audience through decades of social and political change, exploring both the tragic and the triumphant episodes of history to celebrate the pioneering human spirit and diverse legacy of the American West.  

This show is open to the public.