National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is Jan. 28 to Feb. 2 in Elko

Stories of the American West unfold through song and poetry, humor and workshops at the 29^th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Jan. 28 to Feb. 2 in Elko.

This year’s event will focus on Italian and Italian-American ranchers, as the Western Folklife Center — the event organizer — will host cowboys from the Maremma region of Italy as well as Italian-American ranchers. Related programming includes “Evento Italiano,” an evening of traditional Italian cow country classics, on Jan. 28 and “Italian American Ranching Stories,” an afternoon of stories that connect the American West and Italy, on Feb. 1.

Cowboy poets Baxter Black, Sourdough Slim and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, among other favorites, also are scheduled to perform. A complete downloadable schedule is available on the festival’s website.

Those who want to attend can buy a single-day pass or a three-day deluxe pass, which allows entry into non-ticketed shows. Ticketed shows usually are for the evening performances. Ticket information is on the festival’s website.

Details: Western Folklife Center, 775-738-7508, www.westernfolklife.org.

(In the photo above, Brigid Reedy and Glenn Ohrlin perform at the 2012 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland.)