Casino Star Theatre Opens Live Concert Season

On Thursday, September 1, at 7:00 p.m., the historic Casino Star Theatre in Gunnison, Utah, plays host to one of Utah’s outstanding musical groups, the Red Desert Ramblers. These musicians, boasting 165 collective years of concertizing, will fill the 99-year-old architectural landmark with old-time Bluegrass, Classic Country and Swing.

A regional band with national recognition, the Ramblers hail from Salt Lake, Summit and Cache counties, representing the best of Utah. They’ve performed at the International Bluegrass Music Association FanFest in Nashville, and other festivals in Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, and Utah.

Perhaps the least familiar instrument among the guitars, mandolin, five-string banjo, and stand-up bass is Sharon Mitchell’s hammered dulcimer. A trapezoidal stringed instrument, its music is produced by striking the strings with little hammers, rather than plucking, strumming, or pulling a bow over them. Sharon has been practicing this art since 1989.

Rounding out the band are Steve Hewson (guitar, mandolin), who is, among other things, a former manager of Rockport State Park;Joe Farmer (mandolin, guitar, bass), picking and plucking since his first bluegrass festival in Alabama back in ’73; Rick Martinez (5-string banjo), 30-years steeped in traditional and progressive bluegrass music; and Dave Bates (upright bass)—“When he is not flying, he’s a farmer in Wanship.” Vocals are by Steve, Joe, and Sharon.

Tickets are available at Rasmussen’s Ace Hardware in Gunnison, the Sanpete Messenger Office in Manti, and Kopy Katz Printing in Ephraim. Suggested donations are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and students. All proceeds go toward the restoration effort at the Casino Star Theatre, a recognized non-profit organization.