Civic Center Adds Extra Gem City Night September 12 After Arts Council Funds Released
Laramie, WY – September 12, 2025 – The Laramie Plains Civic Center (LPCC) is excited to host an extra installment of Gem City Nights on Friday, September 12. This special event was made possible by funds from the Wyoming Arts Council that were delayed in release earlier this year due to federal disruptions. With that support now in hand, the Civic Center is turning an unexpected challenge into an opportunity to bring the community together for another evening of creativity and celebration.
“This bonus Gem City Night is a reminder of how resilient and creative our community can be,” said Jessica Brauer, Executive Director of the Laramie Plains Civic Center. “Despite the funding delay challenges, we’re thrilled to be able to quickly turn this support into a chance to gather once more, enjoy local talent, and celebrate the end of another Laramie summer.”
The first Gem City Night of the season, held in August at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, drew hundreds of community members for an evening of art, live music, and connection. Building on that momentum, this bonus edition invites families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy another free night of activities under the roof of Laramie’s historic LPCC.
Event Schedule – Friday, September 12
Courtyard Party w/ Live Music | 4:30 – 6:00 PM
Celebrate in the newly revitalized Civic Center courtyard with live music from Shelton & Hart and The Garret Guitar Quartet. Visitors can also join a block-printing workshop with Jackrabbit Workshop and learn about the Civic Center’s summer improvements to the community space.
Community Art Market | Starting at 4:30 PM
Browse booths from local artists and makers throughout the main hallway connecting the Courtyard and The Gryphon lobby.
Gorgon Gallery Preview | 4:30 – 9:00 PM
Step into Room 332 for an early look at the Prison Art Symposium exhibition, featuring powerful works and stories from currently and formerly incarcerated artists and their families.
Live Music in The Gryphon | Doors 7:00 PM, Show 8:00 PM
Cap off the evening with a free concert featuring:
Wild Love Tigress – Denver’s funk and soul powerhouse, bringing retro grooves to the modern stage.
Taylor Shae Band – Americana and alt-country storytelling infused with rich, soulful sound.
Learn more at lpccwy.org/gemcitynights.
The Laramie Plains Civic Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as a community fostering connections, nurturing creativity, and ensuring an enriched future. Learn more about the historic building’s facilities and programs at lpccwy.org.
This free music and arts series is presented to you by the Laramie Plains Civic Center’s arts facilities:
Thank you to this year’s Gem City Nights Sponsors & Supporters!
Gem City Nights Returns as Free One-Night Celebration of Arts and Community
August 22, 2025
This August 22, Gem City Nights returns to Downtown Laramie to bring one evening of free music and arts to Laramie’s Friday evening alongside Laramie Main Street’s Farmers Market. This summer event, hosted by the Laramie Plains Civic Center's visual and performing arts facilities, will feature live performances from The Patti Fiasco and The Athletics, a pop-up art-making experience for all ages, and sales from local ceramicists.
“This event has become a beloved summer tradition , and we’re proud to keep it going, even in it’s more limited form this year,” said Laramie Plains Civic Center Executive Director Jessica Brauer. “It’s a chance to gather in the heart of downtown and celebrate the incredible creative energy of our community.”
Previously presented as a multi-night summer series, Gem City Nights was scaled back to a single event this year after delayed grant funding from the Wyoming Arts Council, which was impacted by federal National Endowment for the Arts budget cuts. Organizers hope this year’s event will continue to demonstrate the value of free, public arts programming and inspire future community investment.
This year’s event will feature the all-ages drop-in workshop from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and two musical acts from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the north side of the Laramie Train Depot.
August 22 Lineup:
• Music from The Patti Fiasco with The Athletics
• All-ages art workshop and ceramic sales, 4–8 p.m.
Gem City Nights is free and open to the public thanks to support from local sponsors.
The Laramie Plains Civic Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as a community fostering connections, nurturing creativity, and ensuring an enriched future. Learn more about the facilities and programs of the historic building at lpccwy.org.
