Human Rights Campaign Nashville hosts 2nd Annual Wild West Showdown Christy McDonald to perform

OUTvoices
31 August 2005

Saddle up and join the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Nashville Steering Committee as they host the second annual Wild West Showdown: A Shindig for Equality presented by CMT on Friday, October 14 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight at the Two Rivers Mansion in Nashville. The night will be full of entertainment, food, and fun as you slip back into time and enter the old West with a smattering of today.

Joining CMT as the first-time presenting sponsor, additional sponsors include: Out & About Newspaper, Xenogeny, Nashville City Paper, Jive! Printing, Bridgestone, Smokey Mountain Rodeo Association, Tribe, and Play.

"The event is designed to not only raise money for HRC but to also provide awareness and promote participation in HRC and its activities," said organizer Rob Sikorski, one of three chairs of the event. "HRC on a local level has grown large enough to support the community beyond its annual dinner. The local HRC group wanted to offer a low cost event to raise awareness and participation in the fight for equal rights."

Last year's event was a near sell out with 850 people attending, and organizers are anticipating selling out prior to the event this year.

"Based on ticket sales and expectations, tickets are not expected to be available at the door since it is sure to be a sell out event," said co-chair Christy Ikner. "So buy your tickets now!"

Event goers will be treated to a variety of entertainment options, free drinks and a BBQ dinner included in the $25 per person admission price.

Christy McDonald will headline the event's entertainment. Since appearing on the third season of USA Network's hit show Nashville Star, McDonald's star is on the rise. Country Weekly Magazine named her the "one to watch" stating "Say hello to the new Dolly." She also has been featured in such national media outlets as Star Magazine and Access Hollywood as well as CMT Canada's video channel and Great American Country's Across America. McDonald recently provided background vocals on Hank Williams Jr.'s CD I'm One Of You and opened his 2004 Nashville show with Montgomery Gentry. McDonald has signed a production deal with Wrensong Publishing a respected Nashville publishing company that also specializes in developing new artists -- and is currently in the studio working on her new project.

"You can dance the night away to the sounds of DJ Ron, explore Two Rivers on a hay ride, hop on and try out the wildest bull ride in the country or enjoy one of the many other activities we're offering," said Sikorski. "Where else on a Friday night can you get so much for $25.00 admission price?"

Tickets to the Wild West Showdown are $25 per person and will include the
following:

  • Smokin' barbeque with all the fixins in the café
  • Complimentary spirits in the saloon
  • Live music by Christy McDonald, Panty Raid, 3am, and Ilonka
  • Starlit dancing to the urban beats of DJ Ron
  • Hayride across the wide-open prairie
  • Wildest bull ride in the country
  • Roping and more with the Smokey Mountain Rodeo Association
  • Sizzling poker games with Nashville's hysterical Angelica DeVil and Julie Phillips
  • Enjoy the performances of the Wild West's Saloon Dancers

Tickets can be purchased on line at www.wildwestshowdown.com or at Outloud! Department Store (1709 Church Street) and at featured bar events prior to the Wild West Showdown. Directions to and information about the Two Rivers Mansion can be found at www.tworiversmansion.com.

"So polish up your boots, hop on your horse, and gallop on down to the Wild West Showdown," says event co-chair Sam Easley. "This will be a night you'll never forget at an unbelievable value!"