On stage in Casper

* The Jazz Spot

The Jazz Spot in downtown Casper will hold a Thursday Night Blues Night every week. It will feature The Road House Rockets Blues Band.

New martinis will be offered each Thursday, and dinner specials will also be available.

When: 5 to 10 p.m. THURSDAYS

Where: The Jazz Spot, 128 E. Second St.

Tickets: No cover charge. Regular menu and specials available.

Info: Call 235-5299

* Music and Poetry

This week's ARTCORE Music & Poetry performers will be musician Kenny Garrett and writer Susan Anderson.

Garrett is a Casper native who has traveled and played music through the United States, Europe and the Middle East for the last 30 years. Garrett was part of the Casper Troopers and owned Casper Music. He has also been part of hundreds of recording projects, including Rand McNally Video Trips for the Discovery Channel and soundtracks for commercials. He co-wrote the Wyoming Centennial Song, "We Are Wyoming," with Don Jackson and Tom Stanko.

Anderson writes a weekly column for the Casper Journal called "Living in Wyoming" that has won National Newspaper awards for humor and human interest. She also authored the nonfiction book "Living in Wyoming." Anderson was editor of the Casper Journal for five years and has worked in print and broadcast journalism much of her life. She has also served as an elected member of the Wyoming House and Senate.

When: 7:30 p.m. MONDAY. The Jazz Spot will open at 5 p.m. for dinner.

Where: The Jazz Spot, 128 E. Second St.

Tickets: $7 per person. Tickets are available at Ayre's Jewelry, Hill Music, The Shade Tree, Simply Shelia and Sonic Rainbow.

Info: Call 265-1564 or visit www.artcorewy.com

Future performers: Music & Poetry will continue with Rod Mahaffey, musician and writer, Aug. 18.

* The Glenn Miller Orchestra

Glenn Miller's single engine plane crashed over the English Channel on a flight from London to Paris on Dec. 15, 1944, ending the popular bandleader's life - but not his music or his legendary status. Twelve years later, in 1956, the Miller Estate formed the Glenn Miller Orchestra to continue bringing Miller's big band sound to the masses. The band has toured since, playing an average of 300 live shows a year to millions of fans around the globe.

Now it's Wyoming's turn to enjoy his big band sounds. The Glenn Miller Orchestra will play in Casper this week, and the orchestra pit will be open for dancing.

When: 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY

Where: John F. Welsh Auditorium at Natrona County High School

Tickets: $4 to $11, available at Simply Shelia, Ayres Jewelry, Hill Music, The Shade Tree and Sonic Rainbow

Info: Call 265-1564 or visit www.artcorewy.com

* Willie Nelson

Legendary country star Willie Nelson is coming to the Casper Events Center in August.

A versatile country crossover, Nelson originally sold his songs to country artists like Patsy Cline and Ray Price. In the early 1970s, with his musical career at a stand-still in spite of joining the Grand Ol' Opry and extensive touring with his band, he started performing and recording his own songs. By 1975 he took off with his album, "Red-Headed Stranger." He is now known for such hits as "On the Road Again" and "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys."

Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings formed The Highwaymen and successfully recorded and toured for a number of years. Nelson married his fifth wife, Ann-Marie D'Angelo in 1991 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993.

When: 7:30 p.m. AUG. 24

Where: Casper Events Center, 1 Events Drive

Tickets: $40.50 and $47.50. All seats are reserved. Purchase tickets at the box office, by phone at 577-3030 or (800) 442-2256, or online at www.caspereventscenter.com.