Staff Report
The Fallon Theatre launched its second annual Heritage of the West extravaganza Saturday, drawing crowds with cowboy poetry, traditional Mexican dance and attire, an author reading, and original music about Fallon and Nevada. The event kicked off at 12:50 p.m. and celebrated the region's diverse cultural roots.
Valerie Antus, a 15-year-old sophomore at Oasis Academy, was the first to take the stage, performing in character as Georgie Sicking (1912-2016)—a woman who broke barriers as a working cowboy. Antus recited Sicking’s cowboy poetry, honoring her legacy. Sicking’s career as a cowboy poet took off after she was invited to the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, in 1985. Photo below: Valerie Antus performs as legendary cowboy poet Georgie Sicking, bringing the spirit of the West to life at the Fallon Theatre's Heritage of the West event.
Antus, who participates in the Young Chautauqua Program at the Churchill County Museum, brought history to life through performance. The free program takes place after school and encourages youth to explore history on stage. A final Chautauqua event is planned for April 18. Audience cheers and encouragement inspired Antus to remain on stage, sharing several works by Sicking.
The dance troupe Nuestra Herencia Mexicana (Our Mexican Heritage) took the stage next, captivating the audience with their traditional costumes and performances. Dancing to music representative of Mexican states such as Sinaloa, Nuevo León, and Jalisco, the troupe impressed spectators with their skill and vibrant stage presence.
Elizabeth Medina, director of Nuestra Herencia Mexicana, said all members of the troupe are from Fallon. For the first time, the dancers have qualified to attend the Danzantes Unidos Festival (DUF) 2026 in Fresno, California, scheduled for March 27–29. Photo: Elizabeth Medina, director of Nuestra Herencia Mexicana, shares the beauty of traditional Mexican culture during the Heritage of the West celebration at Fallon Theatre.
To support their upcoming trip, Nuestra Herencia Mexicana is actively fundraising by organizing a raffle. The proceeds from this event will help cover the costs associated with attending and performing. The troupe is optimistic and encourages community members to participate, hoping for generous support to make their journey possible.
The Embrace Dance Company from Reno added a modern flair, energizing the audience with vibrant routines and costumes. Their lively performances contrasted with the traditional dances, showcasing the diverse talent at the Heritage of the West extravaganza.
Following the dance performances, Dale Erquiaga and his great-niece, Hayden Diegel, presented an author reading. Diegel shared an excerpt from Erquiaga’s “Three Wives Tales,” which featured Erquiaga’s mother recalling the anxiety and fear in their family during the Pearl Harbor bombing and concerns about relatives joining the war.
Erquiaga followed with an excerpt from his second book, “A Soldier's Road,” highlighting the World War II experiences of his uncle Bob and another soldier. The reading connected personal family stories to the broader history of the war, giving the audience a deeper understanding of that era.
Steven Ryan Christie followed the author reading, energizing the audience with lively, humorous original songs about Fallon and Nevada. Playing guitar, harmonica, and tambourine, Christie performed his own compositions—such as “Western Expansion,” “Aggie Boys,” and “Nevada’s Dry.” His dynamic presence and enthusiasm drew cheers and applause, making his set a highlight of the event.
Leanna Lehman took the stage, sharing selections from her father, Stan Lehman's, cowboy poetry. Displaying remarkable poise and confidence, Lehman delivered each poem with a level of professionalism that would be at home in any cowboy poetry contest. Her strong stage presence and familiarity with the material were evident, as she recited much of her collection from memory.
The audience was captivated by Lehman's readings, encouraging her to share more poems and expressing appreciation for the wit and charm in her father’s writing. Through her heartfelt performance, Lehman brought his words and unique spirit to life, highlighting a perspective she believes is truly unmatched. Photo: Mel Glover shares a story from Nevada’s past during the Heritage of the West celebration at Fallon Theatre.
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