Jon and Renee Jelinek have transformed Cheyenne's downtown scene. In fact, I often tell people that the only reason downtown has any 'cool' factor whatsoever is because of Jon and Renee. From the time they first opened the Paramount Cafe, they have continually elevated Cheyenne's vibe, introducing a coworking concept and opening the first craft cocktail lounge. And if there's one great thing that came out of 2020, it's the opening of The Lincoln as a music venue.
History and Renovations
The Lincoln has been in Cheyenne since 1929. An iconic part of downtown, it has been graced with visitors such as Jimmy Stewart and Ronald Reagan. Jon and Renee not only preserved its rich history, but their renovations nod to its past in a way that celebrates Cheyenne's cowboy quirkiness and also points to a new era in its emerging artsy counterculture. The walls of The Lincoln feature murals from a variety of different local artists. My favorite is the piece featuring characters from the Wizard of Oz, shown in a funky, slightly unnerving new way.
I was lucky enough to photograph this gem before and after renovations, but I was really glad I didn't hear about its ghost stories before I went in the first time. I was completely alone in the theater, fumbling around for light switches and navigating dark staircases. Jon and Renee took out the movie theater seats and restored the main stage to its former glory, opening up the balcony to provide upper level seating with awesome views of the stage. The theater will eventually accommodate 1290 people, but due to COVID-19, it had to open with a max capacity of 250.
Opening Night
The first to grace the Lincoln's new stage? None other than Wyoming's own, Jalan Crossland. Many of you know that I love Jalan's music so much that I arranged for him to play a house concert in my living room last year. I was not going to miss this opening night. I almost didn't bring my camera but ended up packing it last minute, and I'm SO glad I did. It was a magical night. I included a couple of those at the end of this post too.
Jon and Renee, thank you for all you do for Cheyenne. Congrats on this amazing adventure. The Lincoln is fantastic, and will no doubt, be one of the most sought-after music venues in the region by artists and concert-goers alike.
For more info: The Lincoln
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