Cowboy Fest Set in Santa Clarita

Michael Martin Murphey has a soft spot in his heart for the San Gabriel Valley where he used to live, but this weekend it’s the Santa Clarita Valley that’s drawing the New Mexico resident back to Southern California. The cowboy singer is in town to help Santa Clarita celebrate its Western heritage at the Cowboy Poetry, Music and Film Festival. His performances are Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m. The cost is $15.

Santa Clarita begins its celebration Friday at 8 p.m. with “An Evening With Poet Baxter Black.” Sunday a “Cowboy Jubilee,” with Waddie Mitchell, Don Edwards and Sons of the San Joaquin, begins at 2 p.m.

All of these events will take place at Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, 24715 Oak Creek, Santa Clarita.

Also on the schedule: open poetry sessions, Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon, and Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Western movies starring John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Gary Cooper, Lee Marvin and Alan Ladd will be shown at the Plaza Theater, 23710 W. Lyons Ave., Friday-Sunday.

Leather, silver and Western crafts from 75 exhibitors will be on display Friday, 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free shuttle from Hart High School, 24825 Newhall Ave., Newhall. For tickets, call Ticketmaster: (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000. For schedule and price, call (805) 286-4022 or 286-4019, Ext. 4019.