Despite two recent performance cancellations at the Casper Events Center, officials say Casper is still going strong.

"This is totally unrelated to what is going on locally here," said City Manager Tom Forslund. "It has to do with tours and ticket sales not doing well in other parts of the country."

Both country music singer Gretchen Wilson and Nickelodeon's Backyardigan's Live! were cancelled on Thursday, along with broader cancellations of their regional and national tours.

While no reason was given for the Nickelodeon show's cancellation, Rob Green, a promoter for ELLI LIVE, said Wilson's show "just wasn't selling."

"I am not going to sugar coat anything," Green said. "I had two other dates with her and it just wasn't selling. I am not going to throw a party for people. It's got to be cost effective."

It's not just Wilson, Green said. None of his acts are selling well in the country.

Even the bigger shows that normally sell out within a day or two still have tickets available up to the time of the performance, he said, and he isn't sure why.

Forslund said it's most likely the result of a slumping national economy.

When there are tight economic times, he said, people have to cut back, and they cut back on the things that aren't necessities.

Casper and Wyoming's economy, however, is still strong and sales tax revenues indicate that Casperites aren't tightening their belts yet.

Local sales tax revenue is higher right now than last year, he said.

Revenue numbers reflect a number of areas including car sales, construction, minerals and retail.

Retail sales tax revenue, which includes how much average people are spending in local stores, is also up from last year.

"But the question is, will it continue?" he said. "Will people continue to buy in light of the negative national news in October? Who knows."

If things improve nationally, promoters like Green said they will hopefully begin to tour again.

Backyardigan's Live! was scheduled for Nov. 23. Ticket holders will receive a refund for purchased tickets. Gretchen Wilson was lined-up for Nov. 22 and ticket sales hadn't opened.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com

If you purchased tickets to Nickelodeon�s Backyardigan�s Live! you will receive a refund. Tickets purchased with VISA, MasterCard or Discover will be automatically cancelled and refunded at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Tickets purchased at the box office with cash or check should be returned to the Casper Events Center Box Office. Refunds will be available Oct. 20 through Nov. 21.�]]->