Community News

There are many funny sayings about the four seasons (or lack thereof) in Montana, such as Winter, Post-Winter, Pre-Winter, and Road Construction… or simply put, Winter and the 4th of July.  However you personally view the climate we live in, one thing is clear - Southwest Montana in the summer is “the” place to be.  As family, guests, and tourists come to town for their visits or vacations, it is fun to show off what we can offer during these incredibly long and sun-filled days.
 
Live music, especially played outdoors, has a way of taking an ordinary evening to the next level.  We are fortunate to have such a wide variety of music styles and venues sure to please any personal taste.  As a good example, take the “Mother of all Musical Weekends” in Southwest Montana which this year falls on the second weekend in August.  The 5th Annual Big Sky Classical Music Festival is planned for August 7th – 9th and is advertised as “Beethoven Meets Brahms in the Mountains.”  Performances include Maestro Peter Bay and the Big Sky Festival Orchestra as well as WINDSYNC, a wind ensemble from Houston, Texas.  Meanwhile, in Bozeman, SLAM (Support Local Artists & Musicians) will be held in Bogert Park featuring talent from throughout Montana.  This family-friendly event will celebrate its fifth year on August 8th and 9th.  The Sweet Pea Festival continues the tradition of 38 years of celebrating the arts in Bozeman, including live music, theater and dance performances, activities, and arts and crafts vendors.  The music lineup includes Shakey Graves, Anderson East, and Turnpike Troubadours, and eleven local dance companies are on the schedule. The weekend kicks off with the Bite of Bozeman on Wednesday night and also includes the Sweet Pea Parade on Saturday morning.
 
In other music news, the Montana Chamber Music Society Summer Music Festival on July 7th – 12th will provide great music under the Big Sky for the 27th year. 
 
Music Ranch Montana, located in the beautiful Paradise Valley, brings musical talent to the area in an intimate, family environment.  The terraced lawn for outdoor seating along with additional indoor seating, a kitchen facility providing excellent food, and fine performances throughout July and August all contribute to this unique venue. Check out their website at www.musicranchmontana.net for upcoming events and ticket information.
 
The Red Ants Pants Music Festival in White Sulphur Springs has quickly become a local favorite and also a draw from the surrounding area. Featured Music July 23rd – 26th this year includes a Grammy award-winning lineup plus rising stars. The website, www.redantspantsmusicfestival.com, gives the complete music schedule along with ticket and general festival information.
 
The Livingston Hoot returns on August 13th for its second year providing an afternoon and evening of family fun to Livingston.  Music, food, and activities bring the community together.  And as exemplified last year when the already fabulous, and free, performance by Rodney Crowell was further highlighted with a surprise appearance by John Mayer – anything can happen in Livingston.
 
Music on Main’s summer concert series takes over a large portion of Bozeman’s downtown each Thursday night from June 25th to August 13th this year.  Fantastic local and regional music is provided along with food vendors, kid’s events, and non-profit booths having the opportunity to get in front of the public. This event has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 15 years to become a true summer music staple.
 
The Arts Council of Big Sky (www.bigskyarts.org) has an assortment of entertainers beginning June 25th for their Music in the Mountains series. Top-notch performances are held at the Center Stage at Town Center Park.
 
For music and much, much more, we are fortunate to have two large fairs in our region each summer. Montana Fair in Billings runs August 7th – 15th.  Musical headliners include Lynyrd Skynyrd and Martina McBride.  Also featured are an old-fashioned carnival, PRCA rodeo, Supercross racing, and a full 4-H Fair. The Montana State Fair in Great Falls can be attended July 24th - August 1st with top musical acts including Lee Brice, Dierks Bentley, and Thomas Rhett, as well as similar fair fun.
 
Outside of music, there are many options for warm-weather entertainment.  For instance, the Moods Brew and Spirit Festival in Ennis on July 3rd will feature 150 items to sample from breweries and distilleries near and far. Rodeo action begins to pick up steam in June each summer. The Livingston Roundup PRCA Rodeo is on July 2nd – 4th, and the Ennis NRA-sanctioned rodeo is on July 3rd and 4th.  The 6th Annual Bozeman Stampede brought back as a sanctioned rodeo after a 50 year absence, will be held July 31st and August 1st.  The Livingston Classic PBR (Pro Bull Riders) comes back to town on July 25th and then heads to Big Sky on July 30th and 31st. 
 
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is yet another free source of entertainment that is featured not only at the Grove on Montana State University’s campus but in a wide variety of towns small and large throughout Montana and beyond. This summer’s schedule includes The Taming of the Shrew and Cyrano de Bergerac.  Performances have already started for this season and will run through the beginning of September. Be sure to check out www.shakespeareintheparks.org to find a performance that will fit your schedule.
 
West Yellowstone’s Playmill Theatre offers live productions of Mary Poppins, The Foreigner, and Damn Yankees Monday through Saturday each week from June through the beginning of September. The Shane Center in Livingston features Monty Python’s SPAMALOT and Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues this summer. The summer musical this year at the Ellen Theater in Bozeman is Fiddler on the Roof running July 10th – 26th.
 
No matter what flavor of entertainment suits you the best, there is most certainly something to pique your interest from this list or the countless other choices that are available throughout Southwest Montana’s summer calendar.  So, let’s get out there and enjoy every moment of summer!