New+Notable
Virginia City celebrates its sesquicentennial this summer
Virginia City pays homage to the sesquicentennial of the gold discovery, and its long, colorful history with a summer full of events and educational offerings. The celebration gets underway this month with a poster signing, artist's reception and book release, May 24 at Elling House; the Sesquicentennial Celebratory Summer Kick-off Parade, May 25; and Re-enactment of the 1863 Gold Strike on May 26. Read more
Two Montana-made films accepted into Cannes Film Festival
Bill Payne, of Little Feat fame, brings “Tracing Footsteps” to Missoula
Pentatonix: Win free tickets to Missoula show on Facebook
Jeff Dunham and his posse bring “Disorderly Conduct” to Missoula and Billings
The Claire Lynch Band headlines the Ruby Jewel Jamboree, then visits Bozeman and Red Lodge
Music+CDs
Rick Bass and Stellarondo: Marrying music to stories
This ambitious self-titled album, the brainchild of Missoula guitarist and composer Caroline Keys and her folk orchestra Stellarondo, marries music to the words of noted Yaak author Rick Bass. It was born out of a conversation the band had on a long trip to record in Portland; when they mentioned the idea to their friend Bass, who was to write liner notes for that recording, he became intrigued, and the idea took flight. Read more
Theatre+Dance
Fort Peck Summer Theatre season: Chock-full of popular shows
The Fort Peck Summer Theatre's 44th season, which opens May 24, is chock-full of in-demand titles and some of the theatre’s most frequently requested musicals. Under the leadership of returning artistic director Andy Meyers, this season delivers five popular shows: “Nunsense 2,” “Footloose,” “Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical,” “The Music Man” and “Greater Tuna.” Read more
Northwest Ballet celebrates Mother’s Day with “Sleeping Beauty”
Fancy footwork, glittery vocals galore in MCT’s “Footloose”
Yellowstone Ballet premieres “The Elves and the Shoemaker”
Whitefish Theatre Company stages Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”
Celtic dance mania: Lord of the Dance comes to Butte and Billings
Books+Readings
Marjorie Smith | Making Up Amelia
Marjorie Smith’s “Amelia” is none other than the famed aviator, Amelia Earhart, whose disappearance over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 has never been solved. The tragedy has inspired many books and a great deal of speculation. Intrigued by the mystery, and having lived in the western Pacific region for several years, the Bozeman author decided to give her own twist to history. Read more
Artists+Exhibits
Josh DeWeese | “A Point in Time”
Josh DeWeese, whose work is on display through Aug. 24 at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art in Great Falls, is a ceramic artist and educator who is currently an assistant art professor, teaching ceramics at Montana State University in Bozeman. He and his wife, ceramic artist Rosalie Wynkoop, recently built a home and studio in Bozeman – the town where DeWeese grew up, the son of well-known Montana artists Bob and Gennie DeWeese. Read more
Sports+Recreation
Paddles Up: Registration open for Flathead’s Dragon Boat Festival
This year’s Montana Dragon Boat Festival is Sept. 7 and 8 at Flathead Lake Lodge on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake. The inaugural event, Sept. 8, 2012, drew so much interest that organizers were forced to turn away a number of teams. Race competition was fierce but friendly, and thousands turned out to cheer on paddlers. Read more