New+Notable
George Jones tours Montana on heels of Lifetime Achievement Award
George Jones will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Grammy Awards telecast, Feb. 12 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, before performing Feb. 29 at the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings and March 6 at the University Theatre in Missoula. “There’s no mistaking his influence,” noted the Washington Post. “His name is synonymous with emotionally unvarnished and unguarded honky-tonk music." Read more
Need a year’s supply of beer? Try the Black Star Barter
Snowstorm Music Tour lands in Billings and Missoula
Shane Center brings new life to old school in Livingston
First Night Missoula: More than 100 performances welcome New Year
Alberta Bair Theater celebrates Silver Anniversary with Marvin Hamlisch
Music+CDs
Off in the Woods | Smoke Signals
It's always interesting to listen to Montana-inspired music. Songs seem to teem with references to Big Sky Country, being away from it, trying to get back to it, reveling in it. This first effort, from some young Polson men who call themselves Off in the Woods, is no exception. Read more
Theatre+Dance
Whitefish Theatre Co. presents “Poor Again … Dagnabbit!”
Spokane actor Tim Behrens brings “Poor Again … Dagnabbit!,” a one-man stage show by humorist Patrick McManus, to the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21. McManus, a nationally renowned humor writer has done it again – he’s become poor, and written a new play about it for his even poorer and indentured actor to perform and tour. Read more
Books+Readings
West of 98 | Living and Writing the New American West
This “modest” idea for this book – to invite a handful of writers to talk about what it means to be a Westerner – burgeoned, notes Lynn Stegner (who co-edited the compilation with Russell Rowland), into 67 writers, each writing about living west of the 98th meridian. I’m not apt to devour it. Instead, I plan to savor West of 98 piece by piece this winter. Read more
Artists+Exhibits
MMAC shares works by Fra Dana and Frances Carroll Brown
Paintings by two of the state’s most prominent early 20th century artists are on display at the Montana Museum of Art and Culture at the University of Montana through Feb. 25. The exhibitions showcase the works of Fra Dana and Frances Carroll Brown, two women who played a compelling role in Montana art history. Read more
Sports+Recreation
Snowshoe walks begin in Glacier Park
Glacier National Park is hosting Winter Signs Snowshoe Walks at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, beginning Jan. 7 and continuing through March 18. The public is invited to join the two-hour, ranger-led snowshoe excursions through the park’s winter wonderland. Participants are encouraged to bring snowshoes or rent them for a nominal fee at the Apgar Visitor Center. Read more