Dorothy Hinshaw Patent | When the Wolves Returned
Missoula author Dorothy Patent teamed up with father-daughter photographers Dan and Cassie Hartman of Silver Gate, for an engaging look at how the reintroduction of wolves has helped restore ecological balance and diversity in Yellowstone Park. Accompanied by large color photos, Patent tells how the decision to eradicate wolves from the park eventually had consequences for all aspects of the ecosystem, from the elk and coyotes that grew too numerous without the wolves to keep their numbers in check, to the streamside aspen and willows that were devoured by hungry elk. Read more
Benefit set for popular Livingston musician
A fundraiser for local musician Scott Boehler is slated for 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Elks Lodge in Livingston.... The harmonica player, vocalist and songwriter is a founding member of the Fossils and Shuffle Bums and played with three former Livingston-area bands, The Paradise Valley Band, The Players and The Groovemeisters. Read more
High Notes | News from Montana’s Music Community
After participating in 19 competitions over the years, Great Falls musician Tobi Magruder took top honors in the adult division at the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest and Festival in Weiser, ID. Another fine Montana fiddler, Nancy Padilla of Bozeman, took second place. ...Missoula singer/songwriter Jessica Kilroy won the 2008 New Band Competition at the Northwest String Summit, held July 18-20 in North Plains, OR, near Portland. Read more
African Children’s Choir visits Billings, Spokane
It was the singing of one small child that inspired the founder Ray Barnett and his team of volunteers to recruit the first African Children’s Choir from among desperate children in Uganda. Their mission was and still is to show the world that Africa’s most needy and vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability. Join the African Children’s Choir on their inspirational “Journey of Hope,” 3 pm Oct. 26 at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox in Spokane (call 509-624-5992 or visit www.foxtheaterspokane.com) and 7:30pm Oct. 28 at the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings (406-256-6052 or www.albertabairtheater.org). Read more
Dozen bands perform in River City Roots Festival
Entertainment is the centerpiece of the third annual River City Roots Festival, Aug. 23-24, with music by a dozen bands on the Main Street stage. Music on Main kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday with Missoula favorites Tom Catmull and Clerics, the Mike Bader Blues Band and Reverend Slanky. The South Austin Jug Band and two Colorado acts, Great American Taxi, fronted by Vince Herman from Leftover Salmon, and the Emmitt-Nershi Band. Read more
Stand back for Running of the Sheep
Hundreds of sturdy Montana-bred woolies will charge down the six blocks of Main Street during the Reed Point Community Club's 20th annual Great Montana Sheep Drive fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 31. “Think Pamplona’s running of the bulls, but instead of slashing horns and the stench of fear there’s a harmless brush with wool and the smell of fresh fry bread,” writes Montana Lee Newspapers reporter Mark Stark. Read more
Four bands rock the Great Falls Civic Center
Opiate for the Masses, Drowning Pool, Nonpoint and 12 Stones rattle the rafters at the Great Falls Civic Center at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 during Rock the House, sponsored by Club BigHouse.... Dallas-based heavy metal band Drowning Pool has performed at Wrestlemania and Ozzfest. They also collaborated with the non-profit organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and 15 year-old YouTube video producer Lizzie Palmer to encourage young people to support expanded health care for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan in a campaign called “This Is For the Soldiers.” Read more