Shopping while soaking? It’s the time of year when thoughts go to holiday gift giving. Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers, gifts for staff, colleagues or friends, remember Norris Hot Springs soak passes. One size fits all and they’re good all year! Consider a drive to Norris Hot Springs during the hustle and bustle of the season. As you slip into the natural hot springs, you can enjoy a libation or delicious meal from the No Loose Dogs Saloon and Café. Norris is serving weekly specials using organic and mostly home grown produce from their on site garden as well as favorites such as Buddha bowls, pizzas, and burritos. There is always a dessert special as well. Take care of yourself with a soothing soak while you pick up Norris soak passes for others—it’s guaranteed shopping without the hassles of parking spots and crowds at the mall. Just $7 each, passes cover the $7 admission and the $2 music cover on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays from 7–10pm. That’s a savings of $2 each pass.
December music gets started on Friday the 2nd with Willy James. Willy is a singer/songwriter from Dillon, MT. His musical taste and style is varied, but there’s always a hint of the blues in whatever he does. He is a spectacular lyricist and vocalist. His vocals have the soulfulness of yesterday’s greats—like John Fogerty, Bob Seger, and Waylon Jennings—with lots of power and expression. Whether he is singing a joyful melody or a tune of a broken heart, you will feel it. He will be performing mostly original songs, with some favorites thrown in. On Saturday, December 3rd, Lang Termes takes the stage. Lang grew up with a visual artist father and spent summers touring with his puppeteer mother. He says he was surrounded by artists, musicians, writers, and performers of all description from the day he was born and has been playing professionally most of his life. His vocal style ranges from mellow folk ballads to growling boogie blues. Lang’s style of songwriting—both original music and lyrics—comes deep from the heart, or in some cases, bubbles up from his whimsical sense of irony. His selection of covers ranges from early country blues to the full gambit of contemporary classics. Lang plays music in a wide variety of styles. Some of his biggest influences include: Muddy Waters, Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Huddie (Ledbelly) Ledbetter, Townes Van Zandt, John Lee Hooker, Tom Waits, Greg Brown, and Josh Ritter.
Rounding out the first weekend on Sunday, December 4th is Dan Henry. Dan’s a one man band playing guitar, harmonica, and vocals. He’s driven with a blues influence, but covers a wide range of music from folk to rock and reggae and so much more, including original songs. He’s a born and raised Montanan from the capital city of Helena.
Kicking off the next weekend of music on Friday, December 9th is Shea Stewart. Bozeman’s Shea Stewart performs a distinctive blend of “stripped-down” acoustic blues and Americana. His soundtrack to the beauty of the hot springs and wetland go perfectly hand in hand. Shea always draws a great crowd. On Saturday, December 10th, Neil Filo Beddow returns to Norris. Neil plays original folk rock for the soul, and describes his guitar style as the West Dakota stutter—his lyrically scrambled iambic pentameter can be politically bent, spiritually seeking, tongue in cheek humorous with just a twist of serious.
You’ll have an opportunity to hear one of the best in Montana on Sunday, December 11th when Tom Catmull takes the stage. Tom has been writing, recording, performing, eating and breathing music for about 15 years. The style of his music usually lands somewhere between the blurred lines of country, country swing, pop, and folk. Winner of Best Musicians in Missoula, he is a great performer.
Norris is now offering free soaks for kids both Thursdays and Mondays throughout the school year. Limit (2) 16 and under per adult or guardian. For more information on pool hours, the designated driver program, or for directions, please visit www.norrishotsprings.com/. Norris Hot Springs is located 34 miles west of Bozeman at the intersection of Hwy 84 and Rt 287. Contact them at (406) 685-3303. •