Ellen entertains w/ silver screen classics, Riders in the Sky
The Ellen Theatre, a Downtown Bozeman institution, is your source for some of the area’s best big screen entertainment and stage performances. The space – which recently announced renovation plans – also houses some great musical acts, both local and those coming through town. Here’s a look at what’s happening downtown.
First up, the silver screen! Sponsored by The Western Café, The Ellen’s annual Summer Western Series concludes with its final roundup of dusty classics.
Enjoy James Stewart and Janet Leigh in The Naked Spur on Wednesday, August 22nd. And closing the series out, Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster team up for Gunfight at O.K. Corral on Wednesday, August 29th. This evening also features a bonus screening of The Great Train Robbery.
All Summer Westerns screen at 7:30pm. The Ellen Saloon opens for wine, beer, popcorn and other refreshments at 6:30pm. Tickets are $6 for each screening. Giddy up and catch this Cowboy Train – yee-haw!
The Ellen’s other summer film series, Kids’ Classics, closes with Free Willy on Sunday, August 26th at 2pm. An orphaned boy befriends a young Orca who has been separated from his family and forced to live in an aquarium. When the life of his beloved whale is threatened, the boy will stop at nothing to protect his best friend. Free Willy is Rated PG with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes.
Gather the relatives, from tots to teens and even grownups, to enjoy family favorites on the big silver screen. Soft drinks, candy, popcorn, and other refreshments are available for purchase starting at 1pm. Admission is only $2 at the door! Seating is first come, first served.
Now for some music-filled stage entertainment! Hailed as “fierce contemporary dance,” Raison D’être Dance Project will bring a dynamic and powerful production to the stage of The Ellen with the band RANGES and a Baroque ensemble on Saturday, August 18th with performances at 1:30pm and 5:30pm. The company combines live music, innovative design, and groundbreaking choreography to create works that express unique ideas and perspectives. Tickets are $21.
The company will premiere two new works in Bozeman. “Perfection of the Symphonies” is choreographed to music by Antonio Vivaldi, and features soloists Carrie Krause (violin), Sarah Stoneback and Briana Gillet (trumpet), and Else Trygstad-Burke and Peter Landeen (cello). Renowned Baroque bassoonist Ben Matus of New York City will also perform with the ensemble.
“Ranges in Motion” is set to The Ascensionist, the newest album of the post-rock band RANGES. Using the cohesive visual concept of the album, this work blends the epic instrumental sound of the band with athletic choreography and revolutionary costume design.
Following on Saturday, August 25th, America’s favorite cowboys are hittin’ the trail and headin’ back to The Ellen Theatre for another rip-roarin’ roundup! Grammy winners for the toe-tappin’ tune “Woody’s Roundup” in Toy Story 2, Riders in the Sky are a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. For over 30 years they’ve played close to 7,000 concerts in ten foreign countries and all 50 of our good ol’ United States, from Carnegie Hall to the White House to the Hollywood Bowl.
This visit, these modern-day icons are celebrating an important milestone – 40 years of playing together! Tickets are $30 for adults, $27 for seniors, and $17 for whipper-snappers 17 and under. All Ellen Theatre shows featuring America’s favorite cowboys are a sell-out, so it is recommended to lasso your seats early! The show starts at 7pm, but you can git beer, wine, sody pop and other refreshments from the chuck wagon in the lobby starting at 6pm. Make sure ya don’t miss America’s favorite cowboys: Ranger Doug, Too Slim, Woody Paul, and Joey the Cowpolka King!
Wine, beer, and other refreshments will be sold in the lobby one hour before all showtimes. Ticketing and further information about these and other upcoming events is available at www.theellentheatre.org. For additional inquiries, use that new-fangled contraption, the talk box, and call (406) 585-5885 or stop into The Ellen box office. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 1–3pm, as well as two hours prior to any event. •
