Celebrate start of summer w/ sun-drenched local gatherings
It’s finally that time of year as locals prepare for another incredible stretch of early dawns and late sunsets in picturesque Montana. While those south of the equator are entering their off-season, the Summer Solstice on June 21st marks our unofficial go-ahead for backyard barbecues, woodland overnights and family road trips. Make that 9:54am exactly, when earth tilts on its axis and Gallatin Valley dwellers can together experience the sun’s light and warmth most directly. Don’t waste it! Here’s a look at some local events to help celebrate this year’s longest day. And remember to snap a pic – it’s also National Selfie Day!
Santosha Wellness presents the “108 Sun Salutations on the Summer Solstice” event at Big Sky’s Town Center Plaza in front of the new Wilson Hotel beginning at 9:30am. Treat yourselves to an incredible mental and physical detox, moving mediation, and celebration of community – and leave with a fresh summer glow! Following the sun salutation, enjoy delicious refreshments and celebrate the start of summer. This donation-based event benefits Big Sky’s new community center.
Local nonprofit Earthtone Outside will host a Summer Solstice Celebration at Glen Lake Rotary Park (formerly the East Gallatin Recreation Center) at 5pm. The family friendly event will feature food and drink, yoga on the lawn, games and activities. Bubbles for the kids, beers for the adults! Find Earthtone on Facebook for additional details.
Local stompgrass supergroup Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs front a Summer Solstice Party at the 320 Guest Ranch in Big Sky. The evening begins at 5:30pm with a pig roast and yard games. Cash bar will be available and the music starts at 6pm. Event tickets will be sold onsite – $20 for adults and $15 for youth (3-12). Celebrate long summer days with community, food, live music and plenty of dancing!
Head down to MOR’s Living History Farm to experience homesteading in action from 10am–4pm, or out to Virginia City for a few suds-inspired laughs with the Brewery Follies at 4pm and 8pm. Rev your engines for the Friday Night Races at Belgrade’s Gallatin Speedway at 7pm. Enjoy Montana Ballet’s presentation of “Connections” at the Willson at 7pm, or Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ “Merry Wives of Windsor” at the MSU Duck Pond at 8pm. Yasmina Reza’s “ART” takes the Blue Slipper stage in Livingston, also at 8pm.
Of course, don’t forget the live music! Donnie Elliot entertains at the Kountry Korner at 5:30pm, Danny Bee at Downtown Bozeman’s Wild Joe*s at 6pm, and Ashly “Little Jane” Holland at the Baxter Hotel at 6:30pm. Red Tractor hosts its weekly Jazz Night, Futurebirds are at Pine Creek Lodge, and Lang Termes will be at Norris Hot Springs – all starting at 7pm. And at 9pm, Mighty Big Jim & the Tall Boys hit Chico Saloon, Exit 288 are at the Sac Bar, Holding for Hux at the Eagles, and PermaFunk at the Murray. The MAX are at JR’s in Belgrade at 9:30pm.
If Vitamin D overload has you primed to travel, Phish is playing the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, NC, or perhaps you’re more into The Rolling Stones who’ll be rocking Soldier Field in the Windy City. The Solstice falls smack dab in the middle of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival down in our fellow Rocky Mountain state of Colorado, or catch the Boston Red Sox take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. And if you’re felling like going international, the Egypt-Zimbabwe football match as part of the African Cup of Nations is surely worthy of the extra sunshine.
Log on to www.BoZone.com or flip through this issue to discover plenty more local happenings to help usher in another fantastic Montana summer. •
