Cole & the Thornes, lots of stand-up comedy & more at Rialto
Offering accessible live entertainment to audiences of all shapes and sizes, the Rialto barrels toward summer with a busy calendar. The historic theater brings an exciting lineup of top-tier talent from around the country to its event space in Downtown Bozeman. Here’s a look at just a few of the upcoming happenings.
On Saturday, April 20th, Cole & the Thornes return with an In Walks Bud-supported concert at 8:30pm. Tickets to this 18+ show are $12. Doors at 7:30pm.
Mountain reggae and gypsy-infused soul band Cole & the Thornes began with an infectious restlessness and a heart engraved with longing adventure. The band released its debut, Map Maker, last spring. The album is a collection of songs filled with funky grooves, sultry vocals, and empowering lyrics that capture the true meaning of being in the now.
The Thornes have performed throughout the state, playing with popular reggae bands HIRIE, Sol Seed, and TreeHouse. They’ve shut down the streets for Music on Main, jammed out the Brew Fest in Big Sky, and have performed at various music festivals including Butte’s Original Festival, Silver Cloud Campout, Harvest Fusion, Groovin’ On, and SLAM. The Thornes are front woman Cole Thorne (ukulele), Jordan Rodenbiker (bass), Andy Gavin (drums), Aaron Banfield (jazz guitar), Daniel Wood (pocket trumpet), and Matt Sloan (saxophone).
Also on April 20th, take a shot at stand-up with the Light Box Comedy Series at 8pm. Experienced comedians and newbies alike are welcome to take the stage – or just head upstairs and enjoy the show. This 18+ event is free of admission. Doors at 7pm.
Keep on laughing with “You People – A Stand-Up Comedy Tour” on Saturday, April 27th. Beginning at 9pm, the show will feature the talents of Anthony Armstrong, Mike Hammock and Alan Bromwell. Tickets to this 18+ event are $15. Doors at 8pm.
Armstrong has mastered the delivery of uncomfortable truth in a creative, hilarious way, making him one of Denver’s top comedians. Hammock is a nationally touring comic that combines old fashioned charm with a dark sense of humor that shreds the rule book and leaves you laughing. Bromwell is a regular performer at Denver’s Comedy Works and numerous venues across North America, having worked alongside some of the biggest names on the comedy circuit.
The Rialto will host the celebratory Give Big Finale on Friday, May 3rd at 4:30pm. This 18+ event is free of admission and will conclude at 6:30pm.
Join to celebrate Gallatin County nonprofits with a performance by Paige & the People’s Band, prizes, photo booth, cash bar and treats. There will be free champagne for the first 50 attendees with proof of donation.
Hosted by the Bozeman Area Community Foundation, Give Big is a 24-hour celebration of giving to raise important funds for the local nonprofit sector. In just four years, our community has raised over $2.6 million dollars in support of trails and rivers, animals, health and wellness, education, veterans, arts, and neighbors in need. Give Big at www.GiveBigGV.org.
Following the Give Big celebration on May 3rd, funny man Dusty Slay will take the stage. Local comedians Danielle Rovira and Ryan Cassavaugh will get things started at 9pm. Tickets to this 18+ event are $15. Doors at 8:30pm.
Dusty Slay is a stand-up comedian with a baritone voice so smooth it’s like champagne in the ears. He walks audiences through a childhood in the trailer park, his adult years in the workforce and as an occasional blackout drunk. He thinks skunks smell like weed and leaves the serious topics like race, religion and politics up to someone who, unlike him, hasn’t drank gas out of a water hose. Slay has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, popular program Laughs on FOX and he was a featured comedian on TMZ. He’s regularly showcased on nationally syndicated radio programs including Sirius XM, Pandora Radio and “The Bob and Tom Radio Show.”
Local darlings Laney Lou & the Bird Dogs bring their Sweet Little Lies album release show to the Rialto on Saturday, May 4th. Wyoming-based Americana band The Two Tracks will open the show at 8:30pm. General admission tickets to this 18+ show are $16. Doors at 7:30pm.
The Bird Dogs’ live shows are highlighted by unbridled energy, punctuated by songs performed with fervor and swagger. Fusing old time folk songs with a rock n’ roll attitude, the group push the envelope of what a string band would generally be described as. Having shared stages with Corb Lund, Hayes Carll, Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Mavericks, Wynonna Judd, Mark Chesnutt, and The Lil’ Smokies, they released their eponymous debut in the spring of 2016. Recorded live at Basecamp Studio, the album is one that reflects their live show and makes you want to stomp your feet and crack open a beer. The new album follows 2017’s Vigilante Session and features lead-off single “Carolina.”
Check out Bass Drum of Death on Sunday, May 5th at 8:30pm. Tickets to this 16+ show are $12. Doors at 7:30pm. The lo-fi project of Mississippi artist John Barrett is known for its bluesy garage rock. Bass Drum’s latest album, Just Business, released last summer.
The Rialto is located at 10 W Main St. in the center of historic Downtown Bozeman. Learn more about the venue at www.rialtobozeman.com, where you can also peruse current happenings and buy advance tickets. Follow the Rialto on Facebook for the most up to date event announcements. •