Ellen concerts dabble in orchestral rock, modern folk with holiday spin
Though it seemed the dry spell would never cease, Downtown Bozeman’s Ellen Theatre is back in action with a number of upcoming events. Along with film screenings and stage performance, two live music concerts are among the upcoming offerings.
First up is Modern Rock Orchestra featuring Grant Ferguson on Friday, November 5th. The music starts at 7pm.
Based in Red Lodge, Ferguson has built a loyal following with his original melodic rock music, and has been compared to guitarists Jeff Beck and Joe Satriani, who paved the way for the instrumental rock genre. Adding orchestral arrangements and a full string section of prominent local symphony players to a live rock band has created a modern, yet deeply traditional, soul-stirring sound that is attracting larger audiences of all ages and musical preferences.
“Strings have always featured strongly in my music. Adding an orchestra to my live shows has somehow tapped into my musical roots in a way that feels like a hundred nights spent around the fire listening to the music of my ancestors,” says Ferguson, who was born in Scotland and spent summers on the family farm in the Shetland Islands after his family immigrated to the US. Tickets to the show start at $18.50.
Looking to Wednesday, December 8th, Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson take the stage once again as Storyhill. Music begins at 7:30pm.
The beloved Billboard-charting folk/Americana duo with Bozeman roots returns home for a special holiday show, featuring songs from their acoustic Christmas album, Bethlehem. Celebrating over 30 years of playing together, the concert will also serve as a welcome home party for Hermanson, who recently returned to Bozeman after 20-plus years in St. Paul, MN. Together he and Cunningham will be sharing holiday classics, fan favorites and songs from their forthcoming album set for a 2022 release. Known for their smart story songs and passionate harmonies, they have been likened to some of the greatest songwriting duos – Simon & Garfunkel, the Indigo Girls, The Everly Brothers and The Jayhawks. All seats are $29.
Coming soon to the Ellen: Montana TheatreWorks presents holiday return of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a festive Gypsy Jazz Night, International Guitar Night, comic Paula Poundstone and a performance by the Montana Mikado.
Wine, beer and concessions will be sold in the lobby one hour before each event. Ticketing and further information about these and other upcoming happenings is available at www.theellentheatre.org. For additional inquiries, call the box office at (406) 585-5885. •