Downtown Bozeman’s historic Ellen Theatre is a local hub for the very best film and stage performance in the area. The venue also houses some great musical acts, both local and those visiting Southwest Montana. Here’s a look at who’s coming up.
Veteran singer/songwriter Martin Sexton returns to The Ellen with a performance on Friday, October 18th, at 8pm. The concert will feature various styles including pop, classic rock, and jazz. Rolling Stone has compared his “soul marinated voice” to the likes of Steve Winwood and Van Morrison. Sexton has collaborated with artists such as John Mayer and Peter Frampton, and his songs have been featured in many films and hit television series including Scrubs, Parenthood, and Showtime’s Brotherhood. “The real thing, people, a star with potential to permanently affect the musical landscape and keep us entertained for years to come,” wrote a reviewer for Billboard. Tickets are $33.25.
Following on Thursday, October 24th, the Montana Jazz Collective presents a night of swing with the Bridger Mountain Big Band at 7pm. Adam Greenberg heads the ensemble with featured vocalist Jeni Fleming. These high-energy musicians celebrate the music of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and more. A few of the classic numbers to be performed this evening include “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “String of Pearls” and “In a Sentimental Mood.” Arrive at 6:30pm to receive free dance lessons hosted by Downbeat Vintage Swing Society. Tickets are $17.50.
Latin-American band Che Apalache performs Tuesday, October 29th, at 7:30pm. These powerhouse musicians bridge the gap between North and South America to create a vision of truly “American” music. Béla Fleck, 16-time Grammy Award-winning banjoist, has said “this is a band to watch!” Their sophomore album, Rearrange My Heart, released in August. Tickets are $21.50.
Enjoy a special screening of documentary Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice on Friday, November 1st at 7:30pm. The musical biography spotlights one of the most successful and versatile female singers of the 20th century – and one of the most successful recording artists of all time. At the height of unprecedented success, Ronstadt, a restless and adventurous artist, turned away from pop music to explore an astonishing variety of musical styles, from American standards to country to classical operetta before circling back to her family roots with traditional Mexican canciones. Withstanding constant pressure from a risk-averse industry, Linda insisted on following her musical instincts.
Today Ronstadt has Parkinson’s disease and her magnificent singing voice has been silenced. But rather than letting that voice be lost to history, Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice tells Linda’s story through her own words and music, and by such professional colleagues as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Aaron Neville, among many others. All seats are $8.50.
Looking ahead, genre-bending TAKE3 takes The Ellen stage on Friday, November 8th at 7:30pm. With a flair for the wild and unexpected, the trio begins with the refinement of a rigorous classical music background and infuses it with rock-star charisma. Whether performing their take on pop, jazz, movie themes or classical tunes, these talented musicians bring roof-raising energy to each performance – exhilarating audiences all across the country. Tickets are $27.
Wine, beer, and other refreshments will be sold in the lobby one hour before all events. Ticketing and further information about these and other upcoming happenings is available at www.theellentheatre.org. For additional inquiries, 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.