Get in the spirit early with tons of holiday events in and around the BoZone! Here’s a peek at where you can find unique, one-ofa- kind gifts from local artisans and businesses, as well as a preview of seasonally- appropriate stage productions for the whole family. On Saturday, December 3rd from 4:30–7:30pm, join the Downtown Bozeman Association (DBA) for the 36th Annual Christmas Stroll in historic Downtown Bozeman. This seasonal favorite will feature fun activities, great food, and so much more excitement. Bring the whole family to ride on the hay wagons, get your picture taken with Santa Claus, watch the lighting ceremony of the downtown decorations, check out the gingerbread house contest display, sing Christmas carols, grab a bite to eat from one of over 40 non-profit food vendors, or do some Christmas gift shopping.
Western Sustainability Exchange will present its 11th annual Holiday Farmers Market on Saturday, December 3rd from 9am–4pm at the Livingston Civic Center. This is a one-stop shopping extravaganza complete with local artists and crafters. The event will feature lots of toys, jewelry, baked goods, apparel, lotions and soaps, artwork, and handmade gifts. There will also be live music, door prizes, and of course pictures with Santa Paws! Meals and snacks will be provided all day by Crust & Crumb Bakery. The Antique Market and More is set to host a Holiday Open House Extravaganza! on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am–5pm. Come for sales throughout the store, refreshments, and plenty of good cheer! The Antique Market and More is located at 8332 Huffine Lane, just outside of Bozeman.
The 6th annual SLAM (Support Local Artists and Musicians) Winter Showcase is returning to downtown Bozeman on Saturday, December 3rd from 11am–8pm, and Sunday, December 4th from 11am–5pm. The showcase will be held at the Eagles ballroom, 316 East Main Street, and in the Legion’s ballroom, 225 East Main Street. This event will highlight the talents of artists from around the state of Montana in an environment encouraging shopping locally for the holidays. Montana artists will fill these spaces with amazing hand crafted wares, perfect for all your gift giving needs! Featured at SLAM are one-of-a-kind jewelry, eye-catching ceramics, fashionable textiles, stunning photography, and fabulous art for all tastes and budgets. Live musicians will grace attendees with their talent during the weekend at both locations. Montana Ballet Company (MBC) will present its 33rd annual production of The Nutcracker on Friday, December 2nd at 7pm, and Saturday, December 3rd at 2pm and 7pm—all at the Willson Auditorium. MBC’s production, set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, is one of the largest artistic collaborations in the region featuring the work of accomplished dancers, local and national level choreographers, guest artists, live musicians, seasoned stage technicians, lighting and costume designers, and a host of dedicated volunteers. Audiences will delight in new and exciting choreography and theatrical elements. For tickets, contact MBC at (406) 582- 8702 or info@montanaballet.org.
All seating is reserved. Opening Friday, December 2nd at The Ellen Theatre, A Christmas Carol brings a heartwarming holiday tale to the stage. Presented by Montana TheatreWorks, this beloved classic visits the magical world of Charles Dickens. This music-filled adaptation is sure to warm the coldest of hearts. Tickets to this holiday favorite are available at www.theellentheatre.com/ or by calling (406) 585-5885. Performances run through December 22nd. Make plans now to travel back in time and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. The Bozeman Symphony Orchestra & Symphonic Choir will present Holiday Collage on Saturday, December 10th at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 11th at 2:30pm, both at Willson Auditorium in Downtown Bozeman. This unique, fast-paced program—all choreographed to a brilliant light show—has amazed audiences of all ages while featuring and celebrating the best of Bozeman’s musical talent. This year’s performance features a new twist by marrying the “collage” concept with the music of the Holidays, and includes a stunning variety of your favorite holiday tunes, both traditional and popular. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bozemansymphony.org/ or by calling (406) 585-9774.
The Yellowstone Ballet Company (YBC) presents its 26th annual production of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker, at 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, December 10th and 11th at Sleeping Giant Middle School in Livingston. Audiences will delight in YBC’s intimate staging of this beloved story about Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. All children in attendance will receive a Christmas gift from the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince. Tickets are available at www.yellowstoneballet.org/.
The Shane Lalani Center for the Arts’ 9th annual Holiday Vaudeville Extravaganza! will run two weekends only, December 9th–18th. The show will run Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. This two-hour variety show is a high-energy romp through the cherished chestnuts of the season. The showrunners have assembled another intrepid squad of community performers ranging from the sublime to the spastic who will amaze, amuse, and mystify with songs, skits, and vigorous acts of vaudevillian virtuosity— all served up with a heaping helping of heart. It’s fun for the whole family, and virtually guaranteed to get you in the spirit! Reservations are available at www.theshanecenter. org/ or by calling the box office at (406) 222-1420. Get ready for the holidays with Verge Theater’s A Little House Christmas. The show runs at 2pm on Saturdays through December 17th. Eight days before Christmas, the Ingalls have invited some folks to dinner to celebrate completion of their new home. The happy gathering includes stories and dancing until a freakishly severe early winter thunderstorm brings the celebration to an end. Then, Verge Theater is reprising local playwright and funny man Ryan Cassavaugh’s hilarious holiday farce, Jimmy’s First Christmas on Parole, set to run at 8pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from December 8th–17th. Jimmy has just been released from the State Prison after serving time for a “crime of passion.” All he wants is to pick up life where it was interrupted 18 months prior, but life on the outside hasn’t remained static. If you think Christmas with your family is tough, come and get a dose of hilarious hi-jinx as Jimmy attempts to unravel his family and place them back into the neat packages he desires after months in the slammer. Then again, perhaps life behind bars with strangers was better than a holiday with his family! To purchase tickets to any Verge performance, please visit www.vergetheater.com/. Further information about these and many more festive events can be found throughout this issue of The BoZone. Happy holidays! •
