The annual case of the ‘August, already?!’s is snaking its way through Southwest Montana as residents and visitors switch into panic mode over the impending end of summer. (Hey, didn’t it just quit raining?) Fret not! There are still plenty family-friendly, outdoor opportunities to enjoy live music and local arts before we pack it in for the year.
Here’s a look at some upcoming events. Lunch on the Lawn continues on Wednesdays at the Emerson Center from 11:30am–1:30pm. This community event features live music, local food trucks, children’s activities, and area nonprofits. Upcoming performers include the jazz-inspired John Swendseid Quartet on Aug. 1st, eclectic dance band Kate & the AlleyKats on Aug. 8th, and the classical Bridger Trio on Aug. 15th. Admission to these events is FREE.
Music on Main brings music-filled festivities to historic Downtown Bozeman on Thursday evenings from 6:30–8:30pm. The soulful, R&B-infused Cole & the Thornes are next up on Aug. 2nd, followed by the rockin’ Americana of Off in the Woods on Aug. 9th. Shakewell will close out the series with their funk, neo-soul, and rock n’ roll on Aug. 16th. These concerts are FREE and also feature a “Kids’ Zone.”
Music in the Mountains has taken over Center Stage in Big Sky’s Town Center Park this summer. Also on Thursday nights, the park opens at 6pm with music starting at 7:15pm. Check out Nashville country group Cordovas on Aug. 2nd before Americana and Celtic folk rockers The Elders play on Aug. 9th. Yonder Mountain String Band’s Jeff Austin will perform on Aug. 16th with Montana bluegrassers Two Bit Franks opening. Food and beverage vendors are available at each of these FREE events.
The Sweet Pea Festival returns to Lindley Park on Aug. 3rd–5th. The cultural gathering features performances by local theatre and dance troupes, workshops, family-friendly entertainment, flower show, beer and wine garden featuring Montana microbrews, and countless craft vendors.
Sweet Pea ‘18 will also see headlining sets by rock n’ roll group Big Head Todd and the Monsters, the soul funk rock of THE MAIN SQUEEZE, and country darling Stephanie Quayle. Dirty Revivial, Mipso, and The Black Lillies are all set to perform, among many others. All performances are included with wristband purchase.
Also on Aug. 4th–5th, the Summer SLAM Festival sets up in Bogert Park. In an effort to Support Local Artists and Musicians, the weekend of events brings a slew of featured artists, performers, culinary artisans, and statewide distillers. Festivalgoers will delight in the country blues of Rob Quist & Great Northern with Halladay Quist, roadhouse rock n’ roll Tom Petty tribute The Waiting, roots-rock of singer/songwriter Jason Wickens, and the funk/Mowtown of Andrew Gromiller & the Organically Grown, plus so many more. Admission to SLAM is FREE all weekend!
Held in northside Bozeman, the 2018 Cannery District Patio Series will see the shamanistic reggae of HIRIE on Aug. 8th. Singer/songwriter and cult folk hero Charlie Parr follows on Aug. 15th. Both Wednesday shows begin at 7pm. Advance tickets are available at Cactus Records.
The inaugural Wildlands Music Festival will take place at MSU’s Romney Oval on Aug. 10th with gates at 5:30pm. The musical gathering – devised to celebrate wild and open spaces – will feature acclaimed singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen and country-rockers Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Advance tickets are available at the Bobcat Ticket Office and event website. The 8th annual Big Sky Classical Music Festival will unfold Aug. 10th–12th. The weekend will include performances by acclaimed violinist Bella Hristova, local violinist Angella Ahn, crossover ensemble Time for Three, and the Big Sky Festival Orchestra with Maestro Peter Bay. Apart from the ticketed Warren Miller event, all concerts at Town Center Park are FREE and open to all. Food and beverage vendors will be available.
Rockin’ the Rivers returns to The Bridge near Three Forks on Aug. 10th–12th with American rapper Everlast, rock band Theory of a Deadman, Classic rock group Tommy James and the Shondells, Eve 6, Fuel, Dennis Quaid & The Sharks, and plenty more! Weekend and day passes are available for purchase on the event website. The Music on the Green concert series showcases regional talent on select Sunday evenings on Bozeman Public Library’s Front Plaza from 5–7pm. The blues-influenced rock of David Gerald is next up on Aug. 12th. Pack a few blankets and a picnic! These familyfriendly concerts are FREE for all to attend. The first-ever Moonlight MUSICFEST comes to Big Sky for its inaugural event Aug. 17th–18th. The two-night mountain music extravaganza will feature piano-heavy jammers Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers and rock artist Grace Potter in Madison Village alongside folk trio The Wood Brothers. Weekend and day passes are available for purchase on the event website.
Finally, Bridger Brewing’s annual ‘Back to School’ outdoor show features reggae group SOJA with openers Satsang and Policulture on Aug. 25th at 6pm. Cure the end of summer blues with a night of awesome live music! Food vendors and, of course, beer, will be available for purchase. Advance tickets are available at Bridger and Cactus Records. Further details about these awesome outdoor events can be found throughout this issue of The BoZone. •
