Marvelous musicians, local & national, sound off on Ellen stage –Eric Funk – With a Little Help from My Friends descends on the theatre on Saturday, October 5th
The Ellen Theatre is home to just about every form of entertainment you can think of, whether live or up on the big screen. The historic downtown space is your source for the 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.
Eric Funk – With a Little Help from My Friends descends on the theatre on Saturday, October 5th, at 3pm. Alongside Funk, a world-class composer, over 40 regional musicians will perform some of The Beatles’ greatest hits, including “Let It Be,” “Norwegian Wood,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday,” “Hey, Jude” and many more. A few of the local musicians on tap include Jeni Fleming, Craig Hall, Stefan Stern, Adam Greenberg and Julia Cory, among others. The musicians are donating their time and talents for this fundraiser, with 100% of ticket sales going to the theatre. Tickets are $44.50 for adults, or $37.50 for MSU students.
Enjoy an evening with two-time Grammy winner Rita Coolidge on Saturday, October 12th, at 8pm. Ms. Coolidge will share songs and stories from her fabulous career including a gold record James Bond theme and hits from her chart-topping albums, as well as selections from the spring-released Safe in the Arms of Time. Considered one of the most versatile singers of the rock generation, she’s recorded with an array of legendary musicians including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, Stephan Stills and more. As a successful solo artist she’s recorded popular renditions of “We’re All Alone,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” and “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher.”
Following her performance, Ms. Coolidge will greet guests at a dessert and wine VIP reception as a fundraiser for The Ellen’s centennial. Tickets to attend both the concert and reception, priced at $60, will be limited to 40 patrons. All other seats are $41.50.
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.
Looking ahead, Latin-American band Che Apalache is set for 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.
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. •