Pine Creek presents colorful span of late summer shows
Despite the smoky skies, Montananas are still soaking up every minute of the sunshine with outdoor recreation and events. Pine Creek Lodge is the best place to wind down from mountainside adventures with food, brews and live music. Here’s the August lineup.
Yonder Mountain String Band is next up with two shows on Aug. 6th and 7th. The group has spent two decades redefining bluegrass, expanding the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previous boundaries by steadily pushing the envelope into the realms of rock n’ roll and improvisation. Their music always progresses and breaks ground. Tickets are $40 in advance either night, or $70 for two-day passes.
Wear comfortable soles for Turkuaz on Aug. 11th. Balancing male-female harmonies, strutting guitars, wild horn arrangements, and interminable grooves, a spirit takes shape on stage during their larger-than-life performances. Expect a night of horn-filled genre-bending and little time for rest. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 day of show.
Spend an evening with comedian Rich Hall on Aug. 12th. The Montana-favorite entertainer is renowned for his expertly crafted tirades, quick-fire banter with audiences and delightful musical sequences. Hall won an Emmy for his work with David Letterman and was once a castmember on Saturday Night Live. Tickets for this seated show are $20 in advance and $25 day of show.
Following a trio of spring shows, Kitchen Dwellers bring their three summer shows to Pine Creek Aug. 13th, 14th and 15th. The group has transcended traditional genre boundaries, blending virtuosic bluegrass wizardry with ecstatic rock and roll energy and adventurous psychedelia. Tickets are $60 all nights or $135 for a three-day pass.
Black Lillies frontman Cruz Contreras warms up the crowd for the Larry Keel Experience on Aug. 18th. Keel has brought the flat picking form to its highest level of sophistication and sonic power with his muscular, yet refined playing. He’s collaborated and continues to merge creative forces with some of the greatest artists in modern roots music. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 day of show.
River Valley Rangers follow on Aug. 19th with local help from Walcrik. The blue to newgrass group have developed a high-energy stringband sound that keeps audiences stompin’ in their boots all night. The Rangers have shared the stage with many in the genre, including Mr. Keel. This show is free of admission.
Country music veterans Asleep at the Wheel pull off the road for an Aug. 21st show. The 10-time Grammy winners have been invigorated by a fresh lineup and sound that blends originals with vibrant cover material and some unanticipated new musical tangents. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 day of show.
Missoula-born newgrass stars The Lil Smokies bring the month to a close with back-to-back performances on Aug. 25th and 26th. Drawing on the energy of a rock band and the Laurel Canyon songwriting of the ‘70s, the Smokies have reimagined their approach to roots music, showcased on Tornillo, the band’s third studio release. Tickets are $40 either night.
Closing out the summer with September shows: genre chameleon Ryan Bingham, recreational Americana purveyors Dusty Pockets and the Beaver State’s Blitzen Trapper.
Pine Creek presents its Brunch Live Music Series every weekend. The weekend offering regularly showcases regional musicians from 11am–1pm. Order some food and find a spot! Upcoming acts include: Natalia Boise on Aug. 7th, Amanda Stewart Aug. 8th, Matt Wallin Aug. 14th, Ryan Acker Aug. 15th, Shelly Besler Kersbergen Aug. 21st, Canoe Dealers Aug. 22nd, Colin Burke Aug. 28th and Abel & Benn on Aug. 29th. These shows are free of admission and open to the public.
All night shows begin at 7pm, unless otherwise noted. Tickets on sale now based on availability. Please visit www.pinecreeklodgemontana.com for additional details. •
