Providing healthy, organic and nutritious food means a lot at Norris Hot Springs Huge harvest at Norris Hot Springs!
Providing healthy, organic and nutritious food means a lot to the crew at Norris Hot Springs
If you drive past Norris Hot Springs on any given day, there’s a good chance you’ll notice the steaming pool, dome and outbuildings. It takes another look to notice the generous onsite garden. You’re aware of the produce when you check out their menu, of course, as it features the bounty of vegetables, herbs and salad greens grown onsite. Over the past dozen or so years, the garden has produced an extraordinary amount of organic and sustainable produce.
The garden report is still underway, as there are still pounds of onions, carrots and kale to harvest, but the numbers so far are impressive. Basil (28.97 lbs.), beet greens (13.26 lbs.), beets (48.76 lbs.), bok choy (25.14 lbs.), broccoli (16.14 lbs.), burger greens (82.04 lbs.), carrots (233.01 lbs.), cucumber (30.82 lbs.), garlic (20 lbs.), kale (85.16 lbs.), mint (1.76 lbs.), red onions (82.75 lbs.), white onions (83.03 lbs.), yellow onions (651.26 lbs.), peas (83.90 lbs.), salad mix (166.17 lbs.), slaw (222.55 lbs.), spinach (83.90 lbs.), cherry tomatoes (152.03 lbs.), and zucchini (303.65 lbs.). Along with a few other spices and herbs, the total bounty to date is 2627.57 pounds!
Providing healthy, organic and nutritious food means a lot to the crew at Norris Hot Springs. When Holly Heinzmann bought the springs about 15 years ago, the “menu” included frozen pizza, ice cream bars and several varieties of potato chips. That menu has now expanded to include fresh salads, weekly specials, Buddha bowls and fresh made pizzas – with a focus on fresh and delicious. Add to your meal a selection from their ever-expanding wine or craft beer list, and save room for a homemade dessert!
In recent years, Norris has attracted audiences far and wide with the finest in local and touring acoustic music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 7pm.
The penultimate month of 2018 kicks off with the Restless Pines on Friday, November 2nd. The guitar and violin folk duo composed of Chad Ball and Sarah Crossman play original folk/roots and Americana music. The pair have played together in the Red Mountain Band for the last few years.
Neil Filo Beddow is next up on Saturday, November 3rd. He plays original folk rock for the soul, and describes his guitar style as the “West Dakota stutter.” His lyrically scrambled iambic pentameter can be politically bent, spiritually seeking, and tongue-in-cheek humorous with just a twist of serious.
Jacob Rountree closes out the weekend on Sunday, November 4th. The singer/songwriter has been playing guitar for a decade and released his debut album, The Common Hour, in March. If his audience isn’t captivated by his introspective lyrics and unique finger-picking, they are guaranteed to be mesmerized by his multi-dimensional performance. Inspired by artists such as Ben Howard, Jose Gonzales, and Nick Drake, Rountree uses his percussive technique, while looping and layering dynamic rhythms, to create a rare musical experience.
Joe Schwem is set for Friday, November 9th. He’s a singer/songwriter from Bozeman who plays a mix of originals and eclectic covers ranging from Americana to rock, and sea shanties to show tunes – all songs with stories and feeling. Joe is often joined by his sons, Jack and Harry, on guitar, mandolin, bass and harmony vocals.
New to Norris’ poolside stage is Dave Provost on Saturday, November 10th. The award-winning singer/songwriter plied his craft while engaging audiences on both coasts and points in-between for the last thirty years. His literate, world-weary lyrics sit in a roots-oriented musical context comprised of equal parts folk, country and American rock n’ roll. Funny and knowing, Provost is a memorable and engaging live performer who has shared the stage with Jackson Browne and Jesse Winchester, among others. His albums Home and My Favorite Ghost are available now.
Travis Yost follows on Sunday, November 11th. Also known around town as Love is a Dog from Nebraska, Travis is a musician, engineer, and producer from Missoula. He’s performed all over the West as a solo artist, and with other performers including Tom Catmull, Stellarondo, and NextDoorPrisonHotel. Travis has guested on Eric Funk’s 11th & Grant and performed at Red Ants Pants. He’s shared the stage with James McMurtry, Alejandro Escovedo, The Decemberists, The Lumineers, Jason Spooner, Martin Sexton, Wartime Blues, Sallie Ford, Jason Isbell, Dale Watson, and Brandi Carlile – to name just a few. He performs thoughtful sad stories with happy endings, on top of guitar and looper acrobatics.
Next up is Tom Kirwan on Friday, November 16th. He performs a blend of folk country and Americana. Tom’s songs evoke nostalgia of long-ago dreams and people, while weaving stories of human longing both past and present.
On Saturday, November 17th, enjoy Joseph Running Crane. “At twenty-six years old, and representing a completely new generation of Americana musicians, Joseph Running Crane is already a seasoned veteran of the Missoula music scene, having played in some of the state’s most-respected hardcore bands,” wrote Aaron Parrett, author of Montana Americana Music: Boot Stomping in the Big Sky. “Running Crane made a name for himself playing guitar and bass in what might be the best-named band ever to come out of Montana: Goddammitboyhowdy. Lately, however, he has softened his delivery into a distinctive Americana country sound. Joseph was weaned on punk rock and hard-core, a huge fan of The Minutemen and The Dead Kennedys since practically grade school. He grew up in Browning, Montana, on the Blackfeet Reservation, and his early influences were loud, heavy, and hard rock. Still, his recent songs have taken on a more wistful tone and use an acoustic sound far removed from the angsty and frenetic electric punk sound.”
Weston Lewis is back on Sunday, November 18th. Lewis plays with a number of local bands, solo performances, and as a sit-in lead guitarist for artists including The Andrew Hand Band, John Sherrill, The Electric Sunday, Lang Termes, Mathias, and MOTH. His solo sets are comprised mostly of acoustic rock covers and some of his original songs. In band settings, he likes to play funk, jazz, country and more.
Norris Hot Springs is a unique and historic Montana wonder. For more history, information on the menu, designated driver program, winter hours and much more, please visit www.norrishotsprings.com. The hot springs are located 34 miles west of Bozeman near the intersection of Highway 287 and Route 84. •
