Partnering with Mighty Fine Time Live Events, Livingston’s Shane Lalani Center for the Arts is delighted to present another series of FREE outdoor concerts at the Henry E. Blake Pavilion every Thursday in July from 5–8pm. The 2025 Summer Outdoor Concert Series will present a variety of dazzling musicians every week.
www.TWANG comes back to the Pavilion stage to help celebrate the holiday weekend on July 3rd. Southwest Montana’s premier country band plays both kinds of music – country and Western. There will be a dance floor, and it will be full. This talented group of performers features Buck Buchanan (guitar, vocals), Marcus Engstrom the Telecaster King (electric guitar), Mike Gillan (drum kits) keeping it all percolating along, Russ Olsen (bass, vocals) and Mike Parsons (fiddle, vocals). Polish your boots for this one, it promises to be a great night.
July 10th brings acoustic Americana quartet The Two Tracks to the stage. Husband and wife Julie and Dave Huebner write songs that traverse the male and female perspective with emotional and natural images of rural American life. The band cares about lyrics, story and the power of the song, and every arrangement is designed to fully highlight that direct connection between the song and the listener. Hailing from the eastern side of the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, the band has traversed the country bringing their joyful unique sound to stages big and small.
Next up on July 17th is Swamp Dawg, delivering an evening of New Orleans swampy funk, rhythm and blues. Their fun, NOLA-style funk music brings much enjoyment. Attendees can expect to dance to swampy Southern Soul music with some new band members to continue the multicultural rhythmic explosion of funk, rhythm and blues and second New Orleans classics. Get there early for this – it will be a full house.
Montana bluegrass quintet Release the Squirrels takes the stage on July 24th. A shiny, new bluegrass quintet that pushes the boundaries of the traditional bluegrass cage. From danceable old time original compositions to artful covers of modern songs, the Squirrels have a broad repertoire that appeals to every audience. With a deep appreciation for bluegrass traditions, influences like Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Album band are present, however the group has a penchant for crafting bold arrangements to pay tribute to the past with a modern flavor. The depth of their musicianship is evidenced by masterful flatpicking, hard driving banjo and rock steady upright bass. Listeners also delight to hear hypnotizing fiddle melodies and inspired mandolin licks interspersed amongst a tapestry of three-part vocal harmonies.
Last but certainly not least, the Shane welcomes back the Tom Catmull Trio on July 31st. Tom is a word enthusiast: they are the larger part of what makes his world go ’round. The last couple of decades have included seven full-length albums, dozens of festivals, countless honkytonks and two ridiculously fun national anthems. Catmull’s clever and catchy tunes will delight you – great melodies and stories are the perfect summer night music accompaniment.
Food trucks will be serving sustenance during these events. Beer and wine, snacks and refreshments also available for purchase. Note: Please no outside food or drink. Expanded bicycle parking onsite. Additional vehicle parking available at Lincoln School.
Learn more about the Summer Outdoor Concert Series at www.theshanecenter.org. The series is generously sponsored by Livingston HealthCare, Marcia McCrum in memory of Bliss McCrum, and the Yellowstone Valley Lodge & Grill. •
