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 June and July from 5–8pm. The 2025 Summer Outdoor Concert Series will present a variety of dazzling musicians every week.
Kicking things off for the summer with their first appearance at the Shane Center are The Fossils on Thursday, June 5th. The local favorites have been entertaining Park County for decades. Their energetic dance music includes favorites from the Grateful Dead to the Beatles to Delbert McClinton. Even though Rich “Pinky” Ruggles on keyboards/bass, Bill Dwyer on electric guitar, Scott Boehler on harmonica and Don Scott on drums have been doing this a long time, they make each show feel fresh and new. What a classic way to get the season started. Come and join generations of friends and neighbors and definitely bring your dancing shoes.
John Roberts y Pan Blanco will return to the stage on Thursday, June 12th, for some crowd-pleasing Afro Cuban/Jazz/Funk and Salsa music. Roberts began playing the piano at the age of 5 while living on an isolated ranch in Southeastern Montana. After graduating in 1996 from Montana State University – Billings with a BA in Music Performance, he moved to Los Angeles to earn his Master of Fine Arts in Western Orchestral Performance from California Institute of the Arts. He has performed in all 50 of the United States and around the world.
Thursday, June 19th introduces another new band to the SOCS stage – Tsunami Funk blends funk, rhythm and rock n’ roll. The band is known to bring a party with them wherever they perform their high-energy, funk-based shows. Featuring Luke Flansburg on lead vocals and guitar, Eddie Tsuru on bass, Nathan Anderson on guitar, David Charles on keyboard and Isaiah Morales on drums, Tsunami Funk features some of Montana’s best professional musicians. Playing tunes from artists like Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Earth Wind & Fire and many more, the band plays music that usually makes everyone want to get up and dance. They’ve been dazzling audiences in Southwest Montana for close to twenty years. Get to the pavilion early for this one and grab a spot close to the dance floor.
Texas Country/Americana artist Bo DePeña is bringing his high energy trio to the SOCS stage on Thursday, June 26th. The Colorado-based songwriter/performer has developed a reputation as a consummate working musician. Over the years, his high-energy shows have generated a loyal fan base around the mountain west, and it’s clear to see why fans of the country music tradition embrace his songs. From Texas to Colorado to South Dakota to Montana, DePeña’s music can be heard at bars, breweries, rodeos, honky tonks and beyond. He has shared stages with artists such as William Clark Green, Chris Knight, Dale Watson, William Michael Morgan, Ned LeDoux and Colter Wall. His lyrical content is often universal, evoking memories of past lives, lost loves and a longing for home. This explains why his followers are an eclectic bunch, encompassing many backgrounds, tastes and persuasions. If you are a fan of good stories, good tunes and good vibes, you won’t want to miss his show.
Looking ahead, www.TWANG performs on July 3rd, The Two Tracks July 10th, Swamp Dawg July 17th, Release the Squirrels July 24th and the Tom Catmull Trio closing out the series on July 31st. Stay tuned for details.
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. •
