Walking Sideways: An Insider’s Guide to The Rialto
by Dalton Brink
The wildflowers are dotting the hillsides in rainbow speckles breaking up the waving green of the grasses. It hasn’t turned brown and beige yet. A summer miracle. I’m praying August isn’t on fire, that I’ll be able to see the Bridgers without the veil of smoke I’ve unfortunately gotten used to over the past few years. I’ve been hiking: Lava Lake, Hyalite Peak, Sacajawea – attempting to make the most of the short-lived summer. I hope the same for you. Hope you’re camping, hiking, climbing, biking – whatever it is you do – rock-hounding, searching for dinosaur bones – whatever the hell it is, just get out and do something. Take advantage of the weather, of the cool breeze, of the chilly waters, because we all know what is lurking ahead. But if you do find yourself in town and you’re looking for something to lift your spirits, The Rialto has some things you may just find worth your precious summer time.
July 19 – James McMurtry
My father was a truck driver and my mother was a waitress, making me the anthropomorphic progeny of a country-western song. Before I was a cell with intention in the womb, I was predisposed towards a tenderness for songwriters: Jon Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark… these guys are heroes to me, the best kind of heroes – working-class heroes, writers speaking to my heart, masters of the truths of the blue-collar society I have always been a part of. The great James McMurtry falls within this lineage. I have developed an obsession to lyrical content, and McMurtry is one of the finest wordsmiths today. After Music on Main, come join us for an evening of prose-driven veracity, a bit of conscience-composting to help your soul blossom.
July 21 – Handsome Jack
Magic. We need it. In our post-Google world of cynics and sarcasm, where whatever knowledge is out there is available at the push of a button or a slide of the finger, where it’s easy to convince ourselves that we know everything there is to know, where the unknowns get brushed over with sheer ignorant confidence, we need magic… perhaps more than ever, and Handsome Jack will be here to put a little bit of the wonder, so sorely needed, back into the world. He’s wowed Penn and Teller with both his close-up and stage routines and now I’m proud to be bringing him to Bozeman. Two shows are available, the first will be family-oriented for the kiddos, the second geared towards adults only.
July 27 – The Burn Box Comedy Series
Laughter, along with alcohol, is the best medicine, and we have both in spades every last Friday of the month up in the Burn Box. Fearlessly led by Jeff Strock, the open mic is one of our most popular events. Local comedians vie for our chortles and I haven’t been disappointed yet. It’s honestly the best open mic I’ve witnessed of any kind. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. Check it out.
Further details about these events and more, as well as ticketing information, can be found at www.rialtobozeman.com. •
