Special Thanks to our Major Summer Sponsor
DA DAVIDSON & Co

Glimpses of Broadway Helena Chamber Singers Saturday, June 11, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 7:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students A whole concert of showstoppers, conducted by Helena's highly respected choral conductor Dr. Steve Michelson. This latest concert from Helena's favorite chamber choir features the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber and the legendary Stephen Sondheim. The performance will include some Manhattan Transfer hits by the Chamber Singers' own star quartet, Fourté and several other snazzy ensembles and soloists. You can also get tickets to this concert at Piccolo's Music, Grand Junction Mercantile, and Cornerstone Bookstore.

John Cowan Band Monday, June 13, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $16 The legendary voice behind Bela Fleck's New Grass Revival, John Cowan has toured with Leftover Salmon, Drew Emmitt, and Vassar Clements. He has jammed onstage with Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Chris Thile (Nickel Creek), Peter Rowan and a host of others. He has more than a hundred recording credits to his name. Yet it's in concert-here, with his own band of respected musicians-that John Cowan is most electrifying. Combining elements of rock, soul, country, bluegrass and folk, John's unique brand of Americana is a hit nationwide.

 

R. Carlos Nakai Quartet Wednesday, June 15, 7:30 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $15   Will Clipman (Taos drums, udu, djembe), AmoChip Dabney (Keyboard, Saxophone and Bass), Mary Redhouse (Bass, vocals and keyboard) R. Carlos Nakai (Native American Flutes, Bb Trumpet) Grammy Award-winning R. Carlos Nakai returns with his quartet for another spectacular and rewarding concert. The R. Carlos Nakai Quartet is one of the best musical collaborations of players from different backgrounds who incorporate diverse influences into extraordinary music. They blend traditional native music, modern jazz, urban rhythms and contemporary popular music genres to create their unique sound. The haunting tones of Nakai’s traditional cedar flutes are joined by saxophones, keyboard variations, rich bass grooves and the polyrhythmic pulse of world percussion. The four mix structured compositions with improvisation, weaving together varied musical and cultural backgrounds and working experiences of its members.

 

T.J. Casey Monday, June 20, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors, $8 students He's a rider and a writer, a certified Vet Tech and a cowboy poet (see Big Roundup, an anthology of the best classic contemporary cowboy poetry in America). He's also the cowboy songwriter that gave us "Cowboy's Paradise," one of the best known contemporary western swing songs of our time. TJ has shared the stage with Ian Tyson, Merle Haggard, Dirks Bentley, and the Everly Brothers. He has been nominated in the last few years for many awards, including being one of the Top 5 Finalists for Rising Star and Western Swing Album of the Year and one of the Top 10 Finalists for Western Song, Western Swing Male, and Western Music Male of the Year. He is Montana's own cowboy singing star.

 

Helena Choral Week June 20-24, Noon Concerts Myrna Loy Center Tickets: Free Choral conductor Kerry Krebill brings back a second "Helena Choral Week" celebration of vocal music excellence with guest stars: Greta Getlein, soprano Marjorie Bunday, mezzo-soprano Gerald Stacy, tenor Brian Ming Chu, baritone Monday: Back by popular demand! A performance by Brian Ming Chu, baritone; with Cinda Tompkins, piano. Tuesday: Come Again, Sweet Love! Costumed madrigal singers transport you to Renaissance Italy, France and England. Wednesday: Byrd and Tallis Sacred gems from Tudor England Thursday: P.D.Q. Bach: Liebensleider Polkas for soloists, piano with "5 hands" and assorted household implements. Friday: "Brahms, Barber and Vaughan Williams" - Vocal chamber music with Michael Willing, viola, and Denise Finn, piano.

 

Helena Choral Week Guest Artists in Concert Thursday, June 23, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students Brahms' beloved Liebesliederwalzer and Carissimi's 1650 dramatic oratorio Jepthe With pianists Cinda Tompkins and Denise Finn and special guest dancers from Artisan Dance. Greta Getlein, soprano Marjorie Bunday, mezzo-soprano Gerald Stacy, tenor Brian Ming Chu, baritone Kerry Krebill, conductor

 

Helena's Rhythm Dancers 2nd Time Around Monday, June 27, 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students "Three Dancers" by Pablo Picasso, 1925 The Helena Rhythm Dancer's present a dazzling array of talent and style with an eclectic mix of dance genres. Bringing back the show that filled our house in 2002, this year's performances will add hip hop, flamenco, and belly dancing to the ensemble of Helena Irish and tap dancers.

A Celtic Music gathering: David Kincaid and other musicians Free Outdoor Concert on the Capitol lawn Concert sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians Tuesday, July 5, 7:00 p.m. Capitol Lawn Tickets: Free Celtic musician and music historian David Kincaid help Helena celebrate the 100th Anniversary and Re-dedication of the statue of Thomas Francis Meagher, Montana's most notorious (and possibly most active) Acting Governor. David Kincaid has won accolades for his authentic and passionate renditions of songs from the American Civil War's Fighting Irish (Union and Confederate). After many years on the Historic Music/Irish-Folk Music scene, David Kincaid has garnered an impressive following of fans of Civil War and Irish music. He has performed at Irish Festivals, National Park historic sites such as Gettysburg National Military Park, and concert halls across the country. If anyone can raise the spirit of Thomas Francis Meagher, this man can.

 

Confluence-Lewis and Clark A new work commissioned by the Myrna Loy Center Stuart Weber and Alan Kesselheim with special opener Remembering Joseph by Darrell Casey Monday, July 11, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $15 Stuart Weber's classical guitar, and Alan Kesselheim's words flow from the power of wide, quiet spaces. In a unique blending of artistic expression, these performers weave together a medley of readings and musical compositions that mark the anniversary of Lewis and Clark's arrival in our landscape. Their duet of contrasting art forms is a Corps of Discovery in itself. They are joined tonight by guitarist Darrell Casey (of the Watercarver's Guild) who marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Chief Joseph (in 2004) by composing a piece for solo guitar. Casey will open the performance with Remembering Joseph, in honor of the great Nez Perce Chief.

 

The local Lewis and Clark bicentennial commemoration, “The Gathering- A Gateway to the Rockies Bicentennial Gathering” Presents A reunion concert of Montana’s own Mission Mountain Wood Band Friday, July 15, 6:00 p.m. Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds Tickets: $30 The special Lewis and Clark bicentennial concert will be the Wood Band’s only fourth reunion in 22 years. What is it about the Wood Band that continues to draw what is now two generations of unwavering support from all over the country? The Band’s lone CD Release, In Without Knocking, continues to be the best selling CD ever carried by Rockin Rudy’s Music Store in Missoula. Mission Mountain first came to national prominence in the 70’s when they toured non-stop, playing over 250 dates a year around the country. The Wood Band played an eclectic mixture of original Blue Grass, Rock and Roll and Good-time Montana Party music that would leave their audiences dancing on the tables. Tickets for the concert sell for $30.00 and include admission to the Mount Helena Music Festival occurring in Helena the same weekend, July 15-17.

 

Project Bandaloop with pianist Philip Aaberg PORTAL Sponsored by DA DAVIDSON and the Wingate Inn Funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundations, NEA, NEA-US Forest Service Rural Arts Initiative, National Performance Network with support from the Doris Duke Charitable Trust and the Ford Foundation, Montana Arts Council Sunday, July 17 Performances at 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:45 pm Tickets: $5 (donation) Project Bandaloop, the nation's leading aerial dance troupe, returns to Helena once again for a stunning performance at, on and from the Hardy Bridge (about 45 minutes north of Helena-see directions below). This performance, Portal, two years in the making, combines aerial dance with a live piano performance by nationally acclaimed pianist Phil Aaberg to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery reaching the Rocky Mountains. How to get there: Drive north from Helena on I-15 past Dearborn. Take Exit 247, crossing under the highway. Follow the frontage road southwest (back toward Helena) about 5 miles toward Prescott Creek. Soon you will come upon a parking lot where Myrna Loy Center staff will direct you toward parking and seating areas. You can also float down the river and tie up to see and hear the performance.

 

Collaborations Northwest New Works Monday, July 18, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $10 The word in collaboration with other arts. Come see the literary arts at work in partnership with other forms of expression. You use words every day. Why not come see what these babies really can do?

 

Black Irish Band Monday, July 25, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students "Songs about the Forest Service and Other Music" is the title of this knockout evening designed by the Black Irish Band to celebrate the history of the U.S. Forest Service in Montana and across the West. The Black Irish Band mixes historical songs and tunes based on the stories of the Gold Rush and the building of the railroads. Patrick Michael Karnahan's songs are articulate narrative ballads -"Underneath Montana Skies" stands out in particular - "Rocky Road to Reno" mixes Celtic folk with Spanish brass. "16" sounds vaguely like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and "Men of Iron" has bluegrass affinities. This is the band's second stop at the Myrna Loy Center and we're excited to have them back.

Storyhill MJ Williams Quartet/ Kelli Roberti, composer Northwest New Works Monday, August 1, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students Storyhill: New Composition Acclaimed for their tight harmonies and soulful lyrics, Storyhill has performed and recorded their distinctive brand of acoustic music for over 15 years. Natives of Montana Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson have released 11 CDs, sold 45,000 copies to date, have toured the country from coast to coast, and have amassed a mailing list of over 10,000 members (yes, that's something). Come hear their newest compositions before they hit the recording studio. Composer Kelli Roberti with MJ Williams Quartet: Ghost Tango Project While living in Paris in 1996 jazz musician and composer Kelli Roberti became enthralled with the romance of Tango music. "I would journey into the Metro to listen to the wonderful street musicians, and many of them were playing Tango, both conventional and modern," Roberti says. "The rhythm and heart of the music truly struck me. Upon returning to Montana in '97 I proceeded to study the history, form and dance of the genre. This was the beginning of a series of compositions that, unbeknown to me, would snowball into 13 tangos of my own making…. I am totally grateful and relieved to finally get the opportunity to present the series." Roberti's Ghost Tango Project will be performed here by Montana's stupendous M J Williams Quartet. The Myrna Loy Center has curated these premier NWNW performances as part of The Northwest New Works Program (see www.ontheboards.org) showcasing new works and performance experiments by artists of the Northwest.

 

Myrna Loy's 100th Birthday Party Tuesday, August 2, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Help Helena celebrate the 100th birthday of one of America's most graceful and gracious movie stars. Myrna Loy was born Myrna Williams August 2, 1905 and it is her legacy-her devotion to her art, to the community of human beings, and to her world-that the Myrna Loy Center endeavors to carry on. Click here for details about Myrna Loy's 100th Birthday Party

 

Myrna Loy Film Festival: Women in Film August 2-7 Myrna Loy Center What better way to commemorate the legacy of Myrna Loy's rich film career than a week-long film festival. Click here for details about the Myrna Loy Film Festival.

 

Locust Dance Company Convenience Northwest New Works Monday, August 8, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students Convenience is a dance/music/video work that explores and presents many different ways of looking at ridiculous products and concepts that appear to make life easier. Velcro, wheels, a mini-warrior that battles for you through "dancefighting," cute underwear, and a dart are some of the subjects for these hilarious situations, both live and in video form. The cast of convenience includes choreographer/video artist Amy O'Neal, composer Zeke Keeble, dancer Ellie Sandstrom, and actors Gabriel Baron and Troy Miszklevitz. Locust, a dance/music/video collaborative company and brainchild of Amy O'Neal and Zeke Keeble, has been dedicated to continually rediscovering the relationship of dance and music in performance, both live and through video. The Myrna Loy Center has curated these premier NWNW performances as part of The Northwest New Works Program (see www.ontheboards.org) showcasing new works and performance experiments by artists of the Northwest.

 

Quetzal Monday, August 15, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $15 Formed in 1993, Quetzal pushes the boundaries of Chicano music. Proclaimed by Los Lobos as torch-bearer for Los Angeles's Chicano community, Quetzal embody the soul and the struggle at the heart of the Mexican-American legacy. Their mix of Mexican and Cuban rhythms, jazz, and rock is supercharged by the dynamic vocals of siblings Martha and Gabriel Gonzalez. Joyful music powered by radical passion-an original blend of Mexican folklorico, Caribbean rhythms and American rock. "As a group they exude a lovely and irresistible spirit…. Quetzal is living proof that drawing on cultural roots can be a powerful source of creativity. They play with conviction, a quality missing from many mainstream Latino acts."-Los Angeles Times

 

"butter" A play by Bozeman playwright Kent Davis Northwest New Works Monday, August 22, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students A mild-mannered man is possessed by the spirit of a giant block of butter from Costco. Calvin's goals are simple: to win fame and fortune and clean out his refrigerator. The obstacles to his quest are many: conniving co-workers, random surveillance, an utter lack of talent, and-possibly-long-dead Nazis. This one-man extravaganza, filled with fresh characters, physical comedy and a really big stick of butter, downloads from Kent Davis's delightfully twisted mind. "butter" surveys the American landscape of big box stores, internet chat rooms, telecommuting, reality TV and red state/blue state schizophrenia in a wild and hilarious performance that asks, "If I have enough food, do I really want to ever leave my house again?" The Myrna Loy Center has curated these premier NWNW performances as part of The Northwest New Works Program (see www.ontheboards.org) showcasing new works and performance experiments by artists of the Northwest.

 

Helena Symphony Chamber Musicians Monday, August 29, 8:00 p.m. Myrna Loy Center Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students Allen S. Lefohn©2004 Our traditional farewell to the Mondays at the Myrna series-and to summer-is this surprising, exquisite concert of classical music performed by musicians with the Helena Symphony. The evening offers a beautiful variety of pieces beloved by these remarkable musicians.

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Mondays at the Myrna Downtown Restaurant Specials
Show your Monday at the Myrna Ticket at the following restaurants for a special treat:
Bert and Ernies-20% off entree purchase
Brewhouse Pub and Grill-1 free 10 oz. beer or non-alcoholic beverage with any food purchase
Bullwhackers at the Holiday Inn Downtown-20% off entree purchase
Mediterranean Grill-1 free glass of wine or dessert with entree purchase
Silver Star-1 free dessert with entree purchase
Taco Del Sol-1 free beverage or 1 free salsa/chips with purchase
Windbag Saloon-1 free dessert with entree purchase

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Ticket Information:

Tickets can be purchased at the Myrna Loy Center by calling the Box Office at 443-0287. The Internet is a great way to purchase your tickets. It's convenient, secure, and fast.

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