The Billings Free Press

Every seat was filled with enthusiastic, mostly mature folks last night, New Year’s Eve, at the Alberta Bair Theatre. They were there to hear the good old songs of the Kingston Trio—here is a sample of the original group: M.T.A by Kingston Trio—and to remember parts of their more youthful days and nights. I was a little worried because I remembered them from the late 50s and 60s which meant that they would be fairly mature if they were still performing. I was relieved when they quickly explained that they were just pretending to be the original Kingston Trio, singing their songs and playing reproductions of their original stringed instruments. See the picture below left.

There were some recognizable old hippies in the audience, surprisingly well preserved, must have been the drugs, but most of them had disguised themselves as ordinary older folk out for a sedate good time.

The Trio put on a good show, sounded just like the records I remembered, sold CDs in the lobby, and promised to come back if the Symphony would invite them. We should have brought our grandchildren along: I’m pretty sure they would have liked the sound.

The Meistersingers, Westwinds, Vox Nova, and the Chamber Choir, all vocal groups from Billings West High School, together with their instrumental friends were in good voice Thursday evening at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Parents, parishioners and alumni filled the sanctuary. This was billed as a Holiday Concert. And it was, and curiously enough the holiday celebrated was the Nativity, commonly known as Christmas. The brass quintet was a little too loud for the Chamber Choir and the Meistersingers had some trouble with entrances in the Hallelujah Chorus but these kids sang with passionate hearts and the audience knew it.

The numbers that really stood out were the comic Straight No Chaser arrangement of The Twelve Days of Christmas by the Westwinds; Elgar’s The Snow by all the ladies was splendidly mystical and musical; and What Child Is This? by the Meistersingers.

A nice touch was ending with Beautiful Savior by everybody including alumni. I noticed some recent graduates among the guys and a number of proud moms and maybe a few dads amongst the alumni. It takes a community to raise great kids.

The 2008 Tuney Award winners have been announced and you will see some familiar names and a few new ones.

Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks for making Billings a better place to live by sharing your gifts.

8/8/8 is considered by the Chinese as the luckiest day of the century. Because of this many people have been planning for months the biggest event they have ever participated in.

That’s right, it’s time for MontanaFair!

The biggest fair in Montana begins today at 6:00 p.m. with Sneek-a-Peek night. I have plans to check things out on Sunday so I’ll have a longer report then.

As if the beginning of MontanaFair isn’t big enough news Laurel is also celebrating their 100th Birthday and the Magic City Blues festival begins tonight. If you either didn’t get tickets or live too far away you can listen to the festival on Yellowstone Public Radio. They are streaming the festival online and the broadcast schedule is (with all times approximate):

Friday, August 8
6:30pm Mighty Lester
8:30pm JJ Grey and Mofro
10:30pm Delbert McClinton

Saturday, August 8
8:00pm Po’ Henry & Tookie
10:00pm Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm

Oh yeah, don’t forget the Farmers’ Market tomorrow morning from 8:30 – 1:00 under the SkyPoint.

Today’s edition of The Billings Gazette has some good stories today which are worth reading.

The first is a story about the Japanese community in 20th century Harlowton and the second is of the last Japanese native in Harlowton. The story of Henry Muneta is especially poignant since he is the father-in-law of a Big Sky blogger.

I’ll let you figure out who the blogger is.

The next story is a nice one about the local Bluegrass music club which has weekly jam sessions at a local Hardee’s. The Gazette also has a nice photo album to go with the story.

I wonder if the Long Time Lonesome Dogs ever play at Hardee’s?

The scuttlebutt concerns the Chili’s Grill & Bar and Romano’s Macaroni Grill which are coming to Billings. The word I’ve heard on the street is that they’re planning to build next to the new Cabela’s on King Ave. East.

Do you have any scuttlebutt you want to share?

At least that’s what METRAPark officials are telling our county commissioners.

Sue Devries, who oversees ticket sales at Metra Park, explained to county commissioners that since gas prices were so high folks weren’t going to travel much but instead stay home and spend their money on Montana Fair this year. Montana Fair is the largest fair in the state and if Ms. Devries prediction holds true then records may be broken this year.

The $67 price for the ticket bundle is a good value since it gives you access to all shows and events at the fair. Montana Fair begins on August 8 and runs through August 16. It will include such events as horseracing, Puddle Of Mudd with Theory Of A Deadman. Corbin Bleu, Sugarland, and Bill Engvall. Ticket purchases can now be made on line at MetraPark.com.

In other county news, the budget for next year is up nearly 3%.

If you’re going to be out and about this evening and want to enjoy some great live music, food, beverages and camaraderie then today it your lucky day.

Head on down to The Rex (2401 Montana Ave.) from 5-8 p.m. for Alive After Five. The Jared Stewart Band will be performing for free and when they wrap things up stroll across the parking lot to Venture Theatre (2319 Montana Ave.) and take in Billy Pilgrims Concert. Tickets are $10 and the concert starts at 8 p.m.. The Yellowstone Bluegrass Association and KEMC are sponsoring the retro-country and bluegrass band. After being outside for Alive After Five what could be better than relaxing in an air-conditioned theater?

If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere with your live music check out the St. John’s Lutheran Ministries Summer Concert Series at 3940 Rimrock Road. Tonight’s featured act is The Shuffle Bums. Things start happening at 6 p.m.. The concert is free and picnic dinners are available for $7.

What could be better than starting your weekend a day early? Everyone needs to unwind. Right?

UPDATE: Next week “The Longtime Lonesome Dogs play blues and folk tunes at the Alive After 5 weekly concert. 5-8 p.m., Pug Mahon’s.” Don’t recognize the name of the band? One of its members is the one and only Ed Kemmick.