Editor’s note: Bozeman Arts & Culture is a monthly feature by Peggy Stebbins. To have your organization’s upcoming event considered for inclusion, please send a brief description to her at peggykstebbins@gmail.com.
What’s On: Welcome to What’s On — your monthly roundup of arts, culture, and community happenings across the Bozeman area. From festivals and films to concerts and comedy, August offers a packed calendar of events to keep you inspired and entertained all month long.
August Bursts with Festivals, Music, and Outdoor Fun
Kick off the month with one of Bozeman’s favorite traditions: the 48th Annual Sweet Pea Festival, held Aug. 1–3 at Lindley Park. Enjoy a full weekend of live music, dance, theater, visual art, kids’ activities, and delicious local food. Full schedule at sweetpeafestival.org.
On the same weekend, SLAM (Support Local Artists and Musicians) Summer Festival returns to Bogert Park, celebrating Montana-made art, music, food, and drink. Browse work from 55 local artists and enjoy two full days of live performances and food truck fare. Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Details at slamfestivals.org.
Bring your blanket and enjoy a free movie under the stars at Story Under the Stars, featuring Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Story Mansion Park. Pre-movie fun begins at 6:30 p.m.; the film starts at dusk. Presented by Bozeman Film Society and Friends of Story Mansion. Costumes and low-back chairs encouraged!
End the month with the inaugural Bozeman Renaissance Festival, happening Aug. 23–24 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Expect costumes, crafts, performances, and old-world charm. Info at bozemanrenfest.com.
Art
The Sweet Pea Festival Art Show will be all month long at the Bozeman Public Library. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Experience the vibrant local arts scene during Downtown Bozeman’s Art Walk on Friday, Aug. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. More than 35 downtown businesses and galleries will host artist openings and receptions, showcasing work by talented local creators. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and hors d’oeuvres as you explore each venue — and don’t be surprised if live music from local performers adds a little extra magic to your Main Street stroll.
Film
Catch classic favorites at The Ellen Theatre throughout August, including:
• The Cowboys – Wednesday, Aug. 6
• The Trouble with Wolves – Friday, Aug. 8
• The Man Who Knew Too Much – Saturday, Aug. 9
• Shane – Wednesday, Aug. 13
• Singin’ in the Rain – Friday, Aug. 15
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Thursday, Aug. 21
• A River Runs Through It – Friday, Aug. 22
Live Music
• Music in the Mountains at Len Hill Park
Free concerts Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
• Aug. 7: The Nude Party
• Aug. 14: Zach Person
• Aug. 21: Big Richard
• Aug. 28: Hot Buttered Rum
Bozeman Hot Springs, 81123 Gallatin Road in Four Corners, offers live music while you soak on Sunday evenings from 7 to 10.
• Aug. 3: The Dirty Turkeys, a Denver-based jam rock band
• Aug. 10: Fox & Bones, a Portland-based folk duo
• Aug. 17: Jacob Rountree & the Somethings, a Bozeman-based folk-rock band
• Aug. 24: Brandon Jones Band, a South Dakota-based country band
• Aug. 31: Dead & Down, a Missoula-based Americana band
Hornbread, an eight-piece ska band formed in 2022 and based in Bozeman, will perform a free concert on the Bozeman Public Library lawn on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 6-7:30 p.m.
The Bozeman Symphony is presenting free outdoor Far Afield concerts preceding Montana Shakespeare in the Parks productions. On Friday, Aug. 1, flutists Sue Makeever and Megan Makeever will present a duet at 4:45 p.m. at Legacy Plaza on the University of Montana Western campus in Dillon, and on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 4:45 p.m. at Woodland Park in Kalispell, both ahead of the 6 p.m. showing of As You Like It. Symphony Storytime with a musician and special reader will be Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 10:15 a.m. at the Bozeman Public Library. More information is available at bozemansymphony.org.
Ross Bullock of Mineral Wells, Texas, will play at Bozeman Taproom, 101 N. Rouse Ave., on Friday, Aug. 1, from 9-11 p.m.
American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bluegrass musician Billy Strings will perform at Montana State University’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 15. Tickets and more information at montana.edu/brickbreeden/events
Bridger Brewing – Bozeman
Bridger Brewing in Bozeman offers a great lineup of free live music on Wednesdays from 5:30-8 p.m.
• Aug. 6: Bridger Creek Boys
• Aug. 27: Ryan Little Eagle
Bridger Brewing – Three Forks
Bridger Brewing’s Summer Concert Series features two great shows this month at their stage in Three Forks. Tickets at bridgerbrewing.com.
Take in the mountain views and enjoy a memorable evening on Wednesday, Aug. 13, with Shakey Graves, an Austin-based musical innovator who has captivated audiences with his genre-defying sound and immersive storytelling. Known for soulful performances and boundary-pushing creativity, he will deliver a blend of blues-inspired rock and heartfelt narratives from 7:30-11 p.m.
Enjoy an unforgettable evening with Sawyer Brown, the legendary country music band known for their chart-topping hits and high-energy performances, on Saturday, Aug. 23. The band will deliver a dynamic mix of heartfelt ballads and foot-stomping country anthems that will have you singing along and dancing the night away from 7:30-11 p.m.
The 25th annual Music on Main summer concert series keeps the energy high with another night of free live music featuring NOT.GREENDAY on Thursday, Aug. 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Formed in 2022 by four Spokane friends united by their passion for Green Day, NOT.GREENDAY delivers an electrifying tribute to the iconic punk rock band. Don’t miss this high-energy performance that’s sure to have the crowd singing along! Learn more at: downtownbozeman.org
Logan Liebert and the Light Blue, a folk and country rock band based in Bozeman, plays at the Grey Dog Bar, 34 N. Bozeman Ave, on Friday, Aug. 1, from 9-11 p.m.
Crow and Gazelle, the Mike McClure and Chrislyn Lawrence duo, will perform songs built around their closed harmonies and sparse, reverent acoustic instrumentation on Friday, Aug. 1, at 8 p.m. at Live From the Divide, 627 E. Peach St.
Quinlan Valdez will perform at 21 S. Wallace Ave. on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m.
Pine Creek Lodge at 2496 E. River Road in Livingston has a great lineup this month.
• Easton Corbin, an American country music singer from Florida who has established himself as one of Montana’s top live country performers, plays Sunday, Aug. 3, from 7-10 p.m.
• G. Love & Special Sauce, known for their unique and laid back, rootsy sound, that encompasses Delta blues, hip hop, rock & roll, soul, and funk, perform Sunday, Aug 10, 7-10 p.m.
• Creekside Revival Music Festival, three days of jammin’ by the creek with 20 bands from across the country, starts Sunday, Aug. 24, at noon.
• The Disco Biscuits, an American jam band from Philadelphia, takes the stage Sunday, Aug. 31, 7-10 p.m.
Shane Lalani Center for the Arts
One Love Living, a world music concert promoting harmony, is Saturday, Aug. 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. Features Mighty Mystic and the Hard Roots Movement, Sean Devine and the Stars of Anguila, and Foreshadow. More info at theshanecenter.org.
• Monday, Aug. 4: Buckcherry
• Tuesday, Aug. 5: Clutch & Blacktop Mojo
• Wednesday, Aug. 6: Michael Franti & Spearhead (acoustic)
• Thursday, Aug. 7: Best in Grass Montana Awards
• Saturday, Aug. 23: Mickey & the Motorcars
Tune Up presents Eli Howard & The Greater Good on Friday, Aug. 8, at 8 p.m. Brendan Nolan will perform solo acoustic blues and classic rock on six-string dobro slide guitars Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. Also on the calendar is Ross Bullock playing Thursday, Aug. 14, from 6-8 p.m., and Jenna Greewell on Friday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. More details at .tuneupbarandlounge.com/events
Enjoy Celtic music at Valhalla Meadery, 875 Bridger Dr., on Friday, Aug. 1, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and on Sundays, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, from 3-5 p.m. No cover charge.
Warren Miller Performing Arts Center
Béla Fleck & The Flecktones will perform at Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, 45465 Gallatin Road in Gallatin Gateway, on Sunday, Aug. 31, starting at 8 p.m. Groundbreaking banjoist, composer, and bandleader, Béla Fleck reconvened the original line-up of the Grammy-winning quartet with Howard Levy, Victor Wooten, and Roy “Futureman” Wooten.
Performance
Baroque Music Montana presents Mad Mask, an exploration of the rich improvisatory tradition of commedia dell’arte on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. at 500 Black Bear Road and on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Last Best Place Comedy Club. Actor Mace Perlman brings a van full of masks and props to embody this ubiquitous method of acting, with musical illustrations from 17th and 18th-century Naples. They are also presenting a Period Performance Workshop at First Presbyterian Church in Bozeman from Friday, Aug. 15, through Sunday, Aug. 17. For info or tickets, visit baroquemusicmontana.org
Last Best Comedy presents James Pontillo on Friday, Aug. 1; Ultimate Comedy Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 2; Whiz Bang! on Saturdays, Aug. 2, 16, & 23; Risky Quizness: Loud Movies on Tuesdays, Aug. 5, 12, & 19; Liz Blanc Stand Up Comedy on Friday, Aug. 8; Ultimate Comedy Challenge 2025: The Finals on Saturday, Aug. 9; Colum Tyrrell on Friday, Aug. 15; Sam Miller on Wednesday, Aug. 20; Vik Pandya on Friday, Aug. 22; and TJ & Dave on Friday & Saturday, Aug. 29-20. Visit lastbestcomedy.com for tickets.
Looking Ahead
The Bozeman Symphony opens its 58th season the weekend of September 20 with Sounds of America I: Marsalis & Rachmaninoff. The special America series celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States with a thrilling tribute to American composers and their bold, distinctive voices. Tickets at bozemansymphony.org.
This column was written by Peggy Stebbins. To have your organization’s upcoming event considered for inclusion, please send a brief description to her at peggykstebbins@gmail.com.
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