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From historic landmarks and museums to stunning parks and hiking trails, Stacker compiled a list of the highest things to do in Montana on Tripadvisor.
Covenant United Methodist Church is having its Handbell Concert, presented by the Bells of Covenant, at 3 p.m. Dec. 14.
Bell choir members ready their bells before their parts come up during a rehearsal at Covenant United Methodist Church in December 2023.
This annual event will feature traditional, sacred and secular carols, from “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” to “Jingle Bells” to “Silent Night.”
It is free and the public may attend. The choir plays primarily at Covenant United Methodist Church, 2330 E. Broadway St.
The 18th annual Winter Solstice celebration and concert will be 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan St.
People of all religions and the nonreligious to attend. Admission is free and there will be an offering to help cover costs of the event. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to Helena Food Share.
This year’s theme is the return of light through music, dance and timeless traditions.
The Wilbur Rehmann Quintet with special guest vocalist MJ Williams will perform jazz music. Folksinger Judy Fjell and the Helena Women’s Chorus will perform. Other performances include the Cohesion Dance Project, Magpie drummers and singers and Dan Pocha will speak, Janet Tatz will provide Jewish Reflection of the Havdalah and Gayle Sandholm will emcee the celebration.
The jazz quintet is made up of Wilbur Rehmann, saxophones, MJ Williams, vocals and trombone, Fred Cobb, piano, Todd Silas, bass and John Dorr, drums.
Folk singer and Montana native Judy Fjell will lead the Helena Women’s Chorus in two celebration songs. First, ”This Little Light of Mine,” which is a gospel and civil rights anthem. The second is “Jambo,” which means “hello” in Swahili.
This year, Jewish religious and cultural themes centered on the Havdalah and the Solstice will be led by Janet Tatz, who has served as a Jewish culture representative since the very first Solstice celebration 18 years ago.
Returning for the sixth year is the Cohesion Dance Project led by Tanya Call, its founder and artistic director.
Another dance performance will be by Habana Cuban Food truck owners, Adonis and Mai-lee of Cuba, dancing to two Latin jazz songs.
Native American reflections on Winter Solstice will be led by Dan Pocha and the Magpie Drummers and Singers.
“It is really one of the few events that brings together people of all cultures and religions,” according to Rehmann.
Premiere Dance Company presents its 32nd anniversary production of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 21-22.
Among the 70 local dancers bringing the traditional story to the stage are four high school seniors who will soon close a chapter in their dancing careers.
The performances will be 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 2 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave.
Tickets range from $15-$37.
Tickets can be purchased online at helenaciviccenter.com, by phone at 406-447-8481, or in person at the Helena Civic Center box office. Call 406-447-8481 or go to helenaciviccenter.com for more information.
The Bray Holiday Show is going on now through Dec. 23 at the Bray Gallery and Visitor Center, 2915 Country Club Ave.
Shop artwork from current and former resident artists to find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for anyone on your list.
Shop local — consider these unique gift ideas: a handmade mug for hot morning drinks, a comforting soup bowl, a distinctive pitcher for the table, jewelry, a stunning sculpture, a stand-out vase, pleasant cocktail cups and uncommon ornaments, and find more in-person at the gallery.
The Clay Arts Guild is celebrating its 25th anniversary with its annual Holiday Show displaying handmade ceramics by 50-plus local Guild members.
The Clay Arts Guild’s annual Holiday Show, shown here in 2020, will be through Dec. 24 in the old Floor Show building next to Lewis and Clark Brewing.
The show is at 1430 N. Montana Ave., in the old Floor Show building next to Lewis and Clark Brewing.
The show opens 10 a.m. runs now through Dec. 24. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. An open house is scheduled 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6.
The Guild was founded in 1999 with 12 local ceramic enthusiasts. Today the Guild has over 100 members. Stop by to enjoy browsing fine ceramic work and shop local.
John Early of Throggs Neck, New York, has written recollections of his Helena boyhood and posted online.
“One Man‘s Boyhood“ is about his days in Helena from 1946-mid-1955.
It can be read for free at https://go.helenair.com/p0rggp.
Born in 1943, Early graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Retired after working with an international educational exchange organization, Early’s interests include: archaeology, foreign travel, languages, history, religion and singing.
After having spent 54 years in Manhattan, he is now living in Throggs Neck, The Bronx, New York. He visited Helena in 2011, and other venues in Montana.
Here is an excerpt of his recollections:
“When we all arrived in Helena after coming by train something like 2,286 miles away across the country, Dad had found himself in a fine mess.
“Dad and Uncle Mike were speaking by telephone between Helena and Brooklyn. Mom’s brother Mike was a builder, and had offered Dad a job in his lumber mill. Talking long distance was expensive, and both men were excitable talkers. It came to pass that the exact nature of the job Dad would be doing was left unclear to Dad. So after making the very long journey, it turns out the job was to be the company mole. Dad was a good Democrat, a working man, and Uncle Mike was a good Republican, a business owner. Anyway, not to be anybody’s rat, Dad would have none of such shenanigans. Trouble then was that Dad did not have a clear means of making money. Like it or not, the Early family was sort of marooned in ‘The Queen City of the Rockies.’
“Dad had to come up with a plan.”
Submissions to the Around the Town calendar should be emailed to irarts@helenair.com and should be 200 words or fewer. Submissions should be written in story form, no flyers please. Please write “Around the Town” in the subject line. Call Phil Drake at 406-447-4086 if you have questions.
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From historic landmarks and museums to stunning parks and hiking trails, Stacker compiled a list of the highest things to do in Montana on Tri…
The Clay Arts Guild’s annual Holiday Show, shown here in 2020, will be through Dec. 24 in the old Floor Show building next to Lewis and Clark Brewing.
Bell choir members ready their bells before their parts come up during a rehearsal at Covenant United Methodist Church in December 2023.
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