Uncategorized
Big Sky Big Grass offers unmatched intimacy
Published
9 years agoon
By Maria Wyllie
Explore Big Sky Associate Editor
BIG SKY – The ninth annual Big Sky Big Grass Festival returned to Big Sky Resort Feb. 5-8, showcasing another high-caliber lineup of musicians in a number of intimate settings.
Although big names like Sam Bush, Bill Nershi, and Del McCoury didn’t decorate the list of artists, Leftover Salmon opened the festival with a sold-out show Thursday night at Whiskey Jack’s. The high-energy group, which now includes Montana resident Bill Payne of Little Feat on the keyboard, threw down with festive songs like “Cajun Girl” and “It’s a Powder Day.”
Following the show, a few of Leftover’s band members gathered in the Huntley for a late-night picking session with members of Bozeman’s Kitchen Dwellers and other musician friends. The late night jam sessions have become synonymous with this small winter festival – something that fans and musicians alike look forward to each year.
Local musician Ben Macht, who plays mandolin for the Driftwood Grinners and the Gallatin Grass Project, has attended Big Grass eight times and said the intimacy of the festival is one of the reasons he keeps coming back.
“To be able to watch Leftover rip it up on stage in Whiskey Jack’s, and then sit with them in the Firehole while they are pickin’ is awesome,” Macht said. “I don’t think that happens everywhere.”
Drew Emmitt, who has been playing at Big Grass since year one – sometimes with the Emmitt-Nershi Band, with the Drew Emmitt Band, and now with Leftover Salmon – agreed that the late-night jam sessions are one of his favorite aspects of the festival, apart from skiing, and he says the wintertime setting at an actual ski resort sets the festival apart.
“It’s sort of like an all-inclusive [resort] … similar to an indoor version of the Strings and Sol festival we’ve been doing in Mexico,” Emmitt said.
Over the years, Emmitt says the festival has progressed to include more high-profile bands like Sam Bush and Peter Rowan. “I think more people have found out about it, and I think it gets better every year,” he said.
Other big names on the docket this year included Darol Anger & the Furies, the Travelin’ McCourys, Della Mae, and John Jorgenson’s bluegrass band J2B2. Lesser-known acts like the Billy Strings and Don Julin duo, and rock-country jam band Grant Farm won over the ears of many new fans who went in not knowing what to expect.
“I heard some people were concerned [the lineup] was too weak, but there were amazing musicians here and to be able to see the different musicians in different settings – like Whiskey Jack’s and the Carabiner– is so cool,” Macht said.
Billy Strings compared the festival to being on vacation.
“It was the best weekend ever,” said the 22-year old guitarist from Michigan. “As a whole, it was an amazing experience for me. That’s what a music festival should be like.”
Although some of the crowds were smaller than in years past, folks who attended – whether fans or musicians – took full advantage of the festival’s intimate nature.
“I think Steve [Merlino] does an awesome job,” Macht said, referring to the festival organizer. “I hope he keeps doing what he’s doing because [the] festival kicks ass.”
Jason Meyers, who helps Merlino organize the event, says next year there will be a few quieter shows held at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, as well as favorite acts from years past, and some more “newgrass” bands.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm