Helena-area arts and entertainment news

Join us on Friday, April 19, at 5 p.m. in the PE Center at Carroll College for the 41st Saints Athletic Association Auction.

This event benefits more than 400 student-athletes through scholarships and team support.

Your ticket grants entry to both the Live Auction and the Silent Auction display, plus a commemorative drink glass and two drink tokens.

Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by appetizers at 6, and the Live Auction kicks off at 7:30.

Get your tickets at www.carrollathletics.com for $20 each. 

The Lewis & Clark Library will feature “The Power of Poetry” event on Sunday, April 21, at 1 p.m.

Poets Melissa Kwasny, Sean Hill and Montana Poet Laureate Chris LaTray will be together for this event. Join us for readings and conversation, hosted by Library Director John Finn.

Then join us on Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. for “Montana and the Triple Crown,” a lecture by author Brenda Wahler.

Visit www.lclibrary.org to learn more.

Embark on a journey into the realm of infinity with Carroll College’s Math Debate: “What is the most astonishing discovery about infinity?” Join us on Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at Simperman Hall/Wiegand Amphitheatre on the Carroll College campus.

Infinity, an enduring mathematical enigma, has captivated humanity for millennia. Delve into its depths as Carroll mathematics professors Dr. Kelly Cline and Dr. Ted Wendt present their perspectives on the most remarkable discoveries concerning infinity. Witness a thought-provoking debate as they explore the implications of this concept, followed by an audience vote to determine the victor.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in a public discourse and gain insights into the profound mysteries of infinity.

The Clay Arts Guild of Helena and the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts are again joining forces supporting Helena Food Share’s Empty Bowls Helena event on Thursday, May 16, from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Helena Civic Center.

Artists from both organizations are crafting unique bowls for the occasion. Guests can take their bowls home as a memento, symbolizing the event’s mission.

A silent auction featuring artwork and items donated by local talents and businesses will also take place, with proceeds supporting Helena Food Share programs.

Tickets for the event are available now. For more details, visit HelenaFoodShare.org/EmptyBowls2024.

Join us for Artist Amplified on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Senska Center for Education and Engagement at the Archie Bray Foundation, 2915 Country Club Ave.

Local florist and event planner Abbey Cook will collaborate with regional clay artist Stephanie McGeorge to explore enhancing floral arrangements and elevating vases.

Visit archiebray.org or call 406-443-0934 for more information.

Join us for the Brick by Brick Bray Mini Auction: ka-BLOOM! with bidding opening Wednesday, April 24, starting at 10 a.m.

This event celebrates the vibrant beauty of spring with artwork from 13 talented artists, each exploring floral motifs and functionality. Featured artists include Jake Brodsky, Hannah Cameron, Victoria Christen and more.

Bidding closes on Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m. Visit givergy.us/thebraybrickbybrick to view the artwork and place your bids.

Proceeds from this auction support programs and initiatives at the Bray.

Join us Thursday, April 25, at 10 a.m. for the ribbon cutting and opening of the Bray Gallery: Downtown, 434 N. Last Chance Gulch.

This new location will showcase work from local and regional Bray-affiliated artists.

After the ribbon cutting, hours of operation will be Wednesday through Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon-4 p.m.

The Bray’s presence downtown will allow participation in art walks, historic tours and showcasing some of the finest contemporary ceramic works in Helena.

Montreal’s acclaimed jazz saxophonist Benjamin Deschamps explores a powerful new electronic sound in his latest album, “Augmented Reality.”

His quintet will perform their award-winning album 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at The Myrna Loy.

A classical musician by training, Deschamps is also a flutist, clarinetist and arranger.

Tickets are $25 and available at the box office, 15 N. Ewing, themyrnaloy.com or by calling 406-443-0287.

The Moonshiner Band will perform 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday, April 19, at Dave’s 32 oz Bar, Grill & Bowling at 115 N. Main St. in Boulder.

The band plays blues, country and rock.

The Helena New Horizons Concert Band presents its Spring Concert on Sunday, April 28, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

The theme for this concert is dancing, from waltzing to the twist. The band will play arrangements of classical pieces by Strauss (Radetzky March) and Shostakovich (Waltz #2). A beautiful piece by Piazolla (Oblivion) will feature oboe soloist Thomas Byron.

Other selections for the concert are “Choral and Shaker Dance,” “Arabian Dances,” “Traditional Ukrainian Folk Dances,” “Galop Festivo,” “Pie in the Face Polka,” and a tribute to Dick Clark. Don’t be surprised by a rag called “With Pleasure,” composed by John Phillip Sousa.

Conductors for the band are Tom Mazanec, Jim Perkins, Larry Irwin and Jerry Sept.

The concert is free, although donations at the door are always appreciated. Join us for a wonderful afternoon of musical enjoyment.

Join us at Carroll College Theatre Department’s presentation of “Seussical: The Musical” in the FLEX Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays on April 19-20, 26-27 at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays on April 21 and 28 at 2:30 p.m.

This Theatre for Young Audiences version takes you on a journey alongside Dr. Seuss characters as the Cat in the Hat accompanies Horton, an elephant, on an adventure.

Ticket prices are $15 for general admission, $12 for non-Carroll students and seniors, and $5 for children (ages 2-12) and Carroll ID holders. Tickets may be purchased online at www.carroll.edu/theatre or at the door.

In 2010, the Missoula City Council passed the first law in Montana that protects people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender from discrimination in housing and employment. The vote followed almost six hours of public comments, which included heartfelt testimony from people in favor of the law and those who opposed it.

On Thursday, April 25, some of those moments will be relived during the play “Diversity Day,” when Helena community members read snippets of the public testimony.

The one-hour play by Gregory Hinton begins at 7 p.m. at The Myrna Loy. Admission is free, and the play will be followed by a discussion with Hinton and Heidi Wallace of EmpowerMT.

The play is being produced by the Montana Historical Society.

For more information, contact Martha Kohl at [email protected] or Gregory Hinton at 323/876-9585 or [email protected].

Catch Disney’s “101 Dalmatians KIDS” live at Grandstreet on April 29 at 7 p.m. and May 1 at 4:30 p.m.

This 30-minute musical, tailored for elementary school-aged performers, brings to life the beloved story from Dodie Smith’s novel and the beloved Disney movies. 

This production features favorite Disney tunes like “Cruella De Vil” and “Dalmatian Vacation,” ensuring a delightful time for audiences of all ages.

Tickets priced at $8 are available at grandstreettheatre.com or at the box office by calling 406-447-1574.