Helena-area arts and entertainment news

Musikanten Montana, under the direction of Artistic Director Kerry Krebill, invites the public to join them in the opening of their 21st season in Helena for the annual All Souls memorial candlelight concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral, 511 N. Park Ave.

Suggested donation at the door is $20.

Candles will be lighted for all St. Peter’s Cathedral parishioners who have died in the past year, as well as for any other beloved friends or family members requested by Musikanten friends. To have a candle lighted and name of a loved one in the memorial program, email the name you would like listed to musikantenmt@aol.com by Oct. 31.

Cantor Gerald Schafer will chant the names on the memorial list, and there will be a period of silence for personal meditation and prayer.

The Helena Symphony returns to the Helena Civic Center with the Season 70 fully staged opera “Hansel and Gretel.”

It will be 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave.

Brothers Grimm’s whimsical masterpiece from 1812 comes to life in this production featuring the coming-of-age story of Hansel and Gretel and their journey through the forest, battle with the mysterious witch, a dream ballet, and learning about greed, trust and overcoming fears. This family-friendly opera performed in English is perfect for all ages.

Tickets range from $22-$55 and are available online at helenasymphony.org or by calling the Symphony office at 406-442-1860.

MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner will be at Helena Civic Center in Helena on Jan. 24 as part of his nationwide “This Country Music Thing Tour.”

Tickets start at $49.50 plus applicable fees and go on sale 10 a.m. Friday at www.helenaciviccenter.com.

With songs like “Long Black Train” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner’s global reach has surpassed 5.8 billion global streams, 6.5 million album sales and almost 12 million track sales worldwide.

Turner’s five No. 1 singles include “Your Man,” of which the official music video surpassed 223 million views.

A native of South Carolina, Turner has been nominated for three GMA Dove Awards and won his first GMA Dove Award in 2021. He has been nominated for two Grammy awards, five CMA Awards, two ACM Awards, one CMT Award, seven ACA Awards and has received six Inspirational Country Music Awards.

Turner and his wife Jennifer, have four sons. For more information, please visit www.joshturner.com.

Carroll College invites the Helena community to celebrate Founder’s Day from Friday through Monday.

This weekend of reflection and celebration honors Carroll’s history, its namesake Bishop John Patrick Carroll, and patron saint, St. Charles Borromeo.

The schedule kicks off with All Saints’ Day Mass at 5 p.m. on Friday at All Saints Chapel, followed by a Eucharistic procession and All Saints’ Party featuring food, drinks, live music and Saints trivia. Cheer on the Saints volleyball team at 7 p.m. as they face Providence.

On Saturday, support the Saints football team at 1 p.m. as they take on Southern Oregon at Nelson Stadium. In the evening at 7:30 p.m. in the FLEX Theatre, enjoy a 100-year reading of the play Seven Keys to Baldpate Inn, first performed at Carroll in 1925.

On Monday, celebrate Founder’s Day Mass at 4 p.m., followed by an academic lecture on St. Charles Borromeo in the Corette Library Sage Room.

These events are all open to the greater Helena community and details can be found at: www.carroll.edu/foundersday.

The third annual Native American Heritage Celebration will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3 in the cafeteria at Townsend schools, 201 N. Spruce St., Townsend.

People are to enter in the North Pine Street entrance.

The community is invited to join in eating frybread tacos, learning stories from Elders Louise and Daniel, dancing and drum demonstrations by the Magpie Singers, and more.

Admission is free and donations are appreciated.

For more information, email NativeAmericanHeritage.Townsend@gmail.com. The vendor sign-up deadline is Oct. 30.

The Bray Holiday Show will be Nov. 7-Dec. 23 at the Bray Gallery and Visitor Center, 2915 Country Club Ave.

There is an opening reception 6-8 p.m. Nov. 7.

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, uncommon ornaments and find more in-person at the gallery.

An opening reception for “Inside the Pause” by Heidi Marie Faessel will be 6-8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Bair Gallery at the Holter Museum, 12 E. Lawrence St.

She will speak at 6:30 p.m. Her show will run Nov. 8-Dec. 31.

Faessel is a multidisciplinary artist based in Whitefish.

Her recent work includes abstract paintings and sculptures made from everyday and salvaged materials, exploring themes of impermanence, transformation, and interconnection.

Raised primarily in Southern California, Faessel earned a BFA in textile/surface design from the Fashion Institute of Technology/SUNY in New York City.

She worked as a textile designer in the home furnishing industry before moving to Montana in 2002, where she transitioned to graphic design while raising her two children.

The Holter Museum of Art is having its midyear fundraising event, The Art of Travel, taking place 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15, with a happy hour and time to bid on silent auction items beginning at 5 p.m.

Join Holter, Live Longitude Travel and Viking Cruises to talk luxury river cruising, sample a wine flight that corresponds with different rivers in Europe, bid on beautiful art, and possibly walk away the winner of a Viking eight-day luxury European river cruise for two.

This fundraiser supports Holter Museum of Art programming while encouraging attendees to enjoy the finer things: wine, art and luxury travel. A big thank you to our sponsors for this event – Viking Cruises, Live Longitude Travel, George’s Distribution and the Helena Symphony.

The silent auction opens 10 a.m. Nov. 8 and closes 7:45 p.m. Nov. 15. It includes 35-plus art items all with a bidding start under $400 plus several items related to travel, experiences and wine. Bidding is only available at the Holter. To preview all of the silent auction items, visit https://holtermuseum.org/silent-auction/.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.holtermuseum.org or contact the Holter at 406-442-6400.

The Lewis and Clark County Historical Society will be open to the public 4-8 p.m. Nov. 8 with artists Carol Montgomery and Matt Egan for the Downtown Helena Fall Art Walk.

Located in the Steamboat Block, 618 Helena Ave., the new museum has displays, a research library and books for sale. Helena and people and locations throughout Lewis and Clark County including Helena and the Helena Valley, Marysville and Unionville are featured. More information from other areas throughout the county will be added in the future.

The museum is staffed by volunteers with plans to be open on Saturdays. History-loving volunteers are invited to join them as researchers, display-creators and museum hosts. For more information, call (406) 438-6560 or email lcchs1989@gmail.com.

Helena’s 11^th annual Last Chance New Play Fest, the longest running festival of its kind in Montana, will run Nov 7-17, and features new projects by Montana writers.

Montana Short Cuts, a program of 10-minute plays, returns to the Fest with the theme “Future Present Tense.”

This event is at the Helena Avenue Theatre (HAT) at 1319 Helena Ave.

Tickets for individual performances are $18 (adult) or $15 (student/senior) and are available at the door or online. $30 Fest passes, which admit holders to any performance throughout the Fest, are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at https://buytickets.at/lcnpf. Evening performances are at 7:30pm, weekend matinees at 1:30pm.

The magic of the holiday season comes to life as Queen City Ballet Company presents its 23rd annual traditional production of the timeless classic, “The Nutcracker” at the Helena Civic Center Nov. 23-24th.

Audiences will see a magical world of dancing snowflakes, battling soldiers, an evil Rat King and the beloved Sugar Plum Fairy.

Featuring a talented cast of QCBC dancers, students, alumni and renowned guest artists, this year’s production promises a magical experience. 

The presenting sponsor is Associated Dermatology Dr. Jeffry Goldes, Other sponsors include Proof Marketing, Ellingson Roofing, Double Tree by Hilton, Bravera Bank, Helena SEO Pro’s, KTVH, Tappen Law Firm, Pioneer Technical Services, Helena SurgiCenter, Valley Bank of Helena and Dick Anderson Construction.

Tickets are available online at HelenaCivicCenter.com, by phone at 406-447-8481, or in person at the Helena Civic Center Box Office. Prices range from $18 to $50, with special discounts available for students and seniors in the economy section. A limited number of VIP tables are also available for groups, offering a truly memorable holiday experience.