This list of regularly scheduled events related to the arts is updated frequently, so check back. Use the Comments form at the end of the listing to send an annual event that I might have missed. For details about arts events, see the “Events/Shows” category. [2007 Events]

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

JANUARY

• The Blue Slipper Theatre has four or five productions year-round. Check their schedule.
• The Firehouse 5 has four or five productions year-round. Check their schedule.
• Blues at the Depot: various concert dates throughout the year.

FEBRUARY

• February 1, 2008: Artists, writers, and actors participate in “Cat Got Your Tongue,” an evening of animal charades with Chrysti the Wordsmith from Yellowstone Public Radio, to raise funds for the Stafford Animal Shelter. This year’s emcee will be writer Scott McMillion, and the event will have a few returning, as well as a new crop of, local celebrity charade participants.Photos of this year’s charaders (Margie Kidder, Scott McMillion, Nancy Curtis, Lynette Evanson, Gatz Hjorstberg, Bob “Three Words” Spannring, yours truly, MC Rainer Krapf, and Chrysti the Wordsmith).
• Blue Slipper Theater Children’s Playwriting Festival (February or March).
• Livingston Center for Arts and Culture: Valentines Day show (1/22 to 2/16).
• The Danforth Gallery will reprise its live model figure drawing workshop led by artist Brad Bunkers. The gallery will include workshop pieces in its Valentines Day show opening on February 14.
• Rotary Chocolate Lovers Party at the Deport. Held on a Friday evening around Valentine’s Day.

Back to the top of calendar
MARCH

• 2/22 to 3/15 at The Blue Slipper Theatre: “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”
• 3/7 to 3/30 at The Firehouse 5 Theatre: “The Music Man”.
• 3/18 to 4/12: Livingston Center for Art and Culture Community Show. This is an opportunity for community members, often amateur painters, photographers, and so on (self included) to express themselves and show their work in a great gallery setting.

APRIL

• Park County Friends of the Arts Lecture Series at The Danforth Gallery. See pcfadanforth.org for more information.
• The Livingston Weekly April Fools edition. Look for it the last Thursday in March.
• East Side School Art Show. This show is held at the school and features works from every student. In addition to creations from regular art instruction in the classroom, the show has works created during the school’s Artist in Residence program in which the students work with an area artist in a particular medium with a theme. This is a chance not only to support young people in the arts, but to see good art work.

MAY

• Friends of the Library Semi-Annual Book Sale in the Library Community Room: May 14 (Friends of the Library Members pre-sale from 5 to 8), and May 15, 16, and 17. The Library is at 3rd and Callender Streets.
• Yellowstone Gateway Museum opens with a free admission day on May 24, the Saturday before Memorial Day.
• Livingston Depot Center Museum opens Memorial Day weekend (Friday, 5/24 at 9:00 AM) and hosts several art exhibits throughout the summer in addition to the regular museum exhibits. The Depot opens this season with paintings depicting the railroad by Livingston artist David Swanson. Swanson’s show, “Sweat and Steel,” will travel throughout Montana after the Depot exhibit.
• Stafford Animal Shelter Fur Ball. This annual fundraiser for Park County’s only animal shelter features silent and live auctions that frequently contain art, craft, and special packages donated by area artists and businesses. May 9, 2008 at Chico Hot Springs Resort.
• “Godspell,” at The Firehouse 5 Theatre, May 16 - June 1, 2008.

Back to the top of calendar
JUNE

• First weekend in June: “Yellowstone Days: Celebrating the Return of the Yellow Buses.” Miles Park. Music, festivities, arts and crafts and food vendors, plus a chance to see and ride (free) the classic Yellow Buses from Yellowstone National Park. Rain or shine. In case of rain, booths will be inside the Civic Center. livingston-chamber.com. 406-222-8050.
• June 4: First Farmer’s Market of the 2008 season. The Farmer’s Market continues every Wednesday afternoon through September and includes booths of work by area artisans, local meat, produce, plants, and refreshments, and live music. By the band shell.
• The Annual Manual is published by The Livingston Weekly. This is a well-done, thorough, and lively guide to all things Livingston. Each year the Manual features the artwork of local artists. (Previous years artists: Edd Enders, John and Karen Garre).
• Outdoor music at Pine Creek Lodge, June through Labor Day.
• June 27, 2008. Art Walks begin and are held the 4th Friday of every month through September with an additional holiday Art Walk in November or December.
• Firehouse 5’s Summer Young Actors Workshop (formerly The Children’s Theater Workshop). Schedule. The finale is a production with workshop participants.
• June 6, “Honor,” opens at The Blue Slipper Theatre. The Slipper held a seated reading of the play this winter and it was terrific. The staged production, directed by Gillian Swanson, will run through June 22.

Back to the top of calendar
JULY

• Every year Chico Hot Springs hosts a Shakespeare in the Park Event (part of the incredible Montana Shakespeare in the Parks program). This year: “Macbeth,” July 1. Chico Hot Springs has live music throughout the year.
• The Livingston Depot Center’s Festival of the Arts is held during the first July weekend in the Depot Rotary Park on Park Street (next to the Depot). This is a juried show open to artisans in all forms of arts and crafts. Over 100 artisans. This year’s dates: July 4-6, 2008.
• Summerfest Along the Yellowstone. Live music at the band shell. Booths with food and beverages (including beer and wine), arts and crafts. July 18th, 19th and 20th 2008.
• Art Walk: July 25, 2008.

Back to the top of calendar
AUGUST

• The Annual Fiddler’s Picnic, a weekend jam and picnic with terrific acoustic musicians, is held the first weekend every August. You are invited to bring your instruments and join in, or just come to hear some great music. The 2008 event is August 1, 2, and 3 at 5230 U.S. Highway 89 South next to the NFS Ranger District office. Turn on Strong Lane and follow the signs.
• “Fish Walk: Food, Art, Music.” Playing on “art walk”, Fish Walk occurs when the Federation of Fly Fishers Conclave is in Livingston and offers the 1500+ visitors to the conclave a chance to enjoy Livingston arts and businesses. Sections of Main and Callender Streets will be closed to automobile traffic and there will be live music, vendor booths, special events and activities, and galleries and shops will be open. [The 2008 Conclave is in Whitefish.]
• Art Walk: August 22, 2008.
• Stafford Animal Shelter Bark in the Park. Dog events and competitions (all fun) galore, plus vendor booths with arts, crafts, food, beverages, and items of interest to humans with animal companions. August 17, 2008.

Back to the top of calendar
SEPTEMBER

• Art Walk: September 26, 2008.
• “The Fantasticks,” the world’s longest running musical opens at The Blue Slipper Theatre in September 2008.

OCTOBER

• Check for productions at The Blue Slipper Theatre or The Firehouse 5. Click the THEATER links in the sidebar.

NOVEMBER

• Gillian Swanson directs “How the Other Half Loves,” at the Blue Slipper Theatre.
• Check for other productions, and possible date changes, at The Blue Slipper Theatre or The Firehouse 5 THEATER links in the sidebar.

DECEMBER

• Christmas Stroll [2008 dates to be announced]: Galleries and shops will be open during the stroll, adding a winter Art Walk to the event. Events include kids’ activities at the Masonic Lodge and the Livingston Center for Arts and Culture, a Holiday Art Walk, a teen dance at the Elks Club, and a concert.
• Blue Slipper Theatre’s annual free holiday variety program [2008 dates to be announced]. This is always a wonderful evening of music, readings, comedy, and other seasonal offerings. This is a definite “don’t miss” event. No reservations required, but get there early; this is a deservedly popular event.

Back to the top of calendar

See the Livingston Area Chamber of Commerce Calendar for other Livingston events. The Livingston Weekly is a free newspaper available in print at shops, hotels, and restaurants around town, and online, and also lists current events. The Weekly online includes links to live music venues.