Sapphire Lutheran Homes will celebrate the summer of 2023 with their free 11th Annual Summer Concert Series and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.
The Summer Concert Series is free and open to the public and will be held on the large lawn on the Sapphire campus at 501 N.10th Street in Hamilton. There is plenty of room to spread out, so Sapphire Lutheran Homes recommends participants bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the music. Food Trucks will be on site waiting to serve food. There is a bounce house, face painting, miniature horses, popcorn, lemonade and a balloon tier. There will be $1 raffles held at the concerts with great prizes and at intermission as well as free ice cream served. The music will feature a few bands that will most likely not be seen anywhere else in the Bitterroot Valley this summer. It is also a great opportunity to gather as a community.
The line-up of events will include five fridays of fun, starting on Friday, June 16, at 6:00 p.m. “Who Dat!” will kick off the series with a high-energy show. From Minnesota to the high line of Malta, Montana, California to the Colorado Rockies and ‘way down yonder in New Orleans’. The members of “Who Dat!” have assembled from across this land right here in the Bitterroot Valley. They bring a diverse and eclectic range of musical experience that, for some, dates back to the 1970’s. With their mix of guitars, fiddle, keys and percussion, blended with sweet vocal harmonies, this group rocks it out when they perform songs by The Eagles, Zac Brown Band, The Beach Boys, Alabama, The Doobie Brothers and many more. “Who Dat!” truly is, “a Montana band with a southern rock sound.”
On Friday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m. a tribute to the King “Elvis” featuring Roger Anderson will perform. Hailing from Washington State, Roger Anderson was born with Elvis in his blood. As a child, he found Elvis to be not only a mentor and a teacher but also a friend. His fascination with Elvis and his unique singing style brought out his desire to sing and also perform. Roger has been an Elvis tribute artist for 15 years and is still moved by every performance. Roger is also a musician who plays guitar and drums. Along with Elvis, he has been doing a tribute to the late great Gordon Lightfoot for the last three years. Roger is very excited to perform and bring back some memories and have a great time.
Friday, June 30, at 7:00 p.m. will be “Shodown.” A local favorite, “Shodown” has matured into one of the best bands in Montana. The band has a diverse play list and style that blends bluegrass, western swing, traditional/modern country, blues, pop and 70’s/80’s/90’s rock-n-roll. This has made Shodown a widely popular Montana band for many years. In addition to very strong lead vocals, most arrangements feature rich harmonies, mixed with driving guitars, fiddle and a solid, grooving rhythm section. Shodown always brings an entertaining and high energy performance to their family-friendly shows. This band will make listeners want to get up and dance.
Friday, July 7, at 7:00 p.m. will see “Surf’s Up” (The Beach Boys) perform. Surf’s Up offers an unparalleled musical journey through all periods of The Beach Boys career starting with favorite hits such as “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “Surfing Safari”, and “Don’t Worry Baby”. Surf’s Up also offers recreations of The Beach Boys later periods including hits such as “Kokomo” and “Do it Again”, as well as “God Only Knows”, the song Sir Paul McCartney deemed “the greatest song of all time”. Featuring period correct guitars, costumes, and a high energy show, Surf’s Up will transport listeners back to the ’60’s to a period of classic cars and fun in the sun.
On Friday, July 14, at 7:00 p.m. “Band on the Run” (Paul McCartney) will play at Sapphire Lutheran Homes. No other artist has had as much success as Paul McCartney. Listeners may have seen Beatles tributes, but should get ready to experience the best of McCartney’s solo career with Band on the Run! Featuring songs that span his multi-decade career such as “Band on the Run”, “Jet”, and “Silly Love Songs”, as well as a recreation of his band from his Wings period including Linda McCartney, this lively show will transport listeners back to the 1970’s as they sing along to all their favorite McCartney songs.
Sapphire Lutheran Homes is located at 501 North Tenth Street in Hamilton. These concerts are free and open to the public. Interested parties can call (406) 363-2800 or visit sapphirelutheran.org for more information.
Sapphire Lutheran Homes will also host Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) again this summer. Hamilton is a double feature city, meaning Hamilton will get to see both MSIP performances in a two-night event!
MSIP will perform “The Three Musketeers” and “Measure for Measure” this year. These performances are also free and open to the public.
These events will start Monday, August 14, at 6:00 p.m. with “The Three Musketeers.” The Three Musketeers is a French historical adventure play written by Alexandre Dumas in 1844. It features heroes adept at swordsmanship and fighting for justice, all while remaining chivalrous in their words and deeds. Set between 1625 and 1628, it tells of the adventures of a young man named d’Artagnan after he leaves his home and embarks on an adventure to Paris, hoping to become a Musketeer of the Guard. Unable to immediately join this elite corps, he makes friends with the three most prominent Musketeers of the time, Athos, Porthos, and Arabia. d’Artagnan and “The Three Musketeers” become involved in dealings of court and the state. Viewers will truly enjoy the action packed and historical adventures told in this play.
The second play will take place on Wednesday, August 16 at 6:00 p.m. presenting “Measure for Measure.” Measure for Measure is a play written in 1603 by William Shakespeare. Duke Vincentio, the play’s protagonist, bows out of his public life to secretly observe the operations of his City, Vienna. The city is governed by Angelo, his deputy. Angelo’s rough and tarnished public image is emphasized by his unruly personal conduct once in office, in which he abuses his power to gain a sexual favor from Isabella, the beautiful and elegant heroine. The tension in the play heightens as Duke Vincentio attempts to intervene. Viewers are sure to enjoy the drama, suspense and action in this play.
Dominic Farrenkopf, Director of Community Life, Activities & Volunteer Coordinator at Sapphire Lutheran Homes is excited to announce the summer series again this year. “I would like to welcome everyone to come to the Free Summer Concert Series!” and “I would also like to thank all the sponsors and donors who make this series free and accessible to all of Ravalli County! This concert series and Montana Shakespear in the Parks is a great example of the social fabric of our community,” said Farrenkopf.
For more information on the MSIP plays, interested parties can visit shakespeareintheparks.org.