Spend New Year’s at Izaak’s

At 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Izaak’s Restaurant in Craig will feature the high mountain, hard-drivin’ bluegrass of The Bridger Creek Boys (formerly known as The Sticky Fingers Band). This high-energy acoustic quintet draws from old-time bluegrass legends Doc Watson and Bill Monroe, mixes in newgrass material a la David Grisman and Old Crow Medicine Show; and adds its own original tunes that highlights each band member’s talents. The band has a self-released 2006 album, “Bridger Creek Boys: Live at The Robin” that features Matthew Broughton on fiddle and vocals, Phil Jolly on mandolin and vocals; Lynwood Alan Johnston on upright bass and vocals; Jon Meek on dobro, five-string banjo and vocals; and Jim Dungan on Martin guitar and vocals. There is no cover charge for the performance; must be 21 or older. Izaak’s Restaurant is located at 105 Bridge St., Craig, For information call 406-235-3456.

Jazz for youth

The Helena Education Foundation along with the Conn-Selmer Corporation, Piccolo’s Music, Galusha Higgins Galusha, Mountain West Bank and Provider Support Services has provided funding for a jazz residency in Helena on Jan. 11-12. This unique two-day program will bring in nationally recognized jazz artists/educators Paul McKee and Dr. Kirby Shaw to work with students from the Capital High School music department. The residency will culminate in a free concert at 7 p.m., Jan. 12, in the Helena Middle School Auditorium.

Trombonist Paul McKee, who will be working with the Capital High Jazz Band I, holds degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Texas at Austin. Since 1984 he has been a member of Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd and has performed on several recordings with the band. In addition to making over 30 appearances per year as a guest artist and clinician, McKee has served on the jazz faculty at DePaul University, Northern Illinois University and Youngstown State University.

Dr. Kirby Shaw has made a major impact on vocal music education. A teacher of elementary through university choral and instrumental music, he has conducted groups in 44 states and around the world. As a performer, Shaw has scatted one-on-one with such notables as Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks and Mark Murphy. He is on faculty at Southern Oregon University. Shaw will be working with the Capital High School Sats Jazz Choir. For information call 324-2518.

Legislature lecture

Alan Rosenthal, professor of public policy and political science at Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics, will discuss the cynicism surrounding state politics during a free public forum 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 3, in the Carroll College Lower Commons. Rosenthal is unique among America’s leading academic experts because of his longtime focus on state legislatures and state politics. He will discuss his experiences with state legislatures throughout the country, keying on the role legislators play in protecting the legislative institution and resolving the clash of values, interests and claims that exist in the nation’s diverse political system.

Rosenthal also will discuss why Americans think as they do about state government and why legislatures can’t escape a bad image.

For additional information contact Krista Lee Evans at Legislative Services at 444-1640.

Bas-relief lecture

Nationally known artist Eugene Daub will present “The Making of ‘We Proceeded On,’” at noon on Monday, Jan. 2, at the Montana Historical Society. Daub will tell how he came up with the idea and created the bas-relief that dominates the senate chamber in the Capitol. The relief was commissioned to commemorate the Lewis & Clark bicentennial. The free talk will cover his original clay creation of the scene, the enlargement, having it scanned, carved in foam, working with the foundry and getting the final work of art ready to take its place. The major bas-relief mural will be dedicated at the Capitol the following day.

“This is a great opportunity to learn more about art and how artists use their talents to bring history alive,” society director Richard Sims said.

The program will be in Montana’s museum just east of the Capitol. Those who wish to purchase medallions based on the bas-relief, or an actual bronze copy of “We Proceeded On” can do so after the program. Proceeds from those sales help pay for the project. For information call 444-1645.

King Day with Indigo Girls

The Montana Human Rights Network announces its fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration and fundraiser, a collaboration with human rights activists the Indigo Girls and Winona LaDuke. The event, “Honor The Earth,” will take place at the University Theater on the UM campus in Missoula at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 12.

“Honor The Earth” will be an intimate evening of acoustic music and presentations addressing Native American issues including human rights, social justice and environmental racism. The focus will be on local issues affecting the Northern Cheyenne of Montana. LaDuke and the Indigo Girls will be joined by activists from around the state, including Missoula’s own singer-songwriter Amy Martin. LaDuke is a prominent social justice advocate and a former vice presidential candidate. The Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Sailers, are Grammy award-winning musicians and dedicated human rights activists. They joined together in 1993 to develop the nonprofit “Honor The Earth,” which presents educational events of the same name.

“We are thrilled to have Winona, Emily and Amy, join us for our annual benefit. Their talents and personal commitment to social justice are an inspiration,” said Alison James, development director of the Montana Human Rights Network.

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased through GrizTix or by calling the Network at (406) 442-5506. Guests can also meet Winona LaDuke and The Indigo Girls at a private fundraising reception. Tickets are $100 each and include reserved seating at the main event. To reserve VIP tickets, call 442-5506. All profits from ticket sales will go directly to the Montana Human Rights Network, a 15-year-old grassroots organization, formed to help protect equality, democracy and justice for all in the state of Montana. For more information call 442-5506 or at www.mhrn.org.