What is a performing art? A song? A ballet? A symphony? A play? Yes, to each of these. You would expect the “Best Small Arts Town” to have opportunities to see and do something in each of these Performing Arts, and in Helena you will not be disappointed.

Helena is home to a rich variety of organizations and events that celebrate the performing arts. We have much to offer in the way of teaching skills, presenting performances and welcoming your participation. In Helena, you have the choice of seeing professionals from around the world, the nation, the state or even from down the street. Helena’s organizations fill nearly every artistic niche available for each type of performance. Helena’s audiences can see and hear world class professional performers, and be amazed at the high level of talent living right here in the Queen City.

Variety is good, but frequency is also important, and here Helena rates well. There is an active and busy season of performances from which to choose. To find out which performance is available for your viewing check out the Independent Record listings in the Your Time, or check it out online at http://www.helenair.com/yt/. The hardest part is deciding which performance to attend. But decide early in order to get a ticket. Audiences in Helena tend to fill up their theatres and concert halls!

Dance

Bodies in motion, in time to the music, are sweeping across the stages of Helena. Nearly every imaginable type of Dance can be found here in Helena. There are myriad opportunities to see and perform dance here in the capital city. We have schools for the “gotta dance” types. We have amateur, semi-professional, and professional dancers on stages here in Helena. We even have Montana’s only professional dance company, Artisan Dance, here in residence at Carroll College! Watch modern dance, Irish and folk dance or ballet at the Myrna Loy. And every year there are the Nutcrackers to celebrate the holiday season at the Civic Center and Helena Middle School. And 5,6,7,8…. Here are a few places to help get your feet moving!

•Allegro School of Dance - 3750 N. Montana, Helena 443-1231

•Artisan Dance n Professional Dance n Quarterly performances at the Myrna

Loy Center. In Residence at Carroll College. 447-5508 www.artisandance.org

•Big Sky Dance Works 3790 Traufer, Helena 439-2612

•Diane’s Dance Works, 1310 Boulder, Helena 442-4465

•Premiere Dance Company, Inc.

n A youth company providing training

and performances. 442-6519 creativeartscenter@hotmail.com

•Queen City Ballet n 320 North Jackson, 444-5004

•Tiernan Irish Dancers n 475-3722

Music

Everybody loves Music! But does everybody agree on what they want to hear? No way. But that is not a problem in Helena. There is something for virtually everybody, almost anytime. Symphony? We have it right here. Jazz? Oh, but of course. Sacred music? Choirs? Rock and Roll? Early historical music? We have it all! There are groups and venues all around town. May we recommend the Civic Center to hear the Helena Symphony and Chorale? Or perhaps we could suggest the Myrna Loy to hear Jazz, Blues or Folk. There are so many choices and possibilities, that we simply have to refer you to the Your Time, http://www.helenair.com/yt/. Here is a listing of some of the possibilities for you to enjoy.

•Carroll College Music Department n Choral concerts, performed by students. Box Office 447-4304. http://www.carroll. edu/academics/arts/theatre/season.cc

•Helena Choral Week Last week of June annually. 933-5246

•Helena Jazz Jubilee 495-1205

www.helenajazzubilee.com

•Live! At the Civic n Generally 5 live performances from September to April of each year. Features renowned artists from around the world. 227-6588

novotag@qwuest.net

•Montana Early Music Festival n Open March n April annually at St.Peters Episcopal and other churches. Sponsored by Musikanten Montana, a week of vocal and instrumental concerts in Helena and Missoula. 933-5246

musikantenmt@aol.com

•Music Makers Conservatory n Small

recital Hall, studio and practice space.

Classes available. 431-1006 swinginstrings@bresnan.net •Musikanten Montana n “Mostly acapella” Choral Chamber ensemble. 933-5246

or 431-7462 musikantenmt@aol.com

•Myrna Loy Center nLive performances

year round. 443-0287

www.myrnaloycenter.com

•Sagittarius Trio n Chamber Music

443-7555

•SONG Productions n 2125 9th Avenue, Helena, 457-8638

•Xpress Singers (Sweet Adelines)

458-9512, barb640@aol.com

Theatre

Helena is a great theatre town! Why go to the big city, when you can choose from so many types of theatre right here in Helena. Go to Carroll College or Myrna Loy to see the classics performed. Enjoy a popular musical or play at the Grandstreet theatre. See hot new plays performed in the intimate IT theatre at the Bagel Company. Watch Shakespeare performed outdoors in the summer by the Montana Shakespeare Company, or Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Go to the Civic Center to see a professional touring show. You can check out tomorrow’s stars today from Helena High, Capital High, Jefferson High or the Grandstreet theatre school. Here is an alphabetical listing of some of the great theatre in the Helena area.

•Carroll College Theatre Department n Productions from September to April, performed by students and community members. Box Office 447-4304. Information 447-4309. http://www.carroll.edu/ academics/arts/theatre/season.cc

•Grandstreet Theatre n Productions year- round, open to community performers. 442-4270 http://www.grandstreet.net/

•“IT” Productions n 461-1239

•Myrna Loy Center n home of Helena Theatre Co. n 443-0287

www.myrnaloycenter.com

•Montana Shakespeare Co. n Shakespeare “under the stars” in Performance Park on the downtown walking mall. Shows June-August. 449-4466 or 459-4386 www.montanashakespeare.org