Southwest Montana is rockin' this weekend.

One of the great things about Southwest Montana is that when an event starts growing, you can count on it to keep growing. Heck, we've turned St. Patrick's Day into a full weekend even during the years it falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday. This year, the Uptown Christmas Stroll gets underway at the Courthouse and while there will be music and dancing in the rotunda, there will be a lot of other choices for you to enjoy tonight. Let's take a look at what's happening musically over the next couple of days in our area.

THE ELKS LODGE - If you're going to try to catch 'em all, you'll need to start at the Elks where in addition to a crafts fair and the arrival of Santa Claus, there is a full slate of entertainment that will start at 4:45 by the Butte High/East Middle School Choir followed by the Butte High School Orchestra at 5:15. At 6pm the Montana Tech Pep Band will perform followed by the Dance Corp. at 6:30. The Butte Central Pep Band will take the stage at 7:15 and their very talented director, Russell Nelson will wrap the evening up with a solo set starting at 8:30. Doors open at 3pm this afternoon.

THE BERKELEY PITS AT THE MONTANA AXE BAR

Photo: Facebook/Berkeley Pits

The very popular and entertaining duo The Berkeley Pits comprised of percussionist and vocalist Mark LaFond and guitarist and vocalist John Stenson will be warming up the Christmas Stroll crowd from 6 until 8pm.

ANDY LARSON AT THE M&M

Photo courtesy of M&M Bar and Cafe Facebook page and Andy Larson

One of Butte's musical icons will be playing a solo set at one of Butte's most iconic places, the M&M Cigar Store starting at 8:30pm. The M&M will have an assortment of Christmas Stroll drink specials as well.

COVELLITE THEATER - HAPPY SKA-LIDAYS

Featuring live music from 4 bands from across Montana:

Hornbread- Bozeman is an 8-piece Ska/Punk Outfit based in Bozeman, MT. They have been traversing Montana in 2023 promoting their debut album "Freshly Baked". Their sound combines Ska with Reggae, Punk, and Metal.
Big Ska Country- out of Helena, they are described as "conduits for keeping the Ska alive in Montana."
Cosmic Sans - a high energy rock band from Missoula who are back with a new album, in 2023, entitled "Psychedelicatesssen". Comic Sans is one of the premier Art Rock bands in Montana.
Puddle is out of Bozeman and are known for their high energy performances, they have been rocking out in Bozeman for much of 2023 at places like the Elm, Filler, and Tune Up.

Doors open at 5:00 pm, music starts at 7:30 pm (but come early for hot chocolate!), $10 suggested donation.

BASKETBALL JONES AT THE MONTANA BAR IN DEER LODGE

If you've had it with Christmas Carols and want some good old-fashioned, gritty rock and roll, you will have to head over to Deer Lodge to check out Basketball Jones. This power trio is made up of Pete Heidt on guitar, Scott Murphy on bass and Jock Holmes on drums with all three providing lead vocals and smooth harmonies. Basketball Jones plays from 8 to midnight at the Montana Bar.

TOM SUSANJ AT PHILIPSBURG BREWERY

Photo: Facebook/Philipsburg Brewing-Maranda

One of Southwest Montana's most-beloved troubadours, Tom Susanj will be performing down the road in Philipsburg at the Philipsburg Brewing Co. from 5 to 8pm.

KEN RICH AT THE HELSINKI

Photo courtesy of Ken Rich/Facebook

The fun doesn't end on Friday. Jon Ken Rich at the Helsinki for a great eveining starting at 7pm.