Butte concerts

One of the best events of the summer, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Butte's annual "Rhythm and Brews" Festival gets underway at noon Saturday at the Original Mine Yard and will run until late in the evening featuring everything from a huge car show, live music from 4 different acts, a kids play area and, of course, a wide selection of microbrews and more to help keep you cool on a hot late summer day along with some of the areas best food trucks and even yoga and exercise.

"Local Bands Wednesdays" will run on August 7th and the 14th with free admission and music starting at 7pm. 20% of sales on Local Bands Wednesdays will also be given to a local charitable organization.

There is just something about outdoor music in the second half of summer that rings true to a lot of us, and there might not be a more fitting way to end the season's "Lunch in the Park" series than with "Dinner in the Park". That's exactly what's happening tonight, and this might just be the best one of the summer, as the Butte Symphony will spread across the Emma Park Gazebo (and probably into the adjoining space) to entertain hungry music lovers of all ages starting at 5:30pm. Under the direction of Luis Millan, the Butte Symphony is in its 74th season of bringing the joy and healing power of music to Southwest Montana and tonight's performance is completely free of charge.

The Butte-Silver Bow County Fair kicks off this Thursday at the Butte Civic Center with events, shows and activities for all ages. As we get closer to the start we will be taking a closer look at different things you will find this year at the fair and will be chatting with Fair Board Chair Josh O'Neill early in the week. Before we get to all of that, here's an overall look at the Fair's daily schedule:

A legendary country and bluegrass singer/songwriter with over 50 years of performing under his belt will be coming to Butte's Mother Lode Theater this September.

As is customary in Butte, America, any good celebration gets underway a day early. Just look at Christmas Eve or St. Uhro's Day if you need proof. The 3rd of July is almost a bigger deal in Butte than Independence Day itself thanks to an amazing fireworks show and leadup parties. Butte's geography only adds to the intrigue. Have you figured out where you and your family are going to watch the Town Pump fireworks show? If you haven't, here are a few suggestions.

Well, tomorrow is the start of a furious couple of days as Colt Anderson's "Dream Big Montana Experience" hits Uptown Butte with daredevils, concerts, family fun, a big fundraiser and, of course, the kids football camp. A huge crowd is expected so motorists should be aware of larger than usual pedestrian traffic Uptown as well as some street closures that will begin at 6am tomorrow morning (Thursday).

Tim Montana is no stranger to the road, even before he became a bona fide rock star. Since he started in the business, it was not uncommon for Tim and his band to play in Nashville on a Thursday, play a show in Montana on Saturday and somehow make it back to the East Coast for events early the following week. Following his foray into hard rock music and the success of the first three singles from his upcoming CD release, "Savage," it should come as little surprise that Tim follows the same principle when touring the Treasure State these days, just on a smaller scale.

There really is no place in America that celebrates Independence Day the way that Butte, Montana does. Find another place that gets things rocking and rolling around lunchtime. On the 3rd of July. Butte has been doing that for years and with the opening of the Original Mineyard as a public recreation and concert area things are only getting bigger and better Uptown on the third as another major Country artist has been booked for a pre-fireworks concert. A few years back we got Lanco. This year, Bill Fisher and Railway Productions are proud to announce an even bigger pre-4th headliner and it's Rodney Atkins.

The Mother Lode Theater's "Montana Made Music Series" wraps up this Saturday night and they truly may have saved the best for last. Wylie and the Wild West are set to perform alongside Wylie's brother Erik "Fingers" Ray in what promises to be an incredible show for all who enjoy western swing, blues and even yodeling.