The Berkeley Pits

The Butte Elks Lodge at 240 W. Galena is going to be busy this week with everything from trivia and bingo to music and dancing with events beginning this Wednesday evening.

The Elks Lodge at 206 W. Galena has posted their spring schedule of events and it is fair to say that the place is going to be hopping in early 2024.

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.

It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming back the food vendors, the foam machine, the big stage with Andy Larson and, of course, the big crowds that have been commonplace at Music on Main events every Thursday throughout the summer. And here we are at the final event. But what an event it is going to be. As in years past, Missoula's hot country band ShoDown will be the musical guest and these guys are the closers for a reason. They are one of the top bands in the Northwest and have become a favorite of many here in Butte.

The 2023 edition of "Rhythm and Brews" at the Original Mineyard was off to possibly its best start in event history. In fact, the party was in full swing, and kids and adults alike were having a great time. And then the storm hit. Saturday evening's freak lightning storm and torrential downpour put an abrupt end to the event just after 5pm. But other than the early end and soaked partygoers, the fundraiser for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Butte was a big success. Here's a look at some of the fun that was had before the clouds opened.

Tomorrow's Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Butte's "Rhythm and Brews" Festival is going to be a good one. Things get underway at the Original Mineyard with the car show with registration at 10am. Gates open at noon with food trucks, beverages, kids' activities and lots of fun. Music will fire up at 1pm on the big stage. Let's take a look at this year's performers.

If tradition holds and plans hold up, Saturday's "Rhythm and Brews" Festival at the Original Mine Yard will have something for everyone. Not only is this the biggest fundraiser of the year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte, but it is an opportunity for car enthusiasts and music lovers alike to come together to enjoy some great local music and cold beer from some of the area's finest microbreweries. In addition, some of the area's best food trucks will be on site and a list of activities and games have been planned for the kids as well as musical performances from John Montoya, The Berkeley Pits, High Ore Road and F.O.G.

The Montana Folk Festival has grown into one of the biggest and most successful events of the summer in Montana because of the incredible array of world music and culture that it brings to the Mining City. And this year for three performances, organizers needed to look no further than our own backyard to fill some important spots on the performance schedule. Say hello once again to the popular duo The Berkeley Pits, veteran singer/songwriter Chad Okrusch and welcome the relatively new but very talented band Juniper Creek to this year's lineup.

Every Friday night, live music lovers in Butte have been flocking to the Elks Lodge in Uptown Butte to enjoy bands and beverages. The next several weeks promise more dancing and fun Friday nights at the Elks.

Butte Elks Lodge 240 is going to be a hotspot for live, local music in 2023 and January's schedule is smokin'.