Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Halloween is Here!

I can't believe that it is the end of October already. But it is and that means Halloween is here.

Some friends and I were discussing costume ideas-what to be this year, what we've been in the past. We got to talking about what we were when we were kids. I remember often times wanting to be a pop star, cheerleader, princess.

I think my favorite costume though had to be Punky Brewster. I don't remember the age that I was when I dressed up as Punky, maybe 5. Pigtails, drawn on freckles, vest, torn jeans (one side rolled up), tennis shoes, and handkerchiefs tied on my legs. I don't remember the show all that well--I remember that I liked it when I was a kid and also watched the cartoon series--but as a child of the 80's, it's impossible to forget the iconic character of Punky Brewster. I'm actually thinking that it might be a good costume for this year if I dress up. At least it would be comfortable.

Punky Power!

Billings has so much stuff happening into the weekend for Halloween. For kids and families there's Boo at the Zoo, Halloween at Rimrock Mall, Treatapalooza at Faith Chapel, Healthy Halloween Party at the YMCA and more.

Live music is all around town. The Clinton's are playing at Bones, 7th Avenue Band at Bugz's, Firehouse Band at Yellowstone Valley Brewing. Rap at the FOE during Halloween Havoc. More parties on the weekend include the Michael Jackson pre-Halloween party on Friday night (a chance to get out your MJ swag and dance to his hits) at The Carlin, Sinister Circus Halloween at the Loft, and more.

There is a Wicked Wine Walk at the Zoo, Dracula performed by High School talent at the Alberta Bair Theater, Billings Ghost Tours, Haunted Houses, Zombie Walk downtown; there's honestly too much to list it all here...you'll have to visit the event calendar on the site to find it all!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

For the Love of Soup!

When it's a bit chilly outside, there's nothing better for lunch than a good bowl of soup. I needed to catch up with my pal, Haley last week and we decided to meet at The Soup Place.

We both got the special of the day--a potato, sausage, spinach soup. It was so good. A starchy soup like potato is usually very filling but I just can't go to The Soup Place and not have one of their delicious grilled cheeses. So I went for the small bowl (plenty filling) and half a grilled cheese. I opted to build my own instead of going with one of the suggestions on the menu. I went with sour dough bread, cheddar, green peppers, and tomato. Yum! My only suggestion to The Soup Place would be to add green chillis to their grilled cheese veggie choices. I had a grilled cheese in Albuquerque, NM once that had 3 cheeses, green chillis and tomatos. That was years ago but I still remember it.

We asked about your favorite local soup spots in Billings on our Facebook Page. Suggestions we received included--The Back Porch Deli, Soups and Such, The Soup Place, Staggering Ox (I always think sandwiches there and never even consider soup! Might have to try it), Caramel Waffle Cookie, Grains of Montana, Great Harvest, Pickle Barrel, Old Chicago's Cheddar Broccoli, Olive Garden, and French Onion from Bin 119. We've got a lot of great places to try. Are we missing any?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Hold Steady returns

New York rock band The Hold Steady packed the Railyard to capacity in July 2008, and the band returns to the venue Monday for another rock-your-face-off performance.

A sweaty, rollicking bunch of Brooklyn boys, lead singer Craig Finn and his roving band have been described as “America’s bar band,” and onstage Finn tells the tale of a man that’s had one too many sour girlfriends and surly encounters in the bar.

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Full Monty at Venture Theatre

My friend, Katie, and I went to The Full Monty at Venture Theatre last weekend. Now, to be completely honest, Katie had to clue me in on the whole premise of the show before we went. I hadn't seen the movie or the play before.

The show starts off with a provocative male dancer and this Catholic girl was already blushing. I started wondering what I had gotten myself into and wondered if all of the guys in the audience were thinking the same thing!

However, it quickly became clear it wasn't going to be some thunder down under show. It's really about regular guys who've found themselves unemployed and down on their luck. You know the saying "desperate times call for desperate measures," so they decide to take a que from the Chippendale's dancers who had been at the local bar and create their own male review. Along the way they learn a lot about their friendships, relationships and themselves.

I had such a fun time at this show. It's been so successful that Venture has extended it another week. You've got two more chances to see them "bare it all" this Friday and Saturday, both shows at 8pm.

Coincidentally, The Men of Playgirl are slated to be at the Wild West on October 24th. Tickets are $10 and $15 for VIP and available at The Wild West and Surfer Joe's.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Secondhand swindle, Pestle escapes unscathed


Friday was a difficult night for Hana Pestle, who was in a car wreck that nearly took her life hours before her performance at the Babcock Theater. Pestle was visibly distracted onstage, and told her audience, “We’re lucky to be alive.”


Pestle’s car, driven by her record producer and boyfriend Ben Moody, hit ice on the highway between Butte and Billings as the couple returned from a performance in Missoula the previous night. Moody lost control of the car, which slid into a semitrailer, bounced back into their lane and spun into a roadside ditch. The vehicle was totaled, but Moody and Pestle were remarkably unhurt.

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Friday, October 9, 2009

Cirque, Sesame and more coming to MetraPark

MetraPark's got some fun shows coming up this fall and into the spring.

Theatre Council Productions is bringing a three show series to Rimrock Auto Arena. Slated for November 5th, Cirque Dreams: Illumination--a cirque style show full of acrobatics and theatrics. Jesus Christ Superstar comes to the arena on January 29th and Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles is on May 5th. Tickets for all three shows are: $35.50, $42.50, and $47.50.



Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up will have three shows at MetraPark running December 15th and 16th. Tickets range from $14-$27.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Sera Cahoone lite

Sub Pop artist Sera Cahoone didn’t stay away from Billings long, returning to a room less occupied than it was during her full band performance in May. However, the presence of close friends and fans provided an informal, communicative atmosphere for her to perform with pedal steel player Jay Kardong, who said such informal shows are often his favorite.

Though Cahoone typically performs with a full band, she and Kardong reduced their lineup to the essentials to open for Son Volt on a cross-country three-week tour, which exposed the duo to larger crowds and plenty of potential new fans.

Read Full post and see more pictures...

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Christian Rock coming to Billings

Christian Rock Fans rejoice...The Creation Festival is coming to Billings at the Shrine Auditorium on November 8th.

Bands on the tour include Jars of Clay, Thousand Foot Krutch, Audio Unplugged, B. Reith, This Beautiful Republic and FM Static.

Tickets are just $20 for General Admission and for $50, you can get a Meet and Greet Ticket. Tickets are available at Harvest Church, Berean Christian Store, Rimrock Mall, Off the Leaf and on iTickets.com.