image source: Neon Trees Facebook Page

This morning, 1111 Presents announced that Neon Trees will perform at the Babcock Theatre on July 21st. Support acts include Penguin Prison and JJamz.  Ticket price is TBA but we know that they’ll go on sale on Friday, May 25th at 10am.

Like their name, Neon Trees are a combination of slick pop hooks and sturdy organic rock, both melodic and hard-hitting, their anthems of adolescent angst, longing, love lost and found, delivered with the kind of heart-on-the-sleeve passion that only comes from hard work and commitment.

A few of their hits include: “Everybody Talks,” “Animal,” and “1983.”

With Fun. playing the Babcock in August and Neon Trees in July, it’s looking like a great summer for Alternative Rock in Billings! See you there!

After driving past and thinking, “I really want to poke my nose in there sometime,” I finally did. And, I was not disappointed.  Quite simply, the place is HUGE—it goes on forever—so if you do not have a good sense of direction, you may want to leave a trail of crumbs to find your way out when you are done.

But, don’t be put off. The meandering, haphazard style is part of the allure. Even if you are not an antique aficionado, you are guaranteed to find something that will remind you of grandma or make you laugh and say, “Hey! Do you remember that?”

Jennifer Ingraham, who manages with her husband Josh, realized the dream business with mom Shelly Durk. “We were huge fans of Granny’s Attic. Although it closed, we still thought that Billings needed a huge, rambling antique mall and this just seemed like the right opportunity.”

With approximately 100 vendors carrying everything from primitive kitchen cupboards to vintage duck decoys to a collection of hand mirrors, the mall provides a slice of Americana with a western flair. One vendor favors early 1900s glassware while the next carries ageless chandeliers and other shabby chic items.

I could have spent hours there—browsing through booth after booth containing pieces of past lives lends a sort of timelessness to any shopper. While I am eyeing a potential grain-cart-turned-coffee-table, I spy a framed print of The Three Stooges “Golf With Your Friends” for just $17 (Father’s Day shopping is well under way). However, I cringe just thinking of the possible outcomes if my husband sees the taxidermy bison head. There’s no way I can’t go there.

So, whether you need a vintage matching dining set or you just want a few unique conversation pieces—think Barber sign from a small town in Wyoming—you will be entertained in the process. Moseying along seems to be the pace at this place. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Marketplace 3301 is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-6pm and for special events. The Sleepy Poet’s Coffee Shoppe inside the mall offers specialized coffee, tea, smoothies and Log Cabin pastries. More information is available at www.marketplace3301.com.

The past few weeks has given us a slew of new concert announcements.  We’ve got rock, classic rock, country, pop and some great indie music coming up through the end of summer.  It’s tough to keep them all straight and top of mind!  So, we made a handy dandy little guide to help you keep track of all of these great music concerts that are coming to Billings.  We’ll do our best to update it as new shows are added.  Of course, these are all listed in our events section and music section where you can get the details for the shows including ticket prices and where to purchase.

Last year, as I watched the banner being unveiled that contained the grand total of the funds raised in just a few months’ time – an amount that, over the years, has grown to equal hundreds of thousands of dollars – I shook my head in amazement as I looked around to see people cheer, cry, and celebrate the way our town – our town in “little ole’ Montana” – takes an unbelievably prominent stand against a disease that affects millions globally.

And we do it year after year after year.

Perhaps that’s the Montanan commitment and work ethic coming out to play.  After all, Montana – and Billings, in particular – has always had a “work hard to play hard” mentality.  In fact, it’s clear that many Yellowstone County Relay for Life teams leverage this philosophy in the events that they put on.  We like to have a good time!  If we can raise money in the process?  Well, that’s just the gravy to our cowboy potatoes, y’all.

For example, each year Crowley Fleck Attorneys put on a huge event at The Depot – “A Taste for Life” – where folks can sample beer and wine to their hearts content and enjoy local flavor from various caterers.

This year, EBMS Inc. put on a “Brewin’ Up a Cure” event down at Yellowstone Valley Brewery that raised over $5000 dollars in 3 hours:

Not too shabby, I’d say.

Billings definitely loves their beer, but we’ve also got a competitive streak.  For example, Project Meats put on a Donkey Basketball tournament at the Shrine:

and US Bank put on a Dodgeball Tournament:

Later this summer, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch is hosting a Barrel Racing Event.

But Relay for Life fundraising events definitely don’t have to involve a donkey and a helmet.  Heck, they don’t even need to have beer!  (Though of course, I’d personally PREFER it.)  Teams should focus their energy on coming up with something that they’re already GOOD at doing.  For example, Rimrock Mall put on a fashion show, and those who modeled were either cancer survivors or individuals modeling in honor of a loved one who’s battled the disease:

Hellroaring Plateau as seen from the north

Hellroaring Road is an exciting trip in itself.  Originally built to allow chromium miners to the top of the plateau, it has since been shut down to mining.  Now, only those looking to get out and get wild use it.  While I would not say it is actually dangerous, it does take some navigation to avoid large rocks and ruts.  Once at the top you will find yourself on the edge of a huge plateau, one of the largest in the area.  From the small parking area the trail is distinctly marked.  It takes you southwest across the top of the plateau.  As you hike along you will be able to see numerous lakes to your north.  Drop down into any one of these for some amazing fishing.  Or stay up top and admire the mountains as they continually come into view.  The hike trends upward, so as you keep walking, you’ll keep spotting new peaks.

Before you go, there are some precautions to be aware of.  The parking lot is at 9,840 feet.  The plateau only gets higher from there.  When you are up over 10,000 feet the air gets thin, so for those who are out of shape, take it slow.  In Billings the weather can be hot, at the bottom of Rock Creek Valley it will be pleasant, but on the plateau it can be cold and windy.  Last year when I was on top, it was 94 degrees in Billings, and when I stopped hiking I had to put a coat on.  If you go up there, be prepared.  There is very little shelter, and storms can sneak up on you easily.  So bring some extra food, water, and clothing so if you get stuck for longer than expected, it will be an adventure not a catastrophe.

Getting to Hellroaring Road is fairly easy.  Just drive through Red Lodge and 12 miles into the valley.  Turn off as though you are going to the Parkside Campground or Greenough Lake.   Then stay to the right.  The road will take you up the west slope of the valley (here’s a map).  Make sure you have a four wheel drive vehicle with good clearance, but be careful with a large truck, there are some tight turns toward the end of the road, you might have trouble negotiating them (you can’t quite make it all the way up the road yet regardless of the vehicle due to snow, it is best to wait till mid June to try).  The parking lot at the top is distinct; you will know when you get there.  From there just be mindful not to trample the delicate vegetation, respect the wildlife, and take as many pictures of the views as you possibly can.

image source: 2grandentertainment.com

Klover Productions brings back the live all-request Dueling Pianos show to Billings for two nights on June 1^st and 2^nd. Dueling pianos pits two piano players face to face in a highly interactive show. They’ve played to packed houses at some of the hottest places in the country.

Blue Creek Sport Shooting Complex and Preserve will be hosting a shotgun training clinic this Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm.  Open to the public! Everyone is welcome to work with their highly trained experts on the trap and skeet fields. Ages 10 and up are invited. There is no cost for this expert advice.  It is merely $5 for a round of 25 clays.

Take your shotgun and a few rounds of ammo out there and have some fun.

They are staffed with friendly and very patient trainers that are passionate about what they do and are eager to assist you.

This is also a great way to see everything that Blue Creek Sport Shooting Complex and Preserve has to offer. The complex has over two hundred and seventy-five acres of sprawling sport shooting and outdoor recreation.

With a rural farm and ranch theme, guests are greeted with a sign stating- “Your Montana Outdoor Experience Starts Here”. A portion of the sporting clays course follows an old wagon trail that is likely an old freight wagon trail according to a knowledgeable Blue Creek historian.

• 27 Centerfire bench rests – ADA accessible
• Pistol, rimfire, muzzleloader ranges, 12 benchrests – ADA accessible
• Archery Walk Course
• Archery site in range – ADA accessible
• Skeet / Trap / Five stand
• Sporting clays
• Dog training fields (gun dog or domestic)
• Retriever training ponds
• Game bird shooting preserve with special rates for members
• Youth air gun range/Pistol Training Bays

The facility is professionally designed to maximize safety, mitigate noise and shot product containment. The unique topography is unmatched, and the views on a clear day will show you 4 or 5 mountain ranges.Upon completion of their new clubhouse, you’ll find more community involvement and space for family functions such as 4-H, Boy Scouts and Hunters Safety classes. A membership makes a great gift!

http://www.bluecreeksport.com/clay-shooting

Phone
406.670.1183

Club Address 
1767 Bender Road
Billings, MT 59101

Danish heavy metal band, Volbeat will be live in concert at The Shrine Auditorium on July 2nd at 7pm during their “Live from Beyond Hell and Above Heaven Tour.”  Special guests Hellyeah and Iced Earth will open the show.

Tickets are general admission and are priced at $33.50.  They can be purchased at ticketfly.com beginning on May 11th.

Steadily increasing their fan base with their unique blend and style of music and uncompromising stage shows, Volbeat continues to marry Heavy Metal and Rockabilly, smear it with a kiss of crunchy guitars and drive away in a vintage Cadillac stuffed with Marshall plexis and filled with leaded gas.

Last summer, Billings added an exciting event to our fitness community and event schedule, The Dirty Dash at MetraPark.

We’ve got an ongoing lineup of healthy events including road races here in our city and the region. The months of May through August are jam packed! I for one live for road races and absolutely love encouraging others to join in my passion. What a terrific way to set goals for fitness rather than just going through the motions. Having a measurable goal, then the sense of accomplishment and celebration of a road race is an excellent way to keep things fun. There are some who are up for this challenge and others who say it’s silly. The former college football player may say to my subtle push “why the heck would I want to run unless someone is chasing me?” Well, last year, The Dirty Dash came to Billings for the first time and opened the doors of road racing to a whole new audience.  This “party meets road race” helped to spark runners and non-runners alike to set some exercise and health goals.

The Dirty Dash wasn’t just a road race. Participants had to run from one mud hole to the next, climbing hay bales and running through tires. It incorporated cardio endurance, muscular strength and hand eye coordination. It was a rugged race that challenged a wide variety of individuals from those accustomed to the race atmosphere as well as the cross-fit minded individuals.  It got people excited and was a hit! I think it’s going to stick!

The training for the dirty dash is slightly different than most road races.  I am a huge advocate for cross training no matter what the goal in mind is. For someone purely wanting to improve cardio endurance or “get in shape”, strength, speed, and agility drills are vital pieces of the fitness puzzle that are sometimes left out. Cross training is beneficial for a person with slower twitch muscle fibers to build some faster twitch muscles while avoiding injury by over training or repetitious movement. Building muscle is helpful for performance as well as a great investment to refraining from injury!

A great training program for The Dirty Dash starts far before July 13^th (The race is on July 14th!). As in any preparation, we want to ensure a “taper week” in which the week prior to the event, we are able to relax giving our bodies a break in order to be nice and fresh, healthy, and ready to compete! Cramming for the test never works!

Since The Dirty Dash consists of approximately a 5k (3.2ish mile) distance, a competitor should examine his or her fitness level. A beginner should start roughly 12 weeks prior to the event. The first month should concentrate on building a cardio base where you are able to pump at least  3 miles out (6 would be better) at a slow, controlled pace. Body weight strength exercises should be performed 2-3 times weekly such as planks, push up’s, squats and pull ups. Yes, these are for everyone and can be modified to fit the fitness level and all complement core strength.

In the next four weeks, it’s important to add bouts of high intensity cardio including anaerobic exercises such as sprinting, jumping, etc. This conditions the heart to work out of its comfort zone which may happen during the race as you climb a hay bale or race an opponent through the finish line. It will aid in muscular development. It’s also a good idea to incorporate exercises to strengthen major muscle groups as long as form is closely monitored.

There are many ways to obtain the cross training needed to safely and effectively compete in The Dirty Dash. Being eclectic in your training regimen is a big plus. Incorporating biking, running, swimming, roller blading, etc. are very effective in building cardio efficiency along with strength. Group classes are a great way to prepare as well. kettlebell intervals, x-training chaos, and cycling are some that Anytime Fitness offers that can enhance fitness for this specific event as well as overall fitness for life. Stop in and try one!  They are an excellent way to get/stay in shape, gain a positive and healthy social network for such events while learning new exercises to challenging yourself! Work hard in your training so you can play hard in your life! The Dirty Dash is an excellent way to carry out this rule of thumb!

The Dirty Dash is on July 14th at MetraPark.  You can register for the race at thedirtydash.com.

This blog post is by Lisa Minnehan, Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor at Anytime Fitness. Lisa specializes in weight loss, nutrition, muscle/strength and x-training/sport specific training. She graduated from UM-Western and MSU-Billings. In her free time she runs road races, hikes, golfs and hunts.

Hosting a gathering of friends, wedding in an out of the way spot, fundraiser downtown, meeting up with a few hundred people or 10 in a mountainous location or maybe you want an amazing camp cook for your extensive float trip. Abby and Tom Hinthorne of Abby’s Catering can do all that and so much more.

Nine years ago, Abby and Tom were seeking out a new business venture.  According to Tom they landed on catering because it was easier to set up than a construction business. Abby laughs and rolls her eyes when she hears this.  No she says, we were looking for something that would allow us to raise our daughter and utilize our passion for food.

And Abby’s Catering was birthed.  Thus far, the arrangement has worked well for their family.

They have an extensive background in the culinary world. Abby notably worked at Walkers and helped open McCormick’s Cafe years ago. She also hails from a local Hutterite colony where she honed cooking skills at a very young age.  Tom..well Tom has sort of been everywhere and done just about everything.  And he will tell you about it with a gleam in his eyes that makes you wish you were more adventurous. (Or at least half as good a storyteller…)  Together they are a killer food team.

Their shop is found on 909 4th street- just a few blocks south of Senior High. Yes this is where they host underground dinners highlighting such cuisines as East Indian fare.  Yes this is where the bulk of the preparations take place for their caterings. What may not be as visible is the shop is a meeting house of sorts.  Friends and family are often stopping by and yakking the afternoon away with a fresh scone , sometimes a full meal and probably a beer.  Past clients drop in just to say hello. Daughter Kendahl will either be practicing piano or planted somewhere working on her latest art project.

Understand, you are not just getting fantastic eats from Team Abby- you are also getting big, warm personalities at your event.  And you will find that hanging out with them for one evening is just not enough.  What else can I say? They are cool.  Tom grills and makes sauces wherever you can find an out back spot for him.  Abby oversees everything and everyone and is usually moving like a well trained acrobat/whirlwind. The formula works and totally delivers.

 Their satisfied client list reads like a who’s who of every different facet of the Montana community.  Inventive with food and able to give you your favorites and in such a way that you love it even more!  As Tom says- custom menus for groups under 500- whatever and wherever.

And the whatever and wherever part- he’s not joking.  They have done this gig in so many interesting and odd spots you will be pressed to stump them.

I am going to encourage you to book them now.  Even if you have nothing going on, call 10 friends and plan something.  They are an excellent and fun culinary experience.  On a personal note, the most delectable food I’ve had comes from their making and often they introduce me to new taste experiences.

Okay- did you dial that number yet?   What are you waiting for?…

Info:

406 245 1174

909 4th Street West Billings MT 59101

Abby’s Catering Company.  Join their Facebook group to stay current with their events!

Jodie Tenicin Smith  the photo chik.