Helena-area arts and entertainment news

The holiday tradition “Christmas in the Cathedral” returns Dec. 4 to the Cathedral of St. Helena, bringing a concert of lessons and carols.

Performances are 5:30 and 8 p.m. and tickets range from $25 to $70.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.helenasymphony.org, by calling the Symphony Box Office (406-442-1860), or visiting the Symphony Box Office on the Downtown Walking Mall at the Placer Building, 21 N. Last Chance Gulch, Suite 100) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The concert features the Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale. Based on the tradition of lessons and carols, Maestro Allan R. Scott has created a program of poetry and music.

Every donation made now through Dec. 20 will be matched up to $20,000 by a generous donor as part of the Helena Symphony’s Annual Gift Campaign.

Every donation will directly support a need in the Helena region.

The Helena New Horizons Concert Band presents its Fall Concert at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan St. 

The theme is “Screen Time,” with selections of music from favorite TV and movie shows “Downton Abbey,” “Star Trek,” and “Grease” and film scores by John Williams, Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman.

In addition, the band will play a couple of season selections. The concert is free, although donations at the door are appreciated. 

The free Christmas Concert put on by the Bells of Covenant bell choir will be 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Covenant Methodist Church, 2330 E. Broadway St.

Selections will include holiday favorites and an opportunity for all to sing along on some popular carols.

The Bells of Covenant is one of the premier bell choirs in the state, and they play regularly on select Sundays at Covenant Church throughout the year.

The group will be the host choir for the annual regional bell festival, bringing in bell choirs from all over the state, to be held in Helena in April. The two-day event will conclude with a free combined bell choir concert. 

The Bells of Covenant choir is under the direction of Lily Olson of Helena.

The Helena Xpress Singers’ Christmas show is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 512 Logan St. 

Members of the chorus have been entertaining people around Helena, the state of Montana and beyond for almost 50 years.

The four-part harmony a cappella group, under the direction of Shelly Pardis, performs for parties, conventions, senior living and nursing homes and various community events.

The 35-member chorus is a supporter of youth’s musical activities, including the past 15 years organizing Helena’s Xpress Talent Search — a singing contest for 15-to-21-year-old musicians, Girl Scout Harmony Day, and a yearly Christmas Chorus for young people.

For more information, contact [email protected] 

Forty-six artists will be displaying a huge selection of functional and decorative ceramics.

Prices vary. New stock is added daily. The sale runs through Dec. 23, at the Lundy Center in the previous CVS at 526 Euclid Ave. Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

The holiday sale at the Bray Gallery runs through Dec. 22.

The online sale started on Nov. 17 at archiebraygallery.org.

Shop artwork from current and former resident artists to find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift.

Consider these ideas; a handmade mug for hot morning drinks, a comforting soup bowl, a distinctive pitcher, a stand-out vase, unique jewelry, stunning sculpture, cocktail cups, uncommon ornaments and find more in-person at the Bray Gallery.

The Bray Gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday noon-4 p.m.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the resident artist program at the Archie Bray Foundation. 

Carroll College Theatre presents “She Persisted,” scenes by female playwrights will be performed Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at the FLEX Theatre.

Carroll’s Women in Theatre class will choose their favorite scenes to weave together into a production featuring many Carroll students.

Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets online in advance at https://cct.booktix.com or at the door one hour before the show. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students, seniors and veterans, $5 for Carroll students, employees (ID required) and children under 12. The FLEX Theatre is in the lower level of the campus center near the corner of Benton and Lyndale in the building with the bookstore.

For more information, visit the Carroll Theatre Season webpage, www.carroll.edu/theatre.

Grandstreet Theatre will present “The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition,” Dec. 1-17.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Fridays, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., at Grandstreet Theatre, 325 N. Park Ave.

The play is by L. Frank Baum with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg.

Tickets are $17 to $27 and are available online or at the box office, noon to 5 p.m. weekdays. Call 406 447-1574, email [email protected] or go online: www.GrandstreetTheatre.com

When a tornado whisks young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto away from their Kansas farm and drops them in Munchkinland, Dorothy discovers a world more vibrant than she ever imagined. Dorothy and Toto, along with the eccentric characters they meet along the way, are off to see “the Wizard.”

The production features 112 students from the Grandstreet Theatre school, ranging from kindergarten through high school. Concessions are available before the performance and at intermission. Booster seats are available.

Returning to Grandstreet after nine years, this stage adaptation of the iconic MGM film includes the award-winning score.

Broadwater Community Theater in Townsend will host three Christmas performances.

The annual dinner theater will feature local children’s talent based on the book by Barbara Robinson, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

The Saturday, Dec. 16, event features a catered dinner along with a no-host bar and door prizes. Come enjoy a full evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Lodge, 131 So. Spruce. Tickets are $40 per person.

The student actors will also perform Friday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. and again at a matinee Sunday, Dec. 17, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Lodge. Tickets are $10 at the door. Children under age 5 attend for free.

All tickets available at Reading Leaves in Townsend. Call 406-396-41468, or The Bird’s Nest 406-266-1335.

Tickets for the dinner theater will be sold in advance only. For more information call 406-980-0592.

Grandstreet Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol” in the Helena Civic Center ballroom, Dec. 19-23.

The production will be by Jeff Downing, based on the story by Charles Dickens.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with a Saturday matinee at 2:30 p.m., at the Helena Civic Center ballroom, 340 Neill Ave.

To order tickets, call the Grandstreet Box Office (afternoons): 406-447-1574 or order online: www.GrandstreetTheatre.com.

Tickets are $27 Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening; $23 Tuesday evening and Saturday matinee and $17 for kids 18 and under (please see content advisory).

The Dec. 20 performance will be choose your own price.

Montana Playwrights Network’s 3rd Annual Winter Lodge Rendezvous will feature Native American performers, 7 p.m. Dec. 1-2 at the Helena Avenue Theatre, 1319 Helena Ave.

Tickets are $25 each and available online at www.montanaplaywrights.org.

This event is supported in part by grants from the Montana Arts Council, an agency of state government, the National Endowment for the Arts, Montana Community Foundation’s William B. Pratt Endowment Fund and Slate Architecture.

The event features Native American performers Chris La Tray, storyteller and Montana’s poet laureate; host and scholar Shane Doyle, Northern Plains singer and humorist; Darnell and (Robert) Smokey Rides At The Door, Blackfeet historians and South Peigan traditionalists; Barney Doney, humorist and comedian, and the Magpie Singers, a traditional drum and song group. 

The Montana Playwrights Network will hold a writers workshop titled “Writing Thru Improv” with Pamela Mencher from 12:30-1:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. 

Following the workshop, from 2-3:15 p.m., MPN will hold its annual membership meeting featuring 2023 highlights, volunteer recognition, an open forum and door prizes.

From 3:30-4:30 p.m., a holiday reception with refreshments will be held.

RSVP by Dec. 5 to [email protected].