Northeastern Arts Network Presents the 2016-17 Big Sky Concert Series

The Northeastern Arts Network is pleased to present the 2016-17 Big Sky Concert Series to our community.This year's series features exciting live theatre and a kaleidoscope of musical entertainment as part of this art organization's ongoing commitment to provide quality entertainment to the community with a variety of shows that will appeal to every age and interest.

The first performance of the season kicks off with Montana Repertory Theatre's presentation of BRONTË TO THE FUTURE!

In this comedy by Laramie Dean, The Brontë sisters, Emily and Charlotte, having told their most well-known tales-Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, respectively-now want to leave the past behind and explore a future time in order to see what will happen to their characters in a more contemporary setting. Brontë to the Future! is a mashup that places the Brontës' beloved Jane and Rochester and Catherine and Heathcliff in the world of today-and possibly tomorrow-while retaining all the romance and Gothic splendor of the original stories. This captivating performance takes place on Tuesday, September 20th.

Join us on Thursday, October 6th with an incredibly energetic band of high level musicians! John Roberts Y Pan Blanco is an original sound ensemble that is designed to make the audience move. Many years of national and international touring, recording and performing experiences with West African, Funk, Soul, Salsa, Jazz and R&B ensembles have led to this project. John Roberts Y Pan Blanco are melding high energy, danceable Funk, African and Salsa grooves with blistering instrumental solos, all aimed at sharing musical diversity with the audience.

On November 10th, Fubuki Daiko reinvents traditional Japanese drumming with their eclectic and energetic performances that are part martial arts athleticism, part meditation, and all rhythm. For over nineteen years, they have performed at festivals, concert halls, and schools across North America and have continued to fuel their pursuit of excellence and innovation in this ancient art form.

"Too Marvelous for Words: A Nat King Cole Tribute" joins the series on February 9th. This Trio is a fun and swingin' journey into the early days of Nat King Cole. Drawing on his experience as both an actor and a singer/pianist, Peter Smith (creator) effortlessly weaves in stories from this period in Nat King Cole's life as they relate to the song selections, creating an evening that is fun, informative and leaves the audiences tapping their feet and pondering the fascinating tidbits of Nat's life.

From Washington DC, pianist Thomas Pandolfi closes the series on Thursday, April 6th. Thomas Pandolfi is a unique pianist who is especially at home in the music of Beethoven, Chopin and Gershwin. His highly popular "themed" programs, many of which include his amazing transcriptions of crossover literature, are positively spellbinding. His equally engaging personality, charisma and stage presence embrace the audience in the most wonderfully captivating way. One walks away from a Pandolfi concert with a song in one's heart, definitely wanting to hear more and more.

All concerts are held at the MonDak Heritage Center at 7:00 p.m. except for the Fubuki Daiko performance which will be at the Sidney Middle School auditorium. Season tickets can be purchased at the door: adults $45, senior $40, and students $35. Individual performance tickets can also be purchased at the door. For additional concert information contact Candy Markwald 406-488-4155, Jill Hill 406-489-4304, or Leann Pelvit at 433-3500.

The Big Sky Series is made possible in part by grant support from Montana's Cultural Trust, Montana Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, the Montana Performing Arts Consortium and the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF).