Tuck Everlasting – Youth Production at NOVA

Based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt, this story asks the question, “What would you do if you had all eternity?”.  Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence.  Not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family does she get more than she could have imagined.  A Youth Conservatory production directed by Samantha Pfeifer.

  • Posted on: February 26, 2024

NOVA presents Brigadoon!

This final show of the 2023-24 NOVA season brings music, dancing, fun and enchantment to the stage!  A Lerner & Loewe musical, this whimsical tale tell the story of two American tourists who stumble upon a misty little Scottish town that only awakens once every one hundred years.  Directed by Precious McKenzie

  • Posted on: February 26, 2024

Reader’s Theatre at NOVA

Reader’s Theatre is just that…an exciting opportunity to enjoy a play and give the characters a voice! Adults & older teens welcome. Play selection will be pre-selected, parts will be randomly assigned before reading begins.  NOVA concessions will be available. Join us to read, join us to watch!  There are no requirements for obligations, just come and enjoy a Sunday evening with friends, or soon-to-be friends. 

No costumes, make-up, or memorization, just a delightful time spent with others that enjoy bringing a story to life! Three hours have been allotted, however, times will be dependent on the length of the selection.  

  • Posted on: February 26, 2024

NOVA’s For the Love of the Arts celebration

A perfect Valentine’s Day date! A fun time with great music by “Mojo”, tasty treats and beverages. Plus, the always delightful wine raffle, and plenty of “date night” silent auction gift cards and opportunities! Tickets available online @novabillings.org, by calling 406-591-9535, or stop by the NOVA box office at 2317 Montana Ave. $30/person or $50/couple.
#ForTheLoveOfTheArts #ValentinesDay2024 #NOVAfundraiser #forthekiddies

  • Posted on: February 1, 2024

Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” at NOVA

One of the most loved comedies by Neil Simon.  Newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter are over the moon to begin their life together in their new apartment in Manhattan.  Paul is a straight-laced lawyer and Corie is a romantic free-spirit.  A wild night ensues as Corie attempts to set up her conservative, widowed mother with their eccentric bohemian neighbor.

  • Posted on: January 23, 2024

“Cinderella” – an operetta

A beautiful operatic spin on the fairytale of Cinderella, composed by Pauline Viardot.  The story has familiar, and new, characters seen in unexpected storylines.  Directed by Jan Michael Kliewer. Presented by Rimrock Opera Foundation and NOVA Center for the Performing Arts.

  • Posted on: January 23, 2024

30 Days of Downtown Eats: November 2022

30 Days of Downtown Eats is back for its third year.

The entire month of November we’ll be talking about food on our facebook & Instagram pages. We’ll share fun facts about the participating downtown restaurants and we hope it inspires you to add some if not all of these locally owned restaurants to your regular meal plans.

There are Multiple Ways to Come Out A Winner!

  1. Get your 30 Days of Downtown Eats BINGO card and spend the month completing squares for a chance to win a $100 Downtown Billings Gift Card
  2. Enter the daily Instagram & Facebook giveaways for a chance to take home one of 30+ downtown dining gift cards

The Giveaway Details

  • Get your Bingo card anytime during November 2022 at the downtown Valley Credit Union branch locations (207 N. Broadway or 3100 2nd Ave N.), our DBA office at 116 N. 29th Street, or find one at the various participating locations.
  • To Complete a square: Write the name the downtown dining location where you completed the square in the square itself.
  • Complete 5 squares in a row for a BINGO! 1 BINGO gives you 1 entry to win a $100 Downtown Billings Gift Card. OR Turn in a fully completed board for 3 entries.
  • Have fun and savor all the eateries that downtown has to offer.
  • Turn your completed BINGO card by December 2nd (Holiday Stroll) to the DBA office, 116 N. 29th Street suite A, or snap a photo and enter it here to be entered in the giveaway. The winning participant will be contacted the week of 12/5/2022
  • There will be a post shared each day (Monday through Friday) on both our Instagram (@downtownbillings_)  & Facebook that you’ll want to keep an eye out for. Yes, you can enter on both platforms because there will be a winner selected from each.
  • Each daily post will include the daily rules on HOW TO enter to win.
  • The Facebook and Instagram winners will be notified via a reply to their winning comment the following business day. Once notified, the winner has 72 hours to send Downtown Billings a direct message redeeming their prize before a new winner is selected.

 

Special Thanks to our foodie event sponsors at Valley Credit Union and MariMint Montana 


The Participating Locations

Bernies at the Northern
Big Dipper Ice Cream
Ciao Mambo
Hooligans Sports Bar
Jake’s Downtown
Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill
Montana Brewing Co.
Sarah’s Mexican Food
Stella’s Kitchen & Bakery
TEN at the Northern
The Annex Coffeehouse & Bakery
The Fieldhouse
The Marble Table
The Sassy Biscuit Co.
The Sourdough Bagel
Uberbrew
Walkers Grill

Featured: Sandstone Gallery to Host Vintage 40’s and 50’s Plein Air Art Show

Featured Article:

Sandstone Gallery


March 15, 2021
by Sandstone Gallery

Vintage works of master artists Beverly St. John and LeRoy Greene will be on display at Sandstone Gallery in downtown Billings. The show opens on Friday, April 9, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Over 20 original framed paintings from the 40s and 50s will be on display and offered for sale during this extraordinary event. The public is invited to stop in and view or purchase these amazing works which will remain on display through May 28th.

We wanted to bring these stunning pieces together in one place where collectors and enthusiasts could view them en-masse,” said Jennifer Baretta, co-Director of Sandstone Gallery. “It really is quite impressive when you see them as a whole. We also want to make these master works available and affordable to the public.”  In addition to the vintage art, the gallery is host to 15 resident artists offering oil and watercolor paintings, sculptures, jewelry and pottery in traditional to modern form.

Beverly St. John was a commercial artist in Chicago in the 40s. She moved to the Big Horn River valley to become a rancher’s wife and mother. When her ranch became a part of the Yellowtail Dam, she moved to Billings. Her stunning landscape oils largely depict scenes of the East Rosebud area.

LeRoy Greene (1893-1974) is known for his distinctive oil and watercolor paintings. He painted much of his work outdoors, which was somewhat unusual for artists of that time. He often made trips to the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations for his subjects.

Read more about LeRoy Greene

Sandstone Gallery, located at ​2913 2nd Avenue North in downtown Billings is a “Made in Montana” designated co-op gallery of local artists in the Billings, Montana area with paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass, cards & gifts. Open hours are Tuesday – Friday 11 am – 4 pm, Saturday 10 am – 2 pm. The gallery is closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. For more information Call (406)256-5837, email sandstonegallerymt@gmail.com, or visit the website at sandstonegallerymt.com.

Holiday ArtWalk All Month Long!

You have the entire month of December 2020 to explore 17 Season Member locations of ArtWalk Downtown Billings.

ArtWalk Locations


Uptown Loop

Barjon’s Books
223 N 29th St
Tuesday-Saturday 11 am – 5 pm

Barjon’s Books celebrates the artwork of emerging artist Clémence Morin. She has a BFA in Fine Arts from USC and grew up in Paris, South Africa, and Singapore. She focuses on feminine imagery and the female experience, both in figurative and abstract ways.


This House of Books
310 N 27th St
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 7 pm and Thursdays until 8 pm

This House of Books hosts the colorful and fluid work of Lynn Shield, during the Holiday ArtWalk All Month Long.


Global Village
2720 3rd Ave N
Live painting demos on Friday, December 4th

Global Village hosts Joey Kiernan’s exhibit “Artist Choice.” Originally from Billings, Joey was an art teacher in Georgia before returning home to become a full-time working artist. On Friday afternoon, December 4, she presents two live painting demonstrations using multiple mediums and different painting methods.

View the Encaustic Demonstration or Watercolor Demonstration event.


Billings First Congregational Church
310 N 27th St
Features an Artist Talk on Friday, December 4th at 7:15 pm

Billings First Church UCC welcomes William Demaniow, who, after twenty-some years in a highly successful music career in New York City, relocated to Billings. He presents an artist talk and live music with “Approaching the Veil: A Retrospective” on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:15 p.m. Demaniow’s art is created with epoxy and acrylics mixed with earth, air, fire, water, metal, and spirit.


Skypoint Loop

Kennedy’s Stained Glass
2923 2nd Ave N
Weekdays from 11 am – 6 pm

Kennedy Stained Glass returns with special Christmas ornaments for your collection. Is it time to start a collection for your new grandchild? Susan promises you will be wowed this year! Check them out during this season’s ArtWalk.

 


Sandstone Gallery
2913 2nd Ave N
Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm and Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm 

Sandstone Gallery is chock full of original, eclectic art pieces, jewelry, and gifts created by talented local artists. You’ll delight in the many gift options offered during Downtown Holly Days on December 4th and 5th until 7 p.m.

 


Stephen Haraden Gallery
2911 2nd Ave N #235

Stephen Haraden Studio and Gallery is your holiday headquarters if you’re one who thinks it’s just not Christmas without a nude painting under the tree. Stephen’s colorful collage paintings of female figures are delightful stocking stuffers as well.

 


Downtown Billings Alliance
116 N 29th St
Monday – Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m

Downtown Billings Alliance presents working artist Maria Isabel Bonilla. Her artwork is strongly influenced by an intense nostalgia for her homeland of Colombia. Some call her style “Tropical Surrealism with a hint of Salsa music.” Isa’s joy creating art exudes from each painting, and many viewers find it mesmerizing.


Stapleton Gallery
104 N Broadway
By appointment

Stapleton Gallery is open by appointment during December. Call Jeremiah Young (690-7602) or Abigail Hornik (917-903-0873) to schedule an appointment. Kindly leave a message with the desired times.


Aspinwall
103 North Broadway

Aspinwall welcomes returning artists Trevan Hiersche, Sean McCotter, and Jessica Brophy to its Downtown Holly Days celebration on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5. Come check out their work during December’s ArtWalk.

 


Skypoint Sculpture
2nd Ave N and N Broadway

There are three public art sculptures installed under Skypoint in downtown Billings at the intersection of  2nd Avenue North and North Broadway.  Each artist lives in Billings.  The sculptures were funded by the Downtown Billings Alliance and “Space to Place” grants from the Big Sky Economic Development Authority. They include:

 

“Grasslands” by Jennifer Tolton
“Thicket” by Sherri Cornett
“Shadow Whisper (brought to you by Incognito]” by Brian Keith


Montana Gallery
2710 2nd Ave N

Montana Gallery features the work of Tyler Murphy, Coila Evans, and other young artists from across the west. Together, they are the “young guns” of the contemporary western art scene. Check out the new, larger gallery space.


Historic Loop

Kirks Grocery
2920 Minnesota Ave
Wednesday – Friday from 3 – 9 pm

Kirks Grocery features two exhibits, including “Renee Audette Retrospective” and the “Winter Group Show, with works by gallery artists Sandy Dvarshkis, Gary Halsten, Terry Karson, Marla Goodman, and Keith Martinez.


Western Heritage Center
2822 Montana Ave
Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm 

The Western Heritage Center features works by early Montana photographer Evelyn Cameron.  The art of “Saint and Sinners” highlights ten Montana women from the last 100 years who defied tradition and social expectations.  “Up in Smoke” features Lucien Smith and the history of Billings firefighters.


Mountain West Gallery
2804 Minnesota Ave
By appointment

Mountain West Gallery, ArtWalk’s newest Season Member, features work by Billings artists Jill Hodges and Clark Hodges through December 2020.  Their respective work ranges from whimsical to abstract. Contact Clark Hodges at 406-690-8278 or via email: clarkhodges145@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.


Harry Koyama Fine Art
2509 Montana Ave
Most weekdays 10 am – 4 pm

Harry’s vibrant impressionist paintings of moose, grizzly bears, cougars have brought him international acclaim. Call Harry (406-259-5561) to make sure the gallery is open at the time of your intended visit.


Toucan Gallery
2505 Montana Ave
Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm

Toucan Gallery features its biennial Postcard Show that includes over 200 pieces of postcard-sized art. Each piece was mailed to Toucan to acknowledge the essential role of the United States Postal Service. The Postcard Show is a nearly three-decades-long tradition at Toucan.


McCormick Cafe
2419 Montana Avenue
Monday – Friday 7 am – 2 pm and Saturday – Sunday 8 am – 2 pm 

McCormick Cafe is pleased to continue showing works by Billings artists Jean Posusta and Justin Dowler.  Known best as the “place where locals eat.”


How to Support Local Businesses During a Pandemic

It is so important for us as a community to step up and support local businesses during this time. The lockdowns are having a huge impact on the local economy and all over the country. It is going to be very difficult for small businesses to get back on their feet without our help.

So, let’s do something good for our city. Let’s order takeout from local restaurants, buy Billings products, buy local meats and veggies, shop from local retailers with e-commerce, buy gift cards, reschedule appointments instead of canceling, leave 5-star reviews, tell your friends and family to shop local, and just say thank you to the local businesses that hold up our community. They need us now more than ever. So let’s rally for them.

Check out these comprehensive lists from the Billings Chamber of Commerce, The Billings Gazette, Billings365.com, and City Lifestyle.

Billings Chamber: Carry-out

Billings Chamber: Retail

Billings Chamber: Retail Attractions

Billings Chamber: Retail Salons

Billings Gazette: Food and Drink

Billings 365: Restaurant and Coffee Shop Options

City Lifestyle: Restaurants

The city has now designated free parking spaces for curbside pickup and takeout orders from downtown businesses.

You can still get a free DBA card when you spend $35+ downtown and show us your receipt. Drop it in our mailbox outside our office with shipping details, email a picture of it to us, message it to us on social, whatever you have to do! Just shop local!