Making connections through the power of music.

by Johnny Certo

My stomach migrated up my throat and my hands shook as I sat down with my mandolin. I tried my best to keep up, but I was clearly outclassed. The group — half a dozen toe-tapping musicians with banjos, a stand-up bass, a mandolin, a guitar, and a set of harmonicas — were patient, though, and every Thursday they taught me the ways of the open jams. I learned when to harmonize, how to lead a jam, and how to designate solos. Within a few months I had found a new passion — one that I could not get enough of.  I not only felt connected to the music, but to a group of people whom I barely knew before.

Learning the open jam

Since I moved  to Bozeman, I’ve found several locations around town that provide the same opportunity to jam. One of my favorites, Pub 317,  holds an old-time bluegrass session every Tuesday starting at 7:30 pm.  Playing here is exciting because the elevated stage allows you to see your whole audience from front to back — it’s as if you got hired to do the gig.  This is a popular place and many musicians bring their talent, but that shouldn’t deter you from picking up your 6-string and jumping up on stage. My first time playing here, the enthusiasm of the crowd and the energy of our makeshift band swept aside my nerves and anxiety. A combination of the ambiance of the bar, the jive of the dancers, and the encouragement from my fellow jammers swept through my body and made me feel confident and alive.

Bluegrass jam at 317

Also consider checking out the Eagles Lodge every Wednesday and the last Saturday of the month at 9pm for their open-mic night. Regardless of one’s skill and familiarity with instruments, it’s a great place to practice in front of an exuberant crowd. The stage sits adjacent to a large dance floor often populated by swing-dancing couples. You’ll be amazed at how the simple act of playing music invigorates people (yourself included) and allows them to connect with those who would otherwise remain strangers.

Open mic at the Eagles

The Haufbrau puts on three open-mic nights per week: Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, all at 10pm.  Stop by and sign up for a chance to showcase your talents or just practice in front of a very tolerant crowd. Playing here is an excellent way to make new friends and meet musicians who are just looking for a chance to practice in front of an audience. The bar is  also frequented by local musicians — you may just find yourself playing alongside a hometown favorite.

Haufbrau Jam

So grab a guitar,  banjo, or even a tambourine and find people to play with.  Head downtown in search of an open-mic or gather a few friends on your front porch. Create the music that makes you sing, dance, and forget your cares. Whether it’s a quick session with your roommates between classes, or an extended set with the locals at Pub 317, the music you’ll create will provide an avenue through which the worries and troubles of the outside world are blown away.

Jamming at home

Explaining Bozeman’s playground

by Phil Knight

Why go all the way to Glacier Park for high, rugged mountains when you can get into serious high country less than an hour from your door? Just south of Bozeman lies one of the world’s greatest multisport mountain playgrounds. In Hyalite Canyon and the surrounding peaks, you can pretty much do it all.

This has long been the go-to place for locals seeking their mountain fix. But Hyalite has matured from a place to shoot old televisions, cut firewood, and get your truck stuck to a sophisticated adventure Mecca. Motorized recreation has been scaled back in favor of human-powered pursuits and wildlife conservation. Thanks to effective winter road plowing, what used to be a mess of stuck rigs and frozen ruts is now a fairly easy drive.

You want wildlife, Hyalite’s got it—even wolves and grizzly bears are making a comeback here in the north end of the Gallatin Range. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep skitter across ridge tops, golden eagles ride the thermals, moose lurk in the deep woods, and coyotes cruise for stray poodles.

Though Hyalite is close enough to Bozeman for great day tripping, you can also pitch your tent or park your camper at Langhor, Hood Creek, or Chisholm campgrounds. Or, if you prefer a fully equipped cabin, reserve the Window Rock or Maxey cabins—both accessible by car in the summer or easy approach on showshoe or ski in the winter.

Brim-full early in the summer, the reservoir is a paradise for boaters seeking still water. Stand-up paddleboarders look like lost surfers, families putt along in overloaded outboards bristling with fishing poles and dogs, and couples enjoying evening picnics paddle by canoe or kayak. Hardy scuba divers train in the chilly depths of the snowmelt-fed water and boaters jump ship to take a cool swim—just watch the sunken stumps. There’s great fishing year-round, and in winter, ice fishers set up shop on the frozen tabletop. More remote lakes beckon from the backcountry, offering awesome lakeside camping and fishing.

Palisade Falls

While quality rock is limited in Hyalite, a few crags offer some fine routes for rock jocks. Despite its diminutive size, Practice Rock has variety and challenge enough for days of climbing, and Crocodile Rock offers quieter but more awkward crack climbs. Come winter, the climbing opportunities expand to one of the world’s great ice and mixed-route destinations. From humble WI2 flows like Greensleeves to multi-pitch rock and ice epics like Winter Dance, you can find a lifetime of ice in Hyalite.

Ice Climbing in Hyalite

Hyalite’s trail system is legendary and offers anything from an easy stroll to weeklong expeditions through the heart of a 500,000-acre roadless area. Throw in heaps of spectacular waterfalls, like Grotto, Palisade, and Horsetail, and it’s hard to find more classic hikes. Epic mountain biking also awaits, with favorite rides including History Rock trail into South Cottonwood Canyon, the East Fork trail to Emerald Lake, and the easier West Shore Trail along Hyalite Reservoir.

Skiing through Hyalite just keeps getting better

 Ski-trail grooming has expanded every winter lately, and now there are enough quality Nordic ski trails to keep you coming back every winter weekend. Call the posse and assemble some avalanche gear, and you can ski from a 10,000-foot peak almost any time of year. I’ve skied Blackmore in late June and snowboarded it by full moon in December.

 Grab some buddies and go for a late summer evening paddle. Load the bikes and grind up some steep switchbacks. Sharpen the tools and swing for all you’re worth on a giant popsicle. Clean the gun and don the camo and creep deep into the woods to fill the freezer with a year’s supply of elk. No matter what you’re after, you can probably find it in Hyalite.

A guide to Bozeman’s coffee and tea shops.

by Morgan Solomon

With so many coffee shops in town, it can be overwhelming to decide where to get the drink you’re looking for. Here is a simple guide to get you started.

STRAIGHT-UP BLACK
So, you like your coffee black, cowboy? Do you prefer the kind that’s strong enough to make a horseshoe stand upright and your lips pucker? Perhaps you have a craving for a coffee with hints of cinnamon or chocolate to awaken your taste buds? Stop at Zocalo or International Coffee Traders for a cup-o’-joe to ease the stress of school and perk up the cranium. Both shops offer coffee from all over the world. Roasted in small batches, the warm coffee flavor is preserved for your enjoyment.

Zocalo Coffee

Hot tip: Café M offers a weekly house blend from Ghost Town Coffee Roasters that you can’t get anywhere else.

Author’s choice: Sumatra Tano Batak (nutmeg, toffee, and chocolate brownie) from Zocalo.

SOMETHING SWEET
Craving desert after dinner or a delicious reward for studying hard? Check out the Leaf & Bean for their lattés, mochas and hot chocolates. Don’t forget to glance at the specials board  for their specialty drinks. Need a little spice with your sugar? Wild Joe’s has a unique selection of chai lattés with various proportions of sugar and spice.

It tastes even better than it looks.

Hot tip: If you find yourself at International Coffee Traders try the London Fog. It’s to die for.

Author’s choice: Red Velvet Mocha from the Leaf & Bean.

TEA
Need something that’s less harsh on the pearly whites or  just more of a tea person? Check out Townshend’s Tea Company. No matter what you’re looking for, their assortment of teas will satisfy your taste buds. Need caffeine to keep you awake? Ask for the yerba máte. If you need something to calm the body and soul, try one of the non-caffeinated herbal or apothecary teas.  Need help in the flavor department? Licorice and sarsaparilla are sweeter teas, while black and green teas from China and Japan bear bitter and raw flavors.   Looking for something entirely different? Townshend’s employees will help you find the exact tea to curb your thirst.

Some of the many teas at Townshend’s Tea Company

Hot tip: Wild Joe’s has a good selection of teas too, although not a varied as Townshend’s.

Author’s choice: Sweet Chamomile Mint (herbal) from Townshend’s Tea.

Sweet Chamomile Mint tea

MEAL & COFFEE

While many coffee shops provide pastries and cookies to go with your coffee, sometimes you need a pick-me-up with your midday meal. Sola Café and Rockford Coffee Roasters offer spectacular lunches for a relatively cheap price. Sandwiches, salads and desert are all on the menu with your choice of medium or dark roast coffee.

Hot Tip: Sola also has a special house blend from Ghost Town Coffee Roasters that you can’t get anywhere else.

Author’s Choice: Bolivia Amor Des Dios medium roast (not always available) from Sola.

Coffee Shop Locations:

Café M: 777 East Main
International Coffee Traders: 720 South 10th
Leaf & Bean: 117 East Main
Rockford Coffee Roasters: 628 West Main
Sola Café: 290 West Kagy
Townshend’s Tea Company: 402 East Main
Wild Joe’s: 18 West Main

Returning to the Museum of the Rockies as a college student.

by Maggie Hickman

Growing up in less than a block from the Museum of the Rockies (MoR), I was somewhat of a fixture at this world-class institution. I never got sick of looking at the seemingly endless collection of fossils and artifacts, not to mention the triceratops sculpture that roared when it sensed movement. (Whatever happened to that thing, anyway? It would provide the perfect homey touch to my rundown rental house.) Then I entered middle school, and immediately became too cool to learn about the rich and dynamic history of my state. I was more interested in re-watching The Lizzie McGuire Movie for the umpteenth time than learning about the newest paleontological discovery by Jack Horner. (Fun fact: Jack Horner was the scientific adviser for all three Jurassic Park films.)

“Big Mike”  guards the museum entrance

Recently some free tickets landed in my lap, and I decided it was time to return to MoR after my extended hiatus. To bring things full-circle, I brought my mom. As soon as we parked, I threw open the car door and skipped to the front doors. Yes, it was as if I was a kid again, with my mom following close behind.

Giving the clerk our tickets, I pondered the best placement for my admission sticker, then promptly  peeled off the back and slapped it on my forehead.  My mom rolled her eyes. “Are you going to wear that the whole time? Maybe we should get you a stroller so I can keep track of you, too,” she teased.

Fossils in the Hall of Teeth and Hornes

Wandering into the featured exhibit, “Geckos—Tails to Toepads,”  I immediately found myself captivated, stopping at every display. I read each gecko’s informational blurb in its entirety, and viewed each species from all angles of their glass enclosure. (Fun fact: Many geckos have “disposable” tails that can be released in an attack.  The broken tail wriggles to distract the predator and muscles around the wound quickly seal torn blood vessels while the lizard escapes.)

Day Gecko

Meandering from one gecko species to the next, my mom and I  conversed about evolution and whether or not Charles Darwin had written anything on geckos.  We even tried in vain to explain to one another the complex science of how geckos obtained their colors and camouflage.

It wasn’t all adult talk and pretentious references to On the Origin of Species, however.  At one point I squealed, “Mom! Look!  This one has polka dots!” (Spotted animals are cool at any age.)   It was nearly impossible not to feed off the enthusiasm of the awe-inspired children, who were as psyched about a Native American “metate” (essentially a big rock used for grinding grain and seeds) as they were about the hyperactive gecko making gravity-defying leaps from branch to branch.

Kids and adults enjoy the gecko exhibit

Whether time really does make the heart grow fonder, or my mind had been opened by additional schooling,  I found myself appreciating the  lizards for more than just their pretty colors and their acrobatic ability to hang upside-down on branches. I could now acknowledge the properties and natural processes that create such a unique organism. Chemistry, physics, and evolution—to name a few—all had a part in the gecko’s creation. Wow, Mother Nature is truly impressive.

Some of the many types of gecko scales

Overall, my little jaunt to the Museum of the Rockies was not only a great way to spend an afternoon, it made me realize how I’d taken the place for granted.  How many people can walk across the street and find themselves face-to-face with a fossilized dinosaur rib taller than the average person?  Yep, we’re pretty damn lucky to have MoR in Bozeman, and this time, I won’t forget it.

Leg and rib bones of a Sarapod (Brontosaurus)

“Tails to Toepads” is one of the Museum’s rotating exhibits, and will only be on display until September 7, 2014.  The museum also includes permanent exhibits on dinosaurs, regional and American Indian history, a children’s discovery center about Yellowstone, a living history farm, and the Taylor Planetarium, which features one of the world’s most advanced projection technologies. For more information visit museumoftherockies.org.

Insight into the MSU Convocation Committee’s selection for 2014

by Isaac Lorton

It’s not easy for someone to inspire nearly 3,000 first-year college students. It’s not easy to speak at the MSU Fieldhouse in front of 7,250 people. But, it was easy for the Montana State Convocation Committee to choose this year’s speaker, Shiza Shahid. Shahid, a 24-year-old Stanford graduate and education activist, embodies everything the Convocation Committee desires.

For example, committee chair David Singel explains, “The combination of valor to [defend education] and… someone the same age as the students was really exciting to us.”

During her studies at Stanford, Shahid, a native of Islamabad, began to closely follow Malala Yousafzai. She lived in Mingora, just north of where Shahid grew up. Malala spoke out for formal education of women as many female institutions were destroyed and girls barred from schools. Malala blogged about the oppression under a pseudonym for BBC News and publicly defied the Taliban by protesting the bombings of female schools and the murders of their students.

While on break from Stanford, Shahid arranged a young womens’ conference for 30 girls, including Malala. The covert meeting was to discuss the continued promotion of female education; as a result, the two young women became close friends and remained in contact after the conference ended.

Before they became international activists, they were friends

In 2012, Malala’s school bus was stopped by a Taliban member who asked for Malala by name then shot her in the head. She was flown to England for extensive treatment, where Shahid rushed to her support. Despite her injuries, Malala survived and remained committed to spreading her message of education for all. Shahid immediately began managing the media frenzy while Malala recovered, becoming the co-founder and CEO of the Malala Fund, an international organization that promotes female education. Since then, Shahid has been named on TIME and Forbes magazines’ “30-under-30″ lists, as a young adult making an international impact.

The story of Malala and Shahid will make students and community members think about how important education is and the opportunities MSU students have—and why they shouldn’t take them for granted.

Shiza Shahid will speak on August 25 at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse

“We want [the message to be], ‘Let’s think seriously about education. Let’s think about what you want to be doing here for the next four years,’” Singel said. “We want the students to understand all of the opportunities available to them. [The convocation] will sharpen the focus and deepen the appreciation for education.”

The committee also invited local nonprofit organizations to attend the event to promote MSU students becoming involved in the Bozeman community.

“This is a community event,” Singel said. “It is an event, where we as a university, and as the Bozeman community, are welcoming the students to Bozeman and to MSU.”

The Malala Fund advocates female education and empowerment

Shahid demonstrates the world’s diminishing cultural boundaries as she, a Pakistani female, is the CEO of an international nonprofit.

As Malala said, “Education is neither eastern nor western. Education is education and it’s the right of every human being.”

The 2014 freshman  convocation is a public event and everyone is welcome. It will be held on August 25 at 7:30 pm. For ticket information visit montana.edu/convocation.

How to build your résumé after college.

by Morgan Solomon

After you prop that ridiculous square cap on your head and throw a black robe over your shoulders, reality soon sets in: what now? Instead of hustling to that nine-to-five career, why not wait a while and “experience life”? You may be worried that if you don’t take the first job offer, you’ll go nowhere in life. But that’s not necessarily true—provided you don’t become a permanent couch potato. Here are some ways to build your résumé after college while still having a little fun and freedom.

1.) Get certified. If your outdoor passion offers some kind of certification or qualification course, do it. Becoming a certified fishing guide, raft guide, ski patroller, lifeguard, or first-aid provider will boost your résumé. It shows your employer you’re driven to pursue your goals and earn your dream job. It also offers a fallback occupation should you ever need it.

Get certified as a mountain guide

2.) Intern. Not quite ready for all the responsibilities and time commitment just yet? Feeling underqualified despite your $40k education? You have the knowledge but not the experience, so why not intern somewhere that you could see yourself working.  Having  the skills needed for your future job will set you apart from your peers and make your a more appealing applicant. Employers often don’t look at your 4.0 GPA,  but they do pay attention to your experience.

Click image to learn more

3.)  Give a year. Although you’re not getting paid, volunteering shows you are doing something valuable with your time. It also gives you a wider social network and a greater skillset. Try volunteering for something related to the jobs you may apply for in the future. Do you like to travel and help others? Spend a year serving with an organization like the Peace Corps or Americorps. These programs can provide you with resources, connections, and experience that will bolster your résumé.

4.) Do what you love.  If you love to ski and whitewater kayak, think about taking a seasonal job as a ski patroller or whitewater rafting guide.  Love horses? Work in a stable or at a guest ranch. This option not only offers a fun work environment with other people your age, it will provide you with new life experience. The ability to talk about your passions in relation to recent events makes you more interesting in an interview. Be careful, though—don’t take advantage of your job. Take responsibility for yourself and others. Your supervisor will be more likely to give you that glowing recommendation that makes you a better candidate for a management position.

Try working at a guest ranch

5.) Travel. Experiencing new cultures allows you to gain new perspectives on life and helps you understand new customs and beliefs. Traveling will help you develop your own opinions and ideas, making you a much more innovative and resourceful candidate. It will also make you a more interesting person—every excursion will have a story behind it, whether good or bad.  Use it to your advantage.

Life lessons above Machu Picchu, Peru

6.) Learn a new language.  A full-time job leaves little time for anything extra. Take advantage of the time you have now to enhance your résumé by learning to speak another language. Foreign-language skills open up doors and set you apart from the competition. With the growth in immigration and international business, fluency in another language is an invaluable skill and one you’ll never regret developing.

7.) Meet people. Networking—the first and foremost thing you can do to build your résumé. With today’s job market, it’s all about who you know. Employers often use recommendations to tip the scales when assessing applicants with similar qualifications. Attend social functions, join professional groups, and make a point of chatting people up when you see them around town. Yes, it can be intimidating to talk to people with experience—get over it and start a conversation.  This includes former professors and employers. Their recommendations may be the deciding factor on whether you get the job.

Four decades of Shakespeare in the Parks

by Felicia Hamilton

The smell of green grass drifts to my nose as I place our blanket on the ground, still moist from recent rainfall. Families and friends chat and laugh and the rustle of the breeze in the trees make for a relaxing background to our picnic. As we eat, I wave to friends and acquaintances who share our excitement for the upcoming show. As showtime draws closer, everybody glances to the stage more frequently. Finally, an actor strides to the center of the stage to begin the performance. The bustle of the audience dissipates as he extends his arms in greeting and readies himself to introduce one of the most famous plays of all time, Romeo and Juliet. I nudge my friend in excitement–I’ve been waiting for this play all week.

The play begins

This is Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP), one of the state’s most anticipated summer events. The premier each season is in Bozeman and spreads to other towns across the state. This year the company has lived up to the expectations of passionate performances and audience engagement with their productions of As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet.

An uproarious comedy, As You Like It will have you laughing the entire time. You’ll hear familiar phrases like, “All the world’s a stage,” in their original context. Everybody knows the story of Romeo and Juliet and has seen some adaptation of it, but this is the original, complete with audience interaction. Don’t be surprised if a character suddenly delivers lines behind or directly to you.

Shakespeare in the Parks performs in Montana and the neighboring states of Idaho, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. The purpose of this MSU outreach program is to make “quality, live theatrical productions of Shakespeare and other classics accessible to communities… with an emphasis on underserved, rural areas who would not otherwise have this opportunity.”  In other words, MSIP offers country folk the privilege of quality live theater. The performances are professionally produced by a small permanent staff supplemented by seasonal employees of the College of Arts & Architecture.

The program has seen immense growth over its 42 years. Founded in 1973 by Dr. Bruce Jacobsen, Shakespeare in the Parks has performed over 2,250 times and was awarded the Montana Governor’s Award for the Arts—the highest honor for an arts organization in the state. The troupe has also been featured in the New York Times and on an NBC Nightly News special feature. Another interesting number: $700,000. That is the current annual budget for the program, nearly 50 times larger than the first annual budget, and donations are always accepted.

Shakespeare’s plays may be old, but they’re still accessible for today’s audience

But the parks are not the only place these thespians perform. The program Shakespeare in the Schools and Montana Shakes offer productions of Shakespeare plays with workshops in schools. These events introduce and increase appreciation for Shakespeare’s works in a way that is understandable and engaging to children. Shakespeare in the Schools tends to focus on engaging middle and high-school students while Montana Shakes focuses on appealing to elementary-school children.

I have always preferred Shakespeare’s comedies, and As You Like It typifies how true comedy can transcend time and place. MSIP set this year’s play in turn-of-the-century Butte; it’s the story of young love, confused identities, and family relations – with a generous helping of the Bard’s signature puns, jokes, and innuendos. The performers fully embrace their characters and in the process imbue them with life. The day that I went to see As You Like It was a perfect day as the threat of rain did not come to fruition. But be aware, this is outdoor theater and the weather will affect your experience.

As You Like It is set in 1917 Butte.

This became very clear during my endeavor to see the second production, Romeo and Juliet . We did get to see a portion of the play—up to the famous balcony scene (“Wherefore art thou, Romeo…”). But the roiling mass of unfriendliness that were the clouds overhead, lived up to their threats and the rain came down. There were many who had every intention of sticking it out and seeing the entire play from beneath umbrellas or tarps, but swordfight scenes are dangerous on wet stages so the performance was cancelled early. Those willing to stick it out – myself included – would have stayed despite the rain, because Shakespeare in the Parks is worth it. These performances make the old language accessible to today’s audiences through meticulous  reflection of the director and actors on the meaning of every line. The classic stories become not only tangible; they become engaging because of their universality and are not to be missed.

The Capulets and Montagues just don’t get along

This year’s productions of As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet are scheduled to be in Bozeman again during the Sweet Pea Festival on August 1 and 3. To see the group’s entire tour schedule, check out shakespeareintheparks.org/schedule. php.

A weekend of hiking, biking, and friends in Bozeman.

by Tyler Gobin

It’s an energy that’s inexpressible. It’s filling tip jars and trailheads, it’s revealing bike paths and bombarding the breweries. It’s spring in Montana.

When Bozemanites are asked about their favorite season, most will say winter or summer, and unfortunately spring gets forgotten. It’s no surprise: winter has its powder, and summer, its absence of school. But spring is what fuels the summer fun – there’s a certain energy released after winter casts its last spell.

That energy gives people more choices of what to do, and when to do it. Those unwilling to give up winter can hike up and get in a few more turns on the Bridgers, Beartooths, or Gallatin ranges. Those who prefer to cross-train on bike can tour their way around the valley and get into the mountain trails. The amount of activities to pursue multiplies with the time to do them.

In spring, the sun graciously hangs in the sky longer each day so we may enjoy time outside at our favorite bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. Live music fills the streets and the population is back to a sustainable level as college students leave and give us room to breathe. The sun is spring’s best friend and either one would not be complete without the other. It motivates people who hid during the winter to get back outside and enjoy the adventures to be had. There’s much to say about spring in Montana, but even more to live.

Last weekend exemplified this unique spring spirit. It was filled with wilderness adventure and social activities right on Main Street. The outdoors highlight was a trek to the top of Mount Baldy, high in the Bridgers above town. Baldy offers incredible views of the Beartooths, Crazies, and Gallatin mountains. It was straight up as I climbed to the ridge where the trail continued over multiple faux peaks and ended with one last push up an open, steep slope of scree. The hike up was a thigh burner, lasting an hour and a half and gaining more than 4,000 feet of elevation from the “M” trailhead, but the reward at the top was phenomenal. I was lucky enough to enjoy the scenery from the summit on a bluebird day. It consistently amazes me how isolated I can feel while still being so close to Bozeman – and given the hunger you’ll feel after such a hike, the short drive back is nice.

A view from the top of Mount Baldy

On Saturday night I joined some friends at  a new Indian restaurant called Saffron Table. The tiny eatery is wedged between the Roost and the Round House on W. Main. It has a small bar, small menus, and what will become a small garden, but big atmosphere. We dined, drank, and laughed our way through the evening with our friendly waitress; the owner of the establishment even joined the fun. Bozeman needed some Middle Eastern cuisine on its plate and Saffron Table delivers with authentic flavors, colors, and textures.

There are a lot of things to do in the Gallatin Valley regardless of the time of year, but no season gives you the options that spring does. Whether you’re an outdoors addict, music buff, or foodie, spring’s inimitable bounty contributes to each and every aspect of life in Bozeman – so don’t wait for the temperature to max out. Instead, get out there and make the most of Bozeman’s best season.