This Week in Entertainment: February 13th thru February 19th

Thursday, February 13th
Mike Murray Duo at the Top Hat

Montana Singer/Songwriter, Mike Murray, released his 4th studio album, Difficult Days, on March 2nd and 3rd, 2018 to consecutive sold-out audiences at the LaSalle Grange Theatre. Difficult Days was included on the 2019 Grammy nomination consideration list under best Rock album. 3 years and 500 shows prior, he released his third studio album, Tumbleweed (June 2015). Tumbleweed was rated as the best local album of 2015 in this article by Kalispell, MT- based newspaper, The Daily Interlake. Several of the songs from the album earned him first place at the Northwest Artist Syndicate’s Singer/Songwriter showdown.

Some of Murray’s additional highlights include performances at SXSW (Austin, TX), Under The Big Sky Festival (Whitefish, MT), Red Ants Pants Music Festival (White Sulphur Springs, MT), The Crown Guitar Festival (Bigfork, MT), Live From The Divide (Bozeman, MT), Mission Valley Live, local and regional radio play, and a feature on MTPR’s “Musician’s Spotlight.”

Thursday, February 13th & Friday February 14th
Bone Thugs N Harmony at the Rialt0 & Wilma

Formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1991, the group consisted of Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone. They were signed by Eazy-E to Ruthless Records in late 1993 and released their debut EP Creepin on ah Come Up, which included the hit single “Thuggish Ruggish Bone.”

In 1995, they released their second album, E. 1999 Eternal, which included hits “1st of tha Month” and “Tha Crossroads.” The latter, which was a tribute to Eazy- E, won a Grammy award in 1997  for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Bone Thugs is the only group that has worked with deceased artists 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Eazy-E & Big Pun while they were still alive. About.com ranked them #12 on their list of the “25 Best Rap Groups of All Time”, and MTV called them “the most melodic hip-hop group of all time.”

Friday, February 14th
Funky Disco Soul at the Top Hat

Come to the Top Hat for a A Vinyl Valentines edition of Funky, Disco, Soul –the newest local Missoula concert series with music mixed entirely on vinyl records with a live horn section. A Soul, Funk & Disco lover at heart, Missoula’s Mark Myriad has been collecting records most of his life. Constantly searching for the smoothest and crunchiest grooves, he has amassed a cultivated collection that is itching to be unleashed on the people.

Joined by a rotating cast of his exceedingly talented friends, Myriad is ready to bring you a night of the hottest Soul, Funk & Disco music curated for your dancing pleasure. Mixed entirely on vinyl records and featuring a live horn section, live band, MCs, B-Boys and more, don’t miss out on the chance to funkifize your soul with Mark Myriad & Friends!

Friday, February 14th & Saturday, February 15th
Kitchen Dwellers at the Rialto

The Dwellers have been a staple of the Montana bluegrass scene since their inception in 2010 — carving out their own space through their unique style dubbed “Galaxy Grass.” They’ve been headlining venues across the state for years and are now a nationally touring and headlining act.

They’ve hit notable venues and festivals like The Brooklyn Bowl, The Fox Theatre, Delfest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Northwest String Summit, and The Frendly Gathering. They’ve shared the stage with acts such as Railroad Earth, Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters and Twiddle. October 2019 saw them release their latest album, Muir Maid. Learn more about the band and read the Q&A they just did with Logjam here.

Saturday, February 15th
Yola at the Top Hat

Born as Yolanda Quartey, Yola put out her first album Orphan Offering in 2016. This year she released her critically acclaimed album Walk Through Fire. AllMusic called the album “an extraordinary record, one designed to be part of a grand musical tradition, and it contains enough emotion and imagination to earn its place within that lineage.” The Wall Street Journal said, “The album is an introduction to a seasoned, major vocalist that stands to be remembered as a breakthrough.”

Yola was also nominated for an impressive four Grammy Awards in 2019, including Best New Artist, Best American Roots Performance, Best American Roots Song, and Best Americana Album.

Saturday, February 15th
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival at the Wilma

The 17th Annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival will return to the Wilma, Feb. 15th-23rd, with a diverse selection of films being shown in the historic theater. The Festival will officially kick things off on Feb. 14th at the ZACC and films will also be shown throughout the week at the Elks Lodge and Roxy. The Wilma will host films starting at 1pm on Saturday, Feb. 15th with a block of short films including several that are making their Montana and even World premieres.

The Festival’s impressive catalog includes over 150 films from filmmakers around the world and of course includes a plethora of Montana made films! Showings at the Wilma can be found below and the full festival listings can be found here.

Sunday, February 16th
Atmosphere at the Wilma

Sean Daley and Anthony Davis, better known as Slug and Ant, are the two halves that make up Atmosphere and are also the co-founders of Rhymesayers Entertainment, a prominent independent hip hop label. Starting at 1997’s Overcast, the group’s first official album, and traveling through 18 years of new albums, side projects (e.g. the Sad Clown series and Felt), and various collaborations, all the way up until 2018’s Mi Vida Local album, Atmosphere’s unique brand of hip hop has evolved in a way that differs from many of their peers and predecessors. Their passion and creative spark are as illuminate as ever. The Minneapolis-based duo still have plenty of stories to tell.

A few years back, when Atmosphere was in Missoula, Slug walked out to the large line of people anxiously waiting to get into the Wilma. He spent several minutes walking up and down the line greeting his fans. Last year, Ant was taking selfies with fans in the crowd. Those moments are a testament to the type of guys they are. Men of the people.

Sunday, February 16th
The Sunday Nightcap at the Wilma

Friday fun and Saturday shenanigans are over, you say? It’s Sunday and time to settle down? Think again! Come join the Cigarette Girls Burlesque for one last taste of weekend delight before Monday morning pulls you down! Our beautiful performers will dazzle and delight you, along with special guest performances from your favorites in local music, comedy, and drag. With only a $5 cover and a show time even your mother would approve of, you can laugh, sigh, ooh, and ahh, while still making it to bed at a decent hour. (Plus, it’ll give you something to daydream and reminisce about during the work week!)

8:00 PM | All Ages |  Tickets & More Info

Wednesday, February 19th
The Missoula Jazz Collective at the Top Hat