Golden WestFest: Billings Cultural Partners (BCP) celebrates western influence on arts and culture showcasing Billings' cultural community and rich western heritage. Golden WestFest is a month-long series of activities taking place October 1-30, 2007, at various venues throughout Billings. The festival combines the unique presentation, performance, and exhibit qualities of the 23 Cultural Partner members in a series of western-themed cultural arts performances/exhibits and historic exhibits/activities. Key presenting partners to date include the Yellowstone Art Museum, Western Heritage Center, Billings Symphony Orchestra, Rimrock Opera Company, YMCA Writer's Voice, Parmly Billings Library, MSU-Billings, Moss Mansion, Yellowstone Public Radio, Metrapark and Yellowstone Chamber Players.

Golden WestFest concludes with Rimrock Opera's performance of Puccini's 'Girl of the Golden West.' For complete information GoldenWest Fest theme-oriented events in Billings see: www.billingschamber.com or www.downtownbillings.com

Billings Events include:

September 1, 2007-October 31, 2007
Yellowstone Art Museum
Art inspired by the Gold Rush Era and an ongoing Exhibition entitled A WESTERN ICON: The Stories & Illustrations of Will James and Bronzes by his Friend Charles M. Russell.
Contact:
Renee Giovando, Marketing Manager
Yellowstone Art Museum
406-256-6804, ext 224
rgiovando@artmuseum.org, or artinfo@artmuseum.org


October 5, 2007
Billings Artwalk - over 30 galleries participating in the Art Walk for the GoldenWest Fest.
Contact:
Sally McIntosh, President Artwalk Downtown Billings
2507 Montana Ave
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 252-2010


October 7, 2007
Yellowstone Chamber Players present A Woodwind Quartet 'The Girls of the Golden Westfest' (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon)
Contact:
Mary LaMonaca
406-248-2832
Email musician@yellowstonechamberplayers.org


October 11, 2007
6:30 - 7:30 pm at the Western Heritage Center

'Harry Alonzo Longabaugh, the Sundance Kid in Montana' Speaker: Dan Thyer, Living History Coordinator for the Montana Heritage Commission.
Contact:
Susan Austin
Western Heritage Center
2822 Montana Ave.
Billings MT 59101
phone: (406) 256-6809, ext. 130
e-mail: susan@ywhc.org


October 13, 2007
7:30 p.m.(Concert cues at 6:45 p.m. with Marvin Granger)

The Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale Present 'The Glory and The Grandeur' Alberta Bair Theater
Contact:
Anne Harrigan, conductor
Myths and legends of the American West
Aaron Copland's Pulitzer Prize Winning Appalachian Spring with a photographic journey of Montana via projected images of nationally renowned photographer, Michael Sample.

October 13, 2007 - October 17, 2007
Metrapark
NILE : Northern International Livestock Expo and the largest Pro Rodeo in Montana. The NILE Horse Extravaganza features world renowned clinicians, Gold Buckle Horse Sales, Cutting, Reining, a Ranch Horse Competition, and a Ranch Rodeo. Other events include three trade shows, youth agriculture education programs, and 4-H and FFA Competitions.
Contact:
Justin Mills 256-2495


October 16, 2007 - October 20, 2007
YMCA Writer's Voice Parmly Billings Library

October 18-20, 2007
Cultural Partners have chosen as the theme of our 5th Annual BookFest 'The Spirit of Women' a celebration of contemporary women writers.
Contact:
Corby Skinner,
YMCA Writer's Voice
402 North 32nd
Billings, Montana 59101 or email to Corby@skinnerbenoit.com  

October 20, 2007 Saturday
8 PM Rimrock Opera presents "Opera on the Avenue -- Auction of Arias" at
 McCormick Café
2419 Montana Ave.
Billings, MT
contact
Call  671-2214 or email info@rimrockopera.org to reserve. 
  The fundraiser gives guests the opportunity for guests bid on an opera aria, duet, ensemble or chorus from the "Menu of Arias." The winning bidders' choices are performed, comprising a diverse program of entertainment. Singers include the Stars of Puccini's "The Girl of the Golden West."

October 24, 2007
Yellowstone Public Radio
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101-0298
406.657.2941 toll free 800.441.2941
http://www.yellowstonepublicradio.org
Chrystie the Wordsmith
Western Words
Live broadcast on YPR


October 26, 2007 and October 28, 2007
Rimrock Opera presents Puccini's 'The Girl of the Golden West' Miners! Forty-niners! Highwaymen and heroines! The soaring melodies of Giacomo Puccini are set in the most exciting moments of the days of California Gold Fever. Sungin Italian with English supertitles
Alberta Bair Theater
For Tickets call Alberta Bair Theater 406-256-6052
Contact:
Rimrock Opera
P.O. Box 11
Billings MT 59103
671-2214 or email info@rimrockopera.org www.rimrockopera.org

October 27, 2007
Moss Mansion
Joyce Mayer E.D.
914 Division Street
Billings, Montana 59101-1921
256-5100
Golden WestFest Murder Mystery
Step into history at the Moss Mansion Historic House Museum. The Museum captures early turn-of-the-century life as the Preston Boyd Moss family lived it. Visitors see original draperies, fixtures, furniture, Persian carpets and artifacts displayed in the 1903 red sandstone structure.

Saturday, December 8, 2007, 7:00 PM

ROCK Holiday Concert,
at Skyview High School, showcasing all three children’s choirs



Sunday, December 9, 2007

Rimrock Opera Holiday Concert at Laurel Ford, Laurel
Includes ROCK Bel Canto Choir
Two shows: 1:00 and 3:00 PM



Saturday, March 8, 2008

Rimrock Opera presents OperaFest Dinner, Silent Auction and Show

Indulge in the magnificence and splendor of fabulous arias and ensembles from remarkable operas and other musical masterworks.

Yellowstone Country Club

Call 671-2214 or e-mail info@rimrockopera.org to reserve