Dry milestone: Michael Purington celebrating sobriety with CD release party

By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

Not a drop of alcohol has dampened the lips of Michael Purington in 16 years, but the stories of the old drunk days never leave his head.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:00 am | Loading…

• Related: Marking sobriety

War’s subtle horrors: Caughey’s ‘Half-Life’ looks at minutiae

By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

Pamela Caughey doesn’t want to terrify you with the horrors of nuclear war.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:15 am | Loading…

Conviser puts Beatitudes to music: ‘One Being Inside All’ is first vocal work

By JOE NICKELL of the Missoulian

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Few phrases from the Bible are as familiar as these words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:00 am | Loading…

Out & About: The week in arts and entertainment

Friday, November 20

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:00 am | Loading…

NICKELL’S BAG: No dance partners in local ballet scene

By JOE NICKELL

The Moscow Ballet owns Nutcracker.com.

Nov 20, 2009 | 6:30 am | Loading…

EATING MISSOULA: Dinner is place to learn about French wine

By LORI GRANNIS

What I know about French wines, you can put in a thimble. It’s why finding drinkable wines in Paris this past summer was the greatest frustration.

Nov 20, 2009 | 6:30 am | Loading…

Song, dance for late greats: Curtain Up! cabaret to commemorate Swayze, Fawcett, Jacko

By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

Lisa Deer cried when Patrick Swayze died earlier this year.

Nov 20, 2009 | 6:30 am | Loading…

• Related: On stage

Student musicians take center stage: Community Music Project to perform at Wilma Theatre

By JOE NICKELL of the Missoulian

A year ago, the Missoula Family YMCA debuted its new community music program, Y Music, with a series of classes aimed at musical neophytes. On Friday night, the program will toot its own horn – literally and figuratively – with a community concert on one of Missoula’s biggest stages…

Nov 20, 2009 | 6:30 am | Loading…

• Related: Wow!

‘Education’ introduces deserving star

By CHRISTY LEMIRE Associated Press

Sixteen-year-old Jenny learns the ways of the world in the coming-of-age drama “An Education,” but there’s a revelation in store for us, as well. We get the pleasure of meeting an exciting young actress who surely deserves to become a star.

Nov 20, 2009 | 6:15 am | Loading…

• Related: Review

Taj Mahal Trio to play Wilma

By the Missoulian

The Taj Mahal Trio will perform live in concert Thursday, Feb. 25, at the Wilma Theatre in Missoula.

Nov 20, 2009 | 6:15 am | Loading…

Starting Friday

 MISSOULA

Nov 20, 2009 | 6:00 am | Loading…

Soundcheck: Live music in western Montana clubs

Friday, November 20

Nov 20, 2009 | 5:00 am | Loading…

Holiday top 25 is tough list to break into

By MARK CARO Chicago Tribune

For the past several years, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has been tracking the radio play of its clients’ holiday songs, and each November the organization announces its 25 most-played list over a five-year period.

Nov 20, 2009 | 5:00 am | Loading…

Missoula high schools putting original spin on classic dramas

By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

If you love traditional, staid, tried-and-true, cookie-cutter theater, it's best to stay away from Hellgate and Sentinel high schools starting next week. At first blush, the theatrical fare seems standard enough: Hellgate has Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the centuries-old saw about youn…

Nov 15, 2009 | 9:00 am | Loading…

• Related: It's showtime at Hellgate, Sentinel

Mass appeal: Hollywood releasing movies of every genre over the holidays

By DAVID GERMAIN Associated Press

Hollywood loves money. So does Ebenezer Scrooge. So what better way to launch the holiday season movie blitz than putting the old money-grubber at the head of the line to separate movie-goers from their cash?

Nov 15, 2009 | 8:00 am | Loading…

• Related: Philip Seymour Hoffman Rocks the Boat

Jazz duo happy to perform after blues

By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

David Morgenroth and Eden Atwood moved back to Missoula about the same time in the late 1990s, both hurting and suffering the musical blues.

Nov 15, 2009 | 5:30 am | Loading…

NICKELL'S BAG: 10 YEARS OF SWYL ON CD; 3 INCHES OF BLOOD AT PALACE

By JOE NICKELL

It’s been 10 years since local band Swyl played its first gig at the now-defunct Jay’s Upstairs, rocking its bizarre blend of syncopated funk, hard rock, and goofball vocals. If the band hasn’t generated the same buzz as some other, shorter-lived bands in that time, blame time itsel…

Nov 15, 2009 | 5:15 am | Loading…

EATING MISSOULA: Sustainable plan to feed world’s hungry breeds interest locally

By LORI GRANNIS

The onslaught of holiday catalogs that fill my mailbox daily is growing exponentially. From clothing, to gadgets, to foodie gift items, the frivolousness of offerings is astounding.

Nov 15, 2009 | 5:15 am | Loading…

Misery loves the holidays: Augusten Burroughs collects his worst experiences

By ALICIA RANCILIO Associated Press

NEW YORK – It’s not uncommon for people to say that their holidays don’t live up to a Norman Rockwell painting, but Augusten Burroughs says his holidays have been “hideous.”

Nov 15, 2009 | 2:00 am | Loading…