There’s nothing like a little tropical marimba music to warm the soul in the middle of a Northwest Montana winter.
Barbara Calm, one of the roughly 10 members of the local favorite Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble, said their unique music offers people a pleasant escape from the slushy or frozen landscape waiting outside.
“We play happy dance music,” Calm said. “People can sit and listen to us and that’s fine, but you always see them moving.”
During a practice session last week, the band members rotated around several marimbas under multi-colored Christmas lights. The band, playing together in one way or another for nearly 30 years, laughed and chatted as they bounced around between instruments.
The handmade wooden marimbas are simple enough, but the songs are catchy and quick and it’s obvious this band has fun, with or without an audience. However, on New Year’s Eve, they are planning on playing for a big crowd when they ring in 2010 at the Red Lion Hotel ballroom.
The Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble will be one of 36 acts performing at 15 venues during the annual First Night Flathead celebration. Most of the shows will take place in Kalispell, but there will be several in Columbia Falls as well.
There should be a musical act to fit just about everyone’s preferences, said event coordinator Patrice Manget.
“That’s always what First Night is about,” Manget said.
It’s the only time of year in Kalispell when local punk bands help ward off the chill with classical musicians and residents can sing “Auld Lang Syne” with background music provided by bagpipers.
This year’s line up includes many local favorites, such as André Floyd & Mood Iguana and guitarist Bill Rossiter. There are solo acts, such as young composer and pianist Demaris Gemmer and guitarist Craig Wickham, as well as duos, trios and quartets.
Some of the larger groups include the Scottish bagpipers of the Montana Highlanders Pipe Band and the all-female singing group Off the Record. There will be jazz and rock bands as well.
Participants will need an official First Night button to get into the events, Manget said, which cost $12 before the event and $15 at the door. These buttons can be purchased all over the valley. To see a full listing of locations, visit www.firstnightflathead.org.
The music officially begins at 7 p.m., but there will be plenty of free activities starting earlier in the day for families and children, Manget said. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., kids can design and create New Year’s hats at Kalispell Center Mall with all materials provided.
There will also be complimentary face painting in the Red Lion Hotel ballroom, free pony rides and a First Night parade around the mall at 4:30 p.m. led by Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Glacier National Park Fund’s mascot Billy Bowman.
Adult participants can expect some fun activities as well. Throughout the night there will be opportunities to buy split-the-pot raffle tickets, with a ticket drawing at the Red Lion toward the end of the night.
“One lucky winner is going to win what we hope is big cash,” Manget said.
Six Shooters Photography will also have a booth set up to take souvenir old-fashioned photos with a Glacier Park theme to help commemorate the centennial celebration coming up next year, Manget said.
Most of the music will be finished by 10:45 p.m., but the Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble will play into the new year while participants watch the ball drop in Times Sqaure at the Red Lion. In Columbia Falls, Glacier Discovery Square will host The Moriva/Fletcher Band until André Floyd & Mood Iguana takes over at 9 p.m. through midnight.
Manget said the celebration would not be possible without the vital help from volunteers and the community participation every year.
“I am delighted to be able to bring this community New Year’s Eve celebration one more time to the Flathead Valley,” Manget said. “It’s a wonderful way for the community to get together and look forward to the new year.”
As for the marimba players, they are excited to see familiar faces in the Dec. 31 crowd and to help bring some joy and fun to people in the Flathead.
“I am so glad First Night Flathead is here,” Calm said. “It’s inexpensive, it’s great for families. I’m proud of it.”
For more a full schedule of events and locations and ticket information, visit www.firstnightflathead.org.