The Jake Five: What a lovely Memorial Day (2024)

Get your warboys and your silver spray paint ready for this weekend and head to "Furiosa" (and do some other things if you have time in between showings).

Living, dying and living again at the Babco*ck and Art House

No second run movies at the Babco*ck this week. "Oh no," you say. "What is happening at Billings' best movie palace," you cry. Well worry not. For the next two weeks the theater is showing "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," the movie event of the year in a year that has already featured a $700 million "Dune" sequel and a movie where Zendaya has a threesome. The prequel to 2015's "Mad Max: Fury Road" brings back Imperator Furiosa (played by Anya Taylor-Joy in this go-around) and Immortan Joe are back, it's yet to be seen whether we'll also get the return of fan favorites like Toast the Knowing, the Doof Warrior the Bullet Farmer or, of course, the beloved standout Cheedo the Fragile. Following up the signature action movie of the 21st century is a risky move, but if anyone can pull it off, it's George Miller. Get showtimes and tickets at arthousebillings.com/showtimes.

Down at Art House they're still showing "If" and new this week is "I Saw the TV Glow," Jane Schoenbrun's very buzzy A24 horror movie and "Evil Does Not Exist," Ryūsuke Hamaguchi's follow up to the Oscar darling "Drive My Car." Showtimes and tickets? Well you already know they're atarthousebillings.com/showtimes.

'Silly Hats ONLY!' at Ryniker-Morrison Gallery

How can you resist with a name like that? "Silly Hats ONLY!" is an art exhibition and fundraising event put on by Billings West High's art students at the Ryniker-Morrison Gallery at Rocky Mountain College on Friday, May 24. The exhibition features 20 different hats, ranging from elevated cowboy hats to wearable structures that stretch the bounds of what headware can be. They're teasing "macabre" hats, so it's worth heading out just to find out what that could mean. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Friday, and there's a reception from 5-7 p.m.

Native Heritage Day at Pompeys Pillar

You ideally want to spend some part of Memorial Day weekend outside, reminding yourself how happy you are that winter is finally over. Fulfill that on Saturday, May 25 by heading down I-94 for a half hour or so and visiting Pompeys Pillar for their Native Heritage Day. The giant sandstone rock is best known for being named by Captain William Clark in 1806 (he liked it so much he left his name on it) but it was known by Indigenous Americans for eons before white guys ever showed up. Learn more about that with a jam packed day of activities featuring teepees from the Pretty Shield Foundation, Buck Hitswithastick presenting on Indigenous arts and tradition, Franco Littlelight sharing the history of the Crow people and other educational exhibits. Plus, Mama Joan's food truck will be serving Indian tacos and frybread. Festivities start at 9 a.m. and go until 4 p.m.

Jenny Don't and the Spurs at the Pub Station

One of the best, jangliest and most traditional country bands on the scene today come from exactly where you'd expect: Portland, Oregon. That dichotomy makes sense for Jenny Don't and the Spurs who combine steel guitar, Nudie suits and punk rock aesthetics. They haven't been to Billings since they nearly stole the show from Charley Crockett at the 406 Events Lawn back in 2021, but they're returning here on Saturday, May 25 for a show at the Pub Station at 8 p.m. $15 tickets are at thepubstation.com.

B.A.R.K. Family Fun Day at Oscar's Park

This Memorial Day, have some fun and support a great cause at Billings Animal Rescue Kare's (adorably, they go by B.A.R.K.) Family Fun Day, which is happening on Monday, May 27 at Oscar's Park (3746 Wise Ln.) from 1-6 p.m. There will be games for pets and humans, a dog agility course and food and drink for sale. It's $20 for adults, and kids and pets get in for free. All proceeds are going to the dogs and cats in B.A.R.K. care.

Jessica Ruhle 'In Conversation' at Toucan Gallery

It's one of the biggest weeks of the year, so why not add one more even to the schedule? Toucan Gallery, who recently moved to 1002 2nd Ave. N., are resuming their "In Conversation" lecture series on Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. The guest for this iteration, which is Toucan's first since the pandemic, will feature the Yellowstone Art Museum's executive director Jessica Ruhle.

Honorable mentions

Yellowstone Repertory Theatre are closing "The Book of Will" with shows on May 24 and 25, both at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 ($15 for students) atyellowstonerep.org.

Yes, they're another tribute band, but you've got to hand it to Wink 183: A Tribute to Blink 182 for coming up with a clever name. They're at the Pub Station on Friday, May 24 at 8 p.m. $15 tickets are at thepubstation.com.

Locals Rip Sickly and touring band Skelecore are at Kirks' Grocery on Friday at 7 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

This show isn't happening until 10 p.m., but don't worry about sleeping through it — the volume should be more than enough to keep you up. At Kirks' On Friday expect sets from Help Me, Helpless, Eunuchproxy and Maraud. And then the lineup just says "and friends" so who knows who that could be. It'll cost you $10 ($12 at the door) to find out!

Cimarron Band are at the Heights VFW on Friday from 6-10 p.m. and Sunday from 2-6 p.m.

Check out of a pair of folky singer songwriters at Kirks' on Saturday, May 25 with sets from Alameda Bradshaw and Quinlan Valdez. Tunes start at 7 p.m., tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

Rock out on Saturday night with Pressureknot, Lethal Aid and Mopsketo, all playing at Thirsty Street starting at 7 p.m. $5 cover, kids 15 and under get in free.