SUPERIOR – The changing of the seasons was celebrated last week as the New Big Sky Singers performed during the Mineral County Performing Arts Council’s Spring Gala.

The group performed folk songs, bluegrass style music and even a barbershop quartet number. While most of the songs were played on guitars and bass, the show included a wide variety of musical styles.

The atmosphere of the evening was kept light as the band joked with each other and the audience between songs. In the introduction to one song, they featured an impersonation of Senator Baucus. Some of the songs also added extra entertainment with funny lyrics, acting out characters in a song and one number incorporating animal sounds.

According to Jim Goss, treasurer of MCPAC, several people approached him after the performance to say how impressed they were with the event.

Goss said the band was equally impressed with the community. According to Goss, there were approximately 125 people at the performance, making it one of the most well attended galas in MCPAC’s history.

“I think [the band was] surprised that such small communities in this county resulted in such a healthy turnout,” Goss said.

When people go to the gala as their only MCPAC performance, Goss tries to encourage them to come to the other MCPAC events too.

“Many times a spouse will drag their husband or wife to this and it turns out that both have a positive experience,” Goss said.

As the only MCPAC event with charged admission, the gala took extra coordination. According to Goss, only 10 tickets were not sold from the ones printed. Because many people called ahead, preferring to pay at the door, the group had to set up a ‘will call’ list to make sure everyone could get their tickets.

“I believe that 150 were printed, leaving 140 sold,” Goss said. “But there were some people who did not make it for whatever reason.”

Concessions for the event were different from what is normally featured at MCPAC performances. A selection of meatballs, cheese slices, salami and vegetables with dressing provided what Goss described as a more high-class dining experience. The small meal was accompanied by a selection of cookies, cakes and brownies normally featured for dessert.

The New Big Sky Singers are based in Missoula and have a strong connection to the Mineral County community. Gary Funk, one member of the band, is the father of Angela Billadeau, the daughter-in-law of MCPAC’s president, Carol Billadeau. The group’s bassist, Pete Hand, has performed in the area in the past as part of a Dixieland band for the annual concert in August. He is expected to play again this year for Mineral County’s centennial celebration.

While a specific date has not been decided, the next MCPAC performance will be in late April or early May. The Piatigorsky Foundation will perform a classical music program. There will then be a break until August 3, when MCPAC will join in to celebrate the county’s centennial with a Dixieland band. The final performance of the season will be on August 14 where As You Like It will be performed at the Mineral County Fairgrounds for Shakespeare in the Park.

More information on the season and future MCPAC events can be found on their new website mineralcountyperformingartscouncil.org.