Rendering of the KettleHouse Amphitheater near Missoula, Mont.
A new 4,000-capacity amphitheater is slated to open near Missoula, Mont., next May, giving entertainment goers, producers and musicians another venue to enjoy.
“There’s a huge need for an outside venue (in Montana). There’s really not a lot of permanent outdoor venues that are exclusively set up for outside entertainment,” said Nick Checota, owner and entertainment buyer for Logjam Presents, which is a company that promotes and manages two venues in Missoula — The Wilma and Top Hat Lounge.
Logjam will construct and operate the new KettleHouse Amphitheater, which is being built along the Black Foot River in Bonner, Mont., which is roughly seven miles from Missoula. The location is a former lumber mill site that closed several years ago and has since been cleaned up.
“It’s a beautiful site,” Checota said.
The venue will have 1,050 reserved seats, a 600-person standing pit and 2,350 general admission lawn seating that will look onto a stage with a flowing river and Montana mountains in the background.
The Black Foot River offers a bit of nostalgia for movie lovers. It’s where the picture “A River Runs Through It” was filmed, Checota highlighted.
“The location is a lovely spot and will be made lovelier by the amphitheater,” said Missoula Mayor John Engen.
The amphitheater is being built next to, and in partnership with, the KettleHouse Brewery that opened last spring. Brewery owners Tim O’Leary and his wife Suzy Rizza own the land where the amphitheater is being built. Logjam Presents has a 20-year land lease agreement with the couple.
KettleHouse Amphitheater will, of course, carry craft beer from KettleHouse Brewing.
“The new KettleHouse Amphitheater will enhance the KettleHouse Brewing brand and extend our commitment to creating a unique Montana experience that celebrates the combination of great craft beer with the amazing natural resources of our state,” O’Leary said in a statement.
Because of the wintery weather in Montana, the amphitheater will only be open for four months out of the year, during the spring and summer.
No big acts are booked yet for next year, but Checota has been working with various artists for the grand opening show that will most likely take place in June, he said.
Checota is no amateur at booking talent for his two Missoula venues, The Wilma and Top Hat Lounge.
“The market is behaving like a market that is much bigger. Very few markets the size of Missoula are bringing in the level of acts and talent we’re bringing in,” he said. “In October alone, we did 20 shows in 30 days with an average of 84 percent attendance with many of them selling out.”
Slayer and special guest Anthrax played together at the Wilma Theatre Oct. 13, and Sturgill Simpson performed there Nov. 8. The Wilma is among Venues Today’s Year-End Top Stops with capacities of 2,000 or less.
“Sturgill sold out in 8 minutes,” Checota said.
Other acts that travel through are underplays and love Missoula because it’s a stop between the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains, he said.
“Many acts are coming off of Red Rocks,” Checota said.
Oftentimes, people will drive 100 miles to see a show in Missoula, and Checota said it will be no different with the amphitheater in Bonner, adding yet another economic boost for Missoula.
“The beauty of what Nick is doing is capitalizing on a music scene that has been ripening overtime,” Engen said. “It’s really blossomed. A lot of that has to do with Nick’s business savvy, his appreciation for the community itself, and the fact that he’s put together these really fantastic venues.”
Missoula’s hospitality business is sure to profit from KettleHouse Amphitheater that will have 1,500 stalls for parking on site and six shuttle buses taking customers to and from downtown.
“Missoula is Montana’s music city, and as these venues continue to improve themselves, I think word will get out that if you want to see a beautiful city and play beautiful music, Missoula is the place to be,” Engen said.
Interviewed for this story: John Engen, (406) 552-6003; Nick Checota, (406) 544-7440