A Little Background
Founded by poets, painters, musicians, and philanthropists Peter and Cathy Halstead, Tippet Rise has been open for only two seasons. The Halsteads developed this unique vision for such a venue, but spent years searching out the perfect location. They’d looked in Colorado, Washington, and throughout Montana, before finding this locale outside tiny (population 500+) Fishtail. Once the perfect spot was settled on and several ranches were stitched together to create this much acreage, it took another six years of development.
Taking a Tour
We’ve been to Tippet Rise three times, and were fortunate to have taken the very first tour on opening day, June 17, 2016. The excitement of the opening was intoxicating, as we stepped into the solar-powered electric tour vans, and took off into the lush spring landscape of rolling valleys, rugged canyons, entertained by the high-altitude circling of chortling sandhill cranes, a jagged skyline, and verdant grasses making a slow-motion poetry of dance in the gentle breezes.
Experiencing a Concert
Tippet Rise brings in world class musicians for chamber concerts on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the summer months. Performances take place in the Olivier Music Barn—a beautiful building that seats 150. The space is stunning with its soaring wooden walls, gently-tiered risers with canvas captain’s chairs, and a full-length window that looks out into the rolling hills and mountains. Musicians perform on a stage in front of this window, and the feeling is that nature has been invited to the performance, too. On every other seat is the gift of the program, a pound and a half book that outlines the background of Tippet Rise, along with notes, interviews, poetry, photography, and wonderment.
A Gift to the Universe. Really.
On our first tour, we overheard someone say, “I can’t fathom this kind of generosity. They spend millions and millions and give it all back to us.” I think of what the Halsteads have done in creating this space to share the things they love—music, sculpture, poetry, and nature—with the rest of us, and I am flabbergasted. But gratefully so. Because, here’s the thing—you come away from every visit at Tippet Rise … changed. You feel enlarged—a bigger part of the universe. And you want to embrace your own creativity, and be a better person because of this experience.
In one chapter of the program book, owner Peter Halstead says this, “There is nothing finer than a day spent in hard work on the land, chopping wood, shoveling snow, driving a tractor, or tending cattle, to return to the delights of family and hearth. Throw in a few good books, and a poem before bedtime, and you have the essence of a life well spent.”
Indeed.
When You Go
In other places, you’d pay hundreds of dollars for a few tickets to see world-class performances similar to what’s available at Tippet Rise.
Here? Ten dollars!
Tours? They’re free!
Reservations must be made ahead of time. So, if you plan to be anywhere near this magical region, go to the artful Tippet Rise website first, and book a tour.
Tippet is closed in the winter, but will most likely be scheduling tours and taking reservations for concert tickets and tours early in 2018. You can also hike and bike through the road and trails (but be advised there are some steep hills there), and need to reserve that, too.
Once you’re there, plan to stay for the amazing lunch or dinner barbecue, prepared by Wildflower Kitchen, and served in the Douglas fir barn known as, “Will’s Shed.”
Getting there:
From Red Lodge, follow Route 78 west/north toward Columbus. Watch for the signs for Fishtail and Tippet Rise on your left. Or, from Interstate 90 out of Billings head toward Bozeman, exit at Columbus and follow Route 78 south/east into the small town of Absarokee. Look for signs for Tippet Rise and hang a right. You’ll think you’re in the middle of nowhere and guess what? You are! Enjoy the big wide empty as you discover an oasis of artwork.
I love these photos! I could see myself spending time in this beautiful space.
Gosh, Doreen, and there’s another place for us to meet. HA! Hmmm, are there any chocolate shops in Fishtail? I’ll let you know!
I’m not so sure about a chocolate shop in Fishtail, but there’s an amazing chocolate company – Le Chatelaine – in Bozeman, not that far away (in Montana terms). http://www.chatelainechocolate.com/pages/about_us
What a unique and fascinating place! I love outdoor concerts and never missed a Cazimero Brothers beach concert back on Maui. I can imagine what a magical experience a concert would be here. Thanks for introducing us to this beautiful location.
Yes, Marquita, it’s a wonderful place. If you get this direction, be sure and plan a visit.
If Marquita makes it to Red Lodge, we’ll have quite the girl’s night with tons of fab conversation!
Red Lodge would make a great meet-up!
The featured photo with the rock like sculpture in the open field is really stunning. It also seems like it perfectly captures the nature of the place.
I also love that one, Ken. It’s utterly dramatic and yet so very simple. It makes its own solid statement.
Thanks, Ken. Yes, it’s massive, and just fits so perfectly there.
I want to visit Tippet Rise. It seems so peaceful. And I can’t believe everything is so reasonably priced. It’s been years since I’ve really seen open space and I definitely miss it. So a trip to Montana might be in order. Especially since it isn’t that far from where I live.
Yes, Erica – you’d love a visit there. Last year the first batch of tickets went on sale March 1. Even if the highly coveted concert tickets aren’t available, schedule a tour via the website.
Karen, maybe I’ll find a way to get there for a concert next summer. That’d be so grand!
That would be WONDERFUL!
So Karen, maybe you’d be interested in coming to a spring piano recital performed by my students. May 7, 2018, 7 pm, free admission.
…at Tippet Rise Art Center!
What an awesome invitation, Karen! Thanks, Ginny!
Ginny! Hi! I will mark the calendar. What an amazing venue for your students!
So do I, Erica. Although Karen educated me about Tippet Rise prior to our summer Montana trip, we simply ran out of time. And it’s close to my sister’s house, darn it. Next year, though, for sure. I think you and your husband would love Montana. It’s lovely.