DANCE

Francis Bardanouve, the 69-year-old leader of Montana’s House or Representatives, turned a committee hearing into an impromptu dance recital Wednesday in Helena, the state’s capital. As members of the legislature’s appropriations committee debated funding for the Bozeman-based Montana Ballet Company, the hefty Democrat rancher donned a lacy pink ballerina’s tutu and did a few twirls. Committee Chairman Gene Donaldson suggested that Bardanouve--who usually prefers cowboy boots and has a reputation for being tight-fisted--might sell enough tickets as a dancer to balance the state budget. Bardanouve ended his prancing by landing in Donaldson’s lap.