By TOM BENSEN
The University of Montana 2014 Homecoming runs through September 27, with events on campus and throughout the community all week. Visit the website for all the events and activities.
Any Given Child Missoula, an initiative of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is seeking a full-time executive director to lead the newly-formed organization in its mission of ensuring equal access to diverse arts learning opportunities for any given child in our community. Any Given Child Missoula represents a collaboration of the Missoula County Public Schools, the City of Missoula, Missoula Cultural Council, the University of Montana, and a broad range of local arts organizations, business and philanthropic groups. To apply, visit here
Current exhibits at theMissoula Art Museum include Bill Ohrmann: Tainted Revelations through October 11 (pictured here); Blessingway: Prints by Melanie Yazzie through October 11; The Art of Human Conflict Conflict through December 24; Pamela Caughey: Ubiquitous: Migration of Pathogens through December 2; Helen McAuslan: The Kent State Paintings, on loan from the Museum of the Rockies, through November 22; Kate Hunt: Recent Works through February 21, 2015.
The University of Montana 2014 Homecoming runs through September 27. Photo by ©Mark Mesenko for MakeItMissoula.com
VSA Montana, promoting the creative power of people with disabilities since 1979, is seeking an executive director. VSA Montana is a community based 501(c)3 organization committed to serving persons with disabilities and special needs through the arts. We partner with arts organizations and institutions throughout Montana, working together to support inclusive arts education, and are an educational affiliate of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.The Executive Director is responsible for the administration and management of VSA Montana, and works closely with the Board of Directors to develop initiatives in furtherance of the mission of VSA Montana. Job description and qualifications are available at the website. All applications need to be received by September 30.
The City of Missoula Public Art Committee has extended the deadline for two art calls in Silver Park. The new deadline is October 6, 2014. Visit the website for all information and the application.
The Montana Museum of Art & Culture at the University of Montana presents Sandra Dal Poggetto: Meditations on the Field, in the Paxson and Meloy Galleries. Now through September 27, Helena-based artist Sandra Dal Poggetto is featured in a solo exhibition of new and recent works. On Thursday, September 25, from 5:00 -5:45 p.m. in the Masquer Theatre, there will be a conversation with artist Sandra Dal Poggetto and Mark Stevens, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of DeKooning: An American Master, with music by Beth Lo and David Horgan.
The Radius Gallery, Missoula newest downtown art space, presents the Inaugural Artists Show through September 27, including work of Bobbie McKibbin, Megan Moore, and Ric Gendron. Come see the show before it’s gone
The 10th annual Outdoor Sculptre Show at Caras Nursery is on display now through October 15, located at 2727 South 3rd West.
Shakespeare and Co. presents David Allan Cates reading from his latest novel Tom Connor’s Gift, 7:00 p.m. on September 23; Josh Wagner and Theo Ellsworth reading from their latest collaboration Mystery Mark; 7:00 p.m. on September 24; Corrie Williamson reading from her collection Sweet Husk, 7:00 p.m. on September 26.
Fact & Fiction presents Linda Giammona-Eggers and Laura Timblo, signing Goodnight Missoula, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on September 27 at F&F On Campus.
This year’s University of Montana Homecoming Week wraps up with the annual University Center Homecoming Art Fair. The 2014 Art Fair will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, September 25-26, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 27, in the UC Atrium.
The art fair will feature unique art, jewelry, clothing, ceramics and more, all of which has been handcrafted by local and regional artists. Many artists are veterans to this art fair, and have attended this event faithfully for over 10 years. Along with a prize raffle, the fair also will showcase live music performed by UM students and Montana natives, including Michael Zarling and Ian Strahn. The event is free and open to the public.
The Zootown Arts Community Center will be accepting submissions for our annual group Festival of The Dead Art Show. We are looking for artworks inspired by Dia de los Muertos or your own interpretation of the cycles of life and death. The Call to Artists Deadline is today, September 22.
Krista Detor performs at the Crystal Theatre with John Floridis Thursday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m.
Krista Detor performs at the Crystal Theatre with John Floridis Thursday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at Rockin Rudy’s and at brownpapertickets.
Ron Gluck and Ron Meissner – New York Folk Meets Missoula Swing – is at the Crystal Theater Saturday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m., backed up by bassist Pete Hand and percussionist Ed Stalling. $8 at the door. Wine & beer available in the theater.
Why listen to poems? What do poems require of you, and what happens, exactly, when you find yourself under their spell? Join us on Tuesday, September 30, 6:00 p.m. in the Dell Brown Room of Turner Hall for a reading and lecture by Joanna Klink. As part of the Provost’s Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series, Klink will talk about the essential strangeness of poetry – its power to move you even when it doesn’t make sense. She will also read from her forthcoming book. This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit umt.edu/provost.
The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center invites you to an evening of Music for the Heart, Mind, and Soul, with Judy Fjell (of Helena), Beth Youngblood (Missoula) and Tami Pallingston (Calif) performing at the Crystal Theater 7:30 p.m. on September 27. Pre-concert reception at JRPC at 6:30 with a “Meet the Musicians” Singalong after the concert. Tickets $12 available at JRPC (519 S. Higgins).
The Dana Gallery is preparing for the fifth annual “Young Guns” show, opening October 2. Part of Dana Gallery’s mission, as a contributor to the local and regional arts community, is to support and encourage the next generation of young and emerging artists. Once a year we bring to the spotlight several incredibly talented regional artists under the age of 35, giving each a venue to share their ideas and inspirations with the Missoula community. Visit the website for more information.
Missoula Symphony Orchestra Concert, “Music, Love and Other Drugs” featuring Tim Fain, violin soloist. Our 60th anniversary kicks off with charismatic violinist Tim Fain, best know for his Grammy-nominated playing in the films, Black Swan and Twelve Years a Slave. October 4 at 7:30 p.m. and October 5 at 3 p.m. Dennison Theatre.
The 2014 Humanities Montana Festival of the Book will take place October 9-11 in Missoula.
The UM School of Music presents the 7th annual Pianissimo! concerts October 10 and 11, at 7:30 p.m., at the Music Recital Hall. Featuring nine pianos, over 30 pianists and a rollicking good time, this fun and lighthearted concert has something for everyone. For tickets go to GrizTix, or stop by the Adams Center Box Office.
The 2014 Humanities Montana Festival of the Book will take place October 9-11 in Missoula. Last year’s Humanities Montana Festival of the Book celebrated the literature of the West with over 80 authors in downtown Missoula. Two days and three nights of readings, panels, exhibits, demonstrations, signings, workshops, entertainments, receptions, and other special events were free and open to the public. Venues included the Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park, the Missoula Art Museum, the Wilma Theatre, and the Missoula Public Library. The Festival of the Book is one of the biggest cultural events in the Northwest. Visit the website for more information.
A Carousel for Missoula, a volunteer-built, hand-carved carousel in Caras Park, will be the topic of the Art Associates of Missoula monthly meeting. Please join us Wednesday, October 15, at 10:00 a.m. in Caras Park at the carousel to learn more about the carousel and its Painted Ponies! Art Associates meetings are free and open to the public. For more information please call Susie at 544-0891
The International Choral Festival and the UM School of Music will present their annual benefit performance of George Frederic Handel’s “Messiah” on Sunday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dennison Theatre on the UM campus. This free concert is a beloved community sing-a-long with a volunteer chorus, which has delighted local singers and audiences annually since 1995. The chorus will be conducted by Dr. David Edmonds, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Montana, and accompanied by an orchestra of professional area musicians. And, honorable Mayor John Engen will be there too to welcome everyone and to mark the official kick-off of the holiday season in Missoula with this concert.
Join the Chorus by signing-up online at either website. The concert is free to the public, but as a fundraiser, singers are required to raise or donate a minimum of $75 to join the chorus ($40 for students), and are encouraged to obtain sponsorships from friends and family that exceed these minimums. Exciting prizes such as overnights with deluxe lodging, float trips, gift certificates, etc. will be awarded to those singers who bring in the highest level of sponsorships. Proceeds will equally support Missoula’s 10th International Choral Festival scheduled for July 13-17, 2016, and the UM School of Music students traveling to Vienna.
Out of the Box Productions presented by MCT, Inc. announces a return engagement of The Woman in Black. This dark thriller combines the power and intensity of live theatre with the dark style of film noir. Performances nightly at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 9-12 at the Missoula First United Methodist Church (300 E Main). Tickets on sale now for $15.00, which includes a $5.00 credit towards
a meal at Five on Black Brazilian Grill-the show’s sponsor. Purchase. Seating is general admission.
The Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre directors, dancers, musicians, Native Americans, performance artists, Missoulian videographer, and crew are traveling to China to perform the Destination Missoula program to Beijing, and throughout the Henan and Guangxi Provinces. While in China, RMBT will perform for Ambassador Max Baucus and his wife Melodee, Chinese Cultural and Foreign affairs officials, USA embassy and consulate officials and for many large Chinese audiences. Additional funds are still needed to cover our remaining expenses. Visit the Kickstarter page to donate.
For more information about arts events in the Missoula area, visit our website
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Tom Bensen has lived in Missoula since 1986, and has been the executive director of the Missoula Cultural Council since June 2004. He has directed First Night Missoula each New Year’s Eve since 1997. He is a member of Missoula’s choral ensemble Dolce Canto, and enjoys being outdoors, whether it is hiking, biking, skiing, walking the dogs, or mowing the lawn. His wife Susan works for Montana Public Radio, and their son Peter attends Hellgate High School.