By TOM BENSEN
The 2015 Annual MCC Arts & Culture Awards Luncheon is on Tuesday, March 24, at the Doubletree Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This year’s honorees include William Marcus, Director of the UM Broadcast Media Center and Montana Public Radio / Montana PBS, for Cultural Achievement; Stephen Kalm, internationally acclaimed opera performer and Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at UM, as Individual Artist; Karen Kaufmann, professor of dance at the University of Montana and director of Co-Motion Dance Project and MoDE (Montana’s Model Dance Education Project), for Arts Educator; the Downtown Dance Collective for Business Support for the arts; and the Missoula Children’s Theatre for Cultural Vision. Tickets for the event are $25 each or $200 for a table of 8 and may be reserved from MCC at 541-0860 at our website.
The Missoula Historic Preservation Commission is seeking nominations for the 2015 Missoula Historic Preservation Awards. The annual Missoula Historic Preservation awards honor those who work to preserve and restore the places in our community that lend so much character to our life in Missoula. Nominations are due today, March 2. The 22nd Annual Missoula Historic Preservation Awards are judged by the Missoula Historic Preservation Commission, with the individuals and groups honored at a public catered awards event during May, National Historic Preservation Month. Projects must have been completed in 2012, 2013 or 2014. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the City’s Historic Preservation webpage located here. Nomination forms can also be obtained by contacting the Historic Preservation Office, or e-mailing a request to Leslie Schwab.
The Montana Museum of Art & Culture presents Art of the State: 120 Artworks for 120 years, an exhibition celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Permanent Collection, now through May 23. MMAC presents an evening with UM Professor of Art History and Criticism, H. Rafael Chacón, Predilections and Possibilities: the Virtues of a Teaching Collection, in the Masquer Theater in the PAR-TV Building on UM campus, on March 3 at 7:00 p.m.
The Missoula Art Museum presents Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts: Selected Works (pictured here) through March 2; Pat Zentz: Trio through March 28; Heavy Metal from The Collection, an exhibit featuring four pieces of steel sculpture by two accomplished artists: Ted Waddell and Manuel Izquierdo, through April 4; Fifth Grade Identity-In A Box! through March 13; Theo Ellsworth: Thought Clouds through June 26.
First Friday Gallery Walk is upon us once again, this month sponsored by ZACC’s 3rd annual Mini Benefit Show. Visit the MCC website for the most complete listing of First Friday events.
The City of Missoula Public Art Committee invites artists residing in Montana to apply for a public art project to create art for Pineview Park in Missoula’s Rattlesnake neighborhood. Artwork should reflect one or more of the following characteristics of Pineview Park ~ Natural surroundings: native plants and animals found in the Rattlesnake ~ Recreational activities: ice skating, hiking along the creek, children’s play ground, dog play ~ Historically significant use of the land the park now occupies: Native American use, and previous use such as the the Poor Farm and cemetery. The Committee is willing to consider two (2) possibilities: 1. A proposal for the purchase of an existing artwork that also meets stated project goals. 2. A detailed proposal for a new work designed by the artist that meets stated project goals; For complete application information, please here. Submittal deadline is Friday, March 20, by 5:00 p.m.
The University of Montana has been selected as Montana’s host site for First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare a national traveling exhibition of one of the world’s most treasured books – the Shakespeare First Folio. The Folger Shakespeare Library, in partnership with Cincinnati Museum Center and the American Library Association, is touring the exhibition to all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico in 2016. Final touring dates will be announced in April. The Mansfield Library and Montana Museum of Art & Culture submitted the application to bring the First Folio to campus, and will partner to make it a valuable experience for the community. While the library will lead organizing and implementing numerous programs for University students, adults, children, teachers and families, the MMAC will display the folio and other related panels in their galleries, support the environmental and security requirements and provide public access free of charge. The museum also will curate a related exhibit, extending its hours to accommodate as many visitors as possible.
The University of Montana’s India Advisory Council presents India in Missoula, the March 2-7 free series of events, including a Gandhi lecture and Classical Music performance, at various locations on campus. Visit the website for more information.
Shakespeare and Co. presents S. M. Hulse reading from her debut novel Black River, March 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Fact and Fiction presents Leslie Budewitz reading and signing Assault and Pepper, 7:00 p.m. on March 3; and Brian D’Ambrosio reading and signing Warrier in the Ring, 5:30 p.m. on March 6. Both events are at F& F Downtown.
The University of Montana School of Music presents the Student Ensemble Series: Symphonic Wind Ensemble at the UM Music Recital Hall March 3 at 7:30 p.m.; a Student Recital Series featuring Elin Peterson (soprano) at the UM Music Recital Hall March 5 at 7:30 p.m.; Faculty & Guest Artist Series with Steven Hesla & Friends at UM Music Recital Hall March 6 at 7:30 p.m.; the UM Percussion Ensemble at the Dennison Theatre March 6 at 7:30 p.m., featuring the music of Pat Metheny. Call 243-6880 for more information.
Living Art of Montana presents Cancer, Courage & Creativity: an eight-week workshop for men and women experiencing the effects of cancer now through March 26. Registration Required: email here or call 549-5329 to sign up.
On March 3, 10, and 17: Exploring Glass Three-Week Workshop with Katie Patten. Three Tuesdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Registration Required: please email here or call 549-5329 to sign up. Open to people dealing with illness and loss including care providers and family. All materials will be provided. No charge & art experience is not necessary. Living Art of Montana, 725 W. Alder St #17 (warehouse mall).
The Radius Gallery presents a Pastel Demonstration to commemorate the closing of the Bobbie McKibbin exhibit, March 5 at 5:30 p.m.
The Radius Gallery presents a Pastel Demonstration to commemorate the closing of the Bobbie McKibbin exhibit, March 5 at 5:30 p.m. as part of First Friday Gallery Walk. The demonstration will begin with the artist presenting a scene she has near completed. Then McKibbin will begin the same work again so audience can get a sense of the process and challenges of the medium of pastel. As she draws, McKibbin chats with the audience what she’s doing and why (and she also usually tells a lot of charming stories).
The Clay Studio of Missoula presents Non-profit benefit night at Caffe Dolce, Tuesday, March 3, 5:00 p.m.-close Dine at Caffe Dolce (main location at 500 Brooks) from 5:00 p.m. onward, and 15% of all dinner sales will be donated to the Clay Studio. Walk-ins welcome, however reservations are encouraged, and those can be made by calling 406-830-3055 x3. To preview the menu or for more information, visit Caffe Dolce
Aikido Missoula presents After School Aikido for Young People ages 7-14. Orientation for new students on Wednesday, March 4. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Aikido is a noncompetitive martial art that teaches centering, balance and dynamic blending movements in a cooperative, fun class. Please call 549-8387.
Dolce Canto presents a free Open Rehearsal on March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks. There will be door prizes and refreshments.
Alseny Yansane, dynamic teacher & fourteen year performing artist with Ballets Africains of Guinea is coming to Missoula, Montanan March 7 to offer drum and dance classes for beginning and experienced drummers and dancers alike. Saturday, March 7, 6:00 -7:30 p.m.-Drum; 7:30-9:00 pm-Dance, at the Missoula Senior Center, 705 S. Higgins Ave. $15/class
The Friends of Missoula Public Library will hold their fourth annual Appraisal Fair on Sunday, March 8 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Library’s Large Meeting Room. “An Antiques Roadshow-style event is entertaining as well as enlightening,” said Mary Drew Powers, Public Relations Librarian. Appraisers from around the state are able not only to ascertain a probable worth, said Powers, but can often place objects in their historical context and provide owners with other information about their items. Appraisers include Allen Rodgers of Bigfork, Lochlan Gordon of Butte, and Steve Briggs of Missoula. For more information, call 721-BOOK (2665) or visit the website.
The University of Montana Creative Writing Program will host its second Thinking Its Presence conference on race, creative writing and literary study, Thursday through Saturday, March 12-14. Claudia Rankine, a Jamaican-born poet who has been nominated for the National Book Award, will deliver the keynote address at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in the University Center Theater. Most conference events take place on the UM campus, but Shakespeare & Co. and the Missoula Art Museum also will host some of the conference readings and performances. A complete schedule is available online here.
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, in conjunction with UM’s East Asian Studies, will host a showing of the documentary “The Land of Many Palaces” at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Missoula’s Roxy Theater. The 60-minute documentary on China’s current efforts to move 250 million rural villagers into urban cities will be followed by a Q-and-A session with the film’s co-director and co-producer, Adam James Smith. It is free and open to the public. More information is available at the website.
Solero Flamenco at the Top Hat Lounge on Friday, March 13. Photo by Jorge Jimenez
Solero Flamenco, Houston’s premier flamenco performance group, will perform at the Top Hat on Friday, March 13 and at Flathead Lake Brewing Company on March 14. They present a two day workshop in Missoula March 14-15 at Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre. From here, they will go on to Great Falls to spend a week in the schools and perform on March 20. The workshop March 14 and 15 at Rocky Mountain Ballet Theater will include Cuadro Communication, Castanets, Dance, Percussion, and Accompanying the Cante with Guitar. Visit the Flamenco Montana website.
The Missoula Mendelssohn Club will be celebrating their 70th Annual Spring Concert by taking the stage with the Montana A Cappella Society for an evening of music and community. Please join us in the Music Recital Hall on the University of Montana Campus on Sunday evening, March 15 at 7:30 PM. Tickets ($15 General, $6 Student) available at Rockin’ Rudy’s, Worden’s and from Mendelssohn Club members.
The Art Associates of Missoula monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 18, at 10:00 a.m. in the Education Center of the Missoula Art Museum. Peter Barberio, Missoula’s own music man and instrument-maker will passionately share his love for music and stringed instruments. All Art Associates meetings are free and open to the public. For more information please call Susie at 544-0891.
The Missoula Children’s Theatre spring day camp is just around the corner with The Tortoise Versus The Hare…..the greatest race! Open to all K-12 children, the camp is March 30-April 4 with one day of performances on Saturday, April 4th. Register online here.
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.