By TOM BENSEN
The Last Best Solstice First Friday preview is part of Friday’s schedule, with Solstice artists on display at Bernice’s Bakery, Hunter Bay Coffee Bar, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and Zillastate, Tyler Trenary Realtor. Visit here to learn more about the Solstice event on June 21.
The Montana Museum of Art & Culture presents Human Condition: The Art of Ben Steele and Hometown: Images of Missoula from the MMAC Permanent Collection in the Paxson and Meloy Galleries, opening Thursday, June 4, with a reception from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the UM PARTV Center. These exhibitions are on view through September 12. Also on June 4, Gallery Talk: “Who’s Who in Missoula?” at 5:45 p.m., PAR/TV Center Lobby. Artist James Todd (Pictured here) will discuss his 1969 Family of Man mural. Food and live music to follow as part of the new exhibitions’ opening reception. Free and open to the public.
June 5 is this month’s First Friday Gallery Walk throughout Missoula from 5-8 p.m.. The schedule is being finalized as we speak and will be available at our Gallery Guide page. This mnonth is sponsored by the Pirnie Art Showroom at L.A Design, who is hosting an opening and book signing with Larry Pirnie.
The Missoula Art Museum presents Theo Ellsworth: Thought Clouds through June 26; Renée Brown: Profusion through June 20; Jeneese Hilton: Raven Reviewing Modern through August 22 (pictured here); The Andy Warhol Collection from Museum Of Art at Washington State University through August 15; John Thompson: A Celebration through August 29; Montana Triennial: 2015 through September 4.
The Dana Gallery presents the 4th annual national juried exhibition Icons of the West now through June 26. Call 721-3154 or e-mail here for more information.
The Downtown Dance Collective is celebrating its 7th Birthday with its first ever fundraising event. Click here to go to the IndieGoGo Campaign to find out more.
Fact and Fiction presents selected readings by members of
Chris Dombrowski’s 406 Workshop, 7:00 p.m. on June 3 at F&F Downtown.
ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS: Apply NOW for First Night Missoula, 2016.
New Year’s Eve is only seven months away! Applications for First Night Missoula are available here. The application deadline is June 30. All artists of any medium are encouraged to apply. Call 541-0860 for more infomation
The UM Adams Center presents “Celtic Woman Live” June 5 at 8:00 p.m., celebrating the Emerald Isle’s Celtic heritage through a presentation of traditional Irish anthems, pop standards and original music by Emmy-nominated music producer David Downes. The Emerald Tour showcases performances of favorites including “Danny Boy,” “Amazing Grace” and “You Raise Me Up.” Concert complete with bagpipers, dancers, a full band and choir. Tickets cost $62-72 and are available here.
Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) and SPARK! Any Given Child Missoula present The Missoula Monster Project, with an exhibit scheduled for opening on September 11 at Southgate Mall and ZACC. Originally conceived by nine year-old Asa Smetanka, this show is a collaboration between children and adult artists, working together to create “monster art” based on monsters dreamed up by the children. Kindergarten classes from three Missoula County public schools (Lowell, Paxson, and Rattlesnake) will create original monster pieces. Organizers will assign each local adult artist a child’s monster to interpret, using his/her own unique style and medium. The results will be displayed in a September 11 art show, featuring both the original child-drawn monsters and the artists’ own interpretations, from 5:30 to 8:30 at the ZACC. Proceeds from the show go to help sponsor arts programming for MCPS students. Artist submissions can be made here. For more information, call Joanna Smetanka at 241-2945.
Celtic Woman LIVE at the Adams Center June 5 at 8pm.
The Missoula Symphony Association presents the 3rd Annual Symphony Soiree and 60th Celebration, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Florence Lobby, 111 North Higgins Ave. Red carpet arrival with photos, 5 course gourmet dinner with paired wines and live musical performances by members of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra. To purchase tickets please contact the Symphony Office 721-3194 or visit the website.
Aikido Missoula presents Aikido Intro for Beginning Adults. One Saturday afternoon plus four basics classes starts Saturday, June 13 from 2:00-3:30 p.m., followed by four guided basics classes Monday and Wednesday, 6/15, 17, 22, 24, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Visit our website or call 549-8387.
The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the annual Preserving Missoula County History Grant program. This program is open to all Missoula County non-profit organizations involved in historic preservation and interpretation projects in Missoula County. A total amount of $10,000 is available for one-time projects with a demonstrable long-term impact for local history; individual projects are limited to a maximum grant of $5,000. For details and applications contact Matt Lautzenheiser, Executive Director, Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, 3400 Captain Rawn Way, Missoula, MT, 59804; 728-3476, extension 1; or e-mail here. Application deadline is June 15, 2014 (earlier submission is recommended).
Tangled Tones presents Summer Camps 2015, for various ages and interests. Summer of Rock and Digital Recording Camp. Visit here for more information.
The Clay Studio of Missoula presents Summer Camps for Kids and Teens. Clay Camps for Ages 5-8, Ages 9-13, an All Ages July Camp, plus a Teen Throwing Intensive. Visit here for more information.
Flamenco Montana presents a workshop on Sevillanas, the dance of Sevilla and Andalusia, June 19-21 a the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre, 2704 Brooks. Call 396-4007 or visit the website.
Turning the Wheel Missoula announces a Turning the Wheel Summer Workshop: The Body Now with Alana Shaw and Music by Jesse Manno, July 6-12 on hundreds of acres of stunning forest landscape on Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island, WA. To register and to lean more, visit here.
Montana Repertory Theatre’s Missoula COLONY 20 is celebrating Twenty years of supporting writers for stage and screen, from June 25-July 1. Visit here for more information.
The 13th Annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is now accepting submissions for the February 19-28, 2016 event. Early Bird registration due July 1, and regular registration is September 1. Visit here for more information.
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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.