By TOM BENSEN
The University of Montana presents Defining a 21st Century Education for a Vibrant Democracy October 26 and 27 at the University Center. Over the course of a day and a half, this interactive conference will explore UM’s role in creating a dynamic educational experience for today’s students. Visit here for more information.
The Montana Museum of Art & Culture presents The Intimate Diebenkorn: Drawings 1949 – 1992
now through December 12 in the
Paxson and Meloy Galleries. The exhibition features 52 pieces, many of which have never been publicly viewed, and includes pencil and ink drawings on paper, collages of torn paper and watercolors.
Zootown Arts Community Center presents Family Friendly Workshops in preparation for the Festival of the Dead throughout October. Visit the website for more information.
The Missoula Art Museum presents Terrain: Plateau Native Art & Poetry throughFebruary 27, 2016; John Buck: Free for All through March 12; Good Wood: Carved And Cut From MAM’s Permanent Collection through March 12 (pictured here); A Few of My Favorite Things, an exhibition selected by MAM’s Senior Exhibition Curator Emeritus Stephen Glueckert, through December 23.
Fact and Fiction presents Jerry McGahan reading and signing The Deer Walking Upside Down, 7:00 p.m. on October 28 at F&F Downtown.
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 29 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. There is still time to join the chorus, sign-up online here. Proceeds will equally support Missoula’s 10th International Choral Festival scheduled for July 13-16, 2016 and scholarships for UM choral and orchestral students.
The Gallery of Visual Arts at the University of Montana presents Variations from an Unlimited Sequence by Jodi Lightner throughout October. The Gallery of Visual Arts is located on the first floor of the UM Social Science Building.
The Radius Gallery will host Downtown on Tap, a social gathering organized by the Missoula Downtown Association Tuesday, October 27 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Mingle, enjoy some refreshments, and have a look at some of the terrific art Radius Gallery has to offer. Call 541-7070.
This week Dragon Hollow becomes Haunted Hollow from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 29 and Friday October 30. Haunted Hollow is designed for children 12 and under, not so scary as some haunted houses you’ll find around town, but plenty exciting for the whole family. Price is just $4 for those under 12 and $6 for 12 and older. Groups are welcome; call 549-8382 to arrange a time and to discuss a group discount.
Living Art of Montana presents “Faces of Living Art: a 22-Year Mask Retrospective”, an exhibit of masks created by Living Art workshop participants from 1993 through 2015 displayed at the Downtown Dance Collective throughout October and November.
The Missoula Community Theatre presents Go West! on Saturday, November 7 at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. This culmination of the fall afterschool performing arts class features K-5 students in a musical full of history and drama about the Gold Rush days. For tickets, visit here or call 728-7529.
The University of Montana presents A Chorus Line, the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical beloved by audiences worldwide. A Chorus Line runs in the Montana Theatre of the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center on campus, continuing October 27-31. Call 243-4581 for more information.
The UM School of Music presents Student Ensemble Series: UM Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. in the Dennison Theatre on Friday, October 30. For information and tickets, call 243-4051 or visit Griztix.
Montana Public Radio presents Bill Harley in concert Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dennison Theatre at the University of Montana.
The Art Associates of Missoula monthly meeting for November will be held at the Montana Museum of Art & Culture on the UM Campus in the PARTV Bldg, Wednesday, November 18 at 10:15 a.m. for a docent led tour of The Intimate Diebenkorn: Works on Paper 1949-1992. Art Associates meetings are free and open to the public. For more information please call Susie at 544-0891.
The University of Montana Adams Center presents “Riverdance” October 26 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the 2015-16 Community Medical Center Missoula Live events. Information and tickets available through GrizTix or call 243-4051.
The Missoula Maze is back, at 1010 Clements Road though November 1.
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.