The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Arts & Culture’ Category

MCT is Singin’ in the Rain!

The Missoula Children’s Theatre Youth Series invites grades 8-12 students to go back in time and jump some puddles with a classic musical in the after-school production class of Singin’ In The Rain JR.... more

Journey Through America’s Top Three Music Cities

The United States boasts a musical heritage as rich and varied as its history. Each city has its own unique soundtrack of live performances, iconic venues, and local music scenes.... more

18th Annual River City Roots Fest: The High Hawks to Headline Admission-Free Festival

The Missoula Downtown Association’s River City Roots Festival returns to the streets of Downtown Friday and Saturday September 6-7.... more

Exploring the Unique Blend of Urban and Outdoor Living in Western Montana

Western Montana offers a remarkable combination of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure.... more

MCT’s The Addams Family Young@Part

MCT’s Next Step Prep Presents announces the kick-off of the 2024-2025 Youth Series with a ‘snap-snappy’ version of The Addams Family young@Part.  This 65-minute version of the ridiculously popular Broadw... more

Explore Missoula’s Rich History With Unseen Missoula’s Guided Walking Tours

Historical Guided Walking Tours Running Weekly through September.... more

MCT’s The Play That Goes Wrong

The Missoula Community Theatre presents The Play That Goes Wrong March 7-17, 2024 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts.... more

The Missoula Community Theatre’s AUDITION for The Play That Goes Wrong

The Missoula Community Theatre's AUDITION for The Play That Goes Wrong is Sunday, January 7th, 2024.... more

New Missoula Murals Highlight Local Artists and Downtown Partnerships

Two new art murals highlight local artists and partnerships and add life and vibrancy to the streets and alleys in Downtown Missoula.... more

Missoula Community Theatre’s AUDITIONS for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

The Missoula Community Theatre is thrilled to announce an OPEN AUDITION for Rudolph The RedNosed Reindeer on Sunday, September 24th.... more

17th Annual River City Roots Fest Celebrates Missoula

The MDA's River City Roots Festival returns to the streets of Downtown Friday and Saturday August 25-26.... more

MCT Performing Arts Camp Show: Working

MCT's Performing Arts Camp (PAC) welcomes 100 talented teenagers from 15 states and Canadian provinces for a 90-minute musical journey of Working, Aug. 10-12.... more

Unseen Missoula Expands Guided Walking Tour Offerings

New Tour Explores Downtown Missoula’s “Restricted District”... more

2023-2024 Missoula Community Theatre Season on Sale June 5th!

Missoula Community Theatre subscription packages and single tickets are on sale starting Monday, June 5th for the following shows:... more

Things to Do in Missoula: Tourist Attractions and More

With a rich blend of outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, and lively local cuisine, there's something for everyone in Missoula, MT.... more

4 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Montana

This article will provide insider knowledge that will help you prepare for your move to the Garden City or anywhere in Montana. ... more

MCT Presents: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

The Missoula Community Theatre presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, April 27-May 14 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts.... more

9 Perfect Spots In and Around Missoula for Plein Air Painting

If you love plein air painting, Missoula is an outdoor painting paradise. Check out some of the spots:... more

Sip’n Shop for MCT

If you love spring, sipping, shopping and supporting a worthy organization, then Sip n’ Shop for MCT is where you want to be on Thursday, March 30th from 6-8PM.... more

The Missoula Community Theatre Presents: The Bridges of Madison County

The Missoula Community Theatre presents The Bridges of Madison County, March 9-19, 2023 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts.... more

Missoula Community Theatre AUDITION: The Bridges of Madison County

The Missoula Community Theatre audition for The Bridges of Madison County is Sunday, January 15th, 2023, from Noon to 4PM at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts.... more

2022-2023 Children’s Theatre Season Announcement

The Missoula Children’s Theatre announces a full season of fun for children and families, beginning with a celebration of Arts in Education Week. ... more

MCT Performing Arts Camp Presents: Broadway Junior Revue: RAISE YOUR VOICE

PAC is BACK!  The Missoula Children’s Theatre’s Performing Arts Camp (PAC) Music Theatre International’s Broadway Junior collection, "Raise Your Voice."... more

3 Wheelchair Accessible Attractions Fit for the Whole Family in Missoula, MT

When it comes to finding family-friendly activities that are also accessible in Missoula, Montana, there are a variety to choose from.... more

Main Reasons to Travel to Missoula as a Student

Do you want to visit Missoula and have a good time enjoying your holiday? Here are the main reasons why this city is suitable for any student.... more

MCT’s Nickelodeon The SpongeBob Musical

What began as an extremely popular animated cartoon on Nickelodeon (seen in more than 170 countries) has become a full-blown Broadway musical that in 2018 received 12 Tony award nominations and the Drama Desk A... more

MCT presents Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods

The Missoula Community Theatre is incredibly honored to produce one of Stephen Sondheim’s most beloved shows, Into the Woods, March 10-20, 2022.... more

MCT Audition for nickelodeon The SpongeBob Musical

MCT is proud to announce that on Sunday, February 20th from 1-4PM there will be an audition for the final entree of the 2021-2022 Missoula Community Theatre’s à la carte season. ... more

Gilligan’s Island: The Musical at MCT

Gilligan’s Island: The Musical, live on stage at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts, January 20*- 23 and 27-30, 2022.... more

Missoula Community Theatre Presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Perfectly timed for the Holiday season, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" will run December 9*-12 and 16-19 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts.... more

How to Holiday at Home in Missoula

Here are some of the things you could try in Missoula, but use our website to do a little searching and you'll be amazed at what you can find.... more

MCT Presents Broadway off Broadway, A Musical Revue

MCT Presents Broadway off Broadway, A Musical Revue, November 12-14, 2021, at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. ... more

MCT Executive Director Michael McGill to Retire in 2022

After a span of 40 years performing nearly every role, on and off stage, MCT’s Executive Director, Michael McGill, will make his final curtain call next spring.... more

Audition for MCT’s Nunsense Jamboree

The Missoula Community Theatre is holding an open audition on Sunday, August 29th for Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Nunsense Jamboree.... more

A Year with Frong and Toad KIDS Classes Begin Sept.14th

This fun class is back on track and ready for your K-8 student to begin September 14th, exploring the classic friendship of Frog and Toad!... more

Missoula Children’s Theatre Explores Inventions

MCT is closing out the 2021 summer of fun with one more day camp called Inventions--August 16-20 for students grades 4-12.... more

Missoula Favorite Lil’ Smokies to Headline River City Roots Festival

The Lil’ Smokies will be the Saturday night headliner for the 15th annual River City Roots Festival in the streets of Downtown Missoula August 27-28, 2021.... more

Missoula’s Beloved Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series are Back!

Downtown Missoula comes to life with the 35th season of Out to Lunch on Wednesday, June 2 and the 20th season of Downtown ToNight on Thursday, June 3. ... more

Missoula Children’s Theatre in-person Performances!

The MCT Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce a summer of Beanstalks, Frogs, Princes, Buzzards and so much more! ... more

River City Roots Festival Moving Forward

Music. Art. Food. Community. The Missoula Downtown Association’s River City Roots Festival returns to the streets of Downtown Friday and Saturday August 27-28.... more

MCT Presents Schoolhoue Rock Live!

To close the 50th Anniversary year, the Missoula Community Theatre is going back to school and the stage with Schoolhouse Rock Live! ... more

MCT Presents Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS

Come on inside the Magic Tree House with the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), as they present the musical adaptation of Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS. ... more

MDA Commences Planning & Production of Summer Events with Cautious Optimism

The Missoula Downtown Association will plan to host a modified (i.e. limited) version of the beloved Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight Summer Series events, beginning the first week of June.... more

MCT Announces Summer Day Camps

MCT is excited to host 6 summer day camps: Jack and the Beanstalk (June 14-18 and July 5-9); The Frog Prince (June 21-25 and July 12-16) and The Wiz of the West (June 28-July 2 and July 19-23).... more

Beauty Lou and the Country Beast Day Camp March 15-19

Beauty Lou and the Country Beast will mosey on to the stage of the MCT Center for the Performing Arts March 15-19. Open to students in grades K-12.... more

MCT Upcoming Show: Shrek the Musical JR

The Missoula Children's Theatre is excited to wave the “freak flag” and raise the collective laughter level of the world as it presents Shrek The Musical JR. ... more

Stream MCT’s Robin Hood Jan. 2-11

Laugh all the way to magical, mythical Sherwood Forest Jan. 2-11 with the Missoula Children’s Theatre family-friendly production of Robin Hood!... more

MCT’s Elf Comes off the Shelf

Available on-demand Dec. 21-30 for just $5, Elf the Musical is available to view as many times as you wish in the 48 hours after you first begin to view it.... more

MCT presents It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Take a holiday trip back to the 1940’s with the Missoula Community Theatre during It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Dec. 10-20. ... more

MCT Presents On-Stage and Live Streaming of Souvenir

In the wake of cancelling the Missoula Community Theatre’s production of Matilda, MCT has found a true gem to bring to the stage that can be produced while following health and safety protocols. ... more