Happenings from the Missoula Art and Cultural Center

NPR Special Correspondent, Susan Stamberg, Gives Lecture

The University of Montana School of Journalism will welcome National Public Radio Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg as the 59th annual Dean Stone lecturer. Stamberg's lecture, "A Thousand Plus Hours of Talk," will take place at 7 PM, Thursday, April 21, in the University Center Ballroom. Her presentation is free and open to the public.

In addition to her public lecture, Stamberg will be guest of honor at the annual Dean Stone Awards and Scholarship Banquet held for journalism students at 5:30 PM, Friday, April 22, at the Holiday Inn.

Stamberg is an accomplished broadcast journalist who has won numerous awards in broadcasting and become a member of the Broadcasting Hall of Fame and the Radio Hall of Fame. She has worked for NPR since its beginning in 1971 and also was the first woman to anchor a national nightly news program.

International Wildlife Film Festival

Welcome back to the wild! The IWFF is back at The Roxy Theater April 16 - 23.  Click for film tickets and passes. To view the full schedule, click here.

This year's festival includes over 50 groundbreaking and inspirational films from around the world and some of the most talented wildlife filmmakers working today. Nurtured by the enthusiasm of Missoula's local community, this year's festival brings a world of issues and ideas to our mountain town.

Jazzoula in Missoula!

The 12th annual Jazzoula features four nights of great instrumental and vocal jazz, April 18 - 22, at St. Anthony's Parish. Four or five bands will perform each night at 6:30 PM. A number of Missoula's favorite performers and jazz luminaries will take turns on stage, including Bob Packwood, Joan Zen, the Chuck Florence Quartet, Jodi Marshall and David Morgenroth. Tickets are $10-$12 or $20-$25 for a four-night pass. Call 543-3129.

Art Associates of Missoula, April Meeting

The Art Associates of Missoula monthly meeting will be held Wednesday, April 20, 10 AM in the Education Center of the Missoula Art Museum, (335 N. Pattee St.)

Pam Caughey, encaustic and mixed media 'experimental' artist will be sharing her art and process! Art Associates meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, please call Susie at 544-0891.

Fact & Fiction Presents...

Timothy Egan:  April 20, 6:30 PM

Reading & Signing of his book, IMMORTAL IRISHMAN, at Imagine Nation Brewing Co

(1151 W Broadway, Missoula)

Sarah Goedert:  April 23, 12:30 -2 PM

Signing of her book, A DAY AT THE RANCH, at Fact & Fiction Downtown

Missoula Symphony Orchestra: Pictures of Power

With a repertoire fit for a finale, the Missoula Symphony Orchestra will close the 61st season with a grand concert full of life and color as they perform two pieces by Maurice Ravel, "Concerto in G Major" for piano and "Pictures at an Exhibition."  The concerts take place on Saturday, April 23, at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, April 24, at 3 PM in the Dennison Theatre on the University of Montana campus. The 61st Season Finale features a concert full of life and color as we're joined by world-renowned pianist Katherine Chi. 

For tickets and more information visit their website, call 721-3194, or stop by the symphony office at 320 E. Main Street.

Upcoming Classes at ZACC

Boys Rock Camp:  Mondays & Wednesdays, April 11 - May 18, 4 - 6 PM

In this camp, boys will build self esteem through music exploration. Regardless of musical experience, campers will receive instrument instruction, form a band, write an original song, perform at Family Friendly Friday at the Top Hat Lounge, and so much more!

Open to boys age 8 through 15. $235 /$225 for members | Registration required

Screen-Printers for Beginners:  Tuesdays, April 19 - May 17, 6 - 8 PM

This dynamic five-week class is the perfect introduction and further discovery into the world of screen-printing! Learn the fundamentals of screening on paper and fabric. All inks, photo emulsion, and some paper included in materials fee.  $115 /$105 for members | Registration required

Inspire. Connect. Create.:  April 21, 6 - 8 PM

Want to work on your own artwork but have trouble holding yourself accountable?  Or maybe you simply want to have fun creating and get ideas from others.  The ZACC hosts a drop-in art class for individuals to come and work on their own unique projects in community every third Thursday of the month. $5 for Members

Please visit ZACC's website for information about registration.

Upcoming Art Workshops by Nancy Seiler

Nature Journaling Series: Expand your nature journaling skills by exploring different natural history topics. $50 per class (materials list and directions are provided with registration)

Most workshops are located at 330 Brooks Street.  Register online or call 370-1254.

First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare, on National Tour from the Folger Shakespeare Library

The University of Montana, recently named Montana's host for the "First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare," national tour, is pleased to announce that the First Folio exhibition will be on display in the Montana Museum of Art and Culture and open to the public May 9 - 31.

The First Folio is the first complete collected edition of William Shakespeare's plays, published in 1623, seven years after his death. Compiled by two of Shakespeare's fellow actors, it preserves 36 of Shakespeare's plays. Without it, we would not have 18 of those plays, including "Macbeth," "Julius Caesar," "Twelfth Night," "The Tempest" and "Antony and Cleopatra."

"We are thrilled we will be able to showcase the folio on campus in May 2016," said Julie Biando Edwards, an associate professor at the Mansfield Library. "This is a wonderful opportunity for the community. We're especially pleased that parents and families visiting for graduation will be able to see it." The MMAC will be the only location in Montana to display the folio during its tour around the country.

UM and its partners will offer related programming while the First Folio is on campus. A current schedule is available online by clicking here.

Romeo & Juliet is Coming!

The University of Montana is pleased to present Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare's most popular and beloved plays. Romeo and Juliet runs in the Montana Theatre of the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center on campus April 27 - 30 and May 3 - 7.

For tickets to Romeo and Juliet, call the UMArts Box Office at 243-4581, Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, or order tickets online!

Coming Up at MCT...

The Missoula Community Theatre is taking you and your family to new heights with Mary Poppins.  Bring the whole family to enjoy this musical favorite which runs April 28 - May 1, May 4 - 8 and 11 - 15.  (Thursday, April 28 is MCT Premiere Night).  Tickets to see your favorite flying nanny are flying out of the box office, so get yours today at MCTinc.org.  Call 728-7529 for more information.

The Missoula Children's Theatre is ready for summer day camp fun with your Grades 1-12 kids!  Convenient, online registration is now available for Blackbeard The Pirate (June 20-26), The Pied Piper (July 5-10) and The Wiz of The West (July 18-24).  To learn more and enjoy early registration discounts, visit  MCTinc.org today!

Missoula College Culinary Arts Students to Host Annual Capstone Dinner

Students in the Culinary Arts Program at Missoula College of the University of Montana will host their annual Capstone Dinner on Saturday, April 30, at Missoula College, located at 909 South Ave. The event, which is open to the public, will begin with a reception at 5 PM followed by dinner at 6 PM.

This year, students pay homage to the food and wine of the Provencal region of France and have crafted a menu titled "Voilá: a Culinary Journey of Coastal Mediterranean France."

The dinner will feature classic dishes such as fresh shucked oysters, terrines, canapes, salade nicoise and roasted guineafowl with ratatouille. The dessert will be an interpretation of the classic napoleon. Each course will be paired with wine. Throughout the evening there will be live music by Doctor Doctor, and a live and a silent auction will be held. 

Students are seeking both monetary and silent auction donations. Interested donors or participants can call Susan Graham, Missoula College cashier, at 243-7870 or email. For events, visit their Facebook page.

USA Gymnastics Level 9 Western Championships

Mismo Gymnastics, in partnership with the Adams Center, the Tourism and Business Improvement District, and the Sports Commission, is hosting the USA Gymnastics Level 9 Western Championships in Missoula, April 29 through May 1. Held at the University of Montana Adams Center, the meet, featuring over 450 of the top Level 9 athletes in the country, is the highest level gymnastics competition ever to be in Montana. 24 states, all part of western half of the United States, will be represented at the meet.

The event is expected to attract a delegation of over 1,400 athletes, coaches, and families, and will bring over $1.3 million to the Missoula community. Community members are encouraged to come support these incredible athletes over the weekend. Tickets are available to purchase through GrizTix. Day and full weekend passes are available. The event will feature amenities such as apparel sales, concessions, and more.

Spring Aikido Intro Class for Beginning Adults

Try the martial art of harmony with an orientation on Saturday afternoon, May 7, followed by four guided basics classes. For more information visit AikidoMissoula.com, call 549-8387 or come by the dojo (208 E. Main, Located on the 2nd floor of the historic Union Hall Building). Preregistration required by May 5.

Opening at Radius Gallery

Please join Radius Gallery for their Opening Reception for Surface & Substance: Intersections in Clay, here at Radius Gallery Friday, April 22 from 5 - 8 PM, where we are honoring 11 world class ceramicists. This is your chance to load up on some of the most prolific ceramic work to enjoy sculpturally or functionally. The opening receptions allow for art lovers to meet the artists, mingle with friends, ask questions or make comments to the gallery, and have an inspired evening outside of the more crowded art walk events. For more information check out our website or call us at 406-541-7070.

Crista Ann Ames & Karl Schwiesow: Mutually Exclusive

Artists Crista Ann Ames and Karl Schwiesow's collaborative exhibition "Mutually Exclusive" opened last week at the University Center Gallery on the UM Campus. This work will feature a delightful synthesis of Ames and Schwiesow's themes and styles. Some of their pieces will have a clear visual division between makers, observing the way we must preserve a sense of a self in every kind of relationship we have. The exhibition runs April 11 through April 22, 10 AM - 4 PM, Monday-Friday.

The UC Gallery is a student-run, not-for-profit program available through University Center Student Involvement. The gallery is free and open to the public.

MFA Thesis Exhibitions: Beth Huhtala and David Tarullo

UM Master of Fine Arts graduate students Beth Huhtala and David Tarullo will present their thesis exhibitions April 12 - 21 in the University of Montana Gallery of Visual Arts. The Gallery of Visual Arts is located on the first floor of UM's Social Science Building and is open from 11 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday through Friday. 

The sculpture, paintings and drawings featured in Huhtala's exhibition, "Subsurface," are brightly colored with energetic compositions. Her main subjects are hybrid animal/human characters who take on multiple forms and reference familiar fables. However, the narrative has shifted and changed, playing out new twists on life that fall into complex layers on the surface of the work. 

Tarullo's exhibition, "Tide to Cycles," completely transforms the gallery with an installation involving light, shadow and sound. More than 150 translucent cellophane cubes of various sizes are suspended throughout the gallery, resembling a liquid surface. Tarullo collaborated with violinist Dannon Rampton to create the sound element for the installation. The exhibition references the repetition and range of human emotion through these lighting and sound cycles.

Open Art Call: UC Gallery

The University Center Gallery is accepting applications for Fall 2016 - Spring 2017 through April 22, at 4:00 PM. There is a modest application fee and UM students, faculty and staff may apply at a discounted rate. All proceeds go to support the University Center's art initiatives.

To apply, visit the UC Gallery (2nd floor in the University Center at University of Montana) to pick up an application or download the application form. Please return completed applications to the UC Gallery. Please include application fee: $10 current UM students, faculty, and staff | $15 general public

Open Art Call: Missoula Cultural Council

We are seeking 2-D or 3-D artists to display their works in our downtown office May 31 - June 28. Proposals are due May 6, and the selected artist will be notified by May 13. We will host an opening reception on First Friday, June 3, from 5 - 8 PM for the chosen artist. We are located at 327 E. Broadway, downtown Missoula. Visit the bottom of our homepage for more details in the "Call for Artists" section, titled First Friday at MCC.

Open Art Call:  Missoula Food Bank

Missoula Food Bank is seeking an artist to design a donor recognition art piece to be displayed in a newly constructed building in Missoula. The purpose of this display is to celebrate donors for their contributions to Missoula Food Bank's capital campaign to build the new facility.

The theme of Missoula Food Bank's capital campaign is "1 in 6" - the number of people in Missoula County who used our services in 2015. A media kit is available with MFB's type face, campaign logo, photos and other visual collateral here. Though MFB would like to see submissions reflect the feel and theme of the campaign, literal translations are not required. 

A rendering of the vision of the piece will be unveiled at Out to Lunch and Downtown Tonight in early June, 2016. The piece will be completed no later than December 31, 2016 and will be unveiled at a Grand Opening Ceremony in early 2017 on a date to be determined.

For consideration, artists must submit proposals by May 2. View the art call here.

Public Art Call: Traffic Signal Boxes

The City of Missoula Public Art Committee invites artists residing in Missoula County to apply for a public art project to create art on traffic signal boxes (TSB) located throughout Missoula. The goal of the project is to use local traffic signal boxes as "canvases," greatly enhancing Missoula's visual surroundings.

Proposals are due June 3. Previously painted TSB's can be viewed at the city's website. Past TSB models are on view at Berkshire Hathaway MT Properties through the month of April.

View the application online or email Grace Stopher or Kathi Olson with questions.

Student Art Contest: Search for Peace

The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center is hosting its annual Search for Peace Student Art Contest. The theme this year is: welcoming others as a way of finding and promoting peace within our community. Students are encouraged to express what they feel it means to be welcoming toward others and how that is expressed both daily and in times of crisis and discrimination. Accepted entries may include any form of artwork, essays, poetry, and photography.

The contest is open to all ages from kindergarten to university students and there will be cash prizes for the winners in each category: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College, and Collaborative (two or more students). Submissions are due Friday, April 22, to the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center (519 S. Higgins.) Submissions must be accompanied by an entry form which can be picked up at the Peace Center.  The art will be displayed on First Friday, May 6. More information is available by email or call 543-3955.

Seeking Participants: ZooTown Fringe

Zootown Fringe Festival is thrilled to report this year's dates:  August 16 - 21. Registration begins March 1 ending on June 30.

Zootown Fringe Festival is a unique opportunity to see exciting and entertaining contemporary works in an atmosphere that encourages artists and audiences to take risks.  Unlike curated festivals, the open-access nature of Zootown Fringe Festival creates an opportunity for anyone with a show, exhibition or cultural event to be a part of Missoula's fastest growing performing arts festival.  

Last year Zootown Fringe Festival presented over 40 performances over 6 days.  In line with our mission, 100% of box office sales are paid to the artists. Zootown Fringe Festival is proud to be a new member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals, an elite group of festival producers which gave back $3.2 million dollars in tickets sales back to artists in 2016.  CAFF member's guiding principals are as follows:

• Participants will be selected on a non-juried basis, through a first-come, first served process, a lottery, or other method approved by the Association.
• The audience must have the option to pay a ticket price, 100% of which goes directly to the artists
• Fringe Festival producers have no control over the artistic content of each performance.  The artistic freedom of the participants is unrestrained.
• Festivals must provide an easily accessible opportunity for all audiences and all artists to participate in Fringe Festivals.

Visit the Fringe's website for more information on how to register as an artist.

Accepting Submissions: Montana Book Festival

The Montana Book Festival is now receiving submissions for this year's festival in Missoula, September 21 - 25. Visit their website to apply to the festival.

The Montana Book Festival is a celebration of literary arts held each fall in downtown Missoula that seeks to provide a dynamic, evolving forum for literary engagement, as well as to foster literary community and enthusiasm for the written word by among readers of all ages.

Missoula Art Museum Seeks a Registrar

Missoula Art Museum is hiring for a registrar. The MAM Registrar oversees maintenance and supervision of MAM's collections, including acquisition, storage, cataloging, and packing and shipping of artworks. The Registrar provides high quality care and conservation of artworks and monitors environmental conditions in storage and in exhibitions and advocates for collections, provides and supervises access to collections. If you are interested in learning more about this position visit www.missoulaartmuseum.org.

Humanities Montana Seeks Program Officer

Humanities Montana, a vibrant statewide nonprofit organization, seeks a program officer to begin June 13 in their Missoula office. The position description and required skills are provided here. Please submit a resume and a detailed letter of application indicating how your training, experience, and talents fit the position description.

Include the names and contact information for at least three references who can speak to your effectiveness in a work place setting.

YAM Art Call: Skateboard Design Competition & Exhibition

As an adjunct to the Yellowstone Art Museum's exhibition Harold Schlotzhauer: The Shape of Motion, the museum announces an open call to all area skateboarders living in south-central Montana to compete in 360°,a skateboard design competition and exhibition.

Application forms and design templates are available at the museum's front reception desk or online here. Entries are due April 26 by 5 PM. All family-friendly entries will be exhibited on the gallery walls May 3 - 29, with a celebration in June to follow.

This Week at Ravalli County Museum

3rd Annual Homeschool History Fair:  April 21, 5 - 7 PM

History and fun go hand in hand when the kids from the Bitterroot Homeschoolers gather together, in full costume, to present historical characters for this fun family night. This is a free community event!

Tyler Bradt | Off the Edge:  April 22 at 7 PM

Our lens is on Tyler Bradt, extreme athlete, adventurer, world record holder, & filmmaker. Learn how he navigates life, seeking ultimate experience and connections, focusing awareness on culture, the environment and sustainability. This exhibit will run through October 13.

Ravalli County Museum is located at 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, MT. Call 363-3338 for more information.

Crown Guitar Workshop Scholarship Available

The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation (COCGF) scholarship applications are due on Tuesday, May 31 to attend the seventh annual Crown Guitar Workshop held on August 28 - Sept. 4. Students, teachers and performers of all ages who reside in Flathead, Lake, Sanders, Missoula, and Ravalli counties are eligible to apply for the scholarship. The workshop will be held at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, MT. Please call 855-855-5900 for more information, or click here to visit online.

After Two New York Flops, Cirque du Soleil Bets Big on Broadway

The dancer emerges from stage left, in white tails and top hat; from stage right comes a juggler in a black tuxedo. And then begins a choreographic throwdown - the dancer taps, the juggler balances a cane on his nose - a prelude to the best-of-both-worlds spectacle promised behind the Art Deco curtain.

The circus is coming to town, but this time with a story to tell. More at NY Times...

Why You Should Dance Every Day at 3:15 PM

In the middle of a conversation with a reporter, Meg Foley's phone began to chime insistently. 

"This is my least favorite context to do a 3:15 - in the middle of a meeting," she said, stifling the alarm tone. 

But even as she tried to continue talking, her hands were fluttering into motion. Finally, Foley excused herself and began moving with precision - scooting backward on hands and feet, tracing her arms into sweeping gestures, and unleashing a vigorous kick. Then, with an apologetic shrug, she returned to the interview. Keep reading at the Philadelphia Inquirer...

The Power of Art to Build Strong Youth and Heal Trauma

The arts create an off-ramp from the pipeline by engaging young people and empowering them. Art is not a distraction - but a diversionary tool for them to heal and tell their stories through spoken word, dance, poetry, performance art or a visual piece. Art provides freedom from the everyday struggles that our children and youth must navigate. Read at Huffington Post...

Missoula Cultural Council serves as a resource for the coordination, development and support of art and culture for the benefit of the Missoula community, with the goals of: 

• Advocating for public and private support of the arts and cultural activities.
• Encouraging collaborative efforts among local arts organizations.
• Educating community leaders and policy makers about the economic benefits of the arts.
• Celebrating the value of diverse cultures and helping our community understand its place in the world.

Press releases for upcoming events may be sent to grace@missoulacultural.org.

MISSOULA CULTURAL COUNCIL | 327 E. BROADWAY | PO BOX 7662 | MISSOULA, MT 59807

406.541.0860 | WWW.MISSOULACULTURAL.ORG

Membership at Missoula Cultural Council

When you become a member of the Missoula Cultural Council, you support all of our wonderful events and our creative community. As a member, you demonstrate a shared commitment to our mission. Most importantly, your contribution helps to ensure the future of the arts in our community. Whether you share a passion for the performing arts, visual arts, or the humanities, the Missoula Cultural Council has it all. But we can't do it without your help. Join us today!