Art + Culture News // August 19, 2019
Upcoming Missoula Events!
14th Annual River City Roots Festival

August 23-24
Downtown Missoula
The Missoula Downtown Association will open the 14th Annual River City Roots Festival on Friday, August 23. This year’s festival will feature Honey Island Swamp Band as the headliner Friday night, while Leftover Salmon will close the festival Saturday, August 24.

Roots Fest is admission free and full of family-friendly fun thanks to support from more than 30 Missoula-area businesses that sponsor the event. The festival celebrates all Missoula has to offer, including exceptional arts and culture, healthy living, sustainability, and local food and beverages.

The Family Roots Fest begins again Saturday morning at 10am in Caras Park following the conclusion of the fun run. Families can enjoy entertainment from groups such Missoula Taekwondo Center, On Center Performing Arts, Big Sky ATA, Be Bear Aware, Animal Wonders, Climate Smart Missoula and more. Dozens of activities from local groups will also be featured during the Family Roots Fest. Paying homage to the strong Missoula art scene, the Art Show will continue at 11am Saturday on Main Street and will feature nearly 30 artists from around the region.

Festival-goers can bike, walk, and bus to Downtown Missoula, thanks to Zero-Fare Mountain Line, and trails and sidewalks throughout the community. For the third-consecutive year, there will be a free bike valet, thanks to Climate Smart Missoula and Missoula in Motion. The bike valet will be located on Main Street between Ryman and Higgins. Additionally, all public parking will be free of charge throughout Roots Fest weekend, thanks to the Missoula Parking Commission.

Food and beverages are available for sale at the festival. Those who are age 21 and older can purchase a wristband and a signature, reusable Roots Fest cup for $8, and the first drink is free. Roots Fest stainless steel pints are also available and include a wristband and free drink for $15. Almost 20 local food vendors will be available for folks to purchase food both on Ryman Street and in Caras Park during Family Roots Fest.

To support sustainable practices during the festival, Roots Fest has once again teamed up with Climate Smart Missoula and the City of Missoula to showcase simple actions that leave the festival, community, and planet cleaner, safer, and healthier. In participation with Missoula’s Zero to Fifty Initiative, the MDA has launched a composting program in partnership with the food vendors and Missoula Compost Collection.

Germanfest 2019
September 1, 2 - 6 PM
Caras Park

Presented by Arts Missoula and Global and Cultural Affairs, Germanfest celebrates Missoula's sister city Neckargemund. This festival features authentic German brats, beer, pretzels, and steins.

Montana Book Festival
September 12-15, 2019

Wear your shirt to the festival to get a high-five from Co-Directors Sam and Tess! Support the Montana Book Festival and look good doing it at only $24.99 a shirt.


Montana Songwriter Showcase
An evening of shared songwriting by four of Missoula's pioneer
and veteran independent singer songwriters.

Thursday, August 22, 7:30 PM
Roxy Theater
What has 30 albums, a Grammy Nomination, multiple "Best Musician" awards from the Missoula Independent, a USA Songwriter Grand Prize and a Northwest Emmy Award? The combination of singer songwriters Susan Gibson, Tom Catmull, Jenn Adams and John Floridis! 

These four singer songwriters began their careers in Missoula, Montana in the early and mid 1990's at the dawn of the movement toward independently produced CD's and recordings. Though they've all pursued their paths individually, they've frequently shared billing with one another, recorded together and even occasionally played in each other's bands. Five years ago they joined each other on stage for the first time, and the show was so well received they've made it a yearly event.

Tickets are  $17.00  advance,  $20.00 door  and will be available at the Roxy Theater. Online tickets will be  available through the Roxy Theater website.

Susan, Tom, Jenn and John became friends through meeting at open mics, shared gigs and recording projects in the mid-1990’s and immediately came to respect each other’s work. All but Susan Gibson still live in the Missoula and Bitterroot area. Susan makes a yearly pilgrimage  from Austin, Texas  back to Montana, revisiting the route that inspired her to write  the Dixie Chick’s   huge hit single “Wide Open Spaces. ” When she does the four friends have made it a now yearly tradition to gather to trade songs old, new and “in the works ” and share stories of their journeys with music and songwriting spanning over two decades

Visit the songwriters' personal websites here:

Opening Reception: Impressions

Friday, August 23, 5 - 8 PM
Radius Gallery
Join us for the opening reception of Radius Gallery’s new exhibit, Impressions- an all printmaking show.

The vitality of contemporary printmaking is on full display in this extraordinary exhibition featuring work by thirteen Montana-based artists spanning three generations. Driven by boundless creativity and a love of craft, these artists have generated work for the show that is, in turns, whimsical, provocative, enigmatic and alluring. Across the board, the work reflects a creative imperative to bring something heretofore unseen into the world.

Featuring new works by Montana printmakers James Bailey, Jason Clark, Dan DeGrandpre, Elizabeth Dove, Claire Emery, Frank Finley, Bev Beck Glueckert, Scot Herries, Gesine Janzen, David Miles Lusk, Katie S. Machain, James G. Todd & Doug Turman, plus selections from MATRIX PRESS.

Summertime High Tea
Presented by
The Clay Studio of Missoula

Sunday, August 25, 4:00 PM
Hosted in a lovely garden setting
11385 Trillium Lane, Lolo
You're invited! This late summer celebration offers an appetizing selection of high tea themed snacks, and scones. The Clay Studio of Missoula’s talented ceramic artists will provide guests with a handmade cup and plate to take home. Teas by Lake Missoula Tea Company, coffee, and wine will also be served, along with live music accompaniment by Canta Brasil.

Proceeds from this event benefit professional development opportunities for our long term artists-in-residence.

Additional plates and cups may be purchased at the event. Funds raised by the event will help support the Clay Studio residents in this coming year, helping the Clay Studio to fulfill its mission of continuing to provide affordable access to high-quality ceramic art, instruction, and studio facilities.

For more information on the "High Tea with The Clay Studio" fundraising event, and to purchase tickets, please call 406.543.0509 or visit the Clay Studio website!

Tickets must be reserved and purchased prior to Summertime High Tea , and are not available at the door during the event.


Border Cantos | Sonic Borders
works by artists Richard Misrach and Guillermo Galindo

Presented by Missoula Art Museum

This September, nationally renowned  Border Cantos  |  Sonic Border  artists Richard Misrach and Guillermo Galindo visit Missoula for a thought-provoking lecture and mesmerizing performance.  Photographer Richard Misrach will speak about his work documenting the controversies of immigration and forced migration. Guillermo Galindo will perform experimental compositions and present uniquely-created instruments.  Their visit to Missoula will also include a First Friday reception and  Border Cantos  book signing.

Richard Misrach Lecture | Guillermo Galindo Performance
September 4, 7 PM
MCT Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets are free for MAM members and students
($5 for nonmembers of MAM)
Special thanks to Art Bridges for making this event possible.

First Friday Reception + Book Signing
September 6, 5–8 PM
Missoula Art Museum
Free and open to the public.

Border Cantos | Sonic Border
Richard Misrach | Guillermo Galindo
Nationally touring exhibition at MAM through September 21 only!
MAM Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM

Just for Kids!


Fall/Winter Classes & Workshops at MCT!
‌
The shorter days of fall mean more opportunities for young stars to shine brightly with the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT). With exciting productions and classes, MCT is where your children of all skill levels can explore their budding passion for theatre.

September kicks off with classes for Hansel and Gretel Sept. 10-Oct. 4 . These Tues/Thur classes, open to grades K-12, will culminate into performances Fri, Oct. 4. All registered children will receive a role in the show. The afterschool classes are rehearsals for Hansel and Gretel.

Rising Stars is specially crafted for grades K-2. Meeting Tues/Thur, Nov. 5-21, Rising Stars allows young performers to gain skills and confidence in a nurturing, fun atmosphere. Rising Stars will present an informal, non-ticketed performance on Thur, Nov. 21.

MCT’s innovative Play in a Day program is a day camp that occurs on most Missoula County Public Schools “no school days.” Within the course of one day, the K-8 performers will rehearse a small musical, which they then perform at 5:30PM. “I’m not Scared” (Oct. 17), “Monst-querade Ball” (Oct. 18), and “Dinosaurs” (Nov. 15) are this autumn’s Play in a Day performance themes.

Theatre Skills classes are for young performers ready for more in-depth work. Theatre Skills Classes will meet Sat mornings for six weeks, 10AM-12PM, Oct. 12-Nov. 16. Open to K-12, but divided into K-2, 3-6, and 7-12 classes, the fall session will focus on developing acting skills. Theatre Skills Classes will also be offered in Apr-May of 2020.

The falling temperatures of December will bring the magic of Disney’s Frozen Jr.! These classes, open to grades 7-12, run Dec. 3-Feb. 8, with performances Feb. 6-8, 2020.

Creative Movement Classes
 for Children ages 3 1/2 - 10

UM Dance Program

Every fall and spring, the University of Montana Dance Program offers creative movement dance classes for children age 3 and a half to 10. Registration is now open for classes this fall.
Creative movement provides opportunities for children to express their inherent creativity through their bodies. Based on the premise that children love to move, the classes capitalize on children’s natural movement forms: jumping, twisting, spinning and leaping. 
The classes take place on UM’s main campus in the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center on Thursdays during the fall session, which runs Sept. 5 to Nov 21. Class times are based on age: 3:30-4 p.m. for ages 3 and a half to 4, 4:15-5 p.m. for ages 5 to 6, and 5:15-6 p.m. for ages 7 to 10.
Children also are exposed to the elements of dance and basic movement patterns. The UM Children’s Dance program serves as an excellent introduction to dance for all children. For the 7- to 10-year-olds, dancers are introduced to dance techniques and create their own original choreography.
All classes are accompanied by live piano and drums, and UM School of Theatre and Dance students earn credit for participating as student teachers. With student teachers in each class, children get personal attention and the opportunity to learn from various teaching styles.
Laurel Sears, an adjunct assistant professor of dance, said children – even those who may never have danced formally before – benefit from the course in multiple ways.
“Parents tell me all the time how much their kids reenact what they learned in the class at home,” Sears said. “One student themed her whole fifth birthday party around her class!”
Ongoing Exhibits
domestic topography :
Works by Ben Jordan
August 2 - 30
Clay Studio of Missoula

Matthew Hamon:
Ratljóst
July 12 - October 31
PARTV Building, UM

More Than Words
Sept 1 - 30
Opening Reception
Sept 6 @ 5 pm
Missoula Artists Shop

Another Alphabet
July 12 - August 17
Radius Gallery

Classes & Workshops
Painted Color Ceramics
(Corvallis)
For more details on Painted Color Ceramics & Classes, 
visit our  website!
Lakebottom Sound
Free Sessions
FIRST Sundays 6-8PM at Imagine Nation Brewing

Zootown Arts Community Center
For upcoming classes and details, please visit the 

Playing With The Band 
2019 REGISTRATION OPEN
(406) 396-3352 
Bare Bait Dance
Modern Dance Class
Open Space, 005 
PARTV Building, U of M
Tuesdays 5:30-7PM
Unity Dance & Drum
African Dance Class  
Missoula Senior Center
Tuesdays, 7-8:30PM
Contact: 549-7933
Missoula Art Museum
     Lunch Club - 30min tours & chats at MAM!

For full listings and more information on MAM's classes:  Website!


People's Market  
    Saturdays 9 AM - 1 PM
May through September
@ Higgins and Pine
The Clay Studio 
    of Missoula       
For information on ALL Adult and Kid classes at The Clay Studio of Missoula,  click here!
Downtown Dance Collective
Drop-In Classes
Ages 13+
For all experience levels
Website  
Flamenco Montana
Mondays at 
The Barn Movement studio
Beginners: 6:45-7:45PM
Continuing: 7:45-8:45PM
542-9270
Flamenco MT  website!
Art Calls & Commissions
Auditions!
Disney's Freaky Friday ,
A New Musical

Missoula Community Theatre
The Missoula Community Theatre will hold an open audition for Disney’s Freaky Friday on Sunday, August 25 from 12:30-4:00 PM. Please use the Main Street entrance and go to the third floor. 

In this lively new musical based on the popular novel and Disney movies, mom and daughter, Katherine and Ellie, both have strong opinions on how the other should live her life. In one magical moment, the frazzled single mom and her rebellious teenage daughter switch bodies, and a chaotic comedy of errors ensues! In addition to the delightfully heartwarming story, Freaky Friday contains a score/lyrics composed by the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal).

The audition is open to women, men, and children ages 12 and up. Director Joseph Martinez will audition adults (age 17 and up) from 12:30-2:00 PM. Children/teens (ages 12-16) will audition from 2:00-4:00 PM. Martinez is expecting to cast approximately 14 females and 14 males. Martinez says there are “lots of fun roles for adults and teenagers.”

No advance preparation is required to audition. Call-backs will take place the same evening. Martinez expects that rehearsals will be weeknights from 7-10:30 PM. Those auditioning should note that Disney’s Freaky Friday performances are October 24-November 3. 

**For questions regarding auditions, or to inquire about a perusal script, please call MCT at 728-PLAY(7529) Monday-Friday between 9AM and 5PM.
Friends and Family Art Call!
All past and present staff, board members, volunteers, studio holders, instructors, students, ZACC Main & Hallway Gallery artists, and ZACC collaborators are invited to submit to our 2019 Friends and Family Show! Anyone belonging to any of these groups who submits work will be accepted!

Deadline: November 3
KBGA Missoula artists radio show. Talk about an art event, life as an artists, etc.


Call For Art
48th Benefit Art Auction


Missoula Art Museum
Important Dates: 
  • Submission Deadline: September 16, 2019 (midnight Mountain Time) 
  • Notification of jury results sent via email: November 1, 2019 
  • Last Day to deliver artwork: December 27, 2019
  • Exhibition dates: January 3-29, 2020 
  • Opening Reception: January 3, 2020, 5-8 PM 
  • 48th Benefit Art Auction and dinner: February 1, 2020, UC Ballroom, University of Montana 
 
Eligibility: Open to all artists. Submissions are not accepted from dealers, galleries or any third party.

Terms: The jury will consider all submissions for inclusion in either the Live or the Silent Auctions. The donation amount you choose (100%, 75%, or 50%) is calculated from the final sale price. The Reserve Price is set at 50% of declared value.

Artist Benefits:  All auction artists  will receive one discounted ticket to the 48th Benefit Art Auction and dinner and a one-year MAM Individual Circle Membership that provides invitations to member-only receptions and exhibition previews, a subscription to MAM’s print newsletter, and discounts on books, classes and beverages at receptions, a $50 value.

Artists that choose to donate 100% of their sale  to MAM will receive   one free ticket plus one discounted ticket to the 48th Benefit Art Auction and dinner, and a one-year MAM Friend Circle Level Membership giving you and your partner all the membership benefits listed above plus reciprocal membership to over 600 museums nationwide, a $125 value.

Radius Gallery invites artists far and wide to submit original artworks to its 6th annual Holiday Show!

This show aims to bring together an abundance of original art by artists across Montana and beyond, and to offer collectors and gift givers alike a wide variety of unique, high quality and affordable works.

Submission Deadline: September 30

Want to make sure you never miss an art call? Sign up for the City of Missoula Public Art Committee's artist registry! Sign up here to be the first to receive art calls!
Volunteer Opportunities
Be a part of the Montana Book Festival!

While author and panel submissions are closed, we still need your help! Submit to be a festival vendor or volunteer. We want to hear from you!

Partners & Affiliates
Click the links below for more information
Sister Cities:
Palmerston North, New Zealand & Neckargemünd, Germany