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Some news and upcoming events for the week of
August 25, 2008

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Montana Rep and the Crystal Theatre have joined forces to make the Crystal Theatre and adjoining restaurant an exciting downtown destination for great food, wine and beer and outstanding entertainment.  The management of the Montana Rep will be handling all the bookings and overseeing all aspects of production for the space.  Plans for the theatre include a five show season from Montana Rep Missoula, a new play reading series based on works from The Missoula Colony, late night entertainment, and a Sunday brunch reading series.  To call for Bookings contact Hannah Yazzolino at 349-6283. Email Montana.rep@mso.umt.edu

Fact and Fiction presents Seth Kantner, reading and signing Shopping for Porcupine on Monday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m.  Visit www.factandfictionbooks.com or call 721-2881.

The Pattee Canyon Ladies' Salon concludes its ninth annual group art exhibition on August 25. The exhibition will take place at the Brunswick Building, 223 W. Railroad Street, and will show studies from the figure in various media including pencil, pastel, gouache, plaster, and ceramics.  Linda Tawney is the feature artist this year.  All are welcome.  For more information nancron@aol.com

The Missoula Downtown Association's Out to Lunch and Downtown Tonight at Caras Park conclude this week, with Sho-Down and Critical Martini performing Wednesday, August 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and Reverend Slanky performing Thursday, August 28, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  Visit www.missouladowntown.com

The Sierra Club hosts a presentation and open house on Energy and Climate Change Solutions on August 28 at the Missoula Children's Theater from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call 549-1142.

Missoula's 1st annual PEDal Festival will be at Caras Park on Saturday August 30 from noon to 8:00 p.m. featuring performances by Burning River, Andrea Harsell, Sky Moose and others.  There will also be a raffle. Prizes include a fat tire commuter bike, novara bikes (adult and kid's), panniers, running waist packs, canvas tote bags, a free bike tune from bike dr., and many others. Purchase tickets from REI-Missoula (2230 N. Reserve St. #300), Bike Doctor (1101 Toole Ave.), any BWAM board member, or at the PEDal Festival. Tickets are $2 each, or 3 for $5.  Visit www.bikewalkmissoula.org 

The PEDal Festival seeks 2-3 more back up singers for a fun, 20 minute rock opera, to be performed next Sat. afternoon in Caras Park. The performance is about learning to ride a bike for the first time, the freedom that comes when you get out of your car, and the ancient fire-throwing villains that haunt the otherwise Utopian town of Zimoula. We can tell you more: call Roxy Todd 728-5138.

Zootown Arts Community Center and Slumgullion presents First Friday InstallationS & EXHIBITIONs on September 5.  Featured are a 3 Artist Extravaganza Featuring works of Debby Florence, Courtney Blazon, and Lady Pajama. Visit www.zootownarts.com or call 549-7555.

Works by Nancy Seiler and Beth Warren are on display the month of September at the Catalyst Café. There will be a First Friday Opening on September 5 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.  Visit www.nancyseiler.com  or call 728-5691.

Painted Violins, a gala dinner auction to benefit the Missoula Symphony Association, will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Friday, September 26 beginning at 6 p.m. Twelve violins, hand-painted by renowned artists, will be auctioned by Missoula Mayor John Engen.  For more information, a preview of the violins and a list of artists, visit www.missoulasymphony.org   For tickets please call 721-3194. Their violins will be exhibited at LA Design during First Friday, September 5.  Visit First Friday blog

Zootown Arts Community Center is seeking Missoula community artists from the surrounding area to participate in its grand opening event on September 6 from noon-8:00 p.m. at 235 N. 1st St. West.  This will be an all-day event celebrating the arts in Missoula. Music, comedy, food art, art workshops, gallery attendants, and volunteers of all ages are needed! (Does your child know how to sing?-Have you ever wanted to showcase your culinary and artistic talents to the Missoula Community? Showcase yourself!)  ZACC Grand Opening Event will be a networking event for many makers and shakers in the Missoula Community arts scene. Visit www.zootownarts.com or call 549-7555.

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, the premier venue for nonfiction film in the American West, is seeking submissions for its sixth annual event. From February 13-22, 2009 the festival will screen 100 films, including world and U.S. premieres, classics, rare and experimental works on Montana's largest screen at the historic Wilma Theater in downtown Missoula, Montana.  In addition to ten days of screenings, the event will feature many public and VIP events including panel discussions, galas, receptions and networking round-tables.  The competitive event is open to non-fiction films and videos of all genres, subject matter, lengths and production dates. Awards and cash prizes will be given for Best Documentary Feature (over 50 minutes), Best Documentary Short (15-50 minutes), Best Mini-Doc (under 15 minutes) and best documentary about the American West (the "Big Sky Award").  The regular deadline is September 1, and final deadline is October 20. Contact callforentries@bigskynet.org  or visit www.bigskyfilmfest.org

The Clinton Cougar Kingdom Playground Project seeks volunteers.  The group has raised the money and material for the Dragon's Hollow-type community playground on the school grounds of the Clinton School, now needs the muscle to help build the playground.  The Clinton Cougar Kingdom Playground project, a community playground for children in the Clark Fork River Valley, will be built with donated materials and volunteer labor on the Clinton School grounds September 24-28.  Shifts run from 8 a.m. to noon; 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to dark on each of the build days. Volunteers can work an hour, a shift, a day or even the entire build.  Food and drink are provided, and child-care for potty-trained kids will also be provided.  Kids age 10-13 may help with their parents; and teens 14-17 can help on their own - no power tools for them, however.  To volunteer, email Shellie Nelson at swnelson@blackfoot.net or call her at 240-0920.

The University of Montana African-American Studies Department presents From Adversity to Diversity: A Celebration of 40 Years of African-American Studies at the University of Montana, Tuesday, September 9, at the University Center.  Featured speakers include Dr. Ulysses Doss, Jibreel Khazan, and Dr. Tunde Adeleke.  For more information please visit www.cas.umt.edu/aasa/ or contact Dr. George Price at george.price@mso.umt.edu

The Missoula Sunrise Rotary and Montana Repertory Theatre presents the Who's Who Revue, a spectacular variety show showcasing memorable performances from local luminaries eager to show off their hidden talent. Benefiting the University of Montana Reparatory Theater's Educational Outreach and the Youth Programs of the Missoula Sunrise Rotary, the Who's Who Revue will take place Saturday, September 13 at the Montana Repertory Theater located in the Performing Arts & Radio Television Center on the University of Montana Campus. Festivities start at 6:30 pm with a reception followed by the performance at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $75 and available at Worden's Market, Rockin' Rudy's and at the door on a first come first served basis.

The Friendship Force of Western Montana-Missoula will host 22 visiting Australians coming from the Sunshine Coast starting September 8 until 15. A program has been planned to acquaint them with our area including a bus trip to Glacier Park. There will be several club activities that will give an opportunity for club members and the community to meet the Australians.  Call Spencer at 549 8357 for times and places.

MCT Community Theatre has announced its 2008-2009 Season.  This year's productions include:   

• Jesus Christ Superstar, October 24-26, 29, November 2, 5-9.

• Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical, December 5-7, 10-14.

• Bang the Drum Slowly, January 23-25, 28, February 1.

• Bye Bye Birdie, March 13-15, 18-22.

• Oliver!, May 1-3, 6-10.

For information, contact 728-PLAY or boxoffice@mctinc.org.  Visit www.mctinc.org

For more information about arts events in the Missoula area, visit www.missoulacultural.org

ELSEWHERE IN MONTANA AND THE REGION...

This week Shakespeare in the Parks visits Salmon (Idaho), Bozeman, Laurel, Red Lodge, Gardiner, Cooke City, and Big Timber with its performances of All's Well That Ends Well and Macbeth.  For the full schedule and all information visit  www2.montana.edu/shakespeare

Bonnie Raitt performs at the Meadow Village Pavilion in Big Sky on August 27 at 7:00 p.m.  Call 995-2742 or visit  www.bigskyarts.org

Travelers' Rest in Lolo presents "What a Rush! The Story of Benjamin Rush" presented by Loren Flynn at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 27; Dining with Lewis and Clark, presented by Rory Romano from noon-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, August 30-31; and "Plants of the Lewis & Clark Expedition" presented by Jack Puckett at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 30.  Visit www.travelersrest.org

The Ravalli County Fair is at the Fairgrounds in Hamilton August 27-31.  Call 363-3411 for more information.  

The Hamilton Players present Clarence Darrow, August 29-31, at 8:00 p.m. Fri-Sat., 2 p.m. Sunday.  A play by David Rintels, based on Irving Stone's "Clarence Darrow for the Defense."  Hamilton Players veteran actor Terry Croghan will perform the title role in this one-man show at the Hamilton Playhouse.  Tickets are on sale now through our box office: $14 for reserved seating.  Call 375-9050, or click here to purchase online. Visit www.hamiltonplayers.com

The Big Sky Polka Festival is held this week at the Shrine Auditorium in Billings from August 29-31.  Call 656-7470 or 633-2575 for more information.

From the Montana Associated Technology Roundtable:

Pakistan to honor Greg Mortenson of Bozeman, Montana (Central Asia Institute) for his efforts to educate the children of Pakistan and Afghanistan
"The credit and this (diplomacy) award should go to the incredible, amazing and dedicated communities of Pakistan and Afghanistan, who have the courage to seek out education and literacy, sometimes while even risking their lives."

Center helps nonprofits find funds
Funding Information Center's mission: To help nonprofits develop good governance, good management, sustainability. The center provides tools to help people do those things the right way.

The Art Of Leadership-"Marketing Tune-Up: Grow Your Audience And Your Bottom Line", 10/3-4, Missoula
Registration is open to teams from all Montana-based 501(c)(3) arts organizations.

For more information about arts events throughout the region, visit www.livelytimes.com

NATIONALLY...
From Americans for the Arts Cultural Policy Listserv:

S.L. County pushes arts boards to diversify
Salt Lake Tribune (UT), 8/19/2008
"Salt Lake County's leading cultural-arts attractions have received a high-power nudge, not a mandate, to diversify their governing boards - now dominated by east-siders. The County Council adopted a resolution Tuesday urging entertainment venues such as the Utah Symphony, Pioneer Theatre and Discovery Gateway children's museum to appoint leaders from each of the county's six political districts. 'It is only fair that since county taxpayers contribute that money,' GOP Councilman David Wilde said, 'they should have more input into how that money is spent.'"

'Elements' arts village planned for along Town Lake
Arizona Republic, 8/14/2008
In Tempe, AZ, a unique arts development called "Elements" will provide visitors with "a rare opportunity to watch and learn as local artists shape works for national and international buyers. Tempe leaders say Elements offers an opportunity to redevelop an empty strip of the Rio Salado bank between the Tempe Center for the Arts and Priest Drive into a global arts attraction. Each of the four artists will be responsible for construction and maintenance of their buildings and will lend Tempe free public art or host workshops. The city will lease the artists the land for $1 a year."

Gov. O'Malley Invites Public Input on Imagine Maryland
TheBayNet.com, 8/15/2008
"Governor Martin O'Malley today invited public input on the recently unveiled Imagine Maryland, a community collaboration and cultural planning initiative to identify opportunities and ideas that will enhance the role of the arts in Maryland. The Governor is encouraging all Marylanders to participate in an on-line survey or attend one of eight upcoming arts forums being hosted by the Maryland State Arts Council."

How Can Arts Leaders Play an Active Role in Cultural Planning Initiatives in Their Local Communities?
CultureWork, July 2008
Tina Rinaldi shares her experiences and reflects on serving as a novice chair for a community cultural planning committee. Drawing on her time on this advisory committee, Rinaldi provides an overview of the challenges and successes for citizen-led cultural review. What does it mean for the arts and culture professional to work in a forum with a high level of community participation? What are the roles of each stakeholder? Rinaldi addresses these and other questions of this dynamic and exigent forum for municipal cultural engagement.

New program will recruit kids to fight violence with art, music, and poetry
Boston Globe, 8/17/2008
"City youth armed with digital cameras and audio recorders will capture images and words that they hope will persuade their peers to shun violence, under a new city program being announced this afternoon in Dorchester [MA]."

The Big Question: What does it mean for the US if whites are no longer in the majority?
The Independent (UK), 8/15/2008
"[T]he United States Census Bureau has just released a projection - based on current birth, death and immigration rates - which predicts that white people of northern European descent will no longer make up a majority of the country's population by the year 2042." Among the projected cultural changes: With more and more of the Hispanic population growing up speaking English, "[t]he Hispanic population will probably become part of the American culture, just like Italians, Poles and Irish did."

Draft of 2008 Democratic National Convention Platform Includes Arts
Americans for the Arts website, 8/18/2008
The Democratic National Convention Committee recently released a draft of their guiding principles for this year's convention in Denver, August 25-28. In the "Renewing the American Community" section of the platform, legislators, party leaders, and policymakers included a specific policy section on the arts, citing the need to increase support for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, arts in education, and cultural exchange. The language in the platform is the most comprehensive language on the importance of the arts and culture this political season, thanks in large part to Americans for the Arts Action Fund's work with committee members to include statements from its ArtsVote2008 Pro-Arts Policy Brief.

INTERNATIONALLY...

Welsh local authorities to be legally required to promote culture
The Stage (UK), 8/19/2008
"Wales' new heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones has vowed to make the promotion of culture a legal obligation for local authorities, in a bid to ensure that everyone in the country has equal access to the arts. . . . Jones said: 'During the next three years, we wish to place a statutory duty upon our local authorities to promote culture and the arts. This is not for control's sake. Rather, it reflects our desire to provide high quality cultural experiences to each and every one of our communities in the spirit of the One Wales programme [the country's coalition agreement].'"

Let's get creative with more citizen diplomacy
Des Moines Register (IA), 8/18/2008
Guest columnists Rick Barton and Matthew Rojansky argue, "Restoring America's global image demands the engagement of American citizens in a dramatic expansion of citizen diplomacy, the face-to-face exchange of people, ideas and information around the world. The 9/11 Commission believed in the power of citizen diplomacy and urged the U.S. government to 'rebuild the scholarship, exchange and library programs that reach out to young people and offer them knowledge and hope.' We must not only invest more in programs like these, but get creative about how we promote cross-cultural understanding to prevent tomorrow's conflicts."

Tories may slash $50 million in arts funding
Canada.com - Canwest News Service, 8/14/2008
In Canada, "[t]he country's arts sector fears the Conservatives are prepared to slash $50 million in cultural funding after discovering new cuts to federal arts programs. It has been revealed that three programs benefitting the film, television and music industries, totalling $4.3 million, will end as of next March. These join PromArt and Trade Routes ($4.7 million and $9 million respectively), travel subsidy programs whose demise has been reported over the past week. There are also fears for the $27.1 million Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program, which is designed to help arts and heritage groups find their financial footing. Finally, Radio-Canada reported that the $4.7 million New Media Research Networks Fund will be cut, bringing the seven-day total of programs either cut by the Conservatives or in apparent jeopardy to $49.8 million."

Opting For The Arts
Newsweek, 8/9/2008
"It's no coincidence that 17 of 25 Chinese Politburo members are engineers by training. But the boom they've created is granting a growing number of students (at least among the elite) the luxury to explore arts and design courses long taught in the West but relatively neglected in Asia."

FINALLY...

This week we remember the life and work of Jim Kriley, former dean of the UM School of Fine Arts. For the story of his service over the weekend, visit The Missoulian.

FIRST NIGHT CALL TO ARTISTS
The 15th Anniversary of First Night Missoula will be celebrated on December 31st, 2008.

First Night is a spirited New Year's cultural celebration open to the entire community. The application deadline for First Night performers has passed.

CALL FOR ARTWORK
MCC invites Missoula's community of visual artists and designers to submit proposals for the 15th Anniversary First Night Missoula button, poster and program cover artwork.
Designs should include the words First Night® Missoula 2009 and 15th Anniversary.

The deadline for ARTWORK proposals is August 31st, 2008.

For examples of previous designs, please visit www.firstnightmissoula.org.  For more information, contact Sara at 532-3240 or sara@missoulacultural.org.

All selected First Night artists will be compensated.

 

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