Missoula Cultural Council – Some news and upcoming events for the week of December 6, 2004

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) recently announced the recipients of the annual REI Stewards for the Environment awards. Making the list of outstanding environmental volunteers is Roy Weil and Mary Shaw of Pittsburgh, PA, who are members of Missoula-based Adventure Cycling Association. Weil and Shaw were awarded with a $500 REI gift card, and Adventure Cycling was awarded a grant of $20,000. Visit http://www.adventurecycling.org to learn more about Adventure Cycling’s programs.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is holding auditions for Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple on December 6 at 6:00 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are scheduled for January 20-23 and 26-30. Call 721-1911 for more information.

This week the University of Montana Department of Music presents the UM Symphony Orchestra on December 6 in the University Theatre; UM Faculty member Margaret Baldridge in a violin recital on December 7 in the Music Recital Hall; The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band on December 8 at the University Theatre; and the University Choir and Chamber Chorale on December 10 at the University Theatre. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Call 243-6880 for more information.

There will be a discussion on Behind the Scenes of the Living Art & Expressions for Healing art exhibit on display at St. Patrick Hospital through December. Find out what workshop participants and the calligrapher experienced during the making of this exhibit. Free and open to the public on Tuesday, December 7 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Broadway Building Conference Room #3. For more information call 549-5329.

Frederick Allen, former political editor and columnist for the Atlanta Constitution and commentator for CNN, will present a lecture entitled, A Decent, Ordinary Lynching: The Montana Vigilantes on December 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the North Underground Lecture Hall on the UM campus. This event is sponsored by the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West and the Department of History. Admission is free. Call 243-7700 or visit http://www.crmw.org

The University of Montana Department of Drama/Dance presents The Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, in the Montana Theatre at the PAR-TV building on the UM campus from December 7-11. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Call 243-4581 for tickets and information.

MCAT and Save St. Francis Xavier School present two shows this week: Theatre Speak with Chris Evans and Friends on December 7 at 3:00 p.m. and Prescott House Renovation with Steve Loken on December 9 at 9:00 p.m.

The Missoula Art Museum (MAM) is presenting Holiday Concerts in the Florence Lobby (111 North Higgins Avenue) from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. on each of the four Wednesdays before Christmas. These four free, festive events are designed to celebrate the holidays with songs, instrumentalists, holiday treats and beverages. This week’s concert on December 8 is by Missoula Symphony Brass Quintet – consisting of John Driscoll, trumpet; Randy Zschaechner, trumpet; Robert Green, horn; Tomi Kent, trombone and Karl Ortman, tuba. These fine musicians will perform holiday tunes, both traditional and popular. Call 728-0447 or visit http://www.missoulaartmuseum.org for more information.

It’s a Wonderful Life continues Wednesday, December 8 through Sunday, December12 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. For more information call 728-PLAY or visit http://www.mctinc.com

The Missoula Transportation & Restoration Museum will hold its monthly planning meeting at Bitterroot Motors, Thursday Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m. This is a chance for the public to see what this organization is planning for the high schools of Missoula. For further information, contact Alan C. Ault at 370-4365.

Maren Christensen is performing a CD release concert on December 9 at 8:00 p.m. at the Crystal Theater. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door and are on sale at Rockin Rudy’s, Tipu’s, The Catalyst and The Bridge. Maren is a local singer/songwriter releasing her first CD entitled Resilient Child, and will be joined by local musicians Beth Youngblood and Nathan Zavalney. For more information call 728-5853.

Here are the Weekend Matinees at the International Wildlife Media Center & Film Festival (Roxy Theater): Thursday, December 9 – Films for Kids, starting at 3:30 p.m:
Awesome Animal Builders (45 min); Canadian Geographic for Kids: The Spirit of Anne (24 min). Saturday, December 11, starting at 1:30 p.m: Young & Wild (54 min); Stories from the 7th Fire: The First Spring Flood (24 min). Sunday, December 12 – Award Winning Top Picks, starting at 1:30 p.m: Invincible Wolf (52 min); Wild Africa: Mountains (50 min) For more information call 728-9380 or visit http://www.wildlifefilms.org

International Wildlife Media Center & Film Festival is hosting an Open House at the Roxy Theater on Friday, December 10th from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Check out our three theaters, which are available for rent and our extensive EarthVision Library with over 1,000 wildlife films available for rent. For more information, please call the Media Center at 728-9380.

The Montana Natural History Center is holding a Wild Gift Bazaar on Saturday, December 11 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm at 127 N. Higgins. Support MNHC and get your holiday shopping done at the same time! Artisans will be selling beautiful, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted nature-related items sure to please everyone on your gift list. Children’s activities and refreshments will be provided. http://www.TheNatureCenter.org or call 327-0405 for more information.
Jeni Fleming is performing a CD release concert for her new album Once Around the Sun on Sunday December 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Masquer Theatre on the UM campus. She will be joined by special guest Eden Atwood. Tickets are $15 and are available at Rockin Rudy’s. Visit http://www.jenifleming.com

The Sentinel High School Concert, Spartan and Symphony Bands will perform a concert on Monday, December 13 at the Sentinel High School main gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. A hosted reception will follow in the foyer courtesy of the Band Parents Organization. Please bring a food staple item to share with the Missoula Food Bank as a token admission. Call 728-2403 x 7041 for more information.

Elsewhere in Montana and the Region…

Governor Judy Martz and the Montana Capitol Restoration Foundation cordially invite you to attend "Chrismas at the Capitol", Thursday, December 9, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Events will include the Dedication of the Restored Capitol Steps, lighting the newly purchased historic globes etched with the State Seal, and lighting the 2004 Christmas tree. There will also be presentations by the National Guard, Music by the Handbell Choir from the United Covenant Methodist Church directed by Leo Mendina and Fran Waddell, the Helena Youth Choir under the direction of Carol Waniata, and musical selections by Brian Adams from Bozeman. A Reception will follow the Capitol Steps dedication and tree lighting.

The Wilbur Rehmann Quartet will be in Polson on December 11, Saturday night from 8:00-11:00 p.m. for the Charity Ball at the Polson Elks. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

At Wild Plum Station on Highway 200 in Dixon this week: Friday, December 10, Melissa Blue; Saturday, December 11, harmonic gospel group Master’s Touch. Call 246-ARTS.

The Helena Symphony performs Handel’s Messiah at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Helena on December 12. Call 442-1860.

The U.S.A. Ballet Company Illinois performs Twas the Night Before Christmas at 8:00 p.m. at the Mother Lode Theater in Butte on December 11. Call 723-3602 for tickets and information.

Brach Thompson, pianist, and musical guests offer upbeat selection of Christmas melodies in A Touch of Christmas on December 11 at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Call 837-4886

The Glacier Symphony and Chorale perform The Star of Bethlehem at 7:30 p.m. on December 11 and 3:00 p.m. on December12 in the Flathead High School Auditorium. Call 257-3241.

The Panida Theater in Sandpoint is hosting a Potluck on December 10 at 8:00 p.m. Tim Behrens performs a one man show by Patrick McManus. Call 208-263-9192.

From the Montana Associated Technology Roundtable…

Flathead On the Move – Understanding growth and the economy in Whitefish
"People are taking their jobs to where they want to be," Liz Harris, president of the Kalispell-based economic development organization Jobs No Inc., said. "They figure out where they want to live, and find a way to make a living." http://www.matr.net/article-12806.html

Hellgate graduate, wife among ’25 coolest,’ says "Outside" magazine – "Stewart+Brown" on its way to Missoula?
"We want to run this business from Missoula," Howard Brown he said. "That’s where so much of what we love is, so it makes sense for us to be there. The things we love, the rivers and mountains, are under attack, and we want to be there to do our part. Revolution starts with the grass roots." http://www.matr.net/article-12715.html

For more about the Montana Associated Technology Roundtable, visit http://www.matr.net

Nationally…

The Great Chicago Fire…Sale
What would you pay to dump green dye in the Chicago River on St. Patty’s Day? Soon you can find out. In what is probably a first, the City of Chicago will auction off city memorabilia and other goodies – from a part in a play at the Goodman to decommissioned parking meters – on EBay to benefit its cultural programs.

From the National Business Committee for the Arts…

The Business Committee for the Arts (BCA) recently released the 2004 National Survey of Business Support to the Arts. Overall business support reached a record level of $3.32 billion in 2003, and most of that support comes from small and mid-sized companies, those with revenues of less that $50 million. “The survey findings dispel the notion that only big business supports the arts,” said Judith A. Jedlicka, National BCA President. The Business Committee for the Arts was founded in 1967 by David Rockefeller, and is a national non-profit organization that brings business and the arts together. For more information about this survey to learn about the National Business Committee for the Arts, visit http://www.bcainc.org

From the Center for Arts and Culture….

New network hopes to bridge culture gap
Chicago Tribune, 11/29/2004
"Hoping to dispel stereotypes that have stacked up since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, more than 50 private investors and almost 10,000 individual donors have poured millions of dollars into the first national television network for Muslims, which premieres Tuesday [November 30]. Bridges TV will debut through GlobeCast World TV, a national satellite provider."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northshore/chi-0411300218nov30,1,4970433.story?

Listen up: One more study links music, IQ
Seattle Times, 11/27/2004
Does music education boost IQ scores? A new study that says music lessons may boost IQ scores could have parents more willing than ever to ante up for musical toys and videos for their toddlers and piano lessons and instruments for school-age children. However, the evidence does not seem to be conclusive for the music-intelligence link.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2002101839_musiclearn27.html

Painting in San Diego Museum of Art may be stolen goods from Mexico
San Diego Union Tribune, 11/25/2004
The questionable process of how the San Diego Museum of Art acquired an 18th-century painting of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, that was stolen from a Mexican church, highlights the need for guidelines to ensure that museums are not knowingly obtaining stolen art.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20041125-9999-1n25art.html

To learn more about the Center of Arts and Culture, visit http://www.culturalpolicy.org

Internationally…

Europe’s Muslim Question
Christian Science Monitor, 11/26/2004
Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh’s murder allegedly by a Muslim extremist stirs the debate over the integration of Muslims in Europe….Europe faces a melting-pot challenge. While the US has had centuries to work at this problem, it’s being suddenly thrust upon the Europeans. Governments are responding with a two-pronged approach: Identify and expel Muslim radicals, but orchestrate the integration of mainstream Muslims."
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1126/p08s02-comv.html

Finally…

Three stories about arts in education from the Center for Arts and Culture.

Governor draws line to art class
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 11/29/2004
In Arkansas, the Governor has made it a law that Arkansas elementary schools must offer both visual art and music to all students before June 1, 2005. According to Governor Huckabee: “Arts in education is not extracurricular, it’s not expendable, it’s not something that’s just silly. It’s essential for a good education.”
http://www.nwanews.com/story.php?paper=adg§ion=News&storyid=100363

School Notes
The Ledger (Lakeland, FL), 11/28/2004
At the 81st annual Florida State PTA Convention in Miami, one of the two action platform items were Arts in Education/Essential Curricula. The group recommends that

“every school district place greater emphasis on arts education and increase opportunities for student participation in the arts.”
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041128/NEWS/411280308/1021

Brookfield short of art, music goals
Danbury News Times (CT), 11/28/2004

“Students from kindergarten to senior year are supposed to get 108 hours a year of classroom work in art, theater arts and music, according to [Connecticut] state recommendations.” But a committee set up by the Board of Education found students in many school districts are receiving only about half that amount. “And no one has a solution, given budget and time concerns.”
http://news.newstimes.com/story.php?id=67034

Visit http://www.missoulacultural.org and e-mail [email protected] with submissions for this newsletter.

Thanks for your comments & corrections

Tom at MCC