Navigating the Genderverse
Saturday, June 20 // 10:00 AM // Free & Open to the Public! This presentation is created and facilitated by TransVisible Montana collective members with intention to create a “brave space” for folks to gain education regarding the challenges that misinformation and cisnormative systems create for transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit Montanans. Participants will learn what support is helpful in overcoming challenges, will be engaged in activities and discussions that deepen their understanding and comfort with pronouns and use in introductions. Participants will explore gender as a part of the human experience that expands beyond gender binary, and identify effective and ineffective allyship qualities. Participants will have the opportunity to collect TransVisible Montana resources such as posters, stickers, cards, and handouts, that will be helpful in their continued practice of their newly acquired knowledge and allyship skills. Outcomes Include: A broadened awareness & practice of contemporary, inclusive language. Applicable skills & ideas for work, home, school & public environments. Permission for liberation from the gender binary! RSVP here: https://www.missoulapride.com/event-details/navigating-the-genderverse-1
Guitar Raffle
Raffle tickets are $20 each (CASH ONLY!) and are only available at the free ZACC Luthier’s Show, April 29th – May 2nd, from 12:00 daily, and at each evening concert. You do not need to be present to win. Additional guitar related items will also be included in the raffle. The one-of-a-kind, hand built guitar being raffled on Saturday, May 2nd at Jazzoula is a Telecaster style instrument dubbed the “Shatter Caster” by Jennifer Armstrong, the Scottish artist who painted the body. Her art is highly collectable, and she has an enormous following on her only public outlet – Facebook. Her unique work is currently considered the most sought after and desirable of its kind. The body is hand painted Paulownia with hand applied acrylic paints and a durable clear coat finish. The neck is clear matte finish roasted maple. It has Fender tuners, a bone nut, a Gotoh In-Tune bridge with brass saddles, custom made and original sounding noiseless pickups. All top quality. Total weight is only 6 pounds, 10 ounces and it has a new softshell case. This guitar is valued at $2,200.
Diversity Day
Sunday, April 12 // 2:00 PM // Free and Open to the Public! On April 12, 2010, EmpowerMT’s youth leaders helped extend protection against discrimination to LGBTQ+ community members under Missoula’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance. Since then, the second Saturday in April has been declared Diversity Day to commemorate that youth-led victory, honor the impact of youth engagement, and celebrate Missoula’s enriching diversity. This year, EmpowerMT’s youth leaders are partnering with the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) to present Missoula’s 2026 Diversity Day on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 2pm–4pm at the ZACC. This year’s theme, “Light Courage, Action,” reflects our commitment to bringing community issues to light, uplifting courageous leadership, and inspiring meaningful community action. Diversity Day is a youth-led and youth-centered event for the entire community to enjoy and celebrate our shared diversity. Festivities will include a keynote speaker, the 2026 Youth Lead Now Awards honoring youth leaders across Montana who inspire change in their communities, community action projects, and an array of other fun and engaging activities. Come celebrate the power of youth voice and the spirit of Missoula’s vibrant, diverse community!
Treats & Trivia
Thursday, January 29 // Doors at 7:00 // $70 per team // $20 for individuals, or $60 // $15 if registering in advance. Join Front Step Community Land Trust as we celebrate our 30th anniversary and raise funds to build and maintain permanently affordable housing in Missoula. We’re hosting a night of general knowledge trivia with savory and sweet treats for every participant and prizes for winners. Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase from the ZACC’s bar. Team sizes are up to 6 people, and individuals are welcome to sign up and compete as well! How much: $70 per team/$20 for individuals, or $60/$15 if registering in advance. Tickets here! Early registrants will also receive an email with advance hints about trivia topics.
MPower Voices Holiday Choir Concert
Thursday, December 18 // Door at 6:30 PM // Show at 7 PM // Free & Open to All MPower voices, an all abilities choir, will sparkle with joy as they sing holiday selections
Talent Show Night
Wednesday, October 22 // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter // 6 PM Join us for a community-based talent show hosted by Hellgate high school students. All types of talents are welcome and encouraged. Proceeds will be donated to the Watson‘s Children’s Center to support Missoula youth in need of resources. It will be a fun and thrilling night to showcase your talents, gather with friends, and support local youth. We hope to see you there!
Public Lands Party!
Thursday, October 2nd // Doors 7PM // Free and Open to the Public! Enjoy live local music, free pizza, and an outdoor gear giveaway, and learn about our collective work to protect public lands across the West. No RSVP is needed for this free community event. Know a friend who loves the West like you do? Bring them along! We hope to see you there.Hosted by Advocates for the West with partners Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Bitterroot, Friends of the Clearwater, Great Old Broads for Wilderness Zootown Broadband, The Wilderness Society, Western Watersheds Project, WildEarth Guardians, and Wilderness Watch.
Municipal Candidate Forum
Wednesday, October 1 // 6 PM- 8 PM // Free and Open to the Public! Local elections are often the least publicized elections we have in this country, yet have some of the largest impacts when it comes to housing affordability, public safety, and so much more! Please join Catalyst Montana and the Missoula Tenants Union on October 1st at the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) from 6-8 pm to learn more about these candidates who wish to represent you. Together, we will shine a light on who is running for local office this year and what they stand for (in their own words). We will have candidates running for mayor and city council from every ward in the city present.
Missoula Candidate Forum… with a spicy twist!
Thursday, August 14 // Doors open at 6 PM // Free Admission, All Are Welcome Join Forward Montana and the Candidates up for Election (there are sooooo many) in W2, W3 and W6 for a Hot Ones Styled Candidate Forum. Get answers to all your burning questions, learn more about WTF city council does and have a chaotically fun time doing it! Don’t live in W2/3/6 do not fear, you can still come and learn more about City Council!
Stories from Home
Friday, September 12 // Doors open at 6 PM // Interactive Storytelling Session at 6:30 PM // Free Admission, All Are Welcome // Light Refreshments Stories of HomePresented by Soft Landing Missoula, in Honor of Welcoming Week 2025 Join us for an inspiring evening as refugees and immigrants in the Missoula community share what home means to them!”What does home mean to you?” This simple question can spark a profound journey of reflection, especially for those who have experienced displacement or migration. Here in Missoula, the refugee and immigrant neighbors bring rich tapestries of experiences that redefine the concept of home.For the fifth consecutive year, Soft Landing Missoula’s Stories of Home project invites us to explore the diverse and nuanced meanings of home. We delve into the homes left behind and the new ones forged; the homes we aspire to build and those that live on in our memories; the homes found in physical spaces and those discovered in the embrace of community.Join us for an immersive evening featuring a collection of multimedia narratives. For the first time Stories of home will be presented through a series of documentary shorts. We’ll share the stories of individuals who have made Missoula their new home after journeying as refugees and immigrants.The highlight of our gathering will be a moderated panel session with project participants. This intimate dialogue, combined with powerful visual and written narratives, aims to amplify the voices of our new neighbors and illuminate the universal experiences that connect us all – regardless of where we call home.
