Stories of Home / Hosted by Soft Landing Missoula, in Celebration of Welcoming Week 2023
Wednesday, September 13 // Doors at 6 PM // Live Discussion with Project Participants at 6:30 PM // Free & Open to All // Donations to Soft Landing Missoula Encouraged // in The Show Room at the ZACC “Where do you call home?” It’s a seemingly innocuous question, casually raised in small talk or conversations with new friends. But for people who have been displaced or forced to uproot their lives – like many of the refugee and immigrant neighbors here in Missoula – the answer is far from simple. For the third year, Soft Landing Missoula’s Stories of Home project explores the multitude of ways people define home, particularly when uncertainty prevails: the homes left behind and the new homes created; the homes we hope to create and those we only remember; the homes we find in a physical structure, and those we find in the comfort of a loved one. Join us for an exhibit of multimedia projects that mix photography with the written word to share the stories of people who arrived in Missoula as refugees and immigrants. The evening’s event will feature a live discussion with project participants which, together with the beautiful portraits and stories, aim to elevate and amplify the voices of new neighbors and demonstrate the shared experiences that mark our lives – no matter where we call home. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
MAMA Open Mic
Thursday, September 7 // Doors at 7 PM // Open Mic begins at 7:30 PM // Free & Open to All The ZACC and the Montana Area Music Association have teamed up to create a space for music, community, collaboration, and artistic expression. Learn about MAMA’s mission, what we’re working on, and how to get involved. Meet fellow musicians, test out new songs, and build new connections. Every open mic has been a blast, and we would love to see you again on September 7! To learn more about the Montana Area Music Association (MAMA) visit https://mama4mt.org/. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Music & Storytelling ft. Jack Gladstone
Friday, September 8 // Doors at 7:30 PM // Music & Storytelling begins at 8 PM // Free & Open to All This music and storytelling event is free and open to all. At the beginning of the show, Jesse DesRosier will lead a prayer and hand drum song, The Pete Sisters will share a cappella traditional Salish Songs ‘Montana’s Troubadour’, and Blackfeet Musician Jack Gladstone will share his music and stories. ABOUT JACK GLADSTONE Jack Gladstone is “Montana’s Troubadour.” An enrolled citizen of the Blackfeet Nation, Jack illustrates American Indian culture through a mosaic of music, lyric poetry, and spoken word narrative. A former college instructor, Jack co-‐founded Glacier National Park’s renowned lecture series, “Native America Speaks.” This program, established in 1985, is the longest continuously running indigenous speaker series in Park Service history. Jack has released fifteen critically acclaimed CDs. His latest release, “Native Anthropology,” garnered the prestigious “Best Historical Recording” from the Native American Music Association. In the spring of 2013, Jack became the first Montanan to receive the C.M. Russell Heritage Award, given to honor his contribution to the “legacy, culture, and life of the American West.” That same year, Jack was inducted into the University of Washington Alumni Hall of Fame in the field of Speech Communications. In 2014, Jack Gladstone and Friends were featured on Montana PBS, 11th and Grant with Eric Funk, sharing an Emmy for Arts and Entertainment. In early 2015, Jack was honored by the State of Montana with a Governor’s Humanities Award. In October, 2016, Jack garnered the prestigious “Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award” from the First People’s Fund and in December, 2016, the Governor’s Art Award. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
MAMA Open Mic
Wednesday, August 2 // Speed Networking 6:30-7:30 PM // Sign-up for Open Mic 7-7:30 PM // Open Mic begins at 7:30 PM // Free & Open to All Join us for MAMA’s Open Mic at the ZACC, where we bring together the community and spotlight a variety of musicians each month. As part of the MAMA Shines Summer Series, we’re excited to announce our Speed Networking/Open Mic event, running at MAMA Open Mics through August! Meet other music enthusiasts, connect, network, collaborate, and showcase your skills. This unique event brings together musicians, music industry professionals, and fans of all genres. Sign-up for the open mic portion of the evening and take the stage! Don’t miss this opportunity to make music magic with folks you might just know for the rest of your music-making days. To learn more about the Montana Area Music Association (MAMA) visit https://mama4mt.org/. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
‘Big Gay Planet Dance Party’
Friday, June 16 // Doors at 9 PM // Event from 9-11:30 PM // Free & Open to All Come wiggle, slither, and groove at this out-of-this world after party, hosted by your favorite queers from this planet and beyond. We’ll bring the snacks, tunes, and ~vibes~, and you bring some clothes or fabric for free screenprinting! This is a free, all-ages event, and anyone can attend! No host bar for 21+. To learn more about Forward Montana visit https://forwardmontana.org/. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Smooth Sayers
Saturday, June 17 // 4-5:30 PM // Free & Open to All Starlight Reunion is thrilled to join forces with Missoula Pride to provide a Smooth Sayers event. Join us for poetry, refreshments, and jazz during this free event in The Show Room at the ZACC! Smooth Sayers is a close gathering of poets, writers, musicians, chefs, and visual artists … storytellers of all kinds. Curated by Katie C, this event brings together creative souls and fosters intimate conversations. SmoothSayers aims to invite thoughtful evaluation of the human experience and careful consideration of artists’ abilities to illuminate our connection to one another. To learn more about Starlight Reunion visit https://www.starlightreunion.com/. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
‘Zine Release Party: Big Gay Planet’
Friday, June 16 // Doors at 4:30 PM // Event 5-6:30 PM // Free & Open to All Join us to celebrate the release of volume three of Transcendent Joy, Forward Montana’s zine by and for LGBTQIA2S+ Montanans. This year’s theme? BIG GAY PLANET! Enjoy free snacks, and readings from featured artists and local queers. This event is free and open to all ages! No host bar for 21+. To learn more about Forward Montana visit https://forwardmontana.org/. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
COHESION AMONGST CHAOS / Equity
Sundays // June 11, July 9, & August 13 // Door at 1:30 PM // Panels begin at 2 PM // Free to Attend Join us for panel discussions in this three part summer series featuring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists from the COHESION Art Collective. Each panel explores artists’ ways of finding the underlying connectivity, connection, and coherence amongst perceived chaos and disorder. The three part series is designed to take this theme even deeper into topics including Assimilation, Code-Switching, and Equity. The BIPOC speaker series includes a moderator and three participating artists for each panel. Stay tuned for further announcements. To learn more about the COHESION Art Collective, visit https://cohesionartcollective.com. Panel 1 // ASSIMILATION // June 11The first panel explores ASSIMILATION, when individuals of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society.Featuring: Chris La Tray, Michelle Boulé, and Riley James Panel 2 // CODE-SWITCHING // July 9The second panel explores CODE-SWITCHING when individuals of differing ethnic heritage change their behavior and way of communicating with a different language or dialect to show solidarity with a social group, as a form of self-protection and safety from judgment.Featuring: Moses Bushiri, Dylan Runningcrane, and Janaína Vieira-Marques Panel 3 // EQUITY // August 13The third panel explores EQUITY – What’s real and what can we change? Artists share internal and external dialogues around applying justice and common sense to a system that’s been out of balance.Featuring: Natalita, R’know, and Alex Kim For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
COHESION AMONGST CHAOS / Code-Switching
Sundays // June 11, July 9, & August 13 // Door at 1:30 PM // Panels begin at 2 PM // Free to Attend Join us for panel discussions in this three part summer series featuring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists from the COHESION Art Collective. Each panel explores artists’ ways of finding the underlying connectivity, connection, and coherence amongst perceived chaos and disorder. The three part series is designed to take this theme even deeper into topics including Assimilation, Code-Switching, and Equity. The BIPOC speaker series includes a moderator and three participating artists for each panel. Stay tuned for further announcements. To learn more about the COHESION Art Collective, visit https://cohesionartcollective.com. Panel 1 // ASSIMILATION // June 11The first panel explores ASSIMILATION, when individuals of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society.Featuring: Chris La Tray, Michelle Boulé, and Riley James Panel 2 // CODE-SWITCHING // July 9The second panel explores CODE-SWITCHING when individuals of differing ethnic heritage change their behavior and way of communicating with a different language or dialect to show solidarity with a social group, as a form of self-protection and safety from judgment.Featuring: Moses Bushiri, Dylan Runningcrane, and Janaína Vieira-Marques Panel 3 // EQUITY // August 13The third panel explores EQUITY – What’s real and what can we change? Artists share internal and external dialogues around applying justice and common sense to a system that’s been out of balance.Featuring: Natalita, R’know, and Alex Kim For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
COHESION AMONGST CHAOS / Assimilation
Sundays // June 11, July 9, & August 13 // Door at 1:30 PM // Panels begin at 2 PM // Free to Attend Join us for panel discussions in this three part summer series featuring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists from the COHESION Art Collective. Each panel explores artists’ ways of finding the underlying connectivity, connection, and coherence amongst perceived chaos and disorder. The three part series is designed to take this theme even deeper into topics including Assimilation, Code-Switching, and Equity. The BIPOC speaker series includes a moderator and three participating artists for each panel. Stay tuned for further announcements. To learn more about the COHESION Art Collective, visit https://cohesionartcollective.com. Panel 1 // ASSIMILATION // June 11The first panel explores ASSIMILATION, when individuals of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society.Featuring: Chris La Tray, Michelle Boulé, and Riley James Panel 2 // CODE-SWITCHING // July 9The second panel explores CODE-SWITCHING when individuals of differing ethnic heritage change their behavior and way of communicating with a different language or dialect to show solidarity with a social group, as a form of self-protection and safety from judgment.Featuring: Moses Bushiri, Dylan Runningcrane, and Janaína Vieira-Marques Panel 3 // EQUITY // August 13The third panel explores EQUITY – What’s real and what can we change? Artists share internal and external dialogues around applying justice and common sense to a system that’s been out of balance.Featuring: Natalita, R’know, and Alex Kim For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
