All posts in Heart of Missoula Neighborhood
Winter BrewFest Planned Downtown
By Jean Clark, Downtown/Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
Here’s the skinny on a great event coming up in downtown Missoula. I took this from the Missoulian today and marking my calendar to attend!!
The Missoula Downtown Association will hold the inaugural Winter BrewFest on Saturday, Feb. 12., from 1-7 p.m. on the main floor of the old Macy’s building in downtown Missoula. The event, which takes place during the opening weekend of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, is a fundraiser for Caras Park and will be the first of its kind in town. (Talk about a great week, an indoor brew fest plus a performance by Yo La Tengo the following Tuesday at the Wilma Theatre.)
Just a friendly reminder, make sure if you attend you bring a designated driver and have a fantastic time.
Big News From Downtown
By Jean Clark, Downtown/Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
As I walk through my downtown neighborhood it’s starting to feel like it’s on the rise again after our recent economic woes. I’m seeing more shoppers, more filled retail space and even some new eateries. I had a fabulous meal in a new restaurant last evening, and I checked out the micro-brew pub upstairs. Seems like the international economic woes gave us all a big hiccup in Missoula, but with new businesses opening it makes me hope we are on the road to recovery here locally.
The big downtown news this week was also welcoming. A Virginia-based developer has purchased the old Macy’s building in downtown Missoula, which closed down last year. Apparently they are planning to update the building to house office, retail and residential tenants. They are going to call it by it’s old name, the Missoula Mercantile. This is fabulous news.
As I’ve said before, Missoula is unusual for a small city these days, it has a vibrant, growing, beautiful downtown and, I must add, after spending some time and money with Doreen down at Beautiful Weddings on North Higgins, it has some very friendly and professional shop owners, as well.
Christmas Production Promises Good Laughs
By Jean Clark, Downtown/Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
Years ago my daughter and I got into listening to “This American Life” on National Public Radio as we were driving home from work together. We got addicted to this show which airs Tuesday evenings on NPR. A frequent guest was David Sedaris. After listening to his hysterically funny stories and enjoying his story telling talent, we were huge fans of his and read all of his books.
Well, given that, I was so excited to find out about a holiday production going on at the Crystal Theater this holiday season. Here’s the particulars from the Downtown Missoula Events Page:
Join Justin Fatz and Pam Veis for a spitefully gleeful holiday evening as only acclaimed humorist David Sedaris could pen. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without ironic wit and clever juxtapositions… Am I right?
In the spirit of the season, we are partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Missoula in a TOY DONATION DRIVE. Bring a toy for a child of any age and receive $2 off your ticket price! (General Admission $12 Wed. & Thurs. and $15 Fri. and Sat.– Students half-price!)
‘A David Sedaris Christmas’ runs December 15-18 and 21-13, 7:30PM at the Crystal Theatre. Be there or be Scrooge.
Age Group: All Ages
Venue: The Crystal Theatre
Address: 515 S. Higgins Missoula, MT 59801 (Behind the Silk Road)
Phone: (406) 239-8627
If you want to lighten the holiday stress and get out and laugh, check this one out, I hope I’ll see you there!
Figure in Some Time for Figure Drawing
The Missoula Art Museum is a cornerstone in my downtown neighborhood. There’s always a lot going on there and it seems to be a magnet for activity all throughout the year. We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful facility in our small city.
Recently they have been offering “Open Figure Drawing for Adults” This is non-instructed and runs on Wednesdays from 6-8 PM. The cost is $5 for members and$7 for non-members, contact the museum for details. Their website is http://www.missoulaartmuseum.org/
This ongoing session provides artists an opportunity to draw from a live model in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Participants must be 18 years or older.
Several times throughout my adult life I have enjoyed joining a figure drawing group. At first I’m totally intimidated, then, after about 3 or 4 sessions I start relaxing and my drawings start to resemble something or even someone. After a few more sessions, the group and I seem to bond and I can hardly wait to get back the next week. If you are at all interested in figure drawing, I’d encourage you to try this out, see if you don’t find the same. Push the envelope and grow.
Stitching on the Hip Strip
Walking downtown Thursday night I was reminded again about all the activity along the “Hip Strip” on Higgins. I stepped inside the warm glow of the Selvedge Studio and saw that they were sewing up a storm, and it wasn’t just a group of older gals with Singers firing away, it was a young crowd of artists and fashion enthusiasts all exchanging ideas. Here’s the skinny if you’re interested in finding your groove with stitchery:
The Selvedge Studio has an “Open Lounge” from 6 to 8 pm. Shop, sew, mingle, mend and sew at the Sew Lounge the first and third Thursdays of each month. Hobnob with other Sew Loungers and learn how they use patterns and techniques. It’s the perfect place to work with others or just work it out. The Lounge will give you a space to practice, dream new ideas, play with sergers, or get zippers to fly! The cost is $10 an hour.
Sew Lounge rules: Please call and let us know if you’re coming so we can reserve you a machine. Lounge takes place at the Selvedge Studio, 509 S Higgins Ave, 541-7171. They also offer all kinds of other classes thoughout the year, here’s their address website to check them out: http://www.selvedgestudio.com/Default.aspx
Magical Christmas Windows Downtown
By Jean Clark, Downtown/Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
Once as a kid I took a trip with my folks to the big city to see all of the decorated downtown windows for Christmas. The big city for me was Minneapolis/St Paul and the trip was magical. Snow was falling in big flakes, lights were everywhere and Christmas carolers were singing. I’ll never forget it. Ever since then I’ve loved the sight of a merchants store window at Christmas and a stroll through an active downtown.
This year the downtown merchants in Missoula are having a window decorating contest and I’m really excited to see what they come up with. Apparently they will be judged at the beginning of December, so I’m assuming they’ll be up and ready for viewing shortly after Thanksgiving. The categories for the contest are: Best Overall, Kid’s Choice, Most Innovative, Most Festive, Most Elegant and Best Use of Small Space.
Last week’s blog I talked about the romantic roaring fireplace in the Florence Building, now I’m thinking what a magical evening that could be, a stroll through downtown shopping, fantastic holiday window viewing and ending in front of the fire. It’s all about the little stuff.
Enjoy the Fire
By Jean Clark, Downtown / Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
While walking downtown the other night, I was met with a really nice surprise. I slipped into the Florence Building to meet up with some friends, and there in the beautifully restored art deco lobby was a roaring fire. Right off the street of downtown Missoula is a welcoming fireplace! I couldn’t help but be drawn in by the coziness of this nostalgic setting. The beautiful old building is such a landmark to Missoula, but to have this touch of romance in the middle of downtown for anyone to stop by and enjoy was a real treat.
I encourage you to plan an evening downtown holiday shopping this year and top it off with a visit to this grand old fireplace. Order up a really nice glass of wine from the Red Bird and maybe an appetizer or two and slow down and enjoy this simple pleasure. Wow, Missoula, you did it again, you reminded me why I love living here.
Celebrate Life at The Festival of the Dead
By Jean Clark, Downtown / Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
If you want to have some quirky fun and celebrate those ancestors who have paved your path, make sure to attend this year’s Missoula Festival of the Dead Parade and day’s festivities. Here’s the skinny:
It’s to be held Tuesday, November 2.
10am-6pm: Missoula Mandala Project at Caras Park–come help create a large, dyed-sawdust mosaic.
5:15pm: Pre-parade performances at Circle Square include: Hypsy Gypsies and UM Dancers
6:00pm: Festival of the Dead Parade starts at Circle Square participants should line up on East Alder St. (next to the old locomotive) starting at 5:15pm and be in place at 5:45pm! Parade highlights include: UM Printmakers Steamroller Prints, “New Visions” dance class, UM dancers doing a Michael Jackson tribute led by Zombie Jayann Chipman, UM dance majors doing a Michael Jackson tribute, and ?????
6:45ishpm: Post-parade performances at Caras Park include: UM African Dance Class and Unity Dance and Drum
It’s a ghoulishly good time!
Festival of Lights Right Around the Corner
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe we’re almost into November! The cool air reminds me and the occasional snow flakes definitely remind me. So caught off guard as I am, I’m starting to realize the holiday season is right around the corner.
I’ll be stomping around in the woods in a few short weeks looking for the perfect Christmas tree and leaving a few snow angels. I’m hoping we get some good snows. I hear they are predicting a good snow year. Yahoo!
An annual Missoula event I’m looking forward to is the Parade of Lights. I’m hoping to snag some friends and partake again this season. Here’s what the Downtown Ass’n. has for information on this event:
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Get in the Holiday spirit at the 8th Annual Parade of Lights brought to you by First Interstate Bank! This all-day family event includes numerous children’s activities and projects, the arrival of Santa Claus at the Florence Building, and concludes with the Parade of Lights and the lighting of the Downtown Christmas Tree at the Red XXXX’s on North Higgins Avenue.
Hope to see you out and downtown in my neighborhood this holiday season!!
Families First
By Jean Clark, Downtown / Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
There’s a surprising little treasure in my neighborhood for kids and those acting like children and it’s located in the heart of downtown Missoula, the Children’s Museum is at 225 West Front St. overlooking Caras Park, the Clark Fork River and A Carousel for Missoula. The Museum can be an exciting part of any day spent in the Garden City. The Museum features hands-on interactive exhibits and educational programs for children ages 0-8.
Check out their website at: http://www.familiesfirstmontana.org/museum/index.html
Then get in touch with that part of you that loves to play and share this wonderful facility with someone special.