Current events

 

Chautauqua

Youth of Madison County Art Show

SATURDAY, MARCH 16- April 20, 2024

CALLING ALL ARTISTS Grades K-12 Youth of MADISON COUNTY Art Show

The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center in Virginia City is hosting a “Youth of Madison County” Art Show and invites all Madison County youth in grades K-12 to submit one piece of artwork.

February 23rd is the deadline for all entries, which must be accompanied by an application

  • The application is available at Ranks Mercantile in Virginia City (open Mon - Fri 9 - 5:30, Sat 9 - 5 and closed Sunday)

    or to receive application form by email, call Toni James 406.483.5454 or Sally Schendel 406 925-9422.

  • Artwork must be flat, unframed, unmated, sized 8.5”x11” to 11”x17

  • Artwork may be dropped off at Thompson-Hickman Library in Virginia City on Friday February 23rd between 2:00-5:30 PM. To make prior drop-off arrangements please contact Toni James at 406.843.5454

  • Artwork will be displayed at EHAHC March 16th – April 20th and an artists’ reception will be held on Saturday March 16th, 2-5 PM at the Elling House.

  • Display dates and times are: Saturday March 16, 2-5 PM; Saturday March 23, 2-5 PM; Sunday March 24, 2-5 PM; and Saturday March 30, 2-5 PM; Saturday April 6, 2-5 PM; Saturday April 13, 2-5 PM; and Aril 20, 205 PM

For more information or to receive application form via email call Toni at 406.843.5454 or Sally Schendel at 406 925-9422 , or copy and print the application below.

Youth of madison county artshow Application

Youth Chautauqua

May 4 Time TBD

Chris La Tray, Montana Poet Laureate

April 27, 7-9PM

Chris La Tray, Poet, Storyteller

La Tray is a Métis storyteller and an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He is the author of One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large. His next book, Becoming Little Shell will be published by Milkweed Editions in 2024.

Chris La Tray approaches the practice of poetry the same as he does the spiritual life of an Anishinaabe person: which is to say, if one lives an Anishinaabe life, with particular attention to the seven guiding principles of the Seven Grandfather teachings – Humility, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, and Love – then every footstep becomes a prayer. Similarly, if one approaches poetry in a similar fashion, recognizing that everything that happens may be viewed as a poem, and that every moment in life is an experience best paid constant and careful attention to, then every footstep becomes a poem. Whether as words on a page or shared orally, poetry becomes another means for telling and sharing stories; La Tray’s programs exist to remind people that their stories matter, that they are the only ones who can properly tell them, and that poetry, however it is defined, is a beautiful means for doing so.

Mike Dowling, Musician

June (Exact Date tbd)

Dan Rose Photography

June 1-June 29

Reception June 1 5:00PM-7:00PM

James Pappenfus Ceramicist

July 1-July 28

Plates by James Pappenfus

Reception July 6

Summer Chautauqua

July 20, (Time TBD)

Paul Boruff, Singer/Songwriter/Musician

July 27, 7PM

“Paul Boruff has spent years as a touring singer/musician/composer. His venues have ranged from nightclubs to “mountain man rendezvous,” from exclusive resorts to county fairs, and to stages where he has performed his original music Trappers. Boruff is as at home with popular classics and folk music, as he is with his own compositions, collections of which can be found on his many recordings. I hired him to do the original music and act as musical director for my production of Caryl Churchill’s Vinegar Tom, intended for an East European theatre festival. As a composer, singer, on stage personality Paul Boruff has no peer.“Mr.Boruff is more than an accomplished singer and instrumentalist; he brings to the stage a warmth and charisma and his expansive repertoire encompasses a wide range of styles, transcending the barriers of age and cultural differences. Whether it be an original interpretation of an old standard or a tune of his own creation, Paul sings from the heart and play with a technical virtuosity second to none.”

–Janet Zimmerman, chair – Ennis Arts Association, Pony MT

Baroque Music Montana

Lands of the Free: Languages of Improvisation

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Virginia City

August 24 7PM

Notated music has always contained a degree of interpretation and improvisation; in the 17th and early 18th centuries, this improvisation played many roles. Sometimes it was decorative ornamentation around written notes, or completely new pieces generated by improvising upon a common bass line. Other times, it was a way of establishing a key or connecting more structured episodes to each other. Styles of improvising differed as much as their nation’s languages, and this program explores the ways the lively, charming, and surprising ways they coexisted and influenced each other.

Artists

  • Carrie Krause, baroque violin

  • Manami Mizumoto, baroque violin

  • Keiran Campbell, cello

  • John Lenti, theorbo

Cowboy Poetry

Moderator Bryce Angel

September 14 7-9PM

The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center will be hosting a Cowboy Poetry event on September 14. The evening will feature of 8 to 10 poets/reciters sharing their best. Each will have 10 minutes to entertain and about an hour and a half to be entertained! Anyone interested should contact Toni at (406)843-5454 or (406)843-5508. This is not a juried event. The first ten who contact Toni will be put on the list of performers. Other applicants will be placed on an alternates list and may be able to perform if any of the first ten applicants back out.