Authors and Poets and Artists...Oh My!
The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center is pleased to announce that it will host its second Authors & Poets series beginning in April; National Poetry Month. With each Author & Poets series, an artist will be featured in the Elling House gallery. Reception for featured artist will begin at 5:30pm and program will begin at 7pm.
(postponed until further notice)
Sheryl Noethe – Mt Poet Laureate
The Authors & Poets series will kick-off with a program featuring Montana’s new Poet Laureate, Sheryl Noethe. Many of our patrons will remember the wonderful program presented at the Elling House by Poet Laureate Henry Real Bird, and Sheryl’s appearance should also be another very special evening.
Supported by Humanities Montana
April 27, 2012 at 7pm
Famous People ~ Favorite Poems
“Next to being a great poet, is the power of understanding one;” H.W Longfellow. On Friday, April 27th, the Elling House Arts & Humanities Center is pleased to recognize National Poetry Month with a special evening of readings by some of our famous friends. Among our friends who will be reading are Mary Oliver, Bob Erdall, Marge Antolik, Dave Walker, Jack Waller, Joanne Erdall, and Chris Leonard. Each friend has been invited to read his/her favorite poem. We hope you will join us for what promises to be an evening of entertainment and good fellowship
The “Famous People – Favorite Poems” program will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is open to the public. There is no charge for this program, although donations are gratefully accepted. For information, contact Toni James at 843- 5454, evenings at 843-5507 or email info@ellinghouse.org. The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center is located at 404 E Idaho St above the Virginia City Fire Station in Virginia City, MT.
May 5, 2012 at 9am-12pm
Garden Clean-up Day
Please join us for some spring cleaning around the Elling House garden. Bring your gloves, tools and your green thumb . Lunch will be provided.
May 12, 2012 - 5:30pm artist reception; 7pm program
Tara Schumacher leads discussion on “Blind Your Ponies”
In May, we will honor this year’s “One Book Montana” selection, Blind Your Ponies, with a program and discussion led by Tara Schumacher. Tara is an English teacher at Willow Creek High School, which is the principal location of the book’s story. Tara presents this beautifully written story by Stan West, which includes landmarks and people familiar to all of us in Madison County.
Stanley Gordon West's Blind Your Ponies is an inspiring novel about a small Montana town (Willow Creek, MT) brought together by the boys' basketball team and features a large cast of characters—the troubled coach, the unsure boys, the pessimistic townspeople....
Featured artist : Kirk Belding, local potter
June 2, 2012 at 7pm
Bandits concert
~ featuring Andrew Scruggs and Vickey Gordon
Andrew Scruggs is a native Montanan who is in his first year of teaching music in Ennis and sixth year of teaching music in Montana’s public schools. Andrew was raised near Silver Star, Montana and received his K-12 education at the dedicated hands of his parents. Attending Montana State University 2001 - 2005, Andrew received his Bachelor of Music Education and began his teaching career in Butte, Montana in December 2005. Andrew is an accomplished musician who has been an active part of the Butte and Bozeman symphonies, the Parforce Hunting Horn ensemble in Bozeman, the Highlands Brass ensemble in Butte and many other various quality performance groups. Andrew studied trombone with Sir Glen Johnston and bassoon with Alan Leech while at MSU. Andrew is proficient on a variety of instruments including the trombone, trumpet, French horn, tuba, cello, bassoon and bass.
Andrew enjoys the outdoors including fishing and hunting, hiking, skiing and offloading. He also enjoys composing and arranging music, playing music in church and working on his jeeps; he plans to complete a master’s in conducting at the American Band College while continuing his career as a teacher in the next few years.
Featured artist : tbd
June 9, 2012 at 7pm
Barb Ryman concert
With a crystalline voice and skillfully played guitar, Barb delivers a rich mosaic of contemporary folk, drawing from country blues, early rock, Celtic balladry, and old-time gospel. Her newly released CD, CATCH THE SUNSET, is a sweet melodic ride flowing from intimate personal confessions to wise cultural commentaries to whimsical love stories and adventures of the heart.
Ryman’s songs have received airplay on folk programs across the nation including the nationally syndicated, Midnight Special and Nevada City’s KVMR. From the Cedar Cultural Center in Minnesota, to Uncle Calvin’s in Texas, and from the Portland Folk Society in the West to Club Passim in the East, Barb draws in audiences with her captivating live concerts as she tours the U.S. House Art.
Admission is $10 per person. Seating is limited and reservations suggested. For information and reservations, contact Rank’s Mercantile at 843-5454 or email info@ellinghouse.org
June 15, 2012 at 7pm
Mike Dowling concert
When the late, great Vassar Clements heard Mike Dowling play guitar back in 1975 he did the sensible thing. He hired him. Mike was the guitarist in Vassar's first touring band and can be heard on his Grammy-nominated "Nashville Jam". Clements called him simply, "One of the finest guitarists there is, anywhere."Echoing that sentiment is an ever-growing chorus of music critics, guitar students, and acoustic music fans from throughout the world.
Mike digs deep into the musical bag of American roots guitar, favoring the melodic Piedmont style of acoustic blues masters like Mississippi John Hurt and slide great Tampa Red. But Mike can't be pigeonholed as a blues player, or even as a fingerstylist. He's far too versatile for that. From bottleneck blues to vintage jazz and much more in between, Mike's musicality, depth, and mastery of the instrument translates fluently to flattop, archtop, and resonator guitars alike.
Mike grew up in central Wisconsin and early in his career in the midwest caught the ear of jazz violin great Joe Venuti and mandolinist Jethro Burns. In the 1970's, in addition to touring with Clements, he worked and recorded with Burns and Venuti in Chicago and in between jobs took time off to move to California when he had the opportunity to study with the late, great George Barnes. Barnes had been "the" session guy for many years, recording with everyone from Big Bill Broonzy to Tony Bennett. "I was very fortunate to be able to spend some time with him", Mike says. " He was so tasteful, so rhythmic. He set the bar very high for me and he continues to be an inspiration."
Admission is $15 per person. Seating is limited and reservations suggested. For information and reservations, contact Rank’s Mercantile at 843-5454 or email info@ellinghouse.org
June 16, 2012 - 9am-11am
Mike Dowling Guitar Workshop
Mike Dowling presented an Acoustic Guitar Workshop, Saturday morning June 16th at The Elling House. This two-hour workshop was limited to 20 students and was suitable for both finger-stylists and flat-pickers at an intermediate or above level. The workshop included discussion and demonstration of fundamental aspects of rhythm and chords, as well as licks and tricks every guitarist can use. Fee $50.
June 30, 2012 - 5:30pm artist reception; 7pm program
Harry Yeomans ~ cowboy poetry
The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center is pleased to present an Evening of Cowboy Poetry with Harry Yeoman.
In Harry’s own words: “I'm certainly no cowboy and not much of a poet, but the genre has interested me since I delivered a poem I wrote about growing up with my grandmother and someone told me, ‘That sounds like cowboy poetry!’
Three trips to Elko, and then a chance meeting in Ennis Montana with the elderly daughter-in-law of Ambrose Valencourt Cheney, better known as Kid Amby (one of the cowboys featured in Charlie Russell's painting Bronc to Breakfast) really sparked my interest in the old-timers who came up the trail from Texas in the late 1800's.
I have had the opportunity to do some extensive research at the Museum of Western History in Helena MT and have 'met' some sure-'nuff genuine cowboys who rode up that long trail and then lived and wrote in Montana. I'm now trying to learn as many of these old poems as I can and reintroduce them to the public. Some of their work never made it beyond the pencil stage and I never hear any of it done at gatherings I've attended. So I guess I consider myself the 'voice' of some of these old-timers who can't recite what they wrote long ago.”
Featured artist : Sue Smith, photographer
July 8 2012 - 7pm
Growling Old Men Concert
The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center is pleased to present “Growling Old Men” in concert. Ben Winship (mandolins & vocals) and John Lowell (guitar & vocals) are both veterans of the Northern Rockies acoustic music world. Together the duo presents a tight yet relaxed set of original and traditional bluegrass songs, ballads and tunes. Their CDs are truly a joint effort with the lead singing, songwriting and picking duties shared throughout. Influenced equally by the music of the Appalachian hills and the western plains, their music is at once simple and powerful - furthermore, it reflects the genuine sense of fun these two guys get from playing together. The duo blends each artist’s individual talents as musician, songwriter, and vocalist in a repertoire of original and traditional bluegrass tunes and folk ballads, played on guitar and mandolin. Growling Old Men have performed on A Prairie Home Companion and Garrison Keillor has said, "I've been hearing about these young men for a long time but they do not come around American centers of population to advance their careers. They have isolated themselves out here in Montana and Victor, Idaho on account of their lifelong obsession with fishing. Not so old, not so growly, a real fine bluegrass duo. They're great."
The evening program, ideally suited for an intimate venue such as the Elling House, will include a blend of well-rehearsed material and few new songs hot off the press – Ben and John like to keep it fresh with an edge of improvisational risk taking. They strive to contrast simplicity with complexity - all with good tone and a warm sense of humor.
Admission is $15 per person. Seating is limited and reservations suggested. For information and reservations, contact Rank’s Mercantile at 843-5454 or email info@ellinghouse.org
July 13, 2012 - 5:30pm artist reception; 7pm program
Sam Korsmoe reads from his book, Saigon Stories
About the book: A Hanoi school girl gives flowers to Uncle Ho. An 18 year old Mekong Delta farm boy joins the Viet Minh. A Member of Parliament of the South Vietnamese government protests against his own American-backed regime and then negotiates the surrender of his country, yet he knows nothing about the Viet Cong. A South Vietnamese army officer survives the war, re-education camp, and prison to build Vietnam’s largest English language business newspaper. And an entrepreneur who hid inside her father’s coat during the American bombing raids of Hanoi in the early ‘70s spends 30 minutes chatting with Hillary during President Bill Clinton’s State Visit to Vietnam in 2000. These are some of the storytellers in Saigon Stories. This book does what most histories and modern descriptions of Vietnam have not done – it brings real Vietnamese voices and experiences to what has happened and what is happening in the country that dented America’s soul. More than 30 years after the end of the war, Vietnam remains a war and not a country to so many people in the West. These stories will change that perception for the better.
Featured artist: TBD
July 20, 2012 - 7pm
Paul Boruff concert
Paul Boruff, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, enjoys performing for people of all ages. At the age of five or six, he was captured on home movies singing Elvis Presley songs, and doing his best to entertain. Paul began playing the guitar at about the age of ten. The music he was exposed to was quite varied and was rich in diversity: Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Hank Williams, Eddie Arnold, Chet Atkins, Bob Dylan, Nat King Cole and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Paul’s father was the primary music influence in those early years, and his music was mostly country with a mixture of thirties and forties classics thrown in.
During Paul's four years with the United States Navy he performed in the Admiral's Band, out of Memphis, Tennessee. The style was "Big Band.” The Navy gave him opportunity to travel and to experience music of many other cultures.
Paul has traveled and performed all over the world from London to Dover, from Zurich to Gdańsk and from Amsterdam to Paris. In the United States he performs from Alaska to Florida and California to New York.
Paul's acoustic style includes all the influences of his past. His forte is vocals and his singing has been described as "each word is an event." Making music comes as easily to him as breathing; his expansive repertoire transcends the barriers of age and cultural differences. Whether it is an original interpretation of an old standard or a tune of his own creation, Paul sings from the heart and plays from his soul.
Music has also been a catalyst for other art forms inspiring Paul in performances for theater and film, and even oil painting.
In addition to touring, house concerts, theatre performances and film he has been actively involved with the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, winning in various categories for nine years. When the Festival was hosted in Salt Lake City he had the opportunity to open the show at Kingsbury Hall.
The diversity of Paul's music has lead to many adventures. He has opened for Taj Mahal and Charlie Daniels. He has performed at Michael Martin Murphy’s West Fest and for international heads of states at the World Peace Forum including President Ford.
July 27, 2012 - 7pm
Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott
Pete Watercott began to play the viola when he was 11 years old and music has been a way of life for him ever since. After years of performing across the country, Fiddlin' Pete eventually settled on the western rim of the Great Basin, much to the delight of Eastern Sierra audiences! Fiddlin’ Pete now performs at festivals, county fairs, schools, churches, dance halls, ranch gatherings, and for outfitters who pack stock into, and around the Sierra Nevada wilderness.
August 25, 2012 - 7pm
Willson & McKee concert
Kim McKee received 15 years of classical training before turning to traditional Irish and Scottish music, 28 years ago! She moves effortlessly between her instruments and her pallate includes hammered and mountain dulcimer, folk harp, accordion, guitar and bodhran, and she never passes up an opportunity to teach a Ceili dance! Ken Willson is the pulsing folk drive, with an engaging tenor voice and tasteful guitar and bouzouki foundations to the unique material. A weaver of wit and tales, he can also spin a fine Ceili swing on the dance floor!
Collecting experiences, stories and humor from 20 years of touring together, this pair has focused on educational programming, concert veneus, college campuses, master classes, workshops, cultural events and festivals, and they have fine tuned their stage performances to be anything but predictable, traditional, or expected.
August 10, 2012 - 5:30pm artist reception; 7pm program
Jenni Fallein and Cedar Brant - Poetry
Jenni Fallein is a writer and painter based in Dillon, Montana. She is a member of the Bentgrass Poetry Troupe, and teaches poetry workshops at the Elkhorn Correctional Facility for women. She, and her husband, Roger Dunsmore, have hosted poetry circles in their home since they taught together in China in 1997.
Cedar Brant was born in a barn in northwest Montana. She spent her youth fascinated by wolves. This intrigue propelled her into biology, and a love affair with the land and culture of the rural west. For the past ten years, she has worked from Yellowstone to the empty valleys of Nevada, Oregon and Montana as a botanist and field biologist. She spends her summers living in a trailer in various rolling grasslands, counting and keying out plants, and honing her four-wheeling skills.
Featured artist: Jenni Fallein, Painter
September 15, 2012 - 5:30pm artist reception; 7pm program
Florence Ore reads from her book, The Road Between
About the book: A child seeks her identity on the windswept prairies of Alberta, Canada under the influence of three diverse cultures. Her family of English immigrants carry on the morals and cultures of their homeland, while they manage Old Sun School, the residential school for Blackfoot Indian children at the Anglican Mission. Florence is sent to school in nearby Gleichen, where she hears different accents and habits than those she's learned at home. The Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and WWII also affected her emerging sense of self.
In this book, Florence shares her memories and gives us a clear view of the time and place of her coming of age.
Featured artist: Dean Matzick, wood carver
Oct 6, 2012 - 9am-4:30pm
Felt United
The Elling House will celebrate the 4th annual International Day of Felt – “Felt United” on October 6, 2012. The goal of Felt United is to connect felt makers around the world to help raise awareness of felt and the properties of wool and other fibers. Felt is mans oldest known textile, made from natural fibers, water, soap and agitation. This process has produced non-woven fabrics for shelter, personal warmth, and creative expression. This October The Elling House in Virginia City, Mt will participate in the global event to create a whimsical felted rug using this years color palate of Red – Purple – Blue. Fiber instructor Kim Miller, a felter for over 10 years, will join others to let our imaginations flow and build a wool rug, which will be raffled off to help support The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center. If you ever wanted to work (or learn) the process of felting please join us from 9:00 to 4:30 p.m. To learn more you can visit Felt United at www.feltunited.com. Felting space is limited to twelve participants so early registration is required. Lunch will be provided for $5.00.
For information, contact 843- 5454 daytime or evenings at 843-5507 or email info@ellinghouse.org. The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center is located at 404 E Idaho St above the Virginia City Fire Station in Virginia City, MT.
October 8, 2012- 7pm
The Life and Literature of Edgar Allan Poe
More info to come.
October 26 & 27, 2012
Haunted House
The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center holds a spooky Haunted House on the Friday and Saturday prior to Halloween from 7pm to midnight! Children six and under can visit from 5pm to 6:30pm. Visit the crypt!! Entrance fee is $5. Suggested for ages 7 and up!
5pm-6:30 pm : for kids under six years of age.
7pm-10pm : Scary Haunted House
10pm-midnight : SUPER Scary Haunted House
For information, contact Toni James at 843-5454, evenings at 843-5507 or email info@ellinghouse.org. The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center is located at 404 E Idaho St above the Virginia City Fire Station in Virginia City, MT.
December 14 & 15, 2012
Splendid Feasts
The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center hosts an annual “Splendid Feast” each December. The historic Virginia City home is beautifully decorated, inside and out, presenting a warm and comfortable venue for the capacity gathering to enjoy an evening of delicious food, splendid live music, and wonderful fellowship. All of the proceeds from the dinner will be used to support future arts and humanities programs of the Elling House.
In the depths of winter, when Mother Nature holds Montana in her icy grip, the Elling House brings a magical mix of music, companionship and great food to its warm halls. Each year, toward the end of December, the Elling House hosts The Splendid Feast, a gathering of hearty souls, culinary delights, and holiday cheer in a most spectacular setting.
As guests arrive, water ice luminaries and hundreds of tiny bulbs light the driveway and entrance to the mansion. A grand tree greets the guests in the welcome room. In the parlor, a fire roars warmly from the hearth and musicians play holiday favorites on the piano. In the ballroom, wine, mead and cider flow freely to warm the belly and the soul. As the evening progresses, Chef Amy Kelley and a small army of festive volunteers prepare and present the Splendid Feast of wholesome delicacies. The walls are decked with natural decorations and trimmings provided by local artisans. Candle light and good company grows hearty conversation. Roars of laughter and holiday cheer rise and fall through the evening. As the evening draws to a close, dessert and coffee are served and guests leave with a warm sense of community and bellies full of wonderful food.
{ Have your OWN event at The Elling House...more info at Rent The Elling }
Upcoming Events
The Elling House is a small, intimate venue with limited seating. Event seating is on a first come, first served basis.
At admission-by-donation events, the first two rows are reserved for Elling House Arts & Humanities Center members
up to 5 minutes prior to the beginning of the event. Become a member today!
{See map of ballroom here}
HAUNTED HOUSE
The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center holds a spooky Haunted House on the Friday and Saturday prior to Halloween from 5pm to Midnight! Guests visit the autopsy room, the science lab, the graveyard & more! $5 entrance fee. Suggested for ages 7 and up!
CHAUTAUQUA shaw-TAW-kwa
{Admission is by donation and open to the public}
What:
The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers and specialists of the day. First popularized in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Chautauqua is hailed as a sharing of entertainment and intellectual knowledge – Teddy Roosevelt claimed it was “the most American thing in America ”. Today the tradition continues with a variety of writers, musicians and special topic speakers taking center stage at the Elling House.
When:
The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center hosts a winter series of Chautauquas, the third Saturday in January, February, March and April. The monthly event begins with a potluck dinner at 6:30pm and performances starting at 7:30pm.
How to Participate:
The Chautauqua is open to all seeking entertainment, intellectual or spiritual growth and local culture. Each participant performs 1-2 songs or a 5-minute reading. Nightly performances highlight 10 reserved spots with two swing spots available for impromptu appearances. Those wishing to be on stage are encouraged to contact Toni James to make reservations at (406) 843-5454, email: ranksmerc@yahoo.com
Annual Events
SPLENDID FEAST
The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center hosts an annual “Splendid Feast” each December. The historic Virginia City home is beautifully decorated, inside and out, presenting a warm and comfortable venue for the capacity gathering to enjoy an evening of delicious food, splendid live music, and wonderful fellowship. All of the proceeds from the dinner will be used to support future arts and humanities programs of the Elling House.
In the depths of winter, when Mother Nature holds Montana in her icy grip, the Elling House brings a magical mix of music, companionship and great food to its warm halls. Each year, toward the end of December, the Elling House hosts The Splendid Feast, a gathering of hearty souls, culinary delights, and holiday cheer in a most spectacular setting.
As guests arrive, water ice luminaries and hundreds of tiny bulbs light the driveway and entrance to the mansion. A grand tree greets the guests in the welcome room. In the parlor, a fire roars warmly from the hearth and musicians play holiday favorites on the piano. In the ballroom, wine, mead and cider flow freely to warm the belly and the soul. As the evening progresses, Chef Amy Kelley and a small army of festive volunteers prepare and present the Splendid Feast of wholesome delicacies. The walls are decked with natural decorations and trimmings provided by local artisans. Candle light and good company grows hearty conversation. Roars of laughter and holiday cheer rise and fall through the evening. As the evening draws to a close, dessert and coffee are served and guests leave with a warm sense of community and bellies full of wonderful food.
See photos of our Chautauquas and Splendid Feasts in Photo Gallery
Scroll down for our Annual events...
404 East Idaho Street PO Box 104 Virginia City, MT 59755 info@ellinghouse.org
Click here for past events
Click here for past events
