Like many folks, your Curator at ArtsMontana.com has taken a wee break over the holidays. In my case, the goal was to accomplish year-end tasks, like completely rearranging the home office/studio and cleaning from top to bottom in readiness for a creative 2008 (photo below).

Plans for ArtsMontana.com in the coming year include:

• A focus on interviews and articles. Artsmo will still list events, but will broaden to include things from the original mission of showcasing the people in our artistic community.
• Artsmo will be featured in a brief article about Livingston in the March/April issue of VIA, the bi-monthly magazine published by AAA for the West. Livingston’s photojournalist Lynn Donaldson wrote the piece and took the accompanying photographs.
• Perspectives from Livingston artist Tina Struble who is moving to New York next month. I had hoped to interview Tina before the move, but there was no time for that. However, a fortuitous chat at Pinky’s Cafe (where many good ideas are hatched), generated the idea of dispatches from Tina in New York. Here’s hoping she finds the time; it’ll be great to hear from her from time to time, and to see how New Yorkers view Montana and Montana art.
• More input from our arts community. I hope that next year will see more contributions from folks besides your Curator.
• More promotion of the site, inside and outside Montana’s borders. Artsmo is averaging 500 visitors a month, with an average of 750 pages a month viewed. (Note that visits to the home page alone are not counted as page views because the visitor has to click on something for a page view to be counted). The goal for next year is to double that, and if that is successful, Artsmo will be able to increase sponsorship/business directory listings, thereby making it possible to increase promotion and focus on added content.

Happy New Year from ArtsMontana.com!

Filed under: Articles/Interviews, Blog Info/News | 6 Comments »

I found a digital camera in the Pine Creek National Forest Service Access area. Call to identify it and I’ll get it back to you. 222-2441.

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The Blue Slipper brings community performers and happy audiences together for its annual free Christmas variety show tonight and tomorrow night (12/14 & 15) at 7:00 PM.

Christmas skits, music, readings, and more, with the funny and delightful Dan Gravage as master of ceremonies. Performers of all ages take the stage to offer Livingston the Blue Slipper’s annual theatrical greeting card that says thanks for your support. This is a delightful event, and enough people agree that I suggest you get there early. Admission is free and seating is first come, first served.

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Blues vocalist Tracy Nelson performs at The Depot this Saturday night as part of the Holiday Stroll events. Tickets are $25, or $22 with a Holiday Stroll button. Get tickets at Conley’s Books & Music, The Livingston Chamber of Commerce, or Cowboy Connection. Most downtown merchants have the Stroll buttons for sale.

If you haven’t heard Tracy Nelson before, you’re in for a treat. Personally, I’m still thrilled she’s coming to Livingston again after hit performances this summer on the Miles Bandshell concert stage in “A Song Runs Through It” and at the more intimate Pine Creek Cafe. It appears that the Grammy nominee who has performed with the likes of Muddy Waters and Charlie Musselwhite loves Livingston. Livingston returns the favor this weekend.

Tracy’s unforgettable vocalizing will be backed by Livingston’s own Joanne Gardner and The Shufflebums. The ghost of Christmas past will haunt you with regret if you miss this one!

Show starts at 7:30 with the Shufflebums.

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