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Best of Missoula 2021
Arts & Entertainment
Missoula wouldn’t be Missoula without its thriving arts scene. With everything from punk bands to landscape painters, our town has a little something for everyone. We’re pretty proud of the talent here -- read on to learn more about the best of the best Missoula has to offer.
Best Actor/Actress Stephen Jay Clement
Stephen Jay Clement is a gem, both off and on the stage. “Friends, you’ve ripped me off the rails with your support. I’m so thankful for everyone who voted for a genderqueer, vegan health nut like me, and for the Missoulian for hosting this event. I’m beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to share stories with our community this year in spite of all the challenges we faced, whether that meant theatre distanced by a fire tower, or music alone in our rooms to a camera.” 2. Joe McNeal 3. Reid Reimers
Best Art Gallery Zootown Arts Community Center 216 W. Main St. 549-7555 zootownarts.org
Known affectionately as the ZACC by locals, this arts center has a fancy-schmancy new building located in downtown Missoula that recently reopened following the pandemic. The ZACC is our go-to for everything arts-related, from underground local punk shows to painting ceramics with friends. 2. Radius Gallery 3. Dana Gallery
Best Artist Monte Dolack dolack.com
If you’ve been in Missoula long enough, you’ve seen Monte Dolack’s work. A quintessential Missoula artist, he blends western landscapes with Montana wildlife to create a style uniquely his own. 2. Caleb Meyer 3. Tanya Lee Yarrow
3. Zack Jarvis
Best Band Lil’ Smokies
thelilsmokies.com
Go to a Lil’ Smokies concert, and you’re sure to see half the crowd mouthing the words to every song the Lil’ Smokies play. We could listen to this folk band for forever -- they’re always a fun show to see live. 2. ShoDown 3. TIE- Mudslide Charley & Wild Prairie Smoke
Best Concert Venue Kettlehouse Amphitheater 602 Myrtle and in Bonner 830-3163 kettlehouse.com
Nothing beats lounging on the grass at the Kettlehouse Amphitheater, Coldsmoke in hand and a good band playing against the backdrop of the sun setting behind the mountains. This venue is the locals’ favorite for concerts.
Best Comedian Sarah Aswell
2. Wilma Theater 3. Big Sky Brewing Co.
A freelance writer, comic, and mother to two unemployed toddlers, Sarah Aswell is Missoula’s rock-star comedian. She has performed live at the Roxy Theater and her writing has appeared in the New Yorker, McSweeney’s, National Lampoon, Reductress, MAD Magazine, Scary Mommy, and more. She was recently named on of the Best Undiscovered Comedians in America by Thrillist.
Best Dancer Cigarette Girls
sarahaswell.com
Any Cigarette Girls show is guaranteed to be a great time. The burlesque group performs across the state, but they’re a local favorite. 2. The Fox Club 3. Hannah Dusek
2. Michael Beers
BEST OF
MISSOULA
u o y k n T ha 2021 WINNER
Missoula
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