westFEST 2024
westFEST is back! Westside Theater presents new work by local and guest interdisciplinary artists September 27-29.
Dance, Cirque, Theater, Music & more
Get your festival pass for only $50 to gain entry into all performances, workshops and events!
*no one is turned away for lack of funds. If you would like to attend a performance (or workshop) for free, email us for volunteer opportunities and scholarship information
Split Bill Performance
Friday, September 27 @ 7pm
Featuring a solo dance-theater piece by Nicole Wolcott (Missoula, MT | NYC) and a work-in-progress dance piece by Contemporary Dance Wyoming (Jackson, WY)
For Maira Kalman
by Contemporary Dance Wyoming (CDW) performers: Francesca Romo, Michaela Ellingson & Bailey Walker
This work-in-progress exists in its most raw form, at the intersection of awareness and transformation. The responsibility of creating any art can be exhausting, leaving one feeling unmoored. As we navigate this human experience, we are the doer, the reactor, and the observer, constantly perceiving the interplay between action and reaction. This short piece is the early stages of a deeper exploration into the idea of holding something and also being held—whether by a person, a concept, space, or by oneself. Inspired by Maira Kalman’s question, “What do women hold?”, this work seeks to uncover the layers of that experience in holding: the work, the work of the world, the work of being human, and most of all, the love.
Cheeky Geeky Vaudeville Presents: Saints & Sinners
Saturday, September 28 @ 8pm
Hosted by Mavryk, featuring dance, drag, pole art, singing and burlesque. 18+
Okay…Go!
Various live performance artists each get 5-7 minutes to perform new work.
Sunday, September 29
@ 5pm & 7pm*
featuring:
Jenna Lyons
McKenzie Shoults
Emilee Mosbrucker
Annica Scheerens
JoJo Phoenix
Augustus Ballantine
Hannah Dusek
Jessica Erben
Kinetic Convergence Dance (KCD)
Shaun Gant & Kevin Canty
*Programs may vary slightly. Check IG for updated line up
late nite lobby
Mike and Me
Basement tape, lo-fi sad boi rap singing with escapist dance beats w/ Kyle McAfee & Mike Merlo
Wormwood Nowa
emcee and beat sequencer
Friday, SEPt 27 @ 9pM
Saturday, Sept 28 @ 10pm
WORD DOG
community open mic: storytelling, poetry, etc.
WESTFEST WORKSHOPS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
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Saturday, Sept 28 @ 10am-12pm
Taught by: Francesca Romo
Francesca was born in London and realized quite early on in life that movement is her source of pleasure and healing. She trained and graduated from the Royal Ballet School and the London Contemporary Dance School and danced for The Richard Alston Dance Company from 2002-2006. After a six week American tour she fell in love with the United States and moved to America in 2006 where she Co-founded Gallim Dance Company based in New York City.
Francesca also served as the Associate Director from 2007-2014. She has toured both nationally and Internationally and has set work on major Dance companies in Europe and America.
Francesca currently resides in Jackson Hole Wyoming where she teaches Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® as part of the wellness program at Dancers’ Workshop. She is also a Rehearsal Director and Co-creator with Contemporary Dance Wyoming, she is involved as a teacher, mentor and student at Dancer’ Workshop.
Her pursuit with healing extends beyond dance.
She is currently on a certification track in doingVisionary Craniosacral work®, studying with Hugh Milne at his Institute.$15 or pay what you can
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Saturday, Sept. 28 @ 2pm-5pm
This workshop is for anyone and everyone that has ever been curious about performance art. If you've ever wanted to share something "strange" or "weird" or "simple." We will explore elements of performance art and use our sensory systems to create stimuli influenced pieces.
You'll leave with a short performance art piece AND --if you would like--can be a part of westFEST's Okay...Go! showcase-style event on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Facilitated by Gabriella Giordano
Gabriella/Gab Giordano has lived in Missoula since 2017 except for one reprieve year in Salmon, Idaho. They got their MA in Theatre from the University of Montana with a minor in Psychology. Their senior thesis was a one hour half-improvised, song/dance, performance art experience. They currently work as the event coordinator for Fact & Fiction books downtown. When not at work, they can be found at the dog park with their girl Shuggie or at the rave.
$15 or pay what you can
