The theme for the Montana Folk Festival focuses on the attributes and qualities of life in Montana. These qualities have aptly been labeled folklife, where the land and the people of Montana are showcased for your enjoyment.
The Contributions of Immigrants to the Heritage and Traditions of Montana and the West By Aubrey Jaap, Director, Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives From the anonymous saying: “If you are more fortunate than others, it is better to build a longer table than a taller fence.” Long before the first Euro-American …
Ed Ronningen, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Chip Carving is an international tradition, although Scandinavia has the preponderance of carvings. It is a centuries-old craft, used by many peoples worldwide to decorate wooden objects—spoons, bowls, boards, doorways, boats, paddles, and more. Chip carving uses special knives to remove small chips of wood …
The Tiernan Irish Dancers were founded in 2001 when a local céilí club was adopted by the Trinity Irish Dancers of Chicago. Trinity arrived to perform at AnRiRa, Montana‘s annual Irish festival. Founder Mark Howard was fascinated by Butte’s heritage and history. He soon formulated a plan to adopt Montana Irish dancers and send Trinity instructors to …
Pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional folk designs using a wax-resist method. The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, “to write” or “to inscribe,” as the designs are written (inscribed) with beeswax, not painted. The designs are written on the egg using melted beeswax and a stylus, the egg is dipped in colored dye, and the …
The Big Sky Lace Guild was started in the fall of 2014 and is the only lace guild currently in Montana. The last lace guild in Montana existed in the early 1900s. Although based in Butte, the Big Sky Lace Guild is open to lace-makers statewide. The Guild became a …
The Montana International Folk Dancers join together from communities around the state to share an appreciation of the music, dance, dress, and language of traditional world cultures. Since the 1960s, their activities have always included recreational dancing, but at times have expanded to exhibition dance and musical performance. Dancers come …
LuWaana Marjamaa Johnson and Norma Pylypuw | Butte, Montana The tradition of weaving rag rugs was brought to Butte in the early 1900s by the Finnish miner families who settled in the east Butte neighborhood called “Finn Town.” Large floor looms were easily constructed, and being very frugal, the …
The Celtic Quintet brings Gaelic musical cultures from both Ireland and Scotland together with strong Iberian and Nordic influences. They play in Bozeman and the surrounding Gallatin Valley delivering ‘live’ music and a jig or two! They strive to bring community and culture together. The Celtic Quintet was organically formed …
