New West Network

My Page: Ryan Thompson

worldwide community arts project in missoula

After losing friends and loved ones to AIDS, Gert McMullen became one of the first volunteers to show the AIDS Memorial Quilt, an on-going and worldwide community arts project.

"It really helped save my life," McMullen said. "Inadvertently, I did help other people, and I'm glad for that."

A powerful commemoration of those lost to AIDS, the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is on display in the University of Montana's Adams Center until Sunday afternoon. The quilt is a combination of different panels that friends, loved ones and family members have created to honor and remember their fallen. The panels are adorned with pictures, bits of poetry, handwritten letters and other elements. The quilt includes names from throughout the country, but each panel on display was requested by a Montanan affected by that person's death. [more]

good cause, good times

Rock Against Racism blasts into Caras Park on Friday afternoon, giving Missoulians a chance to open their minds and their ears. The free concert is a fundraiser for the YWCA and features half hour long performances from 14 bands of different styles.

"The point is to raise awareness about racism in the community…and get young people to be involved in whatever cause they're interested in," said YWCA marketing coordinator Caitlin Copple.

Music starts at 3 p.m., and bands will perform until about 10 p.m. Diverse speakers ranging from Laurie Franklin of the Har Shalom Jewish community to Matt Singer of Forward Montana will give addresses on racism and its effects in between each band's performance, said event creator Megan Baumann [more]