June in the Flathead: Festivals, Live Music & Can't-Miss Events

Summer is knocking at the door here in the Flathead Valley, and June is stacked with live music, art openings, cultural events, and free family fun. In this month's local events roundup, we're breaking down everything happening in Whitefish and Kalispell so you don't miss a single beat.

This episode covers:
Stumptown Get Down (June 6) — Balkan Bump headlines Whitefish's Depot Park with global electronic sounds, DJ Trayze, and local opener Dan Dubuque
Tab Benoit's Soul of the Swamp Tour (June 5) — Multi-Grammy nominee brings the bayou to the Wachholz College Center
Broadway star Capathia Jenkins live at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center (June 13)
Whitefish Gallery Nights — First Thursdays all summer long
Wildfire Preparedness Forum at FVCC (June 9)
Surfbat new album release show at the Palace Bar (June 12)
Triple feature on June 18: Glacier Art Museum, NW Montana History Museum + Wachholz open house in Kalispell, AND country legend Pam Tillis at O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish
Levi Bloom live at Snowline Acres (June 24)
14th Annual Whitefish Woody Weekend — FREE family event (June 26)
Music of Dolly Parton, Whitefish Summer Concert Series (June 26)

Use promo code MISO for a discount on Stumptown Get Down tickets at https://www.flatheadtickets.com/

Whether you're a lifelong Flathead Valley local or new to Northwest Montana, this is your ultimate guide to the best things to do in June.

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Transcript

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Dust off your festival hat, summer has arrived in the Flathead Valley. Listen up for all the best events happening in June to keep those boots scootin'. We've talked about this before, friends. When Vigilante Provisions hosts a show, you go. Saturday, June 6th is your next best opportunity to experience some seriously good music in Whitefish's Depot Park at the Stump Town Get Down. I attended this event last year in the rain and had the best time. Great vibes, great food, dancing, and fun for the whole fam. This year, Bulk and Bump is the headliner sharing electronic music with global influences and maybe some trumpet and sitar thrown into the mix. I love this unique blend, and I don't even need a ticket to Coachella. Bulk and Bump gets support from DJ Trays with a high-energy DJ set that blends house, hip-hop, funk, and party anthems. Local talent Dan Dubuque opens things up with his simple, wordless grunge rock slide guitar ballads. Let that sink in. Tickets at the door, and better yet, at flatheadtickets.com, where you can use promo code MISO for a special discount. Stumptown Get Down is one of those epic events you wish you would have attended even in the rain. Don't sleep on it. Broadway star Capatia Jenkins teams up with Mike Eldred of Amazing Place Music for an intimate evening of incredible storytelling, singing, and unparalleled musicianship. Save your seat at flatheadtickets.com for two show times on Saturday, June 13th at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. It's Whitefish Gallery Night season, one of my favorite opportunities to mingle, be inspired, and enjoy tasty snacks while visiting all the Whitefish art spots. Many galleries also share live music and live painting. Mark your calendar for a summer's worth of first Thursdays and enjoy the Whitefish Gallery scene from 5 to 8 p.m. The legendary and multi-grammy nominee, Tab Benoit, brings his high-energy Soul of the Swamp tour to the Walholts College Center on Friday, June 5th. This is Tab Benoit's second time performing at the Walk Holtz, and word has gotten around. There are a few tickets remaining as Tab takes you on a musical journey with just his guitar, a chord, and an amp. This time around the bayou, Gallia Volt shares her one woman band in true southern blues tradition. Something to see. Folks will be talking about this show. Get your tickets from the Wacolts College Center and only the Wacolts College Center's website. We always hope to avoid it, but wildfire season is upon us here in Northwest Montana. Head to Flathead Valley Community College on Tuesday, June 9th at 6 p.m. to learn what to expect for the upcoming wildfire season. Attend in person or remotely as several wildfire and climate experts share about fire prediction forecasts, seasonal weather outlooks, and wildfire preparedness. Surf Bat, my personal favorite local three-piece band, shares their new album Desolation, on Friday, June 12th at the Palace Bar in Whitefish. You know it has to be good for the palace to host a band. Post rock, metal-ish, whatever you call it, it's catharsis. And at the very least, you can download it from your favorite streaming platform. Cancel all your plans for Thursday, June 18th, and head to Calispel to enjoy and support your favorite cultural institutions. The Glacier Art Museum hosts Montana Artists, April Whirl, and True Archdale for their opening reception starting at 5 p.m. Whitefish-based True Archdale plays homage to her native roots with pieces that reference both abstract art and traditional culture in her first solo show. Congratulations, True. Missoula-based April Whirl debuts a new series of paintings exploring identity and family dynamics. Then walk across the street to the Northwest Montana History Museum for their new exhibit, A Western Revolution Came First: The Rise of the Horse Nations. On Thursday, June 18th, listen in to equine researcher Brenda Waller as she presents on America 250. Top it off with a trip to the lawn at the Wacolts College Center to enjoy their annual open house and season preview with live music by the infamous 20 grand. Bring a chair and a blanket and the kidlets for a fun and festive evening getting funky and celebrating the Wacolts. Come hungry as some of my favorite food trucks will be there. Thursday, June 18th, head to Whitefish's O'Shaughnessy Cultural Center as the Big Sky Troubadours present their legends series with country music legend Pam Tillis. Need I say more? Enjoy the lawn at Snowline Acres in Kalispell on Sunday, June 24th at 6 p.m. for live music with Levi Bloom. This southern Montanan shares its country rock sound with you and the mountains. Plus food trucks. The 14th annual Whitefish Woody Weekend floats on, the week of June 26th. Enjoy the history and craftsmanship of classic wooden boats at the lodge at Whitefish Lake. The tiki bar starts the party off with live music at 6 p.m. with the sunset boat parade following at 8. Take your time, admiring the boats starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, and chat up the captains about their prize vessels. Whitefish Woody Weekend is a family-friendly and free event. Wildflowers might not care where they grow, but you will sure care if you miss the music of Dolly Parton during the Whitefish Summer Concert Series. Don your coat of many colors and head to Whitefish the weekend of June 26th for a dazzling night celebrating the Queen of Country. Local talent presents with a live band and powerhouse vocalists to honor the woman we will always love. That's a wrap for June, friends. Don't forget to use your super special discount code MESO for a deal on your Stumptown get down tickets on June 6th. Just head to flatheadtickets.com. Thanks for supporting local journalism and local music. The two best things, in my opinion. Cheers.