The Mud Bay Jugglers & The Tune Stranglers wrapped up the Kootenai Heritage Council’s season of entertainment at the Memorial Center on Friday evening. Gary Huntsberger said the first Friday show of the series this year was a success, bringing in the largest crowd of the year. “The entertainment we’ve been able to bring in this year has been world class, all of the performers have just been fantastic,” he said. The performers went to W.F. Morrison during the day on Friday and entertained students from Yaak and McCormick schools. “The kids loved it, they were a big hit,” said Huntsberger.

Many of the performers the council brought in this year were discovered at the Montana Performing Arts Consortium Showcase, which was held in Great Falls. “At the showcase they have 12 minutes on stage to dazzle the audience, then the next act comes on. It’s like a horse show,” Huntsberger said.

The Kootenai Heritage Council has five performances already lined out for next year. “We’re getting better at soliciting acts,” said Huntsberger. “We’ve improved our online presence and have been working with the Sunburst Foundation in Eureka to get block pricing on performers we bring to the area,” he said.

Huntsberger said the goal of the series is to bring in acts from other states or countries. Part of the requirement for the performers is that they do community outreach in the area, such as at the schools. Huntsberger said the first concert of the season left an impression on the crowd. “The International String Trio’s music was beautiful. It left people with tears in their eyes,” he said.

“We try to do family-oriented type of performances, something everyone can enjoy,” Huntsberger said.

It took a little while before the crowd at the Memorial Center got into the call and response of the Mud Bay Jugglers, but before the lead singer was done introducing the band the masses realized they to were part of the show.