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 Stumptown Get Down! I attended this event last year ... in the rain ... and had the best time. Great vibes, great food, dancing, fun for the whole fam. This year Balkan Bump is the headliner sharing electronic music with global music influences and maybe some trumpet and sitar thrown into the mix. I love this unique mix and I don't even need a ticket to Coachella! Balkan Bump gets support from DJ Trayze 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 Capathia 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 showtimes on Saturday, June 13th at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

It's Whitefish Gallery Nights 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 calendars for a summer's worth of first Thursdays and enjoy the Whitefish gallery scene from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

The legendary and multi-Grammy nominee Tab Benoit brings his high energy Soul of the Swamp Tour to the Wachholz College Center on Friday, June 5th. This is Tab Benoit's second time performing at the Wachholz and word has gotten around. There are a few tickets remaining as Tab takes you on a musical journey with just his guitar, a cord and an amp. This time around the bayou, Ghalia Volt shares her one-woman band in true southern blues tradition. Folks will be talking about this show! Get your tickets from the Wachholz College Center's ... and ONLY the Wachholz 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 6:00 pm 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.

Surfbat! 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. At the very least, you can download it from your favorite streaming platform.

Cancel all your plans for Thursday, June 18th and head to Kalispell to enjoy and support your favorite cultural institutions.

The Glacier Art Museum hosts Montana artists April Werle and True Archdale for their opening reception starting at 5:00 pm. Whitefish-based True Archdale pays homage to her Native roots with pieces that reference both abstract art and traditional culture in her first solo show. Missoula based April Werle 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 Horse Nations". On Thursday, June 18th listen in to equine researcher Brenda Wahler as she presents on America 250: This Revolution Came at a Gallop."

Top it off with a trip to the lawn at the Wachholz 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 Wachholz. 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 6:00 pm for live music with Levi Bloom. This southern Montanan shares his country rock sound with you and the mountains. Plus ... food trucks!

The 14th annual Whitefish Woody Weekend floats on the weekend 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 6:00 pm with the Sunset Boat Parade following at 8:00 pm. Take your time admiring the boats starting at 9:00 am on Saturday and chat up the captains about their prize vessels. Whitefish Woody Weekend is a family-friendly, 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 MISO for a deal on your Stumptown Get Down tickets on June 6th. 

Thanks for supporting local journalism and local music, the two best things in my opinion! 

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