Special Events

Missoula County

LOW @ the Market SEPT 29, 8 AM-NOON, MISSOULA FARMER’S MARKET

The Library on Wheels will be at the Missoula Farmer’s Market by the XXXX’s with free copies of A Wizard of Earthsea, Catwings, and Big Read schedules.

Launch Party SEPT 30, 4-6 PM, DOWNTOWN DANCE COLLECTIVE, 121 W MAIN ST

Enroll in the Wizard Academy with one of three magical paths of discovery: Alchemy, Spellcasting, & Transmogrification! Each path corresponds to particular Big Read events, with graduation at the end.

Author in Residence Talk OCT 1, 7-8:30 PM, FACT & FICTION, 220 N HIGGINS AVE

Montana author Jess E. Owen will speak at Fact & Fiction about the influence of fantasy and Ursula K. Le Guin on her own authorship.

Dragon Painting OCT 1-3, 10 AM-6 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Children can help paint our Missoula Public Library Homecoming Parade Dragon!

Spellcasting 101 OCT 1, 15, 22, 7-8 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Monday evenings in October, learn how to write short fantasy fiction pieces with the Missoula Writing Collaborative. Students will have the opportunity to read their stories at the final Big Read event. Limited to 12 participants, aged 13 or older.
Registration Closed.

Morphing Creature Creation OCT 3 & 17, 6:30-7:30 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Learn how to 3D Model a fantastic creature using the program Sculptris! We’ll cover common features of Sculptris and model our own creatures. The Makerspace will 3D print them.
Registration Closed.

Spellcasters Anonymous: The Magic of Poetry OCT 3, 10, *15, 24, 7-8 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Wednesday evenings in October, learn how to cast your own spells with a poetry workshop hosted by Emily Walter. Students will have an opportunity to read their ‘spells’ aloud at the final Big Read Event. 12 student limit. *Class is on Monday instead of Wednesday on week three.
Registration Closed.

Homecoming Parade: See the Dragon! OCT 6, 9 AM-1 PM, DOWNTOWN MISSOULA

Homecoming Dragon Display OCT 7-28, AT THE LIBRARY

Miss the homecoming parade? Check out the MPL Dragon on display at the library!

Memory Cafe: The Magic of Essential Oils OCT 10, 2 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Elaine Sheff from Green Path Herb School will be joining us with a presentation about the magic of essential oils. We’ll create an aromatherapy necklace & discuss scent memory.

Game of the Goose OCT 11, 3-5 PM, KIWANIS PARK, 350 KIWANIS ST

Play a live action version of the medieval Game of the Goose with the Society of Creative Anachronism’s Barony of Sentinel’s Keep. If weather is poor, we’ll play at the library!

Family Silk Screening Night OCT 12, 5:30-8 PM, ZACC, 235 N 1ST ST W

Visit the Zootown Arts Community Center on the Northside for their gallery opening night, and print our special Catwings design on anyone’s shirt for free!

Wearable Catwings OCT 13, 11 AM-12:30 PM, MISSOULA ART MUSEUM, 335 N PATTEE ST

The MAM is offering a free Saturday Family Art Workshop. Artist Jennifer Ogden teaches how to create your own pair of wearable wings! Children under 7 should be with an adult. All materials provided.

Game Day @ the Library OCT 13, 10 AM-6 PM

Visit MPL for a day of fantasy-themed board & role playing games.

Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin (Free Film) OCT 14, 7-9 PM, THE ROXY THEATER, 718 S HIGGINS

‘Who am I?’ with Humanities Montana OCT 16, 7-8:30 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Kim Anderson and Samantha Dwyer of HM will discuss the ‘Who am I?’ theme in fantasy and science fiction and A Wizard of Earthsea in particular.

Magic in Animation Film Screening OCT 16 & 18, MCAT, 500 N HIGGINS, SUITE 105

Animation camp for kids! Projects/stories will be examined through the lense of film. Call MCAT for details and to sign-up for camps: (406)542-6228.

Willow (Cheap Date Night) OCT 19, 7-9 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Dune (Big Read & Great American Read Film) OCT 22, 6:30-8:30 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Balance & Stories with Red Willow Learning Center OCT 22, 5:30-7:30 PM, 825 W KENT

Explore the ways that stories help us find our true selves, our purpose, and our identity.

SpectrUM’s Discovery Bench & Makerspace OCT 24-26, 11 AM-5 PM, OCT 27, 10 AM-5 PM AT SpectrUM DISCOVERY AREA, 812 TOOLE AVE

Facilitated science activities: including bubbles, the biologicial adaptation of wings, cardboard boat building and testing, and weather activities.

Watercolor Painting Class OCT 26, 12-2 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

MPL’s weekly watercolor class will focus on painting fantastic imagery. Bring your own supplies.

Celebration of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Birthday OCT 26, 2-3:30 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

Enjoy cake and punch at MPL in honor of Ursula’s birthday. The new publication, The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition, will be unveiled.

Re-Enchant an Old Book OCT 27, 2:30-4:30 PM, AT THE LIBRARY

All-ages wecome, turn discarded books into art! Materials, music, and snacks provided.

Fantastic Tales & Ales / Wizard Academy Graduation OCT 28, 4-7 PM, CONFLUX BREWING

Wizard Academy Graduates will read their tales and poems and receive their diplomas.

Beyond Missoula County

Drummond: Author in Residence Talk OCT 2, 7-8:30 PM, DRUMMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Montana author Jess E. Owen will speak about the influence of fantasy and Ursula K. Le Guin on her own authorship.

Polson: Author in Residence Talk OCT 3, 4-5 PM, NORTH LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Montana author Jess E. Owen will speak about the influence of fantasy and Ursula K. Le Guin on her own authorship.

Polson: On the Balance Beam OCT 4, 10-11 AM, NORTH LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Children will use the concept of balance literally and metaphorically, with activities and a craft. Produced in partnership with Head Over Heels Gym staff.

Polson: Taoism Class OCT 4, 7-8:30 PM, NORTH LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

A discussion on the ideas and themes of Taoism and balance in A Wizard of Earthsea.

Polson: On the Yellow Brick Road OCT 18, 10-11 AM, N LAKE COUNTY PL

Children will use pathfinding skills in a scavenger hunt, a reading walk, and a fun craft.

Polson: Going on a Modern Quest OCT 18, 6-7 PM, NORTH LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Presentation on Geocatching with a real-life moden treasure hunt to follow.

Polson: Catwings Storytime OCT 25, 10:30-11 AM, NORTH LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Drummond: Between the Covers Bookclub OCT 30, 7 PM, DRUMMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY