wilma: the next 100 years

Originally uploaded by Chris Lombardi

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is coming to town next week. here’s a short primer for all of the filmmakers and filmwatchers who will be descending on the Garden City.

Historical

People interested in the historical buildings of Missoula should definitely check out the definitive list offered by The Missoula Downtown Association. It details 15 different buildings within walking distance of The Wilma Theater, as well as listing 20 other buildings close by. In addition, 4 distinct historical neighborhoods within walking distance of the theater are described, as well as a listing of another 4 neighborhoods, most within walking distance as well. Visit the Missoula Downtown Association [link]. If you’ve got access to wheels, you might be interested in Fort Missoula [link]. The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula was established in 1975 to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Missoula County, Fort Missoula, and the timber products industry in western Montana.

Dining in Missoula

When you get to town, you can pick up a copy of The Missoula Independent [link] (found in red drop-boxes around town) for a more definitive listing of restaurants. I’m going to list a few here according to the specials they have on specific days, and then list a couple of other favorites.

• Sundays and Mondays: The Old Post Pub [link] – burger and a beer for $6
• Wednesdays: Sushi Hana [link] – $1 sushi
• Saturdays: The Old Post Pub – Fish Taco and Choice of Any Mexican Beer or Margarita for $8.00

On days when there is no special in which I’m interested, I find myself splitting a healthy serving of pasta with a friend over at Sean Kelly’s [link], grabbing a cheap burrito at Taco del Sol [link], walking south across the bridge for some great Italian at Mambo Italiano [link] or, if it’s between the hours of 5.15 and 6.15 p.m., catching a burger at 515 [link].

Breakfast? It’s The Shack [link], Dauphine’s [link], The Hob Nob [link] (great lunches, too!), or, if it’s a late night after the bars, breakfast at The Oxford [link], the oldest bar in Missoula.

Drinking Establishments

Speaking of bars, Missoula has many of them. I’ll let you discover them on your own, but wanted to list a few of note here.

• Al’s and Vic’s [link] is the oldest bar in Missoula at its original location with its original name.
• Charlie B’s, owned and operated by a Vietnam vet who does a lot for the local vets, and is one helluva guy in general.
• The Rhino [link] – great smoking bar with the best ventilation in town of all of the smoking bars. Features a huge selection of 50 beers as well as a decent Scotch menu.

The locals discuss their favorite bars over here [link].

Brew Pubs

Missoula is home to three great brewpubs, each wonderful in its own right. Check ‘em all out:

• The Kettlehouse [link]
• Bayern Brewing [link]
• Big Sky Brewing [link]

Music and Dancing

Yeah, but where can I DANCE? Ah. Glad you asked. The venues for hearing music in Missoula are shrinking, but two of my favorites are The Badlander [link], which has been through many different incarnations in Missoula’s history, and The Union Club [link], a Union bar that has live music on the weekends.

More local discussion of best music venues here [link] (YRMV)

You’ll also find dancing at AmVets [link], with live DJs spinning the tunes.

If you’re into local music, while the venues to see music may be shrinking, the music scene here in Missoula is blowing up. Locals discuss their favorites here. [link].

Someone asked me about where to shop in Missoula, but I typically find myself at the Goodwill or some other hidden away thrift shop, so I’m no good at answering that one.

This is most certainly not a definitive list, but meant to be a jumping off point. Any other locals want to weigh in and list some of their favorites?