Summertime in North Dakota is upon us and it truly is a beautiful place to be during the summer months. It’s almost like mother nature gives us the glorious summer to keep us in the NoDak after we all want to pack our bags and “get out of Dodge” in the wintertime. With the sunshine rolling in and school out, it’s time to enjoy various events that are happening in our community.
Minot Area Council of the Arts is hosting Arts in the City and Arts in the Park again this summer and both are packed with music, arts, fun, and are free to attend.
Arts is the City takes place on Thursday nights in June and August in the heart of the city, Downtown Minot. This family friendly event features live music, bouncy houses, axe throwing, food vendors, interactive art opportunities, and an artisan vendor market. Located on Main Street, it is easy to find and an excellent way to spend time in downtown Minot on Thursday evenings.
Arts in the Park is another excellent way to hear local artists perform. Every Sunday evening in June and July at the Oak Park stage at 4 pm and 7 pm, you can bring some lawn chairs or a blanket and relax while enjoying some great music. They also offer art demonstrations and kids activities. Enjoy beautiful Oak Park while taking in some fantastic music. Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday in Minot.
Both venues have a diverse lineup of musical talents including local artists and bands that will get your feet tapping and maybe even make you want to dance. Check out the Minot Area Councll of the Arts Facebook page: MinotArts or their website www.minotarts.org to find out more about these summer happenings.
These are just two of the events that Minot Area Council of the Arts offers throughout the year. Tonia Vitko and Myles Barcomb, Co-Executive Directors of MACA, are working diligently to continue the vision of the organization and to create new events for the community. They recently took over the position together and bring a great deal of experience to the table. Barcomb has a background in musical performance and has worked with many artists and musical talents over the years. His experience with booking musicians and the connections with the arts community in Minot has made the transition to the position blend nicely. Vitko has worked with several non-profits in Minot and sits on several boards. She has had a passion for the arts since a young age and is excited to continue the strong arts presence in the community through her new role.
The process and planning of events takes a great deal of time and effort, which cannot be done alone. One way to participate is to volunteer time to help with Arts in the City. There are a variety of ways that you can help on the day of the events or before during the planning phase. They would love people to get involved and many hands make the work light. It is a great way to get to know others in the community and find your niche in the arts community.
MACA is also still looking for artisan vendors and more food trucks for the Arts in the City nights. If you or someone you know has talents in these areas, contact Vitko or Barcomb to find out more details and start sharing your own talents in the community.
As the summer rolls in and the sun continues to shine until late in the evening, it is the perfect time of year to spend time outdoors and in the community. Both Arts in the City and Arts in the Parks are great opportunities to enjoy the weather, immerse yourself in the arts, and get to know others in Minot. Bring your friends and family and make a night of it!
