2026 Showcase Artists Announced!
- Emily Wolfram
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Montana Performing Arts Consortium (MPAC) is proud to announce the 17 professional touring artists and ensembles selected to perform at the 2026 Artist Showcase & Conference. The conference will take place October 16–18, 2026, at the Helena Civic Center, marking the first time in over two decades that the state’s premier performing arts gathering has returned to the capital city.
A highlight of the three-day conference is the Juried Artist Showcase on Saturday, October 17. These performances are completely free and open to the public, offering Helena audiences a rare opportunity to experience a diverse array of world-class music, dance, comedy, and magic on a single stage. Later that evening, the energy shifts from the theater to a local brewery at 8:00 PM for the Artist Jam Session at Lewis and Clark Taproom. Known for its high-energy atmosphere and artistic enthusiasm, “the Jam” is a beloved tradition where world-class artists come together for a relaxed, artist-led session that often results in once-in-a-lifetime musical moments.
“These showcases are not only a booking tool for performing arts organizations across the state,” said MPAC Executive Director Emily Wolfram. “They’re also a way to connect local audiences with incredible artists and to celebrate the role live performance plays in Montana communities”.
The 2026 lineup features a curated selection of regional and international talent, including five Montana-based acts:
Showcase I (Starts at 9:00 AM)
Derina Harvey Band (Alberta, Canada)
Counting Coup (Montana, United States)
Steve Soelberg (Utah, United States)
Bare Bait Dance (Montana, United States)
ACME Time Machine (California, United States)
Big Sky City Lights (Montana, United States)
Zephyr Brass Collective (Colorado, United States)
Showcase II (Starts at 1:15 PM)
Kate Voss & The Hot Sauce (Wisconsin, United States)
Newbridge (Nova Scotia, Canada)
The Heels (British Columbia, Canada)
Yaniv Zarif (New York, United States)
Lee Siegel (Ontario, Canada)
Showcase III (Starts at 3:45 PM)
THE EDGE EFFECT (Florida, United States)
Mike Super - Magic & Illusion (Pennsylvania, United States)
Nora Spielman (Montana, United States)
Dave Eggar (Tennessee, United States)
Dammit Lauren (Montana, United States)
MPAC’s Artist Showcase & Conference is a vital cornerstone of Montana’s cultural ecosystem, designed to help performing arts presenters from both urban and rural communities build the relationships necessary for sustainable touring. By prioritizing meaningful connection and collaboration over transactional booking, MPAC ensures that high-quality live performance remains accessible to every corner of the state.
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