Front Row Center

The Red Ants Pants Music Festival returns this summer after a year off due to COVID. Find out what's in store for the return of this year's festival in White Sulphur Springs, in this conversation between MTPR's Tom Berich and festival producer Sarah Calhoun.

"The House That Rob Built" is the inspiring story of Rob Selvig, pioneering coach of the University of Montana’s Lady Griz basketball team. In an era when gender discrimination in sports was the norm, Coach Selvig built a “house” of inclusion and empowerment by recruiting female athletes from the ranches, farms and Native reservations of Big Sky Country. For nearly 40 years, these athletes would establish the preeminent women’s basketball program west of the Rockies. Hear from Selvig and the

The University of Montana recently hired a permanent Dean of the College of The Arts and Media. Montana Public Radio's Tom Berich recently spoke with Laurie Baefsky to find out more about her history and vision for the school.

"I have an opportunity to introduce someone to an amazing musical tradition. And I have an opportunity to share a really fine virtuostic performance by some top performers. And I have a chance to make an impression on someone who's maybe never heard this before ..." Suzanne Bona, host of Sunday Baroque talks about sharing her love of Baroque music, "listening like a listener" and why Sunday Baroque is made for Sundays.

"I think fear is for people who don't get out very much. The flipside of fear is understanding. We gain understanding when we travel ... Get out, celebrate the diversity, be inspired," says Rick Steves, host of Travel with Rick Steves. The program joined MTPR's new radio schedule at the beginning of the month. Steves speaks with MTPR's Michael Marsolek about how travel can help you get out of your comfort zone, grow and better understand the world.

The Moth Mainstage is coming to Missoula April 4 for an evening of stories shared live at The Wilma. Five storytellers take the stage and share true, personal stories involving Occasional Magic. Stories of deception and redemption, sparkly interventions and divine introspections. Abracadabra, kismet and beyond. Executive Producer Sarah Austin Jenness talks with MTPR's Michael Marsolek about the personal stories that make up the event.

The Ballet Beyond Borders experience is a unique combination of dance and diplomacy. With competitors hailing from more than 17 countries, the international dance competition and diplomacy conference is "a global cultural exchange," says Charlene Campbell Carey, artistic director for Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre. Preview the 2019 Ballet Beyond Borders highlights now with Carey.

Tess Fahlgren and Sara Aronson preview the upcoming 2018 Montana Book Festival , September 27 -30 in Missoula.

The Montana Repertory Theatre's 2018 Education Outreach Tour starts September 4. Teresa Waldorf, educational outreach coordinator for the Theatre previews this year's program, "Morgan and Merlin: Swords, Sorcery, and How to be a Hero," and talks about the Theater's mission.

Montana Public Radio will broadcast live from the 2018 Montana Folk Festival in Butte, MT, July 13-15. Festival Director George Everett stopped by to give a preview of the upcoming music festival. Despite the name "Folk Festival," the music isn't "a songwriter with a guitar," Everett says. "What that means is music of the people. Traditional music that goes back generations. Bluegrass, blues, cajun, zydeco; the genres stay the same, but we try to have the performers be different to represent