Happy Friday, Beacon readers! Lauren Frick here, and I’m quickly learning that once the Flathead Valley starts pushing 16 hours of daily sunlight, it’s borderline illegal to be inside more than you absolutely have to. I mean, seriously, I feel like when I look at a clock these days, I don’t see a time, but rather, “oh, we have [insert number here] hours of daylight left — what can I go do?”
One of the best things about the valley, however, is that there’s also a seemingly never-ending list of events that may be enclosed by four walls, but are still equally worthwhile to check out during the summer. For those of you looking to diversify your activities portfolio and mix in some art and music with your hiking, biking and paddle boarding these days, here are some options this upcoming week.
Internationally acclaimed classical piano virtuoso Mitchell Zeidwig, professionally known as ZeidwiG, will appear at the North Valley Music School on Monday, June 8, for a special one-night performance to benefit the school.
Celebrated as “masterful, thrilling, mesmerizing, extraordinary, and uplifting,” Zeidwig has earned distinction for his originality, interpretive insight and expressive depth, the music school said in a press release.
Zeidwig sold out at Carnegie Hall twice, and was a guest soloist with the Munich Philharmonic, Nuremberg Symphony, Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, and numerous others worldwide. He has conducted members of the New York Philharmonic at the Arcady Music Festival during his portrayal of Mozart and Bach, and has headlined for cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Azamara, Norwegian and Silver Sea.
Trained at McGill University, Juilliard School and Purchase College, Zeidwig received a Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival, and was awarded the First Boris Roubakine Memorial Scholarship at the Banff Festival, its highest honor.
His program for this special event at North Valley Music School will feature classical favorites drawn from his repertoire. A meet-the-artist reception will follow the performance, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, and all donations will support the North Valley Music School.
Also starting Monday, but running through the rest of the summer, is the opening of a new art exhibit at the Wachholz College Center.
The center’s Wanda Hollensteiner Art Gallery will feature a new special exhibit, “The Artist’s Studio: Tom Saubert,” to honor gallery donors James and Wanda Hollensteiner. The show runs June 8 through Aug. 14 with a free public opening reception on Tuesday, June 9 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tom Saubert is an award-winning and nationally recognized artist of the American West. Known for his beautiful figurative paintings and portraits, he is also a dedicated scholar of Native American culture and artifacts, the college said in a press release. The special exhibit will focus on Saubert’s studio, the subject matter that inspires him and his artistic process.
Saubert’s Creston studio is filled with reference books, drawings and examples of historical regalia which he has collected throughout his career. His lifelong fascination with Native American culture has led him to a profound respect for authenticity in his portrayals of historical figures and individuals, the college said.
Saubert researches historic documents and museum collections to recreate costume and accoutrements specific to the era and tribal iconography of the Native American individuals he paints. Saubert will also be celebrated with a one-man show of his paintings at the Glacier Art Museum next summer.
Following the exhibit’s opening, the gallery will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as during Wachholz College Center showtimes for patrons with tickets to its performances.
That’s all I’ve got for you today — stick around while I paint you a picture of the rest of today’s Daily Roundup.
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Flathead Warming Center Connects Record Number of Guests with Long-term Solutions
During the 2025-2026 season, the low-barrier shelter’s staff connected 61 people with either long-term housing or in-patient care as a growing volume of individuals with disabling conditions seek services
Legendary multi-Grammy nominee and wetlands activist Tab Benoit brings his high-energy Soul of the Swamp Tour 2026 to stages across America. Critics have often described Benoit’s voice as “Otis Redding-ish,” while his guitar playing is celebrated for its originality and distinctive style. In 2024, he made a triumphant return with his first recording in 13 years, I Hear Thunder, signaling that his best work is yet to come. On the Soul of the Swamp Tour, Tab will take you on a musical journey, performing songs from his vast catalog and digging deep into the rich tones and storytelling lyrics that have made him an admired figure in the music world.
This family-friendly event is free and open to the public and offers guests a sneak peek at concerts and events booked for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. As part of the celebration, the Wachholz College Center will be waiving ticket service fees for attendees who purchase tickets during the event. Throughout the evening, attendees will have the chance to win tickets to exciting upcoming performances presented by both the Wachholz College Center and Glacier Symphony. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. when lobby doors open to the public. A free outdoor concert by local favorite 20 GRAND kicks off at 6 p.m. in the O’Shaughnessy Outdoor Amphitheater. Food trucks including Arn’s BBQ, Fire & Dough, and Los Pinguinos will be on-site, along with ice cream from Sweet Peaks. A variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
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