Rooted in
MUSIC — COMMUNITY — CONSERVATION
What is Knapweed Performing Arts Festival?
From Founder & Artistic Director, Grace M. Alexander
It has always been a dream of mine to create a space for musicians and artists to unite in community and be immersed in nature and music. Growing up in Northwest Montana in the summers, I spent time alongside my family working in conservation-based forestry and tree farming. I was also fortunate to be immersed in the landscape of the Rockies, while finding my love for music. My mother always used our tree farm as a gathering space for our family and friends over the years. This festival blends my passions for music-making, community building, and nature conservation practices, bringing incredibly special people in my life (that also happen to be extremely talented musicians and artists) to the Plains, MT area to share their musical voice with the community. Alongside their performances and rehearsals, the performing artists will connect with and learn more about the nature around them and different conservation practices of the Rocky Mountain region of North America.
This festival would not be possible without the artists who are contributing their talents and sharing their musical voice through their preparation and practice. I am thrilled to be welcoming friends from many different parts of my life to Knapweed this summer, each bringing a unique background and variety of interests in the natural world alongside their musical and artistic gifts.
Why the name ‘Knapweed’?
As Montanans know, Knapweed is an invasive species to many grasslands and fields in Montana and the North American Rocky Mountains. It has a beautiful purple flower, which could be mistaken as a wildflower. The roots of Knapweed are deep and difficult to get rid of, which I discovered during many summers weeding it out! While Knapweed is a highly invasive flowering plant, it can also be an edible flower for salads, have medicinal uses, and benefit bees and butterflies in pollination. Like this weed, music and art have a similar effect on people – can have complicated and deeply rooted personal meaning, but with beautiful and healing properties on the surface. Sometimes, you cannot control when music or art will invoke an emotional reaction in your life. I believe each person on this planet has a unique experience with music and art, in the meaning and rooting they find from them.
What to expect at the concerts?
I hope that the music you will hear at our concerts this summer will have a positive impact on your life, wherever you are in your journey! Each concert will be 1 hour to 1.5 hours, and will consist of a mix of classical and folk music at three different venues: St. James Church (Plains, MT), The Paradise Center (Paradise, MT), and Three River Ranches (Plains, MT).
To learn more about detailed program information, visit our concert page. All concerts at Knapweed Performing Arts Festival are free of charge and open to the public!
Even if you have never been to a classical music concert before, I invite you to join us this summer on July 5, 7, 12, and 13 to hear a concert at the Knapweed Performing Arts Festival. You will experience passionate chamber musicians performing from their hearts!
See you soon!
