The Long Way
Missoula County
A group of people dancing outdoors in the sunlight.
Plate I. Dancers at a Lake Missoula Old Time event. From missoulaoldtime.org
Three musicians play stringed instruments outdoors on a sunny day.
Plate II. Musicians playing, Lake Missoula Old Time. From missoulaoldtime.org
A person playing a guitar indoors.
Plate III. Musician playing guitar, Lake Missoula Old Time. From missoulaoldtime.org
A black and white photograph of musicians playing stringed instruments indoors.
Plate IV. Musicians performing, Lake Missoula Old Time. From missoulaoldtime.org

Lake Missoula Old Time

Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Old time music and dance organization.

Details

Map. Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Larger map
Where
501 N California St, Missoula, MT 59802. Directions
When
Old Time Cider Jam monthly on first and third Wednesdays at Western Cider; Pub Sing at UM Flat; Winter Squares; Dare to be Square West November 6-8.
Getting there
Saturday night is at the Governor's Ballroom in the old Florence Hotel, 111 N. Higgins Ave, a few blocks from the Elks Lodge.
Fees
Events are free or low-cost and open to everyone at every experience level.
Access
Saturday and Sunday workshops and the Sunday dance are at the Elks Lodge; Saturday night is at the Governor's Ballroom; Friday evening is at Western Cider.
Walk-in or reserve
Saturday and Sunday evening-dance tickets may be purchased in person.
Website
missoulaoldtime.org
Managed by
100% volunteer run; fiscally sponsored by the Missoula Community Foundation.
Established
2018.

Creates opportunities to engage with one another around old time music and dance through jams, workshops, and beginner-friendly square dances.

Notable Events

  1. 2003Dare to be Square was founded in 2003 by Phil Jamison and Nancy Mamlin at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. daretobesquarewest.com
  2. 2007In 2007, a West-coast version of the event was hosted in Portland. daretobesquarewest.com
  3. 2017The first Social gathered Western Montana musicians and dancers to connect, share and dance, and introduced many newcomers to old-time music and dance. cdss.org
  4. The Missoula Old Time Social is currently on pause; future events will be announced via the listserv and website. missoulaoldtime.org

People

  • Chelle Karcher, submitted the grant report documenting the first Missoula Old Time Social.
  • Annie Caires, Lake Missoula Old Time Board of Directors member.
  • Dan Stone, Lake Missoula Old Time Board of Directors member.
  • Lauren Fritzsche, Lake Missoula Old Time Board of Directors member.
  • Phillip Anuta, Lake Missoula Old Time Board of Directors member.
  • Vince Caristo, Lake Missoula Old Time Board of Directors member.

Sources

  1. missoulaoldtime.org
  2. missoulaoldtime.org/about-1
  3. missoulaoldtime.org/calendar
  4. missoulaoldtime.org/events-list/2026-oct-7
  5. missoulaoldtime.org/events-list/2026-oct-7-pry7p
  6. missoulaoldtime.org/events-list/2026/dare-to-be-square-west
  7. missoulaoldtime.org/events-list/2026/winter-squares-december
  8. missoulaoldtime.org/events-list/2026/winter-squares-january
  9. missoulaoldtime.org/events-list/2026/winter-squares-february
  10. missoulaoldtime.org/events-list/2026/march-square
  11. daretobesquarewest.com
  12. daretobesquarewest.com/ticketing
  13. daretobesquarewest.com/venues
  14. facebook.com/LakeMissoulaOldTime
  15. instagram.com/lakemissoulaoldtime
  16. missoulaoldtime.org/missoula-old-time-social-about
  17. daretobesquarewest.com/about
  18. cdss.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/cdss-news-magazine/CDSS-News-Winter-2017-2018.pdf
  19. missoulian.com/entertainment/article_ad7d3b90-ffbe-55ec-baba-c267587f8494.html
  20. missoula.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list