FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Poets and musicians from across Montana are bringing spoken word and live music to downtown Billings Friday, August 11th at 7pm for the Dreyfest Poetry Jam. In a first for Craft Local, Billings’ newest art gallery and performance venue, local musicians join seasoned performance poets for a lively evening of collaboration, expression, and good tunes. The event is part of the 5th Annual Richard Dreyfest, Billings’ premier all-ages DIY music and arts festival.
“Imagine the excitement and energy of a poetry slam with an added rhythm and melody,” Pete Tolton, event organizer, said. “There’s a great interplay of sound, texture, and voice unlike anything else.” Tolton and co-organizers, James Hickman and Anna Paige, have produced and performed spoken word events around Billings since 2011.
Longtime collaborators Dave Caserio and Parker Brown headline the event, Caserio delivering his potent, animated verse and Brown accompanying with equal vigor on guitar and bass. “I'm really interested in how sound moves through poetry,” Caserio said. “A poem can't literally get up and dance, yet it has something of a dance and music in it.”
Additional duo performances include Anna Paige with Matt Taggart, Nate Petterson with Josh Carter, and Pete Tolton with Carolyn Tolton. The event will also feature solo performances by Molly Ouellette, Cooper Malin, Kelly Mullins, John Christenson, and Jawney Love.
Richard Dreyfest spans the weekend of August 11th and 12th with more than sixty musical acts, comedians, poets, and visual artists descending upon eight all-ages venues throughout downtown Billings, presented by Waste Division and the Beatnik City Council. For lineup info, artist interviews, and tickets, visit waste-division.org/richarddreyfest/v
Craft Local is located at 2413 Montana Ave., the original home of the Yellowstone Hotel. The nonprofit art gallery and performance venue features Montana-made beer and wine, twenty visual artists’ work, and excellent air conditioning. More info at craftlocal.org or (406) 702-1458.
For interviews and media inquiries regarding the Poetry Jam, please contact:
Peter Tolton
For interviews and media inquiries regarding Dreyfest, please contact:
Phil Griffin