Picture a group of people clustered around a television. Now picture that television devolving back into the original moving picture show: an ancient storytelling device called a crankie. Consisting of an illustrated scroll in a box that tells a story, they are called crankies because the scroll is cranked across the opening of the box. An utterly captivating and unique storytelling experience, Crankie Fest is a comforting antidote to our fast-paced digital lives. It encourages viewers to downshift and experience the simple awe and delight of an intimate live performance. 

At Crankie Fest, artists from Southwest Montana will perform original, handmade crankies accompanied by puppetry, live music, and sound effects. Inspired by the theme Into the Forest, adventurous and tender tales of exploration and discovery among the trees will be told using a variety of artistic mediums and styles.  

“I hope everyone can slow down and look more closely to appreciate the world around them...” says participating crankie artist Angela Yonke. “… the power of imagination is limitless.” 

This relatively unknown art form is quickly “cranking” up in Bozeman as Random Acts of Silliness presents its Third Annual Crankie Fest. Shows will take place at the Belgrade Community Library on November 8th and at the Beall Park Recreation Center on November 14th, 15th and 16th. Admission to these delightful performances is free and open to all, but seats are extremely limited. Reservations are required and can be made at: https://www.randomactsofsilliness.com/2025-crankie-fest . Crankie Fest is created in partnership with Bozeman Parks and Recreation and supported by Grizzly Creek Films and Foundant Technologies.

For more information, visit https://www.randomactsofsilliness.com/2025-crankie-fest 

• Who: Crankie Fest presented by Random Acts of Silliness
•  What: A live show of original crankies accompanied by music, puppetry and sound effects.
•  When: Saturday, November 8th in Belgrade and Friday through Sunday, November 14th through 16th in Bozeman.
•  Where: Belgrade Community Library in Belgrade and Beall Park Recreation Center in Bozeman 

About Random Acts of Silliness
Random Acts of Silliness is an arts organization inspiring laughter and play in the Gallatin Valley. We build community by sparking whimsy and creativity in the young—and young at heart—through original and engaging art installations, theater productions, and random acts of silliness. 

Photos of previous Crankie Fests by Doug Loneman.