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FiRST FRIDAY RAMBLES - 7/3/2009 10:55 pm
CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES - 7/1/2009 1:40 pm
REVIEW: JEFF DUNHAM - 6/27/2009 1:43 am
'Hullabaloo' mixes laughs and groans - 6/22/2009 11:21 am
Demientieff film reception moved - 6/3/2009 2:49 pm
Tickets required for 'Gold' exhibit - 5/30/2009 3:36 pm
Anchorage Museum Grand Reopening Schedule - 5/29/2009 6:46 pm
You be the critic: VPA's "Anne of Green Gables" - 5/28/2009 11:24 am
Creative Opportunities - 5/27/2009 2:03 pm
Alice Bassler Sullivan retires - 5/22/2009 4:28 pm
Kachemak Writer's Conference set - 5/21/2009 4:31 pm
ACC Winners perform - 5/17/2009 12:23 am
Rasmuson Foundation press release announces winners - 5/15/2009 2:27 pm
CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES - 5/14/2009 4:00 pm
Cultural project grant deadlines - 5/13/2009 9:26 am
Review: Civic Orchestra - 5/10/2009 1:37 pm
State music winners - 5/9/2009 11:41 pm
REVIEW: OUR TOWN - 5/9/2009 2:55 pm
Creative Opportunities - 5/8/2009 1:04 pm
Alaska Piano Competition Winners - 5/3/2009 9:07 pm
REVIEW: ANCHORAGE SYMPHONY - 5/3/2009 6:50 am
Symphony Season Announced - 5/2/2009 6:37 pm
JULY 3, 2009 - 10:55 PM
By MIKE DUNHAM
If you like birds, get over to Stonington's new 434 K Street gallery to see Kevin Crowley's ink portraits of (mostly) ravens. Crowley, from Detroit, came to Alaska in 1999, taught a season in Nunam Iqua (Sheldon Point) at the mouth of the Yukon, relocated to teach in Korea where he picked up some Asian approaches to art, came back with a wife and some ideas and now lives in Anchorage. Each of his birds has an undeniable personality and each image comes with a story -- a raven trying to fly off with a whale, a hapless owl futilely trying to guard his prey from a gang of theiving ravens.
JULY 1, 2009 - 1:40 PM
MUSIC/THEATER/DANCE
Alaska Dance Theatre: Creative dance camps for 4- to 7-year-olds, summer dance intensives for dancers 8 and up with one year of ballet, and classes for all ages and abilities in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, Pilates and more, Monday-July 24. (277-9591, alaskadancetheatre.org)
Alaska Children’s Choir: Music theater workshops for children ages 3-18. Sessions are July 20-31. $150. (1-907-357-3170, alaskachildrenschoir.net)
Alaska Sound Celebration: New members and guests are invited to attend rehearsals with a women’s premier a cappella vocal group, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wayland Baptist University, 7801 E. 32nd Ave. (566-3987, alaskasoundcelebration.org)
JUNE 27, 2009 - 1:43 AM
By MIKE DUNHAM, mdunham@adn.com
When Jeff Dunham performed at Anchorage's Egan Center in 1993, tickets cost less than $20 and 900 curious comedy fans showed up to see the young ventriloquist. Friday night more than 6000 people filled Sullivan Arena to near capacity for his latest visit to the state. Top tickets ran $43.
Walter, the curmudgeonly dummy in Dunham's stable, noted another difference. "Anyone who saw our show 15 years ago, I look now exactly like I looked then," he said, pointing his perpetual frown at the puppeteer and adding, "You -- do not."
A degree of self-deprecation has always long been part of the show for Dunham, who often must suffer in simulated silence while his creations belittle him and make him the butt of their jokes. It also figured in the warm-up act, "Guitar Guy" Brian Haner. In the course of his 20 minute routine, he talked and sang about being upstaged by his successful rock star son, falling in love with an inflatable doll, installing a PVC pipe in his trailer for his wife to use as a stripper pole.
JUNE 22, 2009 - 11:21 AM
DAWNELL SMITH
Think of “Hullabaloo” as an old Fly By Night show without live music or Spam. When it works, it works uproariously, and when it doesn’t, well, feel free to groan.
Dubbed a multimedia musical comedy, “Hullabaloo” relies on song and sentiment to tell a brief and selective history of Alaska, beginning with raven and tectonic plates and ending with a Sonny and Cher duet about duct tape and blue tarps. Sight gags and silly costumes garnish this dish of Alaskana served with a mighty mug of Low Brow.
The production never wavers as it moves from song to video to comedy routine. The simple set relies on video projection to augment each skit and show short videos between songs. (It ain’t easy going from skeeter to halibut while sweating under a load of polyester.)
JUNE 3, 2009 - 2:49 PM
Daisy Demientieff: And some of her work. Photo: Bob Hallinen, ADN.
The pre-screening reception for "A Beautiful Journey," the new documentary about Alaska basket-maker Daisy Demientieff, has been moved from the Anchorage Museum to the Alaska Native Arts Foundation Gallery, Sixth and E St. at 6 p.m. Weds., June 3. The screening itself will take place at the Museum. A second reception and screening will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, off Muldoon and the Glenn Highway.
MAY 30, 2009 - 3:36 PM
Anchorage Museum admission is free today, May 30, including admission to the traveling "Gold" exhibit. However, a ticket is required to enter "Gold." While those tickets are complimentary, they are limited in number, ostensibly due to safety regulations. Most tickets were gone before the ribbon-cutting at noon. Some may become made available as patrons leave the exhibit, but that was uncertain when we stopped by the event at 3 p.m. this afternoon. The grand reopening celebration will continue until 10 p.m. tonight. A full schedule is posted elsewhere on this blog.
- Mike Dunham
MAY 29, 2009 - 6:46 PM
Admission is Free on Saturday. Regular prices after that. More information at anchoragemuseum.org
SATURDAY, MAY 30
PROMENADE
9 to 9:45 a.m. Taiko Drumming
10 to 10:45 a.m. Kadara African Drumming
11 to 11:45 a.m. Mt. Susitna Drum Group
2 to 2:45 p.m. Alaska Chinese Association, dancing
4 to 4:45 p.m. Ke Kia'I A O Hula Alaska
OUTDOOR STAGE
Noon to 1 p.m. Opening ceremonies, including dancing, music, speeches and ribbon cutting
3 to 3:45 p.m. ZydeCohos with Brian D Marcus
5:15 to 6 p.m. Pamyua, Inuit/world music
7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Medicine Dream, contemporary Alaska Native music
MAY 28, 2009 - 11:24 AM
Suzanne Hermon's directorial debut with Valley Performing Arts "Anne of Green Gables" shines on many different levels.
The play is about Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, played by Janet Kennedy and Don Erbey, two unmarried siblings who live together at Green Gables in the Canadian town of Avonlea. Their plans to adopt an orphan boy to help with their farm is thwarted when they are mistakenly given a precocious, red haired 11-year old girl named Anne, played by Rachel Kennedy.
Anne is a clever girl with a heart full of youthful sentiment and romance. Her imagination is as mischievous as endearing. Anne’s first years at Green Gables are a series of comical misadventures and theatrics. Anne excels in school and forms strong friendships as well as heated rivalries. The play follows Anne’s life from elementary school in Avonlea through high school at the prestigious Queen’s Academy.
MAY 27, 2009 - 2:03 PM
MUSIC/THEATER/DANCE
Alaska Dance Theatre: Creative dance camps for 4-7 yr olds, summer dance intensives for dancers 8 and up with one year of ballet and classes for all ages and abilities in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, pilates and more, June 1-July 24. (277-9591, alaskadancetheatre.org)
Bel Canto Singing Competition: Must be 25 years or older and have vocal training, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 6, UAA Fine Arts Building, 3211 Providence Drive. (240-1730, belcantoalaska.org)
Alaska Sound Celebration: New members and guests are invited to attend rehearsals with a women’s premier a cappella vocal group, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wayland Baptist University, 7801 E. 32nd Ave. (566-3987, alaskasoundcelebration.org)
MAY 22, 2009 - 4:28 PM
Alice Bassler Sullivan: At a rehearsal, Sept. 2008. Photo: Marc Lester, ADN
Alice Bassler Sullivan, who has trained dancers in Anchorage for the past 26 years, will retire from her long-held post of artistic director of Alaska Dance Theatre. A press release from ADT’s board of trustees said she would leave the job at the end of June.
Among other achievements, Sullivan staged ADT’s first “Mobius” showcase of original choreography in 1985. While the name of the concert changed over time, it has remained one of the highlights of the local dance season.
MAY 21, 2009 - 4:31 PM
Li-Young Lee: Guest author at Kachamak Bay Writers' Conference.The 2009 Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference will take place June 12-16 at Lands End Resort on the end of the world-famous Homer Spit. Speaking of world famous, the keynote speaker will be poet Li-Young Lee, recipient of the American Book Award. Other award-winning, nationally-recognized authors, editors and agents will conduct creative writing workshops, readings, craft talks and panel presentations in fiction, nonfiction, children’s writing, poetry and the business of writing. Notable locals include Alaska Writer Lauerate Nancy Lord, John Morgan, Peggy Shumaker, Rich Chiappone, Sherry Simpson and others. Advanced registration is required. The early registration fee is $375 prior to June 11, space available. For more information, visit http://writersconference.homer.alaska.edu.
MAY 17, 2009 - 12:23 AM
By MIKE DUNHAM
Ga-In Choi: 1st place MTNA winner performed Beethoven's 32 Variations in C Minor - a remarkable piece in that it probably comes as close as anything to capturing the spontaneous improvisations Beethoven popped out at his own concerts - at UAA on Saturday. Photo: Timothy Smith
The 19th Annual Winners Recital by singers receiving scholarships from the Anchorage Concert Chorus took place Saturday night at the UAA Arts Building Recital Hall. The winners were:
Zachary Milliman, 1st place, College Division ($750); Amy Horstman, 2nd place, College Division ($500); Dean Shannon, 3rd place, College Division ($300). Both big-voiced Horstman and Shannon, who seemed to be fighting a cold, hail from the University of Alaska Fairbanks' music department, and Shannon is previously from Healy. Those two singers also won award in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Alaska competition.
MAY 15, 2009 - 2:27 PM
Nathan Jackson: Tlingit master artist at the Rasmuson awards ceremony in Anchorage, May 15, 2009.Nathan Jackson Receives $25,000 Distinguished Artist Award
Foundation Also Names Eight Fellows, 17 Project Grants
May 15, 2009 (Anchorage) – Nathan Jackson, visual artist, carver, mentor and jewelry maker, has been named 2009 Rasmuson Foundation Distinguished Artist. Jackson is perhaps best known for carving traditional totems, but he has also been tireless in his efforts to pass carving traditions on to new generations of artists.
MAY 14, 2009 - 4:00 PM
STRUT YOUR STUFF FOR TALENT AGENTS
Polish up your best act. An enterprise called TalentGPS will host a free talent competition from 6 to 9 p.m. on June 6 at the Dimond Center. Los Angeles models agent Dana Kazantano, Kathleen Erangey, a casting agent for MTV and other shows, and local organizer Lisa Owens will give you 60 seconds to sing, dance, walk the runway or complete a monologue. Prizes will include cash and free headshots. In addition, they’ll be holding auditions for a pilot film to be shot here in Anchorage. Look for them in the end of the mall by O’Brady’s Burgers and Brew. TalentGPS produces the “Alaska Gets Discovered” talent searches, the next one of which will be in September. For more information, call 903-1299 or email info@talentgps.com
MAY 13, 2009 - 9:26 AM
The Alaska State Council on the Arts announces that the deadline for Cultural Collaboration Project Grants will be June 1 for projects beginning July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010. Matching grants of up to $6,000 are available for 501(c)(3) youth serving organizations and arts/cultural organizations for programs outside the normal school year/hours. These grants support high-quality arts/cultural experiences where children/youth are active participants.
In addition to nonprofit arts organizations, Libraries, Boys & Girls Clubs, Campfire and other after-school youth activity providers are encouraged to apply. Projects can be a literary arts program that has children writing their own stories; summer hip-hop dance classes; an after school program where young people learn how to make and play musical instruments from around the world.
MAY 10, 2009 - 1:37 PM
By MIKE DUNHAM
On Saturday night, the Anchorage Civic Orchestra delivered one of the more interesting -- and maybe most ambitious -- orchestra programs heard here in the past few years, consisting of two works that we had previously not heard and a formidable masterpiece with whom almost everyone is familiar.
The first "new" work was the "Menuha" Overture composed by Hong Kong's Daniel Law in 2003 and dedicated to the memory of the victims of the SARS epidemic and the doctors who finally conquered the disease. I cannot recall hearing about an orchestral piece of music dedicated to a health issue before now and the suspicion was that this might be something right out of the Socialist Realism school of music writing, i.e. "Tribute to the Workers at Tractor Factory No. 36." And why not? There are plenty of big musical numbers written to celebrate military victories (or losses). Why not something to commemorate a medical victory.
MAY 9, 2009 - 11:41 PM
The results of the ASAA 2009 Solo & Ensemble Music Festival adjudications were revealed at a "Command Performance" concert on Saturday Night in jam-packed East High Auditorium.
Jazz Instrumental: Zack Absher, Daniel Devenport, Patrick Sorsby; Glennallen HS
Low Brass: Kody Trombley; Chugiak HS
Vocal Solo: Marilyn Flanigan, Homer HS
Woodwind Ensemble: Anna Wichorek, Meredith Woodard; West Anchorage HS
Guitar: Sifat Chowdhury, West Valley HS (Fairbanks)
Vocal Ensemble: Jeanette Carrick, Nancy Means, Taniesha Godden, Kimberly Del Frate, Brittany Arlow; Palmer HS
World Instrument: Kris Larson, Kaylee Larson; Lathrop HS (Fairbanks)
MAY 9, 2009 - 2:55 PM
"Our Town" ad for APU's production, 1964: Photo: APBy MAIA NOLAN
When the Good Friday earthquake struck Anchorage just over 45 years ago, it disrupted the five-day run of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” at Alaska Methodist University (now Alaska Pacific University). Much has changed in Anchorage since that production of “Our Town” went up, but Cyrano’s Theatre Company’s production, which opened Friday, reveals that little has changed in the small New Hampshire town of Grover’s Corners, home to young sweethearts George Gibbs and Emily Webb.
MAY 8, 2009 - 1:04 PM
MUSIC-THEATER-DANCE
Auditions: Kids ages 3-18 audition for The Music Machine’s summer musical theatre workshops, May 15-17, Dance Spectrum Studio, 1300 E. 68th Ave., Suite 102. E-mail or call for an appointment. (345-9039, themusicmachine@live)
Auditions: Anchorage Opera will hold auditions for the 2009-2010 season: 6-9 p.m. May 20 and 1-4 p.m. May 24, Anchorage Opera offices, 1507 Spar Ave. Call or e-mail to schedule an audition time. (279-2562, asweeney@anchorageopera.org)
Call for Performers: Radical Arts for Women invites all women to showcase their talents at Celebration of Change on June 13 at the Wilda Marston Theatre. Apply by May 30. (radicalartsforwomen.org)
MAY 3, 2009 - 9:07 PM
Teens with tropheys: Teacher Rumi Smith with winning students Shallyn Kim, Alex Yang, Vivian Lee, Annie Kil, Alexandra Flint, Joseph Sandstrom, Marinna Panting, Emily Cao and Jessen Cao. Also pictured, Dr. Timothy Smith, director of the Alaska Piano Competition.
The Alaska Piano Competition, formerly the Marguerite Downey Competition, took place this weekend with a recital by the winners taking place at UAA's Arts Building Recital Hall on Sunday night.
The winners are:
Senior Young Artist Division
Ian Hun, First Place
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