The Who's "Tommy"
The sun is out, the days are getting longer and there’s plenty to do around town this weekend.
Last weekend the local stage production of The Who’s “Tommy” opened at Mad Myrna’s. The ambitious stage show continues through this weekend and closes on May 21. Read Alida Dunning’s feature in the paper this week and find out how the production came together. Performances this weekend are 7 p.m. today, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 and available at centertix.net.
The month-long Battle to the Warped Tour concludes this weekend. Read here to find out how PJ Franco and the Burnouts, To the Depths, Saturday Sleeper, Spitshine and The Rebuttal advanced to the finals. And remember when we found out Helmet’s Page Hamilton was going to be a guest judge? Turns out he’s also going to perform a handful of Helmet songs with last year's Battle winners Kallahan. The finals start 8 p.m. Saturday at Koot’s. The show is free. Check koots.com for info.
Here are the rest of Play’s Hot Picks for the coming week:
Rhyme and rhythm
Released last year, the album “Li(f)e” found rapper and beat poet Sage Francis as cynical as ever. The opinionated emcee addresses religion, politics, society and relationships with careful consideration but is just as quick to disarm listeners with occasional absurdity. 8 p.m. Saturday, Tap Root, $25. Visit groovetickets.com for info.
Pickup man
Platinum-selling country artist Joe Diffie landed a string of radio hits in the ‘90s, including upbeat and sometimes silly songs like “John Deere Green” and “Pickup Man” and ballads like “Is It Cold in Here.” Diffie will revisit those hits at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Egan Center, $34. Comedian Brad Upton opens. Visit ticketmaster.com for info.
Good vibes
Melding new age music with Native American traditions, Grammy-nominated Gentle Thunder will perform her first show in Anchorage, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers and the Alaska Center for Spiritual Living. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Alaska Center for Spiritual Living, 929 E. 81st Ave., $20. Visit brownpapertickets.com for info.
Charity walk
The first of the American Cancer Society’s three Relay for Life fundraisers around town takes place this weekend in Eagle River. The overnight event includes family-friendly activities and a silent auction. The survivor/caregiver lap takes place 7 p.m. with the Luminaiq Ceremony starting 11 p.m. today, and the survivor luncheon begins noon Saturday, followed by the 2:30 p.m. closing ceremonies Gruening Middle School, free. Visit CERRFL.com for info.
War on ice
Undefeated in the ECHL playoffs, the Alaska Aces need four more wins in the Kelly Cup Finals to claim the league’s top prize. The best-of-seven series against the Kalamazoo Wings kicks off with the first two games at Sullivan Arena. 7:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $12-$30. Visit ticketmaster.com for info.
Mike Dunham also has the details for a couple notable exhibits around town and the Anchorage Concert Chorus’ upcoming competition in this week’s Art Scene.
--Matt Sullivan
