Arts and Culture

Killer whales in Southeast Alaska’s Frederick Sound. (Photo by Richard Hebhardt)

Juneau man’s passion for African and Alaskan wildlife photos takes him to wild places

On a recent trip to Kenya, Richard Hebhardt sat in a safari vehicle, partially hidden behind a tree in which hung a dead impala. He… Continue reading

Killer whales in Southeast Alaska’s Frederick Sound. (Photo by Richard Hebhardt)
A mushroom along East Glacier Trail. (Photo by Jaeger Dostal)

Writers’ Weir: Limericks of Mushroom Hunters

A musky smell fills the air It’s a cap and stem fanfare With their pungent taste We gather in haste For they’re gone once snow… Continue reading

A mushroom along East Glacier Trail. (Photo by Jaeger Dostal)
Students Lyndi Hall and Alicia Norton lead a group discussion for the 2016 symposium. Photo by Jules Alvarado.

UAS Power & Privilege Symposium returns for a second year

Tuesday, Nov. 7 marks the University of Alaska Southeast’s second Power & Privilege Symposium. The all-day event is meant to spark conversations within the community… Continue reading

Students Lyndi Hall and Alicia Norton lead a group discussion for the 2016 symposium. Photo by Jules Alvarado.
File photo: A humpback whale rolls its pectoral fins out of the water after bubblenet-feeding near North Island. Michael Penn | Juneau Empire

WhaleFest turns focus to scientists

The 21st annual Sitka WhaleFest, hosted by the Sitka Sound Science Center (SSSC), will kick off Nov. 2 for a weekend of activities and learning.… Continue reading

File photo: A humpback whale rolls its pectoral fins out of the water after bubblenet-feeding near North Island. Michael Penn | Juneau Empire
John Barrymore, played by Peter DeLaurier, right, introduces himself to Joe, played by Mike Peterson, left, and Muz, played by Shelley Virginia, during Perseverance Theatre’s production of Joel Bennett’s “Dreaming Glacier Bay” on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)

Dreaming Glacier Bay: A true Alaskan story with a mystery at its heart

The first thing to say about Perseverance Theatre’s latest offering, “Dreaming Glacier Bay,” a world premiere by Joel Bennett, is that the theatrical experience couldn’t… Continue reading

John Barrymore, played by Peter DeLaurier, right, introduces himself to Joe, played by Mike Peterson, left, and Muz, played by Shelley Virginia, during Perseverance Theatre’s production of Joel Bennett’s “Dreaming Glacier Bay” on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)
Screen Saver (Mendenhall Tide Flats,)” by Devita Stipek Writer, the Juneau Artist Gallery’s featured artist for November. Courtesy image.

November First Friday features Tsimshian story and more

November’s got some great events scheduled for Juneau’s First Friday. Here’s what people have let us know about. Meet me in Alaska Barnaby Brewing Company… Continue reading

Screen Saver (Mendenhall Tide Flats,)” by Devita Stipek Writer, the Juneau Artist Gallery’s featured artist for November. Courtesy image.
Canadian Pacific Railway Co.’s Princess Sophia. Taken in 1918. From the Winter and Pond Collection, 1893-1943. Identifier ASL-P87-1698. Image courtesy of the Alaska State Library.

Creating an opera for the Princess Sophia

On Oct. 24, 1918, the S.S. Princess Sophia, a coastal passenger liner in the fleet of the Canadian Pacific Railway, grounded on Vanderbilt Reef in… Continue reading

Canadian Pacific Railway Co.’s Princess Sophia. Taken in 1918. From the Winter and Pond Collection, 1893-1943. Identifier ASL-P87-1698. Image courtesy of the Alaska State Library.

Ethel Lund wins award from Alaska Federation of Natives

Ethel Lund of the Tlingit Nation won the Della Keats Healing Hands Award of 2017 from the Alaska Federation of Natives. A press release from… Continue reading

Fourth annual Skull Party features Playboy Spaceman

At this year’s fourth annual Skull Party, Playboy Spaceman will be joined by Juneau hip hop artist Manner, plus like the Off The Hook Honeys.… Continue reading

John Barrymore and Dolores Costello pose with three bear skins. Image courtesy of Joel Bennett.

‘Dreaming Glacier Bay’: Homesteaders and Hollywood

How does a reclusive, gold-mining couple living in the Southeast Alaska wilderness become close friends with one of Hollywood’s powerhouse couples in the 1930s? That… Continue reading

John Barrymore and Dolores Costello pose with three bear skins. Image courtesy of Joel Bennett.
The Git-Hoan Dancers of Metlakatla give their take on snapping selfies during a performance for Celebration 2016 at Centennial Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dance group applications now open for Celebration 2018

Starting Wednesday, dance groups looking forward to next year’s Celebration can apply to participate in the annual event. Celebration runs from June 6-9, 2018, and… Continue reading

The Git-Hoan Dancers of Metlakatla give their take on snapping selfies during a performance for Celebration 2016 at Centennial Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
James P. Devereaux poses with his book “Spirits of Southeast Alaska.” Image courtesy of Devereaux.

Q&A with the author of ‘Spirits of Southeast Alaska’

When working as a reporter for the KHNS radio station, which serves Haines, Skagway, and Klukwan, James P. Devereaux decided to gather ghost stories from… Continue reading

James P. Devereaux poses with his book “Spirits of Southeast Alaska.” Image courtesy of Devereaux.
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New Haines exhibit takes a look at 1850-1900 in Jilkaat Aaní

When Daniel Henry was teaching Haines high school students in the 1980s and 1990s, he was surprised at the lack of local histories available to… Continue reading

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A wooden box drum that is currently undergoing restoration at Sealaska Heritage Institute on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)

Re-discovering a shaman’s drum

In the basement of the Sealaska Heritage Institute is very old box drum belonging to the Mount Fairweather (Snail) house of the T’akdeintaan clan in… Continue reading

A wooden box drum that is currently undergoing restoration at Sealaska Heritage Institute on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)
A still from a film moment depicting Wen Yiduo’s pivotal impassioned speech after Li Gongpu was assassinated. Provided by Tara Neilson.

Li Gongpu: Undercover cannery worker in 1928

It always felt like an epic childhood growing up in the post-apocalyptic ruins of the burned and abandoned cannery in remote Union Bay, Alaska. We… Continue reading

A still from a film moment depicting Wen Yiduo’s pivotal impassioned speech after Li Gongpu was assassinated. Provided by Tara Neilson.
Art in Unusual Places

Art in Unusual Places

Capital City Weekly… Continue reading

Art in Unusual Places

Poem: “A Sonata for Pa,” by Miriam Wagoner

What life presented to us was unordinary, Fate was not generous with time, It did not let you, in my hammock, To sing lullabies. All… Continue reading

Left to right: Kathy Maas, Jackie Brand, Heather Parker, and Huo Gua Xia. (Clara Miller | Capital City Weekly)

Juneau Symphony welcomes new concertmaster for new season

The first concert of the Juneau Symphony’s season will also be its first with Jacqueline Brand, a violinist and associate concertmaster of the Los Angeles… Continue reading

Left to right: Kathy Maas, Jackie Brand, Heather Parker, and Huo Gua Xia. (Clara Miller | Capital City Weekly)

Fabricating the Alaskan Frontier

“The Last Frontier,” emblazoned across every Alaska license plate, evidences a cultural narrative foundational to Alaskan identity. One hundred and fifty years ago, the United… Continue reading

Elder David Katzeek speaks to children at a monthly Baby Raven Reads family event. Photo by Brian Wallace. Courtesy of SHI.

Baby Raven Reads honored nationally

Sealaska Heritage Institute’s early literacy program, Baby Raven Reads, has been recognized by the Library of Congress for the work it has done. Some of… Continue reading

Elder David Katzeek speaks to children at a monthly Baby Raven Reads family event. Photo by Brian Wallace. Courtesy of SHI.