Capital City Weekly

Briannah Letter performs at Juneau Lyric Opera’s production of “Who’s Your Diva?” at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

High school student wins Who’s Your Diva?

The night’s youngest diva took home the biggest prize. Briannah Letter, a 17-year-old Thunder Mountain High School student, placed first in the seventh annual Who’s… Continue reading

Briannah Letter performs at Juneau Lyric Opera’s production of “Who’s Your Diva?” at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Nude & Rude Revue burlesque troupe prepares to kick off its opening number. Core members are Taylor Vidic, Kelsey Riker, Anya Absten and Alyssa Kane. The burlesque performers are in the swing of a West Coast tour that includes three performances in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

His and her-lesque: Nude & Rude Revue perform in Juneau

Feather boas and David Bowie came together Thursday, The Nude & Rude Revue, a Skagway-based burlesque troupe, brought glitzy routines and glam rock covers to… Continue reading

The Nude & Rude Revue burlesque troupe prepares to kick off its opening number. Core members are Taylor Vidic, Kelsey Riker, Anya Absten and Alyssa Kane. The burlesque performers are in the swing of a West Coast tour that includes three performances in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Exhibit Specialist Aaron Elmore positions one of the eight legs for a giant octopus he is building for the Alaska State Museum’s children’s room on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)

Octopus art piece coming to the Alaska State Museum

A large creature is being assembled behind the scenes at the Alaska State Museum, and by spring it will be alive.

Exhibit Specialist Aaron Elmore positions one of the eight legs for a giant octopus he is building for the Alaska State Museum’s children’s room on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)
Former Juneauites ready to show their metal

Former Juneauites ready to show their metal

When Distance Defined plays the Fall Freakshow, it will be a homecoming of sorts for the Days brothers. Guitarist Trevyn Days and bassist Trentyn Days… Continue reading

Former Juneauites ready to show their metal
Last year’s Who’s Your Diva winner Robin Thomas smiles in the aftermath of her win. This year’s contest starts 7 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall and includes seven contestants. (Courtesy photo | Ron Gile for Who’s Your Diva)

It’s Who’s Your Diva? time

In its seventh year, Who’s Your Diva will feature seven contestants. And for the first time ever, one of the folks gunning Saturday evening for… Continue reading

Last year’s Who’s Your Diva winner Robin Thomas smiles in the aftermath of her win. This year’s contest starts 7 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall and includes seven contestants. (Courtesy photo | Ron Gile for Who’s Your Diva)
Last year’s Who’s Your Diva winner Robin Thomas smiles in the aftermath of her win. This year’s contest starts 7 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall and includes seven contestants. (Courtesy photo | Ron Gile for Who’s Your Diva)

It’s Who’s Your Diva? time

In its seventh year, Who’s Your Diva will feature seven contestants. And for the first time ever, one of the folks gunning Saturday evening for… Continue reading

Last year’s Who’s Your Diva winner Robin Thomas smiles in the aftermath of her win. This year’s contest starts 7 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall and includes seven contestants. (Courtesy photo | Ron Gile for Who’s Your Diva)
Andy Miller, a Juneau musician, released an album of 28 songs about Alaska titled, “Alaska in 28 Songs.” The project started with a goal of writing 49 songs for the 49th state, but Miller fatigue set in, and he released the project as a a pay-what-you-want Bandcamp album. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Local musician releases ‘Alaska in 28 Songs’ online

Andy Miller quit after making it just past half way to his goal, but he has 28 new songs to show for it. Miller, a… Continue reading

Andy Miller, a Juneau musician, released an album of 28 songs about Alaska titled, “Alaska in 28 Songs.” The project started with a goal of writing 49 songs for the 49th state, but Miller fatigue set in, and he released the project as a a pay-what-you-want Bandcamp album. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Alaska String Band reflects on Russian tour

Alaska String Band reflects on Russian tour

The Alaska String Band (ASB) is back from a Russian tour with stories of their experiences abroad fresh on their tongues and will share their… Continue reading

Alaska String Band reflects on Russian tour
Allison Holtkamp and Donnie Gott smile as a storyteller arrives to rehearsal for “Same: Local Stories of Gender-Based Violence.” Holtkamp, director and producer of the show, and Holtkamp, storyteller and sound designer, said despite the show’s heavy topic, the experience of sharing stories is empowering and every story contains some levity.(Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

New show brings gender-based violence stories to the stage

“Same” will be different. The show, which is subtitled “Local stories of gender-based violence” and planned for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Perseverance Theatre, is… Continue reading

Allison Holtkamp and Donnie Gott smile as a storyteller arrives to rehearsal for “Same: Local Stories of Gender-Based Violence.” Holtkamp, director and producer of the show, and Holtkamp, storyteller and sound designer, said despite the show’s heavy topic, the experience of sharing stories is empowering and every story contains some levity.(Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff

Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff

Heather Mitchell and Karen Allen knew “Matilda” would be perfect for Theater at Latitude 58’s teen and tween actors. But there was a sizable obstacle:… Continue reading

Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff
Carol Stauffer fills out paperwork while Brian Van Kirk, Thunder Mountain High School music chair, inspects a trumpet donated by Stauffer, who also donated a clarinet. Stauffer’s daughters played the instruments in high school, when they were Van Kirk’s students. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Music drive is instrumental for high school program

They took the retired, the worn and the muddled saxes. Brian Van Kirk, music chair at Thunder Mountain High School, and a handful of band… Continue reading

Carol Stauffer fills out paperwork while Brian Van Kirk, Thunder Mountain High School music chair, inspects a trumpet donated by Stauffer, who also donated a clarinet. Stauffer’s daughters played the instruments in high school, when they were Van Kirk’s students. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Shadow Meienberg, Brian Wescott, Irene Bedard, Miciana Hutcherson and Ashleigh Watts rehearse “Our Town” on the mainstage at Perseverance Theatre. The classic play was chosen to begin the theater’s 40th season. While financial woes placed doubt on the theater’s future, those familiar with its financial situation said there is no danger of closure in the immediate future. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Perseverance Theatre: This is ‘Our Town’

With summer winding down, Perseverance Theatre is ramping up for its 40th season. Rehearsals have started for “Our Town,”which will start off the season and… Continue reading

Shadow Meienberg, Brian Wescott, Irene Bedard, Miciana Hutcherson and Ashleigh Watts rehearse “Our Town” on the mainstage at Perseverance Theatre. The classic play was chosen to begin the theater’s 40th season. While financial woes placed doubt on the theater’s future, those familiar with its financial situation said there is no danger of closure in the immediate future. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Taylor Vidic, co-producer and performer for Nude & Rude Revue, strokes a pose while performing on stage. Vidic said she’s recently become more comfortable performing and said it’s “probably” less nerve-racking than public speaking. The troupe will be performing at the Red Dog Saloon in late September. (Courtesy Photo: Nude & Rude Revue)

More than skin deep, burlesque troupe goes on tour

The nudity is almost an afterthought. Cameron Brockett and Taylor Vidic, two Juneau locals who are co-producers and performers for the Nude & Rude Revue… Continue reading

Taylor Vidic, co-producer and performer for Nude & Rude Revue, strokes a pose while performing on stage. Vidic said she’s recently become more comfortable performing and said it’s “probably” less nerve-racking than public speaking. The troupe will be performing at the Red Dog Saloon in late September. (Courtesy Photo: Nude & Rude Revue)
Dorolyn Alper holds one of her pieces while looking over a table of her work. A wall behind her is also decorated with Alper’s art. She is a local artist who works with many different types of media but lately has been fascinated by encaustics and ravens. The two fascinations led to a series of 10 multicolored raven pieces that can be seen at Juneau Artists Gallery through the end of September. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Wax on, blow torch off: Encaustic art up this month at Juneau Artists Gallery

As Dorolyn Alper unpacked artwork to hang in the gallery, she paused to work pieces over with a cloth. After about 30 seconds of tight… Continue reading

Dorolyn Alper holds one of her pieces while looking over a table of her work. A wall behind her is also decorated with Alper’s art. She is a local artist who works with many different types of media but lately has been fascinated by encaustics and ravens. The two fascinations led to a series of 10 multicolored raven pieces that can be seen at Juneau Artists Gallery through the end of September. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book

Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book

Alaska’s fifth governor has his first memoir. Former Gov. Bill Sheffield, 90, has a new book, “Bill Sheffield: A Memoir, From the Great Depression to… Continue reading

Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book
Ricky Tagaban smiles at a Tiny Desk concert at Kindred Post. Tagaban said his work in drag and weaving are both related to gender identity. Photo by Annie Bartholomew.

Chilkat weaver, drag queen wins award and $7,500 from Rasmuson Foundation

Ricky Tagaban has a garbage bag of mountain goat wool and $7,500 in award money. Tagaban, a Chilkat weaver and drag queen, of Juneau is… Continue reading

Ricky Tagaban smiles at a Tiny Desk concert at Kindred Post. Tagaban said his work in drag and weaving are both related to gender identity. Photo by Annie Bartholomew.
Briefs: SHI sponsors series, Coastal CODE, Museum Day, Princess Sophia author talk

Briefs: SHI sponsors series, Coastal CODE, Museum Day, Princess Sophia author talk

Capital City Weekly news briefs for Sept. 12-18, 2018.

Briefs: SHI sponsors series, Coastal CODE, Museum Day, Princess Sophia author talk
Rebecca “Bells” Service tells a story on the theme Square Peg in a Round Hole during Mudrooms’ December 2017 event. The storytelling series is about to start its eighth season. September’s theme is Lost and Found. (Melissa Griffiths | For the Capital City Weekly)

Storied series makes its return and branches out

Ahead of Mudrooms Season 8, recordings of past shows of the storytelling series are available for download through iTunes. “We are podcasting now finally,” said… Continue reading

Rebecca “Bells” Service tells a story on the theme Square Peg in a Round Hole during Mudrooms’ December 2017 event. The storytelling series is about to start its eighth season. September’s theme is Lost and Found. (Melissa Griffiths | For the Capital City Weekly)
Sarah Dybdahl and Ralph Wolfe

Wolfe and Dybdahl named 40 Under 40, Kindred Post gets grant, AWARE seeks nominations

Arts and culture news in brief for the week of Sept. 19, 2018.

Sarah Dybdahl and Ralph Wolfe
Juneau poet wins national award for self-published book

Juneau poet wins national award for self-published book

Miriam Wagoner never thought her poems would be published, let alone win national awards. But Sept. 9, the Juneau poet won a National Federation of… Continue reading

Juneau poet wins national award for self-published book