Capital City Weekly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Library intern organizes Native culture fest

The Douglas Public library wasn’t quiet Saturday. The sounds of drums, singing and dancing from the Woosh.ji.een Dance Group echoed out from the library’s meeting… Continue reading

Ashleigh Watt portraying Emily and Ty Yamaoka portraying George talk during a rehearsal of “Our Town” at the Perseverance Theatre. They both picked the ladder scene from the play as one of their favorites. The classic Thornton Wilder play will kickoff the theater’s 40th season. While the play is 80 years old and set before World War I, the two 20-something actors said it’s still poignantly relevant today. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)

“Our Town” feels like theirs, say Perseverance Theatre actors

A play featuring a soda fountain set in early 20th century New England is absolutely relevant to present day Juneau, said its 20-something leads. “Our… Continue reading

Ashleigh Watt portraying Emily and Ty Yamaoka portraying George talk during a rehearsal of “Our Town” at the Perseverance Theatre. They both picked the ladder scene from the play as one of their favorites. The classic Thornton Wilder play will kickoff the theater’s 40th season. While the play is 80 years old and set before World War I, the two 20-something actors said it’s still poignantly relevant today. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)
Devita Stipek Writer talks about her murals and other paintings that are now gracing Carnival Cruise ships. Writer, a member of the Juneau Artist Gallery co-op, was interviewed there on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Cinderella story brings Juneau artist’s work to millions

The offer that changed Devita Stipek Writer’s life came as a surprise. In 2001, the Juneau artist received a Saturday phone call from a man… Continue reading

Devita Stipek Writer talks about her murals and other paintings that are now gracing Carnival Cruise ships. Writer, a member of the Juneau Artist Gallery co-op, was interviewed there on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day comes to Juneau

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day has been an event in Anchorage for years, and now it’s coming to Juneau. The collaboration between Girl Scouts… Continue reading

This photo provided by Idaho Fish and Game shows Snake River sockeye salmon that returned from the Pacific Ocean to Idaho over the summer swim in a holding tank on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, at the Eagle Fish Hatchery in southwestern Idaho. The number of the endangered fish that made it back this year is the second worst in the last decade but there are enough hatchery-raised fish to make up for the bad return. (Dan Baker/ Idaho Fish and Game via AP)

Fish Factor: Fish by the numbers

Sockeye salmon catches often add up to half of the value of Alaska’s total salmon fishery, and the so-called reds dominate the season’s early fisheries… Continue reading

This photo provided by Idaho Fish and Game shows Snake River sockeye salmon that returned from the Pacific Ocean to Idaho over the summer swim in a holding tank on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, at the Eagle Fish Hatchery in southwestern Idaho. The number of the endangered fish that made it back this year is the second worst in the last decade but there are enough hatchery-raised fish to make up for the bad return. (Dan Baker/ Idaho Fish and Game via AP)