Events

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Locals gathered for a whale of a time near “Tahku,” the whale sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel in 2022.

How to celebrate the many sights and sounds of July 4

“Voices of Alaska” theme for downtown parade reflects range of Juneau’s traditional holiday events

 

A member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, places flags in front of each headstone for "Flags-In" at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Thursday, May 25, 2023, to honor the Nation's fallen military heroes ahead of Memorial Day. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

A Memorial Day explainer

Plus, what’s happening in Juneau on Monday.

  • May 26, 2023
  • By Ben Finley Associated Press
  • NewsEvents

 

Lisa Hawkins interviews drummer Cameron Cartland for the Anchorage-based livestream concert/conversation podcast Amplify Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Yngvil Vatn Guttu)

Upcoming concert series to ‘Amplify Alaska’ voices

Saturday night show to serve as a fundraiser for Aak’w Rock Indigenous Music Festival.

 

Annie Bartholomew’s debut album, Sisters of White Chapel, only at Kindred Post during May First Friday. Annie will be at the shop with her banjo playing songs from the release and selling early copies of the CD featuring of songs inspired by women who came to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

Musicians, authors and artists, oh my!

Annie Bartholomew’s debut album, Sisters of White Chapel, only at Kindred Post during May First Friday. Annie will be at the shop with her banjo playing songs from the release and selling early copies of the CD featuring of songs inspired by women who came to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Courtesy of the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band Julia Keefe, a Native American singer who has gained national acclaim performing with a wide range of musicians and settings during the past 15 years, is headlining this spring’s Juneau Jazz Classics festival with concerts by her Indigenous Big Band and a Native jazz quintet.

A huge Indigenous ‘family’ reunion at Jazz Classics

Musicians with tribal roots from Canada to South America converge for Indigenous Big Band concerts

Courtesy of the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band Julia Keefe, a Native American singer who has gained national acclaim performing with a wide range of musicians and settings during the past 15 years, is headlining this spring’s Juneau Jazz Classics festival with concerts by her Indigenous Big Band and a Native jazz quintet.
From left to right, Megan Peirce, Ava Grimes, Kyra Wood and Johnathan Gee-Miles star in Juneau high school’s collaborative production of the classic “The Wizard of Oz” at JDHS auditorium. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Are you off to see the wizard?

Play wraps up run with shows this weekend.

From left to right, Megan Peirce, Ava Grimes, Kyra Wood and Johnathan Gee-Miles star in Juneau high school’s collaborative production of the classic “The Wizard of Oz” at JDHS auditorium. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an Aleutian tern. Intentionally scheduled during the “slow season” to help boost the economy between the steelhead and sockeye runs, the Yakutat Tern Festival is a celebration of Yakutat’s natural and cultural resources, highlighted by the area’s Aleutian terns. The Yakutat Nature Society will host the 12th Annual Yakutat Tern Festival in Yakutat, from June 1 through June 4 — with a more robust schedule of events compared to recent years. (Courtesy Photo / Nate Catterson)

12th Annual Yakutat Tern Festival is not just for the birds

Southeast Alaska Birding Trail & Guide offers regenerative ways to see state, boost rural economies.

This photo shows an Aleutian tern. Intentionally scheduled during the “slow season” to help boost the economy between the steelhead and sockeye runs, the Yakutat Tern Festival is a celebration of Yakutat’s natural and cultural resources, highlighted by the area’s Aleutian terns. The Yakutat Nature Society will host the 12th Annual Yakutat Tern Festival in Yakutat, from June 1 through June 4 — with a more robust schedule of events compared to recent years. (Courtesy Photo / Nate Catterson)
The U.S. Coast Guard Band, seen here, plays as a 55-member ensemble. The band will play in Juneau Saturday as part of its Ready for the Call tour. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Sea notes: U.S. Coast Guard Band to play in Juneau

Do you like American music?

The U.S. Coast Guard Band, seen here, plays as a 55-member ensemble. The band will play in Juneau Saturday as part of its Ready for the Call tour. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
The series “Credible, Idiot Strings” features cotton fabric, nylon thread and steel wire to draw attention to the high rates of suicide in Alaska Native and Indigenous communities. The series is a part of the new exhibition “Visceral: Verity” on display at the Alaska State Museum and featured during the April First Friday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

New exhibitions, live music and more

The series “Credible, Idiot Strings” features cotton fabric, nylon thread and steel wire to draw attention to the high rates of suicide in Alaska Native and Indigenous communities. The series is a part of the new exhibition “Visceral: Verity” on display at the Alaska State Museum and featured during the April First Friday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Cover art for the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast’s Tidal Echoes literary magazine, which launches on Friday at the UAS campus from 6:30-8 p.m. (Courtesy Photo / Shaelene Grace Moler)

Tidal Echoes launches latest edition

Chloey Cavanaugh and Lin Davis featured artists.

Cover art for the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast’s Tidal Echoes literary magazine, which launches on Friday at the UAS campus from 6:30-8 p.m. (Courtesy Photo / Shaelene Grace Moler)
Jo March (Ema Zivkovic) reacts to an overture from one-time playmate Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (Jack Scholz) during rehearsal for Perseverance Theatre and University of Alaska Anchorage's Department of Theatre and Dance's upcoming production of "Little Women."

Get ready for Marches in April

It’s almost the big day for “Little Women.”

Jo March (Ema Zivkovic) reacts to an overture from one-time playmate Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (Jack Scholz) during rehearsal for Perseverance Theatre and University of Alaska Anchorage's Department of Theatre and Dance's upcoming production of "Little Women."
The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in February. The center will be closed for most of April for seasonal staff training and to prepare the center for summer visitors. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to be closed for most of April

Closure allows prep for summer.

The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in February. The center will be closed for most of April for seasonal staff training and to prepare the center for summer visitors. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Áakʼw Ḵwáan spokesperson Fran Houston addresses a crowd of people during a blessing ceremony on Friday at Marine Park as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: Blessing held at grounds of Kootéeyaa Deiyí

Ceremony held at future site of Totem Pole Trail.

Áakʼw Ḵwáan spokesperson Fran Houston addresses a crowd of people during a blessing ceremony on Friday at Marine Park as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Sockeye salmon return to Steep Creek to spawn during the summer months of 2022. Residents and youth in Juneau are invited to learn more about the species at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center this Saturday for the final installment of the Mendenhall Minis series of the winter. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Learn more about salmon at this winter’s final Mendenhall Minis event

The series returned in-person after two years of online only

Sockeye salmon return to Steep Creek to spawn during the summer months of 2022. Residents and youth in Juneau are invited to learn more about the species at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center this Saturday for the final installment of the Mendenhall Minis series of the winter. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Coast Guard Band, seen here, plays as a 55-member ensemble. The band will be traveling through Juneau and Anchorage in April as part of their “Ready for the Call” tour. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard band comes to the Last Frontier

“Ready for the Call” tour in Juneau and Anchorage in April.

The Coast Guard Band, seen here, plays as a 55-member ensemble. The band will be traveling through Juneau and Anchorage in April as part of their “Ready for the Call” tour. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
Courtesy Photo / Nora Canfield Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kyshona Armstrong, who performs music under just her first name, poses for a photo with her guitar. Kyshona will be performing at the Crystal Saloon and 7 p.m. on Wednesday with her bandmates Nickie Conley and Shannon LaBrie.

‘Music of the people and for the people’ comes to Juneau

Kyshona’s local performance is part of small Alaska tour.

Courtesy Photo / Nora Canfield Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kyshona Armstrong, who performs music under just her first name, poses for a photo with her guitar. Kyshona will be performing at the Crystal Saloon and 7 p.m. on Wednesday with her bandmates Nickie Conley and Shannon LaBrie.
Christine Kleinhenz of Tide Watcher is the featured artist for the month of March at the Juneau Artists Gallery. She is a visual artist and will be available to chat 4:30-6 p.m. for the gallery's First Friday event. (Courtesy Photo)

Take a peek at what’s happening for First Friday

This First Friday is going to be a busy one in downtown Juneau. New artistic exhibitions, a special theatrical event and more are planned for… Continue reading

Christine Kleinhenz of Tide Watcher is the featured artist for the month of March at the Juneau Artists Gallery. She is a visual artist and will be available to chat 4:30-6 p.m. for the gallery's First Friday event. (Courtesy Photo)
Andrew Brownell, an internationally acclaimed pianist who has performed worldwide the past two decades, is scheduled to play the first in a trio of concerts featuring the final piano sonatas of Franz Schubert. Brownell’s concert is scheduled at 7 p.m. March 10 at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Publicity photo by Nathan Russell)

Springing forward with a famous farewell

Trio of piano concerts at JACC highlight Schubert’s last sonatas

Andrew Brownell, an internationally acclaimed pianist who has performed worldwide the past two decades, is scheduled to play the first in a trio of concerts featuring the final piano sonatas of Franz Schubert. Brownell’s concert is scheduled at 7 p.m. March 10 at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Publicity photo by Nathan Russell)
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association, gives the keynote address to Juneau residents during the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 2018 Community Celebration sponsored by the Black Awareness Association at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. On Saturday, the Black Awareness Association will host its Rise fundraiser in celebration of Black History Month at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Michael Penn /.Juneau Empire File)

Black Awareness Association invites community to ‘Rise’ to the occasion

Saturday’s event also serves as scholarship fundraiser.

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association, gives the keynote address to Juneau residents during the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 2018 Community Celebration sponsored by the Black Awareness Association at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. On Saturday, the Black Awareness Association will host its Rise fundraiser in celebration of Black History Month at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Michael Penn /.Juneau Empire File)
Manford Lum (Morgan Gwilym Tso) takes a jump shot during a scene rehearsal performance of Perseverance Theatre’s upcoming play “The Great Leap” opening Friday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A look before the ‘Leap’

Previewing Perseverance Theatre’s latest, which blends basketball, Chinese history and identity.

Manford Lum (Morgan Gwilym Tso) takes a jump shot during a scene rehearsal performance of Perseverance Theatre’s upcoming play “The Great Leap” opening Friday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)