Live music

Juneau singer/songwriter Annie Bartholomew rehearses with the Juneau Symphony on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé auditorium. Two folk songs by Bartholomew about women during Klondike Gold Rush will be featured in rearrangements for orchestra during performances Saturday and Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Symphony’s last mainstage concert of season features some notable firsts

First music by Indigenous composer, local folk singer’s songs rescored for orchestra among weekend’s works

 

The Anchorage band Big Chimney Barn Dance performs in the main ballroom of Centennial Hall on Sunday, April 14, 2024, near the end of the 49th Annual Alaska Folk Festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

50th Folk Festival looks to continue long traditions, only more so with record performer interest

Weeklong festival will feature long-ago as well as current musicians, all captured for documentary.

 

Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal on Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Symphony takes guest conductor on road trip for Sitka show before Sunday’s concert at JDHS

Brad Hogarth, a performer and conductor at Sitka holiday shows, auditions to be symphony’s music director.

 

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)

Join the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest to beat the winter blues

Four-day music festival brings education of students and Southeast community together.

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)
Members of the Juneau Symphony, Vox Borealis and Sitka Holiday Brass rehearse for an annual Holiday Cheer concert Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Making 30 sound as one — and 11 sound as 60 — at annual Holiday Cheer concert this weekend

Juneau Symphony, Vox Borealis and Sitka Holiday Brass performs Saturday and Sunday at TMMS.

Members of the Juneau Symphony, Vox Borealis and Sitka Holiday Brass rehearse for an annual Holiday Cheer concert Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alan Young (left) conducts while John Cooper reads the words to “The Night Before Christmas” during a rehearsal Wednesday for holiday concerts by the Taku Winds brass ensemble at K̠unéix̠ Hídi Northern Light United Church. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Taku Winds takes on challenge of opening “Christmas Wrapped in Brass”

Concerts featuring holiday music from 10 to 1,000 years old scheduled Friday and Saturday

Alan Young (left) conducts while John Cooper reads the words to “The Night Before Christmas” during a rehearsal Wednesday for holiday concerts by the Taku Winds brass ensemble at K̠unéix̠ Hídi Northern Light United Church. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
William Todd Hunt guides the Taku Winds ensemble through a rehearsal of music by Indigenous composers on Tuesday evening at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Taku Winds will be blowing wildly this weekend with concert featuring Indigenous composers

“Eagles, Ravens and Wolf” scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School

William Todd Hunt guides the Taku Winds ensemble through a rehearsal of music by Indigenous composers on Tuesday evening at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dwayne Corbin, one of four candidates to become the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal Tuesday for this weekend’s concerts at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Candidate seeks to convey ‘Brilliant Defiance’ during Juneau Symphony’s election-season concerts

Dwayne Corbin, one of four finalists to replace Christopher Koch as music director, conducts weekend shows.

Dwayne Corbin, one of four candidates to become the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal Tuesday for this weekend’s concerts at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
People dance to music by The Muskeg Collective during KTOO’s 50-Fest on Saturday night at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

KTOO packs a half century of programming into a six-hour 50-Fest anniversary celebration

Ten mini-concerts, plus interviews, theater and tributes showcase public broadcasting outlet’s history.

People dance to music by The Muskeg Collective during KTOO’s 50-Fest on Saturday night at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dan Kirkwood (left), pictured performing with Tommy Siegel and Steve Perkins, is among the musicians who will be featured during KTOO’s 50-Fest on Saturday. (Photo by Charlie E. Lederer)

KTOO’s 50-Fest celebrates golden anniversary with six-hour evening of local performers

20 artists representing five decades of Juneau’s music scene scheduled for Saturday’s celebration

Dan Kirkwood (left), pictured performing with Tommy Siegel and Steve Perkins, is among the musicians who will be featured during KTOO’s 50-Fest on Saturday. (Photo by Charlie E. Lederer)
Flowers, notes, cash donations and other items are placed Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at a memorial for Steven Kissack, a longtime Juneau resident experiencing homelessness, at the spot he was fatally shot by police the previous day. The stuffed malamute is in recognition of his dog Juno, who was present when the shooting occurred. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Memorial benefit show for Steven Kissack seeks to help others facing his struggles

Ten music acts scheduled to perform Saturday at Crystal Saloon in memory of well-known homeless resident.

Flowers, notes, cash donations and other items are placed Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at a memorial for Steven Kissack, a longtime Juneau resident experiencing homelessness, at the spot he was fatally shot by police the previous day. The stuffed malamute is in recognition of his dog Juno, who was present when the shooting occurred. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
From left to right: Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, formerly of The Supremes with Joyce Vincent. (Former Ladies of The Supremes collection)

‘Supreme Sisters’: Former Ladies of The Supremes will perform in Juneau

Legendary trio will perform classic R&B show Aug. 10 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.

From left to right: Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, formerly of The Supremes with Joyce Vincent. (Former Ladies of The Supremes collection)
“Dreaming the Future” written by Mike Tobin and directed by Donnie Gott, and performed as part of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet at Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, ends with actors in an electric bus driving toward the future. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Climate Fair for a Cool Planet cultivates a culture of change with songs and theater

Record rain in Juneau and record-high global temps are both worrisome signs, organizers say.

“Dreaming the Future” written by Mike Tobin and directed by Donnie Gott, and performed as part of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet at Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, ends with actors in an electric bus driving toward the future. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Anchorage musician Quinn Christopherson sings to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Sept. 23, 2023. He is the featured musician at this year’s Climate Fair for a Cool Planet on Saturday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Climate Fair for a Cool Planet expands at Earth’s hottest moment

Annual music and stage play gathering Saturday comes five days after record-high global temperature.

Anchorage musician Quinn Christopherson sings to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Sept. 23, 2023. He is the featured musician at this year’s Climate Fair for a Cool Planet on Saturday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A near-capacity crowd fills the main ballroom at Centennial Hall during the final night of the Alaska Folk Festival on April 14. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Michael Franti concert nixed at Centennial Hall, moved to JDHS due to staging issues

Technical and staffing plans of concert producers not feasible, JAHC executive director says.

A near-capacity crowd fills the main ballroom at Centennial Hall during the final night of the Alaska Folk Festival on April 14. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Marie Mead performs a traditional dance during the Inuit-soul musical group Pamyua’s performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Sept. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Áak’w Rock bringing another ‘Side Stage’ to accompany this week’s Celebration

10 Indigenous performers scheduled Friday and Saturday at various venues downtown.

Marie Mead performs a traditional dance during the Inuit-soul musical group Pamyua’s performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Sept. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau Symphony members rehearse Thursday for this weekend’s “BOOM” pops concerts at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Auditorium. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Symphony ends its season with things that go ‘BOOM’ in the night

Ensemble will feature popular film scores, solo by Dallas Brass trumpet player this weekend at JDHS.

Juneau Symphony members rehearse Thursday for this weekend’s “BOOM” pops concerts at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Auditorium. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Glen McDaniel, Nick Villalobos and Zack Clark perform as the trio Simply Three, which is scheduled after a previous appearance in Juneau to return for a May 18 concert at Centennial Hall as part of this year’s Juneau Jazz and Classics festival. (Photo courtesy of Simply Three)

This year’s Juneau Jazz and Classics festival is stretching out

Festival that begins Saturday extended to two weeks and three Southeast communities.

Glen McDaniel, Nick Villalobos and Zack Clark perform as the trio Simply Three, which is scheduled after a previous appearance in Juneau to return for a May 18 concert at Centennial Hall as part of this year’s Juneau Jazz and Classics festival. (Photo courtesy of Simply Three)
The Anchorage band Big Chimney Barn Dance performs in the main ballroom of Centennial Hall on Sunday night near the end of the 49th Annual Alaska Folk Festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

49th annual Alaska Folk Festival ends with promise of an ‘epic’ 50th

Weeklong event remains free after nearly a half-century “which is unheard of,” board president says.

The Anchorage band Big Chimney Barn Dance performs in the main ballroom of Centennial Hall on Sunday night near the end of the 49th Annual Alaska Folk Festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Gustavus band Tramwreck performs on the main stage in the ballroom at Centennial Hall during the opening night of the 49th annual Alaska Folk Festival on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

49th annual Alaska Folk Festival celebrates a homecoming on opening night

Weeklong event will feature about 130 acts performing music, dances and workshops.

The Gustavus band Tramwreck performs on the main stage in the ballroom at Centennial Hall during the opening night of the 49th annual Alaska Folk Festival on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)