Programs

This week on State of Art we meet an Anchorage winner of the "Hamilton" creative competition organized by the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts and BroadwayBoundAK. Students from across Alaska going into grades 7 through 12 were invited to make and submit an original creative piece that was inspired by the hit musical. Winners were chosen from across the state and get to see "Hamilton" for free in September. Sam Beesley is starting his freshman year at West High and was chosen for his song called "Don't Wait For It."

This week on State of Art we're discussing an upcoming benefit concert to help the Qargi Academy Tribal School in Wainwright. We're joined by longtime musician and Marketing Manager for the Arctic Slope Community Foundation, James Dommek Jr., who is organizing the show. He tells us about what makes the Qargi Academy unique, including indigenous performers as the opening act and more.

This week on State of Art we're hearing from filmmakers Kendrick Whiteman and Logan Smith. They're both products of Alaska Teen Media Institute and are peer mentors with the youth media training organization. Whiteman was featured at the Anchorage International Film Festival in 2022 and leans toward a surreal atmosphere with his work while Smith likes to blend the weird with comedy. We discuss what got them into film, their previous work and what comes next.

This week on State of Art we're joined by "Arsenic and Old Lace" director MaryAlice Larmi to discuss the fast-paced farce. It centers on Mortimer Brewster and his maniacal family including spinster aunts who have a habit of murdering lonely old men, a brother on the run from the law and one who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt. She tells us about what to expect, casting the right performers, and acting icon Boris Karloff's contribution to Anchorage Community Theater's 1957 production of the play.

On this episode of State of Art we're discussing the Alaska Writers Guild and their upcoming conference. The guild connects Alaska writers and provides educational opportunities for things like business and marketing. Their annual conference for writers and illustrators will be held on Friday and Saturday the last weekend of September at UAA's Rasmuson Hall. We're joined by Alaska Writers Guild board members Laura Carpenter and Brooke Hartman to find out more about the guild, what to expect from the conference and more.

This week on State of Art we're joined by the founders of Wild Shore New Music. They perform modern chamber music that explores place and environment while collaborating with a variety of other artists. The group will be performing in Anchorage on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the UAA Recital Hall.

The 1923 film "Scaramouche" is a story of love and revenge during the French Revolution. Director Rex Ingram' 100-year-old masterpiece is filled with historic details, massive sets and action that holds up today. Anchorage Festival of Music will host a screening of the film and will be scoring the film live with period correct instruments.

The series of events celebrating writing and writers in Alaska runs from Sunday October 1 to 8. There will be live events and virtual presentations featuring everything from poetry and romance to nonfiction and children's books. Professor of English and Book Week coordinator, Trish Jenkins, joins us to tell us all about it.

The one-man show depicts the life of Ted Stevens who served as a U.S. senator for Alaska from 1968 to 2009 and had its world premier last month. The play was written by Alaska State Senator Gary Stevens (unrelated) and is directed by Kalli Randall. We’re joined by Randall and visiting actor Dan Morrison to find out more.

This week on State of Art we're joined by Ava Earl. Her newest album "Too Much" came out in September and and is a bit of a departure from her previous work. While her other three albums were a bit more straightforward folk-tinged acoustic Americana, this new album finds more room to explore with some pop influence while maintaining her signature lyrics and style. She tells us about reflecting on her previous work as a very young musician, the new album and coping with sudden deafness in one ear through the song "Ears Bleed."

The company's new general director discusses "The Elixir of Love" and performing Donizetti's famous compositions while dancing like MC Hammer.

Anchorage’s economy has lots of positive signs and job growth ahead, but not enough people for its anticipated job openings.

Three major seafood processors in Alaska have announced plans to sell off their plants or temporarily close for the upcoming fishing seasons. Trident, Peter Pan Seafood Company and most recently OBI Seafoods – just last month – have all cited turbulent market conditions for their decisions.

A growing group of Alaska home bakers can legally sell their goods, thanks to the state's cottage food laws.

“I kind of joked that I started a Grade “A” dairy with a “C” team,” said Kelli Foreman who runs Kodiak's Heritage Farm and Ranch.

Less than 2 months before salmon season, King Cove's seafood processor announced it will cease operations.

Festival organizers say it’s drawing a bigger crowd each year and can provide a significant boost to the local economy.

Between a rise in homelessness and a hit to the economy, several business owners say they’re fighting to stay afloat.

Beauty and the Book Alaska specializes in the romance genre- a growing trend in Alaska and around the country.

The mine — an economic engine in Northwest Alaska — could close as soon as 2031.