Alaska Public Media

This week on State of Art we’re diving into what’s been happening at Cyrano’s this month. We hear from the theater’s Producing Artistic Director Teresa K. Pond about the play “5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche” and how social repression and dread of nuclear war in the 1950s helps influence the period comedy. We also hear from painter Elizabeth Belanger about her work on display in the theater’s gallery and how a cancer diagnosis helped her start painting again.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from three creatives that make up August’s diverse International Gallery of Contemporary Art exhibits. Rachael Juzeler has a love for rust and incorporating found objects into her sculptures, Ronald Viol examines human expression with his clay work, and Robert Werner engineers objects using 3D printing and computer […]

This week on State of Art we’re joined by local singer-songwriter Emma Hill who tells us about her project “Park Songs.” Hill spent months travelling around the U.S. and Canada visiting national parks, recording notes and melodies along the way. The project is a combination of music, travelogue and advocacy for parklands. In this episode we also learn about Galway Days. Peggy Monaghan from the Irish Club of Alaska tells us about the upcoming celebration of Irish culture.

This week on State of Art we’re joined by Salmonfest organizer David Stearns. The music and arts festival runs from August 5 through 7 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. Headliners include Umphrey’s McGee, Shakey Graves, Rising Appalachia and California Honeydrops. We learn about the old days, the festival’s salmon-centric mission, and what’s new this year.

In her collection of essays called “All the Colors We Will See,” Patrice Gopo examines her experience of being raised by Jamaican immigrant parents and growing up Black in Alaska. Now she’s helping others tell their stories in a free writing workshop.

The salmon-supporting festival runs from August 5 to 7 and features dozens of visiting and local musicians.

Pro snowboarder turned musician Gus Engle releases his second album “Dungeon Master.”

Dan McElrath spent the last three decades living and making a name for himself in Alaska through his jazz combo The Dan Mac Band, collaborations with local artists and through is work as the state’s premier piano technician.

Wild Shore New Music is a New-York based chamber music collective that features Alaska-raised musicians with a focus on the relationship between art and our environment.

This week on State of Art we’re checking out the newest episode of Indie Alaska called “How Running Ultramarathons Saved Carol Seppilu’s Life.” We’ll also hear about one Sitkan’s musical fingerprints on the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon. We wrap up the episode with a track from long-time Alaska musician Dan McElrath who is playing two going away shows this summer.

The show tells the story of toys stuck in a out of order claw machine and what happens when it’s turned on. We’re joined by “The Claw” director Justin Stewart and music director Annika Merkel to find out about the musical, working with youth and the play’s theme of facing the unknown.

The studio occupies the former Fire Island Bakery Location on G Street in downtown Anchorage and promises memberships, one-off classes and more.

The opera is considered one of Puccini’s masterpieces and has all the passion, intrigue and death you’d want from a dramatic performance. 

The Dave Brubeck Centennial Celebration Concert takes place on Wednesday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Discovery Theater.

The multi-week fest consists of performances, workshops, and film. We’re joined by three guests who tell us about coming back to the stage after a long hiatus, how the fest has been going and what else we can expect.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from “Ordinary Days” director Warren Weinstein. He’s been involved with ACT since the early 90s, but this will be his directorial debut for the company. He tells us about his deep ties to ACT, why a sung-through musical is nothing to be afraid of and what’s on his mind as he gets ready to debut.

On this episode of State of Art we hear from five-time Olympian Kikkan Randall and Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute communications director Ashley Heimbigner about their seafood hacks, underrated seafood options, and more.

upcoming presentation of “Tiny Beautiful Things.” It’s based on the book “Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life From Dear Sugar” by author Cheryl Strayed.

This week on State of Art we’re learning about After School Special. It’s a youth film screening organized by Alaska Teen Media Institute. We’re joined by ATMI veteran and student filmmaker Daisy Carter who tells us about getting over her own fears of people seeing her work, what it’s like to see your film on the big screen, and why young filmmakers don’t need to be nervous about getting involved.

This week on State of Art we’re discussing “Portraits of Those Who Serve,” a project meant to thank and honor healthcare workers during the continued COVID-19 pandemic.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing about Anchorage Community Theater’s production of Frankenstein. We’re joined by ACT’s executive director Matt Fernandez to talk about the classic story, the main cast and how this play gave the crew of a canceled show a second chance.

This week on State of Art we’re learning about “Come into the Water,” a new illustrated book from Anchorage writer Jessica Faust. It tells the story of an isolated young pregnant woman who starts having some unsettling experiences

This week on State of Art we’re learning about the upcoming concert from Amplify Alaska, an organization that pairs musicians with nonprofits to help fund various causes. It will feature Ed Washington along with some up-and-coming Anchorage musicians performing at Williwaw on Friday, October 1. Sales from the show will help fund a recording studio at the Mountain View Boys and Girls Club.

On this week’s State of Art we’re hearing from Cody Liska, independent journalist and host of the Anchorage Museum’s “Chatter Marks” podcast. Each episode of “Chatter Marks” features a long-form discussion with scientists or creatives whose work relates to Alaska.

LoLo Paige retired from the Department of Interior in Alaska after a career as a wildlands firefighter.

Bethlehem Shalom has multiple releases that showcase her eclectic tastes and a kind of Jackson-Pollock-style songwriting. Her albums will keep you on your toes as she blends genres and moods from indie rock to jazz to hip-hop.

In the new program, teens in grades 9-12 will work with museum educators and use museum resources to discuss and find solutions to climate change.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Daisy Carter who recently won Youth Journalism International’s Student Journalist of the Year award. Carter is a producer for Alaska Teen Media Institute and has written for UAA’s student newspaper The Northern Light.

This week on State of Art we’re talking about Stories at the Cemetery. Every summer visitors can make a few trips to the Anchorage Memorial Park to watch actors perform as some of the cemetery’s more notable residents. We’re joined by Audrey Weltman Kelly and Bruce Kelly as they perform their parts as Sydney and Jeanie Laurence.

Ava Earl grew up in Girdwood and has been writing songs since she was a little kid. The teenage musician recently released her fourth album called “The Roses.” On this week’s State of Art Earl talks about the new album, being a young performer, and more.

Rachel DeTemple wanted a better way to teach students Shakespeare that didn’t equate to period correct dentistry, so she put together a version of Hamlet that even the most Bard-hating reader could enjoy. That’s why she released “Hamlet by William Shakespeare: The Know-it-All Version.” 

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from members of Anchorage band Outta Place. Father son duo Duke and Shane Russell have been playing music together forever, but with more musicians in the mix and gig opportunities returning, they’re champing at the bit to take audiences on a musical journey.

This week on State of Art we’re learning about FORUM magazine, a quarterly publication from the Alaska Humanities Forum. The spring 2021 issue is out now and features stories ranging from dogsledding in Denali to a toolkit for reader-lead discussions.

This week on State of Art we’re learning about Anchorage Community Theater’s current production “Shaula: Queen of the Universe.” The play can be seen live from May 14 to May 30 and streamed from May 21 to to the end of the production.

When Cory Lescher heads out to the Aleutian Islands to help fishing crews manage bycatch or escapes to the mountains to play, he’ll bring his camera to document the experience. As he improved his skills he didn’t want to just use his photos to brag to his family in Oregon, he wanted to help out. That’s why every month he donates 50 percent of his photo earnings to a different nonprofit organization.

This week on State of Art we hear from director Dick Riechman and actor Jill Bess about the play “The Inner Man.”

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Eagle River High School art teacher Jacob Bera and Anchorage School District fine art coordinator Leah Maltbie. They tell us about an art project meant to show appreciation for everything healthcare workers have done during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this week’s episode of State of Art, we hear from Anchorage Festival of Music artistic director Laura Koenig. We find out what it took to not only put this event together 100 years later, but also the research of the original concert and its performers.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced arts groups of all kinds to pivot and reevaluate how they can continue to create, but also reach audiences. The Alaska Virtual Symphony was organized to give musicians much needed opportunities to learn, connect and perform from anywhere in the state. Regardless of age and experience participants join in weekly via video conference for lessons and prepare for virtual concerts.

Photonak is one of those bands that come across as totally genuine in their mission and respect for each other. With their debut album “Tempered,” the band hunkered down in their home studio and turned out a highly produced piece of sprawling rock and roll.

The 32nd annual Anchorage Folk Festival was held virtually this year. Despite the pandemic, they persevered and came through with as close an approximation of the festival that we’ve come to know and love.

In his first published collection of poetry Rearden covers everything from tiny moments in time to Alaska memories to big picture reflections. He tells us about making poetry accessible, the lasting influence of growing up in rural Alaska, and what makes him a poet with a lowercase “p.”

This week on State of Art we’re hearing about “Bush Poet,” a play written and directed by Dick Reichman. The play features Mark Robokoff as a gruff and solitary Alaskan who meets a young boy, played by Mason Dolphin, whose parents work at a nearby lodge.

On December 17th, Anchorage rockers Photonak released “Tempered.”

This homegrown a cappella trio’s mission is to sing, perform, and educate. From virtual performances and an active social media to workshops and singing telegrams, Pipeline Vocal Project has a lot going on, but they’re just getting started.

This week on State of Art we have poetry from the Alaska Quarterly Review. In celebration of its 40 years, the literary journal and the Anchorage Museum teamed up to host 21 live online reading and discussion events featuring contributors to AQR.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing about Anchorage Community Theater’s production of “Karloff.” The play tells the story of William Henry Pratt, better known as the actor Boris Karloff, who played Frankenstein’s monster in the 1931 film. “Karloff” is a biographical one-man play lead by Matt Fernandez and directed by Devin Merilatt. They join us to talk about the Karloff the man, his connection with Alaska, and not giving up.

This week on State of Art we’re learning about Anchorage Festival of Music’s upcoming performance “Baroque Reflections.” While not your traditional classical music experience, AFN worked to recreate the next best thing. Combining video, dance and food for their first virtual concert, “Baroque Reflections” is a testament to artistic ingenuity and commitment.

This week on State of Art we’re learning about RKP Production’s upcoming play “Tanker on the Rocks or the Great Alaskan Bad Friday Fish Spill of ’89.”

This week on State of Art we’re learning about the Spenard Food Truck Carnival. A couple time a week, 10 food trucks converge on the Chilkoot Charlie’s parking lot to serve up dishes ranging from classic BBQ and hot dogs to traditional Russian and Laotian food.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing the music of Anchorage’s Juicy Harps, Ed Washington and the Modern Savage. We also check out a poem by author Don Rearden.

On a recent episode of Talk of Alaska, host Lori Townsend interviewed people involved with the origins of public radio in the state. For this week’s State of Art we’ll hear a condensed version of that show.

This week on State of Art we’re featuring Anchorage musicians Emma Hill, The Forest that Never Sleeps and the Jephries. We also preview a new youth podcast from Story Works Alaska.

On the heels of winning a Pulitzer Prize for their series “Lawless,” the ADN and Propublica began publishing stories from sexual assault survivors along with their photos. The project is now an outdoor exhibit at the Anchorage Museum featuring large portraits, quotes and audio clips of the survivors themselves.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Anchorage musician James Glaves. He’s been involved with a huge amount of projects from playing in bands to recording and producing them.

This week on State of Art, we’re hearing from Nicholas Galanin Yeil Ya-Tseen, a Tlingit-Unangax̂ artist from Sitka. We also check out some of the Anchorage Downtown Partnership’s virtual concert series.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Chad Reynvaan. His musical fingerprints are all over the Anchorage music scene, whether he’s playing in a band or recording one at his own Wattage Studio. He tells us about his new album “21st Sensory,” the appeal of vintage gear and his tendencies towards dad-rock. We also check out his new track “Permanently Lost.”

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from local photographer Jovell Rennie. After getting caught up in the frenzy of demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Rennie wanted to do something more than just document the local protests. Working with friends, colleagues and community members, Rennie and company put on the “I Can’t Breathe” First Friday and fundraising event at his gallery, Akela Space, in downtown Anchorage.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from journalist and podcast host, Cody Liska. His podcast “Crude Conversations” spawned from an ambitious DIY zine publication and social media presence called “Crude Magazine.” He has deep roots in Alaska’s snowboard scene, but Liska’s interviewees range from athletes and educators to activists and artists. We talk about how he got his start, what he’s learned and why we do this.

This week on State of Art we’re talking Spenard — the man and the jazz festival. We learn about the newly virtual Spenard Jazz Fest and we hear from a local historian about the colorful Joe Spenard, the namesake of the Anchorage road and neighborhood.

This week on State of Art we’re checking out two stories from the recent virtual Arctic Entries event. Hosts and storytellers connected with the audience via Facebook Live from their homes in a close approximation of a typical Arctic Entries. Our first storyteller talks about losing love and finding herself stuck in Canada, while our second storyteller tells us about connections and isolation while working in Antarctica.

This week on State of Art we’re finding out how graduating amidst a pandemic affected UAA art students and we hear a beer-centric track from folk trio, Juicy Harps.

This week on State of Art we learn about AKAK, a virtual music festival featuring local musicians streaming tonight. We also find out what to expect from Anchorage Community Theater’s weekly Virtual Short Play Festival.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing new music from local bands Braided River, The Jephries and Kittiwake.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Juliana Osinchuk, founder of the award that ultimately became the Ted Stevens Young Alaskan Artist Award. Organized by the Anchorage Festival of Music, the award goes to an Alaska classical musician ready to take their next step into the professional world. We learn about the classical-music-focused award and how to apply. We also hear a track from Anchorage artist Duke Russell’s musical project, the Shirt Tuckers, called “Spiritual Poptart.”

This week on State of Art we have a poem from local author, Don Rearden, called “Listen and Learn.” We also get a glimpse into the Anchorage Museum’s virtual First Friday featuring composer Mathew Burtner and his piece “Nuiqsut Bell” for the museum’s Listen Up: Northern Soundscapes series. Finally, we hear a bear story from Arctic Entries from earlier this year.

This week on State of Art we have a taste of Anchorage band Saturday Cinders’ recent online performance and an interview about “This is Chance!” a new book about Alaska journalist Genie Chance and her invaluable reporting following the 1964 earthquake. We also have a poem from local author Don Rearden.

This week on State of Art we hear from Anchorage Museum director and CEO Julie Decker. She tells us about the museum’s latest public art project, accessing their collection online and virtual tours of other museums.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Anchorage artist Duke Russell. He tells us about his history with comics, self-reflection while sober and we get a taste of his current musical project, The Shirt Tuckers.

This week on State of Art, artist and educator, Thomas Chung joins us for a conversation about cultural appropriation, his approach to art and finding humor in dark places.

Being a young performer can be tough in Anchorage. If you’re not old enough to drink, your options of venues are slim. That’s why the Anchorage Music Co-op teamed up with local youth to establish Under 21 Open Mic.

From whalers who left port in New Bedford, Massachusetts to soldiers who helped build the Alcan Highway, African Americans have a long history in Alaska. University of Alaska Anchorage history professor Ian Hartman recently released a book called “Black History in the Last Frontier.”

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from “Frida” leads Catalina Cuervo, who plays Frida Kahlo, the iconic Mexican artist, and Bernardo Bermudez, who plays Diego Rivera, the famous Mexican muralist and Kahlo’s husband.

Once a month during the museum’s winter hours, one exhibit is open and modified to accommodate people with sensory-sensitivities. Multi-media presentations might be turned down or off, lights dimmed and activities are provided as an alternate means of engaging with the museum.

The Anchorage Folk Festival wrapped up its 31st annual folk music extravaganza. The festival includes workshops, performances and featured guest artists. Folk Fest chief sound engineer Lucy Peckham dug through her archives and passed these tracks along.

Springer-Staten remembers her aunt, an amazing storyteller, recounting the lynching of a young African American boy and the impact that and other stories had on her. While physical barriers to racial harmony are somewhat less blatant these days, it’s the mental barriers between cultures Springer-Staten hopes to break with the Festival of Cultural Stories.

This week on State of Art, Peckham joins us to talk about her time behind the board at the Anchorage Folk Fest, smoking mixing boards and watching Folk Fest kids grow up.

RKP Productions’ Audrey Kelly and Dick Reichman stopped by the Alaska Public Media studios to talk about their unique theater company, the legacy of collaborator Robert Pond and revisiting a dormant play.

This week on State of Art we’re looking back on some excellent local releases that came out last year.

This week on State of Art we’re talking about Storytelling Saturday Theater. For their first season, SST is performing different family-friendly versions of the Cinderella story from cultures around the world.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from artist Jimmy Riordan. He spoke with Hometown Alaska host Kathleen McCoy about his new project involving a retired bookmobile, raising funds for repairs and what comes next.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from local artists Sheila Wyne and James Temte.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Mark Wolbers, director of the Anchorage Community Concert Band. We talk about their upcoming winter concert, “The Sounds of Music,” the volunteer band, and some background about the pieces they’ll be playing.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Alaska musician and writer James Dommek Jr. He sat down with Alaska Public Media’s Casey Grove to talk about Dommek’s new project “Midnight Son.” The sound-rich, narrative podcast is a bestseller from Audible and tells the story of Teddy Kyle Smith, a well-known Alaska Native actor convicted of attempted murder. We also hear “Leaves,” a track from Anchorage band The High Pets’ new album “Burn Forever.”

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Oleg Proskurnya, director of the Anchorage Civic Orchestra. Their Fall Concert is Saturday, Nov. 16 in the Sydney Lawrence Theater. We also have a track from Anchorage’s The Jangle Bees off their self-titled album.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Gayla Ranf, owner of Spenard Art Studio. She talks about the new space and creating using encaustics. We also look at “Summerland” from Anchorage playwright Arlitia Jones and Cyrano’s Theater Company. The play wraps up its Anchorage run Sunday, Nov. 10.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from playwright and screenwriter Vera Starbard. Her Perseverance Theater produced play “Devilfish” is finishing its Anchorage run on November 3. She talks about keeping things authentic while weaving together Tlingit legend and history.

It’s theater season and a weekly dose of Anchorage arts and culture just isn’t enough to get it all out there. In this SOA bonus interview, we hear from “The Ice Maiden” director Dick Reichman and cast member Krista Schwarting.

This week on State of Art we’re getting an education on opera. We learn about “The Barber of Seville,” the first production of the season from Anchorage Opera. Stage director Laura Alley and Anchorage Opera principal conductor Brian DeMaris put “The Barber” in historical context and talk about why it’s a good introduction to the art form.

We’re wrapping up our membership drive and we have a couple of pieces to give your ears a rest.

This week on State of Art we’re in our fall membership drive. We featured an old tune from Jared Woods and an even older one from Alaska Public Media’s Shonti Elder. We also featured a story from the Spirit of Youth Awards.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Anchorage author, Don Rearden. His most recent project is “Warrior’s Creed,” a memoir he co-wrote with Roger Sparks, a decorated veteran who has served as a Recon Marine and an Alaska Pararescuman. We learn about what goes into co-writing a book, reliving other people’s trauma, and doing their stories justice.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Anchorage band Tanana Rafters. They recently recorded some tracks for a new video series from Alaska Public Media called Polar Playlists. We check out those tracks and find out more about the band.

This week on State of Art we’re talking about the superhero comedy “Hearts Like Fists,” from Cyrano’s Theater Company. We hear from director Frank Delaney and cast member Kaichen McCrae. We talk superheros, cast chemistry, and stage fighting.

On this week’s State of Art we’re hearing from Juneau artist David Woodie. His solo exhibition “Studio 212” opened this month at Cyrano’s ArtSpace Gallery. We’ll also hear about a University of Alaska Anchorage professor whose pop-up book aims to teach kids about what happens when plastics reach the ocean.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from local artist Maxine Fekete. Back in June, she opened her first solo exhibition. A couple of weeks later, she was in the hospital after a random attack in downtown Anchorage. The closing day of her show turned into celebration of being alive. She tells us about the attack, her recovery, and what’s next.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing from Anchorage band Medium Build. Singer Nick Carpenter and multi-instrumentalist/audio guru James Glaves let us know what they’ve been up to and what they have planned. We talk about Nick touring with Tiny Desk Concert winner Quinn Christopherson, Medium Build’s new video, and their upcoming album.

This week on State of Art we’re handing the mic off to Anchorage artist Duke Russell. He interviews his occasional collaborator Ted Kim, who recently opened a solo exhibition at Middle Way Cafe called “At Home.” It runs until Oct. 5th.

This week on State of Art we’re looking at what the Anchorage Concert Association has coming up on their fall schedule. ACA Executive Director Jason Hodges stopped by Alaska Public Media to give us a sneak peak.

This week on State of art we’re talking Stories at the Cemetery and hearing from an Alaska musician who sang on the theme song for the new PBS Kids show Molly of Denali.

Welcome to the first episode of State of Art. This week we’re talking about First Friday — what it’s like in Anchorage and what’s happening at the Anchorage Museum for August’s First Friday. We also hear from Jenni May Toro, lead singer of Anchorage band The Modern Savage.