This weekend in Anchorage: Garden show, radio play, Dino Day returns and Coast Guard Band performs
Apr. 20—Spring is in full bloom in Anchorage, so the timing is perfect for this weekend's garden show at the Midtown Mall. There's music in the air, from the Spenard Song Circle, rapper AKU-MATU and an Earth Day Dance Party, plus a production of the classic "The Ugly Ducking" and a radio play, "The Great Gatsby." And the U.S. Coast Guard Band performs Monday in Chugiak. Here's a look at this weekend's highlighted events.
Spenard Song Circle: 6 p.m. Friday, Rage City Vintage, 3400 Spenard Road
Featuring host Emma Hill, Todd Grebe and Fiora Denali, this event features a mocktail hour starting at 6 p.m. with music scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.
AKU-MATU: 7:30 p.m. Friday/Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday, Out North Theatre, 411 D St.
Allison Akootchook Warden performs as AKU-MATU, rapping over beats that contain samples of traditional Iñupiaq songs. Tickets are $23 for this series of concerts, which are part of Fringe Fest.
Spring Garden Show & Craft Bazaar: 10 a.m. Saturday, Midtown Mall, 600 E. Northern Lights Blvd.
This show includes a number of garden and plant vendors and organizations like the Anchorage Audubon Society, the Wildflower Garden Club and the Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group. It corresponds with a craft show featuring 30 local artisans and crafters.
Dino Day: 11 a.m. Saturday, Loussac Library, 3600 Denali St.
Dino Day returns to the Loussac for the first time since 2019. There will be various dinosaur activities and crafts as well as a couple of dino story times. This event is best for children ages 3-12.
The Ugly Duckling: 1 p.m. Saturday, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, 621 W. Sixth Ave.
This performance features electroluminescent puppetry to bring to life the classic tale of self-acceptance. The production doesn't have dialogue but tells the story using high-tech puppetry, moving sculpture and dance. Show starts at 2 p.m. but there is a preshow performance at 1 p.m. Tickets are $22.50, $27 and $30.50.
The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play: 7 p.m. Saturday/Sunday, Anchorage Community Theatre, 1133 E. 70th Ave.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel comes to life as a 1940s radio broadcast. Directed by Matt Fernandez, the production features an ensemble cast with more than two dozen characters from the book. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors/military and $15 for kids 12 and under.
Elements: 9 p.m. Saturday, Koot's, 2435 Spenard Road
An organic house Earth Day dance party, Elements features Bodelia James, D. Church and Rachel Monae. Presale tickets are $15, general admission is $20 with other ticketing options available.
Coast Guard Band: 7 p.m. Monday, Chugiak High School, 16525 S. Birchwood Loop Road
The Ready for Call tour hits Alaska with the Coast Guard Band making its first public performances in the state. Commander Adam R. Williamson directs the 55-member ensemble playing selections from John Williams, John Philip Sousa marches and other patriotic songs. The band will also play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Colony High in Palmer. The shows are free but tickets are required.
