Good morning, Anchorage!
I will admit it: I am a little biased this weekend.
Back in 2001, I drove the AlCan to Alaska with a guy who eventually became known as DJ Alaska. That name might sound a little kitschy when you are already standing in Alaska… but when you finish high school in Anchorage, return to the New York/New Jersey area and all your friends start greeting you with, “Eh yo, Alaska!”, apparently the nickname develops a life of its own.
DJ Alaska is family to me, which also means I am uniquely qualified to tell him to keep his day job if he is trash.
He is not trash.
His ability to jump between genres, blend songs you would never expect to hear together and keep a dance floor moving is the real deal. He is playing three Anchorage events this weekend, Mrs Anchorage and I are ready to get out there, and, tiny littler additional detail, today, Friday, is my birthday.
Throw in the World Cup being in full swing, watch parties happening around town and Bear Tooth putting selected matches on one of the biggest screens in Anchorage, and it is officially curtains. I am ready to throw down.
Bear Tooth’s World Cup screenings are free, but tickets are limited to two per person and distributed first-come, first-served at the theater box office. Check the current schedule before heading over because match availability varies.
Now let us build a weekend that goes from Pink Floyd and Alaska art to permanent jewelry, Pride and an aggressively well-equipped handyman revue.
Tear Down The Wall Inside the Planetarium
Pink Floyd’s The Wall Planetarium Experience
Where: Thomas Planetarium at the Anchorage Museum, 625 C Street
When: Friday, June 26, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Cost: $10, including museum admission; $5 for museum members
This is not somebody pointing a department-store laser at the ceiling while “Another Brick in the Wall” plays through a Bluetooth speaker.
The Anchorage Museum is transforming Pink Floyd’s legendary album into a full-dome music and light experience using computer-generated HD imagery. It is immersive, loud, visually intense and probably the closest most of us will ever get to floating through a surreal English rock opera without creating a very complicated conversation with airport security.
The museum recommends the show for ages 10 and older because of adult subject matter. It also includes flashing lights, simulated motion and other sensory effects, so plan accordingly.
Best of all, this can become stop one of an extremely efficient Friday-night downtown art crawl.
More info: Anchorage Museum event page
Celebrate 100 Years Through an Alaskan Artist’s Eyes
Scott McDaniel: A Century of Memories
Where: Anchorage Museum, 625 C Street; use the Seventh Avenue special-events entrance
When: Friday, June 26, 6–9 p.m.
Cost: Free; advance registration is encouraged
After Pink Floyd finishes building and demolishing emotional architecture inside the planetarium, stay at the museum for a very different journey through time.
This memorial exhibition celebrates what would have been Alaskan artist O. Scott McDaniel’s 100th birthday. McDaniel spent more than six decades painting Alaska’s scenery, wildlife, people and communities, leaving behind an artistic record of a place that changed dramatically during his lifetime.
The evening includes a selection of his work, stories from family and friends, birthday cake, treats and an opportunity to meet people personally connected to the artist.
That is what makes this more than a conventional gallery visit. You are not simply looking at Alaska paintings hanging silently on a wall. You are hearing the human stories behind the person who painted them.
Museum art, family memories and birthday cake? Finally, an art exhibition operating on my preferred birthday-event model.
More info: Scott McDaniel memorial exhibition
Shop Local Under the Evening Sun
Anchorage Summer Night Market featuring Evermore & Grace
Where: F Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues in downtown Anchorage
When: Friday, June 26, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Anchorage Summer Night Market is bringing local makers, artists, food vendors, children’s activities and live entertainment into the heart of downtown.
Among this week’s vendors is Evermore & Grace, a local permanent-jewelry business offering fitted bracelets, anklets and other pieces designed to stay with you long after the market tents come down.
Permanent jewelry is a dangerous concept for someone celebrating a birthday. Normal shopping allows you to say, “I will think about it.” Permanent jewelry looks you directly in the eye and says, “No, this decision is now part of your body.”
The market is also conveniently located close to the Anchorage Museum. You could catch the Pink Floyd planetarium show, visit the Scott McDaniel exhibition, walk a few blocks to browse the market and somehow convince yourself that this is not an ambitious Friday itinerary.
This is the family-friendly, bring-your-friends, grab-something-to-eat and support-local-businesses pick of the weekend.
More info: Anchorage Summer Night Market
Measure Twice, CanCan Once
Femme Fatality’s Lesbian Approved Handy Man CanCan
Where: The Broken Blender, 535 W. Third Avenue
When: Friday, June 26, 8–10:30 p.m.; seating begins approximately 30 minutes before showtime
Age: 21 and older
Apparently, Anchorage looked at traditional home improvement and decided it needed more choreography, fewer shirts and substantially more glitter.
Sweet Cheeks Cabaret presents a Pride-weekend edition of its mostly male Handy Man CanCan, complete with burlesque, comedy, cabaret performances and enough adult content to make your actual neighborhood handyman suddenly seem extremely underdressed.
The Broken Blender offers drinks, small bites and full dinner service for evening performances. The production runs approximately an hour and a half including intermission, although the complete event window extends later.
This is firmly an adults-only show. CenterTix lists mature themes, language, nudity and sexual content, so do not accidentally bring somebody who thought “Handy Man CanCan” was a seminar about replacing drywall.
For everyone else: tighten your tool belt and enjoy the show.
More info and tickets: CenterTix
Feel the Pulse of Pride
Anchorage Pride Parade and Pride Festival
Where: Delaney Park Strip, West Ninth Avenue
When: Saturday, June 27
Festival: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Parade: 11:30 a.m., beginning near Ninth Avenue and F Street
Cost: Free
Saturday’s largest community celebration is Anchorage Pride.
This year’s festival theme is “Pulse of Pride: A Decade United,” recognizing a decade of resilience, remembrance and unity. The Park Strip will be filled with local vendors, food trucks, musicians, drag artists, community organizations and thousands of neighbors coming together in support of Alaska’s LGBTQ2IA+ community.
The parade begins at 11:30 a.m. near Ninth and F before traveling around the Park Strip. Arrive early enough to find parking, choose a viewing spot and avoid becoming the person sprinting toward the parade route while carrying three iced coffees and an unfolded camping chair.
Pride is a celebration, but it also serves a deeper purpose. Visibility reminds people they are not alone. Community events like this give Anchorage residents a place to show up for one another. Not simply online, but together, in public, in the middle of our city.
Bring your friends. Bring the family. Bring sunscreen. Bring joy.
More information:
Anchorage Pride Festival
Anchorage Pride Parade
Honorable Mention: Follow DJ Alaska Around Anchorage
DJ Alaska is attempting the Anchorage weekend hat trick, and I cannot let the newsletter end without giving you the full itinerary.
Friday: DJ Alaska with DJ Covy
Where: Chilkoot Charlie’s, 2435 Spenard Road
When: Friday night, June 26; check the current event post for the exact set time
Start the birthday weekend at one of Anchorage’s most recognizable nightlife institutions. DJ Alaska joins DJ Covy for a Friday-night set in Spenard.
Saturday Afternoon: Bring the Heat Block Party Vol. 2
Where: Rafelitos, 160 W. 91st Avenue, Suite A
When: Saturday, June 27, beginning at noon
Heat Freak Vintage and VV Coffee Company are bringing together vintage shopping, food, coffee and DJ sets from DJ Alaska, Renz Collective and DJ Nati Natalia.
Organizer posts disagree on whether the block party ends at 6 or 7 p.m., so check the latest post before arriving late.
Saturday Night: Muévelo Part 2
Where: Matanuska Brewing Company Midtown, 2830 C Street
When: Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m.–3 a.m.
DJ Alaska joins DJ Jose for a late-night Latin dance party presented by Ice Rage Society.
Muévelo means “move it,” which is both the event’s theme and probably the advice Mrs Anchorage will give me when my birthday knees begin filing a formal complaint around midnight.
This weekend has everything: international soccer, permanent jewelry, historic Alaska art, Pride, Pink Floyd, birthday cake and at least one cabaret performer who probably owns a more impressive tool belt than I do.
Mrs Anchorage and I are going out. DJ Alaska is in town. Today (Friday) is my birthday. I’ll be at Rafaelito’s at noon and the Colombia v Portugal game at the Bear Tooth on Saturday. At some point Sunday, a video assistant referee may be required to determine whether I am still dancing or merely trying to remain upright.
Wherever you end up, support something local, meet somebody new and enjoy the fact that Anchorage can fit this many different kinds of fun into one very bright summer weekend.
I will see you somewhere between the big screen and the dance floor.
~Mr Anchorage