Best Bets: Too many arts choices, too little time
Art is bursting out of the woodwork this weekend in Juneau. Friday evening offers an opportunity to take in a wealth of artwork. The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council and the Alaska State Museum are opening new art exhibits, and after a long hiatus, KTOO once again is featuring the work of a local artist in the station.
Once or twice last winter, more by coincidence than planning, several galleries and the city and state museums held concurrent openings. Rather than competing, the result was a synergistic boost in energy and attendance that proved to be positive for everyone involved.
Leah Sturgis, an art lover and proprietor of the Rock Paper Scissors gallery, long has wanted to start a "First Fridays Art Walk" and coordinate a series of monthly openings with galleries around town. This Friday marks the first, and between 4 and 6:30 p.m. probably a dozen galleries will be open. Many are hosting receptions for new exhibits.
Rock Paper Scissors, next to Paradise Lunch and Bakery, is opening a show featuring artist Heidi Reifenstein. The Panhandle Crabgrass Revival Band will be playing and the bakery will be open late as well.
The Juneau arts council is hosting Juneau artists Nikki Morris and Patrick Ripp in their debut show. The arts council has proved to be one of the premier galleries in town, rotating new exhibits every month and featuring new artists as well as seasoned professionals.
The state museum is opening Alaska Positive 2002, and next door KTOO is hosting a reception for "Apologies and Excuses," recent works by Rob Roys of Juneau. See the story on page 4 for a full list of participating galleries.
After taking in the art, there are two excellent options for folks looking for more entertainment Friday night.
Comedian Steven Wright is performing at 8 p.m. at Centennial Hall. Of the plethora of stand-up comedians that emerged in the big comedy boom of the early 1980s, Wright has by far exhibited the greatest staying power and success.
I interviewed Wright last week. Often entertainers turn on their act during an interview, but with Wright it's clear he has pulled his life into his act. He really spends his time wondering about the goofy, quirky aspects of life. He is measured and thoughtful and his deadpan delivery during his performances is just the way he talks.
Wright is to comedy what the Talking Heads were to rock and roll. A little nerdy and off-beat; no shirts-unbuttoned-to-the-navel, no screaming or cross-dressing or explosions, just lots of imagination and good writing. Wright's show is $26, but it is a chance to see an acclaimed, national comedian in action.
At 7 p.m. Friday actor Gene Tagaban will introduce "The Business of Fancy Dancing" at the Gold Town Nickelodeon. The film will show seven times over the course of a weekend but Tagaban will introduce just the first screening - check the movie calendar for a complete list of showtimes.
Tagaban used to live in Juneau and has moved to Seattle to pursue an acting and performing career. He was in several Perseverance Theatre plays, including "Short Stories," as well as Na Kahidi Theatre productions. He is a talented actor, and it's not surprising he landed a role in a major independent film, Sherman Alexie's "The Business of Fancy Dancing."
I've read all of Alexie's books, his short stories, poetry and novels, and I'm looking forward to seeing his latest effort. Alexie wrote "Smoke Signals," and he's written and directed "Fancy Dancing," which features some of the same characters. Tagaban will talk a little about working on the film and introduce the 7 p.m. show.
Saturday night there are also two worthwhile events competing. Folk singer Tom May performs a concert at 8 p.m. at Northern Light United Church. He's a well-established singer and guitarist and many of his songs chronicle life in the American West.
Juneau writer and storyteller Brett Dillingham has organized a music and poetry party from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday night. His friend Nile Stanley, a poet from Florida, is in town, and Dillingham and Stanley will be the featured performers. Dillingham will not be telling stories but delivering his original poetry.
He's invited other local poets to participate, and also set up time for an open mike so that anyone who wants to do a few minutes of poetry can get some stage time. Musicians will also be performing, with and separate from the poets. Bassist Tully Devine, guitarist Jay Caputo and drummer Clay Good will perform. Admission is $10, and all proceeds benefit the Glory Hole and the Juneau arts council.