Even people who can’t show their face in public can have fun at the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum.
Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum will hold a Mask-erade Ball Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff building.
“I think it will really be a lot of fun,” said Mary Lou Gerbi, Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum president.
The event, which helps celebrate the Friends’ 50th anniversary, will include drinks for sale from Alaskan Brewing Company, non-alcoholic ginger beer from Amalga Distillery, and live music from Susu and the Prophets.
“They’re an awesome dance band,” Gerbi said.
Riley Woodford, guitarist and vocalist for the band, said they mostly play dance music from the ’60s through today, and their repertoire includes a lot of crowd-pleasers.
“People do a lot of singing at our gigs too,” Woodford said. “We like a lot of music people love. We’re really looking forward to the space. Basically having a party in that giant room, it’s going to be interesting.”
Woodford said the band would be wearing masks for the performance, and Gerbi said it’s hoped all attendees will wear masks to the Mask-erade Ball, but it’s not required.
For those who want to wear a mask but don’t yet have one, there will be a mask-making workshop for $5 per mask, noon-3 p.m. at the APK building library the same day as the ball.
“It’s an all-ages event,” said Kathleen Harper, who will be leading the mask-making activity. “Most of what we’ve got are creative foam-type stuff, which means it’s a nice comfortable something. So when we stick it on our faces it’s not horrible.”
There will be some blank masks already cut out and ready for decoration, and participants will also be able to cut out their own design from foam.
Sequence, feathers, coloring materials and more will be available to decorate the masks.
“We’re mostly going toward the masquerade type mask,” Harper said. “Mostly a lot of half masks. There’s a lot of different ways people can go with that.”
At the ball, there will be raffle tickets for sale that will help raise funds for the Friends. Prizes include Alaska Airlines tickets, a cruise, a trip to Mount Roberts and more. The tickets cost $10 each or three for $25.
Additionally, masks currently on display in the State Museum’s mezzanine will factor into the celebration.
Works by Dan Fruits, Dick Benedict, Daniel Papke, Kay Field Parker, and more will be auctioned off during the Mask-erade.
“Everything we make goes to the museum and the library and the archives,” Gerbi said.
Know & GO
What: Mask-erade Ball
When: 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
Where: The atrium of the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff building, 395 Whittier St.
Admission: Tickets cost $25 and will be available at through Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, Hearthside Books and the store at the State Museum
• Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at 523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @benhohenstatt.
Susu and the Prophets (Simon Taylor, Shona Osterhaut, Riley Woodford, Mike Maas and Austin Osterhaut) will perform at the Mask-erade Ball at Alaska State Library, Museum and Archives. The Oct. 20 event is part of the Friends of the Alaska State Library Archives and Museum’s 50th anniversary celebration. (Courtesy Photo | Leanna Stern for Susu and the Prophets)
