Capital City Weekly

Briannah Letter performs at Juneau Lyric Opera’s production of “Who’s Your Diva?” at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

High school student wins Who’s Your Diva?

The night’s youngest diva took home the biggest prize. Briannah Letter, a 17-year-old Thunder Mountain High School student, placed first in the seventh annual Who’s… Continue reading

Briannah Letter performs at Juneau Lyric Opera’s production of “Who’s Your Diva?” at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Valley Toastmasters Club President Jenn Berger speaks during a Tuesday morning meeting. Recently, she and two other members received recognition as Competent Communicators for delivering at least 10 speeches. Club member Joyce Vick was recognized during the same meeting as a Distinguished Toastmaster, which is the public speaking organization’s highest level award. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Toastmasters earn awards

Arduous was the Valley Toastmasters’ word of the day last Tuesday, and it seemed fitting. The meeting included awards recognizing several long journeys. Three members… Continue reading

Valley Toastmasters Club President Jenn Berger speaks during a Tuesday morning meeting. Recently, she and two other members received recognition as Competent Communicators for delivering at least 10 speeches. Club member Joyce Vick was recognized during the same meeting as a Distinguished Toastmaster, which is the public speaking organization’s highest level award. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Planet Alaska: Highbush Cranberries and Traditional Values

Planet Alaska: Highbush Cranberries and Traditional Values

Berry picking for us is a family event with several generations harvesting together.

Planet Alaska: Highbush Cranberries and Traditional Values
Juneau Cabaret’s special concert series inspired by the “Great American Songbook” starts its third season this weekend with a look at the works of Jerome Kern. (Michael Maasen | Unsplash)

Juneau Cabaret starts Season 3 of ‘Great American’ concert series

The third season of Juneau Cabaret’s special “Great American Songbook” concert series starts this weekend. The pay-what-you can concerts will be 2 p.m. Sept. 29… Continue reading

Juneau Cabaret’s special concert series inspired by the “Great American Songbook” starts its third season this weekend with a look at the works of Jerome Kern. (Michael Maasen | Unsplash)
Fall Freakshow concert brings metal acts to the JACC

Fall Freakshow concert brings metal acts to the JACC

BY BEN HOHENSTATT Capital City Weekly • Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at 523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @capweekly.… Continue reading

Fall Freakshow concert brings metal acts to the JACC
The Nude & Rude Revue burlesque troupe prepares to kick off its opening number. Core members are Taylor Vidic, Kelsey Riker, Anya Absten and Alyssa Kane. The burlesque performers are in the swing of a West Coast tour that includes three performances in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

His and her-lesque: Nude & Rude Revue perform in Juneau

Feather boas and David Bowie came together Thursday, The Nude & Rude Revue, a Skagway-based burlesque troupe, brought glitzy routines and glam rock covers to… Continue reading

The Nude & Rude Revue burlesque troupe prepares to kick off its opening number. Core members are Taylor Vidic, Kelsey Riker, Anya Absten and Alyssa Kane. The burlesque performers are in the swing of a West Coast tour that includes three performances in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Photos: Who’s Your Diva?

Photos: Who’s Your Diva?

Seven contestants compete in Juneau Lyric Opera’s “Who’s Your Diva?” at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. Contact Staff Photographer Michael Penn at 523-2262… Continue reading

Photos: Who’s Your Diva?
Katy Giorgio, president for Orpheus Project and producer for the upcoming “Princess Sophia” opera, speaks in front of a slide of Vanderbilt Reef, where the Princess Sophia sunk in 1918. The opera, which opens on the 100th anniversary of the wreck that claimed at least 350 lives, was the subject of an Evening at Egan lecture series talk. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

5 takeways from Princess Sophia opera Evening at Egan

Katy Giorgio spoke Friday at University of Alaska Southeast for the Evening at Egan lecture series about the “Princess Sophia” opera.

Katy Giorgio, president for Orpheus Project and producer for the upcoming “Princess Sophia” opera, speaks in front of a slide of Vanderbilt Reef, where the Princess Sophia sunk in 1918. The opera, which opens on the 100th anniversary of the wreck that claimed at least 350 lives, was the subject of an Evening at Egan lecture series talk. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Sweat and driftwood: Building from scratch

Sweat and driftwood: Building from scratch

It’s difficult to get building materials such as siding and roofing out in the wilderness, so when my sister Megan visited recently with the desire… Continue reading

Sweat and driftwood: Building from scratch
Exhibit Specialist Aaron Elmore positions one of the eight legs for a giant octopus he is building for the Alaska State Museum’s children’s room on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)

Octopus art piece coming to the Alaska State Museum

A large creature is being assembled behind the scenes at the Alaska State Museum, and by spring it will be alive.

Exhibit Specialist Aaron Elmore positions one of the eight legs for a giant octopus he is building for the Alaska State Museum’s children’s room on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly)
Former Juneauites ready to show their metal

Former Juneauites ready to show their metal

When Distance Defined plays the Fall Freakshow, it will be a homecoming of sorts for the Days brothers. Guitarist Trevyn Days and bassist Trentyn Days… Continue reading

Former Juneauites ready to show their metal
Last year’s Who’s Your Diva winner Robin Thomas smiles in the aftermath of her win. This year’s contest starts 7 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall and includes seven contestants. (Courtesy photo | Ron Gile for Who’s Your Diva)

It’s Who’s Your Diva? time

In its seventh year, Who’s Your Diva will feature seven contestants. And for the first time ever, one of the folks gunning Saturday evening for… Continue reading

Last year’s Who’s Your Diva winner Robin Thomas smiles in the aftermath of her win. This year’s contest starts 7 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall and includes seven contestants. (Courtesy photo | Ron Gile for Who’s Your Diva)
The 29th Annual Juneau Barn Dance Season starts Saturday. Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ann’s Parish Hall, 430 Fifth St., and will feature Celtic music courtest of the Taku Gaels. (Madelon | Unsplash)

29th Annual Juneau Barn Dance Season starts Saturday

The 29th Annual Juneau Barn Dance Season starts Saturday. Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ann’s Parish Hall, 430 Fifth St., and will feature… Continue reading

The 29th Annual Juneau Barn Dance Season starts Saturday. Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ann’s Parish Hall, 430 Fifth St., and will feature Celtic music courtest of the Taku Gaels. (Madelon | Unsplash)
Last year’s Who’s Your Diva winner Robin Thomas smiles in the aftermath of her win. This year’s contest starts 7 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall and includes seven contestants. (Courtesy photo | Ron Gile for Who’s Your Diva)

It’s Who’s Your Diva? time

In its seventh year, Who’s Your Diva will feature seven contestants. And for the first time ever, one of the folks gunning Saturday evening for… Continue reading

Last year’s Who’s Your Diva winner Robin Thomas smiles in the aftermath of her win. This year’s contest starts 7 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall and includes seven contestants. (Courtesy photo | Ron Gile for Who’s Your Diva)
Andy Miller, a Juneau musician, released an album of 28 songs about Alaska titled, “Alaska in 28 Songs.” The project started with a goal of writing 49 songs for the 49th state, but Miller fatigue set in, and he released the project as a a pay-what-you-want Bandcamp album. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Local musician releases ‘Alaska in 28 Songs’ online

Andy Miller quit after making it just past half way to his goal, but he has 28 new songs to show for it. Miller, a… Continue reading

Andy Miller, a Juneau musician, released an album of 28 songs about Alaska titled, “Alaska in 28 Songs.” The project started with a goal of writing 49 songs for the 49th state, but Miller fatigue set in, and he released the project as a a pay-what-you-want Bandcamp album. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Ayyu Qassataq, Vice President for First Alaskans Institute passes a microphone to Adrianne Christensen of Port Heiden, who was in Juneau for a two-day social justice summit FAI hosted at Centennial Hall. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

First Alaskans Institute summit encourages inclusivity

To make a 10,000-year partnership work, there has to be understanding. That was the message on the lips of those in attendance at the Social… Continue reading

Ayyu Qassataq, Vice President for First Alaskans Institute passes a microphone to Adrianne Christensen of Port Heiden, who was in Juneau for a two-day social justice summit FAI hosted at Centennial Hall. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
The Woosh.ji.een Dance Group makes a special performance at the Indigenous people performance titled “You Don’t Have To Go Home, But You Can’t Stay Here” at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

“You Don’t Have to Go Home, But You Can’t Stay Here” pushes personal, artistic boundaries

“You Don’t Have to Go Home, But You Can’t Stay Here” pushed personal boundaries and blurred artistic ones. Comedy, dance, drag and poetry mingled on… Continue reading

The Woosh.ji.een Dance Group makes a special performance at the Indigenous people performance titled “You Don’t Have To Go Home, But You Can’t Stay Here” at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lola Brown, 10, watches closely as a siphon pump and length of hose empties one jug of water into a jug sitting on the floor. Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day included time at six different stations, and each station introduced science and engineering principles with experiments. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day causes smiles, messes

Balloon shreds and balls of masking tape littered the floor at Centennial Hall Saturday morning, and things were just getting started. Introduce a Girl to… Continue reading

Lola Brown, 10, watches closely as a siphon pump and length of hose empties one jug of water into a jug sitting on the floor. Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day included time at six different stations, and each station introduced science and engineering principles with experiments. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Violin instructor Guo Hua Xia, right, listens as violinist Lisa Eldridge and pianist Kyle Farley-Robinson practice their recital piece at Northern Light United Church on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau)

Violin students excited for public recital

For the first time Xia Violin Studio students are getting ready for a public recital.

Violin instructor Guo Hua Xia, right, listens as violinist Lisa Eldridge and pianist Kyle Farley-Robinson practice their recital piece at Northern Light United Church on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau)
Mary Folletti Cruise and her daughter, Enza, watch drag queen Lituya Hart during the Besties 4 Breasties drag show fundraiser that benefitted Folletti Cruise, who has been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. In a few weeks, she will travel to Seattle for treatment. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Local woman benefits from medical fundraiser drag show

Mary Folletti Cruise’s medical fundraiser came with pulsing club music, sweeping colored lights and plenty of glitz. Folletti Cruise, an employee of Central Council of… Continue reading

Mary Folletti Cruise and her daughter, Enza, watch drag queen Lituya Hart during the Besties 4 Breasties drag show fundraiser that benefitted Folletti Cruise, who has been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. In a few weeks, she will travel to Seattle for treatment. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)