Capital City Weekly

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)
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)
Alaska String Band reflects on Russian tour

Alaska String Band reflects on Russian tour

The Alaska String Band (ASB) is back from a Russian tour with stories of their experiences abroad fresh on their tongues and will share their… Continue reading

Alaska String Band reflects on Russian tour
TRAYLS crew and Ha Too Yeiti camp members watch as Ralph Wolfe of Yakutat shows how to process sockeye fillets. (Courtesy Photo | Ian Johnson)

Hoonah’s second annual culture camp weaves tradition into everyday life

The first week of July, over 60 community members and nearly 150 people of all ages boarded cars, trucks, vans and an Icy Strait bus… Continue reading

TRAYLS crew and Ha Too Yeiti camp members watch as Ralph Wolfe of Yakutat shows how to process sockeye fillets. (Courtesy Photo | Ian Johnson)
Allison Holtkamp and Donnie Gott smile as a storyteller arrives to rehearsal for “Same: Local Stories of Gender-Based Violence.” Holtkamp, director and producer of the show, and Holtkamp, storyteller and sound designer, said despite the show’s heavy topic, the experience of sharing stories is empowering and every story contains some levity.(Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

New show brings gender-based violence stories to the stage

“Same” will be different. The show, which is subtitled “Local stories of gender-based violence” and planned for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Perseverance Theatre, is… Continue reading

Allison Holtkamp and Donnie Gott smile as a storyteller arrives to rehearsal for “Same: Local Stories of Gender-Based Violence.” Holtkamp, director and producer of the show, and Holtkamp, storyteller and sound designer, said despite the show’s heavy topic, the experience of sharing stories is empowering and every story contains some levity.(Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff

Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff

Heather Mitchell and Karen Allen knew “Matilda” would be perfect for Theater at Latitude 58’s teen and tween actors. But there was a sizable obstacle:… Continue reading

Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff
Carol Stauffer fills out paperwork while Brian Van Kirk, Thunder Mountain High School music chair, inspects a trumpet donated by Stauffer, who also donated a clarinet. Stauffer’s daughters played the instruments in high school, when they were Van Kirk’s students. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Music drive is instrumental for high school program

They took the retired, the worn and the muddled saxes. Brian Van Kirk, music chair at Thunder Mountain High School, and a handful of band… Continue reading

Carol Stauffer fills out paperwork while Brian Van Kirk, Thunder Mountain High School music chair, inspects a trumpet donated by Stauffer, who also donated a clarinet. Stauffer’s daughters played the instruments in high school, when they were Van Kirk’s students. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Shadow Meienberg, Brian Wescott, Irene Bedard, Miciana Hutcherson and Ashleigh Watts rehearse “Our Town” on the mainstage at Perseverance Theatre. The classic play was chosen to begin the theater’s 40th season. While financial woes placed doubt on the theater’s future, those familiar with its financial situation said there is no danger of closure in the immediate future. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Perseverance Theatre: This is ‘Our Town’

With summer winding down, Perseverance Theatre is ramping up for its 40th season. Rehearsals have started for “Our Town,”which will start off the season and… Continue reading

Shadow Meienberg, Brian Wescott, Irene Bedard, Miciana Hutcherson and Ashleigh Watts rehearse “Our Town” on the mainstage at Perseverance Theatre. The classic play was chosen to begin the theater’s 40th season. While financial woes placed doubt on the theater’s future, those familiar with its financial situation said there is no danger of closure in the immediate future. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)