The Denali Arts Council hosts International Guitar Night, the world’s premier touring guitar festival. For each tour, founder Brian Gore brings together a new cast of guitar luminaries for special evenings of solos, duets, and quartets that highlight the dexterity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar. For this year's lineup and to purchase tickets go to denaliartscouncil.org.  The show is Sunday, January 26th at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar at 7pm.

Talkeetna Public Library offers Reading Mentors Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:15pm. Second to fourth graders are invited to attend this program, where students are matched with adult reading partners. This program is aimed at teaching confidence in reading.  Please call the library at 907-861-7645 if you are interested in being a mentor.

The community is invited to a Kick-Off Party in Village Park for the Talkeetna Ice Festival from 4 - 6pm to celebrate the start of the Festival and the ice carving competition. The Talkeetna Elementary School PTA will have s’mores, hot cocoa, and hot soups for sale (benefiting the Talkeetna Elementary PTA). There is ice available if you are interested in carving, register at denaliartscouncil.org.

The Talkeetna Historical Society is hosting the annual Talkeetna Jeopardy game on Thursday, January 30th, at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:00pm. Ticket proceeds support the museum. Team participants are still needed. Please contact the museum at 907-733-2487 or message them on social media if you are interested.

The Talkeetna Art Walk is Friday, January 31st from 3pm to 6pm. There are multiple participating businesses featuring local artists. This free, family friendly event will have you enjoying beautiful art, interactive art installations and games, hot beverages and light snacks. Art walk passports are available for pickup on Friday, January 31st at the Flying Squirrel Bakery and Cafe and the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Passports can be turned in at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar between 5pm and 7pm that day to be entered into a drawing.

Denali Arts Council presents Myles from Dublin. This trio features John Walsh, Pat Broaders, and Jannell Canerday. This lovely concert of traditional Irish music and song will be by candle light. This beautiful event is free to the community at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar at 7pm. Donations are welcome.

The Talkeetna Public Library offers Book to Movie Saturday, February 1st at 6pm at the Talkeetna Public Library. Teens will talk about the book, The Bread Winner, and then watch the movie and have snacks.  Teen between 13 and 18 are welcome to join the fun. Pick up time is 8pm.

The world premier of Frostbitten, a 45 minute documentary by David Hannah is at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Saturday, February 1st. Frostbitten follows climber Nigel Vardy as he returns to Alaska 25 years after getting stuck on Denali, to thank the locals who saved his life. The film screening will be followed by a Q and A with David and Nigel. Doors open at 6:30pm, the film starts at 7pm.

Denali Nordic Ski Club hosts the 13th Annual Frozen Basil Poker Ski on Sunday, February 2nd. This 7.5 mile ski starts at 12pm at Flying Squirrel Bakery and Café and ends at Denali Brew Pub on Main Street. A shuttle is available from Denali Education Center to Flying Squirrel, running every 15 minutes from 10:45am until 12pm.

Talkeetna Public Library offers Reading Mentors Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:15pm. Second to fourth graders are invited to attend this program, where students are matched with adult reading partners. This program is aimed at teaching confidence in reading. Sunshine Transit is available to transport students from Talkeetna Elementary School. Homeschoolers are welcome. There is still space for students to join. Adult Mentors are also needed. Please register at the Talkeetna Elementary or call the library. Please call the library at 907-861-7645 to preregister for this program.

There is an Open House for public comment on the Strategic Plan for Mat-Su Borough Public Libraries on Wednesday, February 5th from 4 to 6pm. Suggestions and comments about what you envision for your library's future will be gathered.  There is also a short survey you can fill out; it is available online or on paper at all the Mat-Su Borough libraries. These are due Feb 16th. All are welcome to come give their input and enjoy some refreshments.

The Denali Nordic Ski Club will have its monthly board meeting on Thursday, February 6th at 6 pm at the Latitude 62. All are welcome.

The Talkeetna Skatepark Committee will meet on Thursday, February 6th, at 6 pm at the Talkeetna Public Library. At this meeting, they will conduct regular business and view and discuss the recently received park plan with Grindline, Inc.'s senior project manager, James Klinedinst, who will join via Zoom. A Zoom link is available for this meeting; please email TKASkatepark@gmail.com for the link.

The Susitna Community Council meets the first Thursday of each month at the Upper Susitna Community & Senior Center at 7pm. The next meeting is June 5th. All are welcome.

The Friends of the Talkeetna Library meet Friday, February 7th, at 1 pm, at the library. A Zoom option is available. Call the library at 907-861-7645 for the ID number and password. All are welcome.

As a part of the Willow State Winter Carnival, the Willow-Caswell Fire Department Auxiliary presents a Fire & Ice Family Dance Night on Friday, February 7th from 6-10pm at the Willow Community Center.

Denali Arts Council celebrates love in all its forms at Talkeetna's annual variety show; Complexities of Love this Friday and Saturday, February 7th and 8th. This is a family friendly show. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7pm. Tickets and information at denaliartscouncil.org.

The VFW in Talkeetna is hosting a Super Bowl party on Sunday, February 9th. Doors open at 12:30, kickoff is at 2:30. All are welcome. Bring a snack to share if you can.

Denali Arts Council hosts the Fiber February Art Show on Sunday, February 9th from 3 to 7pm at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. There will also be spinning demonstrations and sheep on display. Fiber February features the fascinating world of fiber art. There will be opportunities to peruse weaving, hooking, felting and more by signing up for Fiber Workshops, held later this month. More information at denaliartscouncil.org.

The next meeting of the Talkeetna Public Library's Breakfast Book Club is Wednesday, February 12th at 9:30am  The book to read and discuss is The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. It is available at the front counter.  To join in via Zoom, call the library for Zoom information at 907-861-7645.

Denali Arts Council presents Fleetmac Wood Leather & Lace Disco party at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Thursday, February 13th. This rave and AV show reworks the classic-rock sound of Fleetwood Mac into a spectrum of electronic genres. This is a 21 and older dance party. Doors at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7pm. Tickets and information available at denaliartscouncil.org.

Unleash the Power of Your Library Card is a new drop in session at Talkeetna Public Library. Card holders are invited to drop by Saturday, February 15th anytime between 1 and 4pm to learn how to access the special features that your library card has to offer. This includes access to Alaska and national newspapers and magazines, putting library items from around the state on hold; renewing items, and accessing digital and audio books.

Please be sure your library card is current and you know your pin number. The librarians can help you with this if needed.

Denali Arts Council is hosting a yarn Swap at the Talkeetna Roadhouse Saturday, February 15th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm as part of Fiber February. This is a great way to de-stash if yarn is taking over your house or to pick up yarn if your stash needs replenishing. Yarn and knitting or crocheting supplies are welcome.

As part of the Talkeetna Bonspiel, Blackwater Railroad Company will be performing at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Saturday, February 15th. Doors open at 7pm and music starts at 8pm. Tickets available at denaliartscouncil.org.

The Talkeetna Paddle and Racket Committee meets at the Talkeetna Public Library on Wednesday, February 19th at 6pm. All are welcome.

Talkeetna Public Library hosts a Jigsaw Puzzle Competition on Saturday, February 22nd from 12pm until 4pm. Teams of two can sign-up to complete a 500 piece puzzle. All ages are welcome, kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. If you would like to compete, you may register by calling the library at (907)861-7645. Space is limited.

Denali Arts Council's fundraising event, Raising Spirits, is Saturday, February 22nd from 4 to 7pm. There will be artisanal foods and craft cocktails from Alaskan distilleries, music, an art auction and an aerialist. 100% of funds raised benefit the Denali Arts Council including the Emmila A Denny Scholarship Fund, the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar, and summer youth programming. This event is for 21 years and older, and tickets are available at denaliartscouncil.org.

Talkeetna Community Schools offers Pickleball and Ping Pong today (Tuesday) from 6 to 8 pm at Talkeetna Elementary School. For more information you may call (907) 733-9431.

Susitna Valley High School is having a fundraiser today (Wednesday) from 4-8pm at the school. There will be basketball games and some spinach bread for sale. The proceeds go to a student trip to Washington DC and other needs. All are welcome.

MUTT (Multi Users of Talkeetna Trails) is having a meeting for members and anyone who wants to become a member today (Wednesday, February 26th) at 6:30pm in the Beer hall at Denali Brewpub. They will plan their 3rd annual Rich Crain Classic event and are looking for volunteers and ideas. Those who would like to help with the event and/or have any ideas to share, are welcome to attend.

The next meeting for the Talkeetna Skatepark Committee is Thursday, February 27th at 6:00pm at the Talkeetna Public Library. All are welcome to attend.

The Susitna River Coalition is hosting a winter speaker series event Thursday, February 27th at 6PM. The topic is Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). This process has been used for decades to capture CO₂ from smokestacks and inject it underground, yet it has not lived up to expectations. Erin McKittrick, a data analyst, writer, and wilderness adventurer from Seldovia, Alaska, will present on how CCS works, its limitations, and the risks of relying on it for climate solutions. You are invited to tune in for this presentation on Zoom and FacebookLive.

The last home basketball games of the season at Susitna Valley High School are today (Friday, February 28th). Jr. Varsity games start at 3:30pm and Varsity begin at 6:30 pm, starting with girls then boys.

Talkeetna Community Schools is showing the PG-rated movie; IF on Friday, February 28th at  Talkeetna Elementary School. Doors open at 6:45, the movie begins at 7pm.