Performing Arts Season Begins

This year’s Denali Arts Council Performing Arts Season will bring musicians, acrobats, athletes, and an LED puppet show to the Upper Valley. The season began on September 12th with the Nordic Fiddlers. The November 2nd show with the 360 Allstars will bring a sort of urban circus to the Willow Community Center.

DAC’s Executive Director Michelle Crow says she hopes to bring about six shows during the Performing Arts Season each year to the Upper Valley. She says most of them are piggybacking on shows coming to Anchorage and Fairbanks. That coupled with sponsorships and grants help keep tickets affordable. 

Crow says she hopes the shows are a way to bring the Upper Valley community together during the cold months. Not only will they put on the shows at DAC or Willow Community Center, but performers also sometimes go into schools and libraries. Crow says community engagement is one of the ways she chooses which shows to book.

Community sponsorships are important to bringing the performances to the area. Talkeetna Roadhouse is lodging all the performers for this season. And Sunshine Transit sponsors transportation to bring Trapper Creek students down to participate.

This weekend’s show at Willow Community Center will feature BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming, and more. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for youth aged 7 to 17. Youth 6 and under get in for free.

International Guitar Night will return in January. Unit Souzou Taiko Drums will appear in March. And the Light Wire Theater, an LED puppet show, will round out the season in April. 

Other DAC events like B Movie Bingo, the Holiday Market, comedy shows, and music are regular happenings at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar.