For the Love of Ska (Nervis Rex Rocks!)

Nervis Rex

One night a few years ago, my husband and I wandered into the Tap Root and encountered the Nervis Rex (Anchorage’s ska band of 18 years), for the first time. People flooded the dance floor, smiles were everywhere, and the energy in the room was running high. It was AWESOME, and now we try to make it to their shows when we can. Lucky for us, it’s “Ska Saturday” at Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse every Saturday this month through the first Saturday in March.

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It’s a Tuba Christmas!

tubas

Every year, I think to myself, “I want to go to the Tuba Christmas!” And then I forget, or get busy, and end up missing it. This year though, my parents made sure to call me when they were on their way to the performance, and the music, combined with all the gorgeous snow and a visit to Kobuk Coffe Co. afterward (always decorated from floor to ceiling for the holiday season) made it start to feel a lot like Christmas…

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Pottery and Paintings and Jewelry, Oh My!

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Today is Small Business Saturday (shop small!) and the second day of the Anchorage museum’s Crafts Weekend and the Read Alaska Book Fair. It’s a wonderful place to shop for gifts – there are so many wonderful creations, and the best part is getting to chat with the people who made them.

If you miss the museum show, you can find three of my favorite local artists showing their work together at Toni Maury’s studio (2527 Susitna Drive).

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Chocolate and Tea Tasting

chocolate

I just read a great article about giving experiences instead of giving gifts for the holidays, something I wholeheartedly agree with!  I’ve learned that it only works if you make sure to follow through though; I owe a certain loved-one a private yoga lesson, diving with sharks, and a visit to a masseuse… As a result of the “experience as gift” idea, my mom and I and recently enjoyed an evening at Summit Spice & Tea Company for a tea and chocolate tasting.

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Alaska Native Visionary Awards & “Wear Art, Thou?” Fashion Show

Water collection

Ingredients for an awesome girls night: one part art, one part fashion, a riff of music, a dose of inspiration, and a serving of sushi. Combine with old friends and new. Shake well, add a  flourish of champagne, and you’ve created an awesome girls night. Which happened to be last Friday night at the Alaska Native Visionary Awards by Alaska Native Heritage Month.

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Pupil + Paper: Make the Cut

paper dress

Is it just me, or is the cool factor of cultural offerings in Anchorage increasing exponentially? A few cool events bred TONS of cool events – and now there are just SO many fun things to do! On Saturday, I stopped by Pupil + Paper at the museum, the ridiculously creative fundraiser for the Children’s Lunchbox (a program of Bean’s Cafe) – it definitely “made the cut” as a cool new event.

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