First Friday includes game show
September’s First Friday celebration will feature felted mushrooms, a game show, at the Hammer Museum and a meet-and-greet reception at the Babbling Book.
Friday, Sept. 1 will mark a new era for the Main Street bookstore. The store will officially change hands from Tom and Liz Heywood to Darcee Messano. Messano said she wants First Friday to be a “come meet the new owner” open house. The store will also celebrate its 25th business anniversary.
The Hammer Museum will open its doors for First Friday and host an interactive “game show,” said staffer Charlie Henry. Henry said several local craftsmen will be invited earlier in the day to learn about specific hammers in the museum. As guests visit for First Friday, the craftsmen will tell “two truths and a lie” about a hammer’s uses and community members must guess the lie. The game will tell who in town are the real hammer experts. Henry also said people can “cruise on in” for snacks and drinks.
Skipping Stone Studios will feature three artists for a “fiber extravaganza,” said owner Joanie Wagner. Julie Folta will display her felt mushrooms, Mardell Gunn will present woven rugs and Evelyna Vignola will show her weavings. Wagner said she is hoping to have music and snacks.
Amelia Nash will open her show called “What Binds Them Together” at the Alaska Arts Confluence for First Friday. Nash said her work which uses mostly collage, watercolor, pen and ink, and encaustic wax – “folds together elements of costume history, the natural world and ephemera from centuries past, exploring the landscape of femininity and modernity through the ages,” Nash said
Carol Tuynman said the Arts Confluence will again host the popular sidewalk chalk contest introduced last month, weather permitting.
Port Chilkoot Distillery will feature “Mancave Metalwork” by Josh Benassi. Alaska Rod’s will feature the jewelry of artist Angela Wilde, and Haines Brewing Company will have John Hagen’s photography.
The Haines Chamber of Commerce will also host a meet and greet with new Executive Director Tracy Harmon at the Main Street entrance of the Gateway Building.
The Haines Sheldon Museum’s exhibit “Surrogate Reality” by Chris Nowicki, featuring mezzotints, that debuted during August’s First Friday will be open through Sept. 20.
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Folk singer to play at Chilkat Center
Southeast Alaska State Fair performer Gordie Tentrees will return to Haines Sunday, Sept. 24 for a show at the Chilkat Center.
The Haines Arts Council will host Tentrees at its first fall concert, said president Tom Heywood.
Tentrees is a folk artist originally from Ontario, Canada. He who was a successful amateur boxer, school teacher and youth counselor before moving to music in his mid-twenties. Tentrees plays guitar, dobro and harmonica, and has performed both as a solo act and in a band called “Hill Country News.”
Tentrees’ sound has been described as a mix of folk, roots and blues. He has released six records and performed over 2,000 concerts across the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia.
“He is an acclaimed storyteller, and singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist blues musician, who connects with audiences through his rich personal experiences,” said Southeast Alaska State Fair Director Jessica Edwards. The performance begins at 7 p.m. with tickets sold at the door. Tentrees also is performing in Skagway on Sept. 23 before travelling to Haines.
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Concert fundraiser helps Hospice
This month, a night of local music in a cozy home setting will serve as a fundraiser for local nonprofit Hospice of Haines.
Haines School students Matilda Rogers and Nora Prisciandaro will open the concert with “The Matilda and Nora Duet,” followed by Liz Marantz, Eric Holle and Kip Kermoian in the group Dr. Marantz and the Pacemakers. Neil Einsbruch will perform as the “Alaska Magic Man.” The concert will close with the band Extended Play, made up of Tom Heywood, Mark Battaion, Burl Sheldon and Nancy Berland.
Tim and Ann Myren are hosting the event at their home at 10 Mile Lutak Road on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Ann Myren said the concert, in its fifth year, started as an annual event but has since been scheduled every other year.
“It is important for Hospice in that it raises money for their operating budget, thereby helping them provide their important services to our community,” Myren said. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to Hospice of Haines.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, advanced purchase is required due to limited seating. Call or email Hospice of Haines to reserve seats or send a message on Facebook. Admission includes sweet and savory snacks, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.