First Friday
Residents game to brave the first frosts of winter will find some radiance hanging on the walls of local haunts for the Nov. 4 First Friday events.
Unique curios to digest alongside a glass of your favorite ale at the Haines Brewing Company will be hanging on the walls. The collection titled “Wildlife Issues” is a compilation of new works by artist Andrea Nelson, on display at the Haines Brewing Company through the month of November.
With textile taxidermy, found object assemblage and collage work, the show offers artistic play on matters surrounding our beloved local wildlife, with various critters represented. Nelson has been creating assemblage and collage compositions for more than 25 years. Her compulsion with collecting objects of intrigue has only more recently expanded into found fabrics and textile work. This show is a precursor to her March 2023 artist residency at the Jenni House in Whitehorse, Yukon where she will be focusing on a body of work based on fur-bearers and the history of the fur trade in the North. With a background in archaeology and museums, Nelson is focused on creating artwork informed by history and contextualized within specific natural and cultural landscapes.
If a winter ale isn’t your thing perhaps a stronger potion at the Port Chilkoot distillery might warm your spirit while you take in some Halloween décor and dramatic black and white photos of local scenery, an exhibit by photographer Larissa Murray titled, “Haines in Black & White” and “Autumn on the Kenai Peninsula.”
If that’s not toasty enough, Janice Studley is spicing up the evening hosting a table of hot treats at Alaska Rod’s where she will feature a variety of jams, jellies and relish made from fireweed, clover, apricot, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, and cherry, all of which include habañero peppers to warm your tastebuds throughout the winter stretch.
“I’ve just retired and so I’m glad to have this time to pursue other things,” Studley said. “I’m excited to see what the turnout will be.” Studley also has a regular table at the Farmers Market. Alaska Rod’s will be open 5 to 7 p.m.
Players to present Clue murder mystery
For residents already geared up for Halloween but looking for an earlier excuse to dress up and spook the neighbors, the Lynn Canal Community Players will be hosting a Halloween Murder Mystery party Saturday, Oct. 29. The party is “Clue” themed and is based around Mr. Boddy, the recently deceased millionaire whose relatives have all gathered for the funeral and are secretly vying for the estate. Foul play is suspected in the death of the wealthy Mr. Boddy but the guilty party is still unknown. Was it Miss Scarlet in the conservatory with the candlestick? Colonel Mustard in the kitchen with the cleaver? Or perhaps Professor Plum in the parlor with the poison? You won’t find out unless you participate.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun. We have twenty main characters all of which are local volunteers who have committed to playing their part,” said LCCP actress Tracy Harmon, who will embody Miss Scarlet for the evening’s affair. Other notable characters include Debra Schnabel as Miss Peacock, Ryan Laine as Colonel Mustard, John Norton as Professor Plum, Tom Morphet as Officer Indigo and Susie Waterhouse as Yvette the maid.
“It’s a lot to put together, but we managed to do it quickly,” Waterhouse said. “It’s going to be exciting for everyone, whether you’re a character or not, you are in on the plot!”
The event is billed as an LCCP meet and greet, but “the goal is for people in the town to learn how to get involved in the community. We would love to have people offer their ideas for possible upcoming shows and other events here in Haines,” Harmon said.
The adventure begins Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Chilkat Center lobby. Appetizers are provided. Be warned however, as mentioned in the invitation: “Use caution in considering your involvement in this gathering, for as likely as it is that you will walk away with a great deal of inheritance, you are just as likely to not walk out at all!”