On Saturday evening, Haines’ radio station KHNS will host a dance party for its annual spring fundraiser. Local DJ RadioCaroline will open the event and Whitehorse’s DJKJ will follow as the headliner.

In the past, KHNS has held wine-tasting events and concerts as fundraisers, but decided to have a more “dance-oriented event” this year, said development director Dawn Drotos

This will not be DJKJ’s, whose real name is Kevin Jack’s, first time performing in Haines, Drotos said. Jack first performed in the Chilkat Center three years ago. 

“I was so blown away by the energy of the Haines, Alaska, community,” Jack said Friday. He said he first got connected with Haines after a few Chilkat Valley locals went to Whitehorse for the Paradise Music Festival a few years back. Jack started DJ’ing in 2001 and said he’s evolved as the DJ technology has shifted from vinyls and toward digital music.

“I’m super pumped to bring some positivity and some light during this time,” Jack said. “As humans, we need to dance more and more connection to drown out the noise.”

Drotos said those in Haines familiar with his style and sound should be ready for a similar “let loose and dance” environment. The main event with music will be in the Chilkat Center lobby, with a children’s section in the wings of the theater, equipped with craft projects. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food will be available for purchase with all proceeds going to KHNS. The admission is by suggested donation of $20-50 and all ages are welcome.

“We don’t want the cost to prohibit anybody from attending,” Drotos said.

Historically, Drotos said that the station’s spring fundraisers typically raise a few thousand dollars.

The room will be decked out in blacklights, a disco ball and a sound system that Jack is bringing with him from Whitehorse.

The event runs from 7:30-10 p.m. Saturday, May 30, in the Chilkat Center lobby.

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect grammatical corrections.