Tomorrow evening, Haines’ radio station KHNS will be hosting their annual spring fundraiser in the form of a dance party. Local DJ RadioCaroline will be opening 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 KHNS 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 came to perform in the Chilkat Center three years ago. 

“I was so blown away by the energy of the Haines, Alaska community,” Jack said on Friday. He said he first got connected with the Haines community after a few Haines locals went to Whitehorse for the Paradise Music Festival. Jack started DJ’ing in 2001 and said he has had to evolve as the DJ technology has shifted away from vinyls and towards online music streaming.

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

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 lobby of the Chilkat Center, with a kids 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 and all ages are welcome.

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

Historically, Drotos said that these fundraisers typically raise a few thousand dollars. “They’re as much kind of a community event and kind of outreach as they are fundraisers for the radio station too,” Drotos said. 

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.