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Rozell will launch the University of Alaska Fairbanks Summer Sessions Spotlight Series on Wednesday, May 30, with "The Top 20 Things You Didn't Know About Alaska." For instance, we all know chickadees are cool little birds, but Alaska's are super chickadees. The state also boasts 57 Willow Creeks and islands that have disappeared, both by our hand and by Mother Nature's.
Rozell has written more than 700 science columns geared for non-scientists as a writer for UAF's Geophysical Institute. He's also the author of three books, including "Finding Mars," and "Walking My Dog, Jane."
The Spotlight Series runs every Wednesday through Aug. 15 (except July 4) at Schaible Auditorium. It's free and open to the public. For more information, visit UAF Summer Sessions spotlight.
The series will feature five out-of-town artists, as well as showcase local talent. First on the schedule is Laura Gibson, a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Portland, Ore. Gibson's music is described as "psych-folk," or a "Subtle cross between Jolie Holland and a tame Joanna Newsom." Gibson will perform at 8 p.m. June 1 at the UAF Pub and June 2 in an all-ages show at the Pioneer Park Theater. Admission is $5 or free with a Polar Express card.
Other performers this summer include Jeffrey Lewis (June 29-30), Netherfriends (July 12-13), Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt (Aug. 3.) and others TBA.
The Fairbanks Airport Operators Council is hosting Fairbanks Aviation Day on Saturday, May 19, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alaska Aerofuel Corporate Aviation Facility in the Sadler Building on the northwest corner of the airport, 5904 Old Airport Way.
The event starts off with a pancake breakfast to benefit aviation scholarships and educational programs in the community. It includes hands-on activities for kids, mini-seminar and airport tours.
The Experimental Aircraft Association will host a Young Eagles program, where youth ages 8-17 will be able to take a free introductory flight.
Aviation Day is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/FairbanksAOC
A century ago, two towns were battling it out to become the dominant settlement in Interior Alaska. One was Fairbanks. The other was Chena.
In its heyday, in the first decade of the 1900s, Chena was larger than Fairbanks. The gold camp at the junction of the Chena and Tanana rivers had hotels, general stores, a bakery, churches, a public school and a fire department. It was the home of the Tanana Valley Railroad and was eight miles and 40 minutes from Fairbanks by train. But within a few years, it withered, and all traces seemingly vanished. You won’t find it on today’s maps.
Is it still there or has it eroded into the Tanana River?
Fairbanks surveyor Martin Gutoski believes he has uncovered clues about the location of the former town. He’ll talk about his research and unveil a map of his finds in his talk “Where the hell is Chena,” Tuesday, May 15, as part of the Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad’s Rail Stories. The talk begins at 7 p.m. at the TVRR Museum at Pioneer Park. For more information, call 479-4535 or email ftvrr.inc@gmail.com.
Wow, that's one slow train. Joggers would be passing it.
The Canadian master of the handyman's secret weapon is on the road with his Wit and Wisdom tour (we could make a jab here and say that it's likely a very short show with that title, but we'll refrain.) Red Green, otherwise known as Steve Smith, will perform on July 22 at Hering Auditorium. Tickets are on sale at Grassroots Guitar Co. or call 907-490-2858 or online at www.alaskatix.com.
For more info, see http://www.redgreen.com/
Below is a list of the 2012-13 season performers, along with performance dates and times. All performances will be held at Hering Auditorium, except for the New York Polyphony which will be held at Davis Concert Hall.
The 2011-12 season wraps up May 8 with a rescheduled performance from Lily Tomlin. Tickets are still available for Tomlin’s show. For tickets or more information, see FCA’s website at www.fairbanksconcert.org or call 474-8081.
Parsons Dance — 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 21
Riders In The Sky — 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 30
New York Polyphony — 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13
In the Footsteps of Django — 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21
Metta Quintet — 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16
Pink Martini — 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7
Cirque Mechanics — 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 20
Alasdair Fraser/Natalie Haas — 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8
The Good Lovelies — 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16
Ladysmith Black Mambazo — 8 p.m., Friday, March 15
BeauSoleil — 8 p.m., Friday, March 22
The StepCrew — 4 p.m., Sunday, April 14
Bruce Adolphe with Marija Stroke and Mark Steinberg — 8 p.m., Friday, May 3
FAIRBANKS - Big Brothers Big Sisters will be visiting the Dance Theatre Fairbanks studios as part of Global Youth Service Day for some dance fun.
Logan Lockwood, 12, came up with the idea after attending the 2011 Dance Excellence festival at Disneyland. She realized dance could change children’s lives and wanted to host a program that would encourage other local children to dance.
The event is from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Dance Theatre Fairbanks studios in downtown Fairbanks. The Aurora Dance Ensemble will perform a short show and will teach attendees a piece from the coming Dance Theatre Fairbanks production of Peter Pan. Ice cream and simple snacks will be served. All children attending will receive a free ticket to “Peter Pan” in May.
For more information, contact Dance Theatre Fairbanks at 978-1594.
FAIRBANKS - Hutchison High School student Rudy Martinez has spent the last year and a half planning a benefit concert for two non-profit organizations. The project comes to fruition Saturday when the Break the Silence Benefit concert starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Joel’s Place.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit To Write Love on Her Arms and Random People Who Care. Both organizations are focused on helping those with depression, suicidal thoughts or addictions. To Write Love on Her Arms is a national organization; Random People Who Care is a local faith-based organization.
Bands from across the state are scheduled to perform and include Anchors Alive, Awaken Antagonist, Harlequin State and Nine Day Fall.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, contact Joel’s Place at 452-2621.
"Paradise" follows Roy, a young and aspiring musician on his quest to find himself and his place in life. There's a forbidden love, a struggle between good and evil and a deal with the devil, along with lots of singing and dancing.
This production showcases West Valley's talented students, who also wrote original songs and choreography. Directed & written by Drama club co-adviser, Rebecca Dreier, Choreographed by Rachel Kvapil. Two shows only, April 19 & 20. Performances begin at 7 p.m. at West Valley Performance Center. Doors open at 6:30. Admission $5 students, $8 adults. Contact: 479-4221. -js