Photography, collage and painting
Look for everything from photographs of urban oddities to abstract collage work and a mother-daughter collaboration angled on animal predation at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art this month.
Gregory Carr's photographs explore the exotic details of the human habitat, from railcar graffiti and window sills to a shopping cart seemingly tossed into a cloudy sky. The Anchorage photographer took his shots from multiple settings.
The exhibit by Jessie Worth Hedden of Fairbanks includes several oil paintings and a selection of collage pieces made with bright-hued paper. The deep lines between layers present a sense of depth, while the medium itself conveys simplicity and formal precision at the same time.
The show "Predators" in the guest room features paintings by Julie Decker along with drawings by her daughter, now in elementary school. Their work reflects on the tension in an "animal-eat-animal" world.
The three shows continue through Sept. 28 at the gallery, 427 D St. (www.igca alaska.org).
-- Dawnell Smith
THEATER
Expanding on magic's golden age
Magicians made a bucket of money during the golden age of magic in the 19th century, but many find themselves relegated to children's birthday parties now.
Wayne Mitchell wants to broaden the art form's audience by melding tuxedos and top hats with the visual artistry of cirque nouveau, incorporating juggling and acrobatics with old-school illusions that make people wonder about what's real and what's not.
The director of TBA Theatre's production of "Illusions: Origins" wants to pose the question "What might the golden age of magic look like if it never ended?"
This fifth installment of "Illusions" takes a monochromatic look through the use of black, white and shades of gray in the costumes, set and lighting. The crew uses only occasional splashes of color to emphasize the significant, the unique.
TBA Theatre's production of "Illusions: Origins" will be presented at 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Grant Hall at Alaska Pacific University. Tickets are $7 general admission and $5 for students, seniors and military members at the door. Go to www.tbatheatre for more information.
-- Dawnell Smith
MUSIC
Gypsy jazz
Hear one of the pioneers in American gypsy jazz tonight when the John Jorgenson Quintet performs in Anchorage for the first time.
Regarded as a phenomenal guitarist, Jorgenson played with Elton John for six years and recorded with musicians such as Sting and Bonnie Raitt. He has cut several records of his own and helped form The Desert Rose Band and the guitar trio the Hellecasters. He also plays clarinet and does vocals.
His band has played at events ranging from the Winnipeg Folk Festival to the Montreal Jazz Festival and tonight will perform originals, classics and gypsy jazz by Django Reinhardt.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. in Laurence Theatre at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22.50 for students (centertix.net). Find out more about the band at johnjorgenson. com or www.whistlingswan.net.
-- Dawnell Smith
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