Alaskans who have joined the museum as a result of the current "Star Wars" exhibit will particularly want to note the techy angle to their membership.
Actually, the Anchorage Museum has promoted the "super ticket" for a while, but until last week I hadn't put two and two together. The benefit is offered through the Association of Science-Technology Centers and is called the Passport Program. The full list, which features such major institutions as Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences and the fabulous National Museum of Science and Industry in London, can be found at www.astc.org. Check it before your next trip out of state.
Concertmaster receives awards
If anyone wondered why associate concertmaster Matt Berman was in the hot seat at the Anchorage Symphony concert on Feb. 20 (and doing a fine job, by the way), it's because concertmaster Kathryn Hoffer was in Santa Clara, Calif., to receive the Elizabeth A. H. Green School Educator Award.
According to the ASO, Hoffer had not missed a single concert since 1983. But she might be forgiven for skipping this one. The national award, given by the American String Teacher's Association, recognizes one orchestra teacher annually "who has a current and distinguished career in a school orchestra setting."
In addition, Hoffer was recognized as one of the year's best band and orchestra teachers in the December 2009 issure of School Band and Orchestra Magazine. The publication selected 50 teachers, one per state, from around the country.
'Cold' success
Anchorage writer and scientist Bill Streever has been nominated for an Los Angeles Times Book Prize. "Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places" (Little, Brown and Co.), which came out last summer, is among five titles in the running for the prize in the Science and Technology category. Other nominees include "Catching Fire" by Ricahrd Wrangham (Basic Books/Perseus Book Group) -- so we may finally get an indication of which force would prevail in the battle between flame and ice. Winners of the prestigious awards will be announced April 23.
Pilot bread reading event returns
After raising $19,000 for the purchase of 9,500 books last year, the "Feeding Hungry Minds" campaign returns next month. For every two-pound box of Sailor Boy Pilot Bread sold during the March campaign, Interbake Foods will donate 50 cents to First Book Advisory Boards in Alaska, including the Anchorage and Rural Alaska chapters. The purpose of the program is to increase awareness about the importance of literacy as well as funds to purchase books for Alaska children from low-income homes. All First Book books become the property of the children so they can enjoy the magic of owning and reading books of their very own. In theory, this will get them more interested in reading and learning.
"Unfortunately, nearly half of Alaska's children enter school unprepared, leading to poor performance and high-school dropout," reads a press release.
Fortunately, Alaskans eat more pilot bread than anyone -- like 94 percent of all Sailor Boy that Interbake makes. So this is a good cause that's pretty easy to get behind.
For more information about First Book, visit www.firstbook.org.
Mozart birthday number published
Pianist Juliana Osinchuk's variations on "Happy Birthday" in honor of Mozart have been published by Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc. Originally composed to honor W. A. Mozart's 250th birthday, "Happy Birthday, Wolfgang" was premiered on January 26, 2006 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Osinchuk wove references to several of Mozart's better-known tunes into the piece, "Eine kleine nachtmusik," the slow movement from the so-called "Elvira Madigan" concerto, etc.
And, as you can hear on her performance of the piece on her recent CD, "Keys to Recovery," it's suitably virtuosic. For the published version, however, she assures us that it has "been edited to be played by most late intermediate and early advanced pianists."
Benavides fundraiser
Local actor, writer and theater technician Richard Benavides -- a veteran of the old Synergy Dinner Theater and other presenters of yore -- has been battling cancer for two years.
He is currently cancer free but needs help in paying all the medical bills. (He's also a political aide, but apparently that job comes with minimum benefits.)
Once a Year Theater Company will present a benefit performance to raise funds for him on Tuesday at Sydney Laurence Theatre.
Local stage stars taking part in the event include Veronica Paige, John Fraser, Ursula Gould, Lois Simonson, Cindy Kelly, David Haynes, Ann Reddig and the comedy improv troupe Scared Scriptless. There'll also be a special screening of a new local movie from Buzz-O-Plex. Showtime is 7 p.m.
Sullivan tribute planned
Alice Bassler Sullivan, a leader and advocate for the art of dance in Alaska for 28 years, will be honored with a Gala Performance Friday, March 19 in the Sydney Laurence Theatre.
Directed by Courtland Weaver, and produced by Anchorage Ballet in collaboration with Alaska Dance Theatre, the show will feature several of Sullivan's choreographic works, as well as new dances and tributes by a wide range of local and visiting guest artists, dancers and musicians associated with her over the years.
This event will be one evening only, and seating is limited. Tickets are on sale for $32 through Centertix.
Find Mike Dunham online at adn.com/contact/mdunham or call 257-4332.
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