Alaska News

Arts scene: 'Nunsense,' James Evenson, 'Wrangell Mountain Skyboys,' Alan Chow

Epic crash

In 1943 famed pilot Harold "Thrill 'em, spill 'em, no kill 'em" Gillam cracked up in the wilderness of Southeast Alaska. His death following the wreck is well known. Less known is the fate of the passengers, several of whom survived for a month before working their way to where they could be rescued. That's the subject of John Tippets' book "Heart of Courage: The Gillam Plane Crash and the Amazing True Story of Survival in the Frozen Wilderness," based on his father's account of the ordeal. Tippet will speak and sign copies of the book at 2 p.m. Friday at the UAA Campus Bookstore. His trip to Alaska coincides with the opening of an Anchorage Museum exhibit, "Wrangell Mountain Skyboys: Making History Above Alaska's Copper Belt," which just happens to include Gillam.

Stony beauty

James Evenson, the much-honored grand old arts guy from the Kenai, has a show of stone lithographs on display this month at Aurora Fine Arts, 737 W. Fifth Ave. In addition to being a much-exhibited painter, Evenson is a master printer. "7 Stones" will open with a reception at 5 p.m. Friday.

Master of the keys

Pianist Alan Chow will present a virtuoso recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the UAA Arts Building Recital Hall. This Juilliard-trained pianist has garnered several international awards, including the Gina Bachauer and William Kapell competitions. The program announced includes music by Haydn, Liszt and Chopin as well as contemporary pieces. Admission is $18, $15 for seniors and students, available at centertix.net.

Sisters in a stew

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Anchorage Community Theatre presents "Nunsense," the phenomenally popular, wacky and very punchy comedy about an order of reverend sisters reeling after the nun on kitchen duty accidentally poisons 52 of their number. Tickets, $15, are available at actalaska.org. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through May 19. Catch the fun at the ACT studio, 1133 E. 70th Ave.

Compiled by arts reporter

Mike Dunham

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