Passionate Bach
J.S. Bach's "St. John Passion" will be presented in a staged performance by the Anchorage Concert Chorus. The cast includes Steven Alvarez as the Evangelist, George Yang as Jesus and Kyle Gantz as Pontius Pilate. Other soloists will be Mari Hahn, Marsha Miller-Ackerman, Zachary Milliman and Steve Dixon. Grant Cochran conducts the singers and orchestra, Dick Reichman directs the stage action. Simple but stunning sets and costumes are the work of artist Margret Hugi-Lewis. There'll be two performances in Atwood Concert Hall, one at 8 p.m. Friday and the other at 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $30 at centertix.net.
Songs, stories and watercolors
Former Anchorage artist and musician Randy Rutherford is back in town with a showing of his watercolors at Blue.Hollomon Gallery, 3555 Arctic Blvd. It opened Thursday. As part of the exhibit, Rutherford will present his award-winning solo theater piece, "Walk Like a Man," described as "a bittersweet coming-of-age story, guaranteed to tickle your funny-bone." The piece will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday and again at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 and 3 p.m. Oct. 27. Tickets $17 in advance -- and seating is very limited. Call 563-2787. Videoclips can be viewed at randyrutherford.net.
Creative nonfiction
Tom Kizzia, who wrote the original stories about the Pilgrim Family for the Daily News, spent three years writing his book about the clan and its sinister patriarch, "Pilgrim's Wilderness." He'll talk about what he learned in the process of turning award-winning newspaper writing into a successful book. His free chat, "Little Did I Know: Reading & Craft Talk," will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Great Harvest Bread Company, 570 E. Benson Blvd., hosted by 49 Writers. The event is free.
Now there are three
Just three performances of Agatha Christie's enduring mystery "And Then There Were None" remain at Anchorage Community Theatre, 1133 E. 70th Ave. Ten strangers are stuck on an island. Each has a secret. One by one they are killed by an unknown party for their past crimes. Who'll be the last one standing? Find out at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at actalaska.org.
Bright and shiny
The Alaska Bead Society's annual Bead Arts Gala takes place 10 a.m-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday at the Anchorage Museum, 625 C St. The featured artist is Loey Stayden of Alaska Rocks. Shop some of the best bead art anywhere, talk with 50 or so beaders, catch demonstrations and stop by the make-it, take-it table. Free with museum admission.
Compiled by arts reporter
Mike Dunham