On the Fritts
Organist John Zimmerman knows his instrument inside and out -- literally. In addition to winning numerous awards, including a silver medal for his playing in a regional American Guild of Organists Young Artist Competition back in 1997, he's also interned with the prominent organ builder C.B. Fisk and had a hand in the overhaul of the historic Fisk instrument in Boston's Old West Church. He'll present a program of music by Bach, Brahms, Widor and others at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16 on the Fritts organ at Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 N St. The program is free, but donations are requested to keep more programs in their music series coming.
Full stages
Several plays open on Valentine's Day. UAA's Mainstage presents Tennessee Williams' classic "The Night of the Iguana" at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through March 2. Tickets are available at uaatix.com or by calling 786-4849. Cyrano's has "Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes," a slap at Hollywood stereotypes, at 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at 413 D St. And the latest work by Anchorage playwright Arlitia Jones (no relation to Jihad), "Rush at Everlasting," opens in Sydney Laurence Theatre with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 22. Tickets for both Jones shows are available at centertix.net. Expect reviews to pop up at adn.com/artsnob over the weekend.
Brazilian bop for Bean's
The John Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet will showcase a night of Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music, along with some original material, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. Bean's Cafe will receive 25 percent of proceeds. The players include Damberg on marimba, Mark Manners with the guitar, bass player Bob Andrews, Cameron Cartland on drums and multi-talented clarinet man Karl Pasch. The venue will be Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St. (corner of Lorraine and Huffman Road). Damberg is among several local musicians who've taken note of the church's unusually fine acoustics, and reservations are suggested due to limited space. Call 345-4823 for reservations. Admission is $15, $5 for students. More info at jdlatinjazzquintet.com.
Compiled by arts reporter
Mike Dunham