Music
July jam
The musicians of the Alaska Jazz Workshop will showcase some of the music they've been working on at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Organic Oasis. Two groups will perform jazz, funk and Latin styles: the Swingin' Adult Jazz Quartet and the Hot Middle/High School Jazz Quintet. Admission is $5 at the door for everyone ages 13 and up; musically attentive 12-and-unders are free. Organic Oasis is located near Play it Again Sports, 2610 Spenard Road, Suite B.
Literature
'Pilgrim's' paperback
Tom Kizzia's book about the controversial Pilgrim Family and its notorious patriarch, "Pilgrim's Wilderness," has just been released in paperback. The author has only one Anchorage appearance planned, and it will happen at blue.hollomon art gallery, 3555 Arctic Blvd., starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 18.
Theater
Wacked-out Wagner
"Das Barbecu," a spoof on Richard Wagner's "Ring" cycle that's set in the wild West, is now running at Cyrano's at 413 D St. The very musical comedy splices Wagner's operatic themes with country, Texas swing and Broadway styles and includes a "dry" swim revue and a double-shotgun wedding. Tickets are $28-$30, available at centertix.net. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 24. Cyrano's will have shows seven days a week for the time being -- the theater is also reprising "Love, Loss, and What I Wore" at 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday through Aug. 13.
Art
Risky imagery
Sixteen original oil paintings by Gina Edwards are on display this month at Snow City Cafe at 608 W. Fourth Ave. The show is called "Isn't That Crazy" and it asks viewers to reflect on the "biggest risk" they've ever taken. "This show explores the free-fall feeling of stepping out into a new adventure. The thrill and terror of deciding to do something new," says the artist. The show includes new paintings of her popular Signore Greve character, who seems to find a new bicycle adventure with every portrait.
Reach Mike Dunham at mdunham@adn.com or 257-4332.