Arts and Entertainment

For first time, Mr. Whitekeys' 'Christmas' won't be on Spenard

Just when we thought downtown Anchorage couldn't get any more dissolute than it already is, word arrived this week that, for the first time in history (we think), the annual "Christmas in Spenard" songs-slides-satire show will NOT be in Spenard. The traditional Yuletide spoof is moving to the Hard Rock Cafe on Fourth Avenue for 11 performances, Dec. 6-22.

Unbelievable! It's like Santa moving his workshop from the North Pole to Malaysia. In a press release, "Christmas in Spenard" creator and host, Mr. Whitekeys, explained, "The Legislature is moving their offices from Downtown to Spenard, so we're moving out of Spenard because the neighborhood has gotten too sleazy even for us."

Perhaps so. But "Christmas on Fourth Avenue" doesn't have the same ring.

[Related: Mr. Whitekeys and 'The Whale Fat Follies' return to Spenard]

Whitekeys talked up the benefits of Hard Rock Cafe. "There's fun food, fun drinks, real chairs, clean bathrooms, validated parking, an elevator!"

The "real chairs" observation may be a reference to the seating at the show's former venue. Tap Root, formerly 'Keys' own Fly-By Nightclub, put patrons on stools and benches. But at least it was actually on Spenard Road, in the city's fabled former dive district.

Details about the validated parking were not yet available, but will be posted at the show's website, mrwhitekeys.com.

Showtimes will be 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Tickets are available starting Oct. 7 at centertix.net.

Mike Dunham

Mike Dunham was a longtime ADN reporter, mainly writing about culture, arts and Alaska history. He worked in radio for 20 years before switching to print. He retired from the ADN in 2017.

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