Hot Picks: Sugar Strings goes symphonic, stories of veterans’ spouses – plus, Pink Martini is back

Civic Orchestra teams up with the Sugar Strings

Anchorage Civic Orchestra is going gypsy-rock for a season finale that features The Super Saturated Sugar Strings. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Sydney Laurence Theatre. Tickets are $14.75-$17.75 (anchoragecivicorchestra.org)

Pink Martini

Pink Martini has performed its multilingual repertoire on every continent except Antarctica, including two sold-out stops in Anchorage in 2012 and 2015. This time around, the band will introduce Alaska to new songs from its 2016 release "Je Dis Oui!" as well as play old favorites. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets $43.75 and up at centertix.net.

'The Dating Game' live

For those of you not watching TV/not-even-born-yet in 1965-'86, "The Dating Game" was a game show in which a bachelorette would ask a series of questions to three bachelors, sight unseen (addressing them as number one, two and three). After the questions, the bachelorette would choose which person she wanted to take out on a date. Want to see how it would all play out in 2018 Anchorage? The Hard Rock Cafe is hosting a live, local version with Don Megga and DJ Reggie Ward, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska. It's about $18 to be part of the "studio audience." 21 and over. 6:30-11:30 p.m. Friday at Hard Rock Cafe, 415 E Street. (Search "The Dating Game LIVE!" on Facebook for details).

Veteran spouses tell their stories 'I Will Wait'

"I Will Wait" is a play written by playwright and military spouse Amy Uptgraft about the experience of sending a loved one to war. Using actual spouses' experiences and original music, the story begins in 1945 at the end of World War II and travels through "forgotten" Korea, the Vietnam era, Desert Storm and ends with spouses caught in the current cycle of war and deployment. Tickets are $25 at brownpapertickets.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the UAA Main Stage Theater (3700 Alumni Drive)

Ska night with Nervis Rex

Nervis Rex returns to the stage at Williwaw Social to kick things into gear with a free night of ska music. 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Williwaw. 21 and over (williwawsocial.com)

Opening weekend for downtown market

Don't let the chilly May weather fool you – outdoor market season is gearing up to go, with Anchorage's big downtown open-air market starting this weekend. Expect over 200 vendors most weekends as well as free entertainment at this family- and pet-friendly event. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 9 at 225 E. Third Avenue. (See anchoragemarkets.com for more details.)