Gretchen Weiss

New books of interest to Alaskans

Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, a Mountain View landmark since 1961, is closing May 8.

New books of interest to Alaskans

The opportunity to hear local alternative folk musicians such as Marian Call, Emily Kurn, Amy Lou and Liz Malys is well worth the trip out the door -- but all four at once promises to be an evening of discovering new favorites.

Dating and relationships are complex endeavors and rarely do classes teach how to sustain a healthy intimate adult relationship. With "Savage Love Live," sex adviser Dan Savage visits campuses to discuss everything and anything.

Two is twice as nice, so when the Rusted Root First Tap show sold out in just two weeks, the Bear Tooth added another date for the polyrhythmic world-music group.

"Captain, captain?" the a cappella question rings through the scratchy oscillations of a field recording taken sometime between 1940 and 1966 by Anne and Frank Warner. The dissonant mountain-music vibrato stems from the vocal chords of Rebecca King Jones in a 52 second recording of "Captain, oh Captain," that served as the inspiration for a version by bluegrass band Crooked Still.

Celebrating the sugar-rush holiday in Anchorage is not always an easy feat, especially with the challenges of winter-weather conditions, little ones with short legs and social norms dictating that people over the age of 12 shouldn't be out harvesting candy. Two homegrown solutions to the northern trick-or-treat conundrum provide family friendly, safe and warmer Halloween experiences that parents and children can get wrapped up in.

Anchorage is about to be infused with energetic, spicy Latin jazz. Eddie Palmieri, nine-time Grammy award winner, is seasoning the Anchorage music scene with a burst of Latin jazz straight from New York and Cuba. Palmieri, as well as trumpet player Brian Lynch, will use syncopation to bridge Anchorage to the Caribbean and with their sway, swing and mastery of the clave they will excite some autumn color into local music by not only performing a live concert with local talent but also through workshops with UAA students.

In sixth grade, Bryson Andres followed a crush as she headed into orchestra class. A few days later he lost interest in her and became smitten with a new passion -- the violin.

The cafe hugs the outside edge of one of Loussac's curving towers and absorbs some of the quiet weight. This cozy hidey-hole with a handful of small tables makes an ideal location for a rainy day lunch. The food selection is limited to paninis ($6) grilled cheese sandwiches ($4.50) and soups of the day ($4).