Arts

Mother's memories

Though LaDonna Russell can't read anymore, she still walks, hums, sings and makes art. The mother and her daughter still do almost everything together, including art therapy sessions.

Slide Show: Memories in the making

Young music standouts to perform

The Anchorage Concert Chorus will conduct its 18th annual Vocal Scholarship Competition for Alaska high school and college students Saturday in the UAA Recital Hall.

REVIEW

First Friday stroll reveals steel, twigs

Two largely unheralded and strikingly contrasting art openings caught my attention during the First Friday festivities May 2.

ART BEAT

Alaska composer featured in New Yorker

Fairbanks composer John Luther Adams has become the first Alaskan to be the subject of a major profile in The New Yorker, to my recollection, since John McPhee's "Coming Into the Country" series 30-some years ago. (And McPhee's sprawling documentary was not exactly a "profile.")

Blog: Art Snob

Target will make presence felt on Mother's Day

When Target moves into a community, arts types start salivating, and not because the store sells Milla Jovovich's one-shoulder tunics.

Blog: Art Snob

'Tougher in Alaska' is no day at the beach

In just the second episode of the new TV show, "Tougher in Alaska," Homer-based host Geo Beach, a brawny lumberjack come to life -- barrel-chested, with flannel for skin and a voice like a chain saw, is bested by a bunch of ladies. Little ones, too.

Poll: What's your favorite Alaska-based show?

Web site: Tougher in Alaska

Elton John feels the love

It took just 58 minutes for fans -- and would-be profiteers -- to snatch up about 7,000 tickets to Elton John's concert in Anchorage May 28.

Second Elton John concert announced

After an Anchorage performance by Elton John sold out in under an hour today, promoters announced plans for a second show on Friday, May 30. Tickets for the second show will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, May 12.

Talk to us: Did you get tickets?

Photos: Waiting for Elton John tickets

Elton John plans Alaska shows

Girdwood Fair postponement letter

The Girdwood Forest Fair committee has agreed to postpone the Girdwood Forest Fair. This difficult decision is based on the realization that while the fair in itself is a success, the activities that occur outside of the event present an unsafe environment for the community at large. The Forest Fair draws a significant population increase which stresses the resources of Girdwood and has in recent years drawn a number of undesirable characters to the valley - many of which do not attend the Forest Fair itself. These individuals have abused the privilege of participating in the Forest Fair and have treated the valley and the event with disrespect and a true lack of dignity. The community of Girdwood has voiced their opinions to the Forest Fair Committee about the events that occur outside the Forest Fair Park as an unsafe environment that is not in keeping with the values of the Forest Fair as a family event.

Gutsy moves

In the past seven years, New York artist Michael Joo has made as many trips here to do research and shoot video. This week he brought the completed artwork back to its source for a new exhibit at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center.

Video Michael Joo talks about his exhibit

ART BEAT

Irish dancing world champ comes home

Anchorage's own Owen Barrington, recent winner in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin and, even more recently, part of the hoofing crew on "Dancing With the Stars," will take part in the Celtic Spring Fling at 2 p.m. today in Wendy Williamson Auditorium at UAA.

Wooten Band drenches Bear Tooth with high energy

When you put on your listening ears to hear the Victor Wooten Band, you can expect to learn a lesson or two.

Blog: Art Snob

Gamers pounce on 'Grand Theft Auto IV'

Lines formed at Anchorage stores late Monday for the midnight release of "Grand Theft Auto IV," the latest in a series for the controversial video game. The scene was the same across the country, with the game expected to become one of the fastest-selling of all time.

Video: GTA IV debut

Elton John plans Alaska shows

Elton John will perform in Sullivan Arena on May 28 and in Fairbanks the next night. Tickets for the Anchorage show go on sale next week.

REVIEW

Zany comedy earns its laughs with momentum, timing

Alaska Community Theatre's production of "The Nerd," which opened this weekend, may not be high art, but it is a lot of fun.

Blog: Art Snob

REVIEW

Mussorgsky, marimba contribute to fine symphony closer

The final Anchorage Symphony Orchestra of the season Saturday night supplied persuasive incentive to subscribe to the next. The musicians played as well as I've ever heard them.

Girdwood Forest Fair struggles with growth

Bad vibes are messing with the Girdwood Forest Fair, the annual homage to hippiedom that celebrates all things earthy, groovy and mellow.

Premieres spice symphony calendar

The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra on Saturday announced its upcoming season, which will feature two world premieres and a silent-movie night.

ART BEAT

Daily News, music festival search for talented teens

The Daily News is asking readers to submit the names and qualifications of exceptionally talented Alaska teenagers for attention and prizes. The field is open until May 18, so if you know of a young musician, artist, dancer or thespian who might qualify, head online to adn.com/teentalent for details.

Blog: Art Snob

Juried exhibition winners explain their works

When the juror for this year's All Alaska Juried Exhibition visited Alaska, he liked what he saw, the people he met and the beer he drank. As curator of a contemporary art museum in Helsinki, Finland, Jari-Pekka Vanhala knows the trials and joys of living in the North.

Blog: Art Snob

Intermission

Quick visits with local performers