Anchorage Daily News

Though skeptical about the blogosphere, local author Andromeda Romano-Lax noticed a need and decided to fill it. Consider the tagline for her latest literary venture, the book blog at 49writers.blogspot.com: "49 Writers, No Moose."

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Author and blogger Andromeda Romano-Lax

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Singer Christine Keene

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Go to the site for interviews, insights, commentary and information on grants, book tours, readings, authors and new releases. Through the blog, she intends to "celebrate Alaska's 50th birthday while providing readers and writers with coverage on Alaskan books."

She plans to post interviews and information about at least 49 Alaska authors and books over the year, including the current interview with radio host, writer and performer Barbara Brown.

Her weekly interviews will usually appear Thursdays, with upcoming entries about mystery writer John Straley, filmmaker Mary Katzke, science-fiction writer David Marusek and essayists Sherry Simpson and Bill Sherwonit.

Her post next week will include the favorite books of political figures like Ted Stevens and Ethan Berkowitz.

Though her voice and thought will come through, "this is not a navel-gazing blog focused on any single writer and his or her cat," said Romano-Lax. "It's a blog I've started that will include many writers, with room for growth and collaboration."

Those who submit comments can win weekly prizes including gift cards from Title Wave Books or Kaladi Brothers Coffee and copies of Romano-Lax's own first novel, "The Spanish Bow."

Though up and running for just a few weeks, people from other states have already visited, giving the blog a national audience.

Paddling to the party

The first year Nick Tanape paddled his kayak into Homer for a gathering of Alaska Native cultures, "there were like 500 people waiting for us, including dancers and a priest."

The elder from Nanwalek proposed the landing of boats in 1995 as a means of renewing connections between people in Alaska's villages. The event, known as Tamamta Katurlluta -- A Gathering of Native Tradition, now draws people from all over Alaska to Homer every other year.

This year's event begins with an opening reception and viewing of the "Native Ways in Changing Times" art exhibit at 5 p.m. Friday at the Pratt Museum, 3779 Bartlett St. in Homer, and continues at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Vessel Landing Ceremony on the beach behind Pier One Theater on the Homer Spit.

The weekend event includes everything from a potluck and demonstration of Native Youth Olympics skills to Alutiiq baseball and an atlatl contest at Hornaday Park.

The hosts -- the villages of Nanwalek, Port Graham, Seldovia and Kenai, along with the Pratt Museum -- welcome everyone to the event. Most activities are free.

The gathering culminates with a performance by the Tagiugmiut Dancers from Barrow and participants from various Kachemak Bay communities at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Mariner Theatre. Admission is $5 at the door and free for children 12 and under.

Find the schedule and other details at www.prattmuseum.org or call 1-907-235-8635.

Sopranos rule

The Dean Allen Vocal competition took place Wednesday at the Steinway Piano Gallery of Alaska, and soprano Christine Keene took the top prize of $2,000.

Keene, of Anchorage, won the 2001 and 2002 Anchorage Concert Chorus Vocal Competitions and the 2001 NATS Vocal Competition. She was Anchorage Festival of Music's 2004 Young Alaskan Artist and, in spring 2007, a member of the Anchorage Opera's Young Artist Program. She has a master's degree in voice from Florida State University and recently returned home after spending a year in Vienna, Austria, studying, performing (including Despina in "Cosi fan tutte") and generally brushing up on her German. In Wednesday's competition, she was accompanied by pianist Juliana Osinchuk.

Second place went to Lauren Green; Jane Park Drebert and Victoria Frasier tied for third. All three are also sopranos.

Watercolor winners

The Alaska Watercolor Society announced the winners of the 34th annual Juried Watercolor Show, judged by Carla O'Connor, a watermedia artist from Gig Harbor, Wash. Former Alaskan Cindy Brabec-King won Best of Show for "Across the Centuries."

First-place winner was Melissa Bohach of Anchorage for "Turnagain Watch," second place was Renate Martin of Anchorage for "Four Cups, One Scabiosa," third place was Al Zerries of Huntington, N.Y., for "22 Days to Spring," and fourth place was Beth Taylor of Anchorage for "Villa Gamberaia, Firenze, Italy."

The winning pieces, along with honorable mentions and other works, will show at Stephan Fine Arts, 600 W. Sixth _{Ave., from Sept. 5 to 21. The opening reception will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 5.}

Find Dawnell Smith online at adn.com/contact/dsmith or call 257-4587.

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