Arts and Entertainment

What’s happening around Anchorage: Forest Fair, Bear Paw Festival and a downtown luau

Girdwood Forest Fair

At Forest Fair you'll find hand-crafted items, local art, lots of foods and entertainers from all over Alaska. This three-day festival begins on Friday, and on Saturday there will be a parade at 10 a.m. There will be live music all weekend from a slew of artists. Limited parking is available at the Alyeska Resort Daylodge with shuttle service provided. Carpooling is encouraged. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Free. Girdwood Forest Fair Park, 240 Elgoff Drive. (girdwoodforestfair.com)

Bear Paw Festival

Eagle River's annual community festival is five days of food and games. There are different events each day, including an Xtratuf competition, Bear Paw Festival pageant, Lego competition and a 5K run. The events kick off on Wednesday, July 12, but the carnival begins Thursday, July 13 at 2 p.m. and opens Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at noon. For a full list of activities and events, visit bearpawfestival.com. Free. July 12-16, Eagle River Commons, 12171 Regency Drive.

Bluegrass at the Musk Ox Farm

A concert at a musk ox farm? Why not. Heralded by CMT Edge as "one of the most promising bands on the bluegrass scene," the music of the Nashville-based group The Barefoot Movement is intended to make audiences "sit back, relax, take your shoes off and stay a while." This is an all-ages, family-friendly show. Pack a picnic and prepare to dance (or just relax, sans shoes). $15 for adults. 8 p.m. Friday, The Musk Ox Farm, 12850 E. Archie Road, Palmer. (muskoxfarm.org/events)

An evening of smooth jazz

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If smooth jazz is your jam, you'll want to check out eight-time Grammy-nominated recording artist and saxophonist/flutist/bassist Gerald Albright, with special guests Regina Belle and local favorite Bill "KillBillSax" Hauser. $47.50-$74.50. 7-10:30 p.m. Friday, Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W. Sixth Ave. (centertix.net)

Bluegrass Skirt Luau

49th State Brewing Co. is celebrating its first birthday in downtown Anchorage with a full day of entertainment, food, music, education and family activities. Activities include fire dancers from Arctic Fire Entertainment, sustainability seminars, live music, a beer garden and a late-night dance party. Bikers, head to the Trek Store (530 E. Benson Blvd., #9C) at 5 p.m. for the Luau Bike Rally; entry fee is $5. $10 general admission; kids under 13 are free. 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 49th State Brewing Co., 717 W. Third Ave. (49statebrewing.com)

Comedy at Koot's

After spending your evening getting cultured during First Friday, Chilkoot Charlie's invites you to head down to Spenard for a laugh. KFAT Comedy Jam and Chocolate Renaissance Theatre will host two separate comedy shows at 8 p.m. Comedians Kate Quigley and Brian Redban will perform back to back in the North Long Bar; tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. CRT will perform in the Ice Bar; tickets are $10. Can't choose between the two? Quigley and Redban have a second show Saturday night. Koot's, 2435 Spenard Road. (koots.com)

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