What’s happening around Anchorage: Oktoberfest and Oxtoberfest, modern dancing and ‘Dirty Dancing’

Oktoberfest/OxtoberFest

Like Halloween, Oktoberfest has become a season — and this weekend marks the last hurrah with the German Club's big, traditional bash in downtown Anchorage. This year there's a twist that's taking the celebration of all things bier and brat-related beyond the Egan Center into the larger downtown area.

The German Club of Anchorage has teamed up with Anchorage Downtown Partnership for a two-day event. Head to Town Square Park (554 W. Fifth Ave.) on Friday for a beer garden, live music, traditional bell ringers and dancing from 4-11 p.m. Things pick back up in Town Square at 2 p.m. Saturday and conclude with a pub crawl. ($25; anchoragedowntown.org)

The Musk Ox Farm (12850 E. Archie Road, Palmer) will also be hosting the third annual Oxtoberfest on Saturday from 4:30-10 p.m. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and will emphasize local foods — from Alaska-grown potatoes used for salad and chips to Alaska-grown mustard and locally sourced pork bratwurst. There will also be a beer garden and polka music at 7 p.m. ($50 plus fee; oxtoberfest.brownpapertickets.com)

Debate: Should hate speech be criminalized?

What's the difference between speech that must be protected and speech that offers nothing to our democratic debate? Can the very language we use be violent? The Seawolf Debate Program aims to explore these issues during a debate between Seawolf Debate alumni and current varsity debaters. The motion for debate will be "Hate speech should be criminalized." 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, UAA Fine Arts Building, 3700 Alumni Drive. $5-$10. (seawolfdebate.com)

Cantus

Cantus sold out their last Anchorage concert in 2009. If you haven't heard the Minneapolis-based vocal ensemble on NPR, you may have seen the powerful video of Cantus and Chanticleer singing "Ave Maria" in a pub, which went viral last year. Working without a conductor, the singers rehearse and perform as chamber musicians. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Discovery Theatre, 621 W. Sixth Ave. $40.25-$54.75. (centertix.net)

The Carpenter Brothers present "Moose the Movie," the story of fictional small town Gangrene Gulch, Alaska, and a local park ranger determined to solve a string of suspicious deaths. If you are familiar with Chad Carpenter's long-running "Tundra" comic strip you'll know to expect Alaskana at its silliest. See this all-Alaska-made film and get a sneak peek into the Carpenter Brothers' new one, "Sudsy Slim Rides Again." 6 p.m. Saturday, Glenn Massay Theater, 8295 E. College Drive, Palmer. $10. (glennmassaytheater.com)

[Review: 'Moose: The Movie' is silly, but Alaskans will love it]

Make It Alaskan

The 2017 Make It Alaskan Festival promises three days of Alaska food, arts and crafts, clothing and housewares. Scheduled events include an Alaska-made products showcase, a First Friday art show featuring Jana Latham and Ravenink Fine Art Printing, live music, a health fair and the 2017 AFX Alaska Fitness Expo. Free. Noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, 600 W. Seventh Ave. (makeitalaskanfestival.com)

Pulse Dance Company Season 8: Reveal Fete

Pulse Dance Company's Season 8 reveal features new works and works in progress by Cady Lynn O'Brien, Stephanie Wonchala and guest artist Jake Casey, as well as an encore performance of "2+1 Marimba" by the Anchorage Symphony. Enjoy wine, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction alongside new creative works. Cocktail attire is encouraged. Seating is limited; advance tickets recommended. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Studio Pulse Center for Dance, 2422 E. Tudor Road. $45. (pulsedancecompany.org)

30th Anniversary of 'Dirty Dancing'

Revisit the 1980s classic "Dirty Dancing," in which Patrick Swayze plays a working-class dance instructor and Jennifer Grey co-stars as Frances "Baby" Houseman, a young woman raised in an affluent home. Set in the Catskill Mountains in 1963, the two fall in love while learning how to dance with each other. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, Bear Tooth Theatrepub, 1230 W. 27th Ave. (beartooththeatre.net)