Arts and Entertainment

Fun things coming up: Nordic market, Hopetoberfest and a new exhibit at the Anchorage Museum

Nordic Market — Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at this celebration of Scandinavian culture. Booths will be selling specialities like Finnish kicksleds, Norwegian sweaters and Christmas decorations, and there will be demonstrations of skills like rosemaling, woodworking and knitting. Live Scandinavian music and food available from the Velkommen Cafe, including traditional yellow pea soup, hot cider and pølse — a reindeer dog wrapped in lefse. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, Viking Hall (8141 Briarwood Street; see Facebook for details)

Hopetoberfest with Blackwater Railroad — Head to Hope this weekend for hay rides, ax throwing, face painting and music by Blackwater Railroad Company. The festival is 1-8 p.m. and free to attend; the concert is 5-8 p.m. and $15 at the door. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Creekbend Company. (19842 Hope Hwy.; see Facebook for details)

New Anchorage Museum exhibit: “Counter Cartographies” — International contemporary artists question what a map has been, is, and can be through visual, multimedia, installation and sound works. Curators will talk about the themes and artworks in the new exhibit on opening day at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8. Admission will be free all of Friday for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. On the West Wing, third floor of the Anchorage Museum. Masks required for entry. (625 C Street; see anchoragemuseum.org for details)

New park opening — Check out a newly renovated Dena’ina Athabaskan-inspired downtown park, featuring an inclusive playground, benches, sledding hill and other elements. Speakers at the park opening will include Anchorage Museum curator and president of the Native Village of Eklutna Aaron Leggett, Anchorage Parks and Recreation director Josh Durand and Anchorage Park Foundation executive director Beth Nordlund. Free hot chocolate and coffee from Kaladi Bros. will be served. Masks are encouraged and will be provided. 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11. (Frontierland Park; 538 W. 10th Avenue)

Anchorage Design Week — This annual forum will wrap up this weekend with a few events.

Film on the lawn: Bring a blanket, camp chair and snacks and enjoy a free showing of the 25-minute film “The Land” on the Anchorage Museum lawn. The documentary film is about a Welsh adventure playground of the same name. If weather goes bad, programming will move to the museum auditorium (masks required indoors). 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8.

Pechakucha night: Architects, artists, industrial designers, photographers and other creatives will present and discuss 20 images, with each image shown for just 20 seconds. The images advance automatically while the presenters talk along. 8:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, on the museum lawn.

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Online talks via Crowdcast: Artists and illustrators Julia Ditto and Klara Maisch, noon, Thursday, Oct. 7; Norwegian-Sámi artist and architect Joar Nango 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8; Street artist, graphic and experiential installation designer HOTTEA, noon, Friday, Oct. 8.

Find more details at anchoragemuseum.com (625 C Street).

Drive-thru flu shots — It’s an especially important year to get the flu shot, and this is a free, drive-thru option to get it done. Participants 9 and older in vehicles only (no walk-ups; everyone in the car should wear a mask). 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at Alaska Regional Hospital; parking lot of Building C. (2801 DeBarr Road, 99508).

Celebration of Cuban dance and Hispanic Heritage Month — Anaya Latin Dance is holding a three-day celebration of dance, culture, music and community in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

On Friday, events will kick off with a reception, dancing, performances and a three-course Caribbean dinner. $35 at myalaskatix.com. Ages 21 and over. 7-9:30 Friday, Oct. 8 at Lil Babes Cocktail Lounge (3515 Mountain View Drive)

On Saturday, there will be a beginning salsa class, social dance and a timba dance performance. Main Event Grill will offer a “Cubano griller” and mojito wine spritzer. Tickets $10-$35 at myalaskatix.com. 21 and over. 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Main Event Grill in South Anchorage (1041 E 76th Ave.)

On Sunday, there will be workshops at the Castle on O’Malley on salsa fusion, rumba Guaguanco, Rueda de Casino and Dominican bachata from 2-7:15, followed by a pizza party and social dance from 7:30-10 p.m. See anayalatindance.com for schedule, ticket pricing and other details. This event is for fully vaccinated participants ages 12 and over and masks are required. Advance registration encouraged. Sunday, Oct. 10 at the Castle on O’Malley (1520 O’Malley Road)

A pass for all weekend events is $130. Friday and Sunday are for vaccinated participants only. Masks are optional but welcome on Friday and Saturday and are required on Sunday.

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