Naomi Stock

The Anchorage Civic Orchestra is also performing a spring concert, featuring its concerto competition winner.

Several restaurants are preparing special Mother’s Day menus, and moms get free admission to the Alaska Zoo on Sunday.

First Friday highlights include the “Refuge Alaska” film premiere and a composer forum at the Anchorage Museum.

Here are the key dates and details.

The Jangle Bees album release, the Cabin Fever Reliever 5K and citywide cleanup kickoff are just a few of the things happening as the calendar flips into May.

The shop, named after the owner’s late sister, specializes in Italian ice: “It looks like ice cream, but it tastes like fruit, and there’s no dairy, so it’s like the best of both worlds,” Calvin Gadson said.

There are also events, including a festival and a fashion show, in coordination with Earth Day.

The East High Thunderbird Theatre presents the Brothers Grimm, Arctic Valley hosts music and games at the Merry Marmot festival and the B4UDie Comedy Festival sweeps Alaska.

Seasonal events also get underway with the Alaska Pacific University gear swap and the Anchorage Chamber Singers’ spring concert.

The carnival has become a popular Anchorage lunchtime gathering spot and an in-person business card exchange for food truck operators, bringing catering jobs and more.

UAA theater returns along with a number of other musical and stage events.

For pageant fans, Miss Alaska USA and Miss Alaska Teen USA will be crowned over the weekend.

There are plenty of events and gatherings in town and even a Super Saturated Sugar Strings concert in Palmer.

If you’re looking for a taste of spring, try the seed exchange and swap at the Alaska Botanical Gardens.

Downtown will be buzzing as the second weekend of Fur Rendezvous ushers in Saturday’s ceremonial start.