This is concentrated on those Alaska promoters of and venues for traditional music that do so regularly.
Listed below are ways to find out about pending appearances by folk/trad artists and bands. If they are promoted by the usual promoters, you can link from here to their websites. Also, just a quick check of Dirty Linen or Musi-Cal will show a bunch more of wonderful folks to play music in Alaska. Check ’em out!
If you are looking for promoters or to gig up here in Alaska, this page, the festivals page kind of lay out who’s who in promoting artists. You can also check out the venues at the bottom of this page. Alaskafolkmusic.org just reports on what’s happening.
People used to ask me where to hear and get recordings of our special event artists. It’s pretty easy to buy CD’s at reasonable prices on line with a credit card. You can use the big daddy of on line music and video and, at the same time, help support the Alaska Folkmusic website by linking below when you buy:
By area in the state
- Fairbanks area, including Nenana, Minto, and Manley
- Anchorage area
- Palmer/Chugiak/Wasilla
- Talkeetna
- Kenai/Soldotna
- Homer
- Other Southcentral – Cordova, Seward, Valdez, Seldovia, McCarthy, Girdwood
- Palmer/Chugiak/Wasilla
- Juneau & Southeast
- Elsewhere
- Other Folk Music Gig Links
Nenana, Minto and Manley Hot Springs
Anything going on, drop me an email gary(at)alaskafolkmusic.org.
Ken Brown started keeping track of a lot of Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic events in the Fairbanks area.
The Fairbanks Concert Association mostly showcases classical music, but sometimes puts on traditional music during the school year and are generally pleased with the turnout. It doesn’t surprise me – we love it. They can be reached at 474-8081 or P.O. Box 80547. Several acts also appearing in Anchorage with their concert association sometimes make it up to Fairbanks, as well.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Activities produces a number of events. If you are interested in having them do such events, lobby Student Activities at 474-6027 or at fyevent@uaf.edu.
The prime acoustic music promoter in Fairbanks is Acoustic Adventures. 907-488-0556. Check their website for further details.
The Blue Loon produces a bunch of musical events in Fairbanks and has a website up at: www.theblueloon.com. One caveat is that a number of their shows are standup only, unless you pay about double for a ticket, then they reserve you a table. I’m no longer young enough to stand up for an hour waiting to get in then have to stand for several more hours.
The Marlin in Fairbanks hosts music and open mic nights, a fine funky small venue. (907) 479-4646.
Ivory Jacks, on Goldstream Road in Fairbanks, has a fair bit of local music and jams. 2581 Goldstream Road, 455-6666, fax 455-7727, Joni Ellsworth email.
Anchorage area
There are a couple of folk music promoters in Anchorage, the most active one is Whistling Swan Productions.
Whistling Swan Events – most shows start at 7:30 pm
The Anchorage Concert Association sometimes has folk genre concerts.
Many performances are at the Performing Arts Center on 6th Ave and F Street in downtown Anchorage at 8:00 pm, unless otherwise noted. There are three theatres in the PAC: Atwood Concert Hall, Sydney Lawrence Theatre, and the Discovery Theatre. Tickets generally available via CarrsTix-Tickets.com. Or try 800-GRT-SEAT (800-478-7328) or as otherwise listed.
The Beartooth Theatre also has a number of trad (with amplification) events.
This is a link to Whistling Swan Productions, who do a fair bit of folk stuff in the Anchorage and outlying areas.
The Alaska Irish Music Fest has been known to produce Celtic events every now and again.
Wasilla/Palmer/Chugiak/Girdwood
Whistling Swan appears to be doing season tickets for many shows at the Vagabond Blues, as well as for their Anchorage concert series.
Talkeetna
They pick up a number of musical artists that also play in Fairbanks and Anchorage. Check out these town’s promoters for the artists and link to the artist’s websites or some of the Musi-cal type links mentioned at the top of this page.
Talkeetna also has a number of fine musicians living there.
Kenai/Soldotna
Homer
I’ve had info on many musical events in the Homer area provided courtesy of Mike Hayes of of Downward Dog Productions.
Info on the above events in Homer at 299-0396. Mostly at the Downeast Saloon.
The Mermaid Cafe books local solo acts 2 to 3 times a week. 235-7649, Located at 3487 Main St. in Homer.
Susan Mumma of the Seldovia Arts Council points you to their website that lists upcoming events, including music events.
McCarthy is a small community nestled in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias range about 5 miles from the site of the old Kennicott Copper mines. It is sixty bumpy dirt road miles beyond Chitina. There is now one store there and a couple of eateries, but you should bring your own basic provisions. There is camping in the area as well as lodging at The McCarthy Lodge (907) 554-4402. It’s a very scenic and historic place. I recommend bringing bicycles in the summer to get around. McCarthy is mostly shut down for tourists in the winter.
Southeast Alaska
Juneau
The Alaska Folk Festival also promotes the occasional concert besides their big Alaska Folk Fest in April.
Sitka
talent. Admission $5.00 or homemade dessert – such a deal!
I get whatever info I can in Sitka from “Fishing with Cats” Ted Howard, but haven’t heard from him lately. What’s happening in Sitka?
Haines
If you’re down there, contact Dr. Len Feldman at 766-3009 or email at lenfeldman@aptalaska.net for what might not be listed above.
Ketchikan
Petersburg
Concerts are sometimes promoted by the Dillingham Arts Council, 907-842-2587.
Bud Johnson in Tok is producing a folk music radio show called Acoustic Accents on KUAC Fairbanks, KIYU Galena, KYUK Bethel, with KNHS putting it up on the NPR satellite. Broadcast on Fridays 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm affiliated with Duct Tape Radio. It’s a great show.
Other Folk Music Gig Links
Other art, drama, and performance organizations and events also listed by organization.
Dirty Linen also publishes a gig guide for trad music in Alaska and other locales.
There is also Pollstar, another gig guide for folk, rock and country music.
The Ballad Tree has listed a bunch of additional links for artists’ tour schedules and calendars. It takes a bit of wading through.
And again, you can purchase most of this music on-line from:
Amazon.com