December's Monthly Grind Wraps Up 17th year With Sellout Crowd By Bill Hupe - Winter's darker days didn't hinder Ketchikan and Saxman residents from packing the Saxman Clan House for the show that wrapped up the 17th year of The Monthly Grind. - More...
Tuesday - January 09, 2007

November Grind & Dessert Festival By Susan Batho and Bill Hupe - The irressistable aroma of dozens of delicious desserts greeted visitors to the November Monthly Grind at the Saxman Clan House. And if that wasn't enough to make the capacity crowd come out into the pouring rain, the half dozen performances that accompanied the wonderful intermission fare was certainly reason enough. - More..
Wednesday - November 29, 2006

First City Players Present Oliver! Review By Bill Hupe - Lionel Bart's musical, Oliver!, based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens opened last Friday at the Ketchikan High School Auditorium, with a memorable performance by the First City Players. - More...
Friday - November 10, 2006

Monthly Grind Packs the House Reviewed by Bill Hupe - The scent of rain in the air was not a deterrent for Ketchikan-area residents to once again pack the Saxman Clan House for the October Monthly Grind; a night of music, humor, and great desserts. The warmth of the Clan House held out the chill outside and the tantalizing scent of the vast number of homemade treats greeted the attendees. - More...
Tuesday - October 24, 2006

Enthusiastic Crowd Welcomes Monthly Grind Back Review by Susan Batho & Bill Hupe - The Beaver Clan House at Saxman was packed with an enthusiastic audience Saturday night, and they were rewarded with great music and entertainment as the Monthly Grind started up again after its summer hiatus. - More...
Monday - September 18, 2006

Dedication Potlach: The Honoring of Ancient Traditions By BILL HUPE - The sky was cloudy and grey as I arrived for the Dedication Potlach at the Totem Heritage Park on August 6th. Arriving early, there was ample opportunity to examine the clanhouse and the totem poles. One particular pole always demands my attention - an eagle above a man - standing near the water's edge, with Tongass Narrows as a scenic backdrop. The day was a rare treat, as Potlaches are normally held after the last harvest rather than in Summer. This meant many more family members and dance groups, including the Haida Children's Group from Prince of Wales, could attend and the event could be held outdoors. - More...
Sunday - August 20, 2006

"The Ketchikan Theatre Ballet Presents Movement Creations" and the First City Player's Performance: "Aladdin JR." By BILL HUPE - "Movement Creations" highlighted the work of the Ketchikan Theatre Ballet in four pieces which featured the talents and creativity of a troupe of hard-working and talented children, which augurs well for continuing the high entertainment standards we have here in Ketchikan. - More...
Sunday - August 13, 2006

The Fish Pirate's Daughter; Ketchikan's First City Players Review by BILL HUPE - The opening night of the 40th Anniversary of the Fish Pirate's Daughter began with a flourish as State Representative, Jim Elkins, read a commendation for the First City Players on being named the number two most active community theatre group in the United States. No mean feat for a theatre group 'from Nowhere'. - More...
Monday - July 10, 2006

The First City Players: Much Ado About Nothing Review By BILL HUPE - The First City Players' performance of Shakespeare's comedy, Much Ado About Nothing was held June 25th at the Higgins Point Amphitheatre against the beautiful backdrop of Higgins Point, cloudy grey skies, and the occasional bald eagle. Even though it had rained continuously for most of the weekend, the rain let up as the performance started, and held for the duration of the play, promising a very special performance. - More...
Monday - July 03, 2006

FIRST CITY PLAYERS AND ActOUT'S "CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY" A DELICIOUS TREAT - At 7:30 pm this past Friday and Saturday nights, First City Players and the ActOUT Youth Performance Company put on "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at the Kayhi Auditorium. It is always a delicious treat to see the kids of Ketchikan on stage; however, this production was especially "scrumdidilyumptious." After all, who doesn't love the combination of chocolate, kids and fun? - More...
Monday - April 10, 2006

MAKING A SPLASH; A Review of Michael Keye Schuler's Gallery Exhibit of "On the Waters of Revillagigedo" By SHARON ALLEN - Michael Keye Schuler is making a splash in town. If you don't know of him, he's a local Ketchikan photographer with over twenty years of experience. His website at www.keyephotos.com states that he has "developed a uniqueness for capturing on film, moments and emotions that are fleeting. . ." - More...
Monday - March 27, 2006

SPRINGS' SPROUTING BUDS, BLOOMS AND BOUQUETS! Do You Know What Your Flowers Are Saying? - April is almost here and Spring is fast approaching. And although Deer Mountain will most likely have a snowcap for a while yet, the snow has almost melted from the low-lying areas. It won't be long before we'll be seeing the first buds of the season and everyone will be feverishly planning, planting, weeding and buying all kinds of seeds, sprouts, sod, mulch, bulbs, plants and bouquets. - More...
Monday - March 27, 2006

BEANS, BRONCS AND CRUMPETS; FIRST CITY PLAYERS BRINGS "CHAPS!" AND THE BBC TO KETCHIKAN! - It was a wild ride!

First City Players opened a winning production of "Chaps!" last Friday night at Cape Fox in Dinner Theatre form. It starred Jeff Seifert as Archie Leitch, Jack Shay as Leslie Briggs-Stratton, Alejandro Chavarria as Miles Shadwell, Seth Krasnow as the silent, yet noisy Stan, Deb Turnbull as Clive Cooper and Tekla Helgason as Mabel Halliday. - More...
Thursday - March 16, 2006

DANCING AT THE CROWS NEST GROWS SWEET SECOND SATURDAYS BECOMING A HIT IN KETCHIKAN - It sounds like a Valentines Day's Dance, but it's not just for Valentines. And it's at the Crow's Nest, so most people in Ketchikan immediately assume they can't attend . . . but they can. - More...
Thursday - March 09, 2006

First City Players' Camelot Opens Season with A ROUND TABLE, A LOVE TRIANGLE AND a beloved line SPOKEN... This past Thursday night, Camelot, Lerner & Lowe's musical adaptation of the classic Arthurian legend, opened to an enthusiastic crowd at the Kayhi auditorium.  As First City Players' first performance of the season, it showcased yet another cast of our surprisingly talented neighbors, set upon a spectacular circular turning stage made royal with rich and imaginative sets.  The costumes were resplendent, the music upbeat and hummingly familiar, the choreography fun and full of entertaining originality and the acting both well-done and well-directed.  All together, Camelot delivered just what it promised: romance, intrigue, humor and a night filled with the kind of magic not soon to be forgot. - More...
Tuesday - November 15, 2005

ARTScool's JUNGLE A "ROARING" GOOD TIME! - On Saturday August 13th at Kayhi, some of the kids in Ketchikan went totally WILD!

. . . but not with vandalism or bad language or rude behavior. In spite of the bad press so often written about the youth of today, the wildness I'm talking about was a positive commotion - not a negative one. - More...
Monday - August 22, 2005

Column: GRAY MATTERS - Texas has cows, Idaho has potatoes, Wisconsin has cheese, Ketchikan has rain . . . so what's with the fog? - More...
Sunday - August 14, 2005

CHASING THE SUMMERTIME BLUES AWAY WITH BLUEBERRY ARTS! A 2005 Blueberry Arts Festival Review - There's an event that occurs late every summer in Ketchikan, Alaska that is always a "Berry" good time and a bushel of fun! It's the Blueberry Arts Festival and in case you missed it, it took place last weekend here in Ketchikan. - More...
Wednesday - August 10, 2005

"A BAND-AID CALLED DAVE-AID"; Fundraiser Concert to Aid Local Artist David Rubin A Success - You just never know.

You make plans. You tell yourself your life will go on the same forever even though in the back of your mind, you're aware it won't. You get up every day at the same time and go to work. You come home and kiss your loved ones. You take hikes or go fishing or call up a friend or two and talk for a while. You watch a little TV; cuddle up in bed and go to sleep, expecting to wake up the next day and do it all over again. After all, tomorrow's another day. - More...
July 06, 2005

New Tour "Art and Artists on the Water" Features Local Artists - The artists in Ketchikan are as passionate about their art as GOLDBELT Alaska Cruises is about the new, unique and groundbreaking twist they gave to one of their Historical Waterfront Cruises aboard The Arctic Fjord yesterday. - More...
July 01, 2005

GRINDING TO A FALL STOP; The Season Ends for The Monthly Grind Part I - Just in case you haven't been in town recently, the Tourists are back. That's bad for traffic and good for the economy. It also means the seniors have graduated, the Derby is in full-swing, the kids are out of school for the summer and the Monthly Grind has ground to a halt for the summer . . . but before you get your Helly's in a bunch, don't fret; it'll be back before you know it. - More..
Friday - June 24, 2005

Fjord of Dreams "If you build it, they will come. . . Field of Dreams, 1989."

But, it isn't a field; it's a Fjord, and it's never been a case of "if . . ," they've always come, and for most, it's the dream of a lifetime. - More...
Thursday - June 23, 2005

At the Heart of Dancing Art - A Review of Ketchikan Theatre Ballet's Performance of "The Museum" Part III - Conclusion - "Degas' The Dance Class," was choreographed by Marguerite Auger and followed next. From within a golden frame, eight ballerinas elegantly clothed in white dresses with long tulle skirts trimmed with pastel ribbons stepped forth as the music began. The chosen music of Brahms contributed to this beautiful number with "No. 4 in F Minor," an interesting piece of music, deep and full of mystery. - More...
Monday - May 30, 2005

At the Heart of Dancing Art - A Review of Ketchikan Theatre Ballet's Performance of "The Museum" Part II - Theresa Somrak soloed as the third tourist. Theresa began dancing at age seven and was cast in this year's Nutcracker as a flower in Waltz of the Flowers. As evidenced by her choice of music by Brazilian singer/songwriter, Adriana Calcanhotto and her quick change of address from Alaska to Minnesota and back again, Theresa is a mover and shaker. Willamette University in Salem, Oregon has made the wise decision to accept Theresa as a student next year and will aid her in her goal of obtaining a degree as a cultural anthropologist. - More...
Wednesday - May 25, 2005

At the Heart of Dancing Art - A Review of Ketchikan Theatre Ballet's Performance of "The Museum"
Part I - There are some people who believe with all their heart the Ballet is alive and well. Others state the Ballet should be relegated to a museum. Last weekend, the Ketchikan Theatre Ballet proved both opinions correct . . . with unusual results. - More...
Monday - May 23, 2005

KIDS OF NOTE - Ketchikan Theatre Ballet's Younger Dancers Perform "Our Symphony" By SHARON ALLEN, Arts and Entertainment Columnist - I have NEVER before seen so many dancing youngsters. - More...
Thursday - May 19, 2005

SHIPS AND SALSA; Salsa Fever Hits The Crow's Nest This Saturday! - The temperature is rising in Ketchikan and the reason is clear: Salsa Fever has arrived! - More...
Friday - May 13, 2005

CAUGHT UP ON THE FABRIC OF SOCIETY; A Review of "Ketchikan Unzipped" Featuring "Bed Sheets" - There are many ways to judge the success of poetry presented onstage; they are as wide and varied as the presented prose itself. Such was the case for the recent production from the Humanities Forum 2005, "Ketchikan Unzipped" featuring "Bed Sheets." - More...
Tuesday - May 10, 2005

BECOMING MY MOTHER; Happy Mother's Day to Mothers Everywhere! - There comes a time in every woman's life when she realizes that somehow, someway, she has turned into her mother. - More...
Monday - May 09, 2005

THE LEGACY OF CHARLOTTE A. CAVATICA; A Review of First City Players' ActOut Performance of "Charlotte's Web" - When I grow up I want to be just like Charlotte.

Never mind that I am already grown up and in my thirties . . . well, okay, forties . . . but still, there are times when I feel like a child. Take last weekend for example. While watching the performance of "Charlotte's Web" at the Saxman Tribal House, I was suddenly very aware of the nine-year-old hiding inside my forty-something skin. - More...
Sunday - May 01, 2005

Auction Prizes and Interest Rising For First City Players' Second Annual "Spring Swing Fling" - Anticipation is mounting as ticket sales grow for First City Players' Annual Spring Swing Fling scheduled for Saturday, April 30th at 7:00 p.m. The cost of a ticket is small - only $20.00, and the night will be great - having all the excitement of excellent music, fantastic dancing, awesome food, outstanding drinks, and wonderful company with great conversation. It will also include door prizes, a silent auction, a vocal auction and drawings for 50/50 Raffles, plus the "Great Getaway Raffle" as well. - More...
Friday - April 22, 2005

FIRST CITY PLAYERS INVITES KETCHIKAN TO GET CAUGHT UP IN CHILD'S PLAY - Tonight, at 7:30 p.m., be sure to drive, walk, strut, skitter, quack, crawl, or spin your way to the Saxman Tribal House in Ketchikan. "Charlotte's Web" will be performed by the children of Ketchikan, but it won't be just child's play. The theatrical production is a dramatization of the beloved story by E.B. White and whether your age is 90 days or 90 years, you will not want to miss this enchanting performance. - More...
Friday - April 22, 2005

He Said, She Said, Bird Said, Bee Said; A Springtime Monthly Grind Review - The April Monthly Grind was held this past Saturday night at the Saxman Tribal House. Gus Nollmeyer was host and expounded on the many differences between men and women. His commentary lent a definite "He Said, She Said" theme to the spring show. But there was one similarity between the two sexes that he didn't mention, perhaps because it was so apparent; both genders loved the entertainment. - More...
Wednesday - April 20, 2005

First City Players' Star-Kissed Tuna A Delight - Last Friday, First City Players opened a delightful Star-Kissed Tuna at Cape Fox Lodge. But please don't get out your 'Save the Dolphins' signs - it had nothing to do with Charlie the Tuna or Chicken of the Sea. The Tuna being referred to was a theatre production of the hilarious comedy, "Greater Tuna." - More...
March 16, 2005

Tongass Historical Museum Wants Kids To Stay and Play the FUNDAY Way - More than 80 children and adults participated in the FUNDAY program at the Tongass Historical Museum on March 26th. FUNDAY began with a scavenger hunt through the museum's current display, "Recent Acquisitions." The kids were also given the opportunity to paint with watercolors, create a native headband and put together a scrapbook page. - More...
Friday - April 01, 2005

There's No Fool Like an April's Fool . . . This Coming Friday is Prank Day in Ketchikan - For those of you who have not yet been warned: Friday is April's Fools Day.

On that day, all human life on this planet will regress into a childlike state and then separate into two very distinct groups. These two groups possess widely divergent societal-genetic material and thus, they display diametrically opposed behaviors in response to the aforementioned celebration. In other words, some of us become jokers, the rest become jokees. There are no innocent bystanders. - More...
March 31, 2005

GRINDING A BIT OFF THE BLARNEY STONE; An Interview With "The Otter Limits" - St. Patrick's Day stretched a bit from Thursday into Saturday night this year. The last act to perform for the St. Pat's Day celebration at the Monthly Grind was the group known around Ketchikan as the "Otter Limits." Always a treat for the audience, they were a welcome addition to the night's program. Making every song they played seem full of magic, they gave a solid gold performance and ended the evening on a perfect note.
- More...
Wednesday - March 23, 2005

BAGPIPES, LUCKY CHARMS AND IRISH EYES SHINE AT THE MONTHLY GRIND - Even though St. Patrick's Day was officially over, Irish eyes were smilin' brightly at the Monthly Grind last Saturday night. Shortly after 7 p.m. on March 19th, the show got underway at the Saxman Tribal House, and although it may have been short a few leprechauns, it was very big on talent. - More...
Wednesday - March 23, 2005

A Bat, a Ball and a Ketchikan Play; Ketchikan Community Chorus & Orchestra Adapts Die Fledermaus for Home-Run Fun as "Revenge of the Bat" - The Ketchikan Community Chorus & Orchestra mixed it up last night at Kayhi with a Bat, a Ball and a Ketchikan Play. And no, they weren't playing baseball. They were playing Opera.

Specifically, that pinnacle of operettas set in 1850 Vienna, "Die Fledermaus" by Johann Strauss, Jr. It's a production with a lineup of practical jokes, trickery, slapstick humor, disguises and more than a splash of alcohol - especially that most famous of bubblies - champagne. - More...
Saturday - March 19, 2005

Hot Air, Cold Nights: First City Toastmasters Proves Speechmaking Can Be a Breeze! Part II - The Review of "Hot Air, Cold Nights" continues . . . after Jeff and Gerry brought everyone's attention back to the podium, Gerry gave everyone a chuckle with a little story about age. . . More...
Tuesday - March 15, 2005

Hot Air, Cold Nights: First City Toastmasters Prove Speechmaking Can Be a Breeze! - Part I - "Hot Air, Cold Nights" was the theme of this year's Laughathon put on by the First City Toastmasters. If you missed the happy, spirited event, you missed a lot. The two-hour show took place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 26th at Cape Fox Lodge and laughter was in attendance as promised. The show was free, the coffee was hot, the desserts were tempting, and everyone there reported they had a great time. - More...
Monday - March 14, 2005

SPRING STRINGS; THE YING QUARTET PLAYS AT KAYHI - One of the most highly regarded and well-known young ensembles on today's music scene, "The Ying Quartet," performed in concert at the Kayhi auditorium last Wednesday night, March 9, 2005. The Ketchikan Area Arts & Humanities Council sponsored the event with the generous support of WESTAF and the NEA Regional Touring Program. The music was divine, the crowd was enthusiastic, and the concert was over too soon. - More...
Saturday - March 12, 2005

A Visit With Anne; First City Players Honors The Hope, Grace and Beauty Of "The Diary of Anne Frank" - The first act holds you prisoner in your seat. The second act ravages your sensibilities. But, the ending -- ah, the ending -- it devastates you.

Such was the reaction of the cast, crew and audience of "The Diary of Anne Frank" at Ketchikan High School last Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Produced by First City Players and directed by Elizabeth Nelson, it was not an easy play to direct, perform, or watch, but it was more than worth the effort. - More...
Wednesday - March 09, 2005

UAS Ketchikan Gearing Up For Women's Paths To Success Conference - From all accounts, "I Am Woman, Watch Me Soar" should be the motto for the "Women's Path To Success Conference" scheduled this coming weekend. Presented by the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS Ketchikan), the event will be held at the Robertson Building beginning on Friday night at 6:30 pm and run throughout the day on Saturday. Adequate parking can be found behind the building or across the street. - More...
Thursday - March 03, 2005

Ray Troll Defends the Practice of Fish Worship Part II - Speaking at the Alaska Discovery Center Friday evening, Ray Troll said being around native culture has also influenced some of his art. He befriended Israel Shotridge, which ultimately led to Ray's poster showcasing the Chief Johnson Totem Pole. In the poster, he included all the characters that were on the pole and tried to duplicate its story within his work. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2005

"Fish Worship: Is It Wrong?" Friday Night Insight Series Host Ray Troll Defends the Practice of Fish Worship
- Last night's Friday Night Insight was held at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. It offered a presentation by Ray Troll entitled, "Fish Worship: Is it Wrong?" The residents of Ketchikan who are familiar with Ray's artwork expected an irreverent, humorous, divine production. They were not disappointed. - More...
Saturday - February 26, 2005

A Rambling Review of a Grinding Event - There is a tradition on this little island that occurs every month between September and May. It's held at the Saxman Tribal House and it's called "The Monthly Grind." Many of Ketchikan's residents try to get to every single show they possibly can. I am no exception. Last Saturday, I was lucky enough to attend. As always, I had a fantastic time. The next day, I happened to tell a friend how much I had enjoyed all the performances. She was new to town and had never heard of it. - More...
Friday - February 25, 2005

Elizabeth Peratrovich Day Celebration Continues Focus on Native Civil Rights - Forty-seven years after her death, Elizabeth Peratrovich can still pack assembly halls with citizens concerned about Native Civil Rights.

This time the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center was filled to overflowing Wednesday night as throngs of residents from Ketchikan and the surrounding areas crowded into the small theatre area to celebrate "Elizabeth Peratrovich Day." - More...
Friday - February 18, 2005

The Story of a Sitting Bull: Ferdinand and Friends Becomes Another StoryTime Success at the Ketchikan Library - On February 10th and 11th, StoryTime at the Ketchikan Public Library played host to local violinist Sarah Briggs-Cornelius and reader Keith Smith. Their musical performance of Ferdinand and Friends delighted all who attended. Enthralled children sat on laps or lay on cushions in front of the makeshift stage as Keith recited the story and Sarah emphasized the words with her exquisite talent on the violin. - More...
Monday - February 14, 2005

Ketchikan's 19th Annual Wearable Art & Runway Fashion Show "Swing Shift" Plays to Sold-Out Crowds - For the past nineteen years, residents of Ketchikan have watched Art walk, skip, strut, slink, pad, march and dance down a brightly lit runway. This year the theme was "Swing Shift" and the event, put on by the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council, was held at the Ted Ferry Civic Center on February 4, 5 and 6th. - More...
Tuesday - February 08, 2005

Local Talent Shines in Seventh Year Jazz-Cab - Every winter for the past seven years, FirstCityPlayer's Annual Evening of Jazz and Cabaret has filled the air in-between our drizzling raindrops with syncopated hits. It has become a true signature event here in Ketchikan that brightens days and allows local talent to shine. - More...
Thursday - January 27, 2005