AGP Executive Report

Alaska Day: Sitka’s weekend celebrations include a parade, a re-enactment of the 1867 transfer ceremony at Castle Hill, and a performance by the New Archangel Dancers. This year’s theme is “Our City, Our Story.” Native Arts & Media: Yaaruin Collective has launched a monthly magazine for Alaska Native children and families. Festival Scene: Salmonfest is marking 15 years with an autumn “Season of Giving” awards program.

Alaska Day: Sitka’s festival continues through Sunday, with a parade and a re-enactment of the 1867 transfer ceremony. This year’s theme, “Our City, Our Story,” invites residents to explore Alaska’s diverse histories and cultures. Native Stories: Yaaruin Collective has launched a monthly magazine for Alaska Native children and families, adding a new outlet for local voices. On Screen: Nicolas Cage and Antonio Banderas will lead season five of HBO’s True Detective. The story moves to New York, but will connect to Night Country, the Alaska-set previous season.

This Weekend: Mat-Su’s Oct. 16–18 lineup includes spooky events and stage shows, while Anchorage offers Parlor in the Round, Elders & Youth and the Harlem Globetrotters. Alaska Arts & Media: The Yaaruin Collective has launched a monthly magazine for Alaska Native children and families. Music & Community: Salmonfest is marking 15 years with a fall Season of Giving, pledging $15,000 to Alaska organizations and initiatives. On the Road to Alaska: The Presleys’ 60th-anniversary cruise sets sail in August 2027 with music, comedy and gospel performances, plus stops in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. Local Talent: A Talkeetna contestant won “Jeopardy!” in a nail-biting tiebreaker.

Alaska Native Stories: Yaaruin Collective’s new monthly Yaaruin Kids magazine launches Oct. 18–21 at Anchorage’s Elders & Youth Conference, sharing Alaska Native languages, cultures and stories with young readers. Weekend Picks: Anchorage’s lineup includes Parlor in the Round, Elders & Youth events and the Harlem Globetrotters; Mat-Su has spooky happenings and stage shows, while Seward’s science symposium brings art and community together. Live Music: Acclaimed organist Gail Archer performs a free concert in Fairbanks on Nov. 6, with works by Bach, Schumann, Brahms and Bulgarian composers. Arts at the Library: Soldotna Public Library has added Kanopy, giving cardholders free access to films, TV, documentaries and children’s programming.

Alaska Arts & Ideas: Seward’s Science Symposium runs through Oct. 17, bringing artists, scientists, Alaska Native knowledge and community members together for talks, workshops and hands-on activities. Onstage This Weekend: Mat-Su audiences can catch “Jekyll & Hyde” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” alongside live music and Halloween events. Anchorage’s weekend picks include Parlor in the Round, Elders & Youth and the Harlem Globetrotters. Iditarod Honors: Mushers DeeDee Jonrowe, Aliy Zirkle and Doug Swingly, along with two celebrated sled dogs, join the Iditarod Hall of Fame at an Oct. 15 gala in Anchorage. Alaska on Air: A Chickaloon contestant won “Jeopardy!” in a nail-biting tiebreaker, while PRX and Native Voice are partnering to expand Indigenous programming.

Indigenous Radio: Anchorage-based Native Voice One is partnering with PRX to distribute 17 Indigenous-produced weekly shows and special programs, including music, news and storytelling, to stations across the U.S. and beyond. Alaska on the Karaoke Stage: Talkeetna singer-songwriter Kayti Heller, who performs as Aspenyarrow, took second at the national karaoke competition and is heading back to Las Vegas for a worldwide contest later this month. Around Anchorage: This weekend brings Parlor in the Round at Bear Tooth, a free zine-making gathering and live music at the Anchorage Museum, plus a crowd-participation dueling piano show. Local Spotlight: Chickaloon’s Ron Clarke won “Jeopardy!” in a rare tiebreaker after years of auditioning. Seawolves Volleyball: UAA’s 13-6 team is on a three-game winning streak under rookie head coach Morgan Hooe and hosts Northwest Nazarene Thursday.

What’s On: Alaska’s Oct. 15–21 calendar offers a mix of live music, comedy and fall fun, including Parlor in the Round in Anchorage on Oct. 15, a youth fantasy ball on Oct. 16 and comedian Laurie Kilmartin on Oct. 17. Indigenous Media: Anchorage-based Native Voice One has partnered with PRX to distribute Native-produced and Indigenous-focused radio programs to more than 200 stations. Local Culture: A student is connecting Tlingit art and cultural history, while Anchorage’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration and the return of Amhalaayt to Metlakatla put Alaska Native traditions in the spotlight. On Air: A Chickaloon contestant won on “Jeopardy!” and returned Wednesday for another game.

Alaska on Screen: Chilly memories resurfaced as choreographer Farah Khan recalled filming Pukar in Alaska: Madhuri Dixit wore a chiffon sari and turned blue in the cold while co-star Anil Kapoor bundled up in “40 jackets.” Local TV: Chickaloon’s Ron Clarke won $18,200 on Jeopardy! after a rare tiebreaker and returned Wednesday with a chance to extend his streak. Indigenous Culture: Anchorage marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with celebrations of culture and tradition, while an event at an Alaska college brought people together through food and fellowship. Local Music: A Kenai band brought sci-fi sounds to its annual showcase, and Bettye Davis East High’s ukulele band hopes to take its music to Hawaii.

Indigenous Arts & Culture: Anchorage’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration brought Native artists and community members together, with handcrafted jewelry and beadwork on display. Artists said the gathering honors ancestors, shares traditions and affirms that Alaska Native people are still here. Alaska Arts Calendar: International Chamber Music Alaska plans a free concert Oct. 17 to open its season, while the Anchorage Museum is showcasing “Faux Flora,” an exhibition of artificial flowers. Youth Music: Bettye Davis East High’s ukulele band hopes to take its music to Hawaii, putting student performers in the spotlight.

Alaska Native Culture: Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Alaska Pacific University featured traditional foods, dance, Native sports, weaving and crafts, with participants sharing skills across generations. Alaska Sports: North Pole’s Taimane and Jade Skipps scored every touchdown in a 27-21 flag football win over Colony, earning the team its second state title in three years. Alaska on Film: Twenty years after its release, Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man still draws viewers to Timothy Treadwell’s final summer among Katmai’s bears and the fatal encounter that ended his life and Amie Huguenard’s.

Indigenous Culture: Anchorage marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with events celebrating Native history and culture, while a separate Louisville gathering featured Indigenous art, vendors and food. Visual Arts: Faux Flora is blooming at the Anchorage Museum, offering a new local exhibition for fall visitors. Live Music: International Chamber Music Alaska will celebrate its season with a free concert Oct. 17, while a Kenai band is bringing sci-fi sounds to its annual showcase.

Indigenous Culture: Anchorage marks Indigenous Peoples Day with free dance performances by Siivuqaq Dance Group and Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim, plus Native foods and local art vendors at Alaska Pacific University. The Alaska Native Cultural Charter School hosts its celebration Tuesday, with cultural activities and a community potluck. Live Music: International Chamber Music Alaska’s season continues with a free concert on Oct. 17. Visual Arts: Faux Flora is blooming at the Anchorage Museum, while a Kenai band brings sci-fi sounds to its annual showcase.

Indigenous Arts: Anchorage marks Indigenous Peoples Day with free performances Monday at Alaska Pacific University, including dances by the Siivuqaq Dance Group and Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim; the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School hosts a celebration Tuesday. Live Music: Grammy-winning guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is scheduled to perform in Fairbanks Oct. 11, while International Chamber Music Alaska offers a free concert Oct. 17. Alaska Culture: A Kenai band brings sci-fi sounds to its annual showcase, and the Anchorage Museum’s “Faux Flora” exhibition adds a visual-art stop for fall visitors.

Alaska Music: Grammy-winning guitarist Tommy Emmanuel plays Fairbanks Oct. 11, and International Chamber Music Alaska follows with a free concert Oct. 17. Living Heritage: Metlakatla welcomed home a Tsimshian chief’s headdress after a 20-year return effort; family members restored it and brought it to life in ceremony. Art & Performance: Faux Flora is blooming at the Anchorage Museum, while UAA’s theater program is in full swing. A Kenai band is also bringing sci-fi sounds to its annual showcase. Around Town: Anchorage’s weekend lineup featured a ski swap and gaming expo, and the Ice Dogs are back at Fairbanks’ Big Dipper for the season. On Screen: Nicolas Cage says he expects to join “True Detective” Season 5, which follows the Alaska-set “Night Country” by moving the story to New York.

Fairbanks Hockey: The Ice Dogs return to the Big Dipper Friday, opening their home schedule against the Kenai River Brown Bears as Fairbanks looks to extend its unbeaten start. Alaska Heritage: Metlakatla has welcomed home a chief’s headdress after a 20-year effort led by community members to bring the treasured Tsimshian piece back and restore its family ties. Wildlife Spotlight: Katmai’s Fat Bear Week crowned Backpack its 2026 champion, with millions of votes cast in the annual celebration of bears bulking up for winter. Music and Arts: Fairbanks hosts Grammy-winning guitarist Tommy Emmanuel on Oct. 11, while International Chamber Music Alaska offers a free concert Oct. 17. Anchorage Museum’s “Faux Flora” exhibition and a Kenai band’s sci-fi showcase add more fall arts offerings.

Student Musicians: Anchorage’s Bettye Davis East ukulele band is raising money to perform at schools and public shows on Oahu in March. The group recently played at the Performing Arts Center and hopes community support will help make the trip happen. Kenai Showcase: Kenai Central High’s marching band brought a sci-fi spin to its annual showcase, performing music from Tron and Daft Punk in a rain-soaked field performance. Coming Up: Grammy-winning guitarist Tommy Emmanuel plays in Fairbanks on Oct. 11, and International Chamber Music Alaska has a free concert planned for Oct. 17. At the Anchorage Museum, the “Faux Flora” exhibition is also drawing attention.