MID-DEC 2018
PAGE 2
PAGE 3
MID-DEC 2018
PAGE 4
Families & Children: Denali Family Services
FAITH:
Connect Palmer Inc. www.ConnectPalmer.org (907) 746-9675 Connect Palmer is a Christ Centered Training Center and Housing for Women located in downtown Palmer. Connect Palmer’s two primary programs are God’s Work Design, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, which a Safe and Caring place for ladies, without homes, to live while they participate in our back to work and life skills programs. We also offer different community assistant programs, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instruction. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
OTHER Mat-Su Health Services, Inc.
MID-DEC 2018
www.mshsak.org (907) 376-2411 Dedicated to improving the health of our community, one person at a time – through affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care.The clinic is a Federally qualified Health Care Center and we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most other third-party insurances. For those who qualify, there is a sliding scale payment, based on household income. We offer early morning and evening appointments appointment. You can also contact our 24/7 behavioral crisis intervention line by calling the main number: 376-2411.
291 East Swanson Ave. Wasilla, AK 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org Denali Family Services provides therapeutic foster care to Alaskan children with mental health needs. If you are committed to working with a team, receiving training and implementing positive interventions to schoolage children and teens, we need your talents and skills. We are in search of professional, therapeutic foster parents who are willing to make a commitment to the children of Alaska by providing a stable home environment. For more information, please call or email our Foster Care Recruiter, Ernestina D. Olivares, at 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org.
Mat-Su Health Foundation healthymatsu.org (907) 352-2863 The Mat-Su Health Foundation offers financial and strategic support to well-managed 501(c)(3) organizations that offer services and practical solutions to significant health-related problems impacting the citizens of the Mat-Su Borough. The foundation also offers academic and vocational scholarships to Mat-Su residents who wish to pursue health and wellness related careers.
Pets & Animals: Alaska Animal Advocates www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com (907) 841-3173 Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to enriching the lives of companion animals in Alaska. In order to do this, we will place homeless pets in loving environments, address medical concerns, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinate, and offer training as is needed. We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, for his/her entire life and Alaska Animal Advocates will provide the resources to make this happen. In order to make this mission possible, we need the help of volunteers and foster homes.
ARTS: Valley Arts Alliance www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com Valley Arts Alliance, bringing the community together through the arts... We are a place for both new and established artists of all types— painters, sculptors, musicians, and those involved in the performing arts—to network and to experiment with new ideas and media. We work with local libraries, schools, museums, art councils, and music and art groups to create more venues for the arts, and to help promote art related events. Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe, 9191 E Frontage Road, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Check out our archives www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com
CONSERVATION: Valley Community for Recycling Solutions www.valleyrecycling.org (907) 745-5544 RECYCLING – It’s not just for hippies anymore!! Everyone in the Mat-Su valley can recycle. Drop your stuff off Tues – Fri 10:30 to 6 and Sat 10:00 to 3:30. Recycle cardboard, magazines, this newspaper and more at your community recycling center. Remember to REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE! Your community recycling center is located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the MSB Animal Shelter at the MSB Central Landfill. Volunteer opportunities available. Make a difference in your community! Check out our website for details, follow us on Facebook. www.valleyrecycling.org - Call us at 907.745.5544 with questions or comments.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: Mat-Su Regional Adult Basic Education (Nine Star) MatsuAdultEd@ninestar.com (907) 373-7833 Mat-Su ABE provides basic education in math, language arts and English as a second language (ESL), aiming to raise student skills beyond the high-school level in order to pass tests like the GED, enter training programs or college, and advance on the job. Enrollment is open to all adult residents of Alaska, year-round. Youth Employment for ages 16-24 not in school -- get a job, keep a job, advance on the job. Nine Star 300 N Willow 373-3006 (in the MYHouse building)
FAITH: Valley Interfaith Action (VIA) www.valleyinterfaithaction.org (907) 230-1006 To address quality of life issues for all residents of the Mat-Su Borough, utilizing the faith values of our members, developing community-wide interest and mobilization around quality of life issues. Through training, leaders address community problems by providing forums for discussion, researching alternative solutions, and working as facilitators with residents and leaders for institutional change.
HOMELESS YOUTH: Mat-Su Youth Housing (MY HOUSE) myhousematsu.org (907) 373-4357 MY House is a homeless youth drop in center with two for-profit businesses that train and employ homeless youth. Gathering Grounds Cafe is a coffee shop with homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Steamdriven is a trendy thrift shop featuring Steampunk items made from repurposed donations by our youth designers. Fiend2Clean and Young People in Recovery offer support for substance abuse recovery with activities and events. We offer transitional housing for qualified 18-24 year olds, Outreach services to connect homeless youth, organizations and groups to services, and access to Public Health and NineStar job/education services on site.
SOCIAL ADVOCACY: Wasilla Homeless-Committee www.wasillahomeless-committee.org (907) 521-2949 Wasilla Homeless-Committee is a 100% volunteer organization funded by private donations and regular fundraising events. Our sole purpose is to assist the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and others who do not meet the criteria for help that is required by other advocacy agencies in the valley. Wasilla Homeless-Committee provides case management, housing search assistance, move in assistance, job search assistance, clothing, furniture, help with transportation, and resource guidance for homeless and disenfranchised in the Mat-Su Valley. Visit our website for application, or call 907521-2949. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/ wasillahomelesscommitteepage
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
PAGE 5
Community Events
MID-DEC 2018
PAGE 6
Music
Contributed by Josh Fryfogle It’s new, really. The idea that we have about how music works, in a financial, professional sense. Technological developments, like electricity, and broadcast - and now the internet - have made music easily available to people. The click of a button, or opening an app on your phone, will lend instant access to the world of music, spanning across time and space. It is truly magnificent. But we’ve also lost something, and that something is quite the important something, too. The musician.
Contributed by Hitchcock Piano Studio The Hitchcock Piano Studio (...meaning Sally, the teacher) is changing the format of their 4th Monday events this month.
MID-DEC 2018
Since it is Christmas Eve, how about a chance to calm down, put away the kitchen chores, the decorating and the wrapping, and relax and just sing favorite Christmas music in a quiet house, in a quiet subdivision? If most of the preparation is done by suppertime Christmas Eve, why not send the unneeded “hands” off to sing? I promise to play the lovely Pastorale Symphony from the Messiah on my little organ, and maybe some light jazz piano arrangements of carols, and maybe some nibble food and drink could be available. Let me know you are coming, or just drop in. My daughter’s insistence on a tree in the back sitting room, puts even more soft chairs in the Studio, and the studio used to seat more than
Before all this technology gave us music on demand, we had to have a real musician provide music. There was no way around it, music required musicians. In this way, there was a cultural connection to the people in a community. All music was local music, even if they were playing compositions from other musicians who lived elsewhere. The musicians in a community created the sound of that community’s culture. They created the feeling of that place. Going back to the beginning of time, music and musicians always went hand in hand, and as a result, musicians were an integral part of any community. They weren’t ‘wannabes’ trying to ‘make it’ out of their communities. They were valued culture creators, within their own community. And it was good. I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy the music that I have access to; I’m a glutton for music, any way I can get it. I soak in it, I let it pour into my soul.
20 people in it for performance parties. The Organ piece I first heard when Olga Rieger played it when the community chorus once did selections from the Messiah. I fell in love with its easy motion and quiet peacefulness way back when. It introduces one of Messiah’s sections and really serves as a prelude to the next songs. If a few families come this Christmas Eve, maybe we can build a tradition and even add other musicians. I certainly miss the Christmas Studio gatherings of the years when there were enough students to fill a full-sized program and then have a small social time afterwards. The Studio is at 950 W Edinborough Drive, off Bogard, just up the hill from the Glenn Highway. We open for the 7:00 PM gathering, everyone who wants to sing, or sit among the singers is welcome. For more information call 907-745-3134
Arts
Contributed by Charice Chambers Christmas is a magical time, filled with scents, sounds and sensations unique to the season. It’s a Christmas carol, nutmeg in eggnog, sparkling stars on clean cold nights, and the crèche in the church nave. For many, the season revolves around the Christmas tree, and generally, a new ornament is added each year, creating history and a family story. The Matsu Senior Center Gift Shop is ready with many unique ornaments to create or enrich your family story. This year, creative artist Patty Halley of Arctic Belles has added native angels holding crosses, birds and heavenly musical instruments to her collection of small Alaskan dolls. Her new creations add variety to her current grouping of dolls, which can be found knitting, gardening, painting, cooking, dancing, fishing, hunting, and more.
If there’s golfer in your life, a snowman golf head is a must. Local artist Kristen Spences’ snowman creations feature a variety of cartoonish faces with carrot noses. There is even one snowman face featuring a nose bent completely sideways – for the golfer with his nose perpetually out of joint. Dale Adler loves the smell of wood, and as a retiree, just can’t be parted from his lathe. With a lovely collection of twig vases already on display in the gift shop, Aldler has branched out. He has now included hand-crafted solid birch Christmas ornaments.
Of course, presents are a very large part of Christmas, especially for the younger set. The gift ship features a wide array of handcrafted gifts that will please any child or the child in anyone. Raggedy Ann’s and Andy’s await adoption. A variety of children’s (and adult’s) parkas fill the rounders. Shelves are stuffed with shy Alaskan gnomes in a variety hats and outfits. Doll parkas complete with skirt and leggings to fit American girl sized dolls can be found in a variety of Alaskan themed prints. For anyone and everyone, there are Alaskan Hug dolls, a unique trademarked design created by Linda Harris and Patty Warren. The dolls exude the essence of true Alaskan hospitality. Native masks, children’s mukluks, native baskets and jewelry of all kinds insure success in finding that “just right” gift for anyone on your shopping list. 1132 South Chugach Street in Palmer Open to all, Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, through the 21st of December.
MID-DEC 2018
After creating a “really cool” Christmas stocking for her soccer-obsessed daughter, Gale Glenn wanted to copy it. Unable to recut the precise patterns necessary using traditional means, Glenn decided to try a laser cutter. Not only did it work for her soccer patterns, it did so much more. Soon she was turning out etched and cut products in paper,
wood, metal and Lucite. She’s even used the laser to cut designs in food and etch rocks. Fortunately, this season she addressed Christmas ornaments and offers several designs including three-dimensional wild life scenes, views of the Northern Lights and whimsical bears wrapped in birch bark ovals.
Designed in drop and oval styles, the ornaments are stained in both traditional tones and Christmas tints to add grace to the Christmas tree. Adler has also created a line of wood carved “skittles” trees, covered with small skittle-like dots representing Christmas lights. Lovely by themselves, or added to your Christmas village, the carvings will bring warmth to Christmas displays.
PAGE 10
Music Contributed by Mike Campfield Friday, December 21st - 7 PM Palmer Train Depot 610 S Valley Way, Palmer All Ages Event - $10 Admission
MID-DEC 2018
The Palmer Arts Council is pleased to announce the “Inside/Out Music Series”, a new series of concerts featuring local musicians, paired with nationally recognized artists. The purpose of this effort is to promote new and entertaining music in the Palmer area and expose local musical artists to a wider audience and veteran talent from the lower 48.
OUTSIDE ARTIST: Kuf Knotz, based in Philadelphia, is one of todays fastest emerging alternative artists. No musical territory goes unexplored when it comes to Kuf, and it is this attitude that has led him to open for top acts - Ms Lauryn Hill, The Wailers, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Common, G-love, Arrested Development, Steel Pulse, Bone Thugs & Harmony, & Bruce Springsteen. Kuf Knotz pushes the boundaries of hip-hop. “My music’s always had a pretty broad spectrum as far as influences go,” he says. “It feels really natural to blend genres. I’ve always just felt that music is music.” Inspired to take his own indie-progressive style to the
next level, Kuf began work on a collection of upbeat, feel-good music. “I felt like it was important and it was needed in hip-hop,” Kuf says. Christine Elise is a classically trained Harpist/ Pianist/Vocalist. She has a strong background in music therapy, having offered her services to children, adults, and seniors with developmental delays, special needs and those needing emotional support. Finding a passion for community music therapy, she’d since facilitated group sessions for professionals and clients in the USA, South Africa, Peru and Jamaica. She’s presented at national and regional music therapy conferences, with a focus on her community music therapy work, as well as written three scholarly articles published by Music Therapy Perspectives. Christine and Kuf have combined forces to create a new album. The unlikely pair connected and built the project with a similar vision, wanting to create positive, forward-thinking music driven by a strong message. Both individuals are intrinsically motivated to foster community growth through musical expression. Along with live performances among the nightlife, Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise offer motivational creative arts workshops and performances at various settings such as hospitals, schools and community centers. Their mission is to use the power of music, personal experience and empathetic relation to help individuals grow to meet their fullest potential.
Citisin K, Reggie White, and Slim The 3x Fellon. He would later release a series of solo mixtapes such as “Lessons On Loyalty”, “POETry”, And “God Has No Outkast”. Recently he released his first full studio album entitled “King Of The Valley” in association with DucePlaya Music and Ghost (ulikeitiloveit). The album is available now in physical copy and will soon be on all major media outlets. Frequent collaborator with Fairbanks artist Alaska Redd of Reddot Ent., and Ground Zero Labs owner and radio personality Mr. O, “D” has been on many local tours and has opened for a list of signed artists, such as: E-40, Kendrick Lamar, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Krizz Kaliko, Sean Kingston, Ritz, Stevie Stone, and many more. He announced on social media that he will be going back on tour soon and preparing for the 3rd Annual Rhymefest. As a member of “The Rhymefest Crew” in association with DP Music and Twin Lion Records, Rhymefest is an all-day showcase of Alaskan talent and has had two successful years since its debut in 2016. Sloan Dellafosse, aka “Yankha”, originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a graduate of Palmer High School and currently resides in Anchorage, where she has become a star in the budding hip-hop scene.
LOCAL ARTISTS: Devon Shaw, aka “D The Lyricist”, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and promoter from Alaska. Born in Fairbanks, but raised in the PalmerWasilla area. D The Lyricist is a well-known artist in the Alaskan music scene. He started his career as one of the founding members of the group UTN (Unite The North) with fellow artists Choze, Mr. C, Bazz, Yankha is a poet, hip-hop lyricist, and social equity activist, and strives to advocate for women and women’s issues in her music as well as her daily life. She recently released a new album entitled “Luna Bruha”, including the hit single, “Elemental”. The concert will be at the Palmer Train Depot on Friday, December 21st. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is $10. All ages are welcome. The Palmer Arts Council is a non-profit organization, based in Palmer, Alaska, dedicated to the promotion of local art and artists in the greater-Palmer community.
PAGE 11
Artwork
Poetry & Prose Contributed by David Jenkins This morning, I awoke to my surroundings swaying back and forth. Much to my surprise, nothing broke. My eyes wandered, surveying what had become of our frozen north? Minutes passed, followed by aftershocks. I wondered, when will they stop? The power went out, stopping the clock. Time stood still and my heart began to drop.
People explore — strutting on the ruined road. Flashlights in hand, they illuminate the night.
Aperture, ISO, shutter speed… adjusting my settings, then my eyes take the lead. Now — composing my shot, archiving history, if I succeed. I snap the photo. A long exposure. It displays on-screen, I move in closer. Silhouettes of trees, glimmering stars. Purple hues in the sky, atop headlights of cars. Exposing destruction, with every shot. Finding beauty among chaos, artfully caught. I view this world through my own frame. A vivid recollection, that’s mine to claim. Someday… I’ll glance at these photos and then I’ll remember, the day it all shook, in late November.
MID-DEC 2018
7.0 — the worst since ‘64 later that night, gathering camera gear… before I dash out the door. Arriving at the damage, I’ve never witnessed something so severe. Such a primal curiosity, which brought us here.
As the fractures and crevices glowed I set up my camera, to capture this sight.
PAGE 12
Poetry & Prose An Alaskan Post-Quake Carol
A Final Stroll Across A Sinking Hole
Contributed by Nan Potts
Contributed by Mary Wessling
Hear the bells? They were jinglin.’ My poor ears, they’re still ringin’! A beautiful sight, The damage was light, Wanderin’ round a shaken wonderland.
As I gaze upon the dark abyss, I see destruction and hopelessness. Within the cracks and jagged sides, I calm the crippling fear, which lies beneath the surface, like nature’s crime. Is it hatred, is it glee? With which I cross these blackened streams? Even nature has its faults. And I ponder, will I bolt if it growls under me? A quickened pace, escape my fate Or face a concrete grave For my eternity.
Gone away are the snowbirds, Those who’s stayed, they said curse words! The ground shook and heaved, The cupboards it cleaved, Cleanin’ up the shaken wonderland. In the meadow we just built a snowman, Minutes later watched him tumble down. Callin’ all the neighbors, “You OK, man?” “We did a whole lot better than in town!” Later on near the fire, I’ll decide who to hire. To fix and defray, What insurance won’t pay, Wonderin’ in a shaken wonderland.
The Cone Contributed by Robert Lyons
MID-DEC 2018
Soft, swirling wonder Lips asunder Self-serving grip Milky drip A blundering drift! Unnerving swerve Over the curve Moans and curses U-turn for sure Back into line In a cup this time
Numbered Contributed by Charles Dean Walker I feel it worsen. The day starts bright, but goes dark. My days feel limited. I’m isolating myself. Don’t want to get out of bed. Don’t want to leave the house. Don’t want to leave my room. Not in the party mood. No wonder, nobody wants to be around. I wish my heart would stop. Never reached this point before. Wish I could go back in time. Start over. To my birth, and end me. When I’d see the sun. Life felt brighter. Now I feel tired. When it rained it was calm. Now I get deeper.
Due Drop Contributed by Robert Lyons I wear truth and transparency like an armor Never given proper due or honor Gotten everything I ever was offered Skin of my teeth, scraped from the pliers Deniers everywhere but I still press the fliers One day the buyers will outweigh the mire Ima get what I desire, better pay the piper It ain’t hype, you liars are rotten I’m gonna rip through you like buckshot Inspired to tell the tales I got lined up Since I was a little snot I been tipping tables Shaming the intellectuals with common sense fables More science was proven in my cradle Than Einstein and Newton with tubes, numbers and ladles There is no disputing I am shooting to kill, humbled but rude Crude english proving I’ve paid my dues, chewing up curd I’m bored herding this world, bunch of lazy destitutes When do I get my restitution? Stripped naked with nothing but the Constitution over my genitals Sublimely filling my enemies with panic, busted pen tip, Manic Here comes the energy again, looked in the mirror and cracked it Light flooding from my eyeballs, blasting everything I stare at My words flaring up the pad like a blaze in the forest I better put this out before I burn and waste all in my wake Don’t make a mistake, I’ll be back before your next day I don’t sleep, I creep through the night looking for prey So if I didn’t get you presently, better check your histories
t
Earthquake Poem Contributed by Marilyn Bennett As I’m Waking Sounds of Quaking Dishes Shaking What is breaking? Pictures Falling Husband Calling Baby Bawling Why I’m Stalling Floor is Creaking Is Roof Leaking? What is Reeking? Now I’m Streaking Cell Phone Ringing Children Clinging I am Singing As I’m Bringing Hope of Staving Off the Raving I’ll be Saving My kid’s Caving To useless Sighing As I am Trying Without Lying To calm the Crying We’re all so Lucky It could have been Yucky Although it’s not Ducky We Are All Alive
PAGE 13
als
Poetry & Prose Fishing Place Contributed by Darroll Hargraves I know a place. Seldom visited. One old timer said that nobody goes there since 1935. That was the year the last of the prospectors and miners left. They were there for the gold. Were they? I have long suspected that those stampeders had other interest. They thrived on the beauty of the mountains, the valleys, the rivers and creeks. The gold was great but the looking and the seeking in places of grandeur may have been the greater pull for many. Such is the place I know. There was and is now gold in the mountains and creeks. The history is of interest to me but after days of off-road travel, through boulder fields left centuries ago by receding glaciers, across creeks and snow pack from last winter’s snowfall we arrive at the place. A preadolescent son is a fine thing to have at a time like this. On a gravel bar, beside a pool in a very small creek. Two cast each and four fish to show for it, confirming why we came. The grayling are scrappy. Never a cast without a strike, seldom without a catch. I turn the fishing over to the son and begin to dress the catch. Every fish the same size, fifteen inches. My cooler chest with snow from the snow pack fills up. Return home with eighty-five beauties for the freezer and winter delight at dinnertime.
I know the place.
MID-DEC 2018
Every fish was hooked in the same place, “In the mouth”.
PAGE 14
Museum
Contributed by Richard Estelle Traveling salesmen, college students and British army clerks once took delight in the handy little machine we find in our Museum collection this month. The compact, portable “Corona #3” typewriter served them all. As the dependable forerunner of Smith-Corona office typewriters that would become famous throughout this country in later years, this little “#3” had added features that made it especially attractive to folks on the move. At 9 3/4 lbs., its aluminum frame was lighter than most other machines and it could be folded up and carried in a small case. Although perhaps not currently well known, the “Corona #3” was one of the most successful typewriters in history. Patented on February 8, 1910, over 600,000 of them were sold between 1914 and 1941. The British Army purchased many for use in the field during World War I. Pica type is produced with the pretty standard arrangement of letter keys in three banks, but each key also combines numbers and other necessary marks. Each type bar head that strikes the ribbon has three characters on it—lower case at the top, upper case in the middle and a number or mark at the bottom. The “CAP” key on the keyboard raises the carriage mechanism slightly so the middle, upper case character strikes the page. The “FIG” key raises the carriage even higher so the bottom, figure character, makes contact. Perhaps its most unique feature is that the whole carriage mechanism folds down over the keyboard, reducing its dimensions from 9-3/4” x 11-5/8” x 6-3/4” to 9” x 11-5/8” x 3-7/8”. Our “Corona #3”, manufactured in 1918, was donated to the Museum by Slim Hayes, a longtime Valley resident. Although we don’t have the carrying case originally supplied with the machine, it is still a valuable and interesting part of our collection.
MID-DEC 2018
The Palmer Museum of History and Art is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and promoting the history and art of the Palmer region while providing various opportunities for residents and visitors alike that allow for a greater understanding of the region’s history and culture. www.palmermuseum.org/visit
ARTICLE STARTS ON PAGE 6 CONTRIBUTED BY JOSH FRYFOGLE I use this modern tech to create a constant flow of music in my life. Blue tooth speakers are probably the most used technology in my home, next to the phone that connects to them. However, what we’ve lost in our community is an appreciation for the musicians’ role as culture creators in our community. I’m not lamenting or complaining. This is simply a reminder. Musicians can put their hands on an inanimate object and change the chemicals in your brain, so that you feel... different. That is a valuable skill set. That is how culture sounds. It never hurts to stop and consider this. Where would music be, and how would musicians function, in a world that wasn’t connected by technology? We would be in a central location somewhere, surrounded by our community, making music for them to enjoy - that they couldn’t get elsewhere. If they recognized the songs, it would be because the local musicians had made them familiar - not because some corporation piped it into the community over the radio or mass media. That norm, of corporate influence over local cultures, local communities, is a one-way street. It’s not reciprocal, it’s not communal. How can it be? They aren’t here, how could they play our soundtrack? How could they possibly?
Music is a completion of culture. It is the background, and sometimes the foreground of our lives - even now - because culturally that’s what it’s always been. The reason we like music so much is because music has been an inherent part of our culture for millennia. We all would benefit by keeping in mind that the musicians in our community are valuable to that community, making us feel how the community feels. They are masters of empathy, empaths absorbing the emotions of others, and creating a sound that communicates that consensus. Music, when culturally considered, makes us act as one, tapping our feet to the same rhythm, even dancing in unison, singing and harmonizing... This alludes to so much more about humanity than corporate, canned music could ever reveal. That music, from elsewhere, it’s not a barometer of our local reality. It’s a carefully
Any musician who has attempted to ‘make it’ will tell you, we are all challenged to pass through the gauntlet of the bar scene - and in the bar scene, you have to play songs that everyone already knows. Familiar tunes make people comfortable, and when people are comfortable, they eat, and drink. However, this brings us back to the core idea of this essay. That comfort that is familiarity, the power to make us familiar with certain music, (which is traditionally the role of local musicians in a community), has been usurped by outside interests. When it comes to creativity and familiarity in local music, it shouldn’t be an either/or scenario. It should be that the people in our community, who practice the craft of music, should retain the power to introduce new songs, and over time, make those songs familiar. It is this power that is lost. Musicians are still practicing, and performing, but the power they once had, to create a song and make it familiar to their neighbors - that’s all but lost. Replaced with corporate culture, now we sing along to more and more music made by people we will never know - who will never know us. I’m not exactly sure how we can reclaim our place, as musicians, in our
communities, here in Alaska. But one thing I’m sure of - and I’ve always been sure of this... Alaska is a perfect place to try. Because of our local pride, and geographic separation, we are in a better position than other contiguous states in the Union to reclaim our culture creator status. I think perhaps it starts with a change of mindset, a change of perception. We musicians need to stop looking to the outside for validation of our music, and start looking to the community around us. That community has had more influence over our creativity than many of us realize. It’s ubiquitous influence is inescapable. Yet, for many musicians, escaping Alaska is all they think about. Seeing how Alaskans ignore our musicians, I understand. Musicians want to be appreciated for their culture creation. But our community only hears what the corporate record companies tell us is ‘music’. Our community tells us to escape, go elsewhere for validation, let the corporate music industry shape your sound, so that there is no trace of Alaska in it. Then, and only then, do Alaskans at large give credence to our creativity. I’ve taken a few years off from music, but that’s already changing. I’m playing more, and enjoying it more than ever. It’s coming back to me, why I loved music way back when. This essay is just my own effort to express how I’m feeling, and what I’m thinking. Trying to keep those bad thoughts out of my mind, that my musical efforts should somehow reflect what is the norm, rather than affect it. It should not be about making money. It should be about making sense of things. Making a difference in our community, making people move together, make love, make memories...
Make a scene.
MID-DEC 2018
The question is, how do we re-establish that? How do we get musicians and the communities they live in to work
together, organically? It won’t be through a rejection of technology or convenience, that’s for sure. People aren’t giving up music streaming, radio, or electricity. I’m not suggesting that we live like the Amish. But I am wondering, and thinking a lot lately, about how music fits into our culture minus all the professional and financial ambition that is directed at the corporate music industry. I’m thinking a lot about how, as a musician, I can create music without it becoming the means to an end.
crafted and skillful illusion. As a musician, I admire the craft of it, but as a community member, it doesn’t reflect my world. Another effect of corporate music’s prominence in our local communities, following our willful ignorance of our own musicians, is that our own musicians lose their power. They start becoming imitators of that corporate culture, rather than innovators of our local culture. I’m not bashing those people, because I am certainly one of them. As a musician, I have been constantly pulled in two directions: creativity, or mimicry.
PAGE 15
Music