music

Mountain High Pizza Pie is known to many Alaskans as a vibrant oasis on Talkeetna’s Main Street that offers tasty pizza in a flower-filled setting. (I know it as home of the world’s best gluten-free pizza crust.)

Thanks for voting, readers! The results from our last poll are in: What would you like to see more of in The Alaska 100?

The incomparable Norah Jones will make the trek north to perform this summer in Anchorage and Juneau. She kicks off the Alaska leg of her tour on July 31, at Juneau’s Centennial Hall. From there, she is heading to Anchorage, where she will be playing three shows at Bear Tooth Theatrepub. Tickets are already available for performances on Aug. 2, 3 and 4.

Planning a summer road trip in the 49th state? We’ve been eyeing the Trickster Trips vans, and we just can’t wait to hit the road for summer adventures.

Refugees, dancers, artists and Anchorage organizations will join together for The Global Village Experience, a community celebration and performance that explores transportation, home and connection.

No need to don waders or pack fishing gear, but don’t forget your boogie shoes. Leftover Salmon is returning to the Sitzmark in Girdwood for what seems to have become an annual trek north for one of the country’s most recognizable jam bands. During their 2018 visit, Leftover Salmon shared behind-the-scenes footage of their performance and the fun they had in Alaska. Check out the band’s video, and purchase tickets for this year’s three-night run now.

The Sitka Jazz Festival has been bringing world-class music to Sitka, Alaska, for nearly a quarter century. This year, from Feb. 7-9, headliners Brianna Thomas, Adam Theis, Kyle Athayde Dance Party, Bijon Watson and more will be bringing their talents to the island community.

If live music is your one true love, you’re in luck this Valentine’s Day. The North Mississippi Allstars must “Hear the Hills” calling because they are bringing their bluesy jams to the Great North for a three-night run at the Sitzmark in Girdwood in February.

Along with warmer weather and plentiful sunshine, summertime brings Alaskans lots of live music options.

Anchorage Concert Association is giving Alaskans a chance to enjoy music and theater during one of the coldest months of the year with five shows lined up for February.

The Sitka Jazz Festival brings some of the top artists from around the country to southeast Alaska for three days of music learning and enjoyment.

Along with the new year comes one of Alaska’s favorite annual live music events, the Anchorage Folk Festival.

Wrap up 2017 with the sound of live music around Alaska. KillBill Sax will spread the holiday love with performances around Anchorage, including a show at Williwaw on Dec. 16, 907 Alehouse on Dec. 22, and Uncle Joe’s Pizzeria on Dec. 26.

Put on your boogie shoes and crank up the heat as you check out these live performances in Alaska this November:

• Maggie Rogers, known nationally for her hit single “Alaska,” will perform on Friday, Nov. 17, at the Egan Center in Anchorage.
• Pop-punk duo Diet Cig and IAN SWEET LIVE will appear in Fairbanks on Saturday, Nov. 18. In the meantime, enjoy Diet Cig’s NPR Tiny Desk appearance from earlier this year.
• Make your own music and enjoy the vocal stylings of your neighbors in Juneau, where karaoke night is held at Rendezvous on Wednesdays and McGivney’s on Thursdays.

This month, Alaska will host a variety of live music.

• On Friday, Oct. 6, SASSAFRAS is playing at 49th State Brewing Co. in Anchorage to support Audubon Alaska.
• On Sunday, Oct. 7, nationally touring a capella act Cantus will stop in Fairbanks at the UAF Charles W. Davis Concert Hall.
• Lez Zeppelin will play Oct. 27 and 28 at The Sitzmark in Girdwood. The all-female cover band is headlining Alyeska Resort’s Halloween celebration.
• Mandolin Orange will delight bluegrass fans in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Sydney Laurence Theatre and in Palmer on Sunday, Oct. 29 at Vagabond Blues.

A new online radio station has launched in Alaska. The RIVR, Rising Indigenous Voices Radio, provides 24 hours of daily streaming content. The station plays a curated selection of pop, hip-hop, alternative and EDM tunes as well as contemporary indigenous music, which provides a platform for young Alaska Native artists. Additionally, the RIVR will feature nationally syndicated podcasts and Native youth perspectives.