QUEST FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN
One day before the start of the Yukon Quest, downtown starts the party early with a full-bodied shot of artistic expression in the heart of the city! This month, listen to a traditional Japanese drum performance and view charcoal illustrations of world travels along with handmade snowshoes and fur clothing. Admire bright, bold strokes that harness the energy and joy of a dog team while learning about the history of mushing in Fairbanks. Handle handmade Alaskan jewelry and ask an artist about his unusual medium of choice- painting with vodka, gin, and coffee. Stop into an open house for a tour of the historic former Courthouse building,... [Read more]
CLOSET ARTISTS AT CO-OP ARTS
Co-Op Arts is opening its doors and walls to artists of all stripes and ages in preparation for the second annual “Closet Artists” show, debuting on First Friday. “Closet Artists” is a chance for the gallery to bring in fresh, new pieces from a wide variety of community members, and for amateur artists to exhibit their work in a professional gallery, often for the first time. The idea began as a way to mix up the cooperatively-owned gallery’s composition during January when business is often slow, says Gallery Manager Ken Kokjer. Last year’s rendition was tremendously successful, with 75 pieces exhibited... [Read more]
TROPICAL FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN
A frigid First Friday it will be, but the exhibits set to debut this January in downtown Fairbanks will make your chilly trek to the core well worth it! Consult with the experts and learn how to remake and reuse those lovingly worn household items and one-of-a-kind antiques. Cast your vote for ”People’s Choice” at an art gallery that has opened its walls to the undiscovered talent of Fairbanks, featuring pieces submitted by community members in an annual “Closet Artists” show. Try Tai Chi on for size, an ancient art that will have you on the fast track to keeping that New Year’s resolution to improve... [Read more]
ALYESKA PIPELINE 21 DAYS OF SPONSORSHIP
Downtown revitalization can’t happen without community support and sponsorship dollars, and the Downtown Association relies on generous companies, organizations, and philanthropists to make downtown Fairbanks a happenin’ place all year long. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company has a long record of supporting winter solstice activities in downtown Fairbanks, and 2011 was no exception. The Alyeska Pipeline 21 Days of Solstice counted down from Dec. 1st until the darkest day of the year, spreading holiday cheer with over $3,000 in downtown prizes and information on dozens of businesses and special events. Alyeska Pipeline provided the... [Read more]
CITY BUDGETS FOR DOWNTOWN SERVICES
The Clean Team that keeps downtown’s sidewalks cleared of various messes and snow in a defined area downtown got a boost in the budget the City Council passed on December 12, 2011. Without funds to operate, the Clean Team would have dissolved had not the City Council voted unanimously to partially fund the Clean Team for $50,000 in 2012. The one-time appropriation sponsored by Council member Vivian Stiver comes from the city’s general fund and was moved from the $200,000 the Mayor had requested for abatements. (The $150,000 remaining for abatements is a sizeable commitment to that use, equaling actual abatement expenditures in 2010 and... [Read more]
WIN SPECIALTY FOODS FROM IF ONLY… A FINE STORE
Did you know you can find hand-twisted candy canes, bright natural pastas colored with beets and squid ink, and cucumber wasabi dip at If Only… a Fine Store on Cushman Street? And this holiday season, you can win a basket of the most coveted treats in their collection or a gift certificate during the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice. If Only… a Fine Store has debuted their annual line of specialty foods and some of the hottest (tastiest) products are going fast. Cocktail stirrers are a big hit this year, as are buttery caramels, dark chocolate bark, and artisanal crackers. “We really look for quality product. We pay attention to ingredients,”... [Read more]
WEEK 1: ALYESKA 21 DAYS OF SOLSTICE
The Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice launch on Thursday, December 1st and will count down until the darkest day of the year. This new campaign matches Fairbanksans with the best of downtown during the holidays (including special events, featured products, and daily giveaways) through online and social media. WIN GREAT DOWNTOWN GIVEAWAYS- EVERY DAY! Each day, a giveaway donated by a local business or sponsor will be up for grabs on Facebook. Simply comment to win! Fans can win a range of prizes (total est. value of $2500) from wine tastings and fine art to dance classes, hotel stays, outdoor gear, holiday gift baskets, and dining gift cards. Week... [Read more]
GLITZ FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN
Holiday anticipation, cheer, and a welcome Chinook wind warm the December air during First Friday for the return of signature candlelight shopping, a birch-inspired jewelry showcase at a new First Friday venue, and an annual earring sale. Old Thyme Fairbanks is memorialized in watercolor at the Fairbanks Community Museum, while photography lines the walls of an upscale menswear store and hair salon. Unique handmade raven sculptures commemorate perhaps our most famous northern bird. And for those who can’t splurge on gifts this year, a fine art gallery is hosting an affordable sale with items priced as low as $1.00. Join us on the streets for... [Read more]
SMILE AND SAY ‘BISCUITS!’
The popular Pets with Santa returns to Sadler’s this weekend, as the Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Shelter sets up furry friends for photos with Santa Claus while simultaneously raising money for the nonprofit Animal Shelter Fund, which contributes to medical treatment of shelter animals from broken legs to vaccines and dental treatments. On Saturday from 10am-4pm and Sunday from noon-4pm, stop into Sadler’s with your dog, cat, guinea pig, or iguana (on a leash, please), and walk away with a drop dead adorable photo to show off to coworkers and fellow neighborhood dog walkers. Though Santa poses with all pets, he does have... [Read more]
REVIVING CUSHMAN’S REVITALIZATION
The effort to remodel downtown’s main arteries is reviving. To get the ball rolling again, Fairbanks Mayor Jerry Cleworth named a steering committee to become acquainted with the issues, limitations and potential of Cushman and Barnette streets as one-way facilities. Members of the steering committee – Scott Allison, Tim Cerny, Mary Nordale, June Rogers, and Eric Stoner – will help develop “complete street” alternatives and take public comment and answer questions about the alternatives at springtime public workshops. The steering committee is ultimately answerable to the Fairbanks City Council since the chosen alternative will... [Read more]
ALYESKA 21 DAYS OF SOLSTICE
Downtown Fairbanks is stepping up this holiday season with a brand new campaign to connect Fairbanksans with the finest products and festivities available in the heart of the city. Celebrate the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice from December 1st to December 21st with daily giveaways, an exclusive gift guide of new items, and a calendar of events (including visits with Santa!) that will keep you busy and warm as we count down until the darkest day of the year. And we’re thanking YOU for supporting local, downtown businesses with a giving spree worth thousands of dollars in downtown products. Log on to our facebook page each day to see what’s... [Read more]
DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY BAZAARS
The bazaar season is in full swing, and you might be surprised by how many downtown players can be found in the frenzy. The Holiday Marketplace at the Carlson Center was a case study in downtown outreach, vendor recruitment, and the breadth of individual retailers and crafty folks that come downtown throughout the year. We’re happy to see these friends of downtown spread across the city, and hope you take the chance to connect with brick-and-mortar retailers or independent vendors from the Downtown Market when you see them at a holiday bazaar. If you’re a business owner, you may even use these events to create hype for your... [Read more]
TAX RELIEF FOR DANCE THEATRE FAIRBANKS?
Dance Theatre Fairbanks will go before the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly November 17th to seek relief from propery taxes on the old fire hall on 7th Avenue that DTF rehabilitated in the course of locating their non-profit dance school in downtown Fairbanks. The News-Miner previewed tomorrow night’s action and you can read about it in the DTF’s own words here. The Assembly is likely to take up the Ordinance shortly after 7 PM. Read More →
TO THE BEAT OF GHANA
The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival (FSAF) is hosting a Ghanaian Dance, Drumming, and Song workshop this weekend at Dance Theatre Fairbanks. Visiting Instructor Okaidja Afronso will take participants through a series of six workshops in two days, teaching the techniques of Drum Language, African Dance, and Large Group Song. Returning to Fairbanks for the fourth time over multiple years of festival instruction, Okaidja has been busy teaching in the music rooms of local schools and at Joel’s Place this week. Just like with younger students, his adult classes at Dance Theatre Fairbanks will open with an introduction to Ghanaian culture-... [Read more]
Midnight Sun Festival
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