Spotlight on the Center's Resident Companies: Anchorage Concert Association

Anchorage Concert Association (ACA) has a long history in Anchorage. Founded in 1950 by a group of classical music enthusiasts, ACA has grown into the largest performing arts organization in Alaska and acts as an anchor in the touring schedules of artists as they come through the Northwest. They have presented over 700 performances since their humble start, and will entertain nearly 90,000 people in the upcoming season from a variety of experiences and backgrounds.

Anchorage Concert Association has become known for the wide spectrum of performing artists they present every year, from Broadway hits like Shrek The Musical and Mary Poppins to exciting classical artists like Ahn Trio and Portland Cello Project, to international superstars like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, comedians like Larry Miller and Bill Cosby, to family favorites like the annual production of the Nutcracker Ballet. In addition to all these, ACA has partnered with the well-respected Perseverance Theatre, another of our Resident Companies, to showcase Perseverance Theatre’s Anchorage season of some of the theatre’s most classic and impactful plays. With a wide appeal to young and old, Anchorage residents turn time and again to ACA’s offerings to take a little of the chill out of the long, cold Alaska winters. 

In speaking about the upcoming 2012-2013 season, Jason Hodges enthused about their growth over the last several years: “We’re pretty proud of the recent success we’ve had. It has allowed us to present bigger and better shows, and reach more people than ever before. Each time we put on a show in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, we bring people together for a shared experience. That is what I love most about the work we do at the Anchorage Concert Association. The goal of our work is not to separate and find difference; the goal of our work is to connect and create audiences of people for unique and transformative experiences.”

Here are just a few of their offerings for the 2012-2013 Season:

The Ahn Trio – Tonight!

Riders in the Sky -- Tomorrow!

Shrek the Musical October 5 - 14

New York Polyphony October 12

In the Footsteps of Django October 19 & 20

Dreamgirls February 26 - March 3

Ladysmith Black Mambazo March 16

Larry Miller May 3 & 4

Mary Poppins May 21 – June 2

Spotlight on the Center’s Resident Companies: The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra

The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is an Alaska gem, with a vibrant, professional 80-member ensemble of some of Alaska’s most talented musicians. With a rich history of more than sixty years, the ASO has grown into a thriving, dedicated core of musicians who set the standard for symphonic music performance and education here in Anchorage and throughout the state.

With Maestro Randall Craig Fleischer’s guiding hand, the ASO has consistently won critical acclaim from the press and enthusiastic approval from audiences. Throughout the season, the Symphony proudly offers events for every age group, from a  five Classic Concerts series that feature breathtaking solo performances by world renowned artists, three Special Events and Young People’s Concerts to exciting Neighborhood Concerts. The ASO  is invested in spreading the love of music with their numerous educational and outreach programs for all ages and a conscious effort toward making the arts accessible to everyone.

The ASO is proud of its musical heritage and grateful to its pioneering founders who sought to enrich the splendor of the Last Frontier with the glorious sounds of live symphonic music.

Music Director, Randall Craig Fleischer expressed his excitement about the upcoming season, "Each season, in designing our program, I try to take you on a variety of colorful, engaging, emotional journeys. We strive to strike a balance between works we all know and love and new experiences. Join us for another season of amazing orchestral music. I'm looking forward to a great concert season and to seeing you in the Atwood Concert Hall."

This season The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra will perform a wide variety of concerts, sure to appeal to everyone. They open the season with Fiesta! on September 22. This Opening Night concert will sizzle with Hispanic and Latin American flair! Disco fans should get their tickets now for Dancing Queen: The Music of Abba on October 26 and 27. Broadway lovers should not miss Wicked Divas featuring Broadway alums Julia Murney and Emily Rozek on February 9. Bring the kids to see the silent film classic, The Mark of Zorro, December 1,  featuring the original 1920s score performed live by the Symphony! Exhilarating violinist Elmar Olveira joins the ASO for an Epic Evening on November 10. This concert earns its name with two symphonic giants on the program, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7. Local favorite, Susan Wingrove will perform a piano concerto by Jennifer Higdon on January 19, for Sentimental Journey. The ASO weaves classic tales through music with Storytellers on February 23, and closes the season in a big way with Berlioz’ Damnation of Faust on April 20.

Spotlight on the Center’s Resident Companies: Whistling Swan Productions

Whistling Swan Productions founded by husband and wife team,  Mike McCormick and Katy Spangler have presented close to 300 different artists and produced more than 500 shows to audiences in Anchorage and other Alaska communities featuring a range of emerging artists, local performers and musical veterans. Whistling Swan has been a Resident Company of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts since 1997. The Center’s ten resident companies are the local arts organizations that present most of the shows at the Center, receive priority scheduling and special rates for theatre and lobby use.

Mike McCormick tells us that Whistling Swan is very excited about the upcoming season and is thrilled to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie's birth by bringing Woody's son Arlo to the Atwood Concert Hall in May 2013. Whistling Swan also will bring Woody's protégé, the 82 year old Ramblin' Jack Elliott, along with one of the songwriters most influenced by Woody and Jack's lineage, Dan Bern, in April.  Dan will also stopover in October for an Anchorage residency that will include songwriting workshops, a children's concert, and four other shows.

For those who love great guitar, Whistling Swan presents four of the best. One of the most influential acoustic players in the past 50 years, Leo Kottke, will bring his 6 and 12 string guitar, enthralling stories, and fine songs to town on Saturday, September 8. Dar Williams will be returning to Anchorage on September 29 in the Discovery Theatre. England's Richard Thompson called by "Rolling Stone" one of the 20 greatest rock guitarists of all time, will show off his prowess on Saturday, October 13 in the Discovery Theatre in a solo set.  Finally in February 2013, Milwaukee's Peter Mulvey joins forces with the banjo and guitar wizard Tony Futado to create a double bill of music that will be extra special.

Dar Williams in the Discovery Theatre September 29

Through the years Whistling Swan has brought dozens of emerging artists to Anchorage. November will feature two of the best of today’s rising stars: Joy Kills Sorrow (November 17) and the Deadly Gentlemen (November 3).

In addition to all the acoustic shows above, Whistling Swan has one show on the books that features a full electric band: Ruthie Foster. This passionate Texan singer and her trio electrified the Discovery Theatre when they last appeared and Anchorage fans have begged for her return ever since. You can rock out and hear Ruthie's phenomenal singing when she returns to the Discovery Theatre on Saturday January 12, 2013.