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.