5 THINGS TO DO IN THE MAT-SU: March 9, 2018

1) Equinox Women's Film Festival

“We have selected films that were directed, and/or written by women, and are highlighting a woman's story.”

PALMER- This Saturday, the Equinox Women's Film Festival is returning to the Glenn Massay Theater from 5 to 10 p.m. This film festival was made by women for woman and will feature 10 films gathered from across the world. This event was put together by Mat-Su National Organization of Women and the Mat-Su College. There will be a number of local vendor booths with featuring local craftswomen and business owners at the festival as well. Admission is $15. For more information, call 907-355-3204. The Glenn Massay Theater is located on the Mat-Su College campus at 8295 East College Drive.

2) Wasilla Community Health Fair

WASILLA- This Saturday is a chance to celebrate good health in the Mat-Su for the Wasilla Community Health Fair, starting at 8 a.m. at the Wasilla Senior Center. This event will feature affordable comprehensive blood tests, health education, free basic screenings, health and wellness resources and so on. There will be registered nurses available to answer health related questions. Test results are mailed directly to you within 2-3 weeks. You can take your results to your healthcare provider. Testing is for available to anyone over 18. The Wasilla Senior Center is located at 1301 South Century Circle. For more information, visit www.alaskahealthfair.org or call 907-278-0234.

3) Hobo Jim Friday and SAT 9pm

WASILLA- Hobo Jim will be strumming and singing along this Friday and Saturday at the Knik Bar, starting at 9 p.m. Jim Varsos- better known by his stage name, Hobo Jim- is one of Alaska’s most famous folk singer-songwriters. He’s performed “hard-drivin', rowdy, backwoods” shows in Alaska for more than 40 years, according to his website Varsos has toured with and opened for such big names like Reba McEntire, Ted Nugent, Ricky Skaggs, Mark Chesnutt, Hoyt Axton, Michael Johnson, Janis Ian, the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Riders in the sky, Chubby Checker, John Lee Hooker, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Janie Fricke, Mink Deville, Joni Harms, Steppenwolf, Jefferson Airplane / Starship and numerous others. Hobo Jim’s music often has a hardy, Alaskan theme, relating the tales of the working class and outdoorsman like fishermen, loggers and miners. Come hoot and holler with the bard of the blue collar at the Knik Bar, located at Mile 13.5 Knik Road.

4) Rock & Roll Customer Appreciation Party

“Get ready to rock!”

WASILLA- This Saturday, get ready to rock out with Denali Harley Davidson for their Rock & Roll Customer Appreciation Party, starting at 12 p.m. The public is invited to partake in the rockin’ party with an air guitar contest, lip sync battle, a mannequin challenge and more. There will be prizes for the best rock & roll hair style and best rock & roll outfit. They will also be drawing our first round of finalists for the Ride to Freedom Sweepstakes during the event. Stop in any day and enter to win the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Schedule: 1 p.m. air guitar contest, 2 p.m. mannequin challenge, 3 p.m. lip sync battle, and 5 p.m. announcement for of best costume winner. The shop is located at 1497 South Hyer Road. Call 907-373-3366 for more information.

5) Premier night for local film Codicia

PALMER- This Friday, at 7 p.m. is your chance to see Codicia at the Glenn Massay Theater. Featuring local actors, this film was created by Palmer High School Senior, Ethan Feaster. ‘Codicia’ is Spanish for greed. This dark and gritty film takes that theme and runs wild with it. It takes place on the Yukon during the Gold Rush era. The story follows multiple points of view with characters in search of gold and glory. Some of the characters are particularly sinister and will stop at nothing to get their way- even murder. Feaster said that in spite of the overwhelming greed and malice, some characters find hope and the film ends with a “happy yet not so happy ending.” This film contains mature content (intended for ages 16 and above). Tickets cost $10 and will be sold at the door.