5 things to do in the Mat-Su: Weekend of Aug. 25, 2017

Hobo Jim at the Knik Museum

WASILLA — This Saturday, Hobo Jim will perform at the Knik Museum at 1 p.m.

Jim Varsos is one of Alaska’s most famous folk singer-songwriters. There will be several raffle prizes given away, including trips with Mahay's Riverboat and Talkeetna Air Taxi.

Varsos has had guitar in his hand since he was 12 years old. He’s performed “hard-drivin', rowdy, backwoods” shows in Alaska for more than 40 years, according to his website. Gov. Wally Hickel and the Alaska legislature honored Varsos by christening him as "Alaska's state balladeer” in 1992. Varsos performs year-round all across Alaska, from the Alaska State Fair to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog, to small fishing villages, native villages and even at remote hunting/fishing camps.

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.

Most of Varsos’s music often has a hardy, Alaskan theme, relating the tales of the working class and outdoorsman like fishermen, loggers and miners. He is no stranger to the Knik Museum and its mushing roots.

The concert is free of charge. Donations and raffle ticket sales will go toward the museum. Call 907-376-7755 for additional information.

Project AK 2 - The End of Summer Edition 2017

WASILLA — Prepare to party this Saturday, starting at 9 p.m at the Curtis D. Menard Sports Center. Inspired by the “hit movie” Project X, the Project AK team is bringing an epic party to life.” There will be five local DJs spinning Electronic Dance Music (EDM), Dubstep, Hip-hop, R&B, Reggaeton, House, and so on. It will be a full night of dancing and party games.

There will be a $50 Beer Pong Tournament and $100 Ultimate Beer Pong Tournament, a $100 Twerk Off, Go-go Dancers, karaoke contest and various other activities. There will be cash prizes for the winners. There will also be raffle and door prizes on-site. Visionary Lifestyle will provide all photography for the event. They will shoot backdrop, personal, and group photos.

Transportation Services - to and from Project AK 2

Stretch Hummer Limo Service $25 per person or a group of 6 for $125 one-way to and from Anchorage/Eagle River/Wasilla. Ask for further details. Cab service is also available with special discounted rates and coupons will be available.

Overnight accommodations: Those wishing book rooms or utilize camping spaces to must contact event staff ahead of time. These are “very limited” and a first come first serve basis.

18 and UP Ticketing Info: Regular admissions pre-sale - $25 / Regular Admissions at the door - $30 V.I.P. pre-sale -$35 / V.I.P. at door -$40

AGES 21 and UP Ticketing Info:

Regular Admissions Pre-Sale - $25 / Regular admissions at the door - $30

V.I.P. pre-sale -$35 / V.I.P. at door -$40 / V.I.P. tables -$250 pre-sale only (two remaining) / Big Boss Section info - $750 pre-sale only (one left)

Event Staff Contact Information:

Private message: www.facebook.com/ProjectAk2/

Email: blueteamgraphics@gmail.com

Text/Call: 907-782-9362 or 907-570-6834

Kid’s Cupboard Family Fun Day

This Saturday from 12 to 8 p.m. is the Kid’s Cupboard Family Fun Day at the Bumpus Ball Field off West Mystery Road. The event is hosted by the Mat-Su Softball Association and sponsored by Iron Dog Team Bennett/Perkins. There will be an assortment of activities for including an obstacle course, an archery range, a corn hole toss competition, GPS hide and seek, a car show, and giant Jenga. There will also be door prizes, music mixed by local DJ Reymi and a bounce house. Food trucks will be on site with $5 meals, serving pulled pork, hot dogs, and fries. The kids can get free snacks and the legal adults can buy beer.

The Corn Hole Tournament will cost $40 to enter and the winner will receive 40,000 Alaska Airline miles. The Giant Jenga Tournament will cost $20 to enter and the first prize will be 20,000 Alaska Airline Miles. There will be an ATM on site.

The Kid’s Cupboard will be accepting canned good and any other food (even perishables). According to Kid’s Cupboard Executive Director, Lynette Ortolano, all of the food donated will be incorporated into their menu. There will also be donation jars on-site.

“It sounds like a lot of fun,” Ortolano said.

This month, The Kid’s Cupboard wrapped up their Summer Meals for Kids programs where they served just under 44,000 meals. Ortolano said they reached 1,000 different children each day. The Kid’s Cupboard recently reciieved a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation and will be unrolling two commercial kitchens, at Nunley Park in Wasilla and in Big Lake across the street from the 3 Bears Plaza. Both kitchen will serve hot meals after school year-round.

“We’re pretty excited about that. It’s been a long time coming,” Ortolano said.

To pre-register for tournaments or for additional info visit: www.facebook.com/IrondogBennettPerkins

Free class hosted by Tinkergarten

This Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., children ages 18 months to 5 years old can create their own “magic potions.” Tinkergarten is an outdoor, play-based class for children that fosters learning, problem solving, relationship building, “mess making” and overall fun. To make a potion, children will seek out, collect, combine, mash, stir, shake, and repeat. They will stop to look and sniff the potion as it changes color, form and scent. There appears to be to end to what a kid can put into a potion. It begins with a splash of water, then anything else they want. They will be free to expiremtent like little alchemists, with real-time feedback

According to the event page, “it turns out, potion-making is a perfectly engaging pursuit for kids.. It’s tinkering at its best. So, just grab a glass jar for each kid, make sure you bring some water and head outdoors. Endless ingredients and potential concoctions await. Come join us and create your own magical creation.”

The event is free of charge but space is limited. Enroll at Tinkergarten.com.

Call 907-952-1220 for additional information.

Alaska Harvest Cooking Class

This Saturday Nourished Health Coaching Services will teach the Alaska Harvest Cooking Class at NonEssentials from 1 p.m to 2:30 p.m. Nutrition educator, health coach, and plant based cook, Winona Benson will demonstrate how to make a variety of meals from Alaskan grown crops.

Benson will use broccoli, kale, cabbage, and Alaskan wild game for her recipes. She will show how to make dairy free Cream of Broccoli Soup, Baked Kale and Cabbage Casserole with Alaskan sausage, and Berry Delicious Dessert.

The class cost $20 and space is limited to 10 people. There will also be an in-store, 20 percent discount shopping opportunity for all class participants to go on a “shopping spree.” To register for the class, stop by or call NonEsssentials at 907-745-2258.

According to the event page, “Recipes, nutrition tips, culinary skills, and delicious tastes are all part of this event.”