5 things to do in the Mat-Su: Weekend of Sept. 1, 2017

Solo watercolor show

WASILLA — Local artist Suzanne Bach Edwards will present her Solo Watercolor Show, Friday at Espresso Cafe (across from Walmart), 1265 S Seward Meridian Parks Highway.

“This is one of my favorite spots to have a show and it has been awhile,” Edwards said in a Facebook post.

This show features Edward’s most recent pieces, using watercolor with two different techniques — cold press watercolor paper and Yupo, a synthetic substrate. Most of her paintings appear on “elephant size” sheets, using extra large format. Her works have been described as “whimsical in nature and with illuminating colors.” She will showcase her original art as well as some prints. Her work will show will be on display for the entire month of September.

The artist reception begins at 4 p.m. The reception will be a chance to meet Edwards and grab some refreshments. For more information, contact Edwards at 907-301-5308.

Pistol basics co-ed training

PALMER — Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. is the Constitution Club AK’s Pistol Basics Co-ed Training course. The class will be at the Farm Loop Christian Center, located at 5900 North Farm Loop. Men and women alike can learn can learn basic pistol handling and safety. The class will include training on sight picture, grip, trigger control, stance, draw from concealment, and live fire practice.

There will be pistols available on-site, and participants may bring their own personal revolver/ semi-automatic. Ear and eye protection is required. Students are asked to bring one box of ammunition.

According to the event page, the class is for those who are “new to firearms, would like to become more familiar with their sidearm, or may just want a refresher on the basics.”

The class is free of charge. Friends of the NRA will provide the supplies. It is for adults ages 21 and over. Young adults must have with guardian to attend. Space is limited; registration is required to attend. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/pistol-basics-training-co-ed-tickets-37214279913

Valley Fiber Arts Guild September meeting

PALMER — The Valley Fiber Arts Guild is having its first guild meeting of the year Saturday at the Palmer Library. The guild is a collective of knitters, spinners, and weavers living in the Mat-Su Valley. The meeting will be a recap of past events, a chance to get caught up with current projects and will also serve as a discussion forum to plan future events. It will also be an opportunity for newcomers to join the guild or learn how to volunteer their time. The meeting wraps up with a “show and tell” session for members and even newcomers to present their projects.

All guild members or interested fiber enthusiasts are welcome to show up. There is an board meeting open to the public at 9 a.m. at Vagabond Blues. The general meeting starts at 10 a.m. at the library.

According to their website, the Guild has the meeting room at the library reserved for every 1st and 3rd Saturday, “when feeling particularly motivated, members sometimes take advantage of the space to meet again, often with a somewhat defined agenda.”

Every Tuesday the Guild has its UnFinished Object night at Vagabond Blues.

“Members and visitors alike are invited members meet to relax, enjoy Blues food and drinks, and finish those pesky projects! Folks show up after work and stay until they are kicked out by the kindly baristas.”

The Guild meets on the 1st Saturday of “most winter months” at 10:15 at the Palmer Library. Various other meetings and events occur throughout the year.

For more information, message the guild at their Facebook page or visit the event page at www.facebook.com/events/289565434782677/permalink/290460528026501

Boys Club live at Schwabenhof

The lady trio Boys Club is having a show at Schwabenhof bar Saturday at 10 p.m. Boys Club is an acoustic, hip hop, pop, alternative rock band that “keeps it fresh, crescent fresh” and plays every Sunday and most Wednesdays at the bar. The group members are Dolphette Lundgrenne, Randi Savage and Javaris Jamar Javarison-Lamar. They are the hosts of the Sunday Acoustic Jam night.

According to their Facebook page, Lundgrenne and Savage met during the 2015 Flightless Bird Wrestling Championships, “they originally despised each other, both are geniuses with IQs above 180, and both could be supermodels. After the initial fistfight, they became fast friends. Dolphette and Randi found Javaris cold and near death in a small cardboard box on the side of the road, and after months of rehabilitation and cajon drills, the trio decided that there are not enough cover bands out there who specialize in B-52s and Outkast covers, so they filled the void, and are now the most in-demand girl band in Alaska, depending on the day of the week, and your taste in music.”

For more information, email dolphettelundgrenne@gmail.com

Valley Brew Crew Brew Club annual wine tasting

PALMER — The Valley Brew Crew Brew Club is hosting its yearly wine tasting event Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at 7715 North Raleigh Hills St. There will be a variety of wines and appetizers to sample. There will be prizes for wines with the highest tasting scores. There will also be a series of party games to play.

The Brew Club’s mission is to “share the love of brewing.” They recently have kicked around the idea of having regular meetings and brewing. They are currently seeking feedback, “we can discuss what is next at the event, so come with some ideas.”

For more information visit their event page at www.facebook.com/events/1400707906714215

According to their event page, “bring a bottle offering for a blind wine tasting and your favorite wine glass to sample with. Please feel free to invite a friend and have them do the same (wine and glass). If you would like to be judges for a tasting pairing please bring one. Otherwise just bring your favorite appetizer to share.”