PALMER BUZZ: Top Winners of the “Who Let The Girls Out” Talent Show at the Valley Hotel

Palmer Vibrated This Weekend—from one end of town to the other during “Who Let The Girls Out.” Thousands of visitors and locals crawled out of their winter caves and danced in the streets. Honestly there were easily over 100 events and it’s difficult to explain the depth and girth of this springtime event. Quilts, horses and alpacas, authors & artists, photo booths, 5K race/walk, art classes, music, cooking lessons, fashion and talent shows, fiber frenzy, beer tasting, fitness, make and takes, wine tasting, food offerings, shopping, glam selfies, barbecue, balloons, and gem stones were just part of the weekend. Perhaps the best part was going from shop to shop and seeing people you knew or meeting new folks.

Events don’t happen without sponsors and there were many. Hatcher Pass Radio 95.5 FM was a tremendous sponsor and helper this year along with the Mat Su Valley Comprehensive Cancer Center. The City and Chamber were huge supporters along with dozens of organizations. Denise Staats, Owner of NonEssentials was the Conductor of this Orchestra along with many, many shopkeepers and groups.

“Who Let the Girls Out” was phenomenal and fun. One older gentleman refers to it as “Chicks Unleashed.” Whatever you call it, it was totally successful and another positive Palmer festival.

Palmer Talent Show—It was held at the Valley Hotel’s Caboose Bar on Saturday night. Nine different musicians played their hearts out and the place reeked with talent. Here is the list of the various performers: Kitty Pederson, Justin McCain, John Budnik, John Hartmen, April Colbertson, Andrea Talbert, Jerry Wessling, Phil Gilcrease and Jessi “The Appalasken.” The prizes were substantial. The acts ran from straight vocals to vocals with guitar accompaniment. The voices were remarkable and strong. Some offered their own lyrics, which were outstanding. And the guitar finesse was fine. This was the first year of the talent show and no doubt will continue next year. It was organized by Michael Consalo of the Ohana Media Group and sponsored by Gagnon Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

One of the duet acts practiced and “made the magic” in the Valley Hotel’s parking lot, immediately before the show. Judge Linda Combs, well dressed in classic black and white, admired the performance but slyly added that—this wasn’t the first time magic had happened in the Valley Hotel parking lot.

Rock the Resilience—Wednesday night at 630 is the big community concert at the college’s Glenn Massey Theater. This is a community concert to build awareness and connection in our Valley. Five high-schools will be offering special performances along with dance, artwork, info tables and presentations. This all part of the continuing NOMOREMATSU awareness effort to help the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This concert is free and all are welcome.

Open House and Arts Festival—This is at Government Peak on Saturday. This is the first year and looks totally fun. There will be vendors and art and music and fire-pit and smoothies! What else do you need in Hatcher Pass?

Bye Bye Poppins—The Mary Poppins Musical was such a hit at the Machatanz Theater at the College. Star performers and brilliant music lit up the stage. It is over now but thousands of attendees can remember it well. For many this was a first show ever, in a beautiful performing arts center. For children this is a major memory that sticks. For many families, this will be an ongoing tradition. We are so fortunate to have this venue as a part of our Valley lives.

Painting Sabrena—Palmer Renaissance reconvenes with an open studio on Sunday at the Palmer Downtown Deli. Painters of every level will join the fun as we paint the first of Palmer’s Council Members. Some folks will draw, some will sketch, and their may be a cartoonist too. Oil painters will take it seriously but the place is a happy place on this last Sunday of the month. Sometimes musicians come and play and knitters come and knit. Some people bring a book and some people just watch. The food is good and the atmosphere is just about perfect.

Vintage Fair Market—is two weeks out. This is the “over the top” trendy cool stuff full of up-cycle, graphics, lace and duct tape. It tracks with the Junk Gypsy theme and is so much fun. This year it is one VIP evening and two full days at Raven Hall and the Hodgkins Building. Mark your calendar for May 11,12 & 13 at the State Fair Grounds.