SCENE: 5 things to do in the Mat-Su

^#1 Parlor in the Round makes Palmer debut tonight

PALMER — Think improvisational theatre meets live folk music, and you’re two-thirds the way to understanding the concept behind Parlor in the Round, which makes its Palmer debut tonight at 7 at the Vagabond Blues Café.

The last third is the element of the host, a role played in this troupe by Wasilla native Kevin Worrell, who guides the show between an intimate singer-songwriter setting and a format much like “Whose Line is it Anyway?”

“I’ve added the component as the host where I do a little monologue up front… It feels somewhat like it’s in someone’s living room, but I wear sports jacket so it feels more formal,” Worrell said. “The first half in the round, the audience is handed small cards with prompts written on them. They write down an idea of something they think would be interesting to write a song about.”

Then, depending on whether the game allows the musicians to retire to the corner for a break to compose a quick ditty based on the card, or whether the host declares a game of “lightning round,” the comedic element of a night that began as soulful musical storytelling takes hold.

“They have to create on the spot,” Worrell said. “Often, we do what’s called a story round, where I pull a card and they have to tell a story. So if the card says ‘bacon grease and waffle’, they have to either happen to have a story about ‘bacon grease and waffle’ or B.S. a story that will somehow connect. That’s the improv element and then we try to end with an ensemble performance.”

Worrell has had Parlor in the Round going successfully in Anchorage for two years, cycling through musicians who are often traveling through the area.

The guest stars for tonight’s shows, as well as Saturday performances in Talkeetna, are among the best Worrell said he’s had.

Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin come to Alaska this weekend by way of Oregon, and both come with extensive musical resumés, with Martin most recently having placed third at the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival, and Tivel, whose third and most recent album “Heroes Waking Up”, has drawn considerable critical acclaim.

Worrell got in contact with Tivel and Martin via Michael Howard, singer/songwriter who also performs with the Super Saturated Sugar Strings, after he’d met up with them on a national tour.

“The show is very much about showcasing local talent and building community,” Worrell said. “I grab as much traveling talent as I could to help local musicians rub elbows, and to show what a beautiful state and audience we have in Alaska.”

How Tivel and Martin adapt to the improv part of the show remains to be seen.

“I think they’ve done some of the traditional part, but I think little to no on the spot improvising,” Worrell said “They’re both game, but they’re also a bunch of introverts.”

^#2

Super Saturated Sugar Strings at the Musk Ox Farm

Speaking of Howard and the Super Saturated Sugar Strings, they’re hitting the stage at the Musk Ox Farm on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The farm is located at 12850 E. Archie Road in Palmer, and tickets are available at muskoxfarm.org. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

This is all a tune-up for the burgeoning venue’s Oxtoberfest beer and music festival on Oct. 1.

^#3

Mat-Su

Emergency Expo

This may not be as fun as either of the first two events, but that doesn’t make the Mat-Su Emergency Expo any less interesting, and certainly no less important.

On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla, detailing the importance of emergency and disaster preparedness, especially as it relates to living in the Valley.

“This is a free, family-friendly affair featuring lots of great information, hands on activities, give-a-way items, disaster experiences, the poster contest, community exercises, supplies for purchase, and much more,” said Heather Ridge with the Mat-Su Borough Emergency Services Department. “There will be dozens of professionals on hand to provide assistance and training.

The first 100 people will also receive a special kit thanks to AARP Alaska.”

^#4

International Fly

Fishing Film Fest

This event isn’t until next Thursday, but it’s not too early to prepare for one of the biggest cinematic events on the local calendar with the Mat-Su International Fly Fishing Film Festival.

In this, fly fisherman from around the globe share their personal films.

The festival starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Glenn Massay Theater on the campus of Mat-Su College. Tickets are $15 in advance, available at www.flyfilmfest.com, and $18 at the door.

^#5

Family Movie Night

and Coat Drive

Disney’s “The Jungle Book” will be the movie shown tonight at 7 p.m. at the Palmer Moose Lodge, as part of Family Movie Night and Coat Drive.

Admission is free, but donations of new or gently used winter gear are requested to help the Mat-Su United Way prepare needy people for coming cold temperatures.

For more information, call (907) 745-5822.