‘Spirit — The 7th Fire of Alaska’ to headline Alaska Native Heritage Day at the Alaska State Fair

PALMER — The Alaska Native Heritage Center, Alaska Dance Theatre and Theatre Artists United will present three songs from their critically acclaimed production “Spirit — The Seventh Fire of Alaska” at the 2015 Alaska State Fair.

Free performances are planned at 3 and 5 p.m., Sept. 6 at The Gathering Place as part of Alaska Native Heritage Day.

Spirit — The Seventh Fire of Alaska, which appeared at the Alaska Performing Arts Center earlier this year, is an Alaska Native adaptation of Peter Buffet’s multicultural rock and dance spectacular. The production combines the dazzle of Broadway and the power of contemporary dance and music with the dynamic artistic expressions of Native American and Alaska Native cultures.

“We are very pleased that this special and exciting Native dance performance is coming to The Gathering Place,” said Jerome Hertel, fair general manager. “We believe fairgoers will thoroughly enjoy the dance and music of the Alaska Native performers.”

The production will feature nine contemporary dancers, 10 Alaska Native dancers, and artist/musician Stephen Blanchett in a three-song performance of “Spirit Dance,” “New West” and “Thunderbird,” all from Spirit — The Seventh Fire of Alaska.

The Alaska Native Heritage Day line-up includes:

• Storyteller Jack Dalton at noon and 2 p.m., The Gathering Place

• Imamsuat Dancers at 1 p.m., The Gathering Place

• Alaska Native Heritage Center Dancers at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., The Gathering Place

• “Never Alone” Video Game Presentation at 4 p.m., Wineck Barn

• Unangax Dancers at 4 and 6 p.m., The Gathering Place

The Gathering Place, which is open throughout the fair, is dedicated to celebrating Alaska Native heritage with performances of Native dance groups, concerts, traditional storytellers, an Alaska Native arts market, artisans and a salmon bake.

During the fair, The Gathering Place also will host performances by Pamyua, Jonathan Maracle and Broken Walls, Paul Pike, Gene Tagaban, Jack Julian Dalton, and more. See the daily schedule for details on events, dates, times and locations.

For more information, visit alaskastatefair.org.