Summer jams scintillate the Susitna Valley

Frontiersman

On Sunday, the fourth installment of the popular summer series of fund-raising concerts takes place at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar in downtown Talkeetna, and it's a great chance to catch some talented local musicians in action.

Talkeetna's own Larry Zarella, widely considered one of the top Alaska musicians, is playing with Palmer's Rosemary Tracy in what is shaping up to be a successful concert series for KTNA, Talkeetna's community radio station broadcasting at 88.9 on the FM dial. Money raised through ticket sales helps fund the radio station.

&#8220This is the first year for our concert series, and it's been as good as we could have ever hoped,” said Lindgren, the station's fund-raising and events coordinator. &#8220All of the shows have sold out, and I'm sure this one will, too.”

The goal of the inaugural series was to break even, which it has, and set the groundwork for a profitable second summer, next year.

&#8220It's a lot of work for a low payoff, but if we can make a couple of dollars and give the community a show they want to see, it's a win-win situation. Nobody loses,” Lindgren said. &#8220Next year we hope to get some major sponsors and apply for a grant with the Alaska Council for the Arts to turn it into more of a money maker for the station.”

Funding is always a battle for small community radio stations, and KTNA is no different. Lindgren said the concert series is one more way to make things work, in addition to the on-air auctions and membership drives.

&#8220This is a more fun way of doing things, I guess,” Lindgren said. &#8220It's been amazingly successful so far. Everybody has left the first three just glowing.”

While Sunday's concert is a chance for locals to see some talented musicians, it's also being marketed to tourists who want to be part of something bigger than your average concert.

&#8220We're going to be professionally recording the concert and releasing it as a two-disc live performance,” Lindgren said. &#8220The money we make is going to be split between the artists and the station. It's a chance for tourists to be part of a live recording.”

Zarella and Tracy (see related story, Page 5) play at 7 p.m., and the doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for $15, and go to $20 the day of the concert.

People can charge tickets by calling KTNA at 733-1700, or by stopping in the office on 2nd Street.

The first concert of the summer featured Bearfoot Bluegrass, and the second concert featured Grammy Award-winning BeauSoleil.

The Denali Cooks celebrated the Fourth of July with the third concert. Following Zarella and Tracy will be Zilla in the concert series, and the fall concert has yet to be announced.

For more information on KTNA or on the summer concert series, check out the station's Web site at www.ktna.org.

Contact Casey Ressler at 352-2265 or

valleylife@frontiersman.com