Valley Arts Alliance preparing for first Alaska Home Companion since onset of pandemic

WASILLA — The Valley Arts Alliance is gearing up for the first Alaska Home Companion event since the pandemic started.

The 2022 Alaska Home Companion is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the Museum of Alaska Transportation.

I’m feeling good. We’ve got a lot of material,” VAA Executive Director Carmen Summerfield said.

Referred to as a “Frontier Variety Show,” this annual event started a decade ago, taking inspiration from NPR’s “Prairie Home Companion.”

The public is invited to witness compelling, wacky and uniquely Alaskan storytelling, paying homage to the “golden age of radio.”

The performers will get on stage, most in costume, and entertain audiences with stories, skits, dances, and music.

“We gave it our own Alaska spin. We’re trying to make fun of living here in Alaska,” Summerfield said. “There’s something there for anybody.”

Summerfield said that they’re all very excited to bring this event back to life after a two year hiatus. She said it will be a nice break for community members.

“We need it. We need to laugh. Laughter is very important,” Summerfield said.

VAA was able to retain their other major events Art on Fire and the Wearable Art Show the last two years thanks to the fact they’re both outdoor events. Summerfield said both events were well attended.

“Those came roaring back and that was good to see,” Summerfield said.

Summerfield said that having access to art is important because it fosters local creativity and social connection, which is why the VAA mission statement is “bringing the community together through the arts.”

“It doesn’t matter where you’re from. It’s about the art, sparking creativity, and exchanging ideas,” Summerfield said. “We just try to improve a little bit each year.”

VAA meets every Thursday at 11 a.m. at Sophia’s Cafe.

“We’re open for new ideas,” Summerfield said.

For more information, visit valleyartsalliance.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com