Amazon.comListed below are ways to find out about pending appearances by folk/trad artists and bands. If they are promoted by the usual promoters, you can link from here to their websites. Also, just a quick check of Dirty Linen or Musi-Cal will show a bunch more of wonderful folks to play music in Alaska. Check 'em out!
If you are looking for promoters or to gig up here in Alaska, this page, the festival and summerfest pages kind of lay out who's who in promoting artists. You can also check out the venues at the bottom of this page. Alaskafolkmusic.org just reports on what's happening.
People used to ask me where to hear and get recordings of our special event artists. It's pretty easy to buy CD's at reasonable prices on line with a credit card. You can use the big daddy of on line music and video and, at the same time, help support the Alaska Folkmusic website by linking below when you buy:
Amazon.com
Anything going on, drop me an email gary(at)alaskafolkmusic.org
Ken Brown started keeping track of a lot of Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic events in the Fairbanks area.
The Fairbanks Concert Association mostly showcases classical music, but sometimes puts on traditional music during the school year and are generally pleased with the turnout. It doesn't surprise me - we love it. They can be reached at 474-8081 or P.O. Box 80547. Several acts also appearing in Anchorage with their concert association sometimes make it up to Fairbanks, as well.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Activities produces a number of events. If you are interested in having them do such events, lobby Student Activities at 474-6027 or at fyevent@uaf.edu.
The prime acoustic music promoter in Fairbanks is Acoustic Adventures. 907-488-0556. Check their website for further details.
The Blue Loon produces a bunch of musical events in Fairbanks and has a website up at: www.theblueloon.com.
There are a couple of folk music promoters in Anchorage, the most active one is Whistling Swan Productions.
Whistling Swan Events - most shows start at 7:30 pm The Anchorage Concert Association sometimes has folk genre concerts.
Many performances are at the Performing Arts Center on 6th Ave and F Street in downtown Anchorage at 8:00 pm, unless otherwise noted. There are three theatres in the PAC: Atwood Concert Hall, Sydney Lawrence Theatre, and the Discovery Theatre. Tickets generally available via CarrsTix-Tickets.com. Or try 800-GRT-SEAT (800-478-7328) or as otherwise listed.
The Beartooth Theatre also has a number of trad (with amplification) events.
They pick up a number of musical artists that also play in Fairbanks and Anchorage. Check out these town's promoters for the artists and link to the artist's websites or some of the Musi-cal type links mentioned at the top of this page.
Talkeetna also has a number of fine musicians living there.
I've had info on many musical events in the Homer area provided courtesy of Mike Hayes of of Downward Dog Productions. Info on the above events in Homer at 235-1921. Any folk event at Alice's Champagne Palace is non-smoking.
Susan Mumma of the Seldovia Arts Council points you to their website that lists upcoming events, including music events.
McCarthy is a small community nestled in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias range about 5 miles from the site of the old Kennicott Copper mines. It is sixty bumpy dirt road miles beyond Chitina. There is now one store there and a couple of eateries, but you should bring your own basic provisions. There is camping in the area as well as lodging at The McCarthy Lodge (907) 554-4402. It's a very scenic and historic place. I recommend bringing bicycles in the summer to get around. McCarthy is mostly shut down for tourists in the winter.
The Alaska Folk Festival also promotes the occasional concert besides their big Alaska Folk Fest in April.
I get whatever info I can in Sitka from "Fishing with Cats" Ted Howard, but haven't heard from him lately. What's happening in Sitka?
If you're down there, contact Dr. Len Feldman at 766-3009 or email at lenfeldman@aptalaska.net for what might not be listed above.
Concerts are sometimes promoted by the Dillingham Arts Council, 907-842-2587.
This is a link to Whistling Swan Productions, who do a fair bit of folk stuff in the Anchorage and outlying areas.
The Alaska Irish Music Fest has been known to produce Celtic events every now and again.
John Walsh has been instrumental (no pun intended) in keeping Irish music alive here, particularly as a promoter out of Palmer. Here's his page.
The Blue Loon produces a bunch of musical events in Fairbanks and has a website up at: www.theblueloon.com.
The Marlin in Fairbanks hosts music and open mic nights, a fine funky small venue. (907) 479-4646.
Ivory Jacks, on Goldstream Road in Fairbanks, has a fair bit of local music and jams. 2581 Goldstream Road, 455-6666, fax 455-7727, Joni Ellsworth email.
Other art, drama, and performance organizations and events also listed by organization.
AK This Month is both a print and web resource - I find the print version more up to date, but a good resource for music (not just folk) and other entertainment options. Focuses more on the Anchorage area, since that is from where they publish.
Performance Magazine has listings of musicians and groups visiting Alaska (and elsewhere), as do Musi-Cal and Folkbook. Not always 100% accurate (as we all know the Internet is expected to be ... right?), but still beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!
Dirty Linen also publishes a gig guide for trad music in Alaska and other locales.
Not to be outdone, I just ran across Pollstar, another gig guide for folk, rock and country music.
The Ballad Tree has listed a bunch of additional links for artists' tour schedules and calendars. It takes a bit of wading through.
And again, you can get most of this music on-line from:
Southeast Alaska
Elsewhere Alaska
Other Folk Music Gig Links
Amazon.com
Alaska Folk Music Homepage
Gary's homepage Updated as I can get to it