Entertainment in Midtown (Anchorage)

Sullivan Arena

This arena, opened in 1983, has held past concerts including Willie Nelson, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, Reba McEntire, Aerosmith and No Doubt. It is also home to performances by Champions on Ice, sporting events such as the annual Great Alaskan Shootout basketball playoffs and the Anchorage Aces' hockey games. Family travel and home shows, University commencement ceremonies and many more events are also held here. Stadium seating for 8,000 holds the largest audience in Anchorage. For more information about events, tickets and location, call or visit the Web site.

Adventures of Dusty Sourdough

Across the parking lot from Alaska Wild Berry Products and next door to the Sourdough Mining Company, is a large tent that holds nightly performances of side-splitting fun. Join Dusty Sourdough with his raccoon hat and fringed leather outfit and listen wide-eyed as he spins tales of lost gold mines, tells wild bear stories, gives a gold panning demonstration and punctuates his performance with plenty of songs. You are sure to enjoy this one-hour show, performed twice every night. Admission is free.

Anchorage Community Theatre

Since 1954 this community theater has brought in professional actors such as Boris Karloff, Lee Sullivan and Will Rogers, Jr. to perform. In addition, this theater group has created a theatre school providing training and theatre opportunities for local children and adults. For a schedule of performances and to price or purchase tickets, please call or view the Web site.

Alaska Dance Theatre

A typical season for this local dance company exceeds 40 performances (in addition to the annual repertory)! This company collaborates with other art organizations such as the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, the Anchorage Concert Chorus and the Anchorage Opera in performances. Past performances have included the annual "Nutcracker," "Carmina Burana" and "Hansel & Gretel." It is the largest statewide, non-profit organization providing training and professional performances. For performance schedules, tickets and further information, call or check the Web site.

Wilda Marston Theatre

Although originally designed for lectures, the acoustics in this 232-seat room are so exceptional that it has become a bona fide performance venue. Folk singers Dave Van Ronk, Ellis Paul and Carrie Newcomer have all performed in this intimate setting recently. Small performances such as solo harpsichord concerts will be held here for its chamber-like feel. For further information regarding future performances and ticket information, please call or visit the website.

Out North Contemporary Art House

This is a non-profit art organization striving to bring together cultural diversity from international and local sources. The fun of this theater is that it ignores the norm and offers a place for all people to be heard. With an art gallery for similar themes of struggles with discriminations and abuses, it has hosted sculptures by Alan Turner of England and Ken Gonzales-Day's historic photos of Native Americans and Mexican-American cultures. Call for performance schedule and admission prices.