Get ready for sequins, sass and stories from the stage, because on this episode we chat with two fabulous drag queens from Anchorage about the art, joy and community of drag in Alaska. From their first heels to fundraising for nonprofits, this is a fun and glamorous peek behind the curtain of the local drag scene!

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUESTS:

Golden Delicious

Athena Nuff

LINKS:

Golden Delicous Instagram

Athena Nuff Instagram

Drag Me to the Movies

On this episode we dive into a new book that explores everything odd and fantastic about our state. The book is called "Secret Alaska: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure" and it’s billed as an offering for everybody from “seasoned explorer to armchair adventurer.”Author Bailey Berg is a journalist who has written for the New York Times, The Washington Post and many others. She’s also written extensively about Alaska where she lives half the year, splitting her time between here and Colorado.HOST: Dave WaldronGUEST: Bailey Berg, author/journalistLINKS:Bailey Berg websiteInstagramFind book HERE

Warning: this episode may cause cravings!

This week on Hometown, Alaska, we’re talking all things chocolate with local Anchorage artisan chocolate makers. From bean to bar, discover how this sweet craft made its way to Alaska—and how one small business is turning cacao into community. Today we’ll be talking chocolate and taking a kitchen tour with Suzanne Bostrom and Jimmy Ord, Owners & Chocolate Makers of Wildland Chocolate.

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUESTS: Suzanne Bostrom and Jimmy Ord, Owners, Wildland Chocolate

LINKS:

Wildland Chocolate website

Instagram

Facebook

If you've recently visited Town Square Park downtown, you may have noticed some cosmetic upgrades. Built back in 1984, the park was intended to not only serve as a compliment to the Performing Arts Center, but as a centerpiece of Anchorage. The space has gone through a lot of changes over its 40 years but recently, many of those changes haven’t been good. Earlier this year Anchorage voters approved a bond that would overhaul and revitalize the park. On this episode we hear what our brand new Townsquare Park will look like, and everything that has led up to the space's much-needed makeover.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUEST: Becky

LINKS:

Town Square Park planned improvements

Town Square Park implementation concept

We are looking ahead to an annual event that celebrates all things Scottish, from bagpipes, to tea, to tug of war and much more. The Scottish Highland Games will be taking place at the Alaska State Fairgrounds June 28 and 29. On this episode, we give you a full showcase of the things you can find at this year’s event. Later on the program we talk with a competitor who specializes in heavy athletics.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:

Jeni McDaniel, Executive Director of the Alaskan Scottish Club

Nelson Alger, board member, Alaskan Scottish club/competitor

LINKS:

Alaska Scottish Highland Games information

Alaskan Scottish Club website

Facebook

Instagram

On this episode, we dive into a world of miniature trees, ancient artistry and abundant patience. That’s right, we’re talking about bonsai. Our guest is Paul Marmora, past president of the Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group. We hear how he got started, what it takes to care for these tiny living sculptures and how this centuries-old tradition has taken root in the Last Frontier.

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUEST: Paul Marmora

LINK:

Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group

Alaska's stand-up comedy scene has been quietly gaining momentum and a new summer series at the Performing Arts Center is looking to find out just how sustainable that scene can be. On this episode, host Dave Waldron speaks with Bradley Butcher, a stand-up comic and the founder of Comedy Up North. The series debuts in June and will run through July. Hear about this year's roster, which homegrown comics are making a name for themselves and how the shows will work to normalize mental health discussions.

Schedule:

June 12: Michael Lenoci

June 26: Nicole Aimée Schreiber

July 10: Ian Edwards

July 24: Jade Catta-Preta

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUEST: Bradley Butcher, founder, Comedy Up North

LINKS:

Comedy Up North

TICKETS

Daniella Ambrosino is a local food lover, social media influencer and someone who is right in the middle of Anchorage’s growing, global food scene. On this episode, we dive into how social media and cultural trends are bringing exciting new flavors to our city — and yes, there will be some taste testing along the way!

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUEST: Daniella Ambrosino, @eatlocal_drinklocal

Meditation and mindfulness are practices that many of us use either formally or informally, but what are the actual benefits we get from them? How do those practices affect our mental health? On this episode, we have a local meditation teacher answer those questions and teach us some meditation techniques.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUEST: Rick Zelinsky

LINKS:

Meditate in Alaska

Rick Zelinsky website

You've likely heard of Comic Con before, the annual convention that happens in San Diego celebrating comics, video games and all things geeky, but did you know Anchorage has one too? Arctic Comic Con is now in its seventh year and happens this weekend at the Dena'ina Center.

On this episode, we hear from one of the convention's founders and a pair of local video game developers trying to make their mark in the gaming industry.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:

Mike Lajoie, Co-Founder, Arctic Comic Con

Wyatt White and George Young, CakeNeq Games

LINKS:

Arctic Comic Con

CakeNeq Games