Robin Rosemond/Turnagain Times
Lunch specials at Pho Lena include Shrimp Red Curry, Coconut Soup, Mini Egg Rolls and Steamed Pork Buns.
By Robin Rosemond
Turnagain Times Correspondent
Break-up is happening. The snow and ice are melting fast. You can tell it's spring in Anchorage by the filthy, muddy cars, and deep puddles of slushy surprise.
For you boxing fans, check out Jim Patton Promotions Thursday Night at the Fights. The Egan Center is a good venue for this all age night of boxing. Anyone under twenty one will have to sit in the dry section. Another hot fight event to watch for is Alaska Fighting Championships April 28. Thursday Night at the Fights, Doors open 6:30 p.m. and Boxing begins 7:30-10 p.m. Egan Center 555 West 5th, 263-2800. For more information: 243-0106.
First Friday Art Walk is April 2nd. All the galleries will be exhibiting new art and The International Gallery of Contemporary Art (IGCA) is presenting Of Women and Of Sound, a gathering of four local singer/songwriters including Marian Call, Liz Malys, Emily Kurn and Amy Lou. It will be a glorious night of female voices and song. Be there! IGCA is an exhibition space dedicated to new works in visual and interdisciplinary arts. It was established to provide the community with a place where provocative ideas, diverse art forms, artists and audiences can come together. 427 D Street. For information: 279-1116. Another good choice for First Friday is the Anchorage Museum's free entertainment from 6-9 p.m. Pianist Alexander Zlatkovski will be performing. If you want to watch the Star Wars movie, you will have to pay full admission. 121 West 7th Avenue, 343-4326.
There are some great jams that you can check out around town. Rob Woolsey hosts the Blues Central Blues Jam on Sunday Nights. It begins at 9:30 p.m. and has David Nathanson and Andy Mullins backing up Rob. 825 West Northern Lights Boulevard, 272-1341.
My friend Blaze Bell will be singing at Sub Zero in April. She's one of my favorite songstress's of late, but I still adore Marian Call, Melissa Mitchell, Deb Wessler and Shyanne Beatty.
The T. Harvey Combo hosts the Players House of Rock Thursday Night Jam. It starts at 9 p.m. and it's free. Players House of Rock, 3300 Spenard Road, for more information: 522-7625(ROCK).
Alaska's Annual Sports and Outdoor Show is happening April 8-11 at the Sullivan Arena. This huge event will feature clinics, demonstrations, a mobile aquatic classroom, a kid's fishing pond, laser rifle range and an archery range. Times vary so for information call: 562-9911.
My restaurant pick this week is Pho Lena. I give a big thumb's up to this darling Lao/Thai/Vietnamese Restaurant on Spenard. It offers authentic, fresh food, good service and it's cozy and convenient. I always order Thai Iced Tea. Pho Lena makes a sweet, bright orange concoction in a pint glass that's delicious. The Shrimp Red Curry is an excellent choice and the steamed Pork Buns and Mini Egg Rolls are tasty starters. The coconut soup is exotically spiced and creamy, and the Pho (Beef Soup) is hearty. Another dependable option is Cashew Chicken. Pho Lena, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese Cuisine 2904 Spenard Road. 277-9777. Open seven days a week. No delivery.
Write to me: rosebud61155@mac.com or check out my blog at www.rosemondpost.com.
