Robin Rosemond/Turnagain Times
Munchkins take instructions from their coach in the touring production of The Wizard of Oz.
By Robin Rosemond
Turnagain Times Correspondent
I'm back from the Land of Oz. A great time was had by all, especially the local children who got cast to perform as Munchkins in the touring production of The Wizard of Oz. Children auditioned from around the community to portray the ‘Little People' or ‘Nuggets' as Comedienne Chelsea Handler describes them. I'm here to report that they did very well. I especially enjoyed Mr. Wizard, who took great care in educating the children about show biz.
There's still time to see my friend Blaze Bell perform in Cyrano's smash hit, Caroline, Or Change through May 23. I plan on writing a short feature on this talented beauty soon. Cyrano's 413 D Street. For more information: 274-2559.
The debut of the new Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center at the Anchorage Museum is May 22. The $40 million Alaska Native collection represents a homecoming for 600 rare objects, most of which have never before been seen in public.
The Arctic Studies Center will display clothing, baskets, masks, weapons, utensils, drums, games and more in the permanent loan arrangement between the Alaska museum and the Smithsonian. An added bonus to the unusual agreement is that Alaska Native community members who consulted on the project will be allowed to study the objects up close.
The artifacts come from the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of the American Indian, where they've been in storage. The initial agreement commits them to the Alaska Museum for seven years.
The objects chosen represent nine native cultures across the state and date mostly from 1850 to 1900, Smithsonian anthropologists examined about 30,000 items in Washington. Beginning in 2002, 40 native elders, artists and educators, chosen by regional Alaska native organizations, made seven weeklong trips to Washington to go through thousands of items. Aron Crowell, director of the Arctic Studies Center, who has represented the Natural History Museum on the project since 1994, headed the highly anticipated and massive project.
The participants who went to Washington, are captured on video telling stories about the objects, and these videos are part of the exhibit, which is called “Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska.” The videos will run continuously in the Anchorage Museum's new wing, part of a $106 million expansion. The Arctic Studies Center at the Anchorage Museum, 625 C St. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, May 22 to mid-September, closed Mondays other times of the year.
My restaurant pick of the week is The Middle Way Café Coffee House and Bakery. It advertises as an unconventional eatery and it is. There's no table service, and it has the feel of a cafeteria that offers fresh, healthy food. It's a bustling spot that can be noisy, but if you want a delicious selection of fresh squeezed vegetable or fruit juices, great coffee, good sandwiches and soup, as well as interesting pastries, it's your best bet. I enjoy the combo veggie juice drinks. The Red Hot, which has carrot, beet and ginger juice, is a beautiful, fuchsia colored spicy drink with a kick. A delicious sandwich choice is the Turkey Sandwich served with whipped cream cheese and homemade orange-cranberry sauce. The Middle Way also has interesting local art hanging on the walls. Middle Way Café Coffee House and Bakery Between REI and Tidal Wave Books. 1300 Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite G, For Take Out: 272-6433 or Fax Orders: 272-6441.
Write to me: rosebud61155@mac.com or check out my blog at www.rosemondpost.com.
