Sitka Grind to Celebrate Winter Wonderland

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Created on Friday, 13 December 2024 15:02

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By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    Dance, music and storytelling take center stage Saturday at the Winter Wonderland-themed Monthly Grind.
    Jeff Budd, one of the organizers of the monthly variety show, said this particular theme tends to bring out appreciative audiences.
    “I like the enthusiasm of the crowd because I think we have the best audiences of anywhere in the whole wide world,” he said. “It’s a variety of people on stage, young and old people and just the whole kind of vibe of the thing.”

Will Swagel, left, and Colin Herforth hold a copy of “The Bight Before Christmas” in 2009. (Sentinel File Photo)

    The show starts at 7 p.m. at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi, doors open at 6:30. Audience members are encouraged to bring a dessert for the intermission, when those in the audience share home-baked goodies, and “three first place awards” are given for the best desserts.
    Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are available for free throughout the event.
    Elle Campbell, who has been host of this Grind once before, will again be the emcee.
    One special feature of Saturday’s event is a video presentation of “The Bight Before Christmas,” read by author Will Swagel. The book was illustrated by local artist Colin Herforth. The video is part of a tribute to his family, wife Suzanne Portello and daughter Hannah Portello-Swagel, in honor of the final edition of the publication “Sitka Soup,” which ran for 26 years.
    The Grind lineup includes performances by the Sitka Studio of Dance, Annika Krafcik on cello, Sitka Strings (directed by Debby LeVeck), folk duo Vern Culp & Paul Clements, Mt. Edgecumbe High School singers, the 40 Knot Winds flute trio, and a singalong to close the show.
    Melinda McAdams, producer of this Grind, will present four dances by the Sitka Studio of Dance with a Winter Wonderland theme. The dancers will perform to songs from “Frozen” and “Polar Express,” as well as holiday standards “Winter Wonderland” and “Let it Snow.” The “Polar Express” number is a jazz dance, and the other three are ballet.
    Dorothy Orbison, a member of the flute trio Over 40 Knot Winds, said the group plans to bring their A-game to the stage with winter-themed music, including Christmas Carols.
    “We’re grateful we’re still playing together,” said Orbison who taught in the Sitka School District for more than 20 years. “We’ve been playing together off and on for more than 30 years.”
    Other trio members are Dawn Georgia and Sarah Jordan, and collectively they have more than a century of playing experience. Orbison is keeping the playlist under wraps for now, but would allow that “Jingle Bells” is in the lineup. The arranger on all the pieces is Ricky Lombardo who specialized in “jazzy versions of familiar tunes,” said Orbison.
    Tickets for the event are $5 and available at Old Harbor Books and the door, if not sold out.