This week on State of art we’re talking Stories at the Cemetery and hearing from an Alaska musician who sang on the theme song for the new PBS Kids show Molly of Denali.
Stories at the Cemetery, which takes place at Anchorage Memorial Park, is having its final event of the year. The storytelling event, that gives interactive tours with stops at graves and has actors portraying the deceased, is organized by Audrey Weltman Kelly and Bruce Kelly. They stopped by the Alaska Public Media world headquarters and spoke with Ammon Swenson about Stories at the Cemetery. They’ve been involved since the early 2000s.
LINK: Stories at the Cemetery Facebook page
The new PBS Kids show Molly of Denali is the first nationally broadcast TV show with an Alaska Native lead character. The groundbreaking TV show follows the life of 10-year-old Athabascan Molly Mabray and the fictional Interior village of Qyah. Alaska Public Media’s Wesley Early spoke with Philip Blanchett of the Native music group Pamyua about what it was like to help with the show’s theme song.
Extended interview with Phillip Blanchett:
LINK: Pamyua’s website
STATE OF ART WEEKEND PICKS 8/9 – 8/10:
8/9
- Story and Song, an evening with Pam Houston and Emma Hill @ Writer’s Block 7 to 10 p.m.
- At Home, Ted Kim solo exhibit @ Middle Way Cafe 6 to 8 p.m.
8/10
- Sublime with Rome @ Mooses Tooth 6 to 10 p.m.
- Rumpke Mountain Boys @ Matanuska Brewing 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
8/11
- Stories at the Cemetary @ Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Busker Series: Ava Earl @ Wild Scoops downtown ~5 p.m. to ~8 p.m.
Ammon Swenson is Alaska Public Media’s Audio Media Content Producer. He was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He graduated from UAA in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and integrated media. He’s previously worked for KRUA radio, the Anchorage Press, and The Northern Light.
