Arts roundup

Maia Nolan | Nov 11, 2009

"Ivy House," a photograph by Clark Yerrington, is one of 20 images of abandoned buildings included in Yerrington's "Wild Abandon" exhibit, on display through Dec. 4 at Kinley's Restaurant and Bar in Anchorage.

Planning and zoning wonks, take note: Don't miss Anchorage photographer Clark Yerrington's "Wild Abandon" exhibit, at Kinley's (3230 Seward Hwy.) through Dec. 4. In 20 new photographs, shot this summer, Yerrington takes a look at the way natural vegetation begins to reclaim long-abandoned human-made structures.

"I've known for a long time that a lot of buildings and sites are as beautiful in abandonment and decay as they are when maintained and in use," Yerrington writes on the exhibit's Web site.

For "Wild Abandon," Yerrington has photographed buildings not only in Alaska but along the I-5 corridor from northwestern Washington to northern California. The photographs capture abandoned structures in various states of decay, some still gritty and bare, others covered in encroaching leaves and brambles. You can see more of the collection at Yerrington's Flickr stream. Yerrington has previously explored Alaska's urban architecture through photography, most memorably in his 2005 "Mt. View Real Estate Trading Cards," which chronicled the rapid disappearance of aging homes in Anchorage's Mountain View neighborhood.

Whipsaws drummer goes solo

As if Whipsaws fans needed one more reason to be crazy about their favorite band, here it comes: Whipsaws drummer James Dommek Jr.'s debut solo album, "Sometimes Always Never," drops Nov. 21. According to a Northbound Productions press release, Dommek, a Kotzebue native, recorded the album mostly solo over the course of six days in April. Dommek has previously recorded two full-length albums ("10 Day Bender" and "60 Watt Ave.") with the Whipsaws. "Sometimes Always Never" will debut at a CD release show featuring Dommek and Jared Woods at the Blue Fox, 3461 E. Tudor Rd., Saturday, Nov. 21. Dommek will play additional CD release shows in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Indian and Kotzebue in December and January.

Fairbanks

"On the Ice," the independent film that's been making casting stops around the state since late October, is heading to Fairbanks this weekend (assuming the production team can make it out of Point Hope, where they were weathered in as of Wednesday). "On the Ice" is casting Alaska Native actors for a film that will be shot entirely on location in Barrow in April 2010. Fairbanks auditions will be held Friday, Nov. 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Locations for the auditions haven't yet been announced; watch the film's Web site and blog for details. The filmmakers ask that Fairbanks actors plan on attending the Friday audition if possible. "On the Ice" auditions will continue in Barrow beginning Nov. 19.

Juneau

Visual artist Dan Fruits will present a free illustrated lecture and walk-through of his exhibit at the Alaska State Museum Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. Fruits lives at Tee Harbor in Juneau, and much of his current work focuses on scenes of Lynn Canal. Museum admission is $3 for adults, and free for visitors 18 and under.

Sitka

Tommy Joseph, a noted Sitka artist and carver, will give a free public lecture at the Sheldon Jackson Museum Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Joseph, who is the head of the carving shop at the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center, will talk about his travels this summer to East Coast and European museums to research Tlingit war gear. Joseph's is the second in an ongoing series of lectures sponsored by The Friends of the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

Alaska Native Heritage Month

November is Alaska Native Heritage Month, and as you might guess, there's a bevy of artistic celebrations lined up to mark the occasion, including readings, receptions, performances, films, demonstrations and exhibits. You can find a list of Anchorage-area events online at the Alaska Native Heritage Month Web site.

As always, find many more arts events -- and add your own -- at the Alaska Dispatch calendar.

Contact Maia Nolan at maia_alaskadispatch.com.