"Gunakadeit: The Sea Monster"

A new play with music, freely adapted from John Katishan's story, The Origin of the Gunakadeit. Text by Ishmael Hope, music by Stefan Hakenberg, stage direction by Jim Simard.
Actor/Percussionists: Allan Hayton, Lily Hudson, Victoria Johnson, & Ishmael Hope

While they enacted the ancient historical play, the actors were the percussionists on a variety of exotic musical instruments from around the world (thanks to the collection of Jim Simard's wife, Shar Fox). Watching the "sound effects" in connection with the spoken word and actions was an organic audio and visual treat.

Ishmael Hope is an actor/storyteller/playwright with Perseverance Theatre in Juneau since 2001. He founded and directed the annual festival Beyond Heritage, a celebration of contemporary and traditional Alaska Native culture, heading into its sixth year. Stefan Hakenberg brought a broad vision of new and experimental music theater to the Gunakadeit project. Originally from Germany, where Stefan was a disciple of the famous opera composer Hans Werner Henze, he emigrated to the US where he received a Ph.D. in music composition from Harvard University. In Alaska he co-founded CrossSound and keeps on developing music with an aesthetic of inclusion regarding cultural backgrounds and influences. continued...

Jim Simard was a founding member of Naa Kahidi Theatre as designer and technical director of several productions beginning with Gunakadeit in 1986. He has participated in a wide variety of film and theatre projects including the 1984 production of Yup'ik Antigone. Jim is currently the curator of collections at the Alaska State Library, Historical Collections.

News articles:
Juneau Empire, Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Capital City Weekly, February 2006

For booking information, you may contact Director, Jim Simard

"Little Big Band"

A Native American funk/rock dance band from Seattle and the "Lower 48."

An 8-piece ensemble that blends elements of soul, funk, and groove jammed together with Native American spoken word, dance and song, stunned the audience with a sound so foreign to the locals, they didn't really know what to do with it except let their mouths hang open with a slight grin! Featuring notable national jazz musicians collaborating with Native musicians and performance artists, including Northwest Coast musician and dancer, Gene Tagaban and NWC glass artist, bass player Preston Singletary with lead singer Star Nyea, lead & rythym guitarist Maurice Caldwell, drummer Terry Maloney, lead & rythym guitarist Keith Montgomery and Native poet James Luna. This performance was their first exciting debut and showcase for this unique and experimental project. Visit Little Big Band's new website for booking info, schedule performances and reviews.

Read more about Little Big Band!

"Smokehouse"

The famous, local, Juneau-based band played old time favorites, Rock & Roll, Rythym & Blues, with 4-part harmonies inspiring folks to “get down and boogie!

L-R: Archie Cavanaugh, the Honorable Walter Jack, Donnie Wells,Doug Badilla, Mike Tamer. Photo Courtesy Archie Cavanaugh

Singer-songwriter-record producer, Archie Cavanaugh, recorded his album “Black & White Raven” with “Redbone” members Tony Bellamy, Pete DePoe and also renowned saxaphonist Jim Pepper. Lolly Vegas, the “Redbone” leader also helped him mix his album in Los Angelos. Archie said it was an honor to be apart of this exciting musical and drama extravaganza, making it extra special to perform for the Native people of Southeast Alaska and the Northwest Coast! The audience members got down and boogied to lead vocalist, bass and guitarist, Archie Cavanaugh; vocals and guitarist, the Honorable Walter Jack; drummer Donnie Wells; vocals and keyboard player, Doug Badilla; and vocals and guitarist, Mike Tamer.

For booking information, you may contact Archie Cavanaugh.

Review "2006 Northwest Coast Artists' Gathering

"Northwest Coast Artists’ Gathering 2006" and "Raven Brings Box of Delight" Evening Concert
sponsored by
Artstream Cultural Resources
Sealaska Corporation
Sealaska Heritage Foundation
University of Alaska, Fairbanks Museum of the North
Juneau City Museum
and big thanks to all our fantastic volunteers!