Art in your backyard

The Sitka Monthly Grind

When it comes to entertainment in “your backyard,” nothing fits the bill like the Sitka Monthly Grind. This local variety show begins its season in September and takes its final bow in March each year. Advertised as family friendly and non-political, it is pure art by Sitkans for Sitkans.

Jeff Budd founded the Sitka Monthly Grind. After being introduced to the concept while living in Ketchikan, Budd moved to Sitka in ‘95 and started his own version. “I thought Sitka would be a great place to give it a try. I met with Ted Howard, Julie Schmidt, Fiona Ferguson and Doug Barn. Gradually, after some trial and error, we figured out how to do it.”

Each Grind has a different theme. Some themes change yearly, but some remain consistent. The “Fiddle Grind” and the “Original Artist Grind” are produced every year and always eagerly anticipated.

Regardless of the theme, the art is some of the best that Sitkans share with each other. Audiences are able to watch singers, dancers, poets, comedy, and even magic acts. Every once in a while, a visiting group may share their talents with Sitkans as well. It all depends on who steps up to showcase their talent for that particular Grind.

We also love seeing new faces and new ideas on the stage.

And, just like the weather, if you don’t care for a specific act, just wait 5 minutes. “I cannot think of any real klunkers over the years. Every grind, to my thinking, has had a wealth of excellent presentations. Sitka audiences are the most welcoming and appreciative anywhere.”

Budd fondly remembers one particular act “when Mr. Joe Montagna performed a song by Joe Cocker” and certainly got “a little help from his friends” - receiving a lengthy standing ovation.

“I also remember a time early on when we had some little girls in tutus on stage dancing to classical music. Within literally 30 seconds they were off, and a heavy metal band from the high school was up and slaying it. This had to be one of the world’s fastest juxtapositions ever!”

Wanna add to the fun or just help out? “We are always looking for more people to help with set up, scene changes, and take down. We also love seeing new faces and new ideas on the stage.”

In addition to the show being family friendly, so is the price. Each ticket is only $5. Or as Budd says Ray Troll likes to say, “the new free.”

Audience members are also encouraged to bring a homemade dessert to share with everyone and enter into the dessert contest. “To my sophisticated taste they are all winners!”

So for $5, a person gets great entertainment for about 90 minutes, plus a dessert and coffee or tea. Doesn’t get more backyard than that.

Sitka is…

Southeast Alaska’s Art Destination

People often wonder what folks do in Sitka during the long, gray winter months. The answer is simple – they go to the theater, they participate in theater, they listen to music, they create music, they attend lectures, they give lectures, they take classes and teach classes. Sitka transforms once the tourist season is over. It becomes a place of art.

The Sitka Nutcracker

Show Takes Center Stage with an Enchanting Alaskan Twist

What do the following have in common: A slime line, a gaggle of tourists, fireweed, bears, northern lights, mosquitos, and snow? If you guessed Alaska and the Nutcracker, you are correct. Wait, what? The Nutcracker?!?! Yes, in 2023 the Sitka Nutcracker takes on the Last Frontier.

Sitka Fine Arts Camp

50 Years in the Making

Roger Schmidt was just five years old when Sitka Fine Arts Camp began in 1973. No one could have known that one day he’d be at the helm of the vessel on a decades-long voyage.

Portrait of an Explorer

A Q&A with Roger Schmidt

Sitka is my home. I grew up here, my family and my friends live here. I have tried professionally and as a volunteer to do what I can to maintain and create the type of community that I want to live in and that I want my children and other children to want to continue to live in.