TAKING YOUR PLACE IN THE DRUMMUNITY: THE COMMUNITY DRUMKEEPER’S TRAINING
Contributed by Suraj Holzwarth
Since the Mat-Su Valley’s 7-foot, crystal-inlaid Alaskan Grandmother Drum was born 25 years ago in Chickaloon, she, her DrumKeeper Suraj Holzwarth, and the project’s musical ensemble have toured the world activating hearts and promoting unity, peace, and earth sustainability one heartbeat at a time. Having traveled a million miles and touched more than a million people across 20 countries, the nonprofit Whirling Rainbow Foundation continues to expand its healing message with music at the core of its medicine. To spread this heart work farther and wider, the foundation launched the Drum For Change Global Network to help bring Grandmother Drum’s resounding heartbeat of unity to even more communities.
In addition to facilitating quarterly global drum circles uniting 360 cities in 80 countries, the Drum For Change Global Network now trains healers, artists, teachers, drummers, therapists, and spiritual seekers both locally and globally in using sound, song, sacred music, and the power of the drum in their own communities. Alongside a series of online classes, this year’s five-day certified Community DrumKeeper’s Training will be held September 20–25, 2025, at The Whirling Rainbow Center in Homer. The program is open to all levels of drummers, dancers, healers, teachers, therapists, and spiritual seekers. Those who lead or wish to lead music and dance programs, sound healing events, meditation classes, spiritual practices, drum circles, treatment programs, shamanic healing arts workshops, children’s programs, wellness classes, elder care, or hospice will find this training designed for them.
Suraj brings 35 years as an international shamanic healer, teacher, singer, and drummer to this immersion in the elemental healing power and sacred use of the drum and core shamanic instruments. The hands-on training also incorporates rattles, flutes, tuning forks, bells, crystal bowls, and more. Participants may register for one, two, or all five days of training.
The highlight of the Alaska training will be working with the seven-foot, crystalinlaid Alaskan Grandmother Drum—a heart-opening experience that embodies the spirit of the Drummunity. Spaces are limited. For more information, contact The Whirling Rainbow Foundation at whirlingrainbow.com, email thewhirlingrainbowfoundation@gmail.com, or call 907-715-4433.
MAT-SU CONCERT BAND PLAYS VIBRANT FALL CONCERT
Contributed by Mat-Su Concert Band
Mat-Su Concert Band’s upcoming “Fall Tempest” concert features a passionate mix of music ranging from up-tempo marches and fast-paced pieces to soulful symphonic compositions. The performance will be capped by a unique treat: A concerto performed by the band’s own master of the trombone, José López-Ramos.
The fall concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 at the Glenn Massay Theater at Mat-Su College. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets are available at matsuconcertband.org and at the door.
To celebrate the vibrancy of the season, the band will perform Danzón No. 2, by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez, a piece inspired by a Cuban dance and featuring numerous solo parts that showcase the talent throughout the band’s sections. The concert also features Giacomo Puccini’s heart-rending Nessun Dorma, a concert band arrangement of the aria most famously sung by Luciano Pavarotti from the final act of the opera Turandot.
by López-Ramos. Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, López learned trombone from his father. He is a fourth-generation musician and a third-generation soldier in the U.S. Army who served nearly 12 years playing in Army bands and came to Alaska in 2011.
The melancholy beauty of the season will rise in Samuel R. Hazo’s Hennepin County (Shrouds of Snow), Robert Sheldon’s Ghost Fleet, and Eric Whitacre’s October.
The urgency of autumn’s pre-winter preparations are encapsulated in a number of high-pace pieces: Todd Stalter’s relentless Rampage!, Kenneth J. Alford’s quick march Army of the Nile, Robert Jager’s U.S. Marine Corps band tribute Esprit de Corps, Dmitri Shostakovich’s tumultuous Galop, and Malcolm Arnold’s bracing folk song suite, Four Scottish Dances.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Concerto for Trombone and Band will be performed
The concert will be conducted by the band’s director, Tyler Martin, who also directs the Wasilla High School band program.
Mat-Su Concert Band got its start in 1984 as the Mat-Su Community Band, formed by Matanuska Music owner Hank Hartman. Past directors have included Neil Long, Phil Munger, and Gleo Huyck, who led the group through its transition to an independent nonprofit organization.
Today, the band is made up of about 60 musicians from many different walks of life who come together to make music every week during the school year. Rehearsals are held at Wasilla High School. For more information about the band, including becoming a member, please email contact@matsuconcertband.org
HELP US GROW OUR CALENDAR!
AUGUST
September 17 @ 11:30AM
From Lease to Launch: Designing and Developing Your Space
Twister Creek Brewery, 13605 E. Main Street waggonerfi@protonmail.com (210) 744-1188
September 20 @ 10AM
17th Annual Mat-Su Emergency Preparedness Expo
The Mat-Su Borough & The People’s Paper Menard Sports Center, 955 S Clapp St talon.boeve@matsugov.us (907) 861-8316
September 20th & 21st @ 10AM-5PM
Spunky Monkey Alaska 1st Ever Parking Lot Sale!
Spunky Monkey Alaska 461 W Parks Hwy, 461 W Parks Hwy info@spunkymonkeyak.com spunymonkeyak.com (907) 357-0711
Submit your event and we’ll print it in the next edition! We’re more than a community paper! We also run 95.5
September 24 @11:30AM
Scaling Up: What to Know Before You Expand
Alaska Small Business Development Center
Alaska Experience Theater
333 W. 4th Avenue, #207 workshops@aksbdc.org (907) 786-7278
Cost: $35
September 25th - 26th @ 10AM
Modern Nurse Fest
Jen Crow
BP Energy Center
1014 Energy Ct info@nursesfornurses.org (907) 980-7765
Cost: $197.00
September 27 @11AM-3PM
2025 Fall Harvest Festival
Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services 26731 West Point Mackenzie Road (907) 376-4534
OCTOBER
October 2 @5:30PM
Seeing with Our Hearts Night at the Museum
Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Anchorage Museum, 625 C St. cailleo@alaskabvi.org (907) 771-4311
October 4 @ 11AM
Frost Fest: Winter Resource Expo
Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation
Palmer Train Depot, 610 South Valley Way info@revelak.com (907) 903-1664
October 4 @ 2PM
Iron Beauty Health & Wellness Grand Opening
Iron Beauty
609 S Knik Goose Bay Road ironbeauty.com info@ironbeauty.com (907) 357-4766
October 7 @ 10:30AM
Valley Garden Club Regular Meeting
Valley Garden Club
Grace Community Church, 900 Leatherleaf (907) 982-7570
Cost: $20 annual membership fee
October 11 @ 8:30AM
Break Free With Knowledge
Alaskans 4 Personal Freedom
UAA/Wendy Williamson Auditorium, 2533 Providence Dr flocs43070@mypacks.net AK4PF.org (907) 444-4970
Cost: $55 including lunch
Funnies
Maryanne, 9 Charlotte, 8
PALMER ALEHOUSE WRAPS A SUMMER OF LIVE MUSIC
Contributed by Corey Brister, Director of Operations and Entertainment Palmer Alehouse
As summer winds down in Palmer, the Alehouse is reflecting on another season filled with live music, community, and connection. This year brought back many of Palmer’s favorite artists, while also introducing more than a dozen artists making their Palmer Alehouse debut. From local legends to touring bands from as far as the east coast, every night brought its own unique energy, reminding us once again why live music is such an important part of our community.
Of course, none of it would have been possible without the people who keep the Alehouse humming. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our hardworking crew—servers, bartenders, dishwashers, line cooks, and everyone in between—who pour their hearts into making every show memorable. A special thank-you goes to our stage manager, Joe Kilhoffer, whose dedication ensures that every artist who steps on our stage sounds their absolute best.
The Alehouse has always believed that live music is about more than just a performance—it’s about bringing people together. This summer we saw
friends reconnect, families gather, and strangers become neighbors, all while sharing the experience of great music under the midnight sun. Those moments are what make the effort worthwhile, and they’re the reason we continue to grow this tradition year after year.
While we’re closing the chapter on this summer, we’re already looking ahead to the next one. Musicians interested in performing at Palmer Alehouse—or those who know an artist they’d like to see on our stage—are encouraged to reach out. Send an EPK, demo, or even just a love letter to music@ palmeralehouse.com.
From all of us at Palmer Alehouse, thank you for another unforgettable summer of live music. We can’t wait to see you again when the next season rolls around. Cheers, Palmer!
YOU’RE INVITED TO A KILLER BOOK RELEASE PARTY!
The Details:
Contributed by Melissa Saulnier
Hey mystery lovers! Get ready to solve the case of the missing afternoon plans because I’ve got the perfect alibi for you! Join me, Melissa Saulnier, for the official release party of my new mystery novel Murder On the Rocks, where the drinks are hot, the plot twists are hot, and nobody actually dies (promise!).
Come for the mystery, stay for the coffee, and leave with a signed copy that’s sure to keep you up all night (in the best way possible). Whether you’re a seasoned sleuth or just love a good page-turner, this party promises to be anything but murder on your social calendar! Can’t wait to see your friendly faces, and remember, the only thing getting killed that day will be time! Feel free to contact me if you would like to have a Book Party! Let’s make red punch and call it Murder On the Rocks!
Mystery and caffeine awaits, Melissa Saulnier
www.publicationconsultants.com
When: Saturday, September 27, 1–4 PM; Where: Kaladi Brothers Meeting Room, 6921 Brayton Dr, Anchorage, Alaska; What: book signing, great coffee, and maybe we’ll crack the case together!
