African Children's Choir

The choir will be performing three times in Skagway during Labor Day weekend - September 4, 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, September 5, 10 a.m. at the church, and 7 p.m. at the Skagway School. All concerts are free admission. The choir will be selling cds and accepting goodwill offerings. Thanks to the Tronruds and other local volunteers and sponsors for initiating and supporting this event.

The African Children’s Choir™ is made up of some of the neediest and most vulnerable children in their countries. Many have lost one or both parents to poverty or disease. The African Children’s Choir™ helps these children break away from the everyday cycle of poverty and hopelessness. Before being selected to join the Choir, children, generally aged between 7 and 11 attend Music for Life camps. These camps are fun and stimulating environments that provide a break from the daily hardships the young children face at home.Children selected to tour will spend approximately five months at the Choir Training Academy in Kampala, Uganda. Here the children learn the songs and dances, attend school, play and attend Sunday School at a local church.

Check out their website: http://www.africanchildrenschoir.com/ for more information.

Southeast Alaska State Fair

The 2010 Southeast Alaska State Fair runs July 29 to August 1, and this year’s theme is “Magic Happens at the Fair.” The four-day event features athletic and music contests, great food booths, and more than 28 entertainment acts, including North Carolina-based funksters Yo Mammas Big Fat Booty Band, San Francisco hula dance artist Spiral, Alaskan Inuit tribal funk group Pamuya, and many more.

Talent Show
The Fair will host a regional, all-ages talent show, “Southeast’s Got Talent,” at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, the first day of the four-day fair.

Entry costs $10. Entry forms can be printed online at www.seakfair.org, and should be mailed with a check or money order to P.O. Box 385, Haines, AK, 99827 by the July 26 (extended) registration deadline.

The contest winner will receive a $500 prize and $250 travel stipend to travel to the statewide “Alaska’s Got Talent” competition Sept. 6 at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer.

Fiddle Contest
Saturday, July 31, 2:15 PM
Bring your favorite fiddle (or violin) and join in the fun. Stomp your feet and clap your hands and get ready for a good time! Thank you to Constantine Mine for sponsoring this event.

Singer/Songwriter Competition
Friday, July 30 3:00 PM
This competition has been a Fair favorite for several years. Country & bluegrass, blues & folk, and pop. This event will be judged live in Payson's Pavilion.

Fair Exhibits
Photographers, knitters, bakers, and candlestick makers, your products could earn you fair prize ribbons and the admiration of your work by your friends. If you would like to submit items for fair exhibits, pick up an exhibit book at the library, AB Hall, or view it online at the SE Alaska State Fair website. Submissions from Skagway are due to our town representative, Donna Snyder, on August 20 or 21 (NE corner of Alaska and 6th Streets). She will be shipping them to the fair. For perishable items (e.g., food, flowers, drinks) contact Donna (983-3222) for information and due dates.

For complete contest guidelines and talent show entry forms, see the fair website www.seakfair.org. See you there!