By JOSH NIVA
Anchorage Daily News
(Published: April 30, 2004)
Can you hear it coming from the west? The rising rumble of guitars, violins,
spoken word and 9-year-olds banging in drum sets? Yes, spring has officially
sprung in Anchorage, and residents of the not-so-sleepy neighborhood of
Spenard are rearing to rock 'n' roll and scratching to socialize.
The fifth annual Spenard Independent Music Spring Social kicks off Saturday
night. The 21-and-up event begins at 9 p.m. at Fiori D'Italia (2502 McRae
Road). Tickets are $5 at the door. Acts expected to perform include a bold
musical sampling: Flying Falcons, Woodrow, Vornon, Crystal Hutchens, violin
player Gwendellin Bradshaw, The Duke Russell Experience and Dave Manning and
Neighborhood Conspiracy.
"We're not the biggest, the best or the loudest," Russell said, "but it's
the heart of the spirit of making music."
This night isn't merely a celebration of music but a celebration of
independent art and the artists who create it. And, of course, a celebration
of Spenard.
"Spenard always gets the short sketch -- it's fashionable to paraphrase
Spenard as 'Warts and all, we love it,' " said Russell, a local
jack-of-all-art mediums. "But I think it's credible to say that there's some
real skill out there, and we want to retain the unique spirit that exists
there."
Russell is coordinating the event for the first time. The event's founder,
Rick Kinsey, has been traveling and didn't have time to put the show
together, though he will be back in time to attend.
Longtime participant Mike Holtz will be there, too. He's debuting his new
musical project, Vornon, as well as playing with two or three other acts.
"It's kind of crazy, every year I end up playing in half the bands," Holtz
said. "I thought I'd get away with playing in just three bands this year,
but someone else needed a drummer. It gets hectic. I'd like to hang out a
little more, but playing 15-minute sets is pretty easy."
Russell doesn't need a drummer; he'll probably play a little and then turn
the set over to his 9-year-old son, Shane. "He's played since he was 2,"
Russell said. Welcome to the Duke Russell Experience.
The Spenard Spring Social has been a hit since the younger Russell was a
toddler. The house is full every year. Holtz said the inaugural event was
standing room only and was so successful, it inspired a short-lived fall
event.
"We tried to do an autumn social the first year, but the excitement wasn't
there," Holtz said. "I guess no one really gets excited about winter
coming."