Gospel Choir, steel pan, marimba, zentangle all here for the winter edition of the arts festival | Latitude 65

Twenty years ago, Bobby Lewis and Eustace Johnson agreed to come to Fairbanks to lead a gospel choir for the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. It was a one-time visit.

A year spanning every year, every summer and every winter, and 2022 will mark the 20th annual year for the popular musical duo to visit. They are here under the umbrella of Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Winter Edition. This is just one of many workshops offered at this year’s winter edition of the long-running arts festival.

The gospel choir is open to anyone who loves to sing, ages 15 and up, regardless of experience level. No training or ability to read music is necessary. Rehearsals will be February 14-19 from 6-8 p.m. at the College Community Presbyterian Church, 3510 College Road. The show will take place on February 20 at 5 p.m. at Journey Christian Church, 1201 Hoselton Road. Register at www.fsaf.org. The cost is $80.

Steel pan

Nationally acclaimed musician and instructor CJ Menge will be teaching steel pan classes. He is the founder and executive director of Inside Out Steelband, a non-profit organization based in Austin, Texas. Since 1996, he has developed numerous school and community steel bands in Austin and elsewhere. He continues to be artist-in-residence or director of many of these programs. He has worked with K-12 and college programs across the country.

For the winter edition, he will be teaching Intro to Steel Pans and a more advanced class. The introductory workshop is aimed at anyone who has never taken a course on steel pans, as well as people with a little experience with steel pans. No knowledge of the keyboard or music playback is required. Instruments will be provided to participants.

The second workshop is aimed at students who have already developed a certain mastery of saucepans. Music reading skills and at least one year of experience playing steel pans are required. Instruments will be provided. This workshop will take place from 7-9 p.m. February 14-18 at The Music Room. The cost is $85.

Marimba

Jim Levine and Jenny Stroyeck will give marimba lessons. Beginner/Intermediate Zimbabwe Marimba Workshops will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. February 28-March 4 at The Music Room, 407 First Ave. The cost is $75.

Advanced Zimbabwe Marimba Workshops will be held from 7-9 p.m. February 28-March 4, also at The Music Room. The cost is $85.

Zentangle

Sandra Westcott will lead a zentangle drawing workshop.

Zentangle is a method for creating beautiful images by drawing repeating patterns. It is easy to learn, using simple tools and a small format. It’s funny. It is mediative and no experience is necessary.

This workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on February 19 at the University Community Presbyterian Church, 3510 College Road. The cost is $40.

Register for all these workshops at www.fsaf.org. Masking is mandatory at all workshops and performances for attendees and guest instructors as part of the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Covid policy.