I grant that Juneau, Alaska, is a smallish (30,000) town but it is a vital community, one that offers many facets and levels of the various arts. For instance, we have five different levels of live theatre here, ranging from a professional troupe down to high school productions; we have painters and writers, publishing houses, music studios, professional music teachers, a symphony and more.

We have music from lyric opera down (or up!) to folk, we have concerts in halls, concerts in houses, music jams and sessions, we have song writers and song stylists, we have music festivals ranging from folk to jazz and classics, we support many bands and orchestras in this town.'

Just about everything is well attended. Three years ago I was one of four people who started a monthly folk music club which is going strong and two years ago on a top-of-the-mountain venue reachable on foot or by tram we started a 'mountain music fest' where we offer 10 twenty-minute performing sets. Last year, the manager told me, they sold 212 tickets for the fest; he was pretty happy about it. I anticipate no less this year.

Promotion, I think, is the key. That, and the tradition of supporting the arts.

We also support outside artists. In August John Prine will do a concert, Gordon Bok will do one in September, Tommy Sands one in October. These are in addition to our own local venues.

I love music in Juneau.