Fun things coming up: Dance in the botanical garden, the Girdwood Fungus Fair and closing weekend for the Alaska State Fair

Alaska State Fair — This is it: the final days of fair food, rides, gargantuan vegetables and teeny tiny hatching chicks for this year. Here are some highlights:

Concerts — Common Kings will bring their mix of rock, reggae and island style Thursday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. ($25-$40). Bronx rapper Lil Tjay will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 ($35-$49). The legendary Billy Idol will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 ($55-$85). The rock band Clutch will close out the state fair concert lineup 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5 ($39-$45).

Giant cabbage weigh off — Two world records have been set at the Alaska State Fair. Go see if this year’s crop will beat the rest. 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 at the Craig Taylor Farm exhibits.

Alaska State Fair fiddle contest — The state’s finest fiddlers will compete for prizes and bragging rights. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage.

For a full schedule of events, visit the state fair site. Admission is $7-$15. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Monday, Sept. 6 at the Palmer Fairgrounds (2075 Glenn Highway).

Girdwood Fungus Fair — Learn about common, interesting and edible mushrooms of the Girdwood area. There will be mushroom forays led by mycologists and workshops on topics like cultivation, mushroom fabric dyes and science.

Girdwood Brewing Company will host a casual social evening for the fungus fair with food trucks, local beers a silent auction fundraiser 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 (2700 Alyeska Highway). There will be a five-course fungus feast from Spoonline Bistro 6:30-9 p.m. Sunday ($90, advance reservations required via brownpapertickets.com)

Organizers note that due to COVID-19 developments, some indoor events may be canceled and replaced with forays. Also, many of the events on the schedule require registration in advance, so be sure to check ahead at fungusfair.com. Most sessions will take place at the Girdwood Community Room (250 Egloff Drive) from Friday-Sunday, Sept. 3-5, with a virtual session Wednesday, Sept. 8.

First Friday

All events take place Friday, Sept. 3. Be advised, most galleries request patrons wear masks.

Bivy Space — In the exhibit “House Piece,” Olena Kalytiak Davis creates a piece of her house inside Bivy’s back room where her personal belongings, furniture, art and other miscellaneous objects are displayed for sale, bid or discussion. Also showing is the group exhibition “Rain Makes Little Lakes,” which deals with the water element and features works by Indra Arriaga, Alicja Khatchikian, Olena Katyliak Davis, Scott McDonald, Jimmy Riordan, Susan Joy Share, Anna Widman and Zinc Comics. 5-9 p.m. Both exhibits will show through Sept. 24. (419 G Street, Suite 100; bivy.space)

International Gallery of Contemporary Art — Fairbanks based artist Tamara Wilson will present “Cheddar Island and the Shiny Moon,” featuring wall-hung and site-specific artworks made from industrial and domestic materials, largely reclaimed. New works by John Coyne will be opening as well. 5 p.m. (427 D Street; igcaalaska.org)

2 Friends Gallery — Guitta Corey uses a Japanese technique called Chiguri-e, where handmade papers are cut and torn to create images. These images often appear to be watercolor painting. 4-6:30 p.m. (341 E. Benson Blvd.; more details on Facebook)

Georgia Blue Gallery — Kim Marcuccii’s work is characterized by large, bold brushwork, and vibrant, rich color. See her new collection at an opening reception featuring treats from Fromagio’s Artisan Cheese. 5-7 p.m. Friday (3555 Arctic Blvd.; georgiabluegallery.com)

Snow City Cafe — Laura Dewey will present acrylic paintings that depict Alaska landscapes. Opening reception 5-7 p.m.

Momentum Dance company presents “Uncovered” — Musicians and dancers will perform at different points along a paved half-mile loop of the Alaska Botanical Garden. The short performances can be viewed in any order, and repeat every 25 minutes. The new choreography by Momentum Dance Collective artists will be accompanied by live performances by The Chamberliners, Photonak, Mike Holtz, Whitney Youngman, Karissa Du Pree, Cold Country’s Todd Grebe and Angela Oudean. Tickets are $15 for youth (7-17), $25-$30 for adults and free for children 6 and under. 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4-5. (4601 Campbell Airstrip Road; alaskabg.org)

Spark: Performing Arts in the Forest — Hike along a short trail, stopping for theatrical readings on the theme of climate change. Community experts will share their scientific and cultural knowledge of climate change. Plan to be outside for 90 minutes and hike up to 1 mile with significant elevation change. Registration required. 12-1:30 Thursday, Sept. 2 at the Eagle River Nature Center. (32750 Eagle River Road; see Facebook for details)

Jazz in the park — Enjoy Saturday evening with complex harmony, syncopated rhythms and melodic improvisation. AK Jazz Workshop Jazz Quintet play a free concert in Town Square Park from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4. Bring your own chair or blanket. (Details on Facebook)