5 things to do in Anchorage this weekend

From music to mutts, there’s plenty to see and do this weekend in Anchorage. Well, maybe mutts is a little unkind: Dogs are the stars of Dogtoberfest, a celebration of man’s best friend happening Saturday afternoon. There’s also music from guitarists, singers and more, plus the second weekend of a play about a U.S. senator who looms large in Alaska’s political history. Here are the highlights, along with plenty of events for First Friday.

Madison McFerrin

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Discovery Theatre, 621 W. Sixth Ave.

Brooklyn-based artist Madison McFerrin is known for her spacious, atmospheric neo-soul music. Her early sound was described by Questlove as “soul-appella,” and her latest album “I Hope You Can Forgive Me” was released earlier this year. Tickets start at $47.50.

Anchorage Symphony’s Opening Night

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W. Sixth Ave.

Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin joins the symphony to perform Chris Brubeck’s Affinity: Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra and Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. Isbin, who has worked with more than 200 orchestras, has been hailed for her virtuosity. Tickets range from $27.50-$52.50.

Parker McCollum

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Alaska Airlines Center, 3550 Providence Drive

Texas country singer-songwriter Parker McCollum has risen to prominence since releasing his first EP a decade ago. Incorporating roots music influences from soul, blues and Americana, McCollum has counted influences as broad as John Mayer and George Strait. Ticket prices range from $30.50 to $85.50 before fees.

Dogtoberfest

1-5 p.m. Saturday, outside Williwaw Social, 609 F St.

Dogtoberfest is an “epic dog party” featuring Yeti Dogs, beer, dog-centric vendors, burn barrels and DJ music. This free event also includes a dog parade and a costume contest with prizes for best small, medium and large breeds, and an owner and dog look-alike contest. A portion of beer sales go to Best Friends Animal Rescue.

Uncle Ted

7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Cyrano’s Theatre, 3800 DeBarr Road

This new play about the longtime Alaska senator who was both controversial and beloved enters its second weekend. The one-man play, which “examines the reputation, as well as the rise and fall of Senator Ted Stevens, told by the man himself,” was written by state Sen. Gary Stevens and is directed by Kalli Denali Randall. Tickets are $30 and $27 for seniors, military and students.

First Friday

The Cove: Featuring AI-generated art prompted by Joel Loosli as well as film clips by Kris Swanson with background beats from Quinoa and Jacob Mattie, 6-10 p.m.

AK Cycle Chic: 908 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Featuring art by Rhonda Scott, 5-7 p.m.

Georgia Blue Gallery: 3555 Arctic Blvd., Featuring “A Sense of Place” by painter Cheryl Lyon, 5-7 p.m.

Sevigny Studio: 312 G St., Featuring wildlife and landscape photographer Eddie Fisher and music from Pepper Kit, 6-9 p.m.

Anchorage Distillery: 6310 A St., Featuring oil paintings by Levi Oyster, 5-8 p.m.

Heritage Art & Frames: 2611 Fairbanks St., Featuring “Ravens, Witches, and Moons” by Jana Latham, noon-5:30 p.m.

Cyrano’s: 3800 DeBarr Road, Featuring “Line and Form” by Ester artist Nancy Burnham, 5-7 p.m.

Anchorage Museum: 625 C St., Featuring the opening of “How to Survive.” Enjoy free admission to the galleries, create in Art Lab, or enjoy rapid space shorts in the planetarium, 6-9 p.m. Admission to the museum will also be free Saturday in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

IGCA: 427 D St., Featuring the opening of “Rarefied Light,” Alaska’s largest annual fine art photography exhibition, 5-8 p.m.

Dos Manos: 1317 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Featuring “Unkempt” by Annie Brace of Corso Graphics, 5-7:30 p.m.