Homer Alaska - Arts

As part of 1-percent for the arts funding for the $1.5 million Homer City Hall expansion and remodeling, the Homer City Council at its Monday night meeting approved the recommendation of the 1-percent for the Art Selection Committee and accepted proposals totaling $15,000 by Homer and Anchorage artists. Selected proposals are:

• "Five Bull Cans," by Anchorage artist Keith Appel, $4,200;

• "Compass Rose," by David Gerard of Gerard HouseWorks with Dan Gerard, $3,300;

• "Fireweed," by Joshua Nordstrom of Tierra Tile, $5,000;

• "Southside Kachemak Bay, Grewingk Glacier," by Tarri Thurman and Marlon Prazen of MooseRun Metalsmiths, $2,500.

Proposals were reviewed by a committee of Public Arts Committee members, city employees, artists and a representative from Steiner's North Star Construction, the contractor.

'Burly-Q Revue' opens tonight

Homer's first burlesque group, Bait and Tassels, performs the Burly-Q Revue at 9 p.m. today and Friday at Alice's Champagne Palace. An evening of burlesque and neo-burlesque acts by the troupe of eight women and one man, the show is rated "R for risqué" and for those 21 and older.

Johnny B and Heidi Jo open the show, with Johnny B also playing piano accompaniment. An independent group, they have chosen to donate proceeds to Bunnell Street Arts Center. In the burlesque tradition of Gypsy Rose Lee and others of the classical period of the 1930s and 1940s, the show features musical, dance and variety acts.

With artistic director Kari Multz, Bait and Tassels features performers using the stage names of Moxie, Hellon Wheels, Rosa Lynn, Anita Von Press, Kammi-O, Maple Sugar Mary, Ivana Flame, Tabanga Tapper, Dr. Co and Le Marquis de Storms.

Tickets are $15 at Alice's Champagne Palace and The Fringe.

Poetry contest now open

The Fairbanks Arts Association is now accepting entries for its 18th annual statewide poetry contest. Cash prizes are awarded in adult, high school, and middle and elementary school categories. The contest is open to Alaska residents only. Poets can submit up to four previously unpublished poems no more than 100 lines long.

The entry fee is $3 a poem or $10 for four poems for students and $4 a poem or $13 for four poems for adults. To enter, type poems on one 8.5-by-11-inch paper with a separate cover sheet with the author's name, address, phone number, division and poem titles. The author's name should not be with the poem.

Mail poems and entry fees to Fairbanks Arts Association, FAA Poetry Contest 2011, P.O. Box 72796, Fairbanks, AK 99707. Entries must be hand delivered or postmarked by Feb. 6, 2012. talfaa@gmail.com. Mail entry fees or pay by phone at (907) 456-6485, ext. 226.