So here’s how it happened:

FCA is committed to presenting at least one family program every year, one that has appeal for all ages and we charge a very low ticket price so that families can afford to attend it together. We also donate a few hundred tickets to military and families who may be in need. It is an important part of our commitment to the community and we try to make up for it with money raised through our annual Education Partnership campaign.

But finding good family programs is not so easy. We really focused on it at both the Western Arts Alliance conference and the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference this year, but turned up nothing we thought worthy. We were determined.

The name Tomáš Kubínek kept surfacing in our discussions. Those familiar with his work glowed at the mention of his name. As this season came to an end, I decided to meet him, traveling to Anchorage where he was performing. I found his performance entrancing. Imaginative, fun, complex yet accessible for everyone in the house. He works with concepts that we all can grasp and is universally funny.

No wonder he’s been described so many different ways: like the vaudevillians of old, Monty Python, Tim Conway, a sweet and gentle standup comic. But the truth is that he’s utterly original. Although I found a lot to love, my favorite thing about him is the improvisations throughout his performance. No doubt you’ll find your own favorite thing about this zany, magical, contortionist, and one-man flying circus!

Collaboration, connection and community:

While he is here:

He’ll work with the detention center.

Stay tuned to this site to find out more about our 2011-12 season preview party and special event with Tomas!

Military Appreciation Community Participation Program:

This year, because of the spring deployment of military personell from both Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base, we have decided to raise enough extra dollars to donate 500 tickets to the families of deployed and deploying soldiers. We want to give them an opportunity to forget for a couple of hours what lies ahead, to share a good laugh with their kids and take away a memory which will help sustain them in the coming year.

Although our initial goal is 500 tickets, we’d love to provide this for all our deploying soldiers and their families.

If community response is sufficient we would cancel our plans for another community event April 29th and add a second show, allowing us to offer 2,000 free tickets to these families. We are coming up on a deadline to make that decision. — Anne Bibermann

To achieve this goal we'll need considerable support from the community. We are hoping you can help.

We are encouraging people to join us in buying a block of tickets for a family whose husband, wife, mother or father has or will be deploying. You can do this as an individual, through your service organization or business.

Donations can be made to the FCA Education Partnership,  please note Military Appreciation in the PayPal donation page.. You can do this through our website, at our concerts or through the FCA office. The Armed Services YMCA is standing by to deliver tickets.

The 6th Squadron of the 17th Cavalry salute the colors.               Ketter/20th PAD

Help us help you show appreciation to our servicemen and women about to go in harms way.  Donate a family's worth of tickets today!