Under the ever-watchful gaze of Mount Edgecumbe, Sitka, Alaska is a visually stunning destination ideal for your next Alaskan getaway. The origins of the city date back to the Tlingit people who lived here for thousands of years before the Russians arrived in the mid-18th Century. When the Russians seized control of the area, they established a port and built infrastructure for Sitka. In fact, it's not hard to still find the Russian influence in buildings and architecture all over the city. The Americans took control of the state and the area in 1867, and Sitka was named the capital of the Alaskan Territory which it remained until 1904. Today, Sitka is an activity filled and culturally rich city that has a population of roughly 9,000 people.
Even though you won't find any direct road access to Sitka from the mainland, it not hard to find your way here. You can take a jet from bigger cities like Juneau or Seattle and smaller planes make the trip from other smaller communities along the Inside Passage. The Alaska Marine Highway also regularly operates ferries to and from the island. No matter which way you choose to reach the island, you’ll be treated to picture perfect views as you make the trip.
Things to do in Sitka are numerous and could fill multiple vacations. The living history here is impressive and on display all over the city. Many of the original Russian buildings have been maintained and preserved, leaving you with a unique living history experience. The area is home to some beautiful parks and public areas that are ideal for hiking, exploring, photography and so much more. The nature tours here are second to none, from tours of the coast highlighting the terrain, to glass bottom boat tours that showcase the diverse local marine life. To get the full Sitka experience, try visiting during one of the great local festivals like the Sitka Summer Music Festival.
The long running Sitka Summer Music Festival has been a mainstay in the community for over 40 years. This all ages music spectacular lasts the entire month of June. Unique music events are held throughout the city of Sitka, giving you a tour while enjoying the soothing sounds of classical music. The great music of the festival combined with the natural surroundings, truly makes for an unforgettable experience. We received the chance to interview Kayla Boettcher, Executive Director for Sitka Summer Music Festival & Alaska Classics, to talk about the festival.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event. KB: The Sitka Summer Music Festival was established in 1972 by violinist Paul Rosenthal. We bring around 15 professional classical musicians to Sitka throughout the month of June every year. The SSMF has a diversity of events that draws audiences of all ages, anyone who is interested should come and check it out.
RAL: What makes this event unique? KB: It’s world-class chamber music coupled with Alaskan hospitality. Audiences have the opportunity to meet the performers after each concert, and many of our events are held in intimate venues. RAL: Take me through a day at the event. KB: We offer events six days per week through the month of June, and every day is different. On Tuesdays, we host a “Week in Preview”, which is a discussion of the programs ahead and a brief performance. It’s held in our headquarters building on the historic Sheldon Jackson campus. On Wednesdays we have a 45 minute concert in one of our local restaurants, so folks can enjoy the music with dinner and drinks. Thursday noon is “Bach’s Lunch”, a free one hour performance in a beautifully renovated historic theater; and on Thursday evenings we present a movie with a musical theme in our beautiful ocean-side public library. Friday and Saturday evening concerts are more of a formal concert experience, held in Sitka’s state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center. Sundays we host a special event, like a Family Concert, crab feed picnic, boat cruise on Sitka Sound with a musical performance, or concert brunch in a private Sitka home. All musical performances feature world-class professional musicians who are invited to Sitka by our Artistic Director, cellist Zuill Bailey. Featured guests this summer include the Cypress String Quartet and pianist Awadagin Pratt, among several others.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging? KB: There is no specific lodging for our event, but Sitka offers a variety of lodging options, from hotels to vacation rentals. The best place to browse Sitka housing options is at www.sitka.org. RAL: What does the event mean to the community? KB: The Sitka Summer Music Festival is an economic engine for our community, as it is a draw for independent arts and culture tourists. It’s been estimated that our festival brings $1.5 Million to Sitka in independent tourist dollars. Our non-profit organization is well supported by local businesses and individuals. It can sometimes be challenging to find lodging in Sitka during the month of June, but two new hotels are under construction, so those expanded options will help.
RAL: Why should people come to your event? KB: The combination of Sitka’s wild natural beauty and the exquisite musical talents of our guest artists make a trip to Sitka for this festival an extremely rare and memorable experience. There are not many other places in the world that one could spend the day hiking, fishing, or kayaking, and then attend a chamber music concert worthy of Carnegie Hall or London's Royal Albert Hall. For more information about the Sitka Summer Music Festival, please visit their website. |