Alice’s features big weekend of acts

A guitarist with a Grateful Dead-inspired band leads off a weekend of big musical acts at Alice’s Champagne Palace. Performing at 9 p.m. Friday is John Kakelick, former lead guitarist for Furthur, one of the bands formed by former Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh after the death of Jerry Garcia. At 9 p.m. Saturday, Colorado band Grant Farm plays. Both acts are part of the Salmonfest-Alice’s Champagne Palace Music Series. After Garcia’s death, Grateful Dead members continued the tradition with two incarnations, The Other Ones and The Dead, and then Furthur, named after Ken Kesey and the Merry Prankster’s bus. Weir and Lesh chose as lead guitarist Kakelick, a long time leader of the Dark Star Orchestra. Kakelick played with Furthur on several tours over five years. When Further disbanded in 2014, he went on to form other bands and has been doing some solo touring throughout the country. Colorado based Grant Farm made its Alaska debut in Girdwood at the Sitzmark last winter, and returns for a fall tour. Founded in 2009, they have been steadily rising in stature and have been a growing presence on the festival and national touring circuit. Tickets for both shows are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and available at Alice’s, Homer Bookstore, Old Inlet Books and Cornish Music.

Writers can meet

Writers looking for company can join other literary artists for Shut Up &Writer, held every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. through Nov. 30 at Alice’s Champagne Palace. Tired of looking at the same old walls while you write? In need of some inspiration? Come join the group upstairs at Alice’s to tuck in and write. There is no critiquing, lectures, competition or feeling guilty. No commitment, fees or registration are required. Just show up, shut up and write. For more information, call Christina Whiting at 435-7969 or email alaskachristina@gmail.com.