Mat-Su Sentinel to host community concert and skate party featuring The Super Saturated Sugar Strings

What you need to know:

• The Mat-Su Sentinel is hosting its first-ever Icebreaker event, a community concert and skate party at the MTA Events Center featuring live music by The Super Saturated Sugar Strings, open skating and a dance floor.
• Tickets include skating, rentals and complimentary treats, with additional food, beer and a raffle available for purchase during the family-friendly event.
• Proceeds will support the Sentinel’s nonprofit civic-focused journalism serving the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

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Lace up your skates or dancing shoes, and clear your calendar. The Mat-Su Sentinel is hosting a one-of-a-kind community concert and skate party next month, turning the ice at the MTA Events Center into a live music venue for an end-of-winter celebration designed to break the ice and support community news. 

The Mat-Su Sentinel Icebreaker will feature a live performance by the high-energy local favorite Super Saturated Sugar Strings, with open skating during the show. Attendees can glide across the rink while the band plays — or stick to a separate, ice-free dance floor set up near the stage. It is scheduled for March 28 at 7 p.m.

Tickets include concert entry, open ice time and skate rentals, along with free scoops from Big Dipper Homemade Ice Cream and soft drinks courtesy of Odom, both available while supplies last.

For those looking for something heartier, food will be available for purchase from El Señor Moose, and beer will be sold on site by Palmer Brewing Company. A high-stakes raffle will add to the fun, with tickets sold during the event.

Organizers say the evening is designed to be family-friendly and accessible to everyone — no skating skills required.

“This event is about bringing our community together, all while supporting local nonprofit journalism,” said Mat-Su Sentinel founder Amy Bushatz. “We know from experience that late winter can feel like it’s dragging on forever, so it’s the perfect time to pick a reason to celebrate and get out the house.” 

The Sentinel is also looking for sponsors to help cover some of the evening's costs. Those interested in supporting the event can email contact@matsusentinel.com.

Proceeds from the event will support the Sentinel’s ongoing mission to provide consistent, civic-focused news coverage to residents across the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Since launching in June 2024, the digital newsroom has produced more tha 400 local news stories, interactive voter guides and community events aimed at strengthening civic participation in the region.

The Icebreaker is both a fundraiser and a celebration — a chance for community members and readers to gather off the page and in person.

For ticket information and event details, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel’s website.