What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (May 1-3): Music, auction, homes and safety first
Seven events across Mat-Su showcase music, travel and family fun.
What you need to know:
- The first weekend of May in the Mat-Su offers a wide range of events, including a travel auction, live performances, a jazz concert and a classical piano recital.
- Family-friendly and community events include a safety fair, a large home tour and the final First Saturday vendor market of the season.
- Activities range from arts and music to travel, housing and outdoor safety, with events taking place across Wasilla and Palmer.
- Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.
The first weekend of May includes both inspiration and imagination, with entertainment options ranging from dream vacations and fantasy homes to season-ending events for a pair of Valley staples — plus a couple of swinging musical numbers thrown in for good measure.
From getaways to grand finales, here are seven things to check out this weekend in the Mat-Su:
Up for bid
Summer travel season is here, and with it arrives the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau’s annual travel auction Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Everett’s Restaurant in Wasilla. Sip beers from local breweries while enjoying appetizers and bidding on items ranging from railroad tickets to flightseeing tours and travel packages. Tickets are $40 (plus a handling fee). For more information, call 907-746-5000.
Curtain call
Valley Performing Arts is planning a grand finale to its 50th season with a special two-night Golden Cabaret performance at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Machetanz Theatre (241 N. Swanson St.) in Wasilla. The final show of the 2025-26 season will include a variety of musical and dramatic performances by VPA members. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online at vpaalaska.org or view Mat-Su Sentinel's community calendar.
Safety first!
The Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation will host a Safe Summer Kick-Off on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palmer Train Depot (610 S. Valley Way) in Palmer. The free, family-friendly event will feature presentations on bear safety, trail etiquette and water safety, along with information about local clubs, educational exhibits and prize giveaways. For more information and a complete schedule of presentations, visit the event page on Facebook or Mat-Su Sentinel's community calendar.
Hitting the high notes
The Palmer Arts Council will host an evening with concert pianist Roman Rudnytsky on Saturday at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church (440 E. Elmwood Ave.) in Palmer. Rudnytsky is an internationally acclaimed soloist who has performed with orchestras around the world and for audiences in more than 100 countries. He will perform pieces by Mozart, Grieg, Schumann, Debussy, Ravel and Beethoven. Tickets are $15 for general admission or $10 for PAC members and students. For more information, visit palmerarts.org or visit Mat-Su Sentinel's community calendar.
All that jazz
Expect the unexpected Saturday at 7 p.m. when the award-winning Mat-Su Concert Band takes the stage at the Glenn Massay Theater for “Jazz Mayhem!” Tickets are $20 for adults or $5 for students for this one-night show, which will feature a “wild ride” of jazz styles, including Dixieland, swing, cool, smooth, Latin/Afro and fusion. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook or Mat-Su Sentinel's community calendar.
Open houses
Tour 19 new homes across the Mat-Su during the Mat-Su Home Builders Association Spring Preview of Homes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Homes will be open to the public, and participants can enter to win prizes. For more information and a complete map of homes, visit the Mat-Su Home Builders page on Facebook or visit Mat-Su Sentinel's calendar.
And finally …
The final First Saturday vendor market of the season will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Borough Gym (350 E. Dahlia Ave.) in Palmer. The event will feature 28 local vendors, as well as a food truck or two. The vendor market is held on the first Saturday of each month between October and May. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook or Mat-Su Sentinel's calendar.
-- Matt Tunseth is a freelance writer from Southcentral Alaska. Email him at matthew.tunseth@gmail.com.