What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (Nov. 13-15): Shows, crafts and dance floors

What you need to know:

• The Mat-Su offers a packed weekend of entertainment, from a soup and bread fundraiser and ski film screening to live storytelling and a high school play.
• Saturday’s festivities include a Christmas craft fair, a gun show, a craft supply swap and two fundraising dance parties benefiting local arts and radio organizations.
• Music lovers can enjoy live performances, open mic nights and community jams throughout the weekend at venues from Big Lake to Hatcher Pass.
• Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.

The upcoming Friday the 13th weekend means good luck for anyone looking for something to do in the Mat-Su, where there’s a scary number of events and entertainment options to choose from. 

Whether you’re stoked for snow, gunning for fun or just in the mood for music, here are 10 ways to have a frightfully good time this weekend across the Valley

Carbs for a cause

Bring an appetite to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (2500 Woodworth Loop) Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for The Children’s Place Soup and Bread Fundraiser. There will be food, a quilt auction and special treats, with all proceeds benefiting The Children’s Place. It’s a free event with a suggested donation for lunch. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel community calendar.

Downhill delight

Kick off the ski season in cinematic style at Skeetawk Ski Area’s annual membership meeting Friday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Palmer Sports Center (1317 S. Kerry Weiland Court). There will be an annual report followed by a 7 p.m. screening of the new Warren Miller film, “Days Off.” Skeetawk members get in free (an annual membership costs $35), and nonmembers can purchase a ticket for the film for $12.51. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel calendar.

Storytime

Storytellers will take center stage at the Glenn Massay Theater Friday during the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Shaped by Wildlife: Stories of Encounters, Harvests and Traditions community arts and storytelling event.

The fun starts with a gallery viewing at 6 p.m., with live music from Roland Roberts and food from the Bearz Den Delights food truck. Then, at 7 p.m., hear stories from hunters, gatherers, conservationists and everyday nature lovers from around the Valley. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at glennmassaytheater.com. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel calendar.

Student showcase

Brighten up the long shadows of winter with the Wasilla High School drama department’s “A Lighter Shade of Noir,” a humorous take on the normally dark detective genre directed by Jessie Wetherell and written by playwright Patrick Derksen. Tickets are $8 for adults and $3 for students, with showtimes Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. at the school’s theater. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel calendar.

Gifts galore

Check out Christmas crafts at the Palmer Elks Gift and Craft Fair Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the lodge at 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Drive in Wasilla. Admission is free, and the lodge’s bar and grill will be open for business, allowing visitors to sip and shop in the same place. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

Well, shoot!

Shooting sports enthusiasts should aim for Willow this weekend for the annual Upper Susitna Shooters Association Gun Show Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Willow Community Center (Mile 69 Parks Highway). Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and free for kids 16 and younger. There will also be a gun raffle.

Dirt dancing

Support local radio and dance the night away during the Big Cabbage Radio Cabbage Hop Dance Party Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lekker Coffee (105 S. Valley Way) in Palmer. There will be a live DJ, free refreshments and a silent auction at this fundraiser for Big Cabbage Radio presented by the Mat-Su Health Foundation. There’s a suggested donation of $20, but kids 12 and younger get in free. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

Have a ball

Dust off your finest formal wear — or even come in costume — for The Curtain Call Ball, a theater-themed fundraiser for MASCOTarts set for Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mat-Su Central School (2055 N. Stringfield Road) in Palmer. There will be Broadway karaoke, performances by MASCOTarts students, appetizers, desserts, mocktails, silent auctions and even a few theatrical surprises at this event for adults 18 and older. Tickets are $45 each or $80 for a pair and can be purchased at zeffy.com.

Swap till you drop

Feeling crafty? Stop by the Palmer Depot building (610 S. Valley Way) Saturday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the Craft Supply Swap, a free event presented by the Palmer Library. Visitors can bring their gently used craft supplies (please, no scraps) to trade or browse items donated by area crafters and hobbyists. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

Rock on ...

Music lovers have plenty to pick from this weekend, with venues from Big Lake to Hatcher Pass hosting a variety of acts and open mic nights. Here’s the who, where and when:

Friday:

• SoloSteve, 6-9 p.m., Alaskana Social Club (6059 N. Wasilla Fishhook Road), Wasilla
• Open Mic Night, 5-7:30 p.m., 203 Kombucha (105 S. Valley Way), Palmer
• Turning Away: A Pink Floyd Experience, 6-10 p.m., Everett’s Restaurant at Mat-Su Resort (1850 E. Bogard Road), Wasilla

Saturday:

• Jerry Wessling Band, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Four Corners Lounge (8000 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway), Palmer
• Burke Doyle the Cello Fello, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Fishhook Bar and Grill (9231 N. Palmer Fishhook Road), Palmer
• Hot Dish, 4-7 p.m., Hatcher Pass Lodge (Mile 17.5 Palmer Fishhook Road), Hatcher Pass
• Community Music Jam, 5-8 p.m., Bleeding Heart Brewing (562 S. Denali St.), Palmer
• Jon Charles and the Arctic Outlaws, 10 p.m., Klondike Mike’s (820 S. Colony Way), Palmer

Sunday:

• Open Mic Night, 6-9 p.m., Susitna Brewing Co. (5120 S. Big Lake Road), Big Lake

Contact Mat-Su Sentinel at contact@matsusentinel.com