Well... that was fun while it lasted. After a weekend of sunshine and even a heat advisory, we’re back to a forecast that looks more like Anchorage in August.

This week has fighter jets, live music, tattoos, comedy, new places to play and eat, plus a couple of local updates worth knowing.

In the Roundup this week:

Here’s what’s happening around town 👇

Looking to become a more confident speaker? Whether it's giving presentations at work, interviewing for a job, or simply finding your voice, Toastmasters is a place to practice in a supportive environment. Guests are always welcome to attend meetings, and there's no pressure to participate until you're ready.

Meetings are held in person at the Anchorage Elks Lodge and online via Zoom, making it easy to join from wherever you are.

📍 Anchorage Elks Lodge, 1101 E. 76th Ave., Unit B
🕒 Wednesdays • 7:00 AM
🔗 Learn More

✈️ Arctic Thunder Air Show — Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (Sat–Sun)
Arctic Thunder returns to JBER with two full days of aerial demonstrations, military aircraft, and precision parachute performances. This year’s free show features the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Golden Knights, with plenty happening in the sky and on the ground.

🎵 Sundown Block Party — F St. & 6th Ave. (Fri–Sat, 7 PM)
The Sundown Block Party takes over downtown for two nights of live music, starting Friday with Hippie Sabotage and Waka Flocka Flame, followed by Fia on Saturday. Expect a high-energy mix of hip-hop, electronic, R&B, and island music right in the heart of downtown.

🖋️ Tattoo Expo — Sheraton Anchorage Hotel (Thu–Sun)
The Tattoo Expo brings up to 80 artists to Anchorage for four days of live tattooing across styles ranging from traditional and realism to black-and-gray and full-color. The weekend also includes free tattoo raffles each day, making it a fun stop whether you’re ready for new ink or just want to browse the work.

😂 Ptarmigan Ptakeover: A Full Day of Comedy — The Nave (Sat, 12PM)
Rubber Ptarmigan takes over The Nave for a full day of Alaska comedy, with improv, a stand-up workshop, an open mic, local showcases, and an evening roast battle. A $15 cover gets you in all day with re-entry, so you can catch one show or settle in for the full jamboree.

🏍️ Spenard Bike Week — House of Harley-Davidson (Tue–Sun)
Spenard Bike Week celebrates Anchorage’s longtime motorcycle culture with rides, live music, storytelling, and themed events. Highlights include a battle of the bands, a space-themed pub crawl, a charity ride, and a night of Alaska UFO and unexplained-encounter stories.

📚 Mountain View Library Closed Until Further Notice
The Mountain View Library remains closed after a sedan and tractor-trailer crashed into the building early Saturday morning, causing extensive damage to the north side of the branch. No one was inside at the time, and Anchorage Public Library says updates on reopening will be shared once the extent of the repairs is known.

✈️ Alaska Airlines Is Doubling Its Freighter Capacity
Alaska Airlines is adding four converted 737 freighters to its cargo fleet, increasing the total from five aircraft to nine. The planes are expected to enter service in 2027 and will expand cargo capacity for Alaska and Hawai‘i, helping move essentials like medicine, groceries, and household supplies while creating more room for seafood and other exports.

🌯 Moe’s Southwest Grill — Now Open on JBER
The first Moe’s Southwest Grill in Alaska has officially opened on JBER. While access is limited to those who can get on base, it’s a notable addition to Anchorage and a national restaurant brand making its Alaska debut.

The popular fast-casual chain is known for customizable burritos, free chips and salsa, and greeting every customer with a loud “Welcome to Moe’s!”
📍 560 D St (JBER)
🕒 Mon–Fri • 10 AM–8 PM
🕒 Sat–Sun • 10 AM–7 PM
🌐 moes.com

🛝 Taku Lake Park South — New Inclusive Playground
A new inclusive playground is opening at Taku Lake Park South, designed so children of all abilities can play together. The project replaces a playground lost to fire in 2014 and adds another family-friendly space to the growing park area.
📍 8210 Stormy Pl.
🍦 Ribbon Cutting & Ice Cream (Thu, 11:30 AM)

🍹 49th State Brewing — New Seltzers
49th State Brewing is launching its newest seltzers this Thursday. Details on the flavors are still under wraps, but locals can be among the first to try them at a launch party with free tastings, a buffet, and live music.
🎉 Launch Party — 49th St. Brewing @ The Rail (Thu, 4–8 PM)

🚲 Chanshtnu Muldoon Park — New Animal-Themed Bike Racks
Chanshtnu Muldoon Park has a new set of colorful bike racks inspired by Alaska wildlife. The public art installation was created by local artist Mary McQuilkin through the Beyond the Beige placemaking program and unveiled on August 1.
📍 1301 Muldoon Rd

💬 Know about a new business, product, or project? Submit it here.

I’ve moved the event and live music listings to events.theanchoragelocal.com.

Browse 50+ upcoming events, filter by category, and start planning your week as early as Monday morning. You'll still find my Top Picks in the newsletter, while the full calendar is now available online.

👉 View the Events Calendar

Whether you're watching the Blue Angels, checking out the Tattoo Expo, or catching a full day of comedy in Spenard, there’s no shortage of ways to spend the weekend.

If you found this roundup helpful, share it with a friend most likely to leave the Tattoo Expo with a new tattoo.

— Klynt
Publisher, The Anchorage Local

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