Get Out!

The dogs and cats at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter won't hear the music, but they'll feel the love. This weekend, the annual Moonstroke Music Festival will raise money for animals in need.

MUSIC

Dance for the dogs

The dogs and cats at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter won’t hear the music, but they’ll feel the love. This weekend, the annual Moonstroke Music Festival will raise money for animals in need. Friday is all ages and will feature Bushwhacher, CHS, JJS3 and Wauntid (from Dawson City). On Saturday it’s 19 and over and will feature more roots, rock and folk, with Rick Sward, Brenda Berezan, Gordie Tentrees and Fredlocks Asher, a reggae group from Vancouver.

It’s $20 a night, or $35 for a weekend pass. There’s also a silent auction and snacks. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Triple J’s Music Cafe.

Canadian cowpunk returns

Luther Wright and the Wrongs will be winding their way through the darkness into Whitehorse, Dawson City, and Haines Junction during their northern concert series. Joining Wright from Brooklyn, New York is Jason Mercer on the upright bass and banjo. Mercer’s played with the likes of Ani Difranco and Ron Sexsmith. Yukon multi-instrumentalist Ken Hermanson will also be performing on guitar, lapsteel and banjo.

Wright will be playing the Moonstroke Festival in Whitehorse on January 22. He’s at the Westminster Hotel in Dawson City on January 25 and 26. He’s at the Gold Pan Saloon in Whitehorse with Sarah Macdougal on January 28 and 29. And on January 30 he’s playing St. Elias Convention Centre in Haines Junction.

Dust off your sombraro

The Mariachis Los Dorados are going to bring their Latin tunes to the Yukon Convention Centre on January 29. It’s a fundraiser for the Grey Mountain Lions. Tickets are $50 and include a Mexican dinner. They’re available at the High Country Inn and the Gold Rush Inn. For more information call 667-6681.

THEATRE

Marvelous Mamet

The Whitehorse Theatre Ensemble’s production of Speed-the-Plow is hilarious and heartfelt, offering entertaining insight into the business of business. The show’s at the Guild Hall in Whitehorse, Tuesday to Saturday until January 29. Shows start at 8 p.m. There are 4 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Tickets are available at Whitehorse Motors and at the door. It’s $24 for Thursday to Saturday evenings and $20 Tuesday, Wednesday and matinees.

Positively Pivot

Nakai Theatre’s Pivot Festival is bringing German experimental theatre to Whitehorse. TheaterLabor’s show Absurdesque is described as a pantomine massacre of words. It’s at the Yukon Arts Centre on Wednesday, January 26. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $27 for adults, $22 for seniors and $5 for youth. Pivot will also feature comedian Andy Jones and returning transexual Nina Arsenault. For a festival schedule visit http://nakaitheatre.wordpress.com/this_season/pivot-festival/

DANCE

Crazy choreography

The Extremely Moving Youth Society is putting on Go Nuts, a student choreography showcase and annual fundraiser. The show will also feature Leaping Feats Creative Danceworks and Groundwork Sessions. The show is at the Yukon Arts Centre tonight. Tickets are $18, and there’s a silent auction. All proceeds will go to the pre-professional program for youth dancers in Grades 7 through 12.

FILM

Cuba’s community

Cuba rebuilt its quality of life following the collapse of cheap oil from the Soviet Union. The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil shows how its done. The film is at Alpine Bakery tonight, and starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.

SPORTS

Paw power

The Carbon Hill sled dog race is in its 17th year and is welcoming all mushers, young and old. The race starts at the Lorne Mountain Community Centre on Sunday and includes a 30 mile, six to eight dog race, a 10-mile, four to six dog race, a 30-mile skijor, two to four dog race, a six-mile skijor, one to two dog race, a junior dog-sled race and a child’s dog-sled race, 200 metres, one dog. Purse money is up to $1,000, with prizes to be won in the shorter races.

Registration is on race day only between 9:30 and 10 a.m. The mandatory musher’s meeting is at 10 a.m. and the races start at 11 a.m. The potluck awards dinner is at 4:30 p.m. at the community centre. For more information call 667-7083.

Up for the challenge

Special Olympics Yukon is hosting its annual Development Games in Whitehorse on January 21 and 22.

Opening ceremonies are at Yukon Inn’s Fireside Room at 7 p.m., Friday. Call 668-6511 for free tickets.

On January 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. over 30 Special Olympics athletes will participate in speed skating, swimming, golf and floor hockey. The events are free.