The Monthy Grind

October 11,th 2008
47F

Sunrise 7:29 AM
Sunset: 6:03 PM

Ever since I found out I was coming to Sitka, I've heard from locals that the Monthly Grind is a unique Sitkan experience, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Held in the beautiful Sheetka Kwan Na Kahidi Community House, the Monthly Grind is a community talent show put on throughout the winter season, soon after the last cruise ship leaves port. They grind up some free Raven's Brew coffee, and provide reduced priced tickets if you bring baked goods to enter the dessert contest. The tickets are free if you're a Jesuit or Americorps Volunteer and help set up and take down the show and help judge the dessert contest. It's a tough job, so many good desserts to choose from!

This weekend's theme was "Family Grind," hosted by the VonSmith Family: complete with four curtain clad daughters that came on-stage at whistle command, a father in an Austrian hat and accent, and frequent reminders to keep our areas tidy.

For entertainment, there was quite a line up. There was some guitar strumming and harmonious crooning by Americorps volunteers. There was a family that told the story of "Old Dry Fry" together, acting out the different parts. There was a nine-year-old kid playing the harmonica with his mom and her boyfriend backing him up. My favorite act by far was the Sitka Highland Dancers, a mother-son celtic dance troupe. Our theory is that the swords are how they recruit the sons to dance. My friend Emily told me that she lives next door to one of the sons, and she sees him sword fighting with his friends in his yard :)
The next grind is going to be the biggest of the year, the Retro Regrind, bringing back the favorites from last year. Sounds like fun!