Anchorage’s active cultural scene centers on the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts (a.k.a. PAC, 5th Ave. and G St., 907/263-2900, www.myalaskacenter.com) downtown. There are events throughout the year, including modern dance, ballet, Broadway musicals, comedy troupes, opera, and concerts by nationally known artists, along with winter performances by the Anchorage Concert Association (www.anchorageconcerts.org), Anchorage Symphony Orchestra (907/274-8668 or 800/478-7328, www.anchoragesymphony.org), the Anchorage Concert Chorus (907/274-7464, www.anchorageconcertchorus.org), and the Anchorage Opera (907/279-2557, www.anchorageopera.org).

Call 907/566-2787 for a recording of upcoming events at the PAC and elsewhere. Tickets are available at the PAC box office, in Carrs stores, and at 800/478-7328 or www.centertix.net. Check Friday’s Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com/play) for upcoming events.

Anchorage is a city that showers appreciation on traveling musicians who come out of their way to visit the city, particularly those with a folk-rock bent. Many of Anchorage’s best performances arrive courtesy of Whistling Swan Productions (www.whistlingswan.net); visit their website for upcoming shows.

For plays, check out productions by Cyrano’s Off-Center Playhouse (413 D St., 907/274-2599, www.cyranos.org), Out North Contemporary Art House (3800 DeBarr Rd., 907/279-3800, www.outnorth.org), and Anchorage Community Theatre (1133 E. 70th Ave., 907/344-4713, www.actalaska.org).