Moose Pass

August 22, 2017
Population: 219
Venue: Trail Lake Lodge

I think someone tipped me off early in my tour planning process to look into lodges as potential venues in Alaska. I’m not exactly sure what makes a place a lodge vs. a hotel/motel, but lodges are the go-to housing for tourists in Alaska. The ones I went to were run by locals and had gathering spaces to serve both the local community and tourists. 

Trail Lake Lodge had the perfect venue - a beautiful log pavilion overlooking Trail Lake, a destination for aviation enthusiasts who can either practice their flying skills there, or for anyone to hop on a ride with a professional pilot to visit the nearby glaciers. Jarett, my sidekick and videographer, wasted no time and immediately hopped on a private glacier flight with pilot Joey for this once-in-a-lifetime shooting opportunity. In fact, it was such an epic opportunity that he had just barely landed by the time I started playing that evening’s concert. (I was definitely grumpy about that). 

What I remember about this concert - besides the impressive turnout considering the tiny population - are the faces and smiles of the wonderful characters I met. Dave, better known as “Steamer,” is the owner of Trail Lake Lodge. When I first emailed him many months before, he enthusiastically and immediately replied. He told me about his dancer daughter in NYC and how much he appreciates the arts; that he didn’t think there had ever been a classical concert at Trail Lake before, but that he was happy to go all-in, taking care of both our marketing and housing needs. 

There was Mimi, a summer employer who helped us check in to the lodge, attended the concert, and liked it enough to bring a friend to our concert in the next town over the following day. There was a lady at the concert who talked about spirituality and gave me homemade jam afterward. 

And there was sweet little Anna, a local beginner violinist I had recruited to take part in the concert. My hope for tour was to collaborate with young local classical performers as often as possible. It was difficult to recruit in these places where I didn’t know anyone, but the handful of times that I did get to work with young performers, coaching them a little bit before the show and then performing with them, were truly memorable. To witness the community watching over the young ones with warmth, and support them with abundant applause, gave me hope that the little musicians would want to continue to study music in a place where music education is not easily accessible. 

- What’s your favorite thing about playing violin?
I asked her in front of the audience.

- Sharing music.
She replied, after taking a moment to think. 

I loved that beer could be served in the back of the room, or people could walk in and out mid-performance, without anyone seemingly bothered by it (myself included). The atmosphere of intense listening remained unchanged. Somehow those minor noises and goings-on just made the atmosphere feel more warm and welcoming. I hadn’t realized that ambient noise could have such an effect, previously having only performed in music halls where any noise is considered a negative intrusion.

Thank you, Moose Pass and Trail Lake Lodge!!