Velma Lyle: This five member, local band is the best string/brass/rock/folk band in Bethel. Twice as good as a band with a single bell euphonium. Come out to support your local musicians. More info here: https://www.velmalyle.com

The Ouija Beegees: A rocknroll band hailing from Anchorage, Alaska. They have been knockin' on eardrums in dives, basements, and basements of dives since 2022. Blistering guitars, a booming backbeat, and dynamo vocals. Give 'em 30 minutes and they will have you feeling younger and older at the same time. More info here: https://www.theouijabeegees.com

Buy a Pie and support nine local organizations including SWAAG!

Alaska's musical gameshow comes back to Bethel! Featuring previous Bethel musician, Jacques Longpre, Alaska favorite, Paul Basile (Great Elk), Alaska and Liz Longley in from Nashville, TN. Parlor is a songwriter showcase with an improv twist. After the intermission, tradition is cast aside as the musicians dive into collaborations, all based on written submissions from the audience (you)! 

Bethel Bowls ceramic pottery sale and soup dinner. Buy a bowl, fill it with soup, and share dinner with the community. 1/2 proceeds are donated to the #bethelgives program.

Help support our local non-profit organizations and have a fun night out!

Join SWAAG, the Kuskokwim Consortium Library, and the newly resurrected Bethel Actors Guild for a rousing night of fun with the cult classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Costumes encouraged. Beer and wine will be for sale. Doors open at 9 p.m. This event is 21+

Tickets will be available for purchase on October 1st

All are invited! Come join community members, friends and local artists for a night of art and fun at the Cultural Center. Enjoy a delicious dinner and be a part a live auction for steel salmon or ravens hand-crafted by some of Bethel’s premier artists. Doors open at 5:45 pm, dinner starts at 6:00 pm and the live auction begins at 7:00 pm. Dinner catered by Paulette Caguioa. 

All funds raised support the Southwest Alaska Art Group (SWAAG), the local non-profit organization that organizes the Camai Dance Festival and other arts programs in the YK Delta. 

Tales on the Tundra events are Bethel's take on popular storytelling events like Arctic Entries and The Moth. Seven community members will take the stage and tell a 7 minute story about their own life. Plus a Live performance from local band PNKS.

SWAAG is excited to kick off the first Pub Trivia night for 2024! Join us at Uncommon Pizza on Wednesday, September 18th with your team of talented trivia buffs. Trivia seasons benefit some amazing non-profits that work hard to make Bethel a wonderful place to live. What a fun way to contribute! Thanks to UnCommon Pizza for hosting each season and for generously donating back a portion of the night’s proceeds.

Are you an artist hoping to start or grow a small business? The Best in the West Artist Entrepreneur competition helps new and established arts businesses in the YK Delta region with startup/growth capital. 

2024 Applications Due by August 30th

This program is supported in part by Bethel Community Services Foundation, the Kuskokwim Campus UAF, Anchorage Community Land Trust, and the UA Center for Economic Development.

Make your child a happy camper! The 2024 camp is a collaborative effort sponsored by the SouthWest Alaska Arts Group, Lower Kuskokwim School District, Kuskokwim Campus UAF, and Association of Village Council Presidents. 

Special thanks to City of Bethel, Alaska Public Works department for delivering dumpsters each year

SWAAG & K300 are excited to present “The Jangle Bees,” a rock band from Anchorage. After a smashing debut Bethel performance last year, we decided it was time for a repeat show! 

This event will have alcohol sales & concessions available. Bring ID for purchase. Minors should be accompanied by adults. 

Cama'i Dance Festival 2025

The three-day event begins on Friday, March 28th with doors opening at 5 p.m., ending Sunday, March 30th at 9 p.m.

Cama’i Dance Festival, has a long history of celebrating Yup’ik culture through dance, song, arts and crafts, and gathering together as a YK region. The beloved event has been a staple for the region for over 37 years.

Are you an artist hoping to start or grow a small business? The Best in the West Artist Entrepreneur competition helps new and established arts businesses in the YK Delta region with startup/growth capital. 

Details

All are invited! Come join community members, friends and local artists for a night of art and fun at the Cultural Center. Enjoy a delicious dinner and be a part a live auction for steel salmon or ravens hand-crafted by some of Bethel’s premier artists. 

The Southwest Alaska Arts Group is proud to present the Cama’i Dance Festival. This long-standing cultural celebration is scheduled for March 27-29th, 2026 in Bethel, Alaska. Featured elements of the festival include Yup’ik dance, traditional arts and craft sales, and public honors for local culture bearers. In the past, Cama’i festivals have reached an attendance of over 4,000 through the course of the weekend. Each year, 20 dance groups hit the stage with representation from local, regional, statewide and international locales. Tickets will be available at the door. 

More info can be found: https://www.swaagak.org/camai