Things to do in Fairbanks: Palace Theatre

If you're looking for an evening with fun, wholesome entertainment; this is the place for you. The "Golden Heart Review" provides humor, history and helpful hints on how to dress for the winter. The Palace Theater is conveniently located in Pioneer Park. The show runs during the tourist season, which is May through mid September. The show runs nightly at 8:15pm.


The versatile cast of four plus a witty, talented piano player presents a colorful look at life in Alaska, through the music of Jim Bell. The show has been running since 1986. It is cute, fun and at times a little corny, but who doesn't like something that's a little corny? If you remember, or like Vaudeville, then this is for you.

The tiny theater quickly filled up with a tour made up mostly of seniors who called themselves "Rusted Tours". We were seated close to the front, almost in the center. We were a quiet group, until the pianist, who warmed us up, told us that it was okay to talk laugh and make noise, otherwise she couldn't concentrate. Before the show started the audience was asked to hook our arms together and sing. We swayed along with classics such as "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

The show began with a brief history of the founding of Fairbanks and the gold rush that started in 1902 when gold was first discovered by an Italian immigrant miner, Felix Pedro. Fortunes made and fortunes lost was the theme here, along with "Why Fairbanks?"

A skit was performed based on "Who's on First, What's on Second and I Don't Know is on Third". Here they used the names of a dog sled team: When, How and Why.

Members of the cast provided a fashion review of the dress code for the Alaskan in the winter. It looks tacky, but at the same time comfortable. We were given an in depth review of the snow suit, the many pockets of the snow suit, parka, snow cap, flannel shirt, more pockets, suspenders, long underwear and bunny boots.

We left with the feeling that, well that was a fun thing to do for the evening and winter won't be too bad, will it?