Anchorage Varsity Show Memories
Remember the music and good times with these Anchorage Varsity Show memories when Anchorage teens danced on TV to the latest hit songs.
Do You Remember?
At one time, all across America, many cities had local teen dance shows on TV, and Anchorage was no exception.
Saturday afternoons from September to May. Anchorage teens could tune to KTVA channel 11 to watch area high school kids dance to the latest hits, talk about what was happening at their local high schools and even catch a performance by local teen bands.
It was a lot of fun to go to the studios of KTVA to dance on live TV. Your family and friends could watch while you were out there on the dance floor showing off your best moves. And it was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon with your friends.
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Because of the show on KTVA, lots and lots of people who still live in and around Anchorage, and those who now live in other places around the world, have great memories.
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How I Became
a Staff Dancer
on The Varsity Show 
One evening in November 1967, I got a phone call from my friend Billie Blake.
It would change my life.
I knew Billie from East High School. Billie …
The Arsons
on the Varsity Show
The Arsons were invited to play on the Varsity show early in our career.
Dave Paxton (Farfisa Organ) and I were just beginning to skateboard. The skateboards …
Exploding Bread
on the Varsity Show
On one show, while pitching a live commercial for Gilman's Bakery as my brother Dennis played background piano, I attempted to open a fresh loaf of cellophane …
Dancing on the Varsity Show
Watching the Varsity Show on KTVA channel 11 was always fun because you could see Anchorage teens dancing to the latest hits, you'd see the latest dance …
My Terrifying
Varsity Show
Audition
When I had just turned 13, The Varsity Show allowed teens from my age to seniors in high school to dance on the TV program.
One Saturday, I got all …
Jerry Rose and
The Varsity Show Not rated yet
The following is from an interview by Mary of Anchorage Memories with Jerry Rose (Peter Bie).
Anchorage Memories – Mary:
Wow, was it really over …
Mike Ray and
The Varsity Show Not rated yet
The following is from an interview by Mary of Anchorage Memories with Michael Dougherty of Anchorage Memories, known as Mike Ray when he hosted The Varsity …
Ron Moore and
The Varsity Show Not rated yet
As in any story, there is someone who does something extraordinary.
That is precisely what Mr. August G “Augie” Hiebert did back in 1953.
As President …
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Anchorage Teens
Dancing on Live TV
Circa 1968
Live from the KTVA studio in SpenardBONUS
Host Jim Roach and
West High Cheer Leaders
1963–1964
Live TV interviewAnchorage Varsity Show
Take a look at
all the fun pictures
scroll down this page
and enjoy the memories
This one-of-a-kind TV dance show featured Anchorage area teens dancing to the latest hit songs of the day.
But that's not the whole story.
Anchorage high school students earned scholarships by becoming staff interns on the show.
Anchorage Teens
Dancing to the Latest Hits
1963 - 1964
Remember some of those great slow songs?The Anchorage Varsity Show
ran from 1959 to 1971
on KTVA channel 11
Anchorage Varsity Show
Podcast Special
on KFQD radio
did an interview about the Varsity Show
with Mike & Mary of Anchorage Memories.com
Listen to Varsity Show memories and remember.
Show Host Ron Moore
Playing the hits for Anchorage teensShow Host Mike Ray
with a Visiting
Recording Session Guitarist
Circa 1968
Interviewing the people who made the musicBehind the Scenes
A live Alaskan teen dance show with a “twist”
KTVA and Augie Hiebert had a great idea.
Create a live local TV dance show for Anchorage teens and give Anchorage teens the opportunity to work in front of and behind the scenes on the show.
Did you dance on the program?
Did you watch The Varsity Show?
Or did you work on the show?
Show Host Jim Roach
with Jon Carter Behind the Camera
1963–1964
Live on KTVA channel 11Show Crew
David Michael in the Foreground
Tom Dougherty and
Ray Malott behind the cameras
Circa 1968
Dedicated Anchorage teens behind the scenesSylvia Smith
Anchorage Varsity Show Crew
1963–1964
Anchorage teen in front of the cameraShow Crew
1963–1964
Every year, new show crew joined the programIt happened in the springtime each year, when the Anchorage Varsity Show held auditions for high school teens who want to be on the show's crew in the fall.
Chosen teens would spend the summer learning about their crew position. Camera, directing, sound, stage manager, “Go Go Dancers”, and commercial models – just to name a few.
When school began in the fall, the show went live each Saturday from the studios of KTVA Channel 11 in the McKinley building near downtown Anchorage (later the McKay building following the 1964 earthquake). And then from the KTVA studios in Spenard.
The show ran from the 1950s to the early 1970s.
BONUS
Turn up the Sound and
Watch the Video Below
Host Roger Latham and
Go Go Girl Mary Kallander–Dougherty
video courtesy of Mary J Dougherty
Anchorage Varsity Show
For so many years, having a live TV dance show for local Anchorage area teens meant fun, music, and even having your friends watch you dance on TV.
Parents could drop their teens off at the KTVA channel 11 studios, go home and watch them dance on the show, then pick them up at the studio.
A Live Studio Band Entertains
Circa 1967
Lots of fun for Anchorage's teen audienceShow Host Ron Moore
Wearing the White Coat
From the studios in the McKinley BuildingHost Mike Ray
with Staff Dancers
Circa 1968
A publicity shot for a show sponsor.We hope these Varsity Show memories touched your heart.
BONUS
*Memories of the Anchorage you love, sent to you by email
*History of Anchorage, Alaska
*Meet the Pioneers who built Anchorage
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