Anchorage Varsity Show Memories

Our local teen TV dance program

It was Anchorage, Alaska’s version of “American Bandstand”.

From September to May of each year, Anchorage teens could tune their family TV set to KTVA channel 11 on Saturday afternoons to watch friends dancing to the latest hit songs on the Varsity Show.

But Our Story Begins in the 1950s

Pictured above is Chuck Wenger. The photo was taken in the garage entrance to the KTVA studios in the McKinley building.

In 1959, Anchorage DJ, Chuck Wenger premiered a TV show on KTVA channel 11, featuring Anchorage teens dancing to the hit songs of the day. That show was called, “Chuck’s DJ Dance Party”.

The hits of 1959 included:

Venus, by Frankie Avalon, Smoke gets in Your Eyes, by the Platters, A Teenager in Love, by Dion Dimucci

When Chuck Wenger stepped away from the turn table, the name of the program was changed to, the Varsity Show.

The young fellow wearing the white coat in the center of the picture above is Anchorage DJ, Ron Moore, hosting the Varsity Show.

Circa 1960 to 1971

Anchorage teens loved watching the Varsity Show, and going down to the KTVA studios in the McKinley building, and later to the Broadcast Center in Spenard to dance on the show.

Yes, You Can Share this Edition

You can share this edition of the Anchorage Memories Club with your friends and family.

And when you do, they will be so happy that they will send you on an all - expense paid cruise… well, it could happen.

Varsity Show Hosts Included

In the photo above is Ron Moore, the most well-known host.

Pictured above are Mike Ray (Mike of the Anchorage Memories Club), and Anchorage DJ, Roger Lathum (who also hosted the Morning Show on KTVA channel 11).

In the photo above is Anchorage DJ, Jerry Rose (Peter Bie).

Jerry Rose hosted the Varsity Show in 1971. The show was broadcast in color starting in about 1968. By the way, the picture above was taken to promote Jerry’s radio show on KBYR when that station was playing rock n’ roll.

Over the years, hosts for the show included Ron Moore, Bill Kelley, Roger Lathum, Mike Ray, Mike of the Anchorage Memories Club, and Jerry Rose (Peter Bie).

BONUS

Would you like to have the free, Varsity Show e-book?

Featuring a foreword by Ron Moore

The whole story of The Varsity Show is told in this one of a kind, gift.

And if you danced on the show or worked on the show, you might even see your name in this informative e-book.

This free e-book is a PDF download that you can read on your computer or mobile device.

Get your free Varsity Show e-book and enjoy.

Anchorage Teens Worked on the Show

Pictured above is Mary of the Anchorage Memories Club, when she was a staff dancer on the Varsity Show.

Mary went on to become a movie and TV background actress in Hollywood.

BONUS

Mary’s story of how she became a staff dancer on The Varsity Show is a little different.

Take a look at How I Became a Staff Dancer on The Varsity Show and enjoy.

Every year, just before school ended, The Varsity Show held auditions for area high school students who wanted to work on The Varsity Show.

The Varsity Show Crew in Action

Pictured above, Anchorage high school students work behind the scenes on the live weekly Varsity Show.

Pictured above is The Varsity Show crew just before the 1964 earthquake. In the middle back row is host Jim Roach.

Area students were trained at the KTVA studios during the summer to work on the show. As a result, many of the show’s teen crew members went on to work in television, motion picture production and even as radio DJs.

Special Thanks to KTVA’s Augie Hiebert

Mr. Hiebert of KTVA had the idea to create a teen TV program where Anchorage teens could work as interns on the show and be awarded scholarships for their efforts. As a result, many Anchorage teens began their careers because of Mr. Hiebert’s generosity.

BONUS

You can read fun stories about the show at Varsity Show Memories and remember when.

Mike and Mary, Authors of the Anchorage Memories Club

Well, I see that Mary is putting on her white go-go boots, so I’d better get out there on the dance floor to see if I still have it.

Did you enjoy this look at Anchorage’s popular teen TV dance show?

Did you download your free Varsity Show ebook? If not, scroll back up this email and click on the link for your download that you can read on your computer or mobile device.

And be sure to send us your comments:

You can also reply to this email, or Contact Us to say, “I remember the Varsity Show”.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories Club