March 2005 calendar of events.

ANCHORAGE

3-6 A Midsummer Night's Dream

Shakespeare for a new generation. Lovers elope, fairies cause trouble, actors rehearse a play and Shakespeare's wit abounds in this comedy. Thursday through Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Located at Cyrano's Off-Center Playhouse. For more information, call 274-2599 or visit www.cyranos.org.

4-6 David Copperfield

David Copperfield has elevated the ancient art of magic to new heights and redefined it along the way. For show times, contact the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts at 272-1471 or visit www.anchorageconcerts.org.

5 The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Ceremonial start begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Anchorage on Fourth Avenue. The restart will be in Wasilla on Sunday at 2 p.m. The mushers leave the land of highways and bustling activity and head out on the Iditarod Trail, toward the western Bering Sea coast. Mushers and their sled dogs will race through mountain ranges and forests, across frozen rivers, vast tundra and along the frigid, windswept coast. They will battle snow and ice, high winds and treacherous overflows deep in the heart of Alaska's wilderness for most of this 1,049-mile course in an attempt to be the first to get to Nome. For more information, contact the Iditarod Trail Committee Inc. at 376-5155.

5 5th Annual Nike ACG U.S. Snowshoe National Championships

The US. Snowshoe Association Championship competition heads north to Alaska. Snowshoe-clad men and women will test their endurance, trudging through snow in Kincaid Park's 1,400-acre wonderland. Athlete registration and course preview from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Competition starts at 1 p.m. for the 5km Junior National Championships and 10km Senior National Championships. For more information, visit www.showshoeanchorage.net.

5-6 Jump Start Spring Festival

A peek at upcoming Downtown Saturday and Sunday markets, as well as summer activities such as biking, hiking, skateboarding, golfing, fishing, boating and more. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the Egan Center. For more information, phone 272-5634 or visit www.anchoragemarkets.com.

6 Family Events at the Town Square Ice Rink

Skate amidst the lights and atmosphere of downtown Anchorage. Enjoy family events on the ice from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, phone 279-5650 or visit www.anchoragedowntown.org.

8 Ski Train North to Curry

Board the Alaska Railroad at 6 a.m. for a beautiful ride to Curry, and then enjoy the day skiing through Alaska's...