What’s Happening

Best Bets

■ The Soldotna Library is hosting an Alaskan themed art show displaying work of several local artists. The art will be on display through August 3. The library is currently doing a Call to Artists through July 24 with a theme of “People.” Artists can pick up submittal forms at the Soldotna Library in the entryway on the Friends bulletin board or on the Soldotna Library Friends website.

Events and Exhibits

■ The Kenai River Quilt Tour is under way, with quilts made by local artists on display at the following locations: Chez Moi Boutique, Dragonfly Gallery, Fine Thyme Café, Frames and Things, Homestead Jewelers, J&H Sewing & Vacuum, Northcountry Fair, Orange Poppy, River City Books, Robin Place Fabrics, Soldotna Visitor Center, Susan’s Bath & Body Boutique, Sweeney’s Clothing, and Trinity Greenhouse.

■ Peninsula Artists in Motion Dance Company announces free workshops and auditions for women ages 17 and up with previous dance experience to be held at Encore Dance Academy, 110 Haller Street in Kenai. Workshops are 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 22 and 29. Auditions are Aug. 5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Katrina at peninsulaartistsinmotion@hotmail.com, visit peninsulaartistsinmotion.shutterfly.com, find Peninsula Artists in Motion on Facebook.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

■ The Kenai Peninsula Orchestra Summer Music Festival kicks off with the Peninsula Jazz Orchestra during Soldotna Progress Days in the new Pavilion at Soldotna Creek Park, July 26 from 2-4 p.m. The Noontime Tunes series continues on the central Kenai Peninsula with the following performances:

July 21 — Odie’s Deli, Soldotna, Ashley & Friends (variety)

July 27 —Kaladi’s (Kobuk) in Soldotna, Matt (drums) & Logan (baritone) Boyle

July 28 — Odie’s Deli, Kenai, Dan “Dirty D” & Amy Lou (singer/songwriter)

July 29 —The Flats Bistro, Raleigh, Keri Ann & Friends (variety)

July 30 — Soldotna Public Library, Madison String Quartet

July 31 — Kenai Public Library, Central Peninsula Community Orchestra, Flute Students of Tomoka Raften

August 3 — Kaladi’s (Kobuk) in Soldotna, KPO Horns

August 4 — Odie’s Deli (Soldotna), Zephyrus Winds

August 5 — Kenai Visitor’s Center, Armin Abdihodzic (guitar)

August 6 — Kenai Fine Arts Center, Members of eighth blackbird

August 7 — Charlotte’s in Kenai, Sharman (oboe) & Jari (cello) Piper

The festival continues with a chamber concert with the Madison String Quartet & Friends July 31 at 7:30 pm Christ Lutheran Church, Soldotna, and the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra Gala Concert August 8 at Renee C. Henderson Auditorium at Kenai Central High School at 7:30 p.m. Find more information, a schedule of Homer events and ticket information at kpoalaska.com/events/summer-music-festival/.

■ Kenai River Council on the Arts and The Peninsula Art Guild are inviting artists to apply for month long Exhibitions in Calendar Years 2016 and 2017 at the Kenai Fine Arts Center in Old Town Kenai. Artists applying for solo, shared or group shows, please provide the following:

— Up to 12 labeled images (digital, slide, and or print) representative of recent work, with 3-D artists providing additional views of art works as needed.

— A separate image sheet, including title of piece, media, dimensions and when the piece was made.

— A proposal for your show (could include floor plan if needed). If you have a theme you are aiming for, this would be the place for that.

— A one-page Artist Statement.

Submit entries by mailing to: Peninsula Art Guild/Kenai River Arts Council, P.O. Box 703, Kenai, AK 99611; by email to ourkfac@gmail.com; or drop off at the Kenai Fine Arts Center, 816 Cook Avenue, Old Town Kenai.

■ The Kenai Performers will host two drama camps this summer. The first camp, for ages 8-12, is under way, with a show on July 11 at 2 p.m. Camp for ages 13-17 is under way, with a show on July 17 at 7 p.m. Both camps are being held at the old Peninsula Athletic Club (in the same building as Subway) on Kalifornsky Beach Road.

■ The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank’s annual fundraiser, the Soup Supper and Auction will be held on Aug. 29 at Kenai Central High School beginning at 5:30 p.m. For Soup Supper tickets, please call 262-3111 or stop by the Food Bank at 33955 Community College Drive in Soldotna. Tables for 8 may be reserved by calling the Food Bank. Tickets are also available at Charlotte’s in Kenai and River City Books in Soldotna. Tickets are $40 each through July 31, beginning August 1 they are $50 each. Volunteers needed now and on August 29.

Entertainment

■ Veronica’s in Old Town Kenai has open mic on Thursday from 6-8 p.m., and live music with The Pepper Shakers on Friday from 7-10 p.m. and Connor Larson on Saturday from 7-10 p.m.

■ The Vagabond Inn on Kalifornsky Beach Road will have live music with Gary Sloan and Jim Lassiter at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and will host the KDLL public radio 3rd annual BBQ, Burgers & Blues fundraiser, with various local musicians, food, and a beer garden from 3-9 p.m. Saturday.

■ Stop by Soldotna Creek Park every Wednesday at 6 p.m. for a new Music in the Park series. This free “Live after Five” series will also include extended hours for the Wednesday Market so you won’t miss out on local food, vendors, craft beer and some fantastic local musicians. Bring a blanket and enjoy our new park with the entire family. For a full schedule visit www.visitsoldotna.com.

■ The Alaska Roadhouse Bar and Grill hosts a blind draw Horseshoe Tournament every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Blind draw, double elimination, food ,fun and cash prizes. Call 907-262-9887 for more information.

■ Beginning square dance classes will be held on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the Sterling Senior Center. Classes are open to participants of all ages. For more information, call Theresa Lusby at 360-790-1757, or the Sterling Senior Center at 907-262-6808.

■ Beginning square dance classes will be held on Thursdays at 4 p.m. at the Kenai Senior Center. Classes are open to participants ages 10 and up. For more information, call Theresa Lusby at 360-790-1757, or the Kenai Senior Center at 907-283-8211.

■ The Corner Cafe in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna has open mic night for all writers, storytellers and poets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m.

■ A bluegrass jam takes place on the first Sunday of the month at from 1-4 p.m. at the Mount Redoubt Baptist Church on South Lovers Loop in Nikiski.

■ The Flats Bistro on Kalifornsky Beach Road has live music with Garrett Mayer on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Raymond Machen-Gray on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

■ An all acoustic jam takes place every Thursday. The jam is at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna on the first Thursday of the month, and at the Kenai Senior Center during the rest of the month. Jam starts at 6:30 p.m.

■ AMVETS Post 4 is open to all military veterans and their families for support and camaraderie. Join us for Friday night tacos, or Saturday night steaks with Karaoke. Sunday afternoon it’s super hamburgers. Not a member? Stop by and we can show you how to become a part of this special veteran’s organization. AMVETS is located in the Red Diamond Center next door to IDEA Schools.

■ Sharpen your dart skills with a fun tournament every Sunday during the season at the AmVets in the Red Diamond Center. The number of players will determine the game. Sign up begins at 1 p.m. For more information call 262-3540.

■ Odie’s Deli in Soldotna has live music Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Pub Quiz night every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.

■ The Bow bar in Kenai has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays and live music Fridays, Saturdays at 10 p.m.

■ Hooligans Saloon in Soldotna has poker Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 p.m. and live music Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

■ The Duck Inn on Kalifornsky Beach Road has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and DJ Arisen on Saturdays.

■ Mykel’s in Soldotna has live music Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with Bob Ramponi and Dave Unruh.

■ The Pinochle Club, formerly from Kasilof, plays at Hooligans Bar & Restaurant in Soldotna Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Questions? Call Jay Vienup at 907-252-6397.

■ The Soldotna library hosts a board game night on Tuesdays from 5 p.m.-7:45 p.m. in the conference rooms, 235 N. Binkley Street. It’s time to get your game on! Have you ever wanted to try something other than another round of Monopoly, or to break out of that old Scrabble routine? Come ready to meet new people, engage your imagination, and have a great time.

Markets, fairs and bazaars

■ The Sterling Senior Center will hold a flea market Fridays through August 28. Participants can rent space for $10 a day. Renters must provide their own tables. To rent a space call Michelle at the Center at 262-6808.

■ The Central Kenai Peninsula Farmer’s Market is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m until mid-September at the corner of Corral Street and the Kenai Spur Highway at the bus turnaround. The market features only Alaskan Grown and Alaska Made products and includes fresh baked goods, jams, jellies, fresh vegetables and hand made gift items. New vendors are welcome. For more information, call Carolyn at 262-7502.

■ The Farmers Fresh Market is open Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. until September in Kenai Peninsula Food Bank parking lot, at the corner of Kalifornsky Beach Road and Community College Drive. The only all-food market in the central peninsula benefits the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. Call 907-260-5295.

Films

■ Call Orca Theaters at 262-7003 for listings and times.

■ Call Kambe Cinemas at 283-4554 for listings and times.

Down the Road

■ The Pratt Museum in Homer is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.prattmuseum.org.

 

Submissions may be emailed to news@peninsulaclarion.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Mondays.

More in Life

This sweet and tangy roasted spaghetti squash dish includes blended tomato and goat cheese sauce. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A list for life’s challenges

Roasted spaghetti squash is blended with tomato and goat cheese sauce for a sweet and tangy meal.

Carey Restino of Homer Hilltop Farm rearranges flowers at her booth during the first market of 2025 on Saturday, May 24. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Farmers Market kicks off season

The local market has been operating seasonally since 2000.

This excerpt from a 1916 U.S. Department of Agriculture map shows Kachemak Bay and vicinity less than 20 years after the arrival of the Kings County Mining Company.
Mary Penney and her 1898 Alaska adventure — Part 7

The Kings County Mining Company had hiked through the mountain benchlands at the advent of winter, hoping to reach the gold-mining areas of Hope and Sunrise.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: It seems like a lifetime ago

A reader asked me if I remembered writing about a trip Jane and I took to New Zealand many years ago.

File
Minister’s Message: Live like this

“Living” is about have a spiritual life based on the belief in Jesus and accepting his forgiveness.

Boats gather offshore the Homer Spit in honor of the 2025 Blessing of the Fleet on Tuesday, May 20 at the Seafarer’s Memorial on the Homer Spit. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
‘Blessing of the Fleet’ remembers, honors sacrifices of local mariners

Community members quietly gathered in somber reflection of lives lost to the sea over the past year.

tease
‘Share our gifts with the world’

Local artist creates vibrant body of work and renews her artistic journey.

Author Ruth Ozeki gives her keynote presentation at the 23rd annual Kachemak Bay Writers Conference on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Literary citizenship and communities of one

Author Ruth Ozeki was the keynote presenter for the 23rd annual Kachemak Bay Writer’s Conference last weekend.

File
Minster’s Message: The high value of faithfulness

The quality of faithfulness in your life to God and Christian teachings has a quiet, steady reward that sooner or later.

Most Read