Best Bet

■ On July 4 at 2 p.m., Dave Thompson of Kenai will recite poetry and ballads at the Kenai Historic Cabin Park in Old Town Kenai next to the Kenai Fine Art Center and across from the Oilers building. If you like ballads from many well-known authors and love America, you don’t want to miss this event. For more information, call 283-1946.

Events and Exhibits

■ For the month of July, the Kenai Fine Art Center will host an exhibit of quilting from around the state, coordinated by Jan Wallace, and a solo show of work by Kaitlin Vadla in the main gallery. An opening reception will take place July 3 from 6-8 p.m. at the center, located at 816 Cook Avenue in Old Town Kenai. For more information, call 907-283-7040.

■ The 4th Annual Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival is August 9. It is outdoors at the Soldotna Sports Center from 5-10 p.m. $30 admission. It is a 21-and-older event. For more information, visit www.kenaibeerfest.com

Entertainment

■ Veronica’s cafe has open mic at 6:30 p.m. Friday and live music with the Charmer’s Daughters at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

■ Join Steve and Fern Holloway for Karaoke every Saturday night at the Kenai Moose Lodge. Singing starts at 9 p.m. and everyone is welcome.

■ An all acoustic jam takes place every Thursday. The jam is as 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 its 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.

■ 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 Studio Espresso Shop at Spur Highway and Nikiski Avenue in Nikiski hosts an open mic night on Saturdays starting at 7 p.m. Call 776-7655.

■ 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 Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. with Robb Justice, and Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with Bob Ramponi and Dave Unruh.

■ The Duck Inn will have live music from 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday with Robb Justice and Trio.

■ Main Street Tap and Grill has Wednesday karaoke with KJ Natalia, Thursday acoustic music with Dustin and Friends and Keeley & Nelson, and live music and dancing with 9Spine Friday and Saturday.

■ Four Royal Parkers on the Kenai Spur Highway in Soldotna has live music with Bob Ramponi and the Alaska Swing Company Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m.

Markets, fairs and bazaars

■ The Sterling Senior Center Christmas in July Bazaar and Bake Sale will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11-12. All items must be handcrafted; no imports. For more information or to sign up for a table, call Glenda at 262-2943 or the Sterling Senior Center at 262-6808.

■ Kenai’s Saturday Market is open every Saturday through Sept. 13. It is held in the grassy area across the parking lot from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. The market will include very talented folks selling beautiful Alaskan Arts & Crafts. Fresh vegetables will start showing up about the middle of June. Vendor rates are as low as $20 per Saturday and spaces are limited, so pick up an application at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center or call Harold at 283-1991.

■ The Central Kenai Peninsula Farmer’s Market will feature “The Chef at the Market” Cooking demonstration this Saturday from 11a.m. to 1pm. The guest chef is Ally Bril and she will show “Fun Ways to Cook Fresh Vegetables.” The Alaska Division of Agriculture funds this “Chef at the Market” event. This market features only Alaskan and Alaskan Made Products and includes fresh baked goods, jams, jellies, fresh vegetables and gift items. The market is located at the corner of Corral street and Kenai Spur Highway at the “Bus Turn-around.” New vendors are welcome. Call Carolyn at 262-7502 for information

■ A new farmers’ market in downtown Ninilchik is open Saturdays, featuring homegrown plants and veggies, a wide variety of crafts, handmade artisan sea salt and dog cart rides. It will be across from the Kenai Peninsula State Fairgrounds. Vendors are needed! For an application or information call Michelle Hogan 299-4999. Cost for a booth is $25 for the season or $5 per day.

■ The Farmers Fresh Market is open every Tuesday, 3-6 p.m., in the parking lot of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank on K-Beach Road at Community College Drive. The market features local food producers and a kids’ activity booth. For updates on what is in season, see the Farmers Fresh Market page on Facebook. Interested vendors can contact Market Manager Dan Funk at 382-0210.

■ The Soldotna Wednesday Market is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Peninsula Center Mall.

■ Local farmers markets will have free Chef at the Market cooking demonstrations in July and August funded by the Alaska Division of Agriculture. The full schedule includes:

— Central Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market, Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Kenai Spur Highway and and East Corral — July 5, Quick and Healthy Cooking with Ally Bril; August 9, Wrap up a Rainbow: Gluten-Free Wraps with Susan Nabholz; August 16, Loving Your Kale, and Eating it Too! with Nancy Schrag.

— Farmers Fresh Market, Tuesdays, 3:30-5 p.m., Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, Community College Drive and Kalifornsky Beach Road — July 15, Quick and Healthy Cooking with Ally Bril; July 29, Fun and Fast Veggies with Ally Bril; August 5, Wrap up a Rainbow: Gluten-Free Wraps with Susan Nabholz.

Kenai Soil and Water Conservation District is the local sponsor, along with the PPWCA Local Foods Group. For more information, call 283-8732 ext. 5.

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 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. “Dena’inaq’ Huch’ulyeshi: The Dena’ina Way Of Living” is onn view through Sept. 1. The Dena’ina Way of Living is the first comprehensive exhibit of the Dena’ina culture, curated and provided by the Anchorage Museum. The Pratt is the first stop of the tour, with artifacts, multimedia and text that explores the past and present Dena’ina culture. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.prattmuseum.org.

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