Best Bets
■ The Kenai Peninsula Orchestra will present the 2016 Summer Music Festival, 2 weeks of music culminating in our Gala Concerts, “Russian Scenes,” featuring music of Russian composers. Starting August 1, KPO will present weekday NoonTime Tunes and other free events featuring local musicians and members of the Navy Winds. The Navy Winds will present free evening concerts on Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna; Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m. at Christian Community Church in Homer; and Aug. 10, 5:30 p.m. at the Kenai Community Library. The famed Madison String Quartet will showcase their Latin flair at a MSQ & Friends Chamber concert, Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna and Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Homer. The finale of the Summer Music Festival Gala Concerts will feature Borodin’s Polovotsian Dances and Balakirev’s Overture on Three Russian Folk Songs, directed by guest conductor David Jacobs. The Kenai Peninsula Singers, prepared by Simon Nissen, will join KPO in Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky, under the direction of Tammy Vollom-Matturro. Gala Concerts are Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m. at the Homer Mariner Theater and Aug. 13, 7:30 p.m. at Kenai Central High School Theater with the pre-concert lecture beginning at 6:45. Tickets available at River City Books in Soldotna or at the door or the Homer Bookstore in Homer. Visit www.kpoalaska.com for more information and a complete listing of events.
Events and Exhibitions
■ “Keen on the Kenai,” an exhibition of artwork exploring the concept of what it means to live, work and play on the Kenai Peninsula, is on display at the Kenai Cultural and Visitors Center, on the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai.
■ Barbara Lavallee will be at Frames And Things in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna on July 30 from 1-5 p.m.
■ Tami Phelps, Anchorage artist, will exhibit her cold wax abstract painting exhibit, “Air, Land and Water,” at the Kenai Fine Arts Center July 7-29. Phelps’ work is included in the permanent collection of the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, and has been exhibited in fine art galleries in Anchorage, Colorado, and Washington. The KFAC is located at 816 Cook Ave., Kenai. For more information, contact the Kenai Fine Arts Center at 907-283-7040.
■ An exhibition of work entitled “Artefact” by anthropologist and artist Brandi Kerley will be on display at the Kenai Fine Art Center for the month of August. “Aretfact” is an imaginative exploration of a resource nearly all Alaskans value and asks the questions, What would happen if we didn’t safeguard our resources? What if we were greedy? What could that look like? What is responsible management? There are no answers in this show. There will be a closing reception Aug. 25 from 6-8 p.m. with refreshments and a brief artist Q&A.
■ ARTspace Drawer is on display at the Soldotna Library, the first annual collection of locally created 2D art. The first of its kind in Alaska, this display is made possible by a partnership between Soldotna Rotary, ARTspace Inc., and the Soldotna Public Library.
■ “Decolonizing Alaska” exhibit opens at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer for the month of August. It showcases contemporary Alaskan art through the lens of colonization then and now. The show opens in Homer on Aug. 5. This exhibit challenges stereotypes and explores globalization and climate change.
■ The Peninsula Art Guild is calling for artists to donate one or two of their original artworks for the 2016 Harvest Art Exhibit and Auction on Sept. 24th at the Kenai Fine Art Center. Donating artists will be honored at a September First Thursday Artists Reception and will receive an optional 25 percent back of the high bid on their donation. Artworks will be displayed on social media for maximum exposure. Artists are asked to deliver their art donation to the art center by 4 p.m. Aug. 24 at 816 Cook Avenue in Old Town Kenai. Art center hours are noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Call 262- 7767 for more information.
Entertainment
■ The Summertime in Soldotna live music concert series at Soldotna Creek Park continues July 27 from 6-9 p.m. with Vince Mendoza and Conway Seavey.
■ The Vagabond Inn on Kaliforsnky Beach Road has live music with AK Blues Saturday at 10 p.m. This is a smoke-free show.
■ Anchorage’s Danger & Diva is playing live at the Main Street Tap on Aug. 5. The duo of Bill Little and Jennifer Brown is from the extremely popular Anchorage-based band Danger Money. They play your favorite modern music with their own twist.
■ Anchorage-based band Danger Money is making their first ever appearance in Kenai at the Main Street Tap and Grill onat 10 p.m. Aug. 6. Danger Money is one of the hottest bands in Alaska and plays danceable rock, pop, and more.
■ Bunnell Street Arts Center Artists in Residence Wild Shore concerts in Homer: Aug. 11, 8 p.m., Double-bill and community jam at Alice’s Champagne Palace; Aug. 13, 8 p.m., MainStage Concert at Bunnell Street Arts Center; Aug. 14, 3 p.m., MainStage Concert at Bunnell Street Arts Center.
■ Veronica’s in Old Town Kenai has Open Mic on Thursday at 6 p.m. live music at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Call 283-2725.
■ The Alaska Roadhouse hosts a Blind Draw Horseshoe Tournament every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.; Double Elimination and Blind Draw means anyone can win! All are welcome, call 262-9887 for more information.
■ 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 has reopened in its brand new building on K-Beach across from Jumpin Junction. Eligible veterans and their families are invited to stop by to find out more about AmVets and their involvement in the Veteran community. For members and invited guests, Friday night dance to DJ Roy, and Saturday Burn your own steak and karaoke with Frank.
■ 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.
Markets, fairs and bazaars
■ Farmers Fresh Market is open for the season. Find the market at the Kenai Peninsula Food bank every Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. until September. Local plant starts, flowers and produce and special events all summer long. A benefit for the Food Bank.
■ The Kenai Saturday Market is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays at the Kenai Visitors Center. Local vendors include: food, produce, clothing, gifts and much more. For more information, visit www.kenaichamber.org.
■ The Nikiski Senior Center at 55025 Lake Marie Ave. is hosting the Nikiski Friday Farmers/Flea Market on July 22, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26. Market is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with vendors, a variety of items for sale and hamburgers and hotdogs hot off the grill. On July 22 and Aug. 26 there will be a bake sale, and on Aug. 12 there will be a Kid Zone with carnival games for the kids. Space is still available call 776-7654 for information.
■ The Soldotna Senior Center’s Summer Bazaar is 10 a.m.-4 p.m., July 22-23 at the center, 197 West Park Avenue in Soldotna. Call 262-2322.
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 10 a.m.-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.
