■ Check out the Progress Days festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, which includes live entertainment from 11:45 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
■ 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 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.
■ 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 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 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 907-262-3111 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.
■ The Dragonfly Gallery Garden Party is Saturday from 2-6 p.m., live music from Mike Morgan and Connor Larsen, great food, garden art and more. The gallery is located at 183 S. Soldotna Avenue off Birch Street; call 907-260-4636.
■ Veronica’s in Old Town Kenai has open mic on Thursday from 6-8 p.m., live music with Dan and Amy Pascucci on Friday from 7-10 p.m., and live music with Sue Biggs and Jack Will on Saturday from 7-10 p.m.
■ The Vagabond Inn on Kalifornsky Beach Road will have live music with the Denali Cooks at 9 p.m. Friday.
■ 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 907-262-3540.
■ 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 5-7:45 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.
■ 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 907-262-6808.
■ 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. The market will host a “Chef at the Market” Saturday from 11a.m.-1 p.m. This week, chef Nancy Schrag will cook “Amazing Brassicas.” For more information, call Carolyn at 907-262-7502.
■ 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.
■ Call Orca Theaters at 262-7003 for listings and times.
■ Call Kambe Cinemas at 283-4554 for listings and times.
■ 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.
