Events and Exhibits

■ Local nature photographer Laurie Johnson is showing her work at Kaladi Brothers Coffee on Kobuk in Soldotna. More than 20 pieces will be on display for the month of June. Sign up for a drawing for a free print.

■ The Alaska Watercolor Society is accepting submissions to the 40th Annual Alaska Juried Watercolor Exhibition. Submission deadline is June 4. Paintings must be primarily aqua media over natural or synthetic paper, and matted and framed under clear acrylic or glass. All submissions will be through CaFE.org (www.callforentry.org). Up to $4,000 in prizes. Prospectus available at akws.org.

■ A “Swinging Into Summer” big band dance concert will take place from 8-10:30 p.m. May 31 in the Kenai Central High School auditorium. Tickets are $10 in advance from any KCHS jazz band student or $15 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the KCHS jazz band and KPO big band. For advance tickets or more information call Deborah Sounart at 283-2124.

■ Kenai Performers and the Kenai Challenger Learning Center proudly present Ken Ludwig’s “Leading Ladies” as Dinner Theater, directed by Terri Zopf-Schoessler and Donna Shirnberg, with dinner provided by Kenai Catering. Dinner shows are June 7, 13-14, and  20-21 at 7 p.m. at the Challenger Learning Center, 9711 Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai. Tickets are $45 and available at Curtain Call Consignment, Charlotte’s Restaurant, River City Books, and Coffee Roasters. Reservations are highly recommended. For more information call Mary at 398-2931. Show may be inappropriate for age 13 and under.

■ The Alaska State Council on the Arts on behalf of Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) Kenai River Campus (KRC) is requesting qualifications from artists for interior and exterior artwork to be commissioned for two new buildings: KRC Career & Technical Education Center and Residence Hall (student housing). For exterior sites, professional artists residing in the U.S. and Alaska may apply. For interior sites, only Alaska artists are eligible to apply. Applicants must be professional visual artists. Applications from architects, landscape architects or other design professionals will not be considered unless included as part of an artist-led team. Applications will be accepted online only through CaFÉ at: www.callforentry.org. Entries must be received by 9:59 p.m (ADT), June 13. Requests for additional information may be directed to Andrea Noble-Pelant, Visual and Literary Arts Program Director, Alaska State Council on the Arts, andrea.noble-pelant@alaska.gov.

■ The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Young Men’s Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Steven Kronauer, sings Music From Around the World at 7 p.m. June 26 at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. Admission is free; any donations received will go to the Soldotna Food Pantry.

■ Join Kenai Fine Art Center on Friday, June 6, 2014 from 6-8 p.mp for the opening reception for its three June 2014 exhibits, a fine art group show in Gallery Too, ceramics by Becky Holloway, and encaustic works by Marion Nelson. Free to the public. Refreshments. Kenai Fine Art Center, 816 Cook Avenue, Kenai

■ The 2nd Annual Salvage Art Exhibit will be held during the Kenai River Festival June 6-8 at Centennial Park. Sculptures made from repurposed or reused materials will be displayed during the festival. Categories include large sculptures, small sculptures, containers, and accessories. There will be two age groups-adult and youth (12-18). Entries will be accepted Friday, June 6 from 3:00-6:00 at the park. Viewers Choice  Awards will be presented Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. For more information go to Re-Group on Facebook or call Jan 252-2773.

Entertainment

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

■ 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 in the Red Diamond Center holds blind doubles darts every Friday evening with sign up at 6:30 p.m. Tacos are available; and burn your own steak dinner from 6 to 8 p.m every Saturday with Karaoke after dinner from 8 p.m. to midnight.

■ 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.

■ 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.

■ Across the water is the Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival June 19-22nd. Headliners include the Ghanaian drum band and dance ensemble Okaidja Afroso and Shokoto and solo concert saxophonist Ashu with classical pianist Amy Briggs. Thursday is the song circle on the Tustumena Ferry and an Open Mic. Performances by headliners and other musical groups begin at 6:15 PM Friday and Saturday evenings. Workshops take place Friday morning and Saturday afternoon. A Gospel jam on Sunday. En Plein Air at Cental Park, watch artists create.

Markets, fairs and bazaars

■ Kenai’s Saturday Market starts on May 24 and runs for 17 Saturdays, until 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 open May 31 and will be open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until mid-September. This market features Alaskan Grown and Alaska 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 the Kenai Spur Highway at the bus “turn-around.” New vendors are welcome. Call Carolyn at 262-7502 for more information.

■ The North Peninsula Recreation Service Area is accepting booth applications from local vendors, organizations, groups and other parties interested in reserving booth space at the annual Family Fun in the Midnight Sun Event, June 21 at the NPRSA facilities in Nikiski. Interested vendors are encouraged to contact us early. The deadline to apply is May 31. Applications are available online at www.northpenrec.com or can be picked up at the Nikiski Pool or Nikiski Community Recreation Center. For more information or application details please contact Rachel at 776-8800.

■ A new farmers’ market in downtown Ninilchik will open May 24, Memorial Day weekend, 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.

■ Kenai Watershed Forum is accepting applications from local artists and food vendors to reserve booth space at the Kenai River Festival on June 6, 7 and 8 at Centennial Park in Soldotna. Space is limited. Please visit www.kenaiwatershed.org for more information and application details. Last year’s event attracted over 10,000 people! Early deadline for applications is May 12.

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 Tuesday-Sunday, noon-5 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.