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.
■ 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.
■ June 21 is the Summer Solstice Music Festival sponsored by the Kenai Peninsula 4-H’ers. 4-H will be showcasing the Alaska String Band as well as other local musicians at Diamond M Ranch on K-Beach Road. The festival activities begin at noon and run until midnight. A barbecue serving 4-H meat will be one of many food vendor booths available. Come enjoy the longest day of the year at the free Summer Solstice family event featuring live music, food and vendor booths. Admission is free. Onsite parking is $10 per vehicle and $5 per motorcycle.
■ Across the water is the Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival June 19-22. 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.
■ 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.
■ Three exhibits are on display at the Kenai Fine Art Center for the month of June: a fine art group show in Gallery Too; ceramics by Becky Holloway; and encaustic works by Marion Nelson. The Kenai Fine Art Center is located at 816 Cook Avenue, Kenai
Entertainment
■ Veronica’s cafe has open mic at 6:30 p.m. Friday and live music at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with Ryan Reid.
■ All fans and players of Blue Grass are invited to a jam at the Kenai United Methodist Church from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Participants are welcome to bring finger foods to share. There is no charge. Folks attending should entry the church via the side door. The Kenai United Methodist Church is located at 607 Frontage Road across the street from Wells Fargo Bank. For more information call Jim Evenson at 776-8060.
■ The Vagabond Inn on Kaliforsnky Beach Road will have live music with Gary Sloan and Robert Howard starting at 9:30 p.m. Friday and 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 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.
Markets, fairs and bazaars
■ 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 is 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.
■ 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 operates on Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at the corner of Community College Drive and K-Beach Road.
■ The Soldotna Wednesday Market is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Peninsula Center Mall.
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. 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.
