Best Bets

n The Performing Arts Society presents the Rick Zelinsky Jazz Quintet at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. Tickets are $20, $10 for students, and are available at River City Book and Northcountry Fair in Soldotna, Already Read Books and Country Liquor in Kenai, and at the door.

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Events and Exhibitions

n Junosmile is the collaboration of veteran musicians Joseph and Jessy Martens. In addition to originals, Junosmile plays a wide range of new classics and old favorites ranging from rock and folk to country and bluegrass. They will play at the Cannery Lodge on Cannery Road in Kenai on Sunday at 7:00. Tickets are $14 in advance at Eventbrite, or $16 at the door. Go to Justice Productions on Facebook for more information.

n Opening Reception for the 28^th Annual KPBSD Juried Student Art Show, Visual Feast, is today from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Kenai Fine Art Center. Artwork from Middle School and High School students from across the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will be represented. Middle School Awards will be presented at 5:45 and High School Awards at 6:15. The show will hang through April 28 at 816 Cook Avenue in Old Town Kenai. The gallery is open from noon to 5:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday, manned by volunteer artist participation.

n The KPC Showcase and River City Books presents: An Evening with Eowyn Ivey and Julie Hungiville LeMay. Eowyn Ivey’s latest novel “To the Bright Edge of the World,” is a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016. Her debut novel “The Snow Child” is a New York Times bestseller, a UK National Book Award winner and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Julie LeMay is the author of the poetry collection, “The Echo of Ice Letting Go,” published in February by the University of Alaska Press. Free and open to the public, today, 6:30 p.m. In the McLane Commons, Kenai Peninsula College.

n The first local history conference since 1974 is coming to Kenai Peninsula College’s Kenai River Campus in Soldotna on April 21-22. Registration for 150 Years: Kenai Peninsula History Conference is now open online at: http://www.prattmuseum.org/kenai-peninsula-history-conference-registration/. The base cost is $50 with discounts for early registration, volunteers, and seniors aged 80 or older; students get in free. The conference will include presentations by leading historians, anthropologists, linguists, and culture-bearers, as well as movies, exhibits, music, lunch, field trips, and a book fair. The focus is on the 1800s and the interactions of Native, Russian, and U.S. cultures in this, the Alaska Year of History and Heritage, marking the 150th anniversary of the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia. For more information, check out the web page at www.kenaipeninsulahistory.org, the Facebook page “150 Years: Kenai Peninsula History Conference,” email kenaipeninsulahistory@gmail.com, or phone (907) 460-7554.

n KDLL Public Radio is asking local musicians to write an original theme song for its new “Drinking on the Last Frontier” show with Bill Howell. Songs should be written and performed by you, be up-tempo and celebrate local beer culture — but not drinking to excess. The submissions will be played on air, and the selected song will be credited in every show. Submissions are due April 21. For more information and to submit mp3 files, email info@kdll.org.

n Kenai Performers present a weekly, drama club for youth in grades 7-12. The group meets on Mondays, 4:30-5:30 p.m in same building as Subway restaurant on Kaliforsnky Beach Road (backside of building). Club dues $50/month. Discount for siblings. Call Terri, 252-6808 or Sally, 394-8104 for more information.

n 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.

n The Peninsula Art Guild is issuing a Call for Artists for its June 2017 Art Quilts Extraordinaire judged exhibit at the Kenai Fine Art Center, 816 Cook Avenue in Old Town Kenai. The opening reception is 6-8 p.m. June 1. There is a $25 entry fee for Peninsula Art Guild members and $35 for non-members. Call 262-7767 for details.

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Entertainment

n Veronica’s in Old Town Kenai has live music with Dave Unruh, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Saturday. Reservations encouraged. Call Veronica’s at 283-2725.

n The Vagabond on Kalifornsky Beach Road has live music with Hot Mess at 9 p.m. Saturday.

n The Kasilof Pinochle Club season is under way at noon on Saturdays. The season runs through April 15, 2017. Call the club’s president, Jay Vienup, at 907-252-6397 with any questions.

n 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.

n The Flats Bistro on Kalifornsky Beach Road has live music with Daniel Tuttle Mondays from 6-8 p.m.; Pat Wendt on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m.; Garrett Mayer on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m.; and Robb Justice on Fridays from 8-10 p.m.

n 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.

n AmVets Post 4 has reopened in its brand new building on KBeach 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 “Running with Scissors,” and Saturday Burn your own steak and karaoke with Cowboy Don.

n 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.

n The Bow bar in Kenai has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays and live music Fridays, Saturdays at 10 p.m.

n The Duck Inn on Kalifornsky Beach Road has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and DJ Arisen on Saturdays.

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Films

n Call Orca Theaters at 262-7003 for listings and times.

n Call Kambe Cinemas at 283-4554 for listings and times.

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Fairs, Markets and Bazaars

n Sterling Community Center is having an indoor garage sale from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. April 8. It costs $45 per booth plus sales tax comes with one 6-foot table and two chairs. Also open to food vendor trucks. It costs $40 without electricity and $50 with electricity limited to 20 amp. Vendors must complete a contract and payment prior to the garage sale. Sign up at the Sterling Community Center. Call 907-262-7224 or email at scc@acsalaska.net.

n Sterling Community Center Annual Spring Craft and Vendor Fair Sign up begins March 27 for Sterling Community residents, April 3-16 registration opens for Soldotna and Kenai, April 17 opens for all others. $45 per 8 x 8 booth plus sales tax comes with (1) 6-foot table and 2 chairs. All necessary forms are found on our web site www.sterlingcommunitycenter.com.

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Down the Road

n The Pratt Museum in Homer is from noon-5 p.m. TuesdaySaturday. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.prattmuseum.org.

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