Author Ruth Ozeki gives her keynote presentation at the 23rd annual Kachemak Bay Writers Conference on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Literary citizenship and communities of one

Author Ruth Ozeki was the keynote presenter for the 23rd annual Kachemak Bay Writer’s Conference last weekend.

 

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science students perform “Let’s Eat,” their fifth grade musical, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Healthy eating headlines elementary school musical

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science stages “Let’s Eat” for its annual fifth grade musical.

 

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Tessa Hulls, an author who moved to Juneau during the winter, at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday after her graphic novel “Feeding Ghosts” won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir or Autobiography category.

Juneau author Tessa Hulls wins Pulitzer Prize for graphic memoir ‘Feeding Ghosts’

Book entwines grandmother, mother and author on journey of politics and identity from China to points worldwide.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Tessa Hulls, an author who moved to Juneau during the winter, at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday after her graphic novel “Feeding Ghosts” won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir or Autobiography category.
Artwork by The Art Gaggle is displayed as part of “What We Do” at the Kenai Art Center on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Local artists share ‘What We Do’ in May show at Kenai Art Center

An eclectic mix of local art makes up the May show at the Kenai Art Center, “What We Do,” which opened Friday. The work in… Continue reading

Artwork by The Art Gaggle is displayed as part of “What We Do” at the Kenai Art Center on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Donna Shirnberg rehearses”Picnic” at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Small town America grapples with big emotions

Kenai Performers stage playwright William Inge’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Picnic.”

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Donna Shirnberg rehearses”Picnic” at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Attendees gather to dance and to listen during a performance by Blackwater Railroad Company, part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Music Series announces lineup, starts June 4

The Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series will bring performances to Soldotna Creek Park each Wednesday.

Attendees gather to dance and to listen during a performance by Blackwater Railroad Company, part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Bulldog Theatre actors rehearse “All Shook Up” in the Nikiski Middle/High School Auditorium on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Elvis-themed musical brings music and moves to Nikiski stage

“All Shook Up” combines the familiar tunes of Elvis Presley with Shakespearean narrative of romance and identity.

Nikiski Bulldog Theatre actors rehearse “All Shook Up” in the Nikiski Middle/High School Auditorium on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Off the shelf: Time and space and the human heart

Contemporary novel combines historical and science fiction for a gripping, emotional journey.

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Emerson Kapp and Elias Bouschor rehearse “Our Town” in the Soldotna High School Auditorium in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ordinary moments find meaning in ‘Our Town’

Soldotna High School stages classic drama in pared down production.

Emerson Kapp and Elias Bouschor rehearse “Our Town” in the Soldotna High School Auditorium in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Triumvirate Theatre stands in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A return to stage

Triumvirate Theatre debuts new performance space.

The Triumvirate Theatre stands in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearse on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A jaunt into a fantastical world’

Seward theater collective returns for second weekend of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearse on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
“Octoparty,” by Kenai Alternative High School student Adelynn DeHoyos, and “Green Speckled Ocean,” by Soldotna High School Student Savannah Yeager are seen as part of the 34th Annual Visual Feast Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Juried Student Art Show during an opening reception at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Consume a bunch of art’

The 34th Annual Visual Feast showcases art by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District students.

“Octoparty,” by Kenai Alternative High School student Adelynn DeHoyos, and “Green Speckled Ocean,” by Soldotna High School Student Savannah Yeager are seen as part of the 34th Annual Visual Feast Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Juried Student Art Show during an opening reception at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The cover of Gary Titus and Clark Fair’s new book, “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.” (Photo courtesy of Clark Fair)

History of Kenai refuge cabins tackled in new book

The authors will discuss “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge” at Kenai Community Library this Friday.

The cover of Gary Titus and Clark Fair’s new book, “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.” (Photo courtesy of Clark Fair)
Diamond Dance Project rehearses "Academy of Heroes" at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Everybody is a hero in their life’

Diamond Dance Project celebrates ‘Heroes’ at all-studio concert.

Diamond Dance Project rehearses "Academy of Heroes" at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Dancers rehearse Forever Dance’s 10th Anniversary Company Showcase, “Down Memory Lane,” at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Forever Dance comes full circle

The anniversary show will feature returning appearances from alumni and messages from former coaches.

Dancers rehearse Forever Dance’s 10th Anniversary Company Showcase, “Down Memory Lane,” at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The cast of the Kenai Performers’ production of “The Mousetrap” rehearse at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Performers set murderous ‘Mousetrap’

The longest-running stageplay in history, the English whodunit challenges audience to unravel the plot.

The cast of the Kenai Performers’ production of “The Mousetrap” rehearse at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A bagpiper helps kick off the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade brings out the green

The annual event featured decorated cars and trucks, youth marchers and decked-out celebrants.

A bagpiper helps kick off the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates, Raye Lankford, X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Rochelle Adams pose with the Children’s and Family Emmy Award award Lankford and Twitchell won for co-writing the an episode of the PBS animated children’s show “Molly of Denali.” (Photo courtesy of ‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates)

‘Molly of Denali’ episode wins best writing honor at 2025 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards

First Emmy win for animated PBS show goes to episode co-writers X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Raye Lankford.

‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates, Raye Lankford, X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Rochelle Adams pose with the Children’s and Family Emmy Award award Lankford and Twitchell won for co-writing the an episode of the PBS animated children’s show “Molly of Denali.” (Photo courtesy of ‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates)