Life

A ballet class practices at Diamond Dance Project in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Diamond Dance Project brings ‘Aloha Vibes’ to Soldotna

The end-of-year showcase will include a vendor fair with a “block party” feel

A ballet class practices at Diamond Dance Project in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A trombone player in the robes of a jedi warms up during Pops in the Parking Lot at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai bands take annual concert outside

“Pops in the Parking Lot” stood in for Kenai Central High School’s year-end band concert

A trombone player in the robes of a jedi warms up during Pops in the Parking Lot at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy Lionsgate Abby Ryder Fortson appears as Margaret in “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” in this promotional image.

On the Screen: A timeless ‘Margaret’ comes of age in insightful adaptation

I went into “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” on Sunday effectively blind

Photo courtesy Lionsgate Abby Ryder Fortson appears as Margaret in “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” in this promotional image.
”Alstroemeria,” by Melinda Hershberger, hangs as part of “Thursday Art Group” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Thursday Art Group’ takes over Kenai Art Center Rear Gallery

The Thursday Art Group has been meeting in a variety of venues to “paint for pleasure”

”Alstroemeria,” by Melinda Hershberger, hangs as part of “Thursday Art Group” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Curator Barnabas Firth (right) tells stories of artworks by Norman Lowell to attendees of the invitational gathering on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the Norman Lowell Art Gallery in Anchor Point, Alaska. Photo by Delcenia Cosman

Norman Lowell gallery open for the season

At the top of a winding, tree-lined gravel road above the Sterling Highway lies a hidden community treasure. The Norman Lowell Gallery, located between Homer… Continue reading

Curator Barnabas Firth (right) tells stories of artworks by Norman Lowell to attendees of the invitational gathering on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the Norman Lowell Art Gallery in Anchor Point, Alaska. Photo by Delcenia Cosman
A vibrant painting of a macaw by artist Nathan Perry hangs as part of “Elaborate Expressions” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska on May 3, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Black and white to bold

Vibrant color and detailed grays make up new show at Kenai Art Center

A vibrant painting of a macaw by artist Nathan Perry hangs as part of “Elaborate Expressions” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska on May 3, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of Olga Ravn’s “The Employees” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Surreal, subversive, succinct

“The Employees” explores more than space in science fiction novella

A copy of Olga Ravn’s “The Employees” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
“The Creation,” by Elias S., is a massive structure composed of bright colors seen on Friday, April 28, 2023, part of Brick by Brick at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A bunch of bricks

Kenai Community Library hosts second annual Lego contest

“The Creation,” by Elias S., is a massive structure composed of bright colors seen on Friday, April 28, 2023, part of Brick by Brick at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Shonathin Hoskins opens at the season’s first Levitt Amp music series in Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Levitt AMP roster set for Soldotna music series

26 artists will perform across 13 weeks, from June 7 until Aug. 30

Shonathin Hoskins opens at the season’s first Levitt Amp music series in Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Charlie Stephens sits with a copy of his book, "Passion Over Pain" on Monday, May 1, 2023, in the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Telling his story

Local author looks back at cancer and recovery

Charlie Stephens sits with a copy of his book, "Passion Over Pain" on Monday, May 1, 2023, in the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Beth, played by Lily Sullivan, reaches for the hand of her late sister in "Evil Dead Rise." (Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Evil Dead Rise’ is fun horror to start the summer season

“Evil Dead Rise” stands confidently among its predecessors

Beth, played by Lily Sullivan, reaches for the hand of her late sister in "Evil Dead Rise." (Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
Oliver Parrish portraying Patrick Star, lifts Jackson Hooper as SpongeBob during a rehearsal of “SpongeBob SquarePants” on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SpongeBob goes deep

Nikiski’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” musical more than just a cartoon

Oliver Parrish portraying Patrick Star, lifts Jackson Hooper as SpongeBob during a rehearsal of “SpongeBob SquarePants” on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tyler Payment, as Vito Corleone, acts alongside Joe Spady as Johnny Fontane and Jamie Nelson as Tom Hagen during a rehearsal of “The Codfather” on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sleeping with the fishes

Triumvirate’s “The Codfather” puts Kenai Peninsula spin on Coppola classic

Tyler Payment, as Vito Corleone, acts alongside Joe Spady as Johnny Fontane and Jamie Nelson as Tom Hagen during a rehearsal of “The Codfather” on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of Daniel Sherrell’s “Warmth: Coming of Age at the End of our World” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday March 30, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Climate crisis looms large at ‘the end of our world’

The book doesn’t offer a lot of room for hope

A copy of Daniel Sherrell’s “Warmth: Coming of Age at the End of our World” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday March 30, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image for “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” shows Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and other major characters. (Photo courtesy Universal Studios)

On the Screen: ‘Super Mario’ is shallow, but so much fun

It lovingly realizes iconic characters and imbues them with more character than they’ve ever enjoyed in their video game appearances

Promotional image for “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” shows Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and other major characters. (Photo courtesy Universal Studios)
Josiah Burton portrays Sherlock Holmes during a rehearsal of “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The play is afoot

SoHi puts new twists on iconic characters in a Sherlock Holmes adventure

Josiah Burton portrays Sherlock Holmes during a rehearsal of “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The plans for the Triumvirate Theater’s new building are seen in this mockup. (Courtesy of Joe Rizzo)

Assembly backs Triumvirate rebuild

Assembly backs Triumvirate rebuild

The plans for the Triumvirate Theater’s new building are seen in this mockup. (Courtesy of Joe Rizzo)
A copy of Samanta Schweblin’s “Fever Dream” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Horror novella rethinks presentation of environmental disasters

“Fever Dream” begs the question of what is the most effective way to communicate the implications of environmental harm

A copy of Samanta Schweblin’s “Fever Dream” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sculpture of a guitarist is made entirely from kitchen utensils, standing on a plinth at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in preparation for the debut of the 32nd Annual Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Visual Feast. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Something to ‘feast’ your eyes on

Annual Kenai Art Center exhibit showcasing student artwork

A sculpture of a guitarist is made entirely from kitchen utensils, standing on a plinth at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in preparation for the debut of the 32nd Annual Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Visual Feast. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
John Messick’s “Compass Lines” is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula College Bookstore in Soldotna, Alaska on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Messick reflects on path forward in ‘Compass Lines’

“Compass Lines,” a new book by John Messick, a local writer and Assistant Professor of Writing at Kenai Peninsula College, is something he describes as… Continue reading

John Messick’s “Compass Lines” is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula College Bookstore in Soldotna, Alaska on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)