People gather in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022 for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Blues, brass, Cajun and local acts to perform at ‘eclectic’ Ninilchik festival

Salmonfest headliners include Old Crow Medicine Show, Sierra Ferrell, Leftover Salmon, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Jackie Venson, The Burroughs and the High Hawks

People gather in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022 for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Blackwater Railroad Company performs at Soldotna Creek Park as part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 5, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)
Blackwater Railroad Company performs at Soldotna Creek Park as part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 5, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)
A painting by Charlotte Coots is part of “Making Her Mark,” the June show at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Women artists dive below the surface in new Kenai art show

“Making Her Mark” features the work of Charlotte Coots, Abbey Ulen and Shannon Olds.

A painting by Charlotte Coots is part of “Making Her Mark,” the June show at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios
Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, alongside Flounder, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, in “The Little Mermaid.”

‘Little Mermaid’ sings (mostly) the same tunes in remake

“The Little Mermaid” is in many ways indistinguishable from the version that debuted in 1989

Photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios
Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, alongside Flounder, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, in “The Little Mermaid.”
Encore Dance Academy students practice ahead of the 2023 Spring Recital at Encore Dance Academy in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Encore Dance Academy year-end show recognizes ‘legacy’ of local dance

The recital will feature ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz and contemporary

Encore Dance Academy students practice ahead of the 2023 Spring Recital at Encore Dance Academy in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image of Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra. (Photo courtesy Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra)

Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra returns to Peninsula for 9th tour

They will perform at the Kenai Senior Center, Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m.

Promotional image of Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra. (Photo courtesy Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra)
The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Orca kicks off kids summer movie series this month

This is the seventh year of “Kids Summer Fun”

The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image for "Nourishing the Kenai." (Photo courtesy Kenai Local Food Connection)

Local food doc to debut next week

Kenai Local Food Connection will next week host the first public screening of a new documentary, “Nourishing the Kenai.” The free showing will be held… Continue reading

Promotional image for "Nourishing the Kenai." (Photo courtesy Kenai Local Food Connection)
Image via Amazon.com

Off the Shelf: A glimpse inside ‘One Man’s Wilderness’

Richard Proenneke first visited Twin Lakes, located in the park on the west side of Cook Inlet, in 1962

Image via Amazon.com
Homer poet and Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference faculty member Erin Coughlin Hollowell, left, reads a passage that shows words can be understood even when the letters are garbled as 2018 keynote speaker Anthony Doerr watches. Doerr delivered the opening address at the start of the annual conference on June 5, 2018, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference returns May 13-16

The event will be held at Kachemak Bay Campus with readings at other venues in Homer

Homer poet and Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference faculty member Erin Coughlin Hollowell, left, reads a passage that shows words can be understood even when the letters are garbled as 2018 keynote speaker Anthony Doerr watches. Doerr delivered the opening address at the start of the annual conference on June 5, 2018, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Promotional image courtesy Marvel Studios
Rocket, an entirely computer generated character is performed onset by Sean Gunn and voiced by Bradley Cooper in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” Despite appearances, he’s the emotional center of the film.

On the Screen: 3rd ‘Guardians’ outing delivers emotional finale for space-faring family of misfits

I don’t like endings. I’m scared of the simple fact that everything must eventually conclude

Promotional image courtesy Marvel Studios
Rocket, an entirely computer generated character is performed onset by Sean Gunn and voiced by Bradley Cooper in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” Despite appearances, he’s the emotional center of the film.
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)