Life

A promotional poster for the first event in the Winter Film Series. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Film Group)

Movie buffs to debut local film series

This first entry is centered on short films

A promotional poster for the first event in the Winter Film Series. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Film Group)
Josiah Burton and Jaylee Webster rehearse "Something Rotten" on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School productions bring SpongeBob SquarePants, Sherlock Holmes to the stage

Nikiski and Soldotna drama programs prepare for April productions

Josiah Burton and Jaylee Webster rehearse "Something Rotten" on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” stands on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion office on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Coffee shop time travelers leave reader cold

“Before the Coffee Gets Cold” is the debut novel of author and playwright Toshikazu Kawaguchi

A copy of “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” stands on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion office on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion Diane Dunn sits, surrounded by 2,000 journals she made and painted by hand, on Tuesday, ahead of the opening of “2000 Journals: Filling the Void” at the Kenai Art Center.

‘2000 Journals’ convey more than words in new art show

The show will also feature a performance and audience participation element

Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion Diane Dunn sits, surrounded by 2,000 journals she made and painted by hand, on Tuesday, ahead of the opening of “2000 Journals: Filling the Void” at the Kenai Art Center.
Photo Courtesy Netflix The cast of Glass Onion are seen in this promotional image. Daniel Craig, center, returns as Benoit Blanc, joined by Kathryn Hahn, Janelle Monáe, Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Jessica Henwick. and Madelyn Cline.

On the Screen: ‘Glass Onion’ is a ton of fun

Come for the mystery, stay for the romps

Photo Courtesy Netflix The cast of Glass Onion are seen in this promotional image. Daniel Craig, center, returns as Benoit Blanc, joined by Kathryn Hahn, Janelle Monáe, Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Jessica Henwick. and Madelyn Cline.
Jon Boehmler grinds the floors at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, as part of a flooring renovation on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

New year, new floor, new shows

Kenai Art Center to open two exhibitions next week alongside debut of renovated floor

Jon Boehmler grinds the floors at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, as part of a flooring renovation on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Image via amazon.com

Off the Shelf: ‘Nature First’ and the simple life

The book is a collection of 25 essays about friluftsliv

Image via amazon.com
Photo Courtesy DreamWorks Animation ”Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” features a more stylized look than any other DreamWorks film, and comes alive in stunning action sequences.

On the screen: ‘Puss in Boots’ exceeds expectations

All told, a sequel to 2011’s “Puss in Boots” simply didn’t have to go this hard

Photo Courtesy DreamWorks Animation ”Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” features a more stylized look than any other DreamWorks film, and comes alive in stunning action sequences.
A copy of “The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family,” is photographed on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Slapstick comedy meets academic survey in novel ‘The Netanyahus’

While the work is presented as — largely — a work of fiction, there are elements of truth

A copy of “The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family,” is photographed on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Handmade ceramics are on display at the Kenai Potters Guild on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai potters to hold annual holiday sale

The annual Christmas sale is one of two big sales held by the Potters Guild annually

Handmade ceramics are on display at the Kenai Potters Guild on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
The artists who created the Mother exhibit pose for a group photo on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer. From left to right are Myesha Callahan Freet, Lily Wooshkindein Da.Aat Hope, Brianna Allen, Amy Meissner, Somer Hahm, Amy Komar and Carla Kilnker Cope. (Photo by Adele Person.)

Motherhood on display

Artists collaborate on exhibit exploring the challenges of being mothers and makers

The artists who created the Mother exhibit pose for a group photo on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer. From left to right are Myesha Callahan Freet, Lily Wooshkindein Da.Aat Hope, Brianna Allen, Amy Meissner, Somer Hahm, Amy Komar and Carla Kilnker Cope. (Photo by Adele Person.)
Bradford James Jackson and Iver Mitchell portray Rockwell and Rockie Kent in “A Dreamer’s Search.” (Photo courtesy Eric Downs/Downstream Films)

An aspiring filmmaker no more

Kenai resident to premiere short film in Anchorage International Film Festival

Bradford James Jackson and Iver Mitchell portray Rockwell and Rockie Kent in “A Dreamer’s Search.” (Photo courtesy Eric Downs/Downstream Films)
Hip-Hop students practice their routines for Forever Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Forever Dance in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Forever Dance rings in the holidays with variety show

The show serves as a fun holiday tradition and an opportunity to get on stage early in the season

Hip-Hop students practice their routines for Forever Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Forever Dance in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Image courtesy 20th Century Ralph Fiennes is Chef Julien Slowik and Anya Taylor-Joy is Margot in “The Menu”

On the Screen: ‘The Menu’ serves up fun twists and earnest commentary

I was plenty interested in the film I saw in the trailers, but the one I saw at the theater was so much more

Image courtesy 20th Century Ralph Fiennes is Chef Julien Slowik and Anya Taylor-Joy is Margot in “The Menu”
David Hartman, of David Hartman Signs, is seen with his product on display ahead of the Kenai Arts & Crafts Fair during early set up at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Crafts for everyone: Fair returns with an array of offerings

Kenai Arts Crafts Fair back for 44th year

David Hartman, of David Hartman Signs, is seen with his product on display ahead of the Kenai Arts & Crafts Fair during early set up at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Letitia Wright as Shuri in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Image courtesy Marvel Studios)

On the Screen: ‘Wakanda Forever’ picks up the pieces

“Black Panther” sequel grapples with grief and hope after franchise loses its star

Letitia Wright as Shuri in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Image courtesy Marvel Studios)
Attendees of the opening reception for the Mural 2022 Exhibition view this year’s mural at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Group project

Community artists work together to create Kenai Art Center mural

Attendees of the opening reception for the Mural 2022 Exhibition view this year’s mural at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Audra Calloway directs the Soldotna High School Choir in a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Putting the band back together

SoHi band and choir rebuild after several years of interruptions

Audra Calloway directs the Soldotna High School Choir in a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The cast of “Something Rotten” rehearse on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A ‘Rotten’ performance

Musical comedy “Something Rotten” takes aim at Shakespeare and theater in new SoHi production

The cast of “Something Rotten” rehearse on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Carla Klinker Cope, far left, and Nadia Jackinski-Sethi, center, co-curators of thethe Pratt Museum & Park's show "Salmon Culture: Kachemak Bay Connections," discuss the show in a talk on Friday, Nov. 3, 2022, at the museum. (Photo by Christina Whiting)

Pratt exhibits celebrate salmon

Art exhibits show how salmon connect us to one another and to place

Carla Klinker Cope, far left, and Nadia Jackinski-Sethi, center, co-curators of thethe Pratt Museum & Park's show "Salmon Culture: Kachemak Bay Connections," discuss the show in a talk on Friday, Nov. 3, 2022, at the museum. (Photo by Christina Whiting)