Arts

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.

 

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.”

 

Individual Artist Awards logo. Photo courtesy of the Rasmuson Foundation

Rasmuson Foundation accepting applications for Individual Artist Awards

Project Awards are for short-term projects that clearly benefit the artist and their development.

Individual Artist Awards logo. Photo courtesy of the Rasmuson Foundation
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 Seward Sleeper Sharks present during the 28th Annual Alaska Tsunami Bowl in the Seward High School Auditorium in Seward, Alaska, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo provided by Mica Van Buskirk)

Seward teams earn 2nd, 4th place at Alaska Tsunami Bowl

Seward students who competed this year were recognized Monday with a commending resolution by the Seward City Council.

The Seward Sleeper Sharks present during the 28th Annual Alaska Tsunami Bowl in the Seward High School Auditorium in Seward, Alaska, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo provided by Mica Van Buskirk)
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)
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)
Ben Whishaw voices Paddington in "Paddington in Peru." (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)

Paddington returns with Peruvian quest

The film follows Paddington’s “Indiana Jones”-style adventure to find the lost city of El Dorado.

Ben Whishaw voices Paddington in "Paddington in Peru." (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)
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Off the shelf: Paradise versus privilege

“The Garden Against Time” is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2025 Lit Lineup.

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Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi jazz band and swing choir fundraiser concert set for Feb. 11

The show will feature SoHi’s jazz band, swing choir, “several vocal soloists” and a variety of cheesecakes.

Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Classical guitar and flute set for Saturday concert

The “evening of mastery and elegance” is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.

The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
John Walsh, Jannell Canerday and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Irish music livens Kenai Peninsula College stage

Seats were filled on Friday for a free — but sold out — “Evening of Traditional Irish Music,” an annual concert hosted both as part… Continue reading

John Walsh, Jannell Canerday and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of “The Ghost of the Kenai” stands on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: A haunting close to home

New novel tells human story brought to life by ghosts and Russian colonizers.

A copy of “The Ghost of the Kenai” stands on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Timothée Chalamet is Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” (Promotional photo courtesy Searchlight Pictures)

On the Screen: A known ‘Unknown’

Dylan biopic lets the lyrics do the talking

Timothée Chalamet is Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” (Promotional photo courtesy Searchlight Pictures)
Photo by Christina Whiting
Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.

A new Lit Lineup

Homer Public Library’s annual Lit Lineup encourages year-round reading.

Photo by Christina Whiting
Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.