Arts

Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air." (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)

Shoes are the star in riveting ‘Air’

I don’t know much about basketball. I know less about Nike, and, to me, Jordan is mostly just the guy from “Space Jam.”

Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air." (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)
The Kenai Cinema on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Cinema announces discounted summer movie program

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, an animated children’s film and a “Harry Potter” film will be played at 10 a.m.

The Kenai Cinema on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk. (Photo provided by Seldovia Arts Council)

‘Unchained’ and drumming in Alaska

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk seeks to “extend joy through music” at Soldotna Creek Park

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk. (Photo provided by Seldovia Arts Council)
A copy of Tom Walker’s “The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey” is held in The Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Take a walk on the wolf side

“The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey,” is the latest book from Alaska writer and photographer Tom Walker

A copy of Tom Walker’s “The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey” is held in The Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gavin Hunt portrays Mufasa, Oshie Broussard portrays Rafiki and Charli Byrd portrays Sarabi during a rehearsal of “The Lion King Jr.” in the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Iconic’ characters roar to life

In ‘The Lion King,’ a familiar story sets the stage for local actors to seek new challenges

Gavin Hunt portrays Mufasa, Oshie Broussard portrays Rafiki and Charli Byrd portrays Sarabi during a rehearsal of “The Lion King Jr.” in the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Miles Morales, played by Shameik Moore, finds himself opposed by a legion of Spider-People in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ is somehow again groundbreaking

It’s unlike anything else in theaters. It shouldn’t be missed.

Miles Morales, played by Shameik Moore, finds himself opposed by a legion of Spider-People in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)
“A Thousand Cabbages and other poems” by Mary Mullen. Published by Hardscratch Press, 2023. (Promotional photo)

Taking a wider view

‘A Thousand Cabbages and other poems’ sweeps across time and distance in Mullen’s second outing

“A Thousand Cabbages and other poems” by Mary Mullen. Published by Hardscratch Press, 2023. (Promotional photo)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
A copy of H Warren’s “Binded” is held in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday.

Off the Shelf: Political resistance bound to the personal

“Binded,” a new poetry anthology by Alaska author, confronts nonbinary, rural existence

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
A copy of H Warren’s “Binded” is held in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday.
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)
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.”
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)
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)
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 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)