Music

The 2022 lineup of John Damberg’s Latin Jazz Quintet stand for a photo in 2022. John Damberg plays marimba and vibes, Mark Manners plays classical guitar, Bob Andrews plays bass guitar and Eiden Pospisil plays drums. Laura Koenig, pictured here with a flute, will not be playing with the quintet this weekend — the group will instead feature Karl Pasch on clarinet. (Photo courtesy John Damberg)

Latin jazz swings into town

Anchorage quintet to bring ‘fun and accessible’ music to Soldotna

 

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion John Walsh, Rose Flanagan and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna.

KDLL hosts Irish music at Kenai Peninsula College

The annual Irish music performance has been staged on the peninsula by a trio of performers almost every year since 2018

 

Elena Corey and Jim Pate perform during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

An evening of books and song

Musicians give fireside serenades to librarygoers

 

Ben Mattox performs as part of BenJammin & The Jammin Band during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Jammin one last time

BenJammin and the Jammin Band play final show Saturday

Ben Mattox performs as part of BenJammin & The Jammin Band during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Blackwater Railroad Company’s Tyson Davis, Matt Faubion and Ben Sayers perform during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula responses sought for Alaska Music Census

The survey is anonymous, and will be open until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2

Blackwater Railroad Company’s Tyson Davis, Matt Faubion and Ben Sayers perform during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Scott Warner performs as part of Hot Mess at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Music Series nears the close of another ‘incredible’ year

As of Aug. 16, the Soldotna Music Series had drawn more than 15,700 attendees

Scott Warner performs as part of Hot Mess at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Local, national talent ready for Salmonfest

Represented among the talent are local acts like Blackwater Railroad Company, Medium Build and the Hope Social Club

Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Dirk Brankel performs as part of Gold Peak during the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rock’N the Ranch delivers promised energy

Ahead of the start of the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin, co-owner and organizer Ravin Swan said that the energy would… Continue reading

Dirk Brankel performs as part of Gold Peak during the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Danger Money plays at the Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin Music Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Rock’N the Ranch to bring ‘get up and dance’ bands to 2-day festival

Bands will again descend on Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch for the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin next weekend, July 7 and… Continue reading

Danger Money plays at the Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin Music Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Connie Brannock, part of Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk, performs during the Soldotna Music Series at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Grooving in the rain

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk and Wasabi Black bring energy to Soldotna stage

Connie Brannock, part of Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk, performs during the Soldotna Music Series at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (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)
Hundreds gather for the first week of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna music series kicks off with crowds, colors and sunshine

A color run took off ahead of performances by Blackwater Railroad Company and BenJammin The Jammin Band

Hundreds gather for the first week of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/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 Co. to open Soldotna Music Series with ‘dancin’ music’

The series kicks off June 7 at 6 p.m.

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)
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)
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)
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)
Silas Thibodeau and Dakota Wisnewski rehearse during a KCHS Marching Band practice on Aug. 18, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai bands debut with Halloween theme

“After nine weeks of practicing, they finally get their payoff.”

Silas Thibodeau and Dakota Wisnewski rehearse during a KCHS Marching Band practice on Aug. 18, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Daniel Firmin plays a two-song set during the Mountainside Open Mic & Art Night at The Rookery on Oct. 31, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Album review: You should hang out with ‘Buddies’

Equal parts tight EP and shaggy dog hangout album.

Daniel Firmin plays a two-song set during the Mountainside Open Mic & Art Night at The Rookery on Oct. 31, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Local pianist to join with rare singer for ‘emotional’ concert

Local pianist to join with rare singer for ‘emotional’ concert

Audiences will get the chance to hear something rare this weekend in Soldotna. Local musician Maria Allison is teaming up with Michigan singer Rehanna Thelwell… Continue reading

Local pianist to join with rare singer for ‘emotional’ concert
Musician Mika Day performs for market attendees at this year’s final Wednesday Market, on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna wins concert series grant

Soldotna’s Music in the Park will rock even more in 2019, thanks to a $25,000 matching grant. The city of Soldotna was one of 15… Continue reading

Musician Mika Day performs for market attendees at this year’s final Wednesday Market, on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)