What's Happening
Best Bets
The Kenai Peninsula College Multicultural Consortium and KPC Showcase program will present Irish music by the traditional Irish folk trio of Johnny Connoly, Tom Creegan and Aidan Brennan at 7 p.m. Friday in the KPC commons. The concert is free.
The Performing Arts Society presents the Sitka Summer Music Festival musicians on their winter tour at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. The concert features Peter Rejto, cello; Nicole Divall, viola; Doris Stevenson, piano; and Paul Rosenthal, violin. The festival was founded in 1972 by Rosenthal and has continued to present outstanding chamber music in Sitka, Anchorage and throughout the state. This year's selection includes a Bach suite for cello and piano, a piano trio by Shostakovich and a piano quartet by Faure. Tickets are $12 for youths and $15 general admission and are available at River City Books and Northcountry Fair in Soldotna and Alaska Gift and Gallery and Already Read Books in Kenai. There will be a reception following the concert.
Events and Exhibits
The Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center has the Kenai Quilt Exhibition on display until March 8 and "Mystery in a Common Place," a photography exhibit by Jayne Marie Jones. There will be a First Thursday opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. today for both shows. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
The Kenai Peninsula College Art Gallery has the statewide photography show "Rarefied Light" on display through Friday. On Monday, the gallery will display "Dysfunctional Ware," a ceramics show by Libby Berezin through March 7. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a Winter Fun Day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the visitor center in Soldotna. Activities include family winter crafts and a guided snowshoe walk. A presentation about pioneer life in Alaska will be given in the Andrew Berg Cabin. All activities and hot spiced cider will be provided free of charge. Participants should wear warm clothes and boots for outdoor activities. For more information, call the refuge at 262-7021.
The Homer Council on the Arts presents a performance of the Jazzline Dancers, a troupe of nine Homer dancers, at 7 p.m. Saturday at Soldotna High School. The performance will include a variety of music and dance styles including lyrical, funk and Broadway. The group is led by choreographer Jocelyn Shiro-Westphal, who danced professionally with Jazz Dancers Inc. of Los Angeles before moving to Homer, where she teaches dance to adults and children. The performance is a benefit for the Homer Council on the Arts. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for Homer Council on the Arts members, $8 for children under 18 and are available at River City Books in Soldotna. For more information or to purchase tickets using a credit card, call the Homer Council on the Arts at (907) 235-4288.
The Kenai River Council on the Arts will display a multi-media Ward's Cove exhibit at the Kenai Fine Arts Center during the month of February. Artists include Celia Anderson, Mark Anderson, Jim Evenson, Thor Evenson, Sara Glaves, Marty Hapeman and Bill Heath. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kaladi Brothers in Soldotna has Rhonda Newman and Ben Parker as its artists of the month and hosts a chess club every Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Artwork by Kenai Peninsula artists can be viewed and purchased at the following area businesses: Art Works, Birch Tree Gallery, Claudette's Folk Art and Collectables, Donna's Country and Victorian Gifts, Frames and Things, Malfunction Junction Gifts, Northcountry Fair and Tammy's Flowers and Gifts in Soldotna, Alaskan Gift and Gallery, Fireweed Herb Garden and Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center in Kenai and Peninsula Furs Inc. in Sterling.
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Information Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are many scenic hiking trails, including the Kenai River trail, which begin near the center. The center is on Ski Hill Road near the intersection of the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road in Soldotna. For more information, call 262-7021.
Entertainment
Buster's Coffee House in Kenai presents an open mic night hosted by Karen Strash from 7 to 10 p.m. today and acoustic guitarist Bill Larned from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday.
The Vagabond Inn on Kalifornsky beach Road presents music by Ten Cent Zen at 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Kaladi Brothers in Soldotna presents music by Fearless Leader from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
The Rainbow Bar in Kenai presents music by The Mabrey Brothers at 10:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The Katmai in Kenai presents western dance lessons from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, karaoke with Sherri from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and music by the Danglin' Wrangler from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturdays.
The Riverside House in Soldotna presents "After 10," a dance party, Friday and Saturday nights. DJ Ian will play favorite Top 40 dance music until 5 a.m.
Upcoming Events
The Kenai Performers present its musical production "The Wiz" Feb. 14, 15, 20, 12, 22 and 23 at Renee C. Henderson Auditorium at Kenai Central High School. Matinee performances will be at 3 p.m. Feb. 22 and 23. All other performances are at 7 p.m. Tickets for evening shows is $12 for general admission and $10 for children up to age 18 and seniors. Tickets for matinee shows is $12 for general admission, $8 for seniors and $5 for kids up to age 18. Tickets on opening night and Feb. 20 will be $8 for all tickets. Tickets are available at River City books, Sweeny's Clothing, The Music Box, Coffee Roasters, the Kenai Merit Inn, Halcyon Spalon, Alaskan Gift and Gallery and Charlotte's.
The Kenai River Folk Dancers will host smoke and alcohol free community contra dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 15 at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School. Participants should bring clean, non-marking shoes and potluck refreshments. A partner and experience are not required. There will be easy to learn circles, squares, contras and waltzes. Live music will be provided by the Contra BanD. Admission is $5 for adults and admission for children under 16 is free if accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 260-4171.
The Kenai Peninsula College Showcase presents "Flutes in February," a recital featuring flutist Jane Sandstrom at 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at KPC. A reception will follow. Sandstrom is a member of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and the Fairbanks flutists, and will be accompanied on piano by Maria Allison.
Films
Call Orca at 262-7003 for weekly listings and show times.
Call Kambe Cinemas at 283-4554 for weekly listings and show times.
Down the Road
The Pratt Museum has Robert Ketchum's photography exhibit, "Arctic" on display.
The Fireweed Art Gallery's exhibit area is open to artists who would like to show a few pieces of work through February. The deadline for display is ongoing.
There will be a Murder Mystery Weekend Feb. 28 through March 2 at the Land's End Resort in Homer, presented by the resort, Murder Mystery Weekend, Inc., and the Friends of the Homer Library. Participants will receive lodging, dining and an opportunity to sleuth through the hotel to find the culprit of a fictitious murder to have taken place in the hotel that weekend. Participants can be suspected of the supposed crime and will have to prove their innocence. For more information, call (800) 478-0400 or visit www.endofthespit.com/edeal.htm.
Anchorage Events
The Anchorage Concert Association presents a performance by the Pilobolus Dance Theater and St. Lawrence String Quartet on Friday and Saturday in the Atwood Concert Hall. On March 1, the Bang on a Can All Stars with Meredith Monk will perform in the Atwood Concert Hall. On March 5 through 9, "Cabaret" will be performed in the Atwood Concert Hall. Tickets for these events are available at all CarrsTix locations, the box office at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, online at www.tickets.com, or by calling 1-800-478-SEAT. Information on discounts for students and groups of 10 or more is available by calling (907) 272-1471.
The Alaska Theatre of Youth presents "The Three Little Pigs," by William Goldsmith on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The show is fast-paced, one hour long and suitable for all ages. In his retelling of this classic tale -- told from the wolf's perspective -- Goldsmith translates the story into an all-new context, where the characters come to life and houses are blown down with the help of the audience members. Show times are 7 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $6 general admission and can be purchased at the door, or by calling (907) 338-4901.
The Anchorage Symphony presents its February classical concert at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Atwood Concert Hall at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai will be featured and Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 6" (Pathetique) will be performed. Tickets are $19 to $38 and are available at all CarrsTix locations, the box office at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, online at www.tickets.com, or by calling 1-800-478-SEAT. There will be a free preconcert lecture at 7 p.m. with Susan Wingrove, ASO education consultant, and a free Lunch and Learn program from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Z.J. Loussac Library Public Conference Room with ASO's Maestro Randall Craig Fleischer.
If you have an event to include in our Thursday InSide section, send the information, in writing, to "What's Happening," c/o the Peninsula Clarion, Box 3009, Kenai, AK 99611, fax the information to 283-3299 or send it via e-mail to clarion@alaska.net.
The deadline for information is Monday at 5 p.m. For more information, call 283-7551.