What’s Happening

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· Fairbanks photographer Jim Barker will be in Kenai and Soldotna to speak about his work photographing the Yupik people of southwestern Alaska and discuss his book, “Always Getting Ready.” He will speak at 6:30 p.m. Friday at River City Books in Soldotna and 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. For more information, call Natasha at 283-1991.

· Local kayaker Robert Ruffner will give a presentation on his kayaking adventure from Nellie Juan Lake to Prince William Sound at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Kenai River Center, Mile 1.6 of Funny River Road. The presentation will feature a talk, a slide show and refreshments. The event is free. For more information, call 260-4882.

Events and Exhibits

· Winners of the Arctic Winter Games “Release the Spirit Within” quilt art challenge are on display at the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska and the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center in Kenai and the Aspen Hotel, Robin Place Fabrics, Hutchings Chevrolet, the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Mykel’s Restaurant, Wells Fargo Bank and the Raven’s Roost in Soldotna. For a list of winners, see “Arts Briefs,” page C-2.

· Frames and Things in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna has doll designer Norma Daniels at 3 p.m. today, Alaska birch bark artist Regina McAbee at 3 p.m. Friday and painter Ed Tussey at 3 p.m. Saturday. Work from the artists will be on display through March.

· Art Works in Soldotna has “Fair Days,” an exhibit of photos from the Ninilchik State Fair by Kenai photographer Natasha Ala through March 26.

· The G.L. Freeburg Gallery at Kenai Peninsula College has “Arctic Dreaming,” an exhibition featuring the work of artists from Homer, Kenai, Soldotna and Anchorage who have lived in Alaska for at least 20 years.

· The Kenai Fine Arts Center in Kenai has the Peninsula Art Guild’s Biennial Judged Exhibit on display through March.

· Mykel’s Lounge has self-portrait photographs by former Kenai Alternative High School students paired with student writings through March. The portraits and writings come from students taught by photography instructor Kevin Harding.

· Kaladi Brothers Coffee Co. in Soldotna has work from Soldotna artist Rhon Lyons through March.

· The Kasilof Historical Society’s cabin museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays and has a resident carver at work those days, as well as historical displays. Area artists and crafters are invited to display their work at the cabin on weekends. The cabin is at Mile .5 of Kalifornsky Beach Road. For more information, call 262-0822.

· 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. The center is on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna and has educational displays and occasional interpretive programs. For more information, call 262-7021.

· The Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center at 11471 Kenai Spur Highway has “Arctic Winter Games,” an exhibit on the history of the Games, through April 15, as well as animal mounts, historic items, and Alaska Native artifacts. The center also will screen several Arctic-centered films through Sunday during the Kenai International Film Festival (see “Films” below). Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 283-1991.

· “What’s it Worth to Ya?” a slapstick detective spoof of “The Antiques Roadshow,” written and directed by Carla Jenness, will be performed today through Saturday at the Triumvirate Theatre in the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna. All shows are at 7 p.m. except closing night, Saturday, with a show time of 8:30. Tickets are $10 at the door and available at the Triumvirate Bookstore.

· The Kenai Performers will present “Adam and Eve Through the Ages,” a comedy about relationships at all ages and stages of life at 7 p.m. tonight at the Old Town Playhouse in Kenai. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale at Charlotte’s in Kenai and River City Books in Soldotna.

· The Moody Symphonic Band, conducted by David Gauger II of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kenai Central High School Auditorium in Kenai. The performance is free.

Entertainment

· AmVets Post No. 4 in the Red Diamond Center on Kalifornsky Beach Road has karaoke at 8 p.m. Saturdays and blind darts at 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

· George’s Casino in Kenai will host Alaska singer-songwriter Hobo Jim will perform at 9 p.m. each night through Sunday at 9. Hobo Jim wrote “Release the Spirit Within,” the theme song for the 2006 Arctic Winter Games. George’s also has a poker challenge at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays.

· Hooligan’s in Soldotna has an open jam session at 10 p.m. Thursdays and live music by Tuff E’nuff at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 150 Grit at 9 p.m. Monday.

· Kaladi Brothers Coffee in Soldotna has Mike Morgan at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

· The Maverick Saloon in Soldotna has karaoke at 9 p.m. Mondays.

· The Place Bar and Grill in North Kenai has karaoke at 9 p.m. Saturdays and poker at 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Sundays.

· The Rainbow Bar in Kenai has live music by the Mabrey Brothers from 10:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and a poker challenge at 6:30 p.m. Mondays.

· The Riverside House in Soldotna presents “After 10,” a dance party, Friday and Saturday nights. A DJ plays favorite Top 40 dance music.

· VFW Post No. 10046 in Soldotna has bluegrass jam sessions at 7 p.m. Wednesdays for members and guests.

· Veronica’s Cafe has an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and live music by the Bob Ramponi Jazz Trio at 6:30 p.m. Friday and The Blue Moon Revue with Sarah Glaves, JD Uponen, Whitey Diamond at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Upcoming events

· The Moody Symphonic Band, conducted by David Gauger II of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, will perform at 7 p.m. March 16 at the Soldotna Bible Chapel. The concert is free.

Films

· Call Orca Theaters at 262-7003 for weekly listings and show times.

· Call Kambe Cinemas at 283-4554 for weekly listings and show times.

· The Kenai International Film Festival will show the following films at no cost during the week of the Arctic Winter Games at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center: “To Play the Games,” a documentary on the Native Games, including footage from past Native Youth Olympics at 1 p.m. daily through Sunday. This film is suitable for all ages. “The Eskimo and the Whale,” about subsistence whaling in Northern Alaska, at 1:45 p.m. daily through Sunday. This film is suitable for all ages. “People of the Ice,” which examines climate change through the eyes of the Inuit people, at 3 p.m. daily through Sunday. This film is suitable for all ages. “Antanarjuat: The Fast Runner,” the epic film version of a Canadian Inuit folk tale, at 7 p.m. Sunday. This film is rated R. This film is suitable for those 12 and up. “Inuuvunga: I Am Inuk, I am Alive,” a film shot by eight high school students in Inukjuak, northern Quebec, at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This film is suitable for ages 13 and up.

Down the Road

· The Homer Council on the Arts gallery has “Squared2,” a series of mixed media works by Homer artist Heather Feaga, on display through March. The opening reception is at 5 p.m. Friday.

· The Trinity Irish Dancers will perform at 7 p.m. Monday at the Mariner Theater in Homer. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for members of the Homer Council on the Arts and $15 for youth and are available at the Homer Council on the Arts, Etude Studios and the Homer Bookstore. For more information, call (907) 235-4288.

· A My Word Against Yours Scrabble tournament will be held March 18 and 19 at the Land’s End Resort in Homer, hosted by the Friends of the Homer Library. There are several divisions, with prizes awarded in each. Admission is $10 per person. Advanced registration is required by March 10. To register or for more information, visit www.friendshomerlibrary.org or call (907) 235-9042.

· The Kachemak Bay Science Conference will take place March 24-26 at Homer High School, with a field trip to the newly renovated Kasits-na Bay Lab on March 26 in the afternoon and a presentation from keynote speaker Dave Rugh of the National Marine Mammals Lab at 7 p.m. March 25 among the events planned. For more information, call (907) 235-6667.

Anchorage events

· The Anchorage Museum of History and Art has “All-Alaska Juried XXXI,” a biennial exhibition for Alaska artists, through Sunday; a solo exhibition by Anchorage artist Susan Joy Share through March 12; and “Spot the Dog,” the annual children’s gallery exhibit, through May. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

· The Anchorage Symphony will present “Celebrating the Masters” at 8 p.m. March 18 at the Atwood Concert Hall in Anchorage. The program will include performances of Mozart’s work, as 2006 is the 250th anniversary of his birth. For ticket information, visit www.centertix.com or call (877) ARTS-TIX.

What’s Happening submissions can be e-mailed to news@peninsulaclarion.com, faxed to 283-3299 or dropped off at the Clarion’s Kenai office. The deadline s 5 p.m. Mondays. For more information, call 283-7551.