What's Happening

Best Bet

The Nikiski High School drama, debate and forensics team will present "Encore, Encore," performances of dramatic pieces they will perform at the state DDF meet in April at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Nikiski Middle-Senior High School. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Events and Exhibits

The Kenai Fine Arts Center has the Biennial Juried Exhibit on display through today. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 810 Cook Ave. in Old Town Kenai.

On display at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center is the third annual Kenai Quilt Exhibition, featuring work from area quilters; CANstruction sculptures that will be donated to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank and "Acrylics on Paper," a solo exhibit of abstract paintings by Nikiski artist Jim Evenson.

The Gary L. Freeburg Art Gallery at Kenai Peninsula College has a solo exhibition by Native Alaska artist Ron Senungetuk called "Bering Strait Images" on display. Senungetuk is a former art department chair at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who now lives in Homer.

Frames and Things in Soldotna has photographer Kevin Harding as its artist of the month. His work will be on display through April with a reception April 9.

Kaladi Brothers in Soldotna has Kenai Peninsula College students as its artists of the month, chess at 12:30 p.m. Saturdays and cribbage at noon Sundays.

The Kasilof Historical Society's cabin museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and has a resident carver at work those days, as well as historical displays. Area artists and craftspeople are invited to display their work at the cabin on weekends. The cabin is at Mile .5 of Kalifornsky Beach Road. Anyone interested in displaying artwork, donating historical items or more information may call 262-0822.

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 Collectibles, Donna's Country and Victorian Gifts, Frames and Things, Malfunction Junction Gifts, Northcountry Fair and Tammy's Flowers and Gifts in Soldotna; Beluga Lookout Gifts, Fireweed Herb Garden and Gifts, the Kenai Fine Arts Center 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. 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

Veronica's Old Town Cafe in Kenai has an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. today and live music by the Bob Ramponi Jazz Trio at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Sue Biggs and Jack Will at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Clam Shell Lodge in Clam Gulch has live music by Coho at 9 p.m. Friday.

Kenai Joe's has live music by Ten Cent Zen on Friday and Saturday.

Kaladi Brothers Coffee in Soldotna has live folk, blues, Hawaiian and classic rock acoustic music by Mike Morgan and Friends at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Big J and the M Brothers from Homer will perform from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday on the Local Expressions radio show on KWGJ, 91.5 FM in Kasilof.

The Rainbow Bar in Kenai has live music by The Mabrey Brothers at 10:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The VFW post in Soldotna has karaoke at 9 p.m. Fridays and bluegrass jam sessions at 7 p.m. Wednesdays for members and guests.

The Riverside House in Soldotna presents "After 10," a dance party, Friday and Saturday nights. A DJ plays favorite Top 40 dance music until 5 a.m.

AmVets Post No. 4 in the Red Diamond Center on Kalifornsky Beach Road has karaoke at 8 p.m. Saturdays.

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

Upcoming Events

Square dancing will be held at 7 p.m. Saturdays starting April 7 at the Ninilchik Senior Citizens Center. Lessons will be offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. starting April 21. The caller and instructor is Lenora Regeon. For more information, call (907) 567-1004 or 252-6420.

The Kenai River Folk Dancers will host a smoke- and alcohol-free community contra dance from 7 to 10 p.m. April 16 at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School. Live music will be provided by the Contra BanD. Beginners should come early, since the easiest dances start at 7 p.m. Participants should bring clean, nonmarking shoes and potluck snacks to share. Partners are not required. Admission is $5. Children under 16 can get in for free if accompanied by an adult. For more information, call Theresa Holland at 260-4171.

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.

Down the Road

The Fireweed Gallery in Homer has "Wrinkles — Baby Soft to Botox," a photographic journey through the ages by Homer photographer Christina Whiting, on display through today. Starting Friday "Bead and Fiber 2005," an annual exhibit of bead and fiber art by local and statewide artists, will be on display. The opening reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. The show runs through May 4.

"Woven Harmony," a collaborative residency by Rebecca and Robert Bluestone, tapestry artist and classical guitarist, is presented by the Homer Council on the Arts. An evening with the Bluestones event will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the council building. The cost is $25. Rebecca's tapestries will be on display at the council building through April 7 with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. There will be performances and discussions through the week with a final collaborative guitar and tapestry performance at 7 p.m. April 8 at the Mariner theater. The cost is $15 for general admission, $10 for members and $5 for youths.

Homer and Nikiski High School Drama, Debate and Forensics (DDF) teams will join together to present "Encore! Encore!" — a showcase of humorous and dramatic skits and persuasive and entertaining speeches performed by students at the Mariner Theater in Homer at 7 p.m. April 7. Admission is $5 adults and $3 students. This is a fund-raiser for Homer High DDF.

Homer and Nikiski High School debate teams will debate the topic of whether the Homer Service Area should secede from the Kenai Peninsula Borough and form its own local government at 6 p.m. April 8 at the Kachemak Bay East Campus of Kenai Peninsula College. Deland Anderson will lead a community conversation on the topic following the debate.

Anchorage events

The Anchorage Symphony will hold a Specialty Imports wine-tasting benefit tonight at the Hotel Captain Cook Discovery Ballroom. The event will include samples from more than 30 wineries, appetizers, music and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 and are available at the Brown Jug Liquor Warehouse on the Old Seward Highway and by calling the symphony office at (907) 274-8668.

The Anchorage Museum of History and Art has "The Blue Guitar: An Exhibition of Music in Art" in the children's gallery through May. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

To submit information, fax it to 283-3299 or send it by e-mail to news@peninsulaclarion.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. For more information, call Jenny Neyman at 283-7551.