Only feet from the Soldotna Public Library’s fireplace, and against a backdrop of passing cars, a selection of local musicians played music to a small group of engaged listeners — and a couple of people with noses firmly lodged in books — on Thursday.

Elena Corey and Jim Pate opened up the evening, dubbed “Music by the Fire,” together playing guitars while Corey sang. They performed recognizable Christmas songs like “Frosty the Snowman” or “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “for the kids,” Corey said. Adults and children joined in the singing, or just bobbed their heads along.

Corey, between verses, interacted often with the gathered listeners. While singing “White Christmas,” she remarked, “we’ve certainly got that here.”

After they completed their prepared set, Corey and Pate took requests, figuring out the music and key for songs like “Good King Wenceslas.”

After Corey and Pate departed, taking their guitars with them, the next two artists played the library’s piano. Justin Ruffridge played Holiday-flavored jazz piano and was followed by Hannah and Josiah Burton. Josiah played the piano while Hannah sang along. They branched away from holiday-themed offerings, playing a variety of songs including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The later hours of the event were scheduled to be covered by Sue Biggs and Jack Will — the schedule says they were bringing friends — and Mi’shell French and Jane Parrish of the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, who were bringing the sounds of flute and bassoon to the library.

Throughout the afternoon, listeners came and went, families and children sitting for a while before returning to the stacks in search of a good book. While Ruffridge played, his son Ellison returned from a successful expedition with a book tucked under his arm, giving a big thumbs-up to his father before taking a seat to break into his finding.

One attendee sat right next to the fire and listened along while taking a big chunk out of a Clive Cussler novel. It was the art and ambiance, filling the entire library far beyond the seats by the fire, that library staff thanked each of the performers for providing.

For more information about the Soldotna Public Library and their programming, find “Soldotna Library” on Facebook or visit soldotna.org/library.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Justin Ruffridge performs during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Hannah and Josiah Burton perform during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)