Best Bets
■ The Kenai Peninsula Fair is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik. Fair activities include live music, a rodeo, rides and attractions, vendors, and exhibits. For more information, visit http://www.kenaipeninsulafair.com.
■ Soldotna, AK August 15: The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank’s (KPFB’s) annual fundraiser, the Soup Supper and Auction will be held on Saturday, August 27th at Kenai Central High School beginning at 5:30 PM. (doors open at 5:00 PM to allow viewing of auction items) During the fundraiser, each ticket holder enjoys delicious soup and receives a hand thrown or wooden bowl by local potters and other artists. The soups are complemented with breads and desserts including a chocolate fountain. The fundraiser features a silent and live auction including wooden bowls, travel items, gift certificates for services and many other items. For up to date donations, please go to http://www.facebook.com/kpfoodbank?ref=hl. For Soup Supper tickets, please call 262-3111 or stop by the Food Bank at 33955 Community College Drive in Soldotna. Tables for 8 may be reserved by calling the Food Bank. Tickets are also available at Charlotte’s in Kenai and River City Books in Soldotna. Tickets are $50 each. Mark the date August 27th for the Annual Soup Supper & Auction!
Events and Exhibitions
■ “Keen on the Kenai,” an exhibition of artwork exploring the concept of what it means to live, work and play on the Kenai Peninsula, is on display at the Kenai Cultural and Visitors Center, on the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai.
■ An exhibition of work entitled “Artefact” by anthropologist and artist Brandi Kerley will be on display at the Kenai Fine Art Center for the month of August. “Aretfact” is an imaginative exploration of a resource nearly all Alaskans value and asks the questions, What would happen if we didn’t safeguard our resources? What if we were greedy? What could that look like? What is responsible management? There are no answers in this show. There will be a closing reception Aug. 25 from 6-8 p.m. with refreshments and a brief artist Q&A.
■ ARTspace Drawer is on display at the Soldotna Library, the first annual collection of locally created 2D art. The first of its kind in Alaska, this display is made possible by a partnership between Soldotna Rotary, ARTspace Inc., and the Soldotna Public Library.
■ “Decolonizing Alaska” exhibit opens at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer for the month of August. It showcases contemporary Alaskan art through the lens of colonization then and now. This exhibit challenges stereotypes and explores globalization and climate change.
■ The Peninsula Art Guild is calling for artists to donate one or two of their original artworks for the 2016 Harvest Art Exhibit and Auction on Sept. 24 at the Kenai Fine Art Center. Donating artists will be honored at a September First Thursday Artists Reception and will receive an optional 25 percent back of the high bid on their donation. Artworks will be displayed on social media for maximum exposure. Artists are asked to deliver their art donation to the art center by 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at 816 Cook Avenue in Old Town Kenai. Art center hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Call 262-7767 for more information.
■ Auditions for “The Show Can’t Go On — But It Must,” written and directed by Mike Druce, the Kenai Performers annual murder mystery dinner theater at the Kenai Senior Center, are at 6 p.m. Aug. 26 and 10 a.m. Aug. 27 in the Kenai Performers’ space behind Subway on Kalifornsky Beach Road. Performance dates are Oct. 14-15. For more information, call Donna Shirnberg at 398-4205 or visit kenaiperformers.org.
■ “Inspired By Books” is an exhibit comprised of 17 art quilts by 5 artists based on three books and will be on display the month of September at the Homer Council on the Arts building, 355 W. Pioneer in Homer. The Opening Reception will take place on First Friday, Sept. 2, 5-7 p.m. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m. and on second Saturday of each month.
Entertainment
■ Veronica’s in Old Town Kenai has Open Mic on Thursday at 6 p.m. live music at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Call 283-2725.
■ The Alaska Roadhouse hosts a Blind Draw Horseshoe Tournament every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.; Double Elimination and Blind Draw means anyone can win! All are welcome, call 262-9887 for more information.
■ A bluegrass jam takes place on the first Sunday of the month at from 1-4 p.m. at the Mount Redoubt Baptist Church on South Lovers Loop in Nikiski.
■ The Flats Bistro on Kalifornsky Beach Road has live music with Garrett Mayer on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Raymond Machen-Gray on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
■ An all acoustic jam takes place every Thursday. The jam is at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna on the first Thursday of the month, and at the Kenai Senior Center during the rest of the month. Jam starts at 6:30 p.m.
■ AmVets Post 4 has reopened in its brand new building on K-Beach across from Jumpin Junction. Eligible veterans and their families are invited to stop by to find out more about AmVets and their involvement in the Veteran community. For members and invited guests, Friday night dance to DJ Roy, and Saturday Burn your own steak and karaoke with Frank.
■ Odie’s Deli in Soldotna has live music Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Pub Quiz night every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
■ The Bow bar in Kenai has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays and live music Fridays, Saturdays at 10 p.m.
■ Hooligans Saloon in Soldotna has poker Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 p.m. and live music Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
■ The Duck Inn on Kalifornsky Beach Road has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and DJ Arisen on Saturdays.
■ Mykel’s in Soldotna has live music Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with Bob Ramponi and Dave Unruh.
Markets, fairs and bazaars
■ Farmers Fresh Market is open for the season. Find the market at the Kenai Peninsula Food bank every Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. until September. Local plant starts, flowers and produce and special events all summer long. A benefit for the Food Bank.
■ The Kenai Saturday Market is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays at the Kenai Visitors Center. Local vendors include: food, produce, clothing, gifts and much more. For more information, visit www.kenaichamber.org.
■ The Nikiski Senior Center at 55025 Lake Marie Ave. is hosting the Nikiski Friday Farmers/Flea Market on Aug. 26. Market is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with vendors, a variety of items for sale and hamburgers and hotdogs hot off the grill. On Aug. 26 there will be a bake sale. Space is still available call 776-7654 for information.
■ Annual Sterling Community Center Fall Craft and Vendor Fair sign up will begin on Sept. 12 for Sterling, Soldotna and Kenai and is open to all others on Sept. 26. $30 per 8×8 booth. Tables can be rented for $10 each. Forms are available at the Sterling Community Center. Fair is Oct. 15 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call the office at 907-262-7224 or email at scc@acsalaska.net.
Films
■ Call Orca Theaters at 262-7003 for listings and times.
■ Call Kambe Cinemas at 283-4554 for listings and times.
Down the Road
■ The Pratt Museum in Homer is open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.prattmuseum.org.
Submissions may be emailed to news@peninsulaclarion.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Mondays.
