Best Bets
■ The Awards Reception for the PEEPS Kids Art and Photo Exhibit, a Kenai Birding Festival event, will take place at 7 p.m., Friday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center in Kenai. Marion Nelson and Brandi Kerley judged the art exhibit featuring 62 artworks and have selected 20 artworks to receive recognition at the reception. Following the awards, a presentation from the Anchorage Bird Treatment and Learning Center will take place, featuring a live snowy owl.
■ Bonnie Hunter, a nationally known Quilt instructor will present a “Trunk Show” of her many creations. She will share her methods for using scraps effectively. The presentation will be Friday at 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. There will be no charge All interested community members are invited to attend.
Events and Exhibits
■ “A Three Way Stop!” with work from artists artists MP King and Connie and Jay Goltz is on display at the Kaladi Bros. Coffee Shop on Kobuk in Soldotna.
■ All are invited to attend a Bluegrass session at the Kenai United Methodist Church from 1:00 pm to 4:00 p.m. on May 17. This free session is open to musicians and listeners. Access is gained through the side door of the church off the parking lot. For more information call Jim at 776-8060.
■ There will be a Salvage Art Exhibit at th Kenai River Festival June 12-14. Repurpose and Recycle materials into sculptures, containers or accessories. Group projects are welcomed. Registration is June 12 from 3-6 p.m. at Soldotna Creek Park. This event is co-sponsored by ReGroup and the Kenai Fine Art Center. For more information contact 252-2773
■ The Sterling Senior Center presents “Hobo Jim in Concert” at 7 p.m. May 17. Hobo Jim is a folk signer and Alaska’s balladeer; his songs focus on Alaska life. Tickets are $15 per person; complimentary food and a no-host bar. Tickets are available at the Sterling Senior Center. Call 262-6808.
■ An art show sponsored by Friends of the Soldotna Library hanging in the Soldotna Library with the theme of “Wildflowers” is on display through June 1. Please stop by and drink in the richness of the art. If anyone is interested in purchasing any of the art pieces, the Friends receive a 20 percent commission which is used for library program support. The librarians have contact information for the artists.
■ Kenai River Council on the Arts and The Peninsula Art Guild are inviting artists to apply for month long Exhibitions in Calendar Years 2016 and 2017 at the Kenai Fine Arts Center in Old Town Kenai. Artists applying for solo, shared or group shows, please provide the following:
— Up to 12 labeled images (digital, slide, and or print) representative of recent work, with 3-D artists providing additional views of art works as needed.
— A separate image sheet, including title of piece, media, dimensions and when the piece was made.
— A proposal for your show (could include floor plan if needed). If you have a theme you are aiming for, this would be the place for that.
— A one-page Artist Statement.
Submit entries by mailing to: Peninsula Art Guild/Kenai River Arts Council, P.O. Box 703, Kenai, AK 99611; by email to ourkfac@gmail.com; or drop off at the Kenai Fine Arts Center, 816 Cook Avenue, Old Town Kenai.
■ The Alaska SeaLife Center, 301 Railway Avenue in Seward, is hosting a Summer of Sharks. Headlining the season is the Buzz Saw Sharks of Long Ago exhibit on loan from the Idaho Museum of Natural History in collaboration with artist Ray Troll. Areas around the aquarium are now transformed into the Paleozoic marine world of the humongous, whorl-toothed shark the Helicoprion via fossils, sculptures and artwork. This prehistoric giant is the world’s only animal – past or present – with a complete 360-degree spiral of teeth. Imagine a fearsome behemoth equipped with a circular blade of teeth and strong jaws that researchers believe crimped and cut its prey. The Buzz Saw Shark roamed the Permian Seas more than 270 million years ago. Detailed artwork from Troll include a 17.5-foot-long by 8-foot-high mural of sharks, as well as 21 individual pieces. Children and adults alike will enjoy a humorous documentary film about the artist as they sit on a whorl-patterned “art couch,” activate the whorl tooth mechanism.
Entertainment
■ The Corner Cafe in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna has open mic night for all writers, storytellers and poets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m.
■ 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.
■ Veronica’s Cafe in old town Kenai has open mic from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, and live music Saturday at 6:30 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 is open to all military veterans and their families for support and camaraderie. Join us for Friday night tacos, or Saturday night steaks with Karaoke. Sunday afternoon its super hamburgers. Not a member? Stop by and we can show you how to become a part of this special veteran’s organization. AMVETS is located in the Red Diamond Center next door to IDEA Schools.
■ Sharpen your dart skills with a fun tournament every Sunday during the season at the AmVets in the Red Diamond Center. The number of players will determine the game. Sign up begins at 1 p.m. For more information call 262-3540.
■ 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 Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. with Robb Justice, and Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with Bob Ramponi and Dave Unruh.
■ The Duck Inn will have live music from 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday with Robb Justice and Trio.
■ The Pinochle Club, formerly from Kasilof, plays at Hooligans Bar & Restaurant in Soldotna Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Questions? Call Jay Vienup at 907-252-6397.
■ The Soldotna library hosts a board game night on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in the conference rooms, 235 N. Binkley Street. It’s time to get your game on! Have you ever wanted to try something other than another round of Monopoly, or to break out of that old Scrabble routine? Come ready to meet new people, engage your imagination, and have a great time.
Markets, fairs and bazaars
■ Solstice Music Festival at the Diamond M Ranch will be June 20 and is being sponsored by Justin “Boot” Rousseau, Carrol Martin’s nephew. His group has traveled nation-wide and has performed in several states, including New York, Texas, and California. Local musicians, circus acts, vendors, and sound providers are invited to participate in the festival. There is also a possibility of a Sunday Gospel Music Festival sponsored by The Diamond M Ranch. For more information contact JoAnne Martin at 907-252-8162. For full information and an application contact Boot at bootsbisonranch@gmail.com.
■ The North Peninsula Recreation Service Area is accepting vendor applications for the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun event on June 20. The deadline to apply is May 29. For more information call 776-8800.
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 Tuesday-Sunday from noon to 5 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.
