Best Bets
■ The Kenai Fine Art Center in Old Town Kenai, is hosting two gallery openings. “On Longevity” by Sandra Sterling, is an exhibition discussing how frail elders are sometimes overlooked because of their seclusion, pride or by health reasons. This show addresses what we as a community can do to give a hand to those who need us. The “Art Quilts Extraordinaire Exhibit,” is a collection of original fiber work with three layers sewn or otherwise attached. Both openings are today from 6 to 8 p.m. The Kenai Fine Art Center is at 816 Cook Avenue in Old Town Kenai. All galleries are open daily from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, manned by volunteer artist participation. Call 907-283-7040 for further information.
■ An opening reception for Keen on Kenai will be held today at 6 p.m. at the Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center, 11471 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai. The exhibition explores the concept of what it means to live, work and play on the Kenai Peninsula. Enjoy light snacks while getting the opportunity to meet with these wonderful local artists and vote on your favorite piece and see who takes home the coveted Fan Favorite Award.
■ Listen to Alaska writer Frank Soos talk about great writers who live right here in the Great Land on June 7 at 5 p.m. at the Ninilchik Library, 15850 Sterling Highway in Ninilchik. Soos has published two volumes of short stories, “Early Yet” and “Unified Field Theory” as well as one collection of essays, “Bamboo Fly Rod Suite.” “Unified Field Theory” was awarded the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. He is co-editor with Kes Woodward of the anthology “Under Northern Lights: Writers and Artists View the Alaskan Land-cape.” A collaborative work, “Double Moon: Constructions and Conversations,” combines his mini-essays with the work of his wife the artist Margo Klass. His book of essays, “Unpleasantries,” has just been released. For more information, call 907-567-3333.
Events and Exhibitions
■ The Kenai Watershed Forum’s 26th annual Kenai River Festival is June 10, 11 and 12 in Soldotna Creek Park! This is a free, fun, educational and inspirational festival to celebrate the lifeblood of the Peninsula — the Kenai River! Come and enjoy the Festival Kids Zone, Rock for the River Concert, Run for the River, a local beer garden and 50-plus Alaskan food and art vendors! Find out more at: http://kenaiwatershed.org/community-outreach/kenai-river-festival/ or by calling 260-5449.
■ A call for artists to submit up to two expressive, distinctive, original quilted wall hangings, up to 9-square-feet, for the June, 2016 Art Quilts Extraordinaire Exhibit in Gallery Too at the Kenai Fine Arts Center, 816 Cook Ave. in Old Town Kenai. Kits or traditional patterns would not fit into the concept of this exhibit. Submissions are due by 4 p.m. May 28 to the Kenai Fine Arts Center. Art center hours are noon-5 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday. An artists reception will be 6-8 p.m. June 2.
■ The Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center hosts an exploration of “Traditional and Contemporary Ravenstail Weavings” by artist Kay Field Parker.
■ 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.
■ Registration for the upcoming 15th Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference is open. Sponsored by the Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College for teachers, writers, students and general public, the highly-acclaimed 2016 Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference will be held June 10-14 at Land’s End Resort in Homer. This year’s keynote presenter will feature 2012-2014 U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize finalist Natasha Trethewey. Conference presenters include 17 award-winning, nationally-recognized authors, editors and agents who will conduct creative writing workshops, readings, craft talks and panel presentations in creative fiction, nonfiction, poetry and the business of writing. A special post-conference writing workshop will be held across Kachemak Bay at Tutka Bay Lodge for conference registrants. A Youth Workshop for high school students on graphic novels will held June 10. Advanced registration is required. For program and registration information see: http://writersconference.homer.alaska.edu.
■ The 15th annual Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival will be held from June 16-19 in Seldovia. Headliners performing Friday and Saturday evenings are flautist Tomoka Raften with classical guitarist Armin Abdihodžic, and the Nervis Rex band from Anchorage. Other performers include: Food for the Soul, Dan Pascucci, Amy Lou Hettinger, Jeni and Mark Davis, Betsy Scott, The Grandmother Drum, Dirty Hands, Brian Slover, Bonnie Nichols and Jimmy Kimball, Andrea Pearson, Robert Pepper, and Glen Simpson. Events include Open Mic night Thursday, performers busking around Seldovia Friday, workshops Saturday afternoon, evening performances Friday and Saturday. The “En Plein Air” event for visiting artists will also happen over weekend. Tickets: $49 for adults for the entire weekend, teens $16, children under 12 Free. For more information: 907-399-7379, Facebook at Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival or at seldoviamusicfestival.info.
Entertainment
■ The Vagabond Inn on Kalifornsky Beach Road has live music with Hot Mess Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. Saturday is a smoke-free show.
■ The Music in the Park series continues June 8 with Kelsey Shields and Robb Justice at 6 p.m. at Soldotna Creek Park.
■ 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 opens for the season on June 7 at 3 p.m. 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.
Films
■ Call Orca Theaters at 262-7003 for listings and times.
■ Call Kambe Cinemas at 283-4554 for listings and times.
■ 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.
