Best Bet
■ The Kenai Fine Art Center in Old Town Kenai, invites you to two gallery openings in June. “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. Also next month is the “Art Quilts Extraordinaire Exhibit” – a collection of original fiber work with three layers sewn or otherwise attached. Both openings will be June 2 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.
Events and Exhibitions
■ The Kenai Fine Art Center in Old Town Kenai, invites you to two gallery openings in June. “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. Also next month is the “Art Quilts Extraordinaire Exhibit” – a collection of original fiber work with three layers sewn or otherwise attached. Both openings will be June 2 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.
■ Kaladi’s Coffee on Kobuk in Soldotna features a collection entitled “Revisited” by local artist Melinda Rosin Hershberger for the month of May.
■ Kaladi’s Coffee on the Sterling Highway next to the Peninsula Center Mall features a collection of Alaska wildlife by Two Loons Photography until the end of May.
■ 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.
■ Central Peninsula Hospital is extending a “Call for Artists” to Alaskan artists to submit examples of their work for possible purchase or commission, to enrich the healing environment of the River Tower Specialty Clinics Building. Artist applications will be handled through an online application process at the project website: www.cphcallforartists.com. Refer to the website for complete information on the application process. Completed applications must be submitted on or before May 23.
■ 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: writersconference.homer.alaska.edu.
Entertainment
■ Veronica’s in Old Town Kenai has 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.
■ The Soldotna library hosts a board game night on Tuesdays from 5-7:45 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.
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.