Arts

The cast of the Kenai Performers’ production of “The Mousetrap” rehearse at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Performers set murderous ‘Mousetrap’

The longest-running stageplay in history, the English whodunit challenges audience to unravel the plot.

 

Ben Whishaw voices Paddington in "Paddington in Peru." (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)

Paddington returns with Peruvian quest

The film follows Paddington’s “Indiana Jones”-style adventure to find the lost city of El Dorado.

 

tease

Off the shelf: Paradise versus privilege

“The Garden Against Time” is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2025 Lit Lineup.

 

Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi jazz band and swing choir fundraiser concert set for Feb. 11

The show will feature SoHi’s jazz band, swing choir, “several vocal soloists” and a variety of cheesecakes.

Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Classical guitar and flute set for Saturday concert

The “evening of mastery and elegance” is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.

The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
John Walsh, Jannell Canerday and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Irish music livens Kenai Peninsula College stage

Seats were filled on Friday for a free — but sold out — “Evening of Traditional Irish Music,” an annual concert hosted both as part… Continue reading

John Walsh, Jannell Canerday and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of “The Ghost of the Kenai” stands on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: A haunting close to home

New novel tells human story brought to life by ghosts and Russian colonizers.

A copy of “The Ghost of the Kenai” stands on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Timothée Chalamet is Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” (Promotional photo courtesy Searchlight Pictures)

On the Screen: A known ‘Unknown’

Dylan biopic lets the lyrics do the talking

Timothée Chalamet is Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” (Promotional photo courtesy Searchlight Pictures)
Photo by Christina Whiting Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.

A new Lit Lineup

Homer Public Library’s annual Lit Lineup encourages year-round reading.

Photo by Christina Whiting Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Off the Shelf: ‘Anxious Generation’ underserves conversations about cellphones

The book has been cited in recent school board discussions over cellphone policies.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
tease

Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage

“The Kingdom of Sweets” is available at the Homer Public Library

tease
Henry Dera, of Crooked Creek Birch, chats with shoppers at the 33rd Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

Holiday craft fairs bring seasonal cheer, locally made gift options

The bazaar had a variety of vendors displaying their wares, including hot sauces, quilts, furs, soaps and more

Henry Dera, of Crooked Creek Birch, chats with shoppers at the 33rd Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image courtesy Amazon MGM Studios Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, J. K. Simmons as Santa Claus, Chris Evans as Jack O’Malley and Lucy Liu as Zoe Harlow in “Red One.”

On the Screen: ‘Red One’ is light on holiday spirit

The goofy, superhero-flavored take on a Christmas flick, feels out of time

Promotional image courtesy Amazon MGM Studios Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, J. K. Simmons as Santa Claus, Chris Evans as Jack O’Malley and Lucy Liu as Zoe Harlow in “Red One.”
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A gingerbread house constructed by Aurelia, 6, is displayed in the Kenai Chamber of Commerce’s 12th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday.

The house that sugar built

Kenai Chamber of Commerce hosts 12th Annual Gingerbread House Contest

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A gingerbread house constructed by Aurelia, 6, is displayed in the Kenai Chamber of Commerce’s 12th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday.
tease

Off the shelf: Speculative novel holds promise of respite

“A Psalm for the Wild-Built” is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2024 Lit Lineup

tease
The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Clue” rehearse at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward’s ‘Clue’ brings comedy, commentary to stage

The show premiered last weekend, but will play three more times, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-17

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Clue” rehearse at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The cast of “Annie” rehearse at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Central hits the big stage with ‘Annie’

The production features actors from Kenai Central and Kenai Middle School

The cast of “Annie” rehearse at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
tease

Off the shelf: Memoir ponders life’s un-expectations

‘The Crane Wife’ is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2024 Lit Lineup

tease
The cast of Intuition Salon’s shadow cast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” rehearse in Kenai on Monday.

‘Rocky Horror’ returns

Local actors to perform live during late-night screenings of classic film

The cast of Intuition Salon’s shadow cast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” rehearse in Kenai on Monday.
One frightening figure peers out from a doll house in the Haunted Chamber at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Haunted Chamber reopens, offers free frights

The free community event started Friday and will run through Halloween

One frightening figure peers out from a doll house in the Haunted Chamber at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)