Arts

The Seward Sleeper Sharks present during the 28th Annual Alaska Tsunami Bowl in the Seward High School Auditorium in Seward, Alaska, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo provided by Mica Van Buskirk)

Seward teams earn 2nd, 4th place at Alaska Tsunami Bowl

Seward students who competed this year were recognized Monday with a commending resolution by the Seward City Council.

 

The cast of Seward High School Theatre Collective’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” rehearse on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A jaunt into a fantastical world’

Seward theater collective returns for second weekend of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

 

The cover of Gary Titus and Clark Fair’s new book, “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.” (Photo courtesy of Clark Fair)

History of Kenai refuge cabins tackled in new book

The authors will discuss “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge” at Kenai Community Library this Friday.

 

Diamond Dance Project rehearses "Academy of Heroes" at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Everybody is a hero in their life’

Diamond Dance Project celebrates ‘Heroes’ at all-studio concert.

Diamond Dance Project rehearses "Academy of Heroes" at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Dancers rehearse Forever Dance’s 10th Anniversary Company Showcase, “Down Memory Lane,” at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Forever Dance comes full circle

The anniversary show will feature returning appearances from alumni and messages from former coaches.

Dancers rehearse Forever Dance’s 10th Anniversary Company Showcase, “Down Memory Lane,” at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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.

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

Ben Whishaw voices Paddington in "Paddington in Peru." (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)
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Off the shelf: Paradise versus privilege

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

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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.
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Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage

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

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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.
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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

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