The plans for the Triumvirate Theater’s new building are seen in this mockup. (Courtesy of Joe Rizzo)
The plans for the Triumvirate Theater’s new building are seen in this mockup. (Courtesy of Joe Rizzo)
A copy of Samanta Schweblin’s “Fever Dream” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Horror novella rethinks presentation of environmental disasters

“Fever Dream” begs the question of what is the most effective way to communicate the implications of environmental harm

A copy of Samanta Schweblin’s “Fever Dream” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sculpture of a guitarist is made entirely from kitchen utensils, standing on a plinth at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in preparation for the debut of the 32nd Annual Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Visual Feast. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sculpture of a guitarist is made entirely from kitchen utensils, standing on a plinth at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in preparation for the debut of the 32nd Annual Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Visual Feast. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
John Messick’s “Compass Lines” is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula College Bookstore in Soldotna, Alaska on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Messick reflects on path forward in ‘Compass Lines’

“Compass Lines,” a new book by John Messick, a local writer and Assistant Professor of Writing at Kenai Peninsula College, is something he describes as… Continue reading

John Messick’s “Compass Lines” is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula College Bookstore in Soldotna, Alaska on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Keanu Reeves portrays John Wick in "John Wick: Chapter 4." (Photo courtesy Lionsgate)

On the Screen: ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ goes out on top

In the showstopping, approximately 40-minute long, third-act action sequence of “John Wick: Chapter 4,” star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski prove — for the… Continue reading

Keanu Reeves portrays John Wick in "John Wick: Chapter 4." (Photo courtesy Lionsgate)
Forever Dance performers rehearse “Storytellers” on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Storytellers’ weave tales with their feet

Dance and literature intersect in latest Forever Dance showcase

Forever Dance performers rehearse “Storytellers” on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image via the Performing Arts Society
Promotional image via the Performing Arts Society
The author holds a copy of Greta Thunberg’s, “No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference,” inside the Peninsula Clarion building on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Thunberg speeches pack a punch

“No One Is Too Small to Make A Difference” is a compilation of 16 essays given by the climate activist

The author holds a copy of Greta Thunberg’s, “No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference,” inside the Peninsula Clarion building on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The members of Sankofa Dance Theater Alaska perform for a crowd of students during an opening performance at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, March 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Uniting through movement

Kaleidoscope students learn about western African dances and music with in-residence artists

The members of Sankofa Dance Theater Alaska perform for a crowd of students during an opening performance at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, March 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel in “The Last of Us.” (Photo courtesy HBO)

On the Screen: ‘The Last of Us’ perfectly adapts a masterpiece

HBO unquestionably knew they had a hit on their hands

Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel in “The Last of Us.” (Photo courtesy HBO)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion 
A copy of Marie Aubert’s “Grown Ups” sits on a desk in The Peninsula Clarion building on Wednesday in Kenai.

Off the Shelf: Good for her

Marie Aubert’s “Grown Ups” caught my attention with a flashy cover and a review from Independent Ireland on the cover

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion 
A copy of Marie Aubert’s “Grown Ups” sits on a desk in The Peninsula Clarion building on Wednesday in Kenai.
Kenai Peninsula Writers’ Contest logo (Homer Council on the Arts/courtesy)
Kenai Peninsula Writers’ Contest logo (Homer Council on the Arts/courtesy)
Soldotna Elementary students check out with their books on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Building ‘personal libraries’

Soldotna Elementary students take home reading from River City Books

Soldotna Elementary students check out with their books on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A painting of a small bird with a steely gaze is seen hanging on Feb. 28, 2023, at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, part of “Bird Call,” the center’s March show. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘All things Avian’ showcased at Kenai Art Center

The exhibition features paintings of birds, photos of birds and sculptures of birds

A painting of a small bird with a steely gaze is seen hanging on Feb. 28, 2023, at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, part of “Bird Call,” the center’s March show. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Keri Russell’s Sari hides from the Cocaine Bear in “Cocaine Bear.” (Photo courtesy Universal Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Cocaine Bear’ is a simple, but fun, slasher

The film transforms the titular bear into something like an ‘80s slasher villain

Keri Russell’s Sari hides from the Cocaine Bear in “Cocaine Bear.” (Photo courtesy Universal Pictures)
Recognizable components make up this metal face seen in a sculpture by Jacob Nabholz Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Kenai Art Center, in Kenai, Alaska, as part of Metalwork & Play. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Metalwork gets time to shine

Metal is on showcase this month at the Kenai Art Center

Recognizable components make up this metal face seen in a sculpture by Jacob Nabholz Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Kenai Art Center, in Kenai, Alaska, as part of Metalwork & Play. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Josiah Burton portrays Chad during a rehersal of “Disaster!” on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Kenai Performers’ Theater in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Disaster!’ strikes the stage

This weekend and next, the Kenai Performers are putting on “Disaster!” — a 1970s inspired musical featuring disco hits and homages to classic disaster cinema.… Continue reading

Josiah Burton portrays Chad during a rehersal of “Disaster!” on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Kenai Performers’ Theater in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Andrew (Ben Aldridge), Wen (Kristen Cui), Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Leonard (Dave Bautista) in Knock at the Cabin, directed by M. Night Shyamalan. (Photo courtesy Universal Pictures)

On the Screen: Knock at the Cabin is middling, disappointing

I’m still chasing the high of 2016’s “Split,” but unfortunately, sometimes I get served an “Old”

From left: Andrew (Ben Aldridge), Wen (Kristen Cui), Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Leonard (Dave Bautista) in Knock at the Cabin, directed by M. Night Shyamalan. (Photo courtesy Universal Pictures)
A copy of “The Race Beat: the Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion office on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: The civil rights movement as told by journalists

The book is an extensive look at how coverage of the American civil rights movement changed public opinion

A copy of “The Race Beat: the Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion office on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School Band at a rehearsal on Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School Band at a rehearsal on Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)