Life

A copy of Tom Kizzia’s “Cold Mountain Path” rests on a table on Thursday in Juneau. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Ghosts come alive in Kizzia’s ‘Cold Mountain Path’

From boomtown to abandoned, the town of McCarthy sets the stage for a compelling narrative

A copy of Tom Kizzia’s “Cold Mountain Path” rests on a table on Thursday in Juneau. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign points to the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Art Center accepting submissions for ‘Medieval Forest’

The deadline to submit art is Saturday at 5 p.m.

A sign points to the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
People identifying as Democrats and people identifying as Republicans sit face to face during a workshop put on by Braver Angels in this screenshot from “Braver Angels: Reuniting America.” (Screenshot courtesy Braver Angels)

KPC lecture series to feature film and discussion about connecting across political divide

“Braver Angels: Reuniting America” is a nonpartisan documentary about a workshop held in the aftermath of the 2016 election of Donald Trump

People identifying as Democrats and people identifying as Republicans sit face to face during a workshop put on by Braver Angels in this screenshot from “Braver Angels: Reuniting America.” (Screenshot courtesy Braver Angels)
Orion (Jacob Tremblay) and Dark (Paul Walter Hauser) in “Orion and the Dark.” (Promotional photo provided by Dreamworks Animation)

On the Screen: ‘Orion and the Dark’ is resonant, weird

Fear of the dark is natural, not some problem that Orion has to go on adventure to overcome

Orion (Jacob Tremblay) and Dark (Paul Walter Hauser) in “Orion and the Dark.” (Promotional photo provided by Dreamworks Animation)
Dancers rehearse a hula routine at Diamond Dance Project near Soldotna on Thursday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Moving into magic

Diamond Dance Project all-studio concert puts original spin on familiar stories

Dancers rehearse a hula routine at Diamond Dance Project near Soldotna on Thursday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Karl Schmidt readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula dart community experiences resurgence

13th Annual Cabin Fever Reliever Dart Tournament was hosted at the Elks Lodge in Kenai last weekend

Karl Schmidt readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of Jennifer Brice’s “Another North: Essays” rests on a desk inside the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 in Kenai, AK. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Meditations on middle age

“Another North” shares lifetime of experiences through personal narratives

A copy of Jennifer Brice’s “Another North: Essays” rests on a desk inside the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 in Kenai, AK. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sam Rockwell portrays Aidan and Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Elly Conway in “Argylle.” (Promotional photo courtesy Apple Original Films)

On the screen: Anticipated spy flick falls flat in unmemorable ‘Argylle’

Overlong and a little jumbled, the film fails to play to its own strengths

Sam Rockwell portrays Aidan and Bryce Dallas Howard portrays Elly Conway in “Argylle.” (Promotional photo courtesy Apple Original Films)
“Will it Work?,” by Chris Jenness, is included as part of the People’s Choice Judged Exhibition at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘People’s Choice’ show makes attendees the judges at Kenai Art Center

A voting box will be present at the center all month, with each person getting one vote

“Will it Work?,” by Chris Jenness, is included as part of the People’s Choice Judged Exhibition at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The 2022 lineup of John Damberg’s Latin Jazz Quintet stand for a photo in 2022. John Damberg plays marimba and vibes, Mark Manners plays classical guitar, Bob Andrews plays bass guitar and Eiden Pospisil plays drums. Laura Koenig, pictured here with a flute, will not be playing with the quintet this weekend — the group will instead feature Karl Pasch on clarinet. (Photo courtesy John Damberg)

Latin jazz swings into town

Anchorage quintet to bring ‘fun and accessible’ music to Soldotna

The 2022 lineup of John Damberg’s Latin Jazz Quintet stand for a photo in 2022. John Damberg plays marimba and vibes, Mark Manners plays classical guitar, Bob Andrews plays bass guitar and Eiden Pospisil plays drums. Laura Koenig, pictured here with a flute, will not be playing with the quintet this weekend — the group will instead feature Karl Pasch on clarinet. (Photo courtesy John Damberg)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion John Walsh, Rose Flanagan and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna.

KDLL hosts Irish music at Kenai Peninsula College

The annual Irish music performance has been staged on the peninsula by a trio of performers almost every year since 2018

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion John Walsh, Rose Flanagan and Pat Broaders perform during “An Evening of Traditional Irish Music” on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna.
Jaquel Spivey is Damian, Angourie Rice is Cady and Auli’i Cravalho is Janis in “Mean Girls.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)

On the screen: ‘Mean Girls’ is a special, musical, spectacle

The adaptation of the 2017 Broadway musical is a surprising early-year hit

Jaquel Spivey is Damian, Angourie Rice is Cady and Auli’i Cravalho is Janis in “Mean Girls.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)
Kassándra Feltman portrays Pandora and Heather Prisk portrays Cassandra during a rehearsal of “Greece is the Word: The Zeusical” at the Kenai Performers’ Theatre in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Zeusical’ brings Greek mythology, and souvlakis, to Kenai Performers’ stage

The recognizable names and iconic figures of Greek mythology are filling the Kenai Performers’ theater this month as the group prepares to put on “Greece… Continue reading

Kassándra Feltman portrays Pandora and Heather Prisk portrays Cassandra during a rehearsal of “Greece is the Word: The Zeusical” at the Kenai Performers’ Theatre in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Poster for 2nd Annual Indigenous Language Film Festival. (Provided by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Indigenous Education Progam)

KPBSD to host 2nd annual Indigenous Language Film Festival

Community submissions will be accepted until Feb. 16

Poster for 2nd Annual Indigenous Language Film Festival. (Provided by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Indigenous Education Progam)
The Kenai Fine Art Center is preparing for its first in-person gallery in July 2021. Photo taken on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Art Hive to debut Saturday

The Kenai Art Center will host the first session of the Kenai Peninsula Art Hive — a free session for creativity using donated art supplies… Continue reading

The Kenai Fine Art Center is preparing for its first in-person gallery in July 2021. Photo taken on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A donation box for used calendars is displayed at M&M Market in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (Photo courtesy Toni Loop)

Recycling for ‘a better day’

Nikiski resident turns used calendars into homemade greeting cards

A donation box for used calendars is displayed at M&M Market in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (Photo courtesy Toni Loop)
Barry Keoghan portrays Oliver Quick in “Saltburn.” (Promotional photo courtesy MGM Studios)

On the Screen: ‘Saltburn’ weird and fun, not as sharp as Fennell’s first outing

Since “Saltburn,” the second film by director Emerald Fennell, came to streaming last month, I’ve seen a lot of conversation about the film on social… Continue reading

Barry Keoghan portrays Oliver Quick in “Saltburn.” (Promotional photo courtesy MGM Studios)
A copy of Judy Johnson’s “Alaskan Pioneer Girl” rests in the snow on Sunday, December 24, 2023 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Small town girl weaves tales of home

Local memoir is an engaging window into what life on the central peninsula looked like in the second half of the 20th century

A copy of Judy Johnson’s “Alaskan Pioneer Girl” rests in the snow on Sunday, December 24, 2023 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Artwork by Lynne O’Connor set for exhibition in the Kenai Art Center’s January show, “Feels Like Home,” awaits hanging at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai on Dec. 22.

Kenai Art Center looks to 2024, wants to make more people into artists

The lineup includes open call shows, a fundraiser, artist features, an exhibition for tattoo artists and the annual mural show

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Artwork by Lynne O’Connor set for exhibition in the Kenai Art Center’s January show, “Feels Like Home,” awaits hanging at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai on Dec. 22.
The Kenai Fine Art Centery as seen on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Art Center accepting submissions for January show

“Feels Like Home” is set to open on Jan. 5, and will benefit the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition program

The Kenai Fine Art Centery as seen on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion file)