Life

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “The Great Alone” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday in Kenai.

Off the Shelf: ‘The Great Alone’ tells beautiful, tragic tale set on the Kenai Peninsula

Isolation, in all its forms, is a central theme of the book

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “The Great Alone” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday in Kenai.
Hayley Vest portrays Rat and Joe Spady portrays Mr. Toad in a rehearsal for Treefort Theatre’s “The Wind in the Willows” at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

New players on the scene

Treefort Theatre to debut with ‘The Wind in the Willows’ next weekend

Hayley Vest portrays Rat and Joe Spady portrays Mr. Toad in a rehearsal for Treefort Theatre’s “The Wind in the Willows” at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
April O'Neil, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael gather around a cell phone in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." (Photo courtesy Paramount)

On the Screen: ‘Turtles’ reboot a fun and fresh take on familiar story

The Turtles don’t exactly have a sterling reputation on the silver screen

April O'Neil, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael gather around a cell phone in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." (Photo courtesy Paramount)
A painting by Susan Watkins hangs at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, as part of “Up Close and Far Away — My View,” the center’s August exhibit. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska through the eyes of an artist

Kenai Art Center’s August show features the perspective of artist Susan Watkins

A painting by Susan Watkins hangs at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, as part of “Up Close and Far Away — My View,” the center’s August exhibit. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “Swallowed by the Great Land” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday in Kenai.

Off the Shelf: Kantner offers a slice of the Arctic way of life

Seth Kantner’s “Swallowed by the Great Land” shows a reverence for his community

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “Swallowed by the Great Land” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday in Kenai.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Silas Jones performs on the Inlet Stage at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Aug. 12, 2022, in Ninilchik.

Kenai Peninsula Fair to bring music, food, games to Ninilchik

The event will take place Friday, Aug. 11 to Sunday, Aug. 13

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Silas Jones performs on the Inlet Stage at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Aug. 12, 2022, in Ninilchik.
The plans for the Triumvirate Theater’s new building are seen in this undated image. (Courtesy of Joe Rizzo)

Newly announced Rasmuson grants target Triumvirate, Kenai Art Center

25 projects receiving funding from the foundation

The plans for the Triumvirate Theater’s new building are seen in this undated image. (Courtesy of Joe Rizzo)
Promotional material for both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” (Photos courtesy WarnerMedia and Universal Pictues)

On the Screen: ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ together spark excitement at the cinema

The double feature, despite or perhaps because of how silly it is, totally worked

Promotional material for both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” (Photos courtesy WarnerMedia and Universal Pictues)
Tatum Anderson rehearses “The Aristocats Kids” during a Triumvirate Theatre drama camp on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula Main Office in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Putting on ‘real theater’ in only 3 weeks

Triumvirate Theatre Youth Camp to stage “Aristocats”

Tatum Anderson rehearses “The Aristocats Kids” during a Triumvirate Theatre drama camp on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula Main Office in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Robin Williams as Walter Finch and Al Pacino as Will Dormer in “Insomnia.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)

On the Screen: Nolan disappoints in 2002’s ‘Insomnia’

In preparation of Nolan’s latest cinematic feat, “Oppenheimer,” some friends and I have been rewatching past films

Robin Williams as Walter Finch and Al Pacino as Will Dormer in “Insomnia.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)
Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Local, national talent ready for Salmonfest

Represented among the talent are local acts like Blackwater Railroad Company, Medium Build and the Hope Social Club

Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Dirk Brankel performs as part of Gold Peak during the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rock’N the Ranch delivers promised energy

Ahead of the start of the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin, co-owner and organizer Ravin Swan said that the energy would… Continue reading

Dirk Brankel performs as part of Gold Peak during the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
“Barnacle Bob’s Bottle with Cups,” by Shannon Olds, is seen as part of Clay on Display at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Art Center celebrates 50 years of Kenai Potters Guild

Since 1973, in a studio space adjacent to the Kenai Art Center, members of the Kenai Potters Guild have gathered to throw clay, to fire… Continue reading

“Barnacle Bob’s Bottle with Cups,” by Shannon Olds, is seen as part of Clay on Display at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of Charlie Stephens' "Passion Over Pain" rests in grass on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: ‘Passion’ begets fulfillment in personal story by local author

When I talked to retired teacher and local author Charlie Stephens about his book, “Passion Over Pain,” in early May, he said he wanted it… Continue reading

A copy of Charlie Stephens' "Passion Over Pain" rests in grass on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart and Chloë Grace Moretz’s Nimona peer through the window of a subway car at a contingent of knights waiting to arrest them in “Nimona.” (Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Nimona’ challenges rigid systems, celebrates individuality

In a futuristic fantasy setting, two unlikely allies are forced together — a heroic knight framed for murder and a shape-shifting child looking for revenge… Continue reading

Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart and Chloë Grace Moretz’s Nimona peer through the window of a subway car at a contingent of knights waiting to arrest them in “Nimona.” (Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures)
Danger Money plays at the Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin Music Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Rock’N the Ranch to bring ‘get up and dance’ bands to 2-day festival

Bands will again descend on Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch for the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin next weekend, July 7 and… Continue reading

Danger Money plays at the Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin Music Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Connie Brannock, part of Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk, performs during the Soldotna Music Series at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Grooving in the rain

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk and Wasabi Black bring energy to Soldotna stage

Connie Brannock, part of Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk, performs during the Soldotna Music Series at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air." (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)

Shoes are the star in riveting ‘Air’

I don’t know much about basketball. I know less about Nike, and, to me, Jordan is mostly just the guy from “Space Jam.”

Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air." (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)
The Kenai Cinema on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Cinema announces discounted summer movie program

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, an animated children’s film and a “Harry Potter” film will be played at 10 a.m.

The Kenai Cinema on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk. (Photo provided by Seldovia Arts Council)

‘Unchained’ and drumming in Alaska

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk seeks to “extend joy through music” at Soldotna Creek Park

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk. (Photo provided by Seldovia Arts Council)