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)
A copy of Tom Walker’s “The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey” is held in The Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Take a walk on the wolf side

“The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey,” is the latest book from Alaska writer and photographer Tom Walker

A copy of Tom Walker’s “The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey” is held in The Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gavin Hunt portrays Mufasa, Oshie Broussard portrays Rafiki and Charli Byrd portrays Sarabi during a rehearsal of “The Lion King Jr.” in the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Iconic’ characters roar to life

In ‘The Lion King,’ a familiar story sets the stage for local actors to seek new challenges

Gavin Hunt portrays Mufasa, Oshie Broussard portrays Rafiki and Charli Byrd portrays Sarabi during a rehearsal of “The Lion King Jr.” in the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Miles Morales, played by Shameik Moore, finds himself opposed by a legion of Spider-People in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ is somehow again groundbreaking

It’s unlike anything else in theaters. It shouldn’t be missed.

Miles Morales, played by Shameik Moore, finds himself opposed by a legion of Spider-People in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)
Hundreds gather for the first week of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna music series kicks off with crowds, colors and sunshine

A color run took off ahead of performances by Blackwater Railroad Company and BenJammin The Jammin Band

Hundreds gather for the first week of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
“A Thousand Cabbages and other poems” by Mary Mullen. Published by Hardscratch Press, 2023. (Promotional photo)

Taking a wider view

‘A Thousand Cabbages and other poems’ sweeps across time and distance in Mullen’s second outing

“A Thousand Cabbages and other poems” by Mary Mullen. Published by Hardscratch Press, 2023. (Promotional photo)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
A copy of H Warren’s “Binded” is held in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday.

Off the Shelf: Political resistance bound to the personal

“Binded,” a new poetry anthology by Alaska author, confronts nonbinary, rural existence

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
A copy of H Warren’s “Binded” is held in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday.
People gather in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022 for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Blues, brass, Cajun and local acts to perform at ‘eclectic’ Ninilchik festival

Salmonfest headliners include Old Crow Medicine Show, Sierra Ferrell, Leftover Salmon, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Jackie Venson, The Burroughs and the High Hawks

People gather in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022 for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Blackwater Railroad Company performs at Soldotna Creek Park as part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 5, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)
Blackwater Railroad Company performs at Soldotna Creek Park as part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 5, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)
A painting by Charlotte Coots is part of “Making Her Mark,” the June show at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Women artists dive below the surface in new Kenai art show

“Making Her Mark” features the work of Charlotte Coots, Abbey Ulen and Shannon Olds.

A painting by Charlotte Coots is part of “Making Her Mark,” the June show at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios
Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, alongside Flounder, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, in “The Little Mermaid.”

‘Little Mermaid’ sings (mostly) the same tunes in remake

“The Little Mermaid” is in many ways indistinguishable from the version that debuted in 1989

Photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios
Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, alongside Flounder, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, in “The Little Mermaid.”
Encore Dance Academy students practice ahead of the 2023 Spring Recital at Encore Dance Academy in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Encore Dance Academy year-end show recognizes ‘legacy’ of local dance

The recital will feature ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz and contemporary

Encore Dance Academy students practice ahead of the 2023 Spring Recital at Encore Dance Academy in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image of Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra. (Photo courtesy Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra)

Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra returns to Peninsula for 9th tour

They will perform at the Kenai Senior Center, Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m.

Promotional image of Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra. (Photo courtesy Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra)
The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Orca kicks off kids summer movie series this month

This is the seventh year of “Kids Summer Fun”

The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image for "Nourishing the Kenai." (Photo courtesy Kenai Local Food Connection)

Local food doc to debut next week

Kenai Local Food Connection will next week host the first public screening of a new documentary, “Nourishing the Kenai.” The free showing will be held… Continue reading

Promotional image for "Nourishing the Kenai." (Photo courtesy Kenai Local Food Connection)
Image via Amazon.com

Off the Shelf: A glimpse inside ‘One Man’s Wilderness’

Richard Proenneke first visited Twin Lakes, located in the park on the west side of Cook Inlet, in 1962

Image via Amazon.com
Homer poet and Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference faculty member Erin Coughlin Hollowell, left, reads a passage that shows words can be understood even when the letters are garbled as 2018 keynote speaker Anthony Doerr watches. Doerr delivered the opening address at the start of the annual conference on June 5, 2018, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference returns May 13-16

The event will be held at Kachemak Bay Campus with readings at other venues in Homer

Homer poet and Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference faculty member Erin Coughlin Hollowell, left, reads a passage that shows words can be understood even when the letters are garbled as 2018 keynote speaker Anthony Doerr watches. Doerr delivered the opening address at the start of the annual conference on June 5, 2018, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)