Arts and entertainment week of Feb. 11

Events:

Ongoing

• Art Works in Soldotna has photography by Joe Kashi and Rachel Lee on display through February.
• The Funky Monkey in Kenai has artwork by Laura Faeo on display through February.
• The Gary L. Freeburg Gallery at Kenai Peninsula College will have “Leader of the Pack,” an exhibition of paintings by New York artist al baio, on display through March 4, with an opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Baio won the Boit Award for painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
• Kaladi Brothers on Kobuk Street in Soldotna has artwork by Timothy S. Dahl on display through February.
• Kaladi Brothers on the Sterling Highway in Soldotna has artwork by Scott and Renee Davis through February.
• The Kenai Fine Arts Center in Old Town Kenai has “Portraits of Flowers in Felt, Watercolor and Digital Photography,” artwork by Clayton and Juanita Hillhouse, on display through February.
• The Soldotna Senior Center is looking for artists to display their work in the center's lobby. Shows are one month long. Artwork must hang on the walls. Call Mary Lane at 262-8839. The artist of the month in February is Melinda Hershberger.

Thursday

• The Sitka Summer Music Festival musicians will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students, available at the door and Northcountry Fair, River City Books and Sweeney's in Soldotna, and Already Read Books and the Funky Monkey in Kenai.

Friday

• A high school dance and activity night, including a DJ, karaoke, Halo 3 competitions and unlimited laser tag, will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight at Hawks Games in Soldotna. Call 260-9750 for more information.
• The Kenai River Brown Bears play Wenatchee at 7:30 p.m. at the Soldotna Sports Center.

Saturday (aka Valentine’s Day)

• Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna will hold a winter family fun day with a yo-yo fur sewing craft at 10 and 11 a.m., Native dance instruction from noon to 12:30 p.m. and a one-hour guided family snowshoe walk. The craft and snowshoe walk require registration and space is limited. Contact Michelle Ostrowski at Michelle_ ostrowski@fws.gov or 260-2839.
• Hooligan’s in Soldotna will have speed dating at 7 p.m. Singles talk one on one for five minutes, then everybody rotates.
• Peninsula Artists in Motion’s annual Winter Ball fundraiser will be at 7 p.m. at the Kenai Senior Center. It’s a black tie optional event with a catered menu, ballroom dancing with live music by Rob Ramponi's Alaska Swing Co., wine tasting by Bear Creek Winery of Homer, beer tasting by Kassik's Brewery and a silent auction. Contact Katrina Carpenter at peninsulaartistsinmotion@hotmail.com or 283-3140.
• A free showing of the movie “Fireproof” will be held at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Kenai. Open to the public.
• The Kenai River Brown Bears play Wenatchee at 7:30 p.m. at the Soldotna Sports Center.

Coming up

• Rosie Reeder will lead a class on how to start a book group from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Soldotna Public Library.
• Kenai Performers will present the musical classic "Oliver!" at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium at Kenai Central High School Feb. 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and March 1. Show times are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors, available at Charlotte's and Already Read Books in Kenai, Sweeney's and River City Books in Soldotna, and at the door.
• Kenai Community Library will hold a wire wrap bracelet or necklace class from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 21 for ages 12 and up. Cost is $12.50. Preregistration is required. Contact Julie at 283-4378 or jniederhauser@ci.kenai.ak.us.
• Kenai Community Library will show the Shirley Temple film “Heidi” at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the conference room. It’s free and open to the public.
• Kenai Community Library will hold a tea tasting workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 for ages 18 and older. Participants will sample different blends from the four categories of tea: black, white, oolong and green. The workshop will culminate with a tea party.
• Central Peninsula Hospital is seeking artwork in a variety of mediums to display in its new addition. Artists in Southcentral Alaska are invited to apply. The deadline for submissions is March 9. For information about the program, contact Leah Goodwin with Aesthetics, Inc. at 619-683-7500, or Goodwin@aesthetics.net, or visit http://kenaiphotography.com/CallForArtists.htm.
• Kenai Peninsula College’s Kenai River Campus is requesting proposals from artists interested in creating work to be placed in its new Riverview Commons by 5 p.m. March 13. The installation will be complete by Aug. 17. Proposals must include a conceptual sketch including notes, up to 10 slides of past work, a resume and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Submit proposals to Phillip Miller, Kenai Peninsula College, Facilities and Maintenance, 156 College Road, Soldotna, Alaska 99669. Miller can be reached at 262-0325 for more information.

Nightlife:

DJ

Friday and Saturday nights at The Riverside.

Live music

• Hooligan’s Saloon in Soldotna has open mic night Thursday and music by 9-Spine on Friday and Saturday nights.
• The Maverick in Soldotna has the Free Beer Band on Sundays.
• Moosequito’s in Sterling has live music Saturday night.
• The Place in Nikiski has bluegrass by Them Other Shuckers on Friday nights through February.
• The Rainbow Bar in Kenai has live music by Tuff-e-Nuff at 10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
• Veronica’s in Kenai has open mic night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and music by Scott Merry from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Karaoke

• 9 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Duck Inn on Kalifornsky Beach Road.
• 9 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the .406 in Kenai.
• 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Hooligan’s in Soldotna.
• 9 p.m. Friday at J-Bar-B outside Soldotna.
• 9:30 p.m. Monday at the Maverick in Soldotna.

Events

• The J-Bar-B has a cash drawing at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays. Patrons get one ticket each day they’re at the bar. Must be present to win.
• Hooligan's in Soldotna has Texas Hold ’Em poker at 5 and 8 p.m. Tuesdays and free pool Thursdays.
• The Maverick in Soldotna has a pool tournament at 8 p.m. Fridays.
• Moosequito’s in Sterling has darts on Tuesdays.