2008 Arts and Entertainment in Review

• Homer arts held inspiration for 2008

Arts exhibits and entertainment in Homer launched new heights and insights in 2008.  Here are just a few of the many highlights.

Art of War
The year started off with the somber exhibit, “Art of War,” curated by Sona Arima at the Ptarmigan Arts Gallery, examining the emotionally devastating details of a war that doesn’t seem to end in Iraq. Another exhibit, “Alaska’s Tall Tales” by artist Michael Walsh at Bunnell Gallery, sounded a prophetic note on U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens’ rough year to come: Walsh featured the iconic statemen’s image on a rusted oil barrel.
 ”That’s just one of the many tall tales,” Walsh explained. “This state is riddled with them.”

Seldovia Chainsaw Art Challenge
Tall trees across Kachemak Bay played a part in an arts array that took a lighter look. ‘Twas a memorable year for the Seldovia Chain Saw Art challenge, (the mermaid statue opposite) celebrating life on Kachemak Bay in the graceful eye of  imagination. To prepare for the festival, Seldovians provide spruce killed logs for challengers.

Neighborly traditions
Tamamta Katulluta, a Native gathering with our Alaska neighbors, returned in its season courtesy of the Pratt Museum as a chance to eat, dance and take part in Alutiiq, Yup’ik and Athabascan traditions still very much alive.

Arts Performance Wall
Changes came also: this year a new look graced the Arts Performance Wall on Pioneer Avenue after a refurbishing effort by the wall’s original 1986 artist, Tom Reed.

Theatre treats
From the Jazzline to the Nutcracker Ballet, performance artists also left us with spirited entertainment and much to ponder. Round two of romantic humor at Pier One Theatre on the Spit opened to appreciative audiences in June with a production of the world’s longest running musical comedy, The Fantasticks. In a logical follow through for the theatre’s opening show, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, young lovers’ efforts to defy parental edicts held a  twist: parents tried to advance, not thwart, the romance. We were also given a different glimpse at “The Diary of Anne Frank” through a young set of actors stretching the powers of their craft.

Undaunting rain
The circus also came to town last summer, performing a Mother’s Day circus at Alice’s Champagne Palace. The Homer Council on the Arts brought back the Diminticato Family Circus for a Mother’s Day Cabaret. And no year would be complete without the KBBI Concert on the Lawn or dancing barefoot in the grass. That outdoor fest in an undaunting rain has to warm Homer and her visitors until next year’s Annual Shorebird Festival returns.