Art Briefs – Oct. 21

Reviving the ‘Blues’ and ‘Hedwig’
Marjo Cardon, Kelly Jackman and Dmitri Kimbrell mix it up with blues, funk and rock ‘n’ roll at Kharacters on Friday night with “Mo Mo Blues.”  Stop in and enjoy the fun with these local favorites. On Saturday, Kharacters will present the “Camp Hedwig Revival Band,” following acclaimed performances of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at a variety of venues over the summer. Look for upright bass and vocals from a talented Atz Lee Kilcher, though there’s no indication whether dressing in drag will be the norm.

Kids love ‘Labou’
West Homer Elementary will host the movie, “Labou” as part of Family Film Night, this Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. at West Homer.
“Labou” (G), is an adventurous film that won Best Feature at the Tenth- Annual Brooklyn Academy of Music Kids Film Festival. This action/fantasy film with an animated little swamp critter known as Labou has captured audiences’ imagination around the globe. Three unlikely young friends search for a pirate ghost and his lost treasure in the Louisiana bayou, hoping to find the riches before two greedy oil moguls find it and destroy the bayou, and Labou’s home.
Sponsored by Kachemak Bay Girl Scouts, the cost of film night is three cans of food, with all proceeds going to the Homer Food Pantry
Bring the family and help restock the food pantry shelves before winter.
Concessions will be sold by WHE sixth-grade students.

Ducks Unlimited
Wasabi’s Restaurant will host a Ducks Unlimited banquet on Saturday, and reservations are required. For more information or reservations, call 226-3663.

Working on progress
Homer’s own “Work in Progress” will play The DownEast on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. Some may have caught this local combo of musicians on everything from fiddle to accordion to harmonica at the Homer Street Fair in August, but they are definitely not to be missed.

Drawing your life
Local artist Gaye Wolfe will lead a life drawing group that begins its weekly open format-no instruction classes on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m., starting Oct. 20 and running through March 30. Models are needed.
The class will meet at that Bunnell Street Arts Center, with a fee of $7 for members and $10 for walk-ins. For more information, contact Gaye at 235-7696.

The art of gardening
The Homer Garden Club will feature author Ellen Vande Visse who will talk about the highlights of her gardener’s guide: “Ask Mother Nature,” at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Best Western Bidarka Inn.
Vande Visse has been known to mysteriously brew compost tea for farmers and farmers’ markets, and consults on compost/compost tea and eco-agriculture growing systems. As a teacher, she has trained folks since 1987 on how to build living soil, compost successfully, and grow nutrient-dense vegetables, flowers, lawns, and herbs without poisons. Vande Visse gives instruction through her Good Earth Garden School, as well as credited courses through the University of Alaska, Mat-Su College, and the Alaska Pacific University, and in other geographies by invitation.

‘Ritzing’ the Fabulous ‘50s
Preview art and adventure packages that will be up for auction at the Pratt Museum’s annual Ritz fundraiser is on exhibit through Nov. 5. This year’s Ritz theme is the “Fabulous ‘50s,” so think Cary Grant. Think Audrey Hepburn. Think Cabaret. It will feature a live and silent auction on Nov. 7 that will showcase artwork and other items donated by artists, businesses and individuals throughout Alaska. All funds raised during the Ritz will help the Pratt Museum continue to increase the diversity and quality of its exhibits and programs, help individuals explore the science, art and cultures of the Kachemak Bay region and foster their lifelong curiosity.

Finding art in everything
The Back Room Gallery of Ptarmigan Arts is hosting a Recycled and Found Object Art Exhibit highlighting local artists and locally found and/or naturally created objects made into unique art. The type of art includes two-dimensional wall pieces, free-standing sculptures, hanging mobiles, jewelry and fiber/wearable art. Media includes wood/driftwood, seaweed/bull kelp, sea shells, beach rocks, glass floats, old bicycle parts, toilet lids, yard debris, fabric/clothes, vintage buttons and beads.
This is a two-month exhibit that runs through Nov. 4.