Edith Parsons will hold a winter set of pottery classes starting the week of Jan. 20. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Students may also use the studio on weekends for practice time. The class will include wheel-throwing, glazing techniques and other elements of pottery creation. For more information, call Parsons at 235-0660.

Music coming strong

Downward Dog Productions will present three shows in February, starting with the return of the Danny Godinez Band on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 9:30 p.m. at Alice's Champagne Palace. The concert is a benefit for the Homer Skateboard Association and skateboard movies will be shown before the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at Solstice Music, The Bookstore and Alice's Champagne Palace.

On Feb. 13, winner of the International Bluegrass Association's Entertainer of the year and Male Vocalist of the Year Tim O'Brien will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Alice's Champagne Palace. Tickets are $20 regular admission, $18 for KBBI members and are available at the regular outlets. On Feb. 28, Chris Smither returns to Homer with his veteran blues sound for an 8 p.m. show at Alice's Champagne Palace. Tickets are $18 regular admission, $16 for KBBI members. For more information on these shows, call 235-1921.

Call for poets

The Alaska State Council on the Arts is requesting published poets to submit a poem for the GCI National Poetry Month insert. The insert goes into each GCI bill sent throughout the state in April, reaching more than 100,000 people. Poems must be a maximum of 12 lines. For guidelines, call sandy_gillespie@eed.state.ak.us or call 269-6605.

CafE coming

Homer's annual community-wide talent show, the World CafE, is scheduled for March 8 this year, and performers can pick up audition forms now at the Homer Council on the Arts office. Auditions will be held Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Mariner Theatre. Call Dorle Scholz at 235-3697 for more information.

Photo group to meet

Anyone interested in photography is invited to an organizational meeting for a new Kachemak Bay Photography Association, to be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Homer City Council chambers. The meeting will include a discussion of the prospects for a local group, in hopes of creating a forum for local photographers to gather for guest lectures, swap meets, and other activities. Local photographer Don Pitcher will present a talk on going digital. For more information, call 235-2646 or e-mail don@donpitcher.com.

Yaki to play

As part of the Winter Recital Series, a fund-raiser for the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, guitarist Matt Yaki will perform Sunday at 2 p.m. at the residence of Michael and Kathy Pate. Tickets for the event are $25 and are available, along with directions, at the Etude Studio or by calling 235-7579.

Films returning

After Christmas vacation, the Kachemak Bay Campus Student Association's Foreign Film Festival returns Friday with a Russian and Japanese film titled "Dersu Uzala." The story chronicles the friendship between a Russian surveyor and an elderly Siberian hunter he hires as a guide. It includes "stunning cinematography and subtle-yet-powerful performances," according to reviews. Admission is free, and donations are graciously accepted. Show times are 6 and 8 p.m.

Marimba class coming

Michael Breez, of the Rufaro School of Marimba and primary teacher for Homer's marimba bands, will be returning to Homer and offering an adult beginner's marimba workshop for the community at large. The workshop is set for Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Pratt Museum. Participants will learn to play the music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe on wooden marimbas. Cost is $25 per person. Advance registration is recommended, as class size is limited. Call Jenny Carroll at 235-8557 to sign up.

Ballet classes offered

Classes are starting this month for aspiring ballerinas ages six and up, taught by Yvonne Prucha. The classes will be held in three separate sessions starting Friday for beginners. An intermediate advanced class will also be offered on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and Friday evenings. All classes will be held in the Green Room at Homer High School. For more information, call 299-0835.

Community talk on tap

As part of the continuing community conversations series at the Pratt Museum, facilitator Deland Anderson will lead a discussion about "Winter Conflicts" Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. Residents are asked to come examine community conflicts around Kachemak Bay, whether past, present or future as well as share their thoughts on the really important community issues.

Development video to show

A 1974 independent video documenting the community changes brought to the Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay during the days of early oil and gas activities in Alaska will be shown in Homer twice this week. Those concerned about proposed offshore oil and gas development might find the film of interest. It will be shown today from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Alice's Champagne Palace and Saturday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Captain's Coffee Roasting Company. For more information, call 235-4068.