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. 23, 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.

Pottery classes offered

Edith Parsons will hold a winter set of pottery classes starting this week. 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 Dannny Godinez Band at 9:30 p.m. Feb. 8 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, International Bluegrass Association 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 or $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.

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 at 6 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Mariner Theatre. Call Dorle Scholz at 235-3697 for more information.

Society to meet

The Homer Society of Natural History will hold its annual meeting Feb. 4 starting at 5 p.m. with a finger-food potluck and an opening reception for "Arctic," a photo exhibit by Robert Ketchum. A business meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., photographer Steve Kaufman will present a wildlife slide show titled "Celebrating Wilderness and Wildlife," while Homer High students Chris Ellington, Tavia Kauffman and Nathan Spence-Chorman will present their experiences from a trip to the McNeil River Bear Sanctuary last summer.

Fleece contest returns

NOMAR's annual "Piece the Fleece Contest," is back, and Friday will be the first day to pick up entry forms and fleece scraps. Entries must be completed by March 10. Entries will be judged in two categories: best use of fleece by adults, and best use of fleece by youth, individual or group effort. Winners of both categories receive a $50 gift certificate. A $100 gift certificate will be awarded to the overall best of show. Entries will be on display March 13 through the end of March. For more information, call 235-8363.

Chinese comedy on tap

This Friday's foreign film offering at the Kachemak Bay East Campus will be "Ermo," described as a Chinese movie that is both funny and a poignant sleeper. The film follows a humble noodle-maker living in a remote Chinese province. In hope of receiving some respect, she decides to acquire the biggest television set in the province. The film shows at 6 and 8 p.m. and is open to all. Donations are accepted.

Gigs classes offered

Gigs Beads 'N Things has scheduled a series of beading classes during the next four months starting with a basic beading class on Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The class costs $25 and will be taught by Guiguite Yett. In February, a Beaded Diva class, Basic Beading class, and Bead Potpourri Bracelet class will be taught. For a complete list of class offerings, call 235-2244.