Homer Alaska - Arts

Local author Marianne Schlegelmilch signs her new book, "Two Tickets and a Feather," from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Homer Bookstore. This is the second book in Schlegelmilch's Alaska mystery series, following "A Feather from a Stranger."

KBC students hold art reception Friday

Arts students at the Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College hold an opening reception 5-7 p.m. Friday for their spring show at the Pioneer Hall Commons gallery. The show features work done in Taz Tally's digital photography class and Maygen Jannetta's ceramics class.

Oregon jazz ensemble tours state, Homer

The Umpqua Singers tour Alaska May 3-7, with a performance at 7 p.m. May 5 in Homer at Faith Lutheran Church. Led by former Anchorage resident and Bartlett High School graduate Jason Heald, director of music at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore., the Umpqua Singers are a 13-member vocal jazz ensemble. The group performs a broad range of musical styles ranging from traditional swing to contemporary R & B. With 15 CDs to their credit, the singers perform 45-50 engagements per year.

Photo by James Wilkins Bonnie Whitmore

Singer-songwriter tours for debut album

Singer-songwriter Bonnie Whitmore tours Alaska next month with songs from her debut album, "Embers to Ashes." Whitmore performs a free concert at 9 p.m. May 14 at the Down East Saloon. She describes her songs as "full of sly, spry country music, whiskey-soaked songs that recall prime Loretta Lynn and early Neko Case and, in their more up-tempo moments, Miranda Lambert at her rowdiest." For more information and song samples, visit her website at bonniewhitemore.com.