Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival

2010 Schedule of Events

Other Things to do in Homer

Singing for the Birds at the Homer Council on the Arts, Thursday, May 6th, 7pm-8pm. Susan Grace, known as an Alaskan Troubadour, Naturalist and Educator, will perform her natural folk style of music, singing out for the birds, critters and Alaskan wilderness. Open to all ages, proceeds will benefit the Homer Council on the Arts, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide the opportunity for all people in our community to experience and participate in the arts. Visit www.susangracealaska.com for more information on Susan Grace. Tickets available via the Festival registration form and at the Homer Council on the Arts. Call 907-235-4288 for more information. $10 Homer Council on the Arts members, $12 non-members. Sponsored by the Homer Council on the Arts.

Birders’ First Friday Art Walk at Homer’s downtown art galleries, Friday, May 7, 5pm-8pm. Homer’s art community welcomes birders and art lovers alike. Enjoy complimentary refreshments while browsing each Gallery's featured exhibits. A Gallery Guide and list of featured exhibits is available at the Homer Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored by Art Shop Gallery, Bunnell Street Arts Center, Fireweed Gallery, Homer Council on the Arts, Picture Alaska Gallery, Ptarmigan Arts and the Pratt Museum.

Wine Tasting & Winery Tour at Bear Creek Winery, Friday & Saturday, May 7 & 8, noon-6pm, 60203 Bear Creek Drive, just over 3 miles out of town, off East End Road. Visit Alaska's favorite tasting room and experience the delightful wines made from local fruits and berries. Try the Alaskan clover-strawberry mead (made with Alaskan honey) and our special Shorebird wine. For more information call 907-235-8484. Sponsored by Bear Creek Winery.

Shorebirder's Pancake Breakfast Saturday, May 8th 6am-noon at Homer United Methodist Church, next to the Homer High School on East End Road. Celebrate Alaska State Parks 40th Anniversary at the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast that includes sausage, juice, coffee and tea. $8 per person, $4 kids under 11. Sponsored by Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park.

Jazzmom's Mother's Day Special Jazz Trio, Saturday, May 8th at 8pm & Sunday, May 9th at noon. Bunnell Street Arts Center. Anchorage jazz diva, Melissa "Jazzmom" Bledsoe Fischer, a pianist/vocalist with over 15 years of professional music experience will perform with a trio of outstanding Alaskan jazz musicians including Dirk Westphall on bass and Pat Owens on trumpet and flugelhorn May 8 at 8pm and May 9 at noon. Enjoy the concert and a wine bar on Saturday evening, or indulge in Jazzmom's Mother's Day Special, a concert and brunch buffet catered by Maura's Cafe & Deli on Sunday. With four CD's to her name, "Jazzmom" Melissa Bledsoe Fischer has established herself as one of Anchorage's premiere performers, voted "Anchorage's Best Singer" in 2005 and "Best Solo Act" in 2009 by readers of the Anchorage Press. Tickets are $20 for the May 8 concert and $40 for the May 9 brunch and concert. $5 discount for Gallery members. Sponsored by Bunnell Street Arts Center.

The Whiskey Jacks in Concert This energetic Anchorage band will play foot-stompin' Irish and American tunes at Alice's Champagne Palace on Saturday, May 8th, 9pm-midnight. The group's vibrant blend of Irish and American folk music includes selections from the Clancy Brothers, the Pogues, Townes Van Zandt, and Robert Earl Keen Jr. All proceeds from this benefit concert will support Kachemak Heritage Land Trust (KHLT), a non-profit organization that preserves, for public benefit, significant Kenai Peninsula conservation land, including areas important to birds and birders. Check out The Whiskey Jacks at www.whiskeyjacks.blogspot.com. Admission is $15, which includes an individual introductory annual membership to KHLT. Come out and enjoy great live music while supporting land conservation on the Kenai Peninsula. Tickets available at the door. Call 907-235-5263 for more information. Sponsored by Kachemak Heritage Land Trust and Alice's Champagne Palace.

Migration Run, Sunday, May 9, 9am-10:30am. Celebrating its 14th year, the Migration Run is a certified 5K run, great for serious runners, casual runners, walkers and families. The Run migrates along a northbound 5-kilometer route from the paved Spit trail to the Lighthouse Village. Come out in your best shorebird costume for a chance to win special prizes. Refreshments, awards and prizes await participants at the finish area, and a free shuttle bus is available to return participants to the start. Pre-registration via the Festival registration form is strongly encouraged, but day of registration at the Start is allowed. $10 per person, $5 kids 12 and under, $20 families. Sponsored by the Homer High Cross Country Team.

Shorebird Festival 14th Annual Amateur Photo Contest at NOMAR. Accepted categories are Alaskan Wildlife, Alaskan Scenic, and Black and White. Entry deadline is May 4th at 6pm, with cash prizes awarded. Exhibit will be on display May 7th - May 31st at NOMAR 104 E Pioneer Avenue. Entry forms available at NOMAR, Eagle Eye Photo and the Homer Chamber of Commerce and on line. Contact NOMAR at 907-235-8363 or email nomar@xyz.net for more information. Sponsored by NOMAR Canvas Products.