Marimba Madness slated

for Saturday at Elks Lodge

Homer’s annual celebration of African marimba music returns with four bands performing this Saturday at the Homer Elks Lodge. A fundraiser for the Homer Council on the Arts, new for this year is a Homer youth group, Vheneka, and Kodiak’s first marimba ensemble, Chitsuwa. Also performing are Homer groups Shamwari and an all-women group, Tamba Hadzi. The bands play a musical tradition that has its roots in Zimbabwe and came to North America in the 1960s.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday, with dinner served then, and music at 7 p.m. Entertainment runs until about 9:30 p.m. There is a silent auction, and the annual secret white envelope auction that includes a trip for two to Otter Cove, including water taxi and a half-day kayak trip. 

Admission is $5 for youth, $10 for HCOA members and $15 for the general public; food purchase is separate. Tickets are available at the Homer Council on the Arts, the Homer Bookstore, or online at homerart.org.

Kray Van Kirk plays Saturday at Bunnell

Juneau musician Kray Van Kirk performs in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at Bunnell Street Arts Center. Called one of “Alaska’s best kept secrets,” he sold out his show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland, known for it sheer number of performances. “The Alaskan singer-songwriter in his Edinburgh debut was not the reason I arrived early, but certainly why I stayed late,” wrote the Daily Fringe Review of his show. Tickets are $10 for Bunnell members and $15 general, available at Bunnell or online at bunnellarts.org. For more information and music samples, visit www.krayvankirk.com.