ARTifacts 10/19/12

Neighborhood group stages fall festival

Neighborhood Connections' ninth annual fall festival, consisting of a block party and barbecue picnic, will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at May Green Park and on Fountain Street in the block between Broadway and Themis Street in front of Christ Episcopal Church. The event will feature live music, food, pony rides, face painting, sidewalk art, a hula-hoop contest, prizes, a fire engine and a visit with Tracker. A week's free groceries will be distributed to 300 families on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 335-2997 or 450-3263, or email rector@charter.net.

'Welty' exhibit shown at Charleston library

Charleston, Mo. -- "Welty," an exhibit featuring photographs by Eudora Welty, will be on display beginning Saturday at the Clara Drinkwater Newnam Libray in Charleston. During the 1930s Welty traveled her native state of Mississippi as a publicist for the Works Progress Administration, photographing scenes and people who interested her. A few years later, her writing career had launched -- she would go on to win a Pulitzer Prize in fiction -- and her camera put away. The exhibit of 14 photographs was selected from more than 1,200 negatives on file in the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The Charleston Society for the Arts is sponsoring the exhibit during its six-week stay in Charleston. The exhibit can be viewed during regular library hours. For more information on the Charleston Society for the Arts, visit its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/charleston.arts2010.

Ghost storytelling raises funds for groups

The Glenn House, 325 S. Spanish St., will present "An Evening of Spirits with the Spirits" on Saturday. Tours of the old house will begin at 7 p.m., the last one starting at 8:30 p.m.. Members of the River City Players will act as ghostly storytellers. Along with the frightening tales, hors d'oeuvres will be served with beer and wine in the Glenn House Carriage House. Reservations are requested, but walk-ins are welcome. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 400 Broadway. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Glenn House and the River City Players.

Reception honors '24' actress Wersching

A reception will be held for the television, stage and screen actress, Annie Wersching, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus Atrium. The event is free and open to the public. Before the reception, Wersching will hold a master class for Southeast students from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast's River Campus. During the master class, she will discuss auditioning for television and film, and will hold a question-and-answer session. The following evening, Wersching will be featured in "An Evening with the Arts," a Southeast Alumni Association and St. Louis Cares event, from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 at the home of Mary Strauss in St. Louis. This event will benefit the Frank and Sandy Wersching Scholarship for performing arts students at Southeast Missouri State University. More information about this event can be found at www.iAMsoutheast.com. Wersching, whose parents are Southeast alumni, was born and raised in St. Louis. She is best known for her work in "24."

Haunted hayrides at Rocky Holler

Rocky Holler USA in Jackson will again be hosting haunted hayrides Fridays and Saturdays until Halloween. This is the 22nd year for the event. Seven tractors and trailers take patrons on the hayrides, which include scares and humor, between 7 and 10 p.m. A bonfire with hot drinks and roasted treats follows each ride. Rocky Holler is off Interstate 55 at the Fruitland exit on County Road 303. Call 243-6440 for more information.

Empty Bowls auction helps feed the hungry

The Empty Bowls Silent Auction is underway now at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St., in Cape Girardeau. Handmade pottery bowls are for sale through Nov. 2, with all proceeds going to a help fight hunger. The local event includes a range of handmade bowls by local crafters. All proceeds will go to the Salvation Army Community Meals Program. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Oct. 27 to place a bid. Check back often to see how your bid is fairing. The auction will close at the end of the council's November "First Friday" event, which is Nov. 2.

Jazz Series opens with 'Meet the Band'

Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Music will present its annual Jazz Series season opener, "Meet the Band," at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast's River Campus. This concert will feature members of the two jazz ensembles as soloists, plus a special performance from Southeast's jazz combo. The concert will open with the Jazz Lab Band, which will play in an assortment of styles. Following this performance, the spotlight will turn to Southeast's newest ensemble, the Southeast Jazz Combo, which will perform a few short compositions. In addition, Southeast's Studio Jazz Ensemble will present varied jazz compositions from some of the greats in big band jazz. For more information about "Meet the Band," contact Robert Conger, director of jazz studies, at 651-2398. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays or by calling 651-2265. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.RiverCampusEvents.com.

*** 'Plein air' workshop planned for Oct. 27

Columbia, Mo., artist Stephen Rust will host a Plein Air Painting Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 27 at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau. Each participant will be encouraged to create a painting that showcases the beautiful Mississippi river vista, under the guidance and instruction of the artist. Cost of the workshop is $10 for arts council members and $20 for nonmembers. Artists are responsible for bringing their own supplies and may use any medium. In case of inclement weather, the workshop will take place inside the Atrium of the River Campus. Rust will also host an informal lecture from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. Contact the arts council at 334-9233 to reserve a spot.

Arts, crafts show set for Nov. 17 and 18

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri has announced the 42nd annual Arts and Crafts Extravaganza will be Nov. 17 and 18 at the Osage Centre and Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Hours for the opening day of the fair will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hours for the second day will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The craft show will feature more than 300 high-quality crafters, including many artisans from across the Midwest. Last year more than 12,000 visitors came through the doors at both locations, making it one of the largest craft fairs in Southeast Missouri. Each booth sells only handmade items and, as a requirement, must pass a rigorous inspection process to participate in the Extravaganza. After the inspection, judges will select and name one booth "Best of Show," per each location, for the 2012 fair. Sponsors of the event are Rhodes 101 Stops and the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, contact the arts council at 334-9233.

Inkognito reunites for benefit concert

MALDEN, Mo. -- Disbanded local rock group Inkognito will reunite for a concert to benefit a boy fighting cancer. The event will be at noon Nov. 3 at the American Legion hall in Malden, and will benefit Brendan Wallis, a boy fighting cancer. In addition to Inkognito's headlining gig, other bands include Keith Morrison Band, Alex Beaird Band and Chris Sappington. No cover, but donations will be accepted. Look for the Flatland Jam: A Benefit for Brendan event page on Facebook for more information.

United Way to ring in new year with ball

The United Way of Southeast Missouri is preparing to host its second annual New Year's Eve event. This year's event will be a masquerade ball called "Reveal." It will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. and end at 1 a.m. at The Venue, 80 S. Plaza Way, in Cape Girardeau. The night will include raffles and auctions, hors d'oeuvres and a late-night snack, complimentary champagne toast at midnight and a cash bar. Mid Life Crisis and Lawdogg will perform. For ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities or to get involved contact Heather Short at 334-9634, or heather.short@unitedwayofsemo.org; Maria Childress at 335-5555, or maria.childress@jcs-wireless.com, or Erica Wheeler at 803-0676, or erica@getboldmarketing.com.

-- From staff reports