Artifacts 10/20/06

University jazz bands perform Thursday

The Southeast Missouri State University jazz program will present its annual fall jazz concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Academic Hall Auditorium. The Studio Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Lab Band will perform, both under the direction of music professor Robert Conger. Recent University of Missouri-Kansas City trumpet player Clint Ashlock will perform with both bands, while several members of each group will be featured in solos. For more information, call Conger at 651-2398; for tickets call 651-2265.

Grisham companion book author to appear

Dennis Fritz, author of the nonfiction book "Journey Toward Justice," will appear at 7 p.m. today at Hastings in Cape Girardeau to sign copies of his book. Fritz was wrongfully convicted of a rape and murder in Oklahoma along with Ronnie Williamson in the 1980s. The two were subsequently exonerated and released from prison in 1999. "Journey Toward Justice" tells Fritz's story. Williamson's case is the subject of John Grisham's newest book, a nonfiction work called "The Innocent Man."

'Legends of Lorimier' takes place Oct. 29

Old Lorimier Cemetery on Fountain Street will be the scene for the second "Legends of Lorimier" event from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 29. "Legends of Lorimier" will feature stories about well-known Cape Girardeau residents like Louis Lorimier, Lewis Houck and others, while speakers give guided informational tours of the cemetery. The event is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, call the CVB at 335-1631 or Marsha Toll at 335-3302.

Red House to feature artisans on the porch

The Red House Interpretive Center in Cape Girardeau will welcome flint-napper Fred Bollinger, sand-caster Louise Callahan and wood-turner Russell Callahan from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the porch of the Red House. The Red House hosts craft demonstrations on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call 335-1631.

Booth space available for Arts Council craft fair

Booth space is currently available for the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's 36th Annual Arts and Crafts Extravaganza to be held Nov. 18 and 19 at the Show Me Center and Osage Community Centre. More than 10,000 people attend the show annually. For more information, download an application at www.capearts.org or call the Arts Council at 334-9233.

Ozark Heritage Festival slated for this weekend

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Today through Sunday, Piedmont will play hold its 29th annual Ozark Heritage Festival and Craft Show at the Piedmont Area Park next to Clearwater High School. The festival will feature more than 60 arts and crafts booths, live entertainment and a car show, among other events. Gates open at 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call the Piedmont Area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 818-4046.

Symphony orchestra will present concerts

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra will present three concerts this month at Shryock Auditorium on the Southern Illinois University campus. The first, a performance of the opera "Hansel and Gretel," will be Oct. 27 and 28. A Halloween Pops concert will follow Oct. 31. For more information, call (866) 646-8849.

-- From staff reports