Artifacts 10/21/05

Central Junior High offers "Encore Evening"

Cape Girardeau Central Junior High teacher Mike Dumey is holding a fund raiser Nov. 1 called "Encore Evening with Annie and Friends" at 7 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church. The performance, held to raise money for the school's musical productions, will feature former students, current students and Southeast Missouri State University faculty Judith Farris and Dr. Gary Miller. For more information, call Dumey at 334-2923 or 270-4234.

Storytelling scheduled today at Bollinger Mill

Huddle around the bonfire and here stories and legends at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville today starting at 7 p.m. St. Louis storyteller Sharon Thompson will be on hand to thrill and entertain with stories. Refreshments will follow the program. For more information, call 243-4591.

Southeast alums put on award-winning play

The award-winning comedy "Art," written by Yasmina Reza, will be performed Oct. 25 to 29 at 8 p.m. -- and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 30 -- at Rose Theatre on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The play discusses the idea of "what is art" in a humorous way. Southeast alumni make up the entire cast of the production, which is being directed by alumnus Dennis Seyer. "Art" is part of Southeast's Homecoming activities. For more information, call the box office at 651-2265.

Arts council meeting and fund raiser held today

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will hold its annual meeting and fund raiser today starting at 6 p.m. at 32 N. Main St. During the meeting, council members will approve the new slate of officers for the board of directors and meet new members, and the Jeff Maguire Friend of the Arts award will be presented. Following the meeting, the arts council is sponsoring a concert of George Gershwin piano music by British pianist Jack Gibbons. The annual Otto F. Dingeldein Award will be presented during intermission. For more information, call the arts council at 334-9233.

Illinois Arts Council holds annual Artist Showcase

TINLEY PARK, Ill. -- The Illinios Arts Council will hold its annual Artist Showcase on Nov. 4 in Tinley Park, featuring recognized artists from every region of the state. The event is designed with not-for-profit organizations like schools and museums to visit with artists. For more information on the showcase, call the Illinois Arts Council Arts-in-Education department at (312) 814-6780.

Lawnmower race Saturday in Commerce

A lawnmower race will be held Saturday in Commerce, Mo., on the banks of the Mississippi River. The race will take place at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call High's Funhouse at (573) 264-3900.

Southern Illinois author: Rock music isn't dead

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- An English professor at Southern Illinois University, Kevin Dettmar, is set to publish a 200-page book in December detailing exactly why rock and roll isn't dead. The book argues that rock music is in a constant state of change and rebirth, rejecting the argument through the decades that rock is dead. The book is more about the way people talk and write about rock music than it is about the music itself, Dettmar says.

New artist group holds show at Buckner's

The Modest Living Artists, a new artist co-op, will hold a First Friday art show in the third floor Riverview Room at Buckner Brewing Co. from 6 to 11 p.m. Nov. 4. The show will feature art from Rachel Martin, Hannah Hart, Utahna Hancock, Becky Winkler, James Thurman and Jake Wells. For more information, call Wells at 334-2171.

Jackson native wins lead role in MBU musical

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Jordan Cox, a freshman at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, originally from Jackson, has won the leading role in the university's fall musical, "Into the Woods." Cox will play the part of the baker in the award-winning Broadway musical co-authored by Stephen Sondheim. The show will debut Nov. 10, with night shows on Nov. 11 and 12 and an afternoon performance Nov. 13. For more information, call (314) 392-2345.

Arts council announces promotion, new hire

The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri has announced two new staff positions. The board has promoted Margaret Dement from assistant director to community relations/gallery manager, and hired Dora Hastings as administrative assistant.

New Orleans author, jazz musician to visit Cape

Fiction writer and jazz musician Tom Piazza of New Orleans will visit the campus of Southeast Missouri State University on Nov. 2 for two events. Piazza will discuss his writing and publishing experiences in "An Afternoon with the Author" from 3 to 4 p.m. in Crisp Hall auditorium. Piazza will also be on hand for a booksigning at 7:30 p.m. in Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall.

Notre Dame fall theater production opens Nov. 3

Notre Dame Regional High School's fall theater production, Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 through 5 in the school's cafetorium. The play is a comical, entertaining look at marriage and the afterlife. Ticket sales start Tuesday. For more information, call 335-6772.

-- From staff reports