Artifacts 10/24/03

Jessica James, as Lacey Hayes, sang and danced during a dress rehearsal for Jackson High School's production of "Way Out West In A Dress." The comedy will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, at the Jackson High School Auditorium. Admission is $3.

Singer-songwriter in three concerts

Austin, Texas, singer-songwriter Steve Brooks, known as the Jimmy Buffett of Bubbaland, will perform three concerts in the area this week and next week.

Brooks will play from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Mo., and will begin playing at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Grace Cafe, 835 Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

Brooks will conclude his performances here with a house concert Tuesday at 326 Middle St. in Cape Girardeau, the home of Joy Bell and Bob Polack. Phone 334-9580 for information.

A former journalist, Brooks is known for his comic commentaries on current events. He is a six-time winner of the Austin O' Henry Pun-Off.

Haunted Ghost Town tours offered

The annual Haunted Ghost Town tours will be offered tonight, Saturday night and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Black Forest Village north of Cape Girardeau.

Hours are 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. each night.

For information, phone 335-0899.

'Songs for Low Women' on Sunday

Contralto Dr. Leslie Jones will present "Songs for Low Women," music appropriate for the low voice, in a recital Sunday.

Jones' concert is the third performance in the 2003-2004 Faculty Showcase Series presented by the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Music.

Accompanied by Matt Yount on piano, Dr. Gary Miller on piano and Dr. Sara Edgerton on cello, Jones will perform Vivaldi's Cantata RV 674, "Perfidissimo cor! Iniquo fato!;" Brahms' "Ziegeunerlieder," Op. 103; Debussy's "Chansons de Bilitis;" and Britten's "Charm of Lullabies," Op. 41.

The concert will begin at 3 p.m. at Old St. Vincent's Church. Advance tickets are $7 for the public, $6 for Southeast faculty, staff and senior citizens, and $5 for students. All tickets are $7 at the door.

Central choirs to perform in fall concert

The Cape Central Choral Department will hold its Fall Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church on Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

The school's Freshman Girl's Choir, Women's Chorus, Men's Chorale and the CHS Chamber Singers will perform.

The concerts are free and open to the public. The choral director is Dina Strickert.

'Madea's Class Reunion' at Fox Theatre

ST. LOUIS -- "Madea's Class Reunion," a comedy about the 50th reunion of the Class of 1953, opens Tuesday and continues through Nov. 2 at the Fox Theatre.

Madea is a 68-year-old grandmother who was voted "Most Likely to End the Hell Up in Jail."

Tickets are $27.50 to $42.50 depending on performance and date. Phone (314) 534-1111 for information.

'Monster Mash Bash' Thursday

The annual Southeast Showcase will be presented Thursday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. The theme is "Monster Mash Bash."

From 6 to 8:30 p.m., the event will treat guests to gourmet goodies from more than 40 restaurants and vendors. From 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., guests can dance to the music of Mid-life Crisis.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Phone the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation office at 334-9254 for ticket information.

Maxwell Street Klezmer Band Chicago at SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band Chicago will perform Thursday at SIU's Shryock Auditorium.

The band plays traditional Jewish music from the 1930s to the 1950s, combining dance music, folk songs, theater medleys and jazzy Yiddish pop music.

Their latest recording is titled "Old Roots, New World" and contains songs from the jazz era with a Gershwin sound.

The band was featured in the PBS "Do It Yourself Hanukkah" special in 2000.

Tickets are $23 for the general public and $17 for children 15 and younger and senior citizens 55 and older.

Phone (618) 453-ARTS.

'My Fair Lady' continues at The RepST. LOUIS -- The musical "My Fair Lady" continues through Nov. 14 at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Tickets are $11 to $55. Phone (314) 968-4925 or visit www.repstl.org to buy tickets.

English singer in house concert Oct. 31

English singer-songwrtier Julian Dawson will perform in a house concert in Cape Girardeau Oct. 31.

Dawson's songs have been recorded by Rosie Flores, Charlie Louvin, Sean Keane, and Rock Salt and Nails. He has recorded 15 albums, including one with ex-Byrds legend Gene Parsons. His latest CD is titled "Hillbilly Zen."

The performance is part of the Underberg House Concert Series. It will begin at 8 p.m.

An $8 donation is recommended. Phone 334-7692 for directions.

Jazz vocalist in St. Louis Nov. 12 through 15

ST. LOUIS -- Critically acclaimed vocalist Steve Tyrell will perform Nov. 12-15 at Jazz at the Bistro.

Tyrell ranks behind only Tony Bennett and Harry Connick Jr. in CD sales by a traditional jazz male vocalist. Tickets are $25 and $30. Phone (314) 531-1012 for information. Jazz at the Bistro is located across from the Fox Theatre .

-- From staff reports