Artifacts 11/29

'Jeweled Arts of India ...' opens today

ST. LOUIS -- "Treasury of the World: Jeweled Arts of India in the Age of the Mughals" opens today at the St. Louis Art Museum.

The exhibition consists of more than 300 jeweled items of personal adornment, princely weapons, jade and crystal bowls set with precious stones and more than two dozen gems inscribed with the titles of their imperial owners. All are from the height of the Mughal empire, 1556-1707, when jewelers in the Indian subcontinent developed extraordinary skills.

The exhibition is filled with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, lavish enamels, gold and silver.

For hours and admission prices to the special exhibit, phone (314) 721-0072.

Children's Arts Festival to climax Dec. 8

The Southeast Missouri State University Chamber Players will perform Dec. 8 in the final event of a two-month celebration of music and visual arts in the Cape Girardeau schools. The concert will present music used over the past two months to inspire students in the school system to create art.

The concert will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at Old St. Vincent's Church in Cape Girardeau.

The children's art work will be displayed at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri beginning Dec. 8. A reception for the artists will be held immediately after the concert.

Dr. Sara Edgerton, professor of music at Southeast, will be the featured soloist. She will perform French composer Jacques Ibert's Concerto for Cello and Winds.

Also on the program will be a march composed by Carl Maria von Weber during the last days of his life and 19th century suite by Franc Krommer.

A light-hearted suite by the French composer Jean Francaix will be presented along with Antonin Dvorak's Slavic Dance No. 15.

The ensemble is directed by Dr. Robert Gifford.

Both the concert and the art reception are free and open to the public.

The art will remain on display at the Arts Council, 119 Independence St., through Dec. 27.

Southern Illinois singers to be featured on KRCU

Southern Illinois favorites The Gordons and Meridian Green will be featured this weekend on the KRCU program "Your Folk Connection."

The show was recorded live in front of a studio audience at KRCU.

Meridian Green is the daughter of Bob Gibson, who is best known for the county song "Abilene." She sings the song on the show accompanied by Gary Gordon on resophonic guitar and Robert Gordon on auto harp. The audience sings along on the chorus.

The show will air at 7 p.m. Saturday on KRCU 90.9 FM. It also will be broadcast at 7 p.m. Sunday on WSIU 91.9 FM in Carbondale, Ill., and at 7 p.m. on WUSI 90.3 FM in Olney, Ill.

The show is emceed by Barney Hartline, Jim Hickam and Terry Wright.

Cape Girardeau resident advances in Met auditions

Donna Smith, a graduate of Central High School who attended Southeast Missouri State University, was one of three winners in the Metropolitan Opera auditions held Nov. 16 in St. Louis. Smith now lives in New York City.

The other winners were soprano Amanda Grooms of Bridgeton, Mo., and baritone Jermaine D. Smith of St. Louis. All three advance to regional competition in Tulsa, Okla., in February, where they will compete against winners in the Tulsa and Kansas City auditions. Those who are victorious in the regionals advance to a competition at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where 10 winners each will receive $15,000.

She advances to the regional competition in Tulsa, Okla., in February.

She is the daughter of Alice and Larry Smith of Cape Girardeau.

'A Little Murder ...' corners Abbott Awards

Contributors to the River City Players production of "A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody" went home with most of the major awards last weekend at the community theater company's annual banquet. The Abbott Awards were presented Nov. 22 at the River City Yacht Club.

Debbie Barnhouse and Randy Barnhouse were named Best Director for "A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody." Kate Kruse received the Best Actress Award for her performance in the same production. It was a clean sweep of the major awards for "A Little Murder..," with Wayne Heiser taking home the Best Actor award.

Best Supporting Actress was Debbie Barnhouse for "Proposals." Best Supporting Actor was Randy Barnhouse for "Proposals."

Tim Roth won the award for Best Technical Achievement for his set designs for "Proposals" and "A Little Murder ..."

The Unsung Hero award produced a tie between Randy Barnhouse, who handled the advertisements for the 2002 season, and Tim Roth, for his set designs.

Winning the Merit Award was Sally Finch. Jeff Statler received the President's Award.

Winning awards for their performances in the River City Players Follies were Samantha Gross in the junior division, Bailey Hirschburg in the teen division and Dolly Dambach in the mature division.

Dixie Players concert Saturday

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- The Dixie Players will present "A Holiday Happening" at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Dixie Theater.

They will sing a mix of Christmas, country, gospel and pop music.

Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

Brazeau Christmas Walk Dec. 7

BRAZEAU, Mo. -- This East Perry County community will hold its annual Christmas walk from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7.

People in the surrounding community have decorated the tiny French settlement for the event. Crafters will be in the Community Hall, which was built during the Depression. The Brazeau Museum, formerly a school, will be open for tours. Sandwiches and homemade desserts will be available at Carrie's Tea Room in exchange for a free will donation.

The Cody House, built in 1860 and now restored, will be open and decorated with "A Christmas Memory" theme. Individual homes also will be on the tour.

Other stops include Santa's Toyland and the blacksmith shop.

-- From staff reports