ARTifacts 11/30/12

Orchestra, choir, Choral Union perform ‘Vespers'

The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra will combine with the University Choir and Choral Union to present the choral and orchestral work, "Vespers," by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on Tuesday at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. Also on the program will be the majestic "Reformation Symphony" by the celebrated Romantic composer, Felix Mendelssohn. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Bedell Performance Hall. Tickets may be purchased at the River Campus Box Office, in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, or by calling 651-2265. Tickets also may be purchased at RiverCampusEvents.com.

*** Cobden celebrates with ‘Christmas in the Village'

COBDEN, Ill. -- Cobden will celebrate the holiday spirit on Saturday when it hosts the fourth annual "Christmas in the Village." Christmas bazaars and open houses will highlight a variety of events, climaxing with the lighting of a Christmas tree in the village's downtown park. Along with bazaars and open houses at the Union County Museum, the Apostolic Lighthouse Church, St. Joseph Church and the Old Feed Store, a 5K run/walk is scheduled for 10 a.m. Call 618-833-5807 for more information. Santa Claus will arrive at 1:30 p.m. and will pass out goody bags to children until 4:30. Other highlights include strolling carolers, horse-drawn surrey rides, hay rides and a live nativity scene sponsored by the First Baptist Church. For more information, visit www.cobdenil.com, or call the Village Hall at 618-893-2425. Lists of the events and times will be available at the museum and most village shops.

Trivia event raises money for leukemia, lymphoma group

Laura Klipfel will hold a trivia night at 7 p.m. today to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The event will be in the lower level of the Jackson Knights of Columbus hall at 335 N. High St. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or by emailing Klipfel at lauraklipfel@gmail.com, or calling 573-382-5911.

The event will include a 50/50 drawing, door prizes and food. Klipfel's mother died in June after being diagnosed with leukemia. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society helps raise money for cancer research, as well as helps families in need, providing funds for medical bills and hotels to be close to family undergoing treatment.

Christmas country church tour set for Dec. 21 and 22

Twenty-two small-town and rural churches will open their doors to the community as a holiday gift. People are invited to see the insides of churches decorated for Christmas, learn the history of these 100-plus-year-old edifices and enjoy refreshments, music and special displays. Visitors will travel along country roads in south Perry, north Cape Girardeau and east Bollinger counties to tour churches. The country church tour will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 22. A list of churches and a map can be downloaded from www.immanuelnewwells.org. No tickets or reservations are required.

Arts council seeks nominees for Dingeldein Award

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is seeking nominees for the 2012 Otto F. Dingeldein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. This award was established in 1975 by the council's board of directors. It honors living individuals whose artistic achievements have made considerable impact on the cultural enrichment of the community. It can be given to artists, non-artists or to organizations. In addition, the council is soliciting nominees for the 2012 Friends of the Arts Award. The award, established in 2002, recognizes those who help the arts council achieve its goals for programming and outreach. This assistance can be delivered either through the nominee's service as a volunteer, or through donations of funds or goods. Deadline for nominations for both awards is Tuesday. Nomination forms are available on the arts council's website, www.capearts.org. The awards will be presented at the council's annual membership meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 13.

Second City comedy troupe coming to Farmington

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Chicago's legendary sketch comedy theater, The Second City: Laughing Matters, will appear at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Farmington Centene Center. The show will feature some of the best sketches, songs and improvisations from The Second City's 52-year history. Reserved seating tickets for the event will be available for purchase beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday at the box office, 2 Black Knight Dr., or may be charged by phone with Visa, MasterCard or Discover by calling 573-756-0900.

-- From staff reports