Artifacts

From Shakespeare to Mantovani at SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Shryock Auditorium's 2003-2004 season will include performances of the musicals "Saturday Night Fever" and "The Music Man" and of Shakespeare's "Richard III," dance performances by the Trinity Irish Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and of Les Ballet Africains "Jubilee!," and a comedy revue by Chicago City Limits.

Beside performances by the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, musical offerings include the Ten Tenors from Australia, dazzling guitar instrumentalist Leo Kottke, Christmas with The Mantovani Orchestra and Chorus and a sing-along "Wizard of Oz."

The Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra will perform Handel's "Messiah" on Dec. 4. "Prairie Home Companion" favorite Banu Gibson will sing New Orleans jazz with the orchestra on Jan. 30.

Other shows include an acrobatic troupe from Shanghai and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band.

For ticket information, phone (618) 453-ARTS.

Paducah Summer Festival begins today

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The 37th annual Paducah Summer Festival begins today and continues through July 27.

A Hot Air Balloon Glo is scheduled for 9 tonight. Other activities today include a senior citizens dance and "Little Miss and Little Master" beauty pageant.

Saturday's events include a race, hot air balloon lift off, Lone Oak Acorn Days Parade, a talent show and a "Dive in Theater," offering both a movie and swimming at Noble Park. The highlight of Sunday's activities will be a competitive swim across the Ohio River at 2 p.m.

Monday, the Market House Theatre will present "The City Mouse and the Country Mouse," a musical comedy based on the Aesop story. Performances will continue through July 27 at the theater's Studio Theatre, 120 S. 2nd St.

Phone (270) 444-6828 for information.

Evening concerts on the riverfront will include the Royal Swing Orchestra Monday, the Great Kentucky Gospel Shoutout Tuesday, the rock band The Movement Thursday, country star John Anderson July 25 and Lew Jetton & 61 South July 26.

Shadetree Folk Co. in house concert

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- The Shadetree Folk Co. will perform tonight in a house concert in Murphysboro.

The trio is composed of Jim Hickam, Barney Hartline and Terry Wright, hosts of the KRCU-FM 90.9 radio show "Your Folk Connection."

The donation is $5. Phone (618) 656-1238 for information or directions.

'Godspell' begins Monday

ST. LOUIS -- "Godspell" opens Monday and continues through July 27 at The Muny.

The musical showcases mime, magic and improvisation along with such tunes as "Day by Day," "Turn Back," "O Man" and "All Good Gifts."

Tickets range from $8 to $54.

All shows are at 8:15 p.m.

Phone (314) 361-1900 or visit www.muny.com for information.

Bluegrass duo in house concert

Atlanta-based bluegrass duo Bailey Jester will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday in a house concert in Cape Girardeau.

Bailey Jester's first CD, "Above the Misery Line," was named Roots Album of the Year and the single "Voice Across the Water" was named Roots Song of the Year at the Just Plain Folks Music Awards held last March in Hollywood.

The performance is part of the monthly Underberg House Concert series. Phone 334-7692 for information, reservations and directions. An $8 donation is recommended.

Playlets to be presented at Stinson Library

ANNA, Ill. -- "Scenes from Mitford," a playlet adapted from the Jan Karon books, will be presented July 25-27 at the Stinson Library Auditorium.

Performance s will be at 7 p.m. July 25-26 and at 4 p.m. July 27. Tickets are $8.

"Miss Fannie's Hat," a playlet also adapted from the Karon books, will be presented at 2 p.m. July 26 and July 27 at the library. Tickets are $4.

The performance are presented by the historical organization P.A.S.T., which stands for Promoting Appreciation of Structural Treasures. Proceeds will be used to restore St. Anne Church in Anna.

Entries sought in photo contest

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Margaret Harwell Art Museum is seeking entries for the 16th annual "Pictures by the People." The contest is open to all photographers living within 100 miles of Poplar Bluff.

The deadline for entries is 4 p.m. July 26.

Dickey Betts & Great Southern in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- Allman Brothers co-founder Dickey Betts & Great Southern will perform Aug. 7 at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis.

Betts is best known for writing the hits "Ramblin' Man" and "Blue Sky."

Quilt appraisals offered at MAQS

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The Museum of the American Quilter's Society will offer a quilt appraisal day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 23.

The AQS-certified quilt appraisers will be Bobbie Aug of Colorado, Springs, Colo., Sharon Newman of Lubbock, Texas, and Gerald Roy of Warner N.H.

The $40 cost covers an oral description of the quilt in terms of patterns, fabrics, techniques, construction, condition and confirmation of information known by the current owner. The appraiser will provide an approximate date when the quilt was made, a written verification and the value of the quilt.

Each appraisal will take about 30 minutes.

For information or to schedule an appointment, phone (270) 442-8856.

Arkansas band to give free concert

Dr. J & the Outcast Band from Osceola, Ark., will perform Aug. 6 at Cherry Hill in Capaha Park.

The concert is free. The band will play from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

-- From staff reports