Artifacts 12/13/02

Gala Christmas Concert Saturday in Paducah

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Only a few seats remain for the Paducah Symphony's annual Gala Christmas Concert to be held Saturday at Tilghman Auditorium.

Appearing with the symphony will be the Children's Chorus and the Symphony Chorus. The program includes the "Hallelujah Chorus," "Russian Christmas Music," a bluegrass version of traditional carols and a traditional audience sing-along of carols.

The show will begin at 8 p.m.

Phone (800) 738-3727 for reservations.

Christmas Candlelight Tours in New Madrid

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Christmas Candlelight Tours and Holiday Open House will be held today and Saturday in New Madrid.

The Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, Higgerson School Historic Site, New Madrid Historical Museum and the A.B. Hunter Sr. Mansion will participate.

For information, phone (877) 748-5300.

Author to sign book about physically disabled

Serenda Jenks, co-author of the book "Dancing Heart: The Luca Stories," will sign copies of the book Saturday at Hastings Books and Video.

The book is about a physically disabled girl whose parents divorce and whose mother remarries, meaning they must move and she must make new friends and face school bullies.

Jenks' co-author, Ann Puryear, has a doctorate in counseling and previously was on the faculty at Southeast Missouri State University.

Jenks, a resident of Fairdealing, Mo., is a pastoral counselor, author and poet.

Poplar Bluff native to sign CDs

Judi Richardson, a native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will sign copies of her new CD, "Missouri Morning," from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Hastings Books & Video.

Richardson, who lives in Nashville, has spent the last year singing for the troops in Europe. She will head to Bosnia for her next USO tour in January.

Swingle to discuss Civil War

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle will present a slide show titled "The Civil War in Cape Girardeau" Monday at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. The discussion will begin at 7 p.m., and admission is free.

Swingle is the author of the new historical novel "The Gold of Cape Girardeau."

Cityscape sculpture at art museum

ST. LOUIS -- An exhibition of sculpture by Christina Schmigel is now on display at the St. Louis Art Museum. She is an assistant professor of sculpture at Webster University whose sculpture reflects the urban landscape of St. Louis.

The work is on view in Gallery 338 through Feb. 16.

Lasers lighting holidays in Memphis

MEMPHIS,Tenn. -- The Holiday Laser Spectacular continues through Jan. 5 at the Sharpe Planetarium.

The show includes such songs as "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Frank Sinatra and Cindi Lauper, "Santa Baby" by Madonna, "The Christmas Song" by Nat "King" Cole and "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Gene Autry.

The Planetarium is located at the Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central Ave. Phone (901) 320-6362 for information.

Pianist Kenny Barron at Jazz at the Bistro

ST. LOUIS -- Pianist Kenny Barron performs Dec. 18-21 at Jazz at the Bistro.

Barron and his band, Brasilia, will perform at 8:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

He played with Dizzy Gillespie and Yusef Lateef before joining the faculty of Rutgers University in 1973. There he mentored such talents as David Sanchez and Terence Blanchard.

Barron has recorded more than 40 albums as a leader and has had nine Grammy nominations.

Tickets for Kenny Barron Brazilia are $23 and $28, and student tickets are $10.

Jazz at the Bistro is a listening room located across from the Fox Theatre at 3536 Washington Ave. in the heart of the Grand Center Arts District.

Phone (314) 534-111 or (314) 531-1012 for ticket information.

Science Center open Jan. 1

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Science Center will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. New Year's Day.

Showing through Jan. 2 are the OMNIMAX shows "Bears" and "Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man."

Phone (800) 456-SLSC or visit the Web site at www.slsc.org for information.

The center is located at 5050 Oakland Ave.

Saxophonist to play at Jazz at the Bistro

ST. LOUIS -- Grammy-nominated saxophonist Chris Potter performs Jan. 8-11 at Jazz at the Bistro.

He toured with Steely Dan in the summer of 1994 and contributed to the success of the groups Grammy-nominated "Two Against Nature."

He received a 1999 Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo of the Year.

Tickets are $18 and $11, and student tickets are $10. Phone (314) 531-1012 for information.

Jazz Composers Collective presents musicians

ST. LOUIS -- The Jazz Composers Collective will showcase bassist/composer Ben Allison, pianist Frank Kimbrough and saxophonist Michael Blake Jan. 22-25 at Jazz at the Bistro.

Tickets are $18 and $22, and for students $10.

Shows are at 8:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

Phone (314) 531-1012 for information.

-- From staff reports