ARTifacts

Jerry Ford Orchestra performs benefit

The Jerry Ford Orchestra will play a concert from 3 to 5 p.m. March 16 at the current Central Junior High School auditorium to raise money for renovations to the auditorium. Ford has been performing for 50 years and former members of Ford's orchestra are donating their services with all proceeds going toward renovations. The elementary, middle, junior high and high schools use the auditorium, which needs light and sound upgrades and curtains. Tickets are $10 at the door. Students and children will be admitted free.

The battle ensues in Sikeston re-enactment

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Battle of Sand Ridge, a Civil War re-enactment and encampment, will be held Saturday and Sunday in Sikeston. There will be a raid on the Sikeston Depot in downtown Sikeston at 11 a.m. Saturday. A battle re-enactment will follow at 3 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday on the Matthews Farm just south of Sikeston (south of Duckett's off Interstate 57. Follow the signs). The encampment and re-enactments are open to the public and free of charge.

Tickets to VNA mystery dinner on sale now

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The first Visiting Nurse Association/Hospice mystery dinner and silent auction, "I'm Getting Murdered in the Morning," will be held March 15 at the National Guard Armory in Sikeston. The Sikeston Little Theatre and Zeigler Catering have joined with VNA Hospice to provide a fun-filled evening of comedy and mystery in an effort to obtain financial support for area families facing end-of-life issues. Tickets are $50 at any VNA office, www.vnasemo.com and Collins Music.

Catch dinner and a show next week at Port Cape

The River City Players present "Deathtrap," a comedy-thriller by Ira Levin. This award-winning, long-running Broadway play and movie is about a once rich and famous playwright and his murderous plans to get his hands on a brilliant new script by a young unknown playwright. But his wife also has murderous plans -- as does his lawyer, his psychic and the young writer. The dinner-show will be presented March 6, 8, 14 and 15. Dinner is at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8. Tickets are $25 for dinner and $10 for show only. Call 334-0954 for reservations.

Rib festival tickets on sale this weekend

The ninth annual Rib America Festival returns to downtown St. Louis on Memorial Day Weekend. Front-row seats to the concerts go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for $30 including a $10 food and drink voucher. Performers include Cowboy Mouth, .38 Special and KC & the Sunshine Band. The festival is held at Soldier's Memorial Plaza in downtown St. Louis. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and at ticketmaster.com or by calling 314-241-1888. There will be free admission before 5 p.m. Friday and before 1 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Admission is $5 after 5 p.m. Friday and after 1 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Children 12 and younger are free. Food, beverage and game tickets will be available for purchase on-site.

Blue pieces wanted by Kentucky art center

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The Yeiser Art Center in Paducah is hosting a national competitive exhibition with "Blue" as the point of departure. The National Juried Art Exhibition will show in October, but the center is accepting entries now through July 25. The show is open to all professional artists 18 years and older working and living in the U.S. Each artist is limited to five entries in which blue is used in any medium. All work must be original and completed within the past year. For more information, visit theyeiser.org or call 270-442-2453.

-- From staff reports