Artifacts 2/11/05

River City Players present HoJo murder mystery

On Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26, the River City Players will present the dinner theater show "Murder at the Howard Johnson's," a comedy by Sam Bobrick and Ron Clark about a woman and her lover who plot to murder her husband. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., with shows beginning at 8 p.m. at Port Cape's River City Yacht Club. For more information or to make reservations, call 334-0954.

Rodeo rides into Show Me Center arena

The 17th annual Show Me Center Rodeo will be held Feb. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. For more information, or to order tickets, contact the Show Me Center box office at 651-5000.

Southeast faculty clarinet recital on tap Thursday

On Thursday, the Department of Music at Southeast Missouri State University will present a faculty clarinet recital with Dr. Michael Dean at 8 p.m. in Brandt Music Hall room 205. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Gary Miller at 651-2141.

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson announces art contest

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has announced the 2005 Congressional Art Contest for Missouri's 8th District. The winning piece will be part of a national exhibit in the U.S. Capitol until May 2006. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation and there will be 10 honorable mentions in addition to the winning entry. The contest is sponsored in part by the Missouri State Teachers Association and Southeast Missouri State University, and all artwork will be displayed at the MSTA meeting in Cape Girardeau on March 10 on the university campus. Entries are due in Emerson's Cape Girardeau office by 5 p.m. on March 11. For more information, call 335-0101.

Nominations sought for state humanities awards

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Humanities Council, a statewide cultural organization, is seeking nominations of outstanding teachers, historians, museum professionals and writers for the annual Governor's Humanities Awards. Individuals may be nominated in any one of four categories: the Community Heritage Award, recognizing a person who has made a special contribution to a community's understanding of its heritage; the Public Involvement Award, recognizing a person who has developed public interest in history or literature; the Excellence in Secondary Education Award, recognizing one or more teachers of English, history, languages or social studies in public or private schools grades nine through 12; and the Book Award, recognizing an individual or group whose book has increased the understanding and appreciation of Missouri's history and culture. Nominations will be accepted until April 30 and forms are available online at www.mohumanities.org, or by calling Terrie Young at (800) 357-0909. An awards ceremony will be held in the Governor's Mansion in October.

Southeast alum's work on exhibit at Shawnee

ANNA, Ill. -- The art of Southeast Missouri State University alumnus Jake Wells will be on display at the Shawnee Community College Anna Center throughout the month of February. Wells works with both paintings and three-dimensional art. The subjects of his paintings vary from landscapes to abstracts. The exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Cape Girardeau native leads in 'Les Miserables'

ST. LOUIS -- Cape Girardeau native Roger Seyer is the understudy for the lead character, Jean Valjean, in the Fox Theatre's production of "Les Miserables." While Seyer is understudy to Randal Keith, he became the star of the musical last Saturday, as he played Valjean in the show that night before an audience that included more than 50 local people who went to see the production. "When I see him play the part I think, 'What can the other guy [Keith] possibly be doing that's beyond this?'" said Cynthia King, theater teacher at Notre Dame Regional High School, where Seyer graduated. Seyer will play smaller roles in the performance through its last show, scheduled for Sunday.

Underberg House to feature Jeff Talmadge

The Underberg House concerts will host singer/songwriter Jeff Talmadge this Thursday at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a donation for the artist. Coffee will be served, but guests are invited to bring their beverage of choice. For more information, or to make reservations, call 334-7692.

TRCC giving instant piano lessons in March

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Back by popular demand, a one-night class titled Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People will be held March 3, at Three Rivers Community College. This non-credit course covers chords, musical "short cuts," methods for "speed reading" music, simple techniques for counting and other secrets. Class size is limited to 35 students who must be at least 14 years old. The session will run from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in room 215 of the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on campus. It will be taught by David Haynes, a Georgia-based music educator. There is a fee for the program payable in advance to TRCC, plus a fee for a book and practice CD, payable to Haynes the night of the class. To enroll in the course, or to get more information, call TRCC's Division of Extended Learning at (877) TRY-TRCC, extension 690, or dial direct at (573) 840-9690.

Modern dance tour comes to Shryock

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Parsons Dance Company will bring its unpredictable choreography to Carbondale's Shryock Auditorium on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The Parsons Dance Company has been touring around the world since 1987 with the mission of making modern dance as accessible to as many audiences as possible. Phone and Internet ticket orders can be placed with Ticketmaster by calling (866) 646-8849 or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available at Schnucks in Cape Girardeau.

Market House holding auditions for 'Tavern'

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Open auditions for "Over the Tavern," a comedy about growing up Catholic in 1950s America, will be held Feb. 21 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. on the Market House Theatre main stage. Characters include a mother and father in their mid-40s; boys ages 12, 13 and 15; a girl age 16; and a nun around 70 years old. The production will be performed weekends from April 14 through 30. Perusal scripts are available at the box office for a refundable deposit. For more information, contact the theater at (270) 444-6828.