Artifacts 2/7/03

Art by Parker, Jennings on display at Arts Council

Art created by James V. Parker and Damon Jennings will be displayed in exhibits opening today at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 119 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau.

A reception for the artists will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

Parker, who founded the University Museum and is a former winner of the arts council's Dingeldein Award, has titled his exhibit "Potpourri." It consists of stitcheries, watercolors and ikebana (Japanese containers).

Parker retired from the university in 1990.

Jennings' exhibit "Images in Wood" is a series of large figurative woodcuts depicting religious themes and such figures as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Jennings is a fifth-grade teacher in Scott County and also paints murals. His work also has been shown on the BET show "Rap City."

New piano to debut in recital tonight

The inaugural recital of Southeast Missouri State University's new Steinway concert grand piano will be given tonight.

The recital by four piano majors in the Department of Music will be held at 8 p.m. in Room 205 at Brandt Music Building. Tickets are available only at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

The pianists are Amelie Morgan of Jackson, Shannon Scott and Tyson Wunderlich, both of Altenburg, Mo., and Matthew Yount of Marble Hill, Mo. All four are recipients of the Margaret Woods Allen Piano Scholarship.

David Slan, president of Steinway and Sons in St. Louis, also will make a presentation.

The instrument was selected by Dr. James Sifferman, a professor of music at the university, at Steinway and Sons in New York City. Sifferman said the instrument is a world-class piano that will enable keyboard students at the university to play at their highest level.

Pajama Jam Party at the Phat Cat

The Phat Cat, a nightspot at 731 Broadway, will host a Pajama Jam Party tonight.

All women in pajamas get in free.

Science museum to host 'Extreme Deep'

ST. LOUIS -- The traveling exhibit "Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss" opens Saturday at the St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave.

The exhibition depicts the mysteries of the oceans' greatest depths: Newly discovered life forms, thermal vents, deep-sea research submersibles and shipwrecks, including the Titanic.

Phone (800) 456-SLSC, ext. 4444 for information. The show continues through May 11.

'When Harry Killed Sally' to be presented at vineyard

POMONA, Ill. -- The play "When Harry Killed Sally" will be presented tonight at Von Jakob Vineyards.

The show will begin at 6:30 p.m., with wine tasting and appetizers served an hour earlier.

The vineyard is located in the Shawnee Forest at 1309 Sadler Road in Pomona. Admission is $29.95 per person, and reservations are required. Phone (618) 893-4500.

'Bee-luther-hatchee' opening at The Rep

ST. LOUIS -- "Bee-luther-hatchee," a play that explores the question of who owns your life story, opens Wednesday at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

In the play, a young book editor profoundly affected by an autobiography her firm has published goes to the South seeking the elderly, reclusive author. Her trip raises more questions about the nature of truth and authenticity.

Ticket prices range from $10 to $52.50. Phone (314) 968-4925 for information. The play continues through March 14.

'Ransom of Red Chief' auditions Feb. 17-18

Auditions for "The Ransom of Red Chief," a family-oriented musical comedy, will be held Feb. 17 and 18.

Roles open include Sam and Bill, kidnappers who are Don Knotts and Tim Conroy types; Johnny Dorset/Red Chief, a bratty boy age 7 to 12; Phoebe Dorset, Johnny's cunning mother; the Sheriff, an older Jed Clampett or Andy Griffith type; four girls ages 6 to 10; and chorus members for smaller roles of storekeeper, mailman and farm wives. All roles require singing.

Set in Summit, Ala., in 1901, the musical tells the story of two men who kidnap town terror Johnny Dorset. Fed up with his pranks, the kidnappers offer to take him home, but his mother makes them pay.

The auditions will begin at 6:30 each night at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, 125 E. Main St.

The show will be presented May 30 through June 1 at the Route 25 Banquet Hall between Jackson and Gordonville, Mo.

The director and musical director is Jerry Ganiel. Phone (573) 238-4891 for information.

Kelsen Gallery to host 'Victorian Evening

"A Victorian Evening," an event presenting music and poetry from the period, will be held Feb. 23 at the Kelsen Gallery.

Southeast Missouri State University faculty members Paul Thompson, Jeff Noonan and Dr. Sara Edgerton will perform along with the Southeast Flute Quartet. St. Louis vocalist Nancy Bristol also will perform.

Poetry will be read by Dr. Tom Harte, professor emeritus of speech communication and theater at Southeast, and adjunct professor Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs.

The event is sponsored by the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with hors d'ouerves served at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is by ticket only. The $25 tickets are available at the gallery, 13 S Spanish St., and at the office of Drs. Pat and Jan Ruopp, 1818 Broadway.

Gospel stars in 'Power for Life'

ST. LOUIS -- "Power for Life," a show featuring gospel stars Fred Hammond, Dorinda Clark Cole, Deitrick Haddon and Men of Standard, will be presented Feb. 28 at the Fox Theatre.

Tickets are $32.50 and $27.50. Phone (314) 534-1111 for information.

Irish Tenors to perform

ST. LOUIS -- The Irish Tenors will perform at the Fox Theatre March 2.

Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Finbar Wright first appeared together in a PBS broadcast in 1998 and drew 15,000 to Madison Square Garden the following year. Their first two albums, "The Irish Tenors" and "Home For Christmas," sold more than two million copies. Subsequent albums have featured the three singers with the Warsaw Symphonia, in a concept album titled "Ellis Island" and in "The Irish Tenors: 1999-2002."

Tickets are $65, $55 and $45. Phone (314) 534-1111 for information.

-- From staff reports