ARTifacts 4/13/12

Grad reads poetry at humanities festival

One of Southeast Missouri State University's graduate students in English, Iraq veteran Levi Bollinger, has been invited to read his poetry at the St. Louis Humanities Festival today. Bollinger's poem was accepted for publication in the upcoming Warriors' Arts Anthology by editor Dr. Susan Swartwout, who was impressed by its quality and powerful imagery. She forwarded the poem to Warriors' Arts Alliance director Deborah Marshall, who extended the invitation for Bollinger to read the poem at the festival. Bollinger will be on stage with National Endowment of the Arts author Brian Turner.

Cape Comic Con 2012 at Osage Centre

Cape Comic Con 2012 will be at the Osage Centre April 20 to 22. The convention will be three days of professional comic book artists, publishers and more than 100 tables of comics and merchandise for fans of all genres to enjoy. Cape Comic Con will also host a variety of gaming tournaments, including Magic: The Gathering, Pathfinder and HeroClix.

Jackson native publishes book

Jackson native Mark Kamp, also known as Marvelless Mark, has published a new book, "Opportunity Rocks!" The book teaches people to become "rock stars" within their professions or in everyday life. Kamp, who began his career as a radio DJ, is now a motivational speaker, professional emcee and entertainer. His book is available on Amazon.com and may be purchased at select book retailers across the country.

‘Young Frankenstein' play at the Bedell

The musical comedy "Young Frankenstein" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. April 22 in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. Based on the Oscar-nominated smash hit 1974 film by Mel Brooks, "Young Frankenstein" is the reimagining of the Mary Shelley literary classic. Directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, a five-time Tony Award recipient, the musical will feature brand-new show-stopping numbers for the stage, including "Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend" and "Puttin' on the Ritz," as well as old favorites from the classic film. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus box office weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling 651-2265, or online at RiverCampusEvents.com.

Former Girardean writes political thriller

James Herbert Harrison of Overland Park, Kan., formerly of Cape Girardeau has written a political thriller titled "Quest for Power." It deals with contemporary issues such as dirty politics, illegal foreign money, a vengeful liberal senator who tries to destroy a three-generation military family, and an extreme left-wing bomb thrower. Harrison, who spent 29 years in Cape Girardeau, based some of the main characters of the novel on acquaintances here. The book will be released this more month. For more information about the thriller and its sequel, "The Odessa Accord," visit Harrison's website at www.jamesherbertharrison.com.

Award-winning poets present works April 18

James Crews and Travis Mossotti will present a reading of their prize-winning poetry at Southeast Missouri State University at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the University Center Indian Room. Crews first visited Southeast's campus when he won the University Press' 2009 Copperdome Poetry Chapbook Competition with his manuscript "What Has Not Yet Left." He won the Bernice Slote Award for Poetry in 2009, and in 2012, the "Prairie Schooner" Book Prize, which published his full-length collection, "The Book of What Stays." Mossotti is the recipient of the 2011 May Swenson Award for his first full-length collection, "About the Dead," selected by judge Garrison Keillor and published by Utah State University Press. He was awarded the James Hearst Poetry Prize from the "North American Review" in 2009, and "Decampment," the opening poem to "About the Dead," was adapted to screen in 2010 as an animated short film (www.decampment.com). The poetry reading is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Journey student literary magazine, the University Press, the College of Liberal Arts and the Department of English. For further information, call the University Press at 651-2044.

Wholistic Fair at VFW Saturday

The seventh annual Mother Earth Wholistic Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Cape Girardeau VFW hall. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with local health care practitioners to discuss relaxation techniques, natural health care products, stress reduction techniques, weight loss and wellness consultations. Available for purchase will be hand-crafted jewelry and artistic creations, herbal soaps and body products, aromatherapy essential oils, local honey products, herbal plants and flowers, and eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Free classes will be offered, and door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Admission is free, but donations of socks and hygiene items will be accepted to benefit Love INC charities. For more information, contact M.J. Myers at 573-547-3641.

-- From staff reports