ARTifacts 5/10/13

Western swing showcase scheduled

The Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest will present its ninth annual showcase and dance Thursday to May 18 at the VFW Post 3838 hall, 1049 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. Opening night, the hours will be 2 to 11 p.m., while the other two days of the showcase will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Music will be by the WSMSS Bands and other bands. A big jam room will be available, and there will be door prizes and drawings. For lodging informnation at the Pear Tree Inn, call 800-325-0720 or 382-4449. Space also is available at Cape Camping & RV Park, 335-1178, mention Bob Dolle and the WSMSS for a discount. For more information about the showcase and dance, contact Bob or Virginia Dolle at 334-1377.

Paducah to host arts, music festival

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The Lower Town Arts and Music Festival 2013 will be May 17 to 19 at 7th and Madison Streets in Paducah. Sixty-five juried artists will display their work, 30 musical acts will perform, a Taste of Paducah will include 13 vendors and a children's pavilion will feature activities and live performances. A new competition at this year's festival will be the Top Potter Showdown. Potters will take on different challenges, such as throwing the tallest cylinder or the widest bowl. The Paducah Symphony again is organizing musical acts for the festival. J.D. Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers will play the evening of May 17, and the 23 String band will perform the following night. The complete schedule of events is at www.LowerTownAMF.com.

-- From staff reports