ARTifacts 6/22/12

The Muny introduces new website

ST. LOUIS -- The Muny in St. Louis has introduced a new website to provide information on shows and other theater news. The website is www.muny.org. The Muny, which is in its 94th season in Forest Park, has announced the following summer productions: "Thoroughly Modern Millie," today through Sunday; "Chicago," Monday through July 1; "Aladdin," July 5 through 13; "Dreamgirls," July 16 through 22; "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," July 23 through 29; "Pirates!," July 30 through Aug. 5, and "The King and I," Aug. 6 through 12. Ticket information is available at www.muny.org.

Cherokee culture discussed at museum

Chief Paul White Eagle will discuss the history, life and culture of the Cherokees in Southeast Missouri at noon Saturday at the Cape River Heritage Museum. The program is free and is open to all ages.

Cape founder's death observed in event

An event honoring the 200th anniversary of the death of Louis Lorimier, Cape Girardeau's founder, will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Old Lorimier Cemetery. The free event will examine the life of Lorimier, as well as other historical figures buried at Old Lorimier Cemetary.

Celebrate Zoofest at the Lazy L Safari Park

Celebrating the third season of Lazy L Safari Park, Zoofest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the park in Cape Girardeau. The fun in the sun beach party will include a bounce house, sand boxes, limbo, games and prizes. Door prizes will include free zoo memberships, a birthday party package, guest passes, and T-shirts. The event is $5 per person, ages 2 to adult. For more information, call 243-7862.

Musical theater camp scheduled at university

Youngsters are invited to participate in a musical theater camp at Southeast Missouri State University from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. "Don't Rain on My Parade: A Musical Adventure" is an introduction to the exciting world of musical theater that will teach children the basics of the trade, from acting and singing to choreography and directing. Participants will also get the chance to design their own set for their favorite show and sketch their characters' costumes. Cost of the camp is $159, and it is open to children ages 9 to 14. For more information, call 986-6879.

Trail of Tears campout to be held Saturday

The Great American Backyard Campout will be held Saturday at Trail of Tears State Park. Participants will spend the day exploring the park by hiking one of its many trails, checking out the visitor center or participating in a scavenger hunt. In the evening, they'll join the park naturalist at the Mississippi River campground at 7 p.m. and learn the history surrounding the Mississippi River. After a short walk under the night sky, they'll eat s'mores around a campfire and hear tales of the River. The evening will end with stargazing. For more information, call 290-5268

Rogers wins Southeast prize for first novel

Tony Rogers of Cambridge, Mass., a retired lawyer, has won the first annual Dorothy and Wedel Nilsen Prize for a First Novel. Nilsen established the award with the Southeast Missouri State University Press as a tribute to his late wife, Dorothy, and a boost to aspiring, professional authors. The winning novel -- "The Execution of Richard Sturgis, As Told by His Son, Colin" -- will be published by the press in spring 2013. It is the story of a rowdy, complex family man who befriends two devious men and, with them, is arrested for the rape and murder of a young man. For more information about the Nilsen Prize, contact Dr. Susan Swartwout at sswartwout@semo.edu or 651-2044.

-- From staff reports