Artifacts

Country music to promote voting

The country band Little Big Town will perform at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park Thursday in an event called "Love Your Country. Vote."

Little Big Town consists of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Roads, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook, who made their first appearance as a group on the Grand Opry.

Their self-titled debut album was released in May.

The show is designed to encourage voter registration and to underscore how important individual votes are. Organizers point out that in the 1998 Congressional elections, only about 73 million of the 201 million voting-age citizens of the U.S. went to the polls.

The event is sponsored by Country Music Television, national entertainment retailer fye and the mall developer, Westfield Corp.

The rally-style events are being presented in 30 different cities.

Thursday's show will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

"The Fantasticks' opens Monday at The Muny

ST. LOUIS -- "The Fantasticks," the longest running musical in history, opens Monday at The Muny and continues through July 28.

The show includes such songs as "Try to Remember," "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and "They Were You."

For information, phone (314) 361-1900 or visit the Web site, www.muny.com.

Starcatchers to present 'The Fantasticks'

JACKSON, Mo. -- Starcatchers Community Theatre will present the musical "The Fantasticks" July 26-27 at the Route 25 Hall south of Jackson.

"The Fantasticks" combines drama, comedy, songs and dances into a family-oriented production.

Doors for the dinner theater performances will open at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $15 per person.

A Sunday matinee dessert show will be presented July 28, with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. and the show beginning at 2 p.m. The cost for that show is $7 per person.

For reservations, phone 243-3310.

Sikeston Jaycee Rodeo Aug. 7-10

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will be held Aug. 7-10. Entertainment will be provided by Alabama Aug. 7, by Lonestar Aug. 8, by Gary Allen Aug. 9 and by Trace Adkins Aug. 10.

River City Players to present follies

The River City Players Follies will be presented at 7 p.m. Aug. 16-17 at Port Cape Girardeau's River City Yacht Club. The group hopes to make it an annual event.

Sign-ups for those who want to sing, dance, play an instrument or perform will be from 6-8 p.m. July 31 at Port Cape's Captain's Quarters.

For information, phone Debbie Barnhouse at 335-8120.

--From staff reports