Artifacts 9/24/04

Steve Ewing performs in Cape Girardeau

Steve Ewing, former lead singer of the St. Louis-based band The Urge, performs tonight at Breakaways, 15 N. Main St., with opening local act The Tone Def All-Stars. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m.

Crab and BBQ festival in Southern Illinois

ALTOPASS, Ill. -- Alto Vineyard in Alto Pass is holding a crab and barbecue festival from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday featuring the live music of Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp.

Keith Sykes performs free show at ballroom

Singer-songwriter Keith Sykes performs at 7 p.m. today at the University Center Ballroom as part of the Regional Heritage Series, sponsored by the Department of Communications. Sykes has recorded 12 albums, played on "Saturday Night Live" and "Austin City Limits," produced albums for musicians like John Prine and Tommy Tutone, and now hosts a songwriter's workshop on Beale Street in Memphis.

Parade kicks off East Perry Community Fair

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- The East Perry Community Fair runs today and Saturday in Altenburg. Events start today with a 1:30 p.m. parade, followed by tractor pulls, a poultry dress-up show and musical entertainment. Saturday events include the 4-H and FFA steer and horse shows, a dairy cattle show and a saddle horse show. Live music starts at noon. At 5:30 p.m. the World Champion Jumping Mule Competition takes place at the Fairground Arena.

Sundays at Three holds first concert Sunday

The Department of Music at Southeast Missouri State University is holding the first concert of its Sundays at Three chamber music series at 3 p.m. Sunday in Old St. Vincent's Church. The first concert, titled "The Poet and the Queen," will feature English music of Shakespeare's time, performed on period instruments. The group Early Music St. Louis will also be featured. For tickets, visit the Performing Arts Box Office in the lobby of Rose Theatre or call 651-2265.

Comic hypnotist performs at Family Weekend

Dale K., a comedy hypnotist, will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday at Academic Auditorium. In addition to hypnotizing volunteers, Dale K. also makes bowling balls magically appear and juggles dog bowls and toilet brushes together.

Prints on display at retrospective exhibit

During Family Weekend, "Normal Editions Workshop: A Print Retrospective" will be on display in the Southeast Missouri Regional Museum. The retrospective features prints produced by Illinois State University's Normal Editions Workshop since it began in 1976. The exhibit will remain on display until Oct. 3 at the museum, located in Memorial Hall, room 122.

Traditional music festival planned in Southern Illinois

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency is holding its 15th annual Fort Kaskaskia Traditional Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday at the Fort Kaskaskia Historic Site six miles north of Chester, Ill., on Route 3. The festival will feature bluegrass, Cajun, Irish, country and gospel music acts, as well as Irish dancing and country clogging. Shows will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (618) 654-3581 or (618) 632-1384.

Haunted Castle comes to OMNIMAX screen

The IMAX film "Haunted Castle" opens at the St. Louis Science Center today and will run until Nov. 5. The computer animated film is told from the point of view of the film's protagonist as he inherits the castle left to him by his mother in her will -- a castle where evil lurks. For more information, call (314) 289-4444 or (800) 456-SLSC.

Bluegrass and gospel music at Lake Wappapello

The Mueller Family Bluegrass and Gospel Band from Waterville, Maine, is performing tonight at the Lake Wappapello Outdoor Theatre, while Bluegrace performs at the theater Saturday. Both shows begin at 6:30 p.m. The theater is two miles south of the Wappapello Dam on Route T.

'Charlotte's Web' on stage in Paducah

The Market House Theatre of Paducah, Ky., opened its production of "Charlotte's Web" Thursday and runs through Sunday for two weekends in the mainstage theater, located at 141 Kentucky Ave. Show times are at 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets and information, call the theater at (270) 444-6828 or visit its Web site at www.mhtplay.com.

Barbecue planned on riverfront in Paducah

The 10th Ever Barbecue Festival on the River takes place today and Saturday in Paducah, Ky., along the city's riverfront. The festival is a charitable event where local barbecue teams sell barbecue to support charities and not-for-profit organizations. The teams also compete for a grand champion title. The event also features live music, arts and crafts and family entertainment. For more information, call the Paducah Visitors Bureau at (800) 723-8224.

Christmastime starts now at River Ridge Winery

The River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Mo., is opening its Christmas Yule Log Cabin on Saturday and will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until New Years Eve day. The cabin, located at 7634 Route N, features six rooms full of Christmas decorations and items and an outside barn where Christmas trees will be sold after Thanksgiving.

Buckner's starts acoustic open mic every Tuesday

Buckner Brewing Company will be holding an acoustic open mic night every Tuesday at 9 p.m. starting Tuesday. The event is open to all musicians, whether they are beginners or professionals, as long as they play acoustic material. Sign-up starts at 8:30 p.m.

Workshop for artists working with public schools

A workshop geared for artists who are interested in, or already are, working with public schools through artist residences or classroom projects will be held from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St. A reservation must be made by Wednesday by calling the arts council at 334-9233.

-- From staff reports