Artifacts 9/9/05

Auditions for 'The Tender Land' set for Sept. 18

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University will hold open auditions for Aaron Copeland's American opera, "The Tender Land," at 6 p.m. Sept. 18 in Rose Theatre. Roles are available for actors ranging from 8 years old to elderly, with parts for five men, five women and eight others of varying age and gender. Those auditioning should bring copies of sheet music for one song in English for the audition, accompaniment will be provided. For more information, call 651-2605.

Illinois bayou on display at Cache River Days

ULLIN, Ill. -- The 11th Annual Cache River Days take place today through Sunday in Ullin, with food, music, exhibits, family activities and guided canoe tours of bottomland swamp. The Cache River Wetlands Center will also be open at designated times during the weekend for special tours. The half-million-acre Cache River Watershed supports many of the natural features of southern swamps, with 1,000-plus-year-old cypress trees and more than 100 threatened and endangered Illinois species. For more information, call (800) 248-4373 or (618) 634-2231.

Grampa Woo yacht makes return trip to Cape

The Grampa Woo yacht will return to Cape Girardeau Sept. 19 through Oct. 3 for a variety of cruises on the Mississippi River. The yacht has visited Cape Girardeau three times in the past: in the spring and fall 2004 and spring 2005. For more information on tours, call the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 335-1631 or (800) 777-0068.

Local groups get grants from state arts council

The Missouri Arts Council recently announced more than $2 million in awards to 297 not-for-profit organizations throughout Missouri. The funds support programs in arts education, arts services, community arts, dance, electronic media, festivals, literature, multidiscipline, music, theater, visual arts and more. Local organizations receiving money include the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, $15,436 for community arts programs; Southeast Missouri State University, $1,000 for literature and $1,217 for visual arts; and the Sikeston Cultural Development Corporation, $4,493 for community arts programs.

Artists, vendors wanted in Sikeston Oct. 1

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Depot Museum is seeking artists and vendors for its Cotton Parade Art Fair, Oct. 1. The Sikeston Cotton Parade ends at the downtown Depot Museum, which is where the art fair will take place. For more information, call (573) 481-9967.

Folk concerts set at Trail of Tears, Bollinger Mill

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will present two fall folk concerts Sept. 17 and 18 at Trail of Tears State Park and Bollinger Mill State Historic Site. Dave Para and Cathy Barton will perform Saturday at 7 p.m. at Trail of Tears in the park amphitheater behind the visitor center and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Bollinger Mill in the picnic area. For more information, call (800) 334-6946.

Open auditions to be held at Market House Theatre

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Open auditions for "The Phantom Tollbooth," an adventure fantasy, will be held at the Market House Theatre in downtown Paducah Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m. Needed are 20 to 40 actors, ages 8 through adult. Most of the characters can be played by any age or gender. Performances are slated for Oct. 27 through 30 and Nov. 4 through 6, with matinees on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 and 5. No advanced preparation is needed and no previous experience is required, but reading scripts are available. For more information, call (270) 444-6828.

Golconda Shrimp Festival coming Sept. 17

GOLCONDA, Ill. -- The Main Street Golconda Shrimp Festival will take place on Sept. 17 in downtown Golconda. The festival will feature a professional and amateur shrimp cook-off, music and other entertainment. For more information, call (618) 683-MAIN.

Springsteen concert to air on WSIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- WSIU-TV in Carbondale will air "Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live in New York City," Saturday from 9 to 11 p.m. The concert is in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the seminal Springsteen release "Born to Run." Visit www.wsiu.org for more information.

'Painting Missouri' opens in Poplar Bluff Saturday

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Margaret Harwell Art Museum in Poplar Bluff will present the "Painting Missouri" exhibit by Missouri artist Billyo O'Donnell, Saturday through Oct. 30. O'Donnell has painted scenes from every county in Missouri for the project in his "en plein air" landscape style. For more information, call (573) 686-8002.

-- From staff reports