Chicago jazz dance group to perform at SIU tonight

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, a group that combines pretzel-like moves with the music of Count Basie and Thelonius Monk, will perform tonight at SIU's Shryock Auditorium.

The Evanston, Ill., dance troupe formed in 1962. It has presented jazz dance throughout the U.S. and the world.

Tonight's program includes one piece choreographed to the music of Paul Simon and another created by Liz Imperio, choreographer for pop star Jennifer Lopez.

Tickets are $22, with a $6 discount for children 15 and younger.

For information, phone (618) 453-2787.

Musicians will perform at park and Bollinger Mill

Autoharpist/guitarist/singer Dan Wiethop will perform with percussionist Don Greenwood Saturday at Trail of Tears State Park and Sunday at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville.

Saturday's performance will be at 8 p.m. at the park visitor's center. Sunday's performance will be at 4:30 p.m. Audience members are asked to bring lawn chairs to the mill concert. In case of rain, it will be held at the Little Ole Opry, 1 mile from Burfordville on Highway 34.

New quilt exhibit opens in Paducah

PADUCAH, Ky. -- A new exhibit titled "Marriage of Heaven and Earth" opens Saturday and continues through Jan. 4 at the Museum of the American Quilter's Society.

The show by Sylvia Romig Apple is a collection created in reaction to the deaths of a close friend and the artist's mother. Apple makes "quilted paintings" and is recognized for her innovative designs.

The museum is located in downtown Paducah. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays from April through October.

James Moody at the Bistro

ST. LOUIS -- Grammy-nominated saxophonist James Moody opens Wednesday and plays through Sept. 28 at Jazz at the Bistro, 634 N. Grand Boulevard.

Moody is a former Dizzy Gillespie sideman who also recorded with Milt Jackson.

For ticket information, phone (314) 534-1111.

Starcatchers Review taking place Sept. 26

JACKSON, Mo. -- The second annual Starcatchers Review will be held Sept. 26 at the Jackson K of C Hall.

The showcase of local talent is presented by Starcatchers Community Theatre.

The cost is $5 per person. Admission for children 5 and under is free.

Tickets are available at Style Stop Impact and from Starcatchers board members.

The show will begin at 7 p.m. The hall is located upstairs on 3305 U.S. 61 North in Jackson.

Author to sign books at university

Harry Spiller, author of "Vietnam: Angel of Death," will sign books at a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Program Lounge at the University Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

The book was published by the Center for Regional History. It recounts Spiller's experiences as a Marine Corps recruiter for Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois during the Vietnam War.

Gun and knife show set for Sept. 27-29

The Missouri Gun & Knife Show will be held Sept. 27 to 29 at the Show Me Center.

Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 29. Admission is $3. Women and children under 10 will be admitted free.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Jerry Ford Orchestra Tea Dance Sept. 28

The Jerry Ford Orchestra will play the third concert in its Big Band Tea Dance series on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Music will be provided from 2 to 5 p.m. at the University Center Ballroom.

The dances are being presented to provide the public a chance to dance or just listen to big band music.

Admission is $10 per person. Refreshments will be provided.

Downtown hosts Tour de Cape Oct. 5

The annual Tour de Cape bicycle fun ride will be held Oct. 5 in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The ride is sponsored by the Evening Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau.

Riders can choose between an 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. mass start and between riding 100 miles, 62 miles, 30 miles or 15 miles.

Entry fees will support a scholarship to Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship, a nonprofit program using horses to provide therap for children with disabilities.

For information, phone Jan Gerard at 651-3483, send e-mail to tourdecape@bicycling.com or visit the Web site at www.showme.net/recreation/ Bike/Tour/.

The Rep stages 'A Flea in Her Ear'

ST. LOUIS -- "A Flea in Her Ear," Georges Feydeau's comedy of marital misunderstanding and mayhem, is running through Oct. 11 at The Rep.

The most popular of the 39 plays written by the master of farce, "A Flea in Her Ear" is considered by some the funniest play ever written.

For information about show times and ticket prices, phone (314) 968-4925.

-- From staff reports