Eclectic weekend ahead in Cape

We've got Grand Ole Opry legend John Conlee, art galore, honky-tonk and adult beverages on tap for the weekend. Southeast Missouri is quite eclectic. If you think you know everything there is to do, you are incorrect.

Don't do the same thing you did last weekend. Follow this handy advice:

Be artsy; check out "Dark Web"

It sounds cool, because it is. Brian Franklin -- a digital/mixed media artist and professor at Illinois State University -- will be featured today through March 28 at the Southeast River Campus Art Gallery. He's this year's juror for the annual student show, which encompasses security and privacy in our now-electronic era, bringing to light Franklin's new media artist group, Sphere. The reception is today from 5 to 7 p.m., and the juror lecture takes place March 28 noon to 1 p.m.

A honky-tonk night

I'm always in favor of supporting local artists, so check out one of this week's recommendations: Ivas John. He's at The Library in downtown Cape Girardeau the first Friday of each month. Be there today at 6 p.m. for some blues, jazz, soul and honky-tonk.

First Friday with the Arts Council

Celebrate creativity with the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri as it presents the opening reception for "The Falsehood of Memories," featuring artist Kerra Taylor Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. Taylor's paintings are embellishments of personal experiences with family, creating her own stories, according to the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri Facebook fan page. You can also check out all the other artwork on display in the Visual Arts Cooperative gallery, with works by Barbi Myres and Marty Riley. The event is family-friendly (so yes, bring your kids).

Grand Ole Opry

Hey, country music fans, Grand Ole Opry Legend John Conlee, also known as Mr. Rose-Colored Glasses, will be performing Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Cape Girardeau. His career dates back 40 years with 32 singles, with 26 of them charting in the Top 20 or better. For more information and tickets check out itickets.com or call (800) 965-9324.

Here's to the weekend

Barrel 131 in Uptown Jackson offers craft beer, spirits and fine wines, and this weekend through Tuesday they're offering product samplings. Abita will be featured Saturday, and Red Blends for Tuesday. You can find the official schedule on their Facebook fan page.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632