Worth the drive 10/9/08

Less than 2 hours away

The Carson Center, Paducah, Ky.

"Stomp!" will stop at the Carson Center in Paducah on its tour through the U.S.. The rhythmic percussion act will be at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau Oct. 21 and 22, but if you can't wait to see the choreography, the show will be in Paducah on Friday and Saturday. Lighters, brooms, trash cans, nothing is above the beat in the award-winning production that's been performed for 14 years. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets range from $26 to $50 and are available at the Carson Center box office 270-450-4444, at www.thecarsoncenter.org, or by logging on to www.stomponline.com. Discounts are available to 2008-09 Broadway Season Subscribers and groups of 20 or more. A 10 percent discount is available for students with valid identification.

Less than 3 hours away

Maramec Spring Park, St. James, Mo.

The 30th annual Old Iron Works Days will be Saturday and Sunday with crafts, displays, music and crosscut sawing each day. Bands include the Windy Ridge Bluegrass Band, the Ozark Spirit Cloggers and the Rosa String Works band. Activities start at noon both days. There will be plenty of country food and beverages available. Price is $10 per car. For more information, call 573-265-7124.