Artifacts 3/2/07

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail kicks off spring with art

The eight wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail will kick of the spring season Saturday and Sunday by showing the work of Southern Illinois artists. The event is called "Vintage Art." Opening receptions will be held at each of the galleries from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Artists range from painters to glass artists and sculptors. For more information, call (618) 893-4168.

Muny holds adult auditions March 10-11

ST. LOUIS -- The Muny in St. Louis will hold auditions for its adult singing and dancing ensemble for the 2007 season March 10, with callbacks March 11, at the Performing Arts Center of St. Louis University High School, 4970 Oakland Ave. All dancers must be 17 or older and should bring tap and jazz shoes, toe and ballet slippers and any necessary rehearsal clothing. A picture will also be required, which will not be returned. For more information, call (314) 361-1900 or visit www.muny.org.

Nature Center displays art of Kelly Hughes

The Missouri Department of Conservation's Conservation Campus Nature Center will display an exhibit of sketches by Jackson artist Kelly Hughes this month. The exhibit, "Caterpillars with Character," displays Hughes' sketches made with chalk and other media of 30 caterpillars in Southeast Missouri. Hughes will also host a Conservation Cafe on March 15 at the Nature Center. For more information, call (573) 290-5218.

Fine Arts Education day slated for Tuesday

The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education will hold its annual Fine Arts Education Day Tuesday in Jefferson City. Arts education advocates will lobby legislators about the importance of arts education in public schools, with emphasis on the implementation of a MAP fine arts test for fifth-graders. The Alliance encourages anyone with an interest in arts education to attend. For more information, contact Deborah Fisher at debfisher324@hotmail.com.

Doug Rees CD release party March 10

Jackson singer/songwriter Doug Rees will play at a CD release party from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 10 at the Garden Gallery. Rees will perform with a full band and special guests in a set of original music to be recorded live. For more information, call 332-7123.

Lipizzaner Stallions to appear at SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Tickets are on sale now for the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions, appearing at 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 7 at the SIU Arena in Carbondale. The stallions are celebrating their 37th anniversary of shows that highlight an equestrian tradition dating back 425 years. For more information, call (618) 453-2000 or visit www.siu.edu/~arena.

Cup 'N' Cork enters the open mic arena

The Cup 'N' Cork will add itself to the list of local establishments offering open mic nights. The cafe known for its coffee and wine will hold an open mic from 8 to 11 p.m. today. Owner Barry Robinson hopes to make the open mic nights a weekly occurrence. For more information, call 651-5282.

Red House opens season Saturday

The Red House Interpretive Center will reopen Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the spring season. The facility will be open each Saturday from March through November. For more information or to schedule a tour, call the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 335-1631.

-- From staff reports