Artifacts 5/11/07

Western Swing Showcase starts Thursday in Cape

The Western Swing Society of the Southwest will hold its annual showcase and dance at the VFW Hall in Cape Girar-deau starting Thursday and continuing through May 19. Times are 1 to 11 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 18 and 19. For more information, call 334-1377.

Red House presents Arts and Crafts Day

The Red House Interpretive Center will present its first Arts and Crafts Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Wood carvers, basket weavers, chair caners and spoon ring makers will be in attendance. For more information, call Jane Randol Jackson at 204-2331.

Southeast Public Radio starts new local series

Southeast Public Radio, 90.9 FM KRCU, has begun broadcasting a new series, "Almost Yesterday," every Wednesday at 7:49 a.m. Host Dr. Frank Nickell, director of Southeast Missouri State University's Center for Regional History, discusses specific moments in Southeast Missouri history combined with sounds and music from the past. For more information, visit www.southeastpublicradio.org.

Sikeston Little Theater holds open auditions

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Little Theater will hold open auditions for the musical comedy "Nunsense" at 2 p.m. May 19 and 20 and 7 p.m. May 21 at the Albritton-Mayer Cultural Center at 506 S. Kings-highway. The play has a cast of five women, all of whom are required to sing. Those wishing to help with technical work are also encouraged to attend. For more information, call Mike Marsh at (573) 471-7626.

WWE event changes Show Me Center lineup

The WWE Raw Live! event scheduled for May 19 at the Show Me Center has changed its lineup. Now on the bill will be a three-way match between John Cena, Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels, a tag-team match with Jeff and Matt Hardy taking on Lance Cede and Trevor Murdoch, a women's match with Mickie James against Melina, Ric Flair versus Carlito and Santino Marella vs. Kenny Dykstra. For more information, call 651-5000 or visit www.showmecenter.biz.

Arcadia Valley holds inaugural music festival

IRONTON, Mo. -- Ironton will host the first Arcadia Valley Music Festival May 18 and 19, celebrating the susquecentennial of Iron County. The event will take place in downtown Ironton. Music will include bluegrass, folk, mountain music and Civil War-era music. The Iron County Farm Bureau will also sponsor an Ag Day on Saturday. For more information on the festival, call (573) 546-1441 or visit www.arcadiavalley.biz.

Cache River Natural Area to hold bike tours

BELKNAP, Ill. -- The staff of the Cache River State Natural Area in Southern Illinois will lead bike tours May 19 and 26 on the Tunnel Hill State Trail. The tours will depart from the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center at 9 a.m. each day, on which guides will talk about the flora, fauna and history of the area. For more information, call the wetlands center at (618) 657-2064.

-- From staff reports