Artifacts 7/20/07

Sikeston Rodeo concerts start Aug. 8

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Tickets are still on sale for the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo's four concerts by modern country stars. The entertainment kicks off Aug. 8 with Sugarland, with Dierks Bentley performing Aug. 9, Clay Walker Aug. 10 and Eric Church Aug. 11. For more information, visit www.sikestonrodeo.com or call (800) 455-2855.

New concert venue kicks off with bluesman

Cape Girardeau's newest live music venue, the Listening Room, upstairs from the Garden Gallery at the corner of Broadway and Pacific Street, will open July 29 with a concert by New Orleans blues musician Bryan Lee from 8 to 10 p.m. Lee has released 10 critically acclaimed CDs and recently appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" with fellow blues musician Kenny Wayne Shepherd. More information on Lee can be found at his Web site, www.braillebluesdaddy.com.

Local actors to perform in Oxford, Miss., Sunday

Local actors Lester Goodin and Patrick Abbott will be at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., on Sunday to perform "Mr. Twain, Meet Mr. Faulkner," an original play written and directed by Dr. Roseanna Whitlow at the 2007 Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference in Faulkner's hometown. The play was first performed last year at Southeast Missouri State University's first Faulkner and Twain Conference.

Barnes & Noble to hold Potter Party tonight

The Cape Girardeau Barnes and Noble Booksellers will hold a Harry Potter Midnight Magic Party on Friday to celebrate the release of the final book in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." The book will be released at midnight today. Events begin at 9 p.m. with games and other activities geared toward children. Wrist bands, which allow customers to purchase a copy of the book, go on sale at 6 p.m. The wrist bands will be given on a first-come, first-served basis, with copies reserved for those who preordered. For more information, call 335-0522.

Sikeston Little Theater opens 49th season

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikes­ton Little Theater will open its 49th season with the musical comedy "Nunsense" at 7 p.m. July 26 through 28 and 2 p.m. July 29. The Albritton-Mayer Cultural Center at 506 S. Kingshighway will host the performances. For more information, call Mike Marsh at (573) 481-9967.

-- From staff reports