College connection

Every local in Cape Girardeau knows that summer means a slowdown in the town. Most Southeast Missouri State University students have wandered away to their homes or vacation or maybe even a summer study program, leaving the roads less crowded and bars a little quieter.

The students' absence and Southeast's switch to summer hours also leave the calendar a bit less glamorous. Gone are the Broadway musicals like "Annie" and appearances by Garrison Keillor. We have to wait until September for a musical and November to see the dramatic acting skills of the students in the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Even the Show Me Center backs off its scheduling -- in part to accommodate elementary and high school sports camps but also because with the students gone, there is a smaller audience.

Needless to say, as an entertainment editor, I get a little bored.

But there's always the arts to keep me busy or perspective pieces on bands and music industry characters.

I can also take a breather and prepare for next year. Southeast opened its box office this week for sales of season tickets to events at the River Campus for the 2010-2011 season.

On the docket are touring shows like "Spamalot" and a "Romeo and Juliet" ballet. The university students will perform their dance concerts, and the stages will feature a few serious plays like "To Kill A Mockingbird" and some big musicals like Cole Porter's "Anything Goes."

The Southeast Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and has planned several concerts that should gain it new fans.

We'll have to wait and see, though, because nothing starts until classes start. Like it or not, Cape Girardeau is a college town.