ARTS IN REVIEW: THE BEST OF 1997; MUSIC FESTIVAL, PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PLANS TOP LIST

A new music festival and support on high for a new performing arts center injected fresh air into the region's arts and entertainment life in 1997.

Husband and wife arts administrators from Iowa separately assumed command of two of the region's most important arts organizations. And Southeast Missouri State University dedicated a new mural in conjunction with its Faulkner Centennial festivities.

Performances by Alan Jackson, LeAnn Rimes, Tim McGraw, Sammy Hagar, Clay Walker and Bill Staines were the highlights of the musical year.

The first City of Roses Festival was held in downtown Cape Girardeau in mid-October. The first night's awards banquet, when keyboardist Vi Keys was given a Lifetime Achievement Award, sold out. The second night, lines of people waited to get into downtown bars showcasing the 30 musical acts invited to perform.

The final day of the festival was disappointing, perhaps because it was outdoors. Only about 1,000 people turned out in chilly weather to hear music ranging from Memphis R&B legend Rufus Thomas to the St. Louis retro-disco band Dr. Zhivegas.

Organizer Bob Camp promised the festival will return in 1998, perhaps at a warmer time of year.

The perennial talk about building a performing arts center in Cape Girardeau turned serious in 1997 when Southeast Missouri State University President Dr. Dale Nitzschke got behind the project. The university's new capital campaign is expected to include some funding for the center, which would be large enough to draw Broadway shows and could cost $20 million.

Dr. Jenny Strayer became the director of the University Museum in January after completing her doctorate in American studies at the University of Iowa. She replaced Pat Reagan, who returned to full-time teaching in the art department.

In her first year, Strayer showed a willingness to bring in strong shows from outside the area as well as showcase local artists not associated with the university.

In August, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri hired Strayer's husband, artist Greg Jones, as executive director. He replaced longtime director Beverly Strohmeyer, who took a job with the Missouri Arts Council in St. Louis.

Jones has an MFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The Show Me Center again tested the local market for rock 'n' roll in 1997 with a November concert by Sammy Hagar, the ex-Van Halen lead singer. Hagar's show was rousing but fewer than 2,000 people showed up to see it.

Country music remained the Show Me Center's solid draw. The voice of teen-age wunderkind LeAnn Rimes shook the rafters before giving Alan Jackson the stage in May. Tim McGraw's lavish show drew an audience of 5,000 in October.

In November, Clay Walker headed a less successful bill that included Kevin Sharp, Lee Ann Womack and Mark Wills.

The region lost a strong proponent of the arts when Jane Barnett died in April. She was a longtime backer of the University Theatre, together with her partner Tommie Davis creating the Davis-Barnett Award. For university theater students, winning the Davis-Barnett Award is akin to an Oscar.

Folk legend Bill Staines performed at the Rose Theatre in May in a benefit for KRCU 90.9FM. A big crowd, many of whom knew his lyrics by heart, turned out to hear the singer-songwriter best known for "Roseville Fair."

Other highlights of the year included:

-- A performance at Academic Auditorium of "I Remember Harlem II" by the St. Louis Black Repertory Company in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday..

-- The River City Players mounted a successful production of "Steel Magnolias" in February. Thirty-five women tried out for parts in the play, which was presented at the River City Yacht Club.

-- The University Theatre production of "The Music Man" in February. It drew big houses, with director Dennis Seyer opening the auditions to members of the community.

-- The university's presentation in April of a Haydn Festival, a series of concerts that culminated with the Choral Union's performance of the composer's "The Creation."

-- Riders in the Sky, performed in May at the Show Me Center in a benefit for the Missouri State Troopers Association. The same month, violinist Heidi Bergman, a former member and the Southeast faculty, joined pianist Dr. James Sifferman in a recital to raise funds to restore the pipe organ at Old St. Vincent's Church.

-- La Fete Francaise, in which Cape Girardeau joined St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve in a celebration of French heritage at the end of May. French musicians entertained at the Reynold's House, which is the city's primary example of French architecture.

-- Dr. Gary Miller playing a recital at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville in July to dedicate the church's new pipe organ.

-- The classical recital in August by 13-year-old Cape Girardeau violin prodigy Liesl Schoenberger at Old St. Vincent's Church. She also announced the release of her first CD of fiddle tunes.

-- In August and September, the Faulkner Centennial, a series of art exhibits and lectures commemorating the 100th birthday of novelist William Faulkner. Southeast's Faulkner Collection is considered one of the best in existence.

The events included the dedication of Dr. Grant Lund's new Faulkner mural in Kent Library, the University Museum's exhibit of work inspired by Faulkner, and a lecture on Faulkner by Southern novelist Willie Morris.

-- The sight of Houck Stadium filled in October with people doing the "YMCA" dance along with the Village People. The disco singing group performed at the university's Family Weekend.

-- A reception in October honoring artist Jake Wells and Dr. George Suggs Jr. after Suggs donated 14 Wells pencil drawings to the University Museum.

-- The Missouri Humanities Council's decision to give its highest honor to Evelyn Pulliam of Kennett. Pulliam was given the Acorn Award for her work providing books to impoverished families.

-- The River City Players, still looking for a permanent home, production of "Bell, Book and Candle" at Kent Library's Little Theatre in October.

-- The year-end performances of "Hodie" by the Choral Union and "Nutcracker" by the Minnesota Ballet, both at Academic Auditorium.