BRUSH UP ON THE ARTS; SEMO COUNCIL ON THE ARTS DECLARES MARCH AS ARTS AWARENESS MONTH

The month of March is going to be a busy one for fans of the arts. It has been proclaimed "Arts Awareness Month" by the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts and the city of Cape Girardeau. As a result, never before have so many art shows, theater performances and craft workshops been offered in the span of just 30 days.

"We have so many events going on in March, and we're going to be reaching all ages, from preschool to seniors," said Beverly Strohmeyer, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts.

It's the first time the council has designated an entire month to arts awareness, Strohemeyer said.

Performances range from the Imaginary Theatre Company's production of "Alice in Wonderland" to the National Invitational Drawing Exhibition at the Southeast Missouri State University Museum.

"We want to make everyone aware of the importance of arts in their lives, and especially of the events going on in the Cape Girardeau area," she said.

"Alice in Wonderland" will be performed all next week at schools in Cape Girardeau, and two public performances are scheduled March 9 at the Concord Theatre.

The Imaginary Theatre Company, based in St. Louis, is the educational touring segment of the St. Louis Repertory Theatre. They have performed in Cape Girardeau before, but never for an entire week, Strohemeyer said.

The 21st annual Spring Arts & Crafts Fair, to be held at the A.C. Brase Arena Building March 16 and 17, brings in artists from the entire region, she said.

"Usually, it attracts artists from five or six states," said Strohemeyer. "There are still some spaces left, but not many."

Strohemeyer said shows that are a bit unusual for the Southeast Missouri area are also on the Arts Month schedule.

The March 26 performance of the Manhattan Marimba Quartet, a New York-based group, is one the Arts Council has been trying to schedule for several years, she said.

"They perform music of many different styles and different centuries," said Strohemeyer.

The group has performed at the Carnegie Recital Hall, The Smithsonian Institute, and colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Their Cape Girardeau performance will be at Academic Auditorium at 8 p.m.

Several programs that Strohemeyer described as for all age groups will be held at the Cape River Heritage Museum. A class on Easter egg dying is scheduled for March 9, and one on Easter egg decorating is set for March 16. Registration is required for both classes and the admission fee is 50 cents.

"It's really a kickoff to spring," Strohemeyer said. "There are just a lot of fun things to do."