HERITAGE DAYS PLANNED AT SOUTHEAST

Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate the heritage of the Southeast Missouri and its residents April 30 through May 2 during the first-ever Heritage Days celebration.

A series of fairs, bazaars and concerts will commemorate the cultures of the region, said George Dordoni, Student Development Programmer at Southeast.

"The main purpose of Heritage Days is to have fun," he said. "But we want to focus on the cultural backgrounds of the people of the area and give them a chance to show off their own cultural heritage. And it's an end of the (school) year celebration."

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, there will be exhibits and displays at the University Center. Ethnic foods, storytellers, music and educational programs on genealogy, language and culture will also be incorporated.

On May 2, at Academic Terraces, the Heritage Days Jam will take place. Musicians will play a wide variety of music, including jazz, blues, gospel, rap and country. Featured bands are Red Line, the Downtown Blues Band, the Cool Country Band, Bass Line Productions and others.

The jam begins at 11:30 a.m. and will go until 7 p.m. In case of rain the jam will be held in the Student Recreation Center in the Show Me Center building.

There is no admission charge for the three-day event.

Regional authors, including Nolan Porterfield, Robert Vaughn, Connie Bennett and George Suggs, will have a book signing session in the University Center on May 2. Regional artist Jake Wells will also be on hand.

During each day of Heritage Days, there will be contests and drawings, with t-shirts, bumper stickers and gift certificates as prizes.

Dordoni said the event is for students as well as the general public. He said Heritage Days will become an annual event at Southeast in the spring.

"We're hoping students will stick around and have a good time," he said. The event is sponsored by Student Life Programs and the Student Activities Council.