SONG, DANCE & DRAMA: COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION STARTS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Cape Girardeau's Community Concert Association is in the midst of its annual membership drive, and membership chairman Ruth Knote said the upcoming concert season is one of the best the association has sponsored.

"I think it's going to be a very exciting season," she said, "one that will appeal to a lot of people."

The membership drive ends after next week. Membership headquarters will be open next week at 1017 Independence from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Memberships can be obtained by calling the office at 335-4743.

Knote said membership in the association is the "best entertainment bargain" around.

Three shows are scheduled beginning in October, when "Dance~time," a dance extravaganza from Dance Through Time, a San Francisco-based theatrical dance company.

Membership in the concert association means free admission to all concert association shows and reciprocal membership in the concert associations in Paducah, Carbondale, Sikeston, Malden and Perryville.

"Dancetime" explores 500 years of dance along with dialogue, song and music of the specific periods. It will be held Oct. 16 at Academic Auditorium.

The second production features Jack Morgan and the Russ Morgan Orchestra Nov. 17. Knote said some will remember the late Russ Morgan from years ago when he and his orchestra played at the Purple Crackle in East Cape Girardeau, Ill.

Jack Morgan, who first joined the group 27 years ago, has carried on his father's band.

His orchestra includes six talented musicians who claim themselves to be the "Most Requested Big Band." They are also associated with the Columbia Artists Community Concert Series.

Knote said the big band sounds will appeal to young and old alike.

In March, the concert association will host the Dallas Brass, which burst on the music scene in 1989 with more than 100 performances. They have been called "as elegant and exciting as a formal concert, but a lot more fun."

The six-member group has developed a national following and includes a full range of percussion instruments including the xylophone, vibraphone, drums and piano.

The Community Concert Association is in its 61st year and has more than 800 members. All shows are held at Academic Auditorium on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. Special parking has been arranged for the coming season.

Membership is $25 for adults and $12 for students. A $60 family membership can be purchased for two adults and any children under 18.

"It's a real bargain for people who have several children," Knote said. "In addition to admission to the concerts in the series and the reciprocal concerts, we also have reciprocity for university cultural events," she said.

Each season's productions are selected carefully to include events and performances not normally held in the area, she said.