Artifacts 12/28

'Images of the Infinite' at Sharpe Planetarium

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- "Images of the Infinite," opening Jan. 4 at the Sharpe Planetarium in the Pink Palace Museum, documents the scientific advances achieved since the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Deployed in 1990, the Hubble circles the earth every 96 minutes providing photographic images of the most distant objects known. In 1996, the HST was pointed for 10 days at two tiny patches of sky where nothing previously ever had been seen. The HST returned an image containing more than 1,500 galaxies. Some of these are more than 12 billion light-years away.

"Images of the Infinite" continues through April 28. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday, noon and 3 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Phone (901) 320-6362 for reservations.

Music by Ravel, Debussy at Powell Hall

ST. LOUIS -- French composer's Maurice Ravel and Clause Debussy will be spotlighted when the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs Jan. 4-5 at Powell Symphony Hall.

The orchestra and pianist Gary Graffman will perform Ravel's Piano Concert for the Left Hand in D major, which Ravel wrote for pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm in World War I.

The program also includes Debussy's "La Mere" and "Six Epigraphes antiques."

Concerts are at 8 p.m. Phone (314) 534-1700 for information.

'Our Town' auditions set for Jan. 7, 8 in Paducah

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Open auditions for the youth production of the Thornton Wilder play "Our Town" will be held Jan. 7-8 at the Market House Theatre's Studio Theatre, 120 S. Second St.

A large cast of 25 to 40 actors from middle school age through adult is needed.

Public performances will be Feb. 28 and March 1-3 with morning school matinees on Feb. 27, 28 and March 1. Rehearsals are at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The MKT's youth acting troupes are now accepting registrations for the new trimester beginning in January.

For information, phone the MHT at (270) 444-6828.

Choral Union to begin rehearsals on Jan. 15

The Choral Union will begin rehearsals Jan. 15 for an April 30 performance of John Rutter's "Requiem."

The Choral Union is a non-auditioned community choir that performs major choral/orchestral works.

Rehearsals are held at 7 Tuesday evenings at Brandt Music Hall, Room 205.

For information, phone director Dr. John Egbert at 651-2342.

St. Louis educator will speak at King breakfast

Dr. Henry Shannon, chancellor of St. Louis Community College, will be the speaker at the 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast Jan. 21.

The breakfast will be held at the Student Recreation Center at Southeast.

Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., with the program beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are available at the Southeast Bookstore, the University Center Information Desk or from the Cape Girardeau Ministerial Alliance. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Poetry reading Jan. 28 at Cape Girardeau library

The first poetry reading of the new year will be held Jan. 28 at the Hirsch Community Room in the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

The reading will begin at 7 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring original poetry and work by favorite poets to read.

Accommodations for people with disabilities will be made upon request. Phone Rhonda Cole at 334-5279.

'Funny Girl' scheduled for Feb. 8 at SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The musical "Funny Girl" will recreate the splendor of the Ziegfeld Follies and the private life of Fanny Brice Feb. 8 at Shryock Auditorium.

Tunes include "People," "Don't Rain on My Parade" and "Sadie, Sadie."

Phone (618) 453-ARTS for information.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

'A Tribute to Beatles' Feb. 9 at Shryock

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Yesterday, a Beatles tribute band, will perform with the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra Feb. 9 in "A Tribute to the Beatles." The concert will be given at Shryock Auditorium.

Phone (618) 453-ARTS for information.

'Phantom of the Opera' in St. Louis four weeks

ST. LOUIS -- "The Phantom of the Opera" begins a four-week run Feb. 13 at the Fox Theatre.

Phone (314) 534-111 for information or visit thephantomoftheopera.com.

-- From staff reports