Artifacts 6/20/03

BYOC Sunday Showcase to offer songs, dances

The monthly BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) Sunday Showcase will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Jackson City Park Band Shell.

The show will include performances by Christian rock singer Teri Jett and students from dance Extensions in Jackson.

The show is free.

The showcase is open to anyone who wants to perform. Types of talent sought include vocal and instrumental music, dance, comedy, storytelling and dramatic presentations. For information, phone Shane Anderson days at 243-3568 or Ann Swanson nights at 243-1450.

'Beauty and Beast' star in Paducah

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The singer who provided the voice of Belle in Disney's animated "Beauty and the Beast" will star in "From Belle to Broadway," to be presented tonight.

Paige O'Hara will co-star with Michael Piontek, now appearing in "Mamma Mia!" in Las Vegas, in the production. The show will include selections from Disney classics, a salute to Judy Garland and Broadway medleys from "South Pacific," "Evita," "Mack and Mabel," "Phantom of the Opera" and "Beauty and the Beast."

O'Hara also has appeared on Broadway in "Showboat," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and as Fantine in "Les Miserables."

Pointek, her husband, was a member of Off-Broadway's Circle REP and played the Prince/Wolf in Sondheim's "Into the Woods" on Broadway. He also appeared in "The 3-Penny Opera" with Sting and in Tommy Tune's "Grand Hotel."

"From Belle to Broadway" will be presented at 8 p.m. in Paducah Tilghman Auditorium, 2400 Washington St. Tickets are $14 to $25 and can be reserved by phoning (270) 443-9932.

The production is being presented by the Four River Center foe the Performing Arts. The new performing arts center is due to open in February.

Salsa in downtown Cape Girardeau

Salsa Descarga will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at the Bel Air Grill in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Sondheim revue begins Monday at The Muny

ST. LOUIS -- "Side By Side By Sondheim" opens Monday and continues through June 29 at The Muny. The revue includes some of the best-known songs from such Stephen Sondheim musicals as "Company," "Follies," "A Little Night Music," "Gypsy" and "West Side Story."

Tickets range from $8 to $54. Phone (314) 534-111 for information.

All shows at The Muny begin at 8:15 p.m.

Auditions for RCP follies Aug. 2-3

Auditions for the second annual River City Players follies will be held Aug. 2-3 at Port Cape Girardeau restaurant, 19 N. Water.

Auditions will be from 1 to 3 p.m.

The follies will be presented at 7 p.m. Aug. 15-16 upstairs at the restaurant's River City Yacht Club. For information, phone Dr. Roseanna Whitlow at 334-9997.

Russian miniature art at MAQS

PADUCAH, Ky. -- A collection of Russian lacquer miniature art is now on exhibit in the lobby of the Museum of the American Quilter's Society.

The exhibition consists of hand-painted, finely-detailed boxes, brooches, nesting dolls and ornaments for sale.

Russian lacquer miniature arts originated in the late 18th century. The miniatures are painted on papier-mâché articles.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Meat Loaf tour coming to Fox

ST. LOUIS -- Meat Loaf's "Couldn't Have Said It Better" Last World Tour will be at the Fox Theatre July 12.

Meat Loaf's 1977 album "Bat Out of Hell" became the third-highest selling album of all time, spawning three hits.

The 1993 album "Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell" won Meat Loaf a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal for the song "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)."

Tickets range from $37.50 to $47.50. Phone (314) 534-1111 or go to www.metrotix.com for information.-- From staff reports

Candy is dandy at St. Louis Science Center

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Science Center plans to draw visitors with sweets in July through the summer exhibition titled "Candy Unwrapped."

"The Stretchy, Sticky, Gooey" Festival July 12-13 will offer treats such as taffy, caramel, bubble gum and other items. The grand prize at the festival will be a year's supply of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

On July 26-27, the "Candy from Around the World" Festival will offer candies from other countries and cultures.

Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for seniors and youths.

Rockin' on the Landing July 4-5

ST. LOUIS -- The Violent Femmes, a cult band of the '80s, will headline July 4 at the Bud Light Rockin' on the Landing.

Three national bands and 15 local bands will perform on the riverfront during the free event from 3 to 10 p.m. July 4-5.

The main stage headliners on July 5 will be Socialburn, a Florida alternative rock group. The St. Louis group Just Add Water will open for Socialburn.

The other St. Louis-area bands on the schedule include Joe Dirt, Somnia, Unchained, John Henry Parr, Nadine, Snafu, Poke Chop, Impala Deluxe, all on July 4, and on July 5 Elevation, CORE Project, Sevenstar, Earl, Vertigo Sun, E.M. Grueve, Paint the Earth and Murder City Players.