Good bets

LIVE MUSIC

Doug Rees and Kimberley Dahme

Get a taste of the River City Music Festival a day in advance when Kimberley Dahme joins Doug Rees to work on their chops before their festival performances.

• When: 7 p.m. tonight
• Where: Stooges, Jackson

Moodminder and The Sorries

For those who like their rock loud, these two bands will not disappoint.

When: 9:30 p.m.

Where: Ragsdale's

Peter Karp

The New Jersey-based blues-influenced singer/songwriter takes the Tunes at Twilight stage before the River City Music Festival kicks off, where he'll close the night on the Indepdence Street stage.

• When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
• Where: Common Pleas Courthouse Gazebo

River City Music Festival

The biggest event of the year for local music fans. Dozens of bands will perform on outdoor stages downtown and in local bars during this two day event, formerly called the City of Roses Music Festival.

• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Downtown Cape Girardeau

Fiddle contest

Catch local fiddlers in action at the SEMO District Fair's fiddle contest.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: SEMO District Fair activities tent

Bruce Zimmerman

Bruce Zimmerman and the Water Street Band are always a sure deal for good music on a Sunday night.

• When: 9 p.m Sunday
• Where: Port Cape Girardeau

Heartland Idol

Check out some of the area's best singing talent at the Heartland Idol finals. The best part, it's free.

• When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
• Where: SEMO District Fair

Blake Shelton

The country hit-maker was a late addition to the fair line-up after Billy Currington had to cancel. Good news for Shelton fans.

When: 8 p.m. Sept. 13

Where: SEMO District Fair

Ivas John Band

Some have labeled Ivas John as the heir apparent to Bruce Zimmerman, making him the prince of blues in Cape.

• When: 9 p.m. Sept. 13
• Where: Port Cape Girardeau

Keith Sykes

Keith Sykes has worked with music greats like Jimmy Buffett, John Prine, Todd Snider, Rosanne Cash and Patty Loveless. He'll close out this year's Tunes at Twilight series.

• When: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14
• Where: Common Pleas Courthouse Gazebo

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ARTS

Arts Council

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will present exhibitions by Centerville, Mo., artist Pamela Kugel-Rolls and Anniston, Mo., photographer Teresa Gemeinhardt, along with the work of the Visual Arts Cooperative.

• When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday
• Where: Arts Council of Southeast Missouri

Edward Bernard Gallery

The Edward Bernard Gallery will display functional fused glass pieces from Newport, Ore., artist Doug Latta and glass stemware from Tony Davlin of Cambridge, Mass.

• When: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday
• Where: Edward Bernard Gallery

James Thurman

Eccentric and abstract, Cape Girardeau artist James Thurman presents a solo exhibition called "Expected Surprises" tonight, featuring both brand-new and previously viewed works.

• When: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday
• Where: Buckner Brewing Co. Riverview Room

Garden Gallery

The Garden Gallery will display Blacksmith candelabras by Roberta Elliott of Cobden, Ill., whell-thrown pottery by Bob Hanlin of Oklahoma City, Okla., sterling silver jewelry by John Cockle of Austin, Texas and purses by Carol Hirashima of Goleta, Calif., and Patty Dowse of Cambridge, Maine.

When: noon to 9 p.m Friday

Where: Garden Gallery

Cat Ranch Art Guild

The Cat Ranch Art Guild will display original works of art by guild members.

When: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Westray Gallery, 1930 Broadway

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FAMILY

Antique tractor pull

The SEMO District Fair kicks off with the annual antique tractor pulls at the grandstand with free admission.

When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday

Where: SEMO District Fair

Truck and tractor pull

The Hot Rod Truck and Tractor Pull will pack them into the grandstand at the SEMO District Fair.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: SEMO District Fair grandstand

Antique car show

Check out the antique cars of the Capaha Antique Car Club

When: noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: SEMO District Fair

Pet Parade

The pet parade is one of the quirkiest, and most popular, SEMO Fair traditions.

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: SEMO District Fair grandstand

Fair parade

The Budweiser Clydesdales take part in the SEMO District Fair Opening parade.

When: 5:30 p.m.

Where: Starts at Capaha Park, ends at fairgrounds

Rodeo

The Heartland Regional Rodeo keeps the fair tradition alive.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: SEMO District Fair grandstand

Demolition Derby

The Dual Demo Derby is consistently one of the most popular events on the SEMO Fair grandstand.

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Where: SEMO District Fair Grandstand

MISCELLANEOUS

Line dance lessons

Parents Without Partners offers line dance lessons, open to the public.

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Cape Girardeau Eagles Aerie

Farmers market

The Cape Alternative Farmers Market offers locals fresh, locally grown produce and other products every Wednesday and Sunday through October.

When: 2 to 4 p.m Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday

Where: Downtown, near Red House