Artifacts 3/2/12

Signing scheduled for latest Ford book

Jerry Ford's latest book, "Dreamers: From Small Town to Big Time," will launch from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday with a book signing at the River Campus. The book, published by the University Press, chronicles the careers of more than 100 musicians and entertainers from Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area. Ford's first book, "The Gordonville Grove," is in its third printing since debuting in September 2010.

Concert will benefit new band scholarship

Former members of the Southeast Wind Ensemble will perform a concert of wind band literature at 7 p.m. March 10 at the Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus. The musicians are members of the Southeast Missouri State University Music Department Alumni. There will be no admission fee for the concert, but the group will accept donations toward the newly formed University Bands Alumni Scholarship Fund. The group will be conducted by Dr. Robert M. Gifford, former director of bands for the university, and guest conductor Dr. Martin Reynolds, the current director of bands for Southeast. A reception will immediately follow the end of the concert for anyone who would enjoy mingling with the alumni performers.

Sikeston Little Theatre closes ‘Li'l Abner'

SIKESTON, Mo. -- March will be a busy month at the Sikeston Little Theatre with "Li'l Abner" closing its run and auditions for the Broadway Stage Review taking place at the end of the month. The closing performances of "Li'l Abner" will be at 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Advance tickets are available at Collins Music. Auditions for June's "Broadway Stage Review" are set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 22, 2 to 2:30 p.m. March 25, and 2 to 3 p.m. April 1. The performance will run June 1 to 3. The review will feature soloists, a choir and an orchestra. Anyone interested in performing should come to the tryouts or call the theater at 573-481-0255. For more information, go to sikestonlittletheatre.com.

Sikeston museum to hold children's art show

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The first Sikeston Elementary School Art Show, sponsored by Dr. Larry and Sheila Bohannon will be from March 1 to Apr. 29 at the Sikeston Depot Museum. It will feature art from Sikeston's first- through fourth-grade students in public, private, or home schools. The artwork won't be judged, but there will be a special "People's Choice Award" given. The winning artist's school building will receive a $250 prize, and his art teacher will receive $250 for the classroom. In addition to the art show, "The Downtown Gallery Walk" will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 9. The Depot, Sweet Gum Gallery, Front Street Gallery, Here We Go Again Antiques, and Tradewinds Antique will all be open with refreshment and entertainment, all free of charge. For more information, go to sikestondepotmuseum.com.

-- From staff reports