Trumpeter Lark to headline jazz concert

The Jazz Festival Gala Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Bedell Performance Hall on Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. The concert will feature trumpeter Bob Lark, and music students. Lark is a professor of jazz studies at DePaul University. The award-winning DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, under his direction, has recorded with some top jazz talents, such as Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Jim McNeely and Louie Bellson. For more information, visit www.rivercampusevents.com or call (573) 651-2265.

Cookie Spree part of First Friday

The second annual Cookie Spree will be held in conjunction with the First Friday with the Arts, sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 5. This stamp-card event includes a special offer from Chocolate Works. For a list of participating locations, and their cookie selections, visit www.facebook.com/events/1181441175240778. To learn more about First Friday with the Arts, visit www.capearts.org/FirstFriday.

Painting benefits Watkins Wildlife Rehab

Painted Wren Art Gallery, 5 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau, is offering wildlife lovers an opportunity to support Watkins Wildlife Rehab in Sedgewickville, Missouri. Visitors to the gallery will be allowed to paint on the fox-and-vine painting for one minute with a donation of $1. The money raised, as well as the finished painting, will be given to the Watkins facility. The benefit will continue from 1 to 6 p.m. today and Saturday. A new cause will be featured beginning in February.

Nature Center exhibits photos

The nature photography of Carmen Simpher will be on display in February, beginning from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. For a complete list of dates and times, visit the center's website at www.mdc.mo.gov/capenaturecenter or phone (573) 290-5218.

-- From staff reports