Concerts
A local band, “The Highlife,” will perform live at The Noose, starting about 8:30 p.m. today. According to the press release, this is a four-piece group that “plays just about everything, from reggae to pop, rock to show tunes, jazz to rockabilly.” Come early, as seating is limited. There is no cover charge.
On April 18 at 7:30 p.m., “The Usual Suspects” will perform at The Noose. The band plays a “unique repertoire of 60s and 70s music, very laid-back and with very original arrangements,” said the press release. For more information, call The Noose at 343-8629 or e-mail: thenoose2008@gmail.com.
Glass show
The ESU Glass Guild Blowout will be held Saturday at the Glass Studio on north Highland St., featuring Scott Darlington. The schedule includes hot glass demonstrations from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. There will be a barbecue/potluck from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a glass auction at 7 p.m.
Slavery revisited
“Binding Up the Nations’ Wounds,” an historical performance featuring first-person narratives will be performed at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Kanza Room of the ESU Memorial Union. Admission is free. Anne Hawkins will portray Mary Jane Ritchie, an abolitionist; and Norman Joy will portray Robert E. Lee. There will be a question and answer time after the program. For more information, call Joyce Thierer at 341-5533 or see jthierer@emporia.edu.
Opera
The ESU Department of Music will present the opera, “The Merry Widow,” at 7:30 p.m. April 18 and 19 in Albert Taylor Hall of Plumb Hall on the ESU campus. General admission is $5; students and senior citizens, $4. For more information, call 341-5431.
Kaw Missions
The third program in the Kaw Missions Council 2008 educational series, “Our Fabulous Flint Hills: The Hills are Alive!,” features Bob Gress, who will present “Birds and Mammals of the Flint Hills” at 3:30 and 7 p.m. April 19 at the Kaw Mission State Historic Site in Council Grove. The program is free and open to the public. Gress will share stories and photographs of Flint Hills wildlife from his two most recent books, “Faces of the Great Plains, Prairie Wildlife” and “The Guide to Kansas Birds and Birding Hotspots.” There will be copies of these books available for purchase and Gress will sign them. He will also have free posters.
Ballet
The Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka will have their annual Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. April 19 and 3 p.m. April 20 at the Topeka West High School auditorium. During intermissions April 19, the Hayden High School Jazz Band will play; the Osage City Jazz Band will play at the intermissions on April 20. Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger, can be purchased at the door or by calling (785) 379-9226 or (785) 271-0190.
EAC show
“The Tweaksters,” sponsored by the Emporia Arts Council, will perform at 7 p.m. April 23 in Albert Taylor Hall. The Tweaksters, called ‘the Blue Man Group without the paint,’ are Regan Patno and Julia Snyder, two performing artists whose “quirky take on the world blends balletic feats, precision juggling, acrobatics and creative choreography with odd objects,” said the press release. Tickets are available at the Emporia Arts Council, 618 Mechanic St., or the Sweet Granada, 805 Commercial St. For more information, call the EAC at 343-6473 or e-mail director@emporiaksarts.org.
Student exhibition
The annual Juried ESU Art Student Exhibition will be held through May 2 at the Norman R. Eppink Gallery at ESU.
During the month of April, ESU student works not selected by the jurors of the Annual Juried student exhibition will be on display in The Salon des Refuses exhibit at the Emporia Arts Council, 618 Mechanic St.
EAC hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and by appointment. Information: 343-6473.
Shakespeare
ESU Theatre presents “Shakespeare in Hollywood,” described as a “hilarious period comedy” by Ken Ludwig at 7:30 p.m. April 30, May 1, 2 and 3 at the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall at ESU. For more information, call the ESU box office at 341-6378.