Choral concert
The Emporia State University Department of Music will present the Choral Showcase Concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the First United Methodist Church. Music students will play for the Homecoming musical, “Something’s Afoot,” a musical comedy mystery at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 24 and 25 and 2 p.m. Oct. 26. Tickets for the Homecoming musical can be purchased by calling 341-6387. Admission to the Choral Concert is $5 general admission; $4, students and senior citizens. Information: Call 341-5431.
Book discussion
The next book in the Emporia Public Library discussion series is “All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren. Discussions begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the library’s large meeting room. The last book in the 2008 series is “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson, to be discussed at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Multiple copies of the books are available for checkout. All interested persons are invited to attend. For more information, call Lynette Olson at 340-6451 or olsonlyn@emporialibrary.org.
Arts council series
The Emporia Arts Council next presentation will be the The Doug Talley Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Emporia Granada Theatre. Talley is a “premier jazz performer and educator,” stated the press release. The Quartet’s performance will include a special appearance with the Emporia High School jazz band. For more information, call 343-6473.
Benefit concert
A benefit concert will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial St., after which there will be a reception. The program will feature Callie Agler, performer in Branson; the ESU Community Chorus, the Rev. Darren Henson and Anna Ryan, vocalists; St. James Baptist Church Choir; Christian bands Sweetwater and Via Crucis and internatioanally known pianist Angel Yang. Tickets, $10 each person, are available at Catholic Charities, 702 Commercial St., Suite 3-A; the Emporia Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau; and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Net proceeds from the concert, presented by the Emporia Advisory Council of Catholic Charities, will benefit the children and families served by the Emporia office of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, whose motto is “Serving People of All Faith.”
Play in Topeka
The Topeka Civic Theatre is offering “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie, produced through special arrangement with Samuel French, opening today and continuing through Nov. 1, 2008. Tickets are available on line for non-members at www.topekacivictheatre.com or by calling (785) 357-5211.
Wichita Symphony
The Wichita Symphony Orchestra Classics Concerts continues with “Unplugged” by Croation guitarist Robert Belinic, and Mark Laycock, guest conductor at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 and 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Century II Concert Hall in Wichita. Call (316) 267-7658 for tickets and more information; tickets also are available online at www.wso.org.
Baroque opera
The second production of the 51st season of the Lyric Opera will George Frideric Handel’s “Julius Caesar,” the first production of a Baroque opera in the Lyric Opera’s history. Performances will be Nov. 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 at the Lyric Opera in Kansas City, Mo. For times and ticket information, call (816) 471-7344 or toll free at (877) 673-7252, see www.kcopera.org.