Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate its second annual community River Campus Summer Arts Festival this Saturday, June 20. “Seussical” the musical will be capping the day with a performance at 7:30pm. Last year’s festival had a record attendance with more than 1,200. This year’s event will feature live music, dance, visual art displays, theatrical performances, an art walk, magic, hands-on family-friendly art expression activities, museum exhibitions, and Plein Art Painting. The festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free and open to all ages.

The music line-up has grown extensively since last year. The entertainment will run continually throughout the day featuring the Suzuki players, magician Rob Huff, Mr. Saxophone, Steve Schaffner, Jazz Trio 440’s, the Jerry Ford Combo and Barefoot on Sunday. Children’s activities will be available all day as well, including face painting and hands on activities in the kids’ art tent. The Avenue of Art competition will be back again with a new special category for creating Dr. Seuss art. Additionally, artists of all ages can participate in creating chalk art, with Craig Thomas composing a piece for the festival. Art booths will include demonstrations and art for sale. Ceramics students will demonstrate their craft, and printmaking students will offer a workshop. Students from the Southeast Department of Art and multiple professional artists will have art booths available. In the southwest parking lot, the Southeast Explorer mobile museum will showcase a United States history exhibit and the River City Rodders will display antique and hot rod cars. Bart Williams of the Southeast Department of Theatre and Dance, will present a stage combat exhibition of Quarterstaff fighting outdoors in the Seminary Quad. The River City Players will perform “Sleuth” by Anthony Shaffer.  There will be numerous dance and theater performances, demonstrations, and workshops throughout the day. See SEMO's website for more information.

The all-day event will close with a performance of “Seussical” the musical at 7:30 p.m. in the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre. “Seussical” is a musical comedy based on numerous Dr. Seuss books. The musical is written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.  It is a comedy that will be enjoyed by the entire family. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  calling (573) 651-2265 or by visiting www.RiverCampusEvents.com. Additional performances will include June 18-19, 25- 27 at 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. matinees on June 21, 27 and 28, and a special 10 a.m. performance on June 26.  Get tickets now, seats are filling up quickly!

We, at Old Town Cape, are happy to get the opportunity to work with Southeast Missouri State University campuses on events such as this one. It is partnerships like these that help further opportunities for the University and Downtown and offer a variety of activities for the community to take part in.

This post was written by guest blogger, Alyssa Basler, intern at Old Town Cape.

If you have attended Southeast Missouri State University between 1920 and now, you are familiar with the week of fun and spirit-filled events, also known as Homecoming, which is just around the corner!

Homecoming has been a proud tradition since the early 1920s because it allows students, alumni and members of the community to celebrate their Southeast pride. This year the celebration week kicks off on October 21 and involves several activities including a Yard Art competition, Southeast Spirit Day, Field Day, a Spirit Rally, Decades Day, a Talent Show and, most importantly, the parade and football game. Along the way, you'll also find class reunions, parties, dinners and so much more.

Chris Dzurick, Vice President of the Homecoming planning committee, says that "Homecoming is a unique opportunity for Southeast students to showcase their spirit through a week of competition and activities. For decades, we have made a lasting impression on this campus through the creation of events such as the Spirit Rally and parade down Broadway. This year, Southeast students will be 'Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Success' as the decades of Southeast history come to live again."

The highlight of Homecoming is the annual parade that will be held on October 26 which will start in Capaha Park and proceed down Broadway to Main Street. The theme for this year's parade is 'Decades' and floats are custom-designed and built around the theme by students themselves, primarily Greek fraternities and sororities and several community organizations.

"We normally put in over 1000 hours of work towards Homecoming every year. This year our float theme is the 1980s and we have decided to feature classic 80's video games ilke PacMan, Frogger and Super Mario on our float. Homecoming week is always stressful and busy, but in the end it is all worth .it," said Cami Frew, member of Gamma Sigma Sigma.

Many students along with their friends and families also participate in a tailgate party before the football game and, of course, attend the game itself. The Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks will take on the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Houck Stadium at 1 p.m. on October 26. So, get our your red and black apparel and make plans to be there to show your support and help the Redhawks bring home a winner!