Datebook: January 19 – Battle of Mill Springs Kentucky 150 Years Ago

The Battle of Mill Springs was fought in Wayne and Pulaski counties on January 19, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It concluded an early Confederate offensive campaign in eastern Kentucky. While considered a small battle in comparison to many that followed in the Civil War, the battle at Mill Springs was the second largest in Kentucky (only Perryville had higher casualties). It was also the first significant Union victory of the war, much celebrated in the popular press, but was soon eclipsed by Ulysses S. Grant’s victories at Forts Henry and Donelson.

It’s Thursday, January 19

The 75th annual Campus Lights production, Titanic the Musical, takes place at Lovett Auditorium tonight through Saturday at 7:30PM and on Sunday at 2:30. Admission is $10 for adults, or $7 for students and children under 12. Find more information on the 75th Annual Campus Lights Facebook page.

Fort Donelson hosts a Civil War Roundtable tonight at 7 at the Cumberland Room of the Stewart County Visitor Center. Historian Karel Lea Biggs presents a program entitled “Life in Occupied Tennessee.” The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact John or Nikki Walsh at 931-801-4530.

The Friends of the McCracken County Public Library host a used book sale tomorrow and Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah. Hours are Friday from 9 to 7 and Saturday from 9 to 1. All proceeds help the McCracken County Public Library.

Find more information about these and other community events online at wkms.org. Thanks for listening!

Datebook: September 12 – Defenders Day in Maryland

Defenders Day is a legal holiday in Maryland commemorating the successful defense of the city of Baltimore on September 12, 1814 from an invading British force during the War of 1812. It was during this conflict, the Battle of Baltimore, that Fort McHenry was shelled by the British but refused to surrender, and an inspired Maryland lawyer named Francis Scott Key composed the words to what would later become “The Star-Spangled Banner”, eventually proclaimed the national anthem of the United States.

It’s Monday, September 12

Murray State University’s Robert E. Johnson Theatre presents Sanjie, A Chinese Myth, this weekend. Lissa Graham-Schneider wrote and directs the 40 minute play, most of which is performed in shadows. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Kids in 6th through 8th grades may submit one Halloween Short Story by 5 p.m. this Friday in the City of Paducah Parks Department contest. The story must be no longer than 600 words, typed, and must begin with this sentence: “The moon was full and a mysterious fog crept up the path as the darkness of the night settled in.” See paducahky.gov.

Murray State’s Fall Fanfare Concert for Family Weekend is Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door of Lovett Auditorium and benefit music scholarships. The concert showcases light, entertaining performances by the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, University Chorale, Jazz Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Racer Marching Band.

Listen to us at wkms.org while our tower work interrupts our main service this week.

Datebook: June 6 – Soyuz 11 launches 40 years ago

Soyuz 11 launched on June 6, 1971. The Russian spacecraft was the first successful visit to the world’s first space station, Salyut 1. The mission ended in disaster when the crew capsule depressurized during preparations for re-entry, killing the three-man crew. This accident resulted in the only human deaths to occur in space (as opposed to high atmosphere). The crew members aboard Soyuz 11 were Vladislav Volkov, Georgi Dobrovolski and Viktor Patsayev.

Here’s Datebook for Monday, June 6

Tonight there’s a benefit for Need Line serving Murray and Calloway County at Murray State’s Lovett Auditorium. It’s an evening of laughter and testimony with Vocal Impressionist Michael Kelley whose impersonations range from Ray Charles and Clint Eastwood to Kermit the Frog and Ronald Reagan. Tickets are $10.00. Doors open at 6. The program starts at 7.

Murray native Leigh Anne Florence, author of the “Woody Book” series, signs books at University Book and Bean on Chestnut in Murray tomorrow at 1 p.m.

The Easter Seals “Artist Within” exhibit is on display tomorrow through June 28th. at Etcetera Coffee House — 360 North 6th Street in Paducah. There’s a reception celebrating the artists Thursday from 3 to 5.

Friday there’s a free concert featuring the Josh Williams Band on the Benton Courthouse Square, starting at 7. Bring a lawn chair and non-perishable food for the Benton “Caring Need Line Pantry.” Former WKMS Front Porch Host Grady Kirkpatrick emcees.

Use wkms.org to communicate your events. Enjoy your week!

Datebook: April 26 – World Intellectual Property Day

World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on April 26. The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000″ to raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact o daily life” and “to celebrate creativity and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe. ” This year’s theme is “Designing the Future.” Read more about WIPO and the day.

Here’s Datebook for Tuesday, April 26.

The Paducah Symphony Orchestra is fundraising with an online auction including six violins hand painted by local artists interpreting visions of joining musical and visual arts. There are also other unique items like jewelry, family getaways, and sports memorabilia. Bid at biddingforgood.com/paducahsymphonyorch.

Tomorrow a team of major leaders in all facets of the Nashville music industry discuss aspects of the business in several panel forums in Lovett Auditorium at Murray State. The evening starts at 7 p.m. with seating onstage to provide a comfortable atmosphere for give and take between the panel members and the audience.

Hopkins County-Madisonville Public Library hosts a Taster’s Choice Luncheon tomorrow from 11 to 2. Tickets are $10 with proceeds going to a library facility. It’s also the culmination of a silent auction of items donated by local merchants.

Thanks for choosing wkms.org as your source for regional news and great music.

Datebook: April 19 – Dutch-American Friendship Day

Dutch-American Friendship Day remembers the day in 1782 when John Adams was recognized as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States by The Hague.  The Hague then became the first American Embassy in the world. The guy on the right is Sinterklass (Dutch Santa Claus). Click here to read more about the special day.

It’s Tuesday, April 19.

The Murray State Symphonic Band and Brass ensembles present a free concert Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Lovett Auditorium. Enjoy a variety of music including Rossini’s William Tell Overture, and works for horn quartet, trumpet ensemble, and Slide Advantage trombone ensemble.

Hickman County Library, 209 Mayfield Road in Clinton, is the site for a Kentucky Writers Day gathering Thursday at 4:00 p.m., honoring three writers. Supreme Court Judge Bill Cunningham is being named West Kentucky’s Best Writer of the Decade. Dorothy Nell Harper is being honored as the Jackson Purchase’s Poet Laureate. John Kelly Ross is receiving the Hickman County Historian Award.

Paducah-based Bawn in the Mash features the release of its 4th studio album with a free show Friday from 2:30 to 4 in Lovett Auditorium at Murray State in conjunction with Earth Day activities. Ben Nichols of Lucero and his Solo Acoustic Motorcycle Tour follow with a concert at 8 p.m. in Lovett, with Jackson Purchase opening the show, admission $15.

wkms.org is a treasure full of sound. Enjoy and thanks for making it possible.

Datebook: April 15 – Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson played his first game with the Dodgers on April 15, 1947.

It’s Friday, April 15. 

Murray’s Playhouse in the Park opens “Disney’s Mulan Jr.” tonight.  The show runs through the 23^rd.  Show times are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays.  There’s also a matinee this Sunday at 2:30 p.m.  Get tickets at playhouseinthepark.net.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Clemens Fine Arts Center in Paducah presents Nunsense tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30, Sunday at 2:30.  Tickets are $15.

Sunday at 2 p.m. Murray State’s Symphony Orchestra presents a free concert in Lovett Auditorium.

Tomorrow brings a one day safe boating course to the Janice Mason Art Museum’s lower level at 71 Main in Cadiz.  It runs 8 to 5 and families are welcome.  There is a $20 fee for textbooks and materials for which advance payment is required.  Contact Ken Culwell at 270-924-0363.

Tonight at 7 the Jackson Purchase Dance Company offers its “all you can eat” dessert performance with a production of “The Hobbit:  A Story Ballet.”  Admission is $8.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Watch today’s possibly severe weather alerts at wkms.org as well as on air.  Take care.

Datebook: March 2 – Semaphore machine unveiled 220 years ago

It’s Tuesday, March 2.

The Murray DAR hosts a Genealogical Workshop at Murray State’s Pogue Library on 15^th Street Saturday.  The community is welcome for the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. session with research experts explaining how to use the physical and virtual genealogical resources of Pogue.  There’s a $5 fee with student admission free.

There’s a gardening talk Saturday from 9 to noon at the Emerging Technology Center of West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah.  Gardener Norman Wallace leads the Workforce Solutions Class covering basic gardening principles including sun exposure, soil types, how to respond to pests, insects, and weeds.

Murray State’s Athena Festival contributes its celebration of women composers tomorrow night with a Concert Choir and Chamber Singers Concert directed by Bradley Almquist.  Hear the premiere of Song of Songs by Karen Thomas, director of Seattle Pro Musica, at the 7:30 p.m. free concert in Lovett Auditorium.

Thanks for wanting to learn about the world with us.  We invite you to become a member through wkms.org, another resource provided by listener contributions.

Datebook: February 25 – The First Pan American Games held 60 years ago

It’s Friday, February 25.

Murray State’s Quad State Festival this weekend includes a special concert by the University Wind Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra featuring Joe Alessi at 7 tonight in Lovett Auditorium.  Alessi is principal trombone with the New York Philharmonic and regarded as a leading trombone artist internationally.

The Clarksville Community Concert Series presents classical guitarist Ana Vidovic (VEE dah vich) in performance Monday at 7:30 p.m.  The Vidovic concert is in the Music/Mass Communication Building Concert Hall at Austin Peay State University.  Tickets are available at clarksvillemusic.org.  The Croatian virtuoso began her international career at age 11.

Next Friday is the deadline for artists submitting works in the selection process for the Governor’s Derby Exhibit 2011.  Two dimensional artwork completed within the last four years on the theme Springtime in Kentucky by Kentucky artists will grace the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.  Submit digital images online at artscouncil.ky.gov/PDF/submittingdigitalimages.pdf

Use wkms.org to send us what’s happening where you are.  Click community events for the interactive template there.  Thanks for listening.

Ben Stein ♥’s Murray, KY

Economist and Actor Ben Stein was Murray State University’s Presidential Lecture series guest for 2011.

Stein visited the campus Tuesday evening, and blogged about the experience in his online diary. Stein appears to have enjoyed his visit. He spoke to a packed crowd at Lovett Auditorium. He says that the audience at the lecture “got all my jokes,” and he “loved them.” Stein concludes the post with the following thought:  “Murray, Kentucky, is the Garden of Eden, and Murray State is paradise.”  Stein’s diary appears in The American Spectator.

Datebook: January 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

It’s Thursday, January 27.

Tonight MSU Professor Dale Leys’ Advanced Drawing Class exhibition at the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Fine Arts Center in Paducah closes with a reception from 5 to 7 .  Ten students show works ranging from traditional techniques to contemporary applications.

Tonight the Murray State University Symphony Orchestra performs a special concert in Lovett Auditorium at 7:30.  Students Robert Arneson and Cody Martin, both pianists, fulfill their concerto requirement performing works by Prokofiev and Gershwin respectively.  The Orchestra performs in Orchestra Hall in Chicago in March.

The Murray Art Guild offers clay production and hand building studios for adults and Messy Fridays for youth focusing on developing skills and exploration.  All materials are provided.  See more at murrayartguild.org or call 270-753-4059.

Listen to our all classical HD2 channel at wkms.org.  Thanks for listening and contributing !