Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Belleville Holschnitzers carve a niche at Midwestern Woodcarver's show

The Belleville Holschnitzers have been carving up a storm in preparation for their 39th annual Midwestern Woodcarver's show this weekend at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville.

One of the largest gatherings of woodcarvers in the nation, the show attracts visitors from throughout the Midwest. More than 200 booths will be open with award-winning craftsmen featuring woodcarvings, hand-crafted toys, furniture and wildlife art that would make great Christmas gifts. Carvers will be on hand to help beginners and answer questions.

Vendors will offer tools, books and supplies. This year's show also will feature top national woodcarvers both days and a special exhibit by the St. Louis Area Wood Turners.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4; parking is free. There will be ourly attendance prizes and grand prizes.

For more information, call (636) 464-8385.

Just for laughs

The best medicine this weekend will be at Comedy Etc. II in Fairview Heights where Wild Bill Bauer will be dishing out the laughter.

Bauer has become a favorite on the Bob & Tom Radio Network, appearing numerous times. He also has written for Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold.

"He is clean and very, very funny," is how New Baden's favorite son comic John Garrett described Bauer. "He does so many skits that people will recognize from the radio. He does quite a bit of family stuff -- he comes from a pretty large family and one of his sisters is a nun, so there's obviously some stories there."

"He does hit on some drug-related topics and things like that, but he doesn't swear and it's not overly raunchy," Garrett said. "It's just good to laugh and not get offended."

Bauer will perform at 8 p.m. Friday and 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday at Comedy Etc. II. Amos Chang will open the shows. Admission is $12.50.

For tickets and information, call 628-4242. The club is at 6900 N. Illinois in Fairview Heights.

Song and dance

The Duquesne University Tamburitzans will bring their unique Eastern European music, song and dance to Granite City High School at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Tamburitzans, formed in 1937, consist of 40 students who sing in nearly a dozen languages and perform folk dances.

Admission is $12 in advance only at 931-0600, ext. 6640. Proceeds benefit the Taburitzans scholarship for Southwestern Illinois College students at the Granite City campus.