Concerts on rooftop

MADISON -- The Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center will host the rhythm and blues band the Groove Hogs on Thursday, July 24, as part of the "Bank One Concerts on the Rooftop" series.

Free and open to the public, the concert will begin at 6 p.m. on the rooftop. Sandwiches, popcorn, beer, wine, and soft drinks are available for purchase beginning at 5:30 p.m. The concert will be moved to the Level One Exhibition Hall in the event of inclement weather.

Monona Terrace is located at One John Nolen Dr. Parking is available in the Monona Terrace parking ramp for a $3 fee. For more information, call 608-261-4000, TTY 608-261-4150.

MADISON -- The Madison Choral Artists, a new chamber choir with paid positions, announces auditions for choral singers interested in performing Vaughan William's Mass in G, Whitacre's Water Night, Pearsall's Lay a Garland, and others on Oct. 10 and 12.

Directed by Joseph Brachmann, the choir will hold rehearsals Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. starting Sept. 2. Repertoire for the season also includes Frank Martin's Mass in D, Renaissance masterworks, and music of Bruckner and Brahms.

Auditions will be held by appointment and may be scheduled by calling Margaret Hadley at 608-576-7791. Singers should possess good reading and tonal memory skills and will be required to sing a prepared song.

MADISON -- Finnish harp players, 3 Rivers Kanteles (Jokilaaksojen Kanteleet), will make Madison one of their stops during a three-week U.S. and Canada tour.

They will present a demonstration workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Wisconsin Historical Museum and a concert on Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. at Edgewood College.

Their Madison visit is being co-sponsored by the Finnish American Society of Madison, State Historical Society, and the Yrjö Kilpinen Society of North America.

The 3 Rivers Kanteles are traditional folk boxharp players from Haapavesi, Finland. Five young master players, age 13-19, will represent the students of former Madison resident Jane Frees Ilmola.

JEFFERSON -- The Council for the Performing Arts season tickets are now available for the 2003-04 "Star Studded Season."

Last year's season ticket holders should order their tickets by the end of July to guarantee the same seats they had last year.

New season ticket holders are always welcome. Patrons may choose to purchase a full season and attend all 10 shows for the cost of eight (a 20 percent discount) or pick any five shows and save 10 percent or any three shows and save five percent off the total cost.

To order season tickets or to request a season brochure, call 920-674-2179 or stop in the Council's office at 305 S. Main St. in Jefferson. More information on the season is also available online at www.councilfortheperformingarts.org.

MADISON -- Theater Bus for people over 60 is planning a boat cruise on Green Lake on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Luncheon at the Heidel House Resort on Green Lake is followed by a cruise around the lake on a 60-foot yacht. There will be a stop at Worldwide Gifts and Books and the Norwegian Bay Books and Gifts Store.

All this, including transportation, is included for $49. For reservations, call 608-257-0003 before the July 30 deadline or until full.