Weekend planner: A twist of Dickens, basketball rivalries and spiritual music

If you love Broadway or Romeo & Juliet, storied basketball rivalries, African-American spiritual music or the prospect of three nights of Midnight Madness atop six feet of snow at Paoli Peaks, you’re going to love this long Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

TODAY:

— “Oliver,” a touring musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Centre, $19 to $45.

— At noon Margaret McMullan, a successful author and English professor at the University of Evansville, will discuss her approach to writing novels during a talk ($6) at the YWCA, 118 Vine St. Call 422-1191.

— The American Spiritual Ensemble will perform a public concert of African-American music at 7 p.m. at the University of Evansville’s Shanklin Theatre. General admission $25, $20 for students.

— Midnight Madness (overnight skiing) runs from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Paoli Peaks, 90 miles northeast of Evansville.

Because of the three-day weekend created by the King holiday, Paoli also will have Midnight Madness Saturday and Sunday nights. Call (812) 723-4696 or visit www.paolipeaks.com online.

Paoli’s snow-tubing park opens at 4 p.m. today.

COMING SATURDAY:

— At 1 p.m., the African-American Choral Ensemble, the Sounds of Grace and Peace and the Boom Squad (think kids with drums) will be featured during a King celebration at Ivy Tech, 3501 First Ave.

— At 3 p.m., Mizell Stewart III, editor of the Courier & Press, will read stories about King at Barnes & Noble, 624 S. Green River Road.

— In one of Indiana’s more storied college basketball rivalries, the University of Evansville and Indiana State University will battle at 7:05 p.m. at Roberts Stadium. Ask about family prices.

— The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra classics concert, “First Loves,” at 8 p.m. at The Victory will feature pianist Bryan Wallick along with other music, including “Love Scene” from Romeo & Juliet. Tickets start at $15. Call 425-5050.

— Koch Planetarium’s “Hotter Than Blue” sky show is at 1 p.m. at the Evansville Museum (also Sunday). Cost $2 to $3.

— At the Children’s Museum of Evansville, visiting scientsit Ron Counts of the University of Kentucky Geological Survey, will help build earthquake structures from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (On Sunday at 2 p.m. there’s a musical surprise by members of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra).

SUNDAY

— “Lincoln Remembered,” more than 50 rare and significant items documenting the life of Abraham Lincoln, opens at the Evansville Museum. Call 425-1577.

— King memorial service at 7 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 663 S. Elliott St.

— “Melodies of Martin,” a jazz brunch celebrating King, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Vectren Corp. Call 423-2612.

MONDAY

—      Activities all day at UE, including a “Living History” at 11:30 a.m. at Shanklin and at 1 p.m. the 21st annual Re-enactment of the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C., starting at Carson Center.

Source: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/jan/16/weekend-planner-twist-dickens-basketball-rivalries/