Counting the number of love songs is like trying to figure out why the word phonetic isn’t spelled like it sounds.
It can’t be done.
But you can trip the light fantastic this Valentine’s Day weekend, and several places around the Hannibal are serving up tunes to which you can swoon.
The Great River Jazz Preservation Society is bringing Ed Polcer and his Jazz All-Stars to Hannibal for the first time.
The New York City-based band performs from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Quality Inn & Suites on Highway 36 west of the city.
Polcer has been entertaining people for more than 35 years. The former member of the Benny Goodman Sextet wrote “Magic of Swing Street,” which recalls the music performed on New York’s 52nd Street.
Polcer plays the cornet. Tom Fisher handles the clarinet and sax, with John Cocuzzi tickling the ivories, Joe Ascione brushing the skins and Rand Rienhardt on the trombone. Mike Weatherly and Frank Tate on bass round out the orchestra.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students at the door. Food and refreshments will be available.
He’s in the building
Jazz not your thing?
Well, howza boutza night with The King, or at least As Close to the King as We Can Get?
The Marion County Services for the Developmentally Disabled is hosting “An Evening With Elvis.”
It’s at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Star Theatre, 215 S. Main in Hannibal.
Dinner and the show is just $20 per person. Call Kathy Butler at (573) 248-1077.
Crux of the matter
Another benefit for The Crux concert club is Saturday.
It’s from 1 to 11 p.m. at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center at 301 Warren Barrett Drive in Hannibal.
Tickets are just $10 and refreshments will be available.
The lineup includes Inlow (Christian metal); Celebrity, She Was (hardcore/metal); Hey Nightmare (hardcore); Barrior Of Fear (hardcore/rock); Cowboys vs Indians (hardcore/rock); The Red Beard Conspiracy (hardcore/rock); Propagate the Abhorrence (progressive metal); Halbrook (indie/rock); and Doomface (metal).
Righteous rap
Psalm 98 in the Bible urges people to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
Hannibal’s own Christian rap group ChurchBoyz will do that and more.
They’re headlining a show at 6 p.m. Saturday at Hannibal LaGrange College’s Roland Fine Arts Center.
VIP tickets are $10, but at last check they were going fast. General admission is $7.
Members of the group are “JWill” Joshua Williams, “Mike-Elijah” Micah Williams, “Jvar” Javaris Jones, “Soulja J” Justin Holliday, “Manny Frezzy” Manuel Holliday and “G-Rell” Gerell Wells. You can listen to their music on www.myspace.com.
Also on the bill are MotionPlus and Andy Rhea and his band. For ticket information, call (573) 221-8121.
Request “Lorena”
One of the most touching songs ever penned became popular during some of America’s darkest years.
The words to “Lorena” were written in 1856 by the Rev. Henry Webster, who was dumped by his fiance in Zanesville, Ohio, after one of her relatives said the preacher didn‘t make enough money. The haunting music was composed by his friend, Joseph Webster.
The song was loved by soldiers on both sides in the Civil War.
The Mississippi Thespians is turning back the pages of history with its sixth annual Civil War Ball.
It’s from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday t Lippincott Hall at the Illinois Veterans Home, 12th and Locust in Quincy.
Tickets for the period-dress event are $10 for adults and $5 for students 18 and younger.
There will be music by the Rag Tag Irish Band and food and beverages.
For reservations, or period-dress items rental, call (217) 223-9879. Tickets also are available at Picture Perfect Gallery & Framing in Hannibal or Wild Birds Unlimited in Quincy.
For more on the thespians, visit www.mississippithespians.com.
Old Abe in song
The Quincy Symphony Orchestra is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.
The “Lincoln’s Ideals” concert is at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Morrison Theater of Quincy Junior High at 14th and Maine.
Mayor John Spring will serve as the narrator for Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait,” which includes readings from some of Lincoln’s most famous letters and speeches.
Todd Goodman’s “Symphony No. 1: Fields of Crimson” will depict through music and narration the story of the Battle of Gettysburg. Goodman will speak to the audience before the concert.
Also on the program will be a side-by-side performance of Copland’s “Outdoor Overture” with the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra.
Tickets range from $12 to $15. Children ages 18 and younger will be admitted free.
For more information, visit www.qsoa.org.
Other dances
Here are a few of the other places where you can cut the rug:
• Senior Sweetheart Dance, Marion County Fairgrounds, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
• Kiwanis Club Sweetheart Dinner and Dance, Troy Knights of Columbus Hall, 6 p.m. Saturday. Call (636) 528-1354 or (636) 528-5536.
• Sweetheart Dinner and Dance, Millwood Knights of Columbus Hall, 6 p.m. Saturday. Call (573) 384-5287.
• Prime Rib Dinner and Dance, Hawk Point Lions Club, 6 p.m. Saturday. Call (636) 528-1665 or (636) 338-9262.
• Single Adult Valentine’s Day Dance, The Crossing at 48th and Maine, 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Call (217) 593-6617 or (217) 242-7777.
• 21st annual Palmyra Fireman’s Dance, American Legion Hall, 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday. For more, go to www.palmyrafiredept.com.
Heads up
If you still didn’t get your fill of music, check back here next Saturday.
There’s plenty of picking in the forecast.
Ab imo pectore (From the bottom of my heart).
Hannibal, MO —
