Two special mysterious and musical events always catch the attention of area audiences each spring, and they can be counted on to hold new surprises. This month, the May Musical Luncheon, a Knox Concert Series event, celebrated its 29th year with a series of classical love songs by soprano Vickie Brock and pianist Gwen Moore at Christa Fair’s home on May 20. And those who like murder mysteries have a prime opportunity to solve a whodunit June 11 and 12 by seeing Mike Stedham’s mystery/comedy A Brush with Death, a dinner theater presentation. Billed as “Night of the Red,” it is a fundraiser for our local branch of the American Red Cross. The play, performed by CAST, will be held at the Alabama Power auditorium at 6 p.m. both evenings.

May Musical

When words can’t describe the gladness that a sunny May morning brings, the language of music can — and did, at Christa Fair’s traditional mid-day concert. The event also served as a motivator for the Knox volunteers who will make the coming Knox season — its 65th — a reality.

After a brief Knox Auxiliary Board meeting, the musicians performed romantic, sacred, classical and folk selections by famous composers. The soprano and pianist chose a Broadway song for an encore to an appreciative living room audience, and then it was time for “Food by Flora.” Flora Mallard, who has catered Fair’s gatherings for 13 years, is considered one of the artists, too.

Brock is the organist at Parker Memorial Baptist Church and Moore is the church pianist at Parker Memorial. Their selections included the works of Stephen Foster, George Handel and Anton Dvorak.

The dominant colors for decorations and the guests’ attire were lavender and purple. The colors symbolize genteel ladies, the passage of time, and nostalgia; all three elements have a part in looking back on Knox history and heritage.

The concert season begins Sept. 16 with Aaron Neville and his Quintet featuring Charles Neville. Subscription ticket prices for the five-concert season are $150 for general admission, $60 for student admission and single show tickets will be $50-$70. For more information, call Ann Garner at 256-237-3464 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. or e-mail knoxconcert@cableone.net.

Murder at art exhibit

She’s dead all right. And the murder happens in the most unlikely place: an art display. Mrs. Greene, the art teacher, is retiring, and her former students (not all her fans) are honoring her with a party.

A Brush with Death, Mike Stedham’s mystery play, just goes to show that the crime can be committed anytime, anywhere, and true to Stedham’s formula, by anyone. In his comedy, you can’t trust anyone on stage, for everyone is involved and has a motive for the crime. Dinner detectives, this should be a challenge for you.

There’s Mrs. Greene (played by Debby Mathews) and her former students, one of which has become a world famous artist (Scarlett, played by Denise Davis). There’s Joe, a doctor (Dan Krejci), Bonnie, a detective (Julie Jackson), the CSI agents (Tim Doyle and Michael Turner) and more. And it’s anyone’s guess as to who poisoned the champagne. Only the emcee is off the hook.

Stedham, with his fascination for mysteries, has been writing these plays since 2006 when the Junior League of Anniston-Calhoun members asked him to create such entertainment for their fundraisers.

“The characters are colorful, based loosely on real people,” Stedham said. “And we always seem to have the right people to play them. I hope people will laugh, but the audience will have to pay close attention to the hints and clues.”

At the end of the play, everyone there will have a chance to buy clues, solve the mystery and the table with the correct “Sherlock Holmes” deduction wins a prize.

Stedham is manager of student media at Jacksonville State University and a founding board member of CAST’s Board of Directors.

Classic on Noble is catering the meal, according to event coordinator and emcee Brandon Glover, and he encourages everyone to make reservations by June 4. The price is $50 per person.

“We have a capacity limit of 100 patrons each night. So we would like to have that allotment filled by June 4 so we can help Classic on Noble better prepare for the event,” Glover explained. There will be a $5 corking fee for those who bring wine.

What does Red Cross do in the community?

“The average person may assume that our American Red Cross chapter’s main focus is blood collection. And while that is a big part of what we do, it may sell short the services provided by our staff and volunteers,” Glover said. “The money raised by this event will directly fund our emergency response efforts, which range from efforts as large as setting up emergency relief shelters in the wake of a national disaster to the everyday task of helping our neighbors deal with the devastating aftermath of a house fire.

“It will also fund our community education efforts like CPR training and Babysitter Boot Camp, help to purchase calling cards and other materials and services we provide for our soldiers serving overseas and provide a means to coordinate local utility assistance through the Project Share program.”

For reservations and information, call 256-236-0391.