The word paradise evokes thoughts of palm trees, beaches, bright blue water, calypso music and the tropical breezes of the Caribbean. The University of Mary steel drum band refers to its annual performance as Panorama VIII: Weekend in Paradise because of the colorful calypso music that makes the audience feel as though they are in the Caribbean, that is until they walk outside into the North Dakota air.

"We don't call it a concert," University of Mary steel drum band conductor Scott Prebys said. "We call it a 'weekend in paradise.'"

At 8 p.m. Nov. 7-8 the University of Mary steel drum band will take the Belle Mehus stage. They will be joined by Alessandra Belloni, a singer, percussionist and folk dancer. She also is the innovative designer of her own signature line of tambourines, and helps others learn to perform southern Italian music.

"Putting her (Belloni) together with the steel drum band is indescribable," Prebys said.

Prebys has been bringing in a different and unusual guest artist each year.

"When people come to the Panorama concerts they kind of expect the unexpected," Prebys said.

This year's Panorama is no different. Belloni, who is nicknamed the "Mediterranean Volcano," is a unique player that will bring a different sound to the stage. The steel drum band is known for their calypso music, but Belloni, a native to Italy, has a sort of buoyant gypsy music sound that she combines with fiery dance moves.

"She is a very colorful virtuoso tambourine player," Prebys said. "Her tambourine technique is unbelievable. When she plays her tambourine or hand drum, she sounds like three different drummers."

Belloni's southern Italian music has never been combined with the steel drum before, but she believes that the tambourine will fit in with the steel drums easily.

"I'm really excited about this sound that we are going to create," Belloni said.

Belloni also will be singing in Italian, and will add dance to the performance. Panorama VIII will still be mostly focused on the steel drums.

Tickets are available for purchase at Lee's Hallmark, Eckroth Music and the University of Mary Department of Music for $12. Tickets also may be purchased at the door, but Prebys strongly encourages audience members to purchase tickets in advance.

"The last few years we have been sold out at the door," Prebys said.

This coming Thursday the steel drum band will be holding a 45-minute presentation on the steel drum. The presentation will consist of an informal discussion and demonstration about steel drum playing, tuning, construction and the overall art of steel drumming. This convocation will begin at 7 p.m. in Heskett Hall at the University of Mary.

"It is a nice primer for this event," Prebys said.

Other events

The end of October and November are filled with a variety of activities. Here are some upcoming events:

n The Haunting Arts and Spooktacular Science will be held in the High Prairie Arts and Science Complex, 1810 Schafer St., from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m today. Halloween-themed science activities and performances will be featured at the event. Tickets will be sold carnival style, and will cost 50 cents a piece.

n The University Concert Band at the University of Mary will present a fall concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel. The concert is free and open to the public.

n Each year Bismarck and Century high schools combine to produce a play. This year they will perform "The Pirates of Penzance." Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday through Nov. 1 and 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Century High School auditorium. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.

n Capital Quilter's sixth annual Quiltfest will be held Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 on the second floor of the Radisson Hotel, Sixth Street and Broadway Avenue, Bismarck. This year's theme is "A Parade of Quilts." The featured teacher for the Quiltfest will be quilt designer, author and teacher Nancy Odom. Catalogs and entry forms can be found at http://ndcapitalquilters.com/prod02.htm.

n Beginning Tuesday, Sam Coleman, a Bismarck artist, will have an exhibit in the main gallery of the Bismarck Art and Galleries Association, while Judy Quill of Minot will have a display in the member's gallery. The opening reception for the exhibits will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 7. The exhibit will be open until Nov. 22.

n Also on Nov. 1, Gateway to Science will host its annual fundraiser, Einstein on Wine. This event is for adults 21 and older. Art Dodd of the Walrus Restaurant and a challenger yet to be announced will provide a "Chef Showdown." Other activities will include information on the science of food and wine, and a silent auction. Tickets will cost $25 for Gateway to Science members and $35 for non-members, and can be purchased online or at Gateway to Science.

n Third Day is coming to the Bismarck Civic Center at 6 p.m. Nov. 2. The concert will be free to college students with current college IDs, $10 for students and $20 for adults.

n The Bismarck State College Theatre will perform its fall production, "Almost Maine," at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5-8 and at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 9. The play will be performed at the Sidney J. Lee Auditorium at BSC, 1500 Edwards Ave. Tickets can be purchased at the BSC ticket office.

n The Bismarck High School PenSoul staff will hold a fundraiser at the Dakota Stage, 412 E. Main Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 7. They will be performing their own original pieces in the form of a Reader's Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 for students and Bismarck Public Schools staff, $6 for adults and $4 for senior citizens. Tickets also may be purchased prior to the show at BHS for a dollar less. After the show there will be an open mic for anyone wishing to perform. Each year PenSoul produces a literary magazine, and this night is to help fund that endeavor.

n The Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra will perform "Bachnalia" at the Trinity Lutheran Church at 3 p.m. Nov. 9. They will be performing the "Orchestral Suite No. 2," the "Concerto for Oboe and Violin," the "Brandenburg Concerto No.4 in G Major." Laura Prokopyk, violin, Tonya Mertz, oboe, Marnie Kraft, flute, and Amber Augstadt, flute, will be featured. The concert will cost $15 for adults and $10 students and seniors. A discount of 20 percent will be offered to groups of eight or more. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Eckroth Music and Jacobsen Music, or at the door.

n Clear Channel Radio will host its third annual Food and Wine Experience from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Bismarck Civic Center.

n The University of Mary will host a performance of "Antigone" at 7 p.m. Nov. 13-15 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at Arno Gustin Hall. TIckets are $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and youth.

n The Bismarck Art and Galleries Association will host Festival of the Arts on Nov. 15. There will be a gala-themed dinner with live entertainment, and live and silent auctions. The event will be held at the Radisson Inn. Tickets can be purchased at BAGA during October.

n The Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra will perform their concert "From Russia with Love" at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Belle Mehus. They will be performing pieces by Russian composers.Tickets can be purchased before the concert at the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra office located in the World War Memorial Building, 215 N. Sixth St.

n Beginning Nov. 25, BAGA will host the Member Artist Holiday Show. The sale is cash and carry with new pieces appearing throughout the month. The opening reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5. The show will continue through Dec. 23.

n Disturbed is coming to the Bismarck Civic Center on Nov. 26. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. with tickets sold in advance for $35, and $37 the day of the show. Tickets are on sale now at the Bismarck Civic Center, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 701-222-2121.

n On Nov. 28-29, the Bismarck Civic Center Hall B will play host to the Holly Berry Craft Fair.

n The Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra will perform their Holiday Family Concert at 7:30 p.m. on No. 29. Holiday music will be played by several small symphony ensembles. Tickets will cost $15 for adults, and $7 for seniors, 62 and older, and students.

(Kay Kemmet can be reached at 250-8260 or at kay.kemmet@bismarcktribune.com.)