Head on over to Blooming Prairie this weekend for an annual school musical. This year the school is performing "Bye Bye Birdie" under the direction of Allison Jacobson and assisted by Ross Reishus. It is a step back in time when Rock and Roll was young and poodle skirts and rolled up jeans were the 'in' thing to wear.

"Bye Bye Birdie" is the story of sending Conrad Birdie off to the Army after he is drafted. The character of Birdie is based on the uproar that was caused when Elvis Presley was drafted into the Army in the 1950s. Much publicity was made over Elvis fulfilling his patriotic duty during that period in history. Before Birdie's departure into the Army, he is sent to Sweet Apple, Ohio, to kiss an all-American girl goodbye, chosen at random from his fan club.

Steve Seykora is in the title roll of Conrad Birdie. Gary Tashima is Albert Peterson, Conrad's manager; Theresa Donnelly plays Rose Alvarez, Peterson's secretary; Sarah Wonderlich is Albert Peterson's mother; Melissa Trom plays Kim MacAffie, the girl Conrad is sent to kiss; David Kramer is Kim's father; Laura Mans is Kim's mother and Sam Tashima is Kim's brother.

There are 50 other cast members in the play, 20 crewmembers and a 16-member orchestra, under the direction of Ross Reishus.

Other weekend events include Saturday and Sunday concerts featuring pianist Ian Shapinsky. He will perform at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for the performances, which take place at the Paramount Theatre, are $10 and $5 for students. For information, call 434-0934.