The unique combination of psychedelic jams with Irish fiddle tunes that will permeate the air next week can only mean one thing the Drovers are back. The band returns to the Hangar 9 Thursday and will take the stage at about 10 p.m.

The Drovers recently appeared on a fund-raising album for singer/songwriter Rainer Ptacek. The album contains songs from such popular artists as PJ Harvey, Emmylou Harris, Evan Dando, Victoria Williams and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

The band also performed at the 1993 Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles and has been featured in the major motion pictures Blink and Backdraft.

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The Drovers features two new band members, Merritt Lear and Tim Larson. The band has been busy completing work on a recording studio and opening for such diverse acts as Ani Difranco and Bela Fleck.

For more information call Mike Cutler at (517) 641-4177.

We all wine up at the Civic Center

The 13th Annual Wine and Food Expo will be at the Carbondale Civic Center from 7 until 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Illinois Liquor Marts is sponsoring the event, which will feature more than 250 different wines from around the world. Food from eight area restaurants, specialty shops and caterers will also be available.

Tickets for the Wine and Food Expo are $25 in advance or $28 at the door. A $10 gift certificate toward wine or food is included in ticket purchases.

Advance tickets may be purchased in Carbondale at the Warehouse Liquor Mart or the ABC Liquor Mart, in Murphysboro at the Southern Illinois Liquor Mart, and in Marion at Westmore Liquor Mart.

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All proceeds from the Expo will be donated to benefit WSIU-TV. For more information call 457-6767.

SIUC alumnus scheduled for reading and book signing

The internationally published SIUC graduate Cinda Thompson will read her short story A Miner’s Christmas and sign books from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1300 E. Main St.

The story is included in the anthology There’s No Place Like Home for the Holiday’s and reflects the rough-and-tumble culture of coal mining.

The anthology features authors between the ages of 15 and 93. The authors share stories about family, food and the traditions that at once try their patience and bind them together.

For more information, contact Suzanne Lyons at (618) 351-0404.