The Prairie Theatre Exchange in Winnipeg unveils Joni Mitchell: River this weekend, a new production that PTE artistic director Allen MacInnis describes as a "theatrical concert." Using 28 of Joni's songs, the imaginitively conceived segments making up the production touch a variety of subjects Joni addresses in her deft descriptions of what she's called "the arc of human relationships." MacInnis's Joni-inspired creations include "Falling in Love," "Psych Ward" and "Wisdom," in addition to other segments devoted to Joni's world view on war, big business and morality. Instead of dialogue, the actors use lyrics in solo and group performances to tell their stories. Musical arrangments for the show's songs, which include Big Yellow Taxi, Carey, A Case of You, Shadows and Light, Help Me and Woodstock, are by guitarist Greg Lowe. Joni Mitchell: River runs through February 10.

Originally founded in 1973 as the Manitoba Theatre Workshop, The Prairie Theatre Exchange teaches theatre for adults and children, and began to produce adult works in 1981; notable past productions include a production of George Ryga's The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, with aboriginal actors playing the aboriginal roles.

Stumped: Joni was the subject of one of the clues (in the Grammy Award category) last night on Jeopardy! (All right, I know it's not exactly a major news flash, but things have been kind of slow lately.) The clue: "She won a Grammy in 2000 for her Both Sides Now -- we loved her in the 60s." The clueless: Contestant number one buzzed in with the question "Who is Barbra Streisand?" There's a couple hundred bucks up in smoke.

Tonight, there'll be a concert in NYC's Central Park called "Joni's Jazz." Well, it's more than a concert, it's a cultural event. Singers and musicians will be performing songs written by Joni, including a complete performance of the album Hejira! This should be quite special! The official JM.COM reporter for the show will be Patrick Leader, who will be sending in his review the morning after.

Here's what you need to know:

Thursday, July 1st (raindate, Friday, July 2nd), at Summerstage - tickets $10. - $30.

It's the Hissing of Summerstage - a Canada Day celebration of Joni Mitchell's most adventurous period as a recording artist - from Court And Spark to Mingus. Vernon Reid leads a stellar band (including percussionist Don Alias, who's worked with Joni) with a lineup of incredible guest vocalists in a one-time live performance, including the album Hejira in its entirety.

Central Park Summerstage - a special fundraiser event:

"JONI'S JAZZ"
(line-up a/o 6/28/99)-

The final lineup of guest singers (not counting the unexpected) is Toshi Reagon, Dean Bowman (ex-Screaming Headless Torsos), Carl Hancock Rux, Jane Siberry, Christina Wheeler (David Byrne band), PM Dawn, Chaka Khan, Eric Andersen, Joy Askew (ex-Peter Gabriel band), Joe Jackson, Erin Hamilton (Carol Burnett's daughter / dance music star), Duncan Sheik, Holly Cole, John Kelly, and Jon Hendricks with Annie Ross.

The band is Vernon Reid - guitars, Jerome Harris - guitars (Sonny Rollins band), Matthew Garrison - bass (son of Jimmie Garrison - legendary bassist with Coltrane and Ornette Coleman), Ben Perowsky - drums, Don Alias - drums, Minu Cinelu - percussion (Pat Metheny band), Joy Askew - piano/lead& backing vocals, Brian Charette - keyboards, Leon Gruenbaum - keyboards, Ravi Coltrane - soprano sax, Don Byron - clarinet, Doug Weiselman - woodwinds (Lounge Lizards/Laurie Anderson band), Graham Haynes - cornet, Jane Scarpantoni - cello (Indigo Girls/Duncan Sheik), Christina Wheeler - lead / backing vocals, and Sheryl Marshall - backing vocals (Buster Poindexter band/Al Kooper band).