News4u October 2022

STORY

Olde Courthouse Catacombs & The House of Lecter

The Tri-State's favorite Haunted Houses are back!

&

"I Love the 90's" Tour at the Ford Center

Celebrate the best Decade for Music with Vanilla Ice & More

Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio at Lincoln Amphitheatre

An Exclusive Interview with the Blues Legend

Cole Swindell at the Owensboro Sportscenter

An Exclusive Interview with the Country Music Star

An Exclusive Interview with Efren Ramirez

The Napoleon Dynamite Star looks back on a Cult Classic Film

Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra presents a Tribute to Paul Simon Debut Pops Concert of the 2022-2023 Season is a Gem

Rockport's 5th Annual Plein Air Paint Out Calling all Creative Types for this One-Day Art Competition

OUT

THE FUN GOING ON IN OCTOBER!

Established in 1991 by Publisher Brian Bennett

Operations Manager Joshua Adams

Managing Editor & Writer Thomas Ellis

Account Representatives TJ Tanoos tj@evansvillemediagroup.com

Production Manager, Designer & Layout Artist Kelsey Halbig

Contributors

Matt Alschbach, Laurie Byers, Paul Bragin, Russ Finn, Johnny Fletcher, Bryan Fox, Hamilton Golike, Paul Hollyfeld, Barold Hume, Matt Laine, Jabez Martinez, Adam & Sam Morris, Marisa Patwa, Lindsay Rasure

News 4U is published monthly and is distributed throughout the tri-state. For information about advertising, subscriptions, distribution or guides & lists, call (812) 426-6398 or write us at 125 N Weinbach Ave, Ste 510 Evansville, IN 47711. News 4U is published by EMG Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Distribution of the magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products, services or opinions within. Advertisers are responsible for content of their ads.

Well, there's no turning back; it's officially fall. Many of you out there are surely celebrating the cooler weather and burst of colors, but I am in mourning. Always difficult to accept that I must wait another eight months or so for my favorite season to return. Long story short, please send your thoughts and prayers my way, if you don't mind. Granted, there are more deserving people - you know, people in actual crisis and whatnot - but it never hurts to ask. But let's call a spade a spade here - a number of you are fans of the fall primarily for one reason:

Halloween. Hey, I get it. While I'm not totally sold on the actual holiday at my advanced age, I totally dig horror movies. And not just the Halloween franchise - I'm talking all the classics and beyond. Put a gun to my head and I'll choose The Exorcist above all, but there have been so many great scarefests produced over the years. Which, peripherally, brings me to this month's cover story. To the delight of the tri-state, the mastermind of fear, Phil Wolter, is back for the 43rd year with the Olde Courthouse Catacombs and House of Lecter - two spinechilling yet incredibly fun haunted houses

located in downtown Evansville. Literally, the guy's dedicated much of his life to the cause, spending many of his waking hours devising new ways to make the community scream - both with the aforementioned fear and laughter. So check out what Wolter has in store for you this year on page 8. I'm confident you'll be sufficiently creepedout in the best way possible. In addition, we've got interviews with the one and only Duke Tumatoe, Napoleon Dynamite's Efren Ramirez and country star Cole Swindell, plus local music coverage and much more. Happy Halloween! - TE

THE OLDE COURTHOUSE CATACOMBS & HOUSE OF LECTER

For Evansville's Phil Wolter, it's a true passion - scaring people, that is. Now in his fifth decade serving as the city's haunted house mastermind, he first sent chills up the spines of area men, women and children back in 1980 with the Phantom Theatre. A struggling artist at the time, Wolter got the call to take over for a departing team member and has never looked back, eventually creating the iconic Olde Courthouse Catacombs in 1996 before adding the House of Lecter to his horror résumé in 2001 - both have been featured together, just two blocks apart, in downtown Evansville every September and October for the last two decades plus. "Really, there's been no days off," Wolter says. "Whether you're working physically on the project or mentally going through the whole thing it just seems like it goes on and on."

But Wolter's pain is our gain. Every year the tri-state is treated to two of the longest-running haunted houses in the nation that, at the heart of things, are entirely family-friendly - both scary AND fun. Rest assured the 2022 edition of the Olde Courthouse Catacombs and House of Lecter will live up to the hype; Wolter has once again created a spooky theme with lots of intrigue and mystery. Read on if you dare...

Scary fun for the whole family: The tri-state's longest-running h aunted houses are back!

EVANSVILLE

THE BURIAL GROUNDS

"The new theme has been on my mind for quite a few years," Wolter explains, noting that the "Burial Grounds" concept was born out of a creepy period in our city's history. Over 200 years ago, Evansville founder Hugh McGary, Jr. donated land here - which turned out to be the city's first designated cemetery. "Guess what? It's right on the grounds of the Courthouse downtown," Wolter notes. "There's hundreds, maybe thousands buried out thereunmarked graves, many of which haven't been exhumed." 70 years after McGary's generous act, the Courthouse was built; a

basement was dug out and that's when construction workers discovered some of the graves. "That's the basis for what we have known as the "Burial Grounds," Wolter says. "In the Catacombs underneath, we've discovered a lot of those unmarked caskets and graves and now the lids have creaked open and the skeletal remains of all these ancestors are coming out and they're walking freely in the corridors down there."

THE MISSING FAMILY

But there's more intrigue to the "Burial Grounds" story...

As Wolter tells it, McGary was married with a wife and two small children - yet he vanished from the Evansville area just a few years after donating the land, leaving his family behind. "His wife and kids remained here - they all died and are buried out there somewhere on

those grounds; that's all fact," Wolter explains, insisting that while he's been known to spin a good yarn from time to time, this is the truth and nothing but the truth. "As it turns out, in 1890 when they exhumed the area for the Catacombs, they found four caskets in one area, but when they opened them up, all they found was the burial clothing." He goes on to note that two of the caskets were full-size but the other two were for smaller children - one of which had a missing hand. Coincidentally, that was the plight of one of McGary's children. "He was gone from Evansville forever, so why were all four together?," asks Wolter with a sinister tone. "Maybe he came back and they were buried together - but their skeletons were found together elsewhere in a sort of séance, sitting around together. We call that the "Missing Family" - it's the first thing you run into when you enter the Catacombs.

Wolter offers one piece of advice for all those brave enough to visit the "Burial Grounds" this Halloween season: "You don't have to run faster than the skeletons - just faster than your friends!"

SCARE DATES: October 1, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS

7-11 p.m.

OTHER OPEN NIGHTS 7-9 p.m.

LOCATIONS: Olde Courthouse Catacacombs - 325 Main Street / House of Lecter - 4th & Vine

For tickets and more info, visit oldcatacombs.com

"I LOVE THE 90'S" TOUR

FORD CENTER / OCTOBER 8 / 7 P.M.

NOSTALGIA NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD: ICONIC ARTISTS UNITE TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK, RECREATE PARTY VIBE

One of music's most popular tours over the last several years, "I Love the 90's" is coming back to the tri-state to get the party started once again with some of the biggest performers from a beloved decade. Simply put, nostalgia never sounded so good. Headliner Vanilla Ice returns with an amazing supporting cast, including Tone Loc, Kid 'n Play, All 4 One, Rob Base and Young MC. Chances are you recall many of this lineup's long list of hits: "Ice Ice Baby," "Ninja Rap," "Play that Funky Music," "Wild Thing," "Funky Cold Medina," "Funhouse," "I Swear," "It Takes Two" and "Bust a Move." Not bad, eh?

This high-energy show plays out like a non-stop dance party that will take you right back to the 90's from the first note, reminding you why such an exciting period of music remains in-demand and continues to be played on radio stations across the country. No other tour offers the opportunity to see all of the decade's biggest stars on one stage - so don't miss out! And be sure to come decked out in your finest 90's gear - including lots of bright colors and big, baggy pants - and get ready to dance the night away to all of your favorite songs.

For tickets and more info, visit fordcenter.com. The Ford Center is located at 1 SE MLK Jr. Blvd. in downtown Evansville.

LINCOLN AMPHITHEATRE

DUKE TUMATOE & THE POWER TRIO

Growing up in Chicago in the fifties and sixties, Duke Tumatoe got a PhD in the blues by watching legends like Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon perform on the city's south side. Years later, he would get the opportunity to play alongside them as well as B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and more. Incredibly, Duke's career has now spanned seven decades - and he's still going strong, mind you. His 2017 release How Much Crazy Can You Take contained all the humorous trademarks that have made him a Bob & Tom Show favorite for years, but also a level of musicianship that is undeniable. You'll get to see and hear just what has made Duke such a Midwest treasure when he takes the Lincoln

Amphitheatre stage backed by The Power Trio on October 9.

One of the biggest influences from your early days growing up in Chicago was Muddy Waters. Yet, it took nearly 60 years for you to write a song about him on 2017's How Much Crazy Can You Take. Why the delay in giving props to your hero? Well, songwriting is an interesting thing. And for me it's not predictable - it's like the pieces fall into place at certain times when you're thinking about something. I was just listening to a tune of his and it just all occurred to me. Songwriting's not like anything that I can explain to you - like I had that riff [mimics guitar line from "Muddy Waters"]

and was thinking about stuff that would fit with that. And I started thinking about that occasion when I watched him - when I was standing there watching him sing [during my childhood]. Good lord, where is this guy? Where did he go? It was the freaking coolest thing in the world. Plus, he had that baritone voice. The thing about life is that you often don't realize the most important moments, the transitional moments. But sometimes later on you're looking back and you're going, oh, that's when things fell into place.

You were in your teens when The Beatles famously appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and changed the face of music forever. But your interests, even early on, were always

Comedic blues legend talks "Muddy Waters," the non-influence of The Beatles, stealing guitar riffs and more

more in the blues arena. Did that massive cultural event have any impact on you at all?

I mean, it changed the texture of things, but it didn't change my intent. It's been interesting that as my career has gone on, this is an interesting time frame. I was playing music before The Beatles - they were something that happened after I was inspired to play versus the guys who were inspired to play by The Beatles. Philosophically, there's a big difference. I mean, the thing about Chicago music is it was improvisational; it was open; it had loose edges. The thing about The Beatles is it was like they were the first boy band and that's what they were. And the songs they wrote, to someone who could play the blues, sounded silly. The Rolling Stones were bigger in my neighborhood. Not to say that The Beatles weren't tremendous, but in a broader sense, I don't get it. If I listen to them now, it's clear their talent was unbelievable and the presentation was incredible and their recordings were incredible, but it just didn't resonate with me.

Speaking of the Rolling Stones and, say, Led Zeppelin, what do you make of the common accusations leveled at them for stealing old blues riffs, essentially, and turning them into rock songs? Well, I don't think the Stones or Eric Clapton particularly...I mean, there's a classic story about the Stones where they had - and this will always register with me and put them in my esteem - a song on their first album written by a classic blues artist. When the first bunch of royalty money came in, they

made sure that ASCAP people got the money to the musician. They hunted all over the south trying to find him and he and his wife were living in a trailer with no heat and ASCAP walks in with a check for $25,000. And this is in the sixties. He and his wife both started crying. So from my aspect, the Zeppelin guys stealing Willie Dixon songs verbatim and saying they wrote them - that's a travesty. And you know, the whole thing with Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen" and [The Beach Boys'] "Surfin' U.S.A."... You know, blues players steal riffs from each other all the time. People come up to me and say, 'Man, I've stolen so much stuff from your recordings.' But, you know, I stole it all myself. But the idea of stealing something verbatim is a whole other thing all together.

We recently had a comedian perform in Evansville who noted how much support he has gotten from the Bob & Tom Show through the years - they even financed his debut album and asked for nothing in return. You've also been a staple on the show for years. Have you generally had the same experience in terms of support from them?

Yeah, even better. I mean, Tom [Griswold] is one of my good friends - and if you had to pick anybody to be your friend, it would be Tom. Yes, he sincerely helps in any way he can; there's never any strings attached. They have done, over the years, all kinds of things to help people in need - you know, single mothers with problems getting cars or jobs. They contribute to all kinds of communal efforts that don't get publicized. Tom does it just to do something good, not to get the accolades. I think that's a big aspect of him

that the public doesn't know.

In 2010, you released the album I Just Want to Be Rich. Did you realize your dream? [Laughs] Uh, I've done fine. I tell you sincerely that I have done quite well. God has been very kind to me and people I know have been very kind to me. The world in general has been very, very kind to me. There's a couple things that you want to have in life - one of them is to have a career that you can do and enjoy doing it. The only thing that ever bothers me in my career... it's not the travel, it's not the hours. It's dumbass promoters who don't know what they're doing. That's it. I've had a family; I've had a great love - I have a great love. I can't complain about anything. I mean this sincerely, if you have the choice next time around, pick the Duke Tumatoe life.

For tickets and more info, visit lincolnamphitheatre.com. The Lincoln Amphitheatre is located at 15032 E County Rd 1500, Lincoln City, IN.

THE THING ABOUT LIFE IS THAT YOU OFTEN DON'T REALIZE THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS, THE TRANSITIONAL MOMENTS.

"BACK DOWN TO THE BAR" TOUR

OWENSBORO

COUNTRY MUSIC STAR COLE SWINDELL TALKS SONGWRITING, LEARNING FROM LUKE BRYAN, "YOU SHOULD BE HERE" AND MORE

First making his mark as a highly successful songwriter with publishing credits for such massive hits as Florida Georgia Line's "This Is How We Roll," Thomas Rhett's "Get Me Some of That" and Luke Bryan's "Roller Coaster," Cole Swindell has since become one of country music's biggest stars, racking up nine certified platinum singles. The 39-year-old Georgia native's incredible run began with 2014's "Chillin It," an irresistible party anthem that ensured he would no longer sit on the sidelines. In fact, Swindell went front and center big time with 2016's heartfelt "You Should Be Here," surprising critics and fans alike with an emotional tribute to the loss of a loved one. The aching yet ultimately hopeful lyrics struck a chord with listeners to the tune of one billion audience impressions and counting.

Released back in April, Stereotype - the long-awaited followup to the pre-pandemic All of It - finds Swindell delivering the sort of upfront and honest songs that his fans have grown to love; still, he hasn't forgotten how to party. Lead single "Single Saturday Night" is the sort of track that's just made for the stage, designed to send crowds into a frenzy. No doubt the Sportscenter will be rocking when Swindell makes a stop in Owensboro this month on the "Back Down to the Bar" Tour, along with special guests Ashley Cooke and Dylan Marlowe.

You wrote the bulk of the songs on your debut album - but only about half on your latest. Since you've become such a big star has it been difficult to find time to write or do you simply enjoy working with outside writers?

That's a great question. For me, before I got my record deal, I literally wrote songs every day. And then my world got turned upside down. You get a record deal, you're on tour, you're traveling - it is kind of hard to find time [to write]. You almost have to plan ahead and say, 'Today I'm going to write' just because the artist mindset and the songwriter mindset is just so different - the schedule is way different. I've written here over the last several years but not as much as I did the previous years. That's how I came up; that's how I got started - writing songs for other people. And the fact that these songwriters now that I love - I'm a huge fan of their work - they're sending me songs, thinking of me when they're writing songs. Coming from that world, that is a huge compliment. I love to write my own songs, but I'm not going to be too ignorant to record a song just because I didn't write it.

Country music is known for amusing song titles and "Beer in the Headlights" is an instant classic. That's a song you co-wrote for Luke Bryan, correct?

Not many people know this - I've talked about it a little bit. When Luke recorded that album, I wrote "Beer in the Headlights," "Rollercoaster" and I wrote a song called "Out Like That." For me as a songwriter, to have three songs on a multi-

platinum selling album...that was a big deal. But "Beer in the Headlights" was one of those songs where...it was right around the time that I was trying to get a record deal. I said, 'Man, songs I love this much - I can't keep giving them away.'

People ask me if I wish that I could have any of them back - and I don't, because I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for those guys recording those songs and getting my name out there. About two months later, I wrote "Chillin' It" and I said, 'This is how I want the world to hear me first.' You've got to have something that's going to break you out and I thought it was the one.

Have you taken notes on how Luke has dealt with country music stardom considering you've had a front row seat to his success?

For sure. You know, my first job was as his merchandise guy. I think that confuses a lot of people because they're like, 'Wait, this merch guy has gone from selling t-shirts to writing songs?' But you've got to do what you've got do. To be around Luke that early in his career and get to see just what an artist has to do...at that point, I was just wanting to write songs - I dreamed of a record deal but I knew that was going to take a while. To just see what a new artist gets to do and just how he treated his people... he wasn't then anything like he is now - he was just starting out. But I always thought he was a star from day one. You know, it took a little bit, but I just think that

everyone has their own path and I've certainly taken advice from him.

Can you even begin to take in or explain one billion audience impressions for "You Should Be Here"?

That song means more to me than probably any song I'll ever write. "You Should Be Here" is something that I needed. Since the song has come out, I don't know that I've been in a meet and greet where somebody didn't tell me a "You Should Be Here" story - that that song means a lot to them. When my career started, I was all about the fun - I had some fun songs and I think people thought that was the only side I had. People just see me in the spotlight, but I'm just a real dude from south Georgia who happened to break out. I've been through loss; I've been through the same things anybody listening to country radio has been through. I think that song really is one of my biggest accomplishments. Getting to perform that at the Titans game in Nissan Stadium in Nashville in front of I don't know how many thousands of people with their cell phones lit up was one of the biggest moments of my life.

For tickets and more info, visit owensborosportscenter.com. The Owensboro Sportscenter is located at 1215 Hickman Ave. in Owensboro, KY.

This is how I want the world to hear me first.

AN

EFREN RAMIREZ

THE ACTOR WHO PLAYED THE ICONIC ROLE OF "PEDRO" LOOKS BACK ON A CULT CLASSIC FILM

Nearly 20 years after the release of Napoleon Dynamite, the little film that could just keeps getting bigger. The 2004 independently-made comedy about a group of oddball Idaho high school students continues to inspire devotion from viewers of all ages - many of whom regularly attend the Q&A sessions that the movie's main actors have been touring across the country. In fact, stars Jon Heder, Jon Gries and Efren Ramirez - Napoleon, Uncle Rico and Pedro, respectively - just made a stop in Evansville at the Victory Theatre to discuss this cult classic. As Ramirez notes, the atmosphere at these events is humbling. "It's amazing to see little kids who are dressed up as the characters or a family dressed up as every single character in the film. Some of the theaters we've been to actually had a llama - I'm just blown away by the whole thing."

WITH NAPOLEON

News 4U caught up with Ramirez to discuss this comedy classic.

How did you come to be considered for the role of "Pedro" in Napoleon Dynamite?

I was working on a show called Even Stevens for Disney at the time and I was brought in to audition for two films - one was The Alamo and the other was Napoleon Dynamite. As an actor, you know, you get the break downwhich is the description of the characters and a rough description of the story. And some actors don't look at that but I do - you get an idea of ways to start. But when I got Napoleon Dynamite the role was a young Mexican kid who goes to Idaho and befriends a guy named Napoleon and they live amongst the oddities of the reality of their life. Something of that sort. I remember reading the script and thinking, 'What the heck?' I read The Alamo because it was a big budget movie, Disney, all that - and Napoleon was an independent film and the script and the characters were very specific and I just thought it was so unique and different. I come from theater; I come from the study of the arts - doing Tennessee Williams, David Mamet...and then you've got Napoleon Dynamite [laughs]. So, ok. I, myself, am a big fan of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin - really love the art of filmmaking. So I remember having to go into Fox Studios and meeting the director Jared Hess and we talked about the role. I did the scenes and he was like, 'Ok, let's do it again but let's go slower.'

So we did it again, and he said, 'Alright, let's just go slower.' And I was like, 'Am I sedated?' [laughs] So I did it. And then it turned out that I ended up booking The Alamo and Napoleon Dynamite - and I gotta tell you, at the time, I chose Napoleon because my father was like, 'Just follow your heart, son - that's what I would do.' And it's funny because that's what Napoleon says to Pedro - follow your heart.

Seeing as you viewed the script as pretty unusual - but in a good way - how confident were you that it would work as a film? Jared Hess and his wife Jerusha wrote the script based on a lot of what has happened in their lives - from getting onto a smaller bus with lots of little kids and a cow getting shot...a lot of these incidents really did occur. One kid really felt hot so he shaved his head [laughs]. Jared was very specific with the characters - very clear on that. He had a slight exaggeration to it but he trusted what we did as actors. And again, this was our first lead role in a big feature film. I had doubts myself until two things happened - until I met Jon Heder from wardrobe as Napoleon [mimics the character's vocal approach] and with the glasses, and I was like, 'Who is this kid?' And I thought, yeah, this might work. And I gotta say when I met Jon Gries [Uncle Rico] who is a brilliant character actor...he was awesome and the fact that I go, 'Let me show you my work,' and he goes, 'sure'. As actors we break down the characters - and he showed me his work and our process was quite similar; it was almost the same. And I thought that I could really trust and feel safe in creating and letting go of the voice of doubt.

Much like the NBC series Freaks & Geeks, the casting for Napoleon

Dynamite is perfection. It's hard to imagine any other actors playing these quirky characters.

Yeah, it was a sense of belonging. Look, when we do these tours, for instance, there I am with Jon Heder and Jon Gries. It's been 18 years [since the release of the film] and these guys are my brothers; I love them. I love them onstage when we're hanging out or spending time together - there's so much we can learn from each other as we grow as people. But every single character was so uniquely different and had a strong point of view. Look, Aaron Ruell, who plays "Kip" - he went to school with Jared Hess and Jon Heder so they knew each other already. And all the other characters were so wonderful. When you're working on an independent film, all you have is each other. It just happened to be lightning in a bottle.

How did your life change after the film became a cult hit?

Well, it changed all of our lives. If you do that one film that resounds... for instance, for me, everywhere I go around the world, people recognize me. I had produced a film and I did a tour in Europe and everybody there was like, 'Hey, you look like Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite.' What? I'm in Germany [laughs]. 'Yeah, it's me.' I love being known for that role because it's a character that people love and embrace. My job as an actor is to play as many characters as possible and to challenge myself. I'm always going to show you a different character; that's what I love to do as an artist, to live in different worlds. I had doubts after Napoleon Dynamite if I would ever work again - thought I might just get a 9-5 job. But my agent said to just wait - and slowly I began to test for all kinds of different characters. I'm able to have the good fortune to work on three projects a year and live a quiet life. And in between I do plays. I hope to learn something new with every new character I play.

WHEN YOU'RE WORKING ON AN INDEPENDENT FILM, ALL YOU HAVE IS EACH OTHER. IT JUST HAPPENED TO BE LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE.

LEGENDS: THE PAUL SIMON SONGBOOK

VICTORY THEATRE / OCTOBER 29 / 7 P.M.

THE POPS CONCERT SERIES KICKS OFF WITH A TRIBUTE TO ONE OF AMERICA'S GREATEST SONGWRITERS

Following last month's opening night performance of "Tchaikovsky & Pines of Rome," the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra returns with the first in a series of highly-anticipated Pops concerts scheduled for the 2022-2023 season. Musical Director Roger Kalia has put together yet another wonderfully diverse lineup of shows in the coming months that should appeal to a wide range of area music fans and allow the EPO's gifted players to truly shine.

Safe to say Kalia is starting things off with a bang on October 14, paying tribute to one of America's greatest songwriters with "Legends: The Paul Simon Songbook," a performance that will explore this unique artist's many career highlights, including songs from the classic Simon & Garfunkel years through his cherished solo albums. Expect to hear such hits as "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," "The Sound of Silence," "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," "Graceland" and "Rhythm of the Saints" - all arrangements

"Musical Director Roger Kalia has put together yet another wonderfully diverse lineup of shows in the coming months that should appeal to a wide range of area music fans."

fully orchestrated by Jeff Tyzik. The featured vocalists for the evening, Paul Loren, Emily Drennan and Daniel Berryman, are all seasoned professionals with extensive backgrounds. Loren, raised on the rich legacy of soul, classic pop and the Great American Songbook, completed his first headlining tour in 2019 and was handpicked by Jennifer Lopez to perform at her birthday gala in Las Vegas. Equally talented, Drennan, a multi-genre, highly sought after singer, has been a featured soloist many times at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall. Last but not least, Berryman most recently performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. His credits include "New York:

Call Me Madame," "Sweeney Todd," "The Golden Apple" and "The Fantasticks," plus several national tours - most notably, "Les Misérables" and "The Sound of Music." These three accomplished vocalists will be backed by guitarist Shubh Saran, drummer Eric Metzgar and bassist Brian Killeen.

Be sure to get your tickets for the EPO's debut Pops concert showcasing the songs of a true American legend!

For tickets and more info, visit evansvillephilharmonic.org. The Victory is located at 600 Main St. in downtown Evansville.

5TH ANNUAL ANABEL WOOD MEMORIAL PLEIN AIR PAINT OUT

TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH

POPULAR ONE-DAY ART COMPETITION OFFERS CASH PRIZES FOR AREA PAINTERS

The Rockport Epsilon Psi chapter of TriKappa presents the 5th annual Anabel Wood Memorial Plein Air Paint Out being held at Celebration Hall, Trinity Methodist Church in Rockport, Indiana, on Saturday, October 29, 2022. TriKappa invites artists to visit Rockport during a one-day competition to create works of art. The first place winner will receive $1,000; second place will receive $500; and third place will receive $300. Artists may enter the paint out by contacting tsstagecoach@gmail.com or by phoning Teresa at 812-649-4676.

The Anabel Wood Memorial Plein Air Paint Out is sponsored in part by the Spencer County Community Foundation, and is in conjunction with the Lincoln Pioneer Village Pioneer Days. Registration begins at 7 a.m., and the entry fee is $30 and pays for up to two entries. You must present your canvas or medium to be stamped at registration. Artists will bring all their own supplies and equipment. Entries are due back to Trinity by 4 p.m.

Judging will be from 4-5 p.m., with awards to be presented by 5 p.m. The community is invited to a reception to view the entries from 5-6 p.m. at the Gideon fellowship hall. Light refreshments will be served.

This is a great opportunity for tri-state artists to get creative and even win some money in the process. Don't miss this chance to create your masterpiece!

WHAT'SCOOKIN'

WITH MATT LAINE

GRILL & BAR

8401 N. KENTUCKY AVE., EVANSVILLE, IN

Inkas was suggested to me by a handful of people, and being an ethnicity of food I’ve never tried, I had to go! For those that don’t know, it is Peruvian food, which is rare to find in our humble city, and to place it somewhere on the food map, I’d put it as a cross between Brazilian grill and New Orleans Creole spices.

When my family and I walked into the restaurant, we were greeted by a friendly host who promptly sat us, and we got the staff smiling and all around us immediately thanks to our daughter being such a ham. It was a very clean-cut restaurant that still had some design features from when it was Iwataya’s, such as long seats (the backs seem so far away), an area that seems straight out of a Japanese sitcom (has been converted to extra seating on a stage), and a little “tiki” bar near the back. Everything seemed extremely clean, until my daughter dropped her food

everywhere, and the staff was extremely welcoming. We had at least four different staff members stop by our table to check on us and ask about our daughter, which might seem excessive to some people, but they were all warm and homey feeling greetings. Some staff even talked to us about their kids and how they hope we enjoy the food so they can see her, our daughter, back in there again. We felt at home and comfortable with how they have their dividers set up, which kept noise down and made us feel more secluded from the other guests. I also stepped back to the bathroom just to check it out and it was extremely clean and had that “Fruity Pebbles” type smell.

Now, on to the part everyone always asks about, the food! We ordered the 1/2 rotisserie chicken (Pollo A La Brasa) with rice and broccoli as our sides and it also comes with an aji amarillo huacatay sauce. I'd never heard of this sauce so I will start there. They called it a hot sauce, which meant I absolutely had to have it. They brought it out before the meal, which seemed a bit odd, but it gave

me the chance to try it before putting it on anything. It looks like a creamy ranch type sauce that has a very drizzly consistency. The major hints I was getting from it were herbs (mint and/or basil) and citrus. Alone it was nothing to write home about, but when added with the meat and rice… whole new story. The chicken was cooked to pure perfection; it was some of the most tender chicken I can remember eating. The spices rubbed on the skin gave it a southern Creole kick. Not too spicy and brings out some dancing taste buds. The rice was a sticky rice, which made it perfect for our daughter, and it tasted like someone washed it thoroughly and took extra time and steps to ensure it was just right (those that know rice from great rice know where I’m going with this). Rice is not an easy task, yet to some of us our minute rice is super easy, but great rice is an art form in my opinion. The broccoli was steamed well and very tender but could have used a slightly heavier hand on the seasonings. When you dipped the chicken into the hot sauce and added some rice, the flavor profiles melded together into a wonderful umami bite. The whole family ate everything, and I mean all of us. Even our daughter devoured everything we set in front of her, and I think she would’ve kept going if there was more. It was a delicious meal that we will surely have to have again soon.

We felt at home and comfortable with how they have their dividers set up, which kept noise down and made us feel more secluded from the other guests.

Healthy Cooking with Lindsay Rasure

My kids are obsessed with egg bites when we are traveling. I'm not a huge fan of the price tag or some of the ingredients in the commercially available options, so I started searching copycat recipes and found one that seemed promising. I tweaked the recipe to my liking; so now I have a great option without some of the less desirable ingredients such as canola oil, cottage cheese containing added flavors, carrageenan, and a variety of different gums.

I used pasture-raised eggs, organic no sugar bacon, raw milk cheddar cheese, and grass-fed cottage cheese.

FOR MORE RECIPES OR MEAL IDEAS YOU CAN FOLLOW LINDSAY RASURE ON INSTAGRAM: @ CLEANBITELIFE OR HER FACEBOOK GROUP:

CLEAN BITE

COPYCAT EGG BITES

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 PACKAGE OF BACON (PEDERSON FARMS)

• 4 EGGS (VITAL FARMS) OR 8 EGG WHITES

• ½ C. SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE (GRAZERS RAW MILK CHEDDAR CHEESE)

EQUIPMENT:

• SILICON MOLDS (AMAZON)

• INSTANT POT

DIRECTIONS:

• 1/3 C. COTTAGE CHEESE (GOOD CULTURE - DO NOT USE FAT FREE, STICK WITH LOW FAT OR WHOLE)

• ¼ TSP. SALT

• ¼ TSP. BLACK PEPPER

• ¼ TSP. ONION POWDER

• ¼ TSP. SMOKED PAPRIKA

1. COOK BACON (HOWEVER YOU LIKE) AND LET COOL. AFTER COOLING CHOP ½ OF THE BACON INTO SMALL PIECES LIKE BACON BITS. (IF YOU’RE DOUBLING THE RECIPE YOU’LL USE ALL THE BACON.)

2. IN A BLENDER ADD YOUR EGGS, CHEESE, COTTAGE CHEESE, SALT, BLACK PEPPER, ONION POWDER, AND SMOKED PAPRIKA. BLEND UNTIL EVERYTHING IS COMBINED.

3. SPRAY THE SILICON MOLDS WITH COOKING SPRAY (I USE 100% PURE AVOCADO OIL). POUR THE EGG MIXTURE INTO THE SILICONE MOLDS ABOUT ¾ OF THE WAY.

4. TOP THE EGG MIXTURE WITH THE BACON BITS.

5. POUR 1.5 C. OF WATER INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE INSTANT POT.

6. PLACE THE TRIVET INTO THE INSTANT POT. COVER THE SILICON MOLD WITH FOIL AND PLACE THE SILICON MOLD INTO THE INSTANT POT. (IF YOU’RE DOUBLING THE RECIPE YOU CAN STACK SILICON MOLDS. JUST COVER BOTH WITH FOIL.)

7. PUT THE LID ON THE INSTANT POT AND SEAL THE VENT. SELECT MANUAL FOR 9 MINUTES. AFTER THE 9 MINUTES ARE UP LET THE INSTANT POT NATURALLY RELEASE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10 MINUTES. WHEN THE 10 MINUTES ARE UP RELEASE ANY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE AND TAKE OUT THE EGG BITES.

8. TURN THE SILICON MOLD(S) ONTO A PLATE AND THE EGG BITES SHOULD POP RIGHT OUT! ENJOY!

Egg bites will keep in the fridge for about 5 days. When you reheat I highly suggest only 50% power if using a microwave. This will help maintain a texture similar to those found in the store or coffee shops. Enjoy trying different flavor combinations and save money by making them at home! Recipe tweaked from: amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-egg-bites/

PRESENTED BY:

IN TOWN & AROUND

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1

6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Jive After 5: 2 Cent Road

7:00 PM

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville)

7:30 PM

Lincoln Amphitheatre (Lincoln City) -- Midnight Rider: A Tribute to the Allman Brothers

8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- The BackBeats 9:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- DJ Dance Party

KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- DJ Dance Party

Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/ Sparky

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2

2:30 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz: The Sidemen 6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 7:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Josh Merritt 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Open

Mic

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4

6:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Scott Winzinger

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -College Night / Karaoke & DJ

7:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- The Obsessed, Cairo Jaq, Apostle of Solitude

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Boscoe France

9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Nick Hamilton Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Boscoe France

6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Trivia 9:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Karaoke & DJ

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke O'Brian's Sports Bar -- Karaoke

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

5:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Thirsty

Thursday Blues

6:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- College Night w/ Paul Wiemeier

KC's Corner Pocket -- College Night / Karaoke & DJ

7:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Beer Pong

9:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Karaoke & DJ

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

6:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Kalico 6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Jive After 5: Honey Roy Trio 7:00 PM

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville)

8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- DJ AP & Chris Cain

9:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- DJ Cliffy D

KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Dance Party / Karaoke & DJ Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/ Sparky

O'Brian's Sports Bar -- Karaoke

10:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- SNAFU// NOLIA//Null Valley

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Jive After

5: 2 Miles Back

7:00 PM

Ford Center -- I Love the 90's Tour feat. Vanilla Ice & more Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville) 8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- The Hot Topics 9:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Dan Hall

KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- DJ Dance Party

Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/ Sparky 10:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Hudsy

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9

2:30 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz: Side by Side

4:00 PM

Lincoln Amphitheatre (Lincoln City) -- Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 7:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Open Mic

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11

6:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -College Night / Karaoke & DJ

7:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Boscoe France

7:30 PM

Old National Events Plaza -The Book of Mormon 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Nick Hamilton 6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Trivia 9:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Karaoke & DJ

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

O'Brian's Sports Bar -Karaoke

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

5:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Thirsty Thursday Blues

6:00 PM

KC's Corner Pocket -- College Night / Karaoke & DJ 7:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Beer Pong

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville)

9:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Karaoke & DJ

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Jenkins Twins

7:00 PM

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville)

Owensboro Sportscenter -Cole Swindell: "Back Down to

the Bar" Tour 7:30 PM

Ford Center -- Thomas Rhett: "Bring the Bar to You" Tour 8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Nobody's Cousin 9:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- DJ Dance Party

KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Dance Party / Karaoke & DJ

Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/ Sparky

O'Brian's Sports Bar -Karaoke 10:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Blake Gardner and The Farmers

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Jive After 5: The Godfathers 7:00 PM

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville) 7:30 PM

Victory Theatre -- Legacy Reunion of the Earth, Wind & Fire Alumni 8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- The Pits 9:00 PM

KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/ Sparky

10:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Nutshell

Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz: Monte Skelton & Friends 6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 7:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville) 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Open Mic

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Poetry Night

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- College Night / Karaoke & DJ

7:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Boscoe France 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Nick Hamilton 6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Trivia 9:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Karaoke & DJ

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke O'Brian's Sports Bar -Karaoke

Bokeh Lounge -- David Dunavent Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Thirsty Thursday Blues

6:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- College Night w/ Brad Lemmons

KC's Corner Pocket -- College Night / Karaoke & DJ 7:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Beer Pong

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville)

8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- The Hangovers 9:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Karaoke & DJ

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21

6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Bad Medicine

7:00 PM

Old National Events Plaza -- World Ballet Series: Swan Lake

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville) 8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Metal Show w/ 138 Misfits Tribute, Idder, Death Mountain Spiders

9:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- DJ Dance Party

KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

Tri-state pop/rock outfit readying debut EP, Dark Water, for release this month

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 2:30 PM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 5:30 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Dance Party / Karaoke & DJ Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/

Sparky

O'Brian's Sports Bar -Karaoke

10:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- The Smoke Rings

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Jive After 5: No Governor 7:00 PM

Ford Center -- Evansville Thunderbolts Hockey

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville)

8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Funk Almighty 9:00 PM

KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/ Sparky

10:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Blackford Creek

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- DRK WTR

Old National Events Plaza -Girls Day Out Shopping Event

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

2:30 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz: Tom Drury Quartet 6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 7:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville)

9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Open Mic

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

10:00 AM

Ford Center -- Evansville Thunderbolts Hockey Education Day Game 6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Amanda Sibrel Live Painting on Stage KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- College Night / Karaoke & DJ

7:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Boscoe France 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Nick Hamilton 6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Trivia 9:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Karaoke & DJ

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke O'Brian's Sports Bar -Karaoke

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

5:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Thirsty Thursday Blues

6:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- College Night w/ Brad Lemmons

KC's Corner Pocket -- College Night / Karaoke & DJ

7:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Tas Cru (Memphis Blues Artist from Beale St.)

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Beer Pong

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville) 9:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Karaoke & DJ Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

6:30 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Jive After 5: Stillwell Trio 7:00 PM

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville) 8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Drag Me to the Weekend 9:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- DJ Dance Party KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Dance Party / Karaoke & DJ Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/ Sparky

O'Brian's Sports Bar -Karaoke

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

Trinity Methodist Church (Rockport, IN) -- 5th annual Anabel Wood Memorial Plein Air Paint Out

7:00 PM

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville) Victory Theatre -- Evansville

Philharmonic Orchestra presents Legends: The Paul Simon Songbook

8:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- JEB 25th Anniversary Show 9:00 PM

Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Halloween Bash w/ DJ Cliffy D

KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke & DJ

Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/ Sparky

10:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Halloween Party w/ That's What She Said!

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Cynthia Murray & The End Times

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

2:30 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz: The Hip Replacements 6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 7:00 PM

KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville) 9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31

6:00 PM

Bokeh Lounge -- Halloween Karaoke (80s themed)

7:00 PM

Olde Courthouse Catacombs/ House of Lecter -- Haunted Houses (downtown Evansville)

9:00 PM

Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Open Mic

BUD'S ROCKIN' COUNTRY BAR &

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!

New tri-state dance band gets everybody moving with an irresistible, energetic set-list

Singer TJ Tanoos is no stranger to the Evansville music scene. As a former frontman for the city's biggest ever cover band, The C.R.O.W.D., through to his recent stint with Tastes Like Chicken, his musical projects have proven to be a huge draw at tri-state bars. But after the latter group called it a day last year, the ambitious entertainer found himself languishing on the sidelines for a spell, eager to get back in the game. And he knew just what direction to go, having noted that the best elements of TLC were the danceable segments of the set - the songs that got everybody moving. Like Ginuwine's "Pony" and virtually anything by Bruno Mars. "We would sequence those songs so they sounded full - not just with guitar, bass and drums but with all the bells and effects because we were playing to a click track," Tanoos explains. "We saw how much that worked more than anything else." Then he asked himself a simple question: What would I want to hear if I went out to see a cover band? The aforementioned artists, of course, but also classics by the Jackson 5, CeeLo Green, Journey and even Neil Diamond. With a danceable concept in mind, Tanoos simply needed to find the right mix of local musicians to help bring his musical vision

to life.

Tanoos first reached out to Mike VanBibber, a ferocious guitarist who's previously played with Nine Stitches and Stolen Remains - both heavy outfits a mile away from the dancefloor; yet, the veteran scenester jumped in head first. Next, former TLC bass player Jonathan Gluff signed on. Unfortunately, his responsibilities with Stackin' Eights, an in-demand southern rock band, became an impediment to his participation; however, he helped to land a fantastic drummer for Tanoos in the form of Jeremy Lewis. And the open bass position was quickly filled by Nick Wildeman, former player with Bombshell - the Rock Show! That left only a vacancy for a female vocalist - the key piece to the puzzle. Tanoos' girlfriend, Denise Adams, suggested Lakyn Kingrey, her daughter's best friend. Primarily a country singer, the budding talent was all ears when it came to taking direction, easily mastering the more pop elements of the proposed setlist. And her country background meant that Tanoos could broaden the appeal of the band, too, adding some of the biggest

hits out of Nashville.

After a trial run at TJ's Stockyard Inn on August 5, That's What She Said! (a totally Tanoos band name) rocked KC's Time Out Lounge to the tune of 500 people a few weeks later. Then Tiki On Main a couple weeks after that - another runaway success. The dance-centric concept is clearly catching fire with the band booked twice a month through 2022 - no surprise to Tanoos who just knew this approach would have mass appeal. "You could be in an old folks home and they're going to eventually creep out of their walkers and wheelchairs and figure out how to twerk with canes to the songs we're playing."

Catch That's What She Said! at KC's Time Out Lounge on October 29.

We would sequence those songs so they sounded full - not just with guitar, bass and drums but with all the bells and effects because we were playing to a click track.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ROCKER DEBUTS VIDEO FOR HEARTFELT NEW SINGLE, "HOME TO YOU"

One of the tri-state's breakout artists over the last few years, Cage Willis is continuing to build on the momentum of last December's opening set at the Victory Theatre in front of a packed Hairball crowd. The southern Illinois rocker's gritty, bluesy sound - reminiscent of his idol Gary Clark Jr. - was the perfect warm-up for the bombastic arena rock of the headliner. In fact, Willis received a big response onstage followed by no end of post-performance kudos. It was a hugely important moment for the up-and-coming musician - and one he promptly capitalized on by recording a great batch of songs with Black Stone Cherry guitarist Chris Robertson, including first single "Who I Am," a definitive statement which only solidified the Victory's decision to tap Willis to support such a popular act.

The success of "Who I Am" put Willis in an enviable situation; the strength of the song opened up even more doors for the singer/guitarist and allowed for an all-in follow-up that just might take his music career to the next level. "Home To You," the latest single, is not only a heartfelt ballad with a gorgeous melody tailor-made for Willis' baritone delivery, it's been paired with a professionally-shot video - filmed entirely in Mount Carmelthat perfectly underscores the track's message. Lyrically, Willis beautifully notes the importance of a loved one above all else - how at the end of the day nothing else matters but coming "home to you." Something every listener out there can relate to.

"Home To You" is available on all major streaming platforms. Check out the video on YouTube. For more info, follow Cage Willis on Facebook.

From his humble beginnings growing up on the island of Dominica, West Indies, to his long-standing position as the tri-state's reggae authority, Zion Albert has been a true inspiration for those lucky enough to know and work with him. But his talents are hardly limited to songwriting; he's a multi-talented artist who is just as at home recording bands in the studio, always eager to assist local musicians, in particular, to realize their potential. Above all, Zion is a force for good in our community, often supporting educational and political causes that benefit us all, working tirelessly to achieve peaceful resolutions to societal issues.

While Zion has selflessly encouraged fellow musicians and acted as a creative spark, his own path has been shaped primarily by the legendary Bob Marley - a life-long influence that's clearly heard throughout his lengthy discography. 2020's "Fighting for Justice," released a few months after the pandemic took hold, was a perfect example of how Zion's sound and attitude mirror that of his hero - yet, he remains a unique artist both musically and vocally, having developed a fresh take on the reggae format. And that's more than apparent on Inna Miami Town, an uplifting new 5-track EP available to download on major streaming platforms. Songs such as "Universal Peace," "Faith Uplifted" and "All That I Need" are just the sort of feel-good, healing anthems that provide comfort during difficult times like these.

For more info, visit zionalbert.com.

MULTI-TALENTED TRI-STATE

REGGAE ARTIST RELEASES THE UPLIFTING INNA MIAMI TOWN EP

evansville-based rock band takes big leap with prestigious performance at louisville's louder than life music festival

Back in April we caught up with a truly promising young band from the area just starting to make waves. Dubbed The Strangers, the Evansville-based four-piece (hailing from Santa Claus, IN) quickly became a familiar presence in the tri-state, nearly selling-out the Astra Theatre in Jasper and then booking a regional tour thanks to a thrilling sound that fuses the melodicism of the Beatles with the bluesy heft of Led Zeppelin and raw guitar attack of grunge. But the group's latest triumph is really something to celebrate:

The Strangers recently battled their way to a slot on the main stage at the 2022 Louder Than Life music festival in Louisville, playing alongside such giants as Alice In Chains, Incubus and Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was the sort of "wow" moment that defies description, really.

So how did this incredible experience come about? Well, back in August, The Strangers were part of a month-long portion of the Battle for the Big Stage, an online competition hosted by DWPresents. In total,

the contest was four months long and consisted of 128 bands from around the country - all vying for a life-changing opportunity to appear at an iconic music festival. Completely decided by fan voting, the "Battle" featured two rounds of music video submissions followed by four live-stream performances - all of which The Strangers emerged from victorious. Which then led to a showdown at the Troubadour Theatre in Los Angeles with the other finalist, Breed, a band from Orlando, Florida. Our local heroes were flown out to LA where a sold-out crowd awaited this head-to-head, all-or-nothing finale. Incredibly, after both acts took to the stage and gave it their best, just 16 votes made

the difference - The Strangers prevailed 488-472, earning their spot at Louder Than Life last month.

Wesley Luttrell, mentor and producer for The Strangers, is still awe-struck by the achievement, noting before the big event that, "I'm mostly looking forward to hearing the music we made together being pumped out of a gigantic sound system while some boys from Santa Claus rock the Big Stage." It goes without saying that we're totally psyched to see what's next for Lucas Washington, Rylan Cox, Kadin Rea and Teelin Atteberry - four amazing young musicians with the world at their feet.

For more info, follow The Strangers Band on Facebook or visit wallyopus.com.

I'M MOSTLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING THE MUSIC WE MADE TOGETHER BEING PUMPED OUT OF A GIGANTIC SOUND SYSTEM.

NEW FEARS EVE

Having made quite the name for themselves in the horror community via the Volumes of Blood anthologies and holiday gore-fest 13 Slays Till X-Mas , producers P.J. Starks and Eric Huskisson of Blood Moon Pictures are back at work plotting increasingly sinister ways to scare the life out of us all. Actually, this time around, the pair are injecting a bit more humor into the mix. Yet the blood remains the same. Starks got the idea for the title of Blood Moon's new project awhile back, a light bulb going off in his head when thinking about the New Year approaching. Suddenly New Fears Eve came to him; he just needed to write the script.

THE SYNOPSIS: As the coming year approaches three best friends reluctantly prepare for Hooper Industries’ annual New Year’s Eve bash. The clock ticks down and the body count rises as a psychotic murderer known as The Doctor is on the loose. This sadistic surgeon of death leaves Owensboro covered in blood as local police and FBI are forced to navigate through a maze of bodies left in his wake. Unbeknownst to the three best friends their mandatory party is about to turn deadly when the killer sets his sights on them. December 31st becomes a party to die for when Leslie, Brian, Moses and their colleagues are trapped inside an inescapable building with a blood thirsty madman hell bent on carving his way to midnight.

Currently in pre-production, New Fears Eve is set to be filmed entirely in Owensboro and Blood Moon hopes to get local businesses to support the project financially. There's also an Indiegogo campaign in the works (running through the first week of November) for those who

would like to help make this Kentucky-based project a reality. Thanks to the success and recognition of Blood Moon's previous films, Starks and Huskisson have been able to secure roles for numerous known actors from the horror genre, including Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp, Victor Crowley), Hannah Fierman (V/H/S, Shudder's Creepshow series), Dave Sheridan (Scary Movie, The Devil's Rejects) and many more. Reportedly, Sheridan will not only act in NFE but has also signed on as a producer. And the incredibly talented Rocky Gray from Evanescence will once again come on board as composer.

Starks and Huskisson plan to shoot New Fears Eve during the first quarter of 2023 with an eye on releasing the film later in December as the New Year approaches. Stay tuned for more developments as this highly-anticipated project takes shape.

For more info, visit facebook.com/BloodMoonPics.

OWENSBORO FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY PREPPING TO SHOOT HORROR-COMEDY-SLASHER WITH HELP FROM KNOWN ACTORS

If you're a superheroes fan you'll love this escape game! Use your phones for video clues, solve the puzzles, unite the Infinity Stones to save the universe and escape!

HOUSE OF LEAVES

by Mark Danielewski

House of Leaves is an onion of a book written in many layers. The first layer takes place in the footnotes and is about a man, Johnny Truant, after he finds a Zampano’s manuscript. Zampano, a blind man, is the second layer, and the manuscript he writes is about The Navidson Report. The third, The Navidson Report, is a film by Will Navidson that documents a very strange house that is, on its surface, a house 1/8 inch larger on the inside than the outside. All these stories are taking place on the same pages at the same time. To make things even weirder, the physical text in the book changes as the story progresses. The book is unique in a variety of ways, which is why many consider it a modern masterpiece.

ANNIHILATION

by Jeff VanderMeer

If you’ve seen the movie starring Natalie Portman, you are no more prepared for this book than if you haven’t seen it. The plot is the same, but the beauty of VanderMeer is that the plot doesn’t matter. The setting is weird, but that also doesn’t matter. The characters? They don’t even get names. The only thing that matters is identity. If everything about you changes except for your self-identity, are you the same person? That’s the central question here. Add to that the unsettling nature of VanderMeer’s prose and you’re left wondering what exactly you just read.

THE CHILD THIEF by Brom

The Child Thief is a very different retelling of Peter Pan. This story is much more dark, grim, and at times, gruesome. Definitely not the kind of book to read aloud with the family. The story is told from two perspectives: Peter’s and a boy named Nick. Peter, who is truly a “pan” (meaning he is more like the demi-god than a human), is more of an anti-hero in this retelling and is adored by all the children, except Nick. To Nick, Peter tricked him into entering his violent world and he wants out. Throughout the book are amazing and kind of creepy illustrations of the characters and creatures of the land. Between the art and the story, this book is perfect for this spooky time of year.

THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson

A college professor and some students spend a summer in a house that the professor is convinced has a living energy. A classic, one of the best-adapted haunted house stories, and not a ghost to be seen. This is Sam’s favorite kind of horror. It’s not scary. There’s no danger. It makes you uneasy and sad and makes you question what’s real, what is the nature of sanity, and whether or not it matters. And all this aside, the first paragraph of Hill House is the most lyrical, beautiful snippet ever written. We’ve checked.

Photo Credit: Nat Phelps

iCheck out these spooky recommendations from the owners of Your Brother's Bookstore in downtown Evansville

BOOK CLUB WITH ADAM & SAM MORRIS

LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE

I just finished reading this biting 2005 New York Times Best Seller by Jessica Knoll and I was delighted when a roll of the thumb revealed an Insta post with the movie trailer. The writing is razor sharp and dipped in New York elite decadence. Mila Kunis stars as the soon-to-be Ani Harrison, glamorous journalist. She lives a lavish life as fiancé to a rich, handsome man played by American Horror Story ’s storyboard lover Finn Wittrock. A bulldozer to the carefully crafted life she has created comes grinding through when a filmmaker wants to make a documentary detailing the horrific and mysterious moments she endured as a high school freshman that became national news. Back then, she was TifAni FaNelli, awkward, an outcast trying to fit in.

NETFLIX 10/7

HALLOWEEN ENDS

Michael Myers never seems to die, huh? No matter how many brave victims fight back and manage to bruise him up, he seems to have eternal life. Every Halloween movie, he leaps back onto the screen, giving viewers the same creeps they got from his first round of carnage in 1978. Jamie Lee Curtis is back as the serial killer’s sister Lori Strode. She’s a survivor, a grade A bad-ass who never backs down. Good thing, too, because her murderous brother never really dies and has a thrill for hunting her down. In the latest installment, a young man is accused of murdering a child he was babysitting, bringing up even more hauntings of her past. Is this the final sibling showdown?

IN THEATERS 10/14

TICKET TO PARADISE

Seasoned A-list charmers Julia Roberts and George Clooney are having some fun with this paycheckbut it's money well-spent on two total pros who deliver the goods playing scorned exes that team up to destroy their only daughter’s wedding to a local man in Bali. Booksmart ’s Kaitlyn Denver plays the eager newlywed while Scream Queen ’s Billie Loude adds flavor as her best friend with her own love story. It’s hilarity and hi-jinks in a tropical paradise with flirty fighting. Clooney and Roberts are romantic comedy gold; in fact, their electric chemistry is so off the charts, who needs a map? This film is more silly than scary, but it’s a nice vacation from the onslaught of horror films and pumpkin spice this month.

IN THEATERS 10/21

iOctober cinema offers up a high school mystery, meddling parents and a serial killer that just won’t die

SCREEN TIME WITH MARISA PATWA

TRI-STATE HORROR SCOPES

NO MATTER YOUR ASTROLOGICAL SIGN, THINGS AREN'T EXACTLY LOOKING UP THIS MONTH

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22)

Every kid in the city will come to your door - and only your door - for Halloween. Sucks to be popular sometimes.

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21)

No matter what you say or do this month, everyone will "clap back" with some sort of snarky comment. Even worse, the phrase "clap back" will continue to be used ad nauseam online and elsewhere. Gonna be a rough one.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21)

Weeks after her death, you'll still be standing in line to view Queen Elizabeth II's casket. Perhaps you should have packed some more comfortable shoes.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19)

After being unable to name the governor of Indiana or, for that matter, any elected official from the Hoosier State - presumably, because none of them are on TikTok - you will be sent back to grade school. Don't forget to pack a lunch.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18)

Hope you're a fan of pennies, because that's all you'll be able to pay with this month. What's worse, you're not clever enough to figure out the pennies to dollars conversion.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20)

You will be part of an episode of Dateline, your favorite show; however, before you get too excited about meeting and being interviewed by host Keith Morrison, please note that you won't be able to speak - because you'll be deceased. Not a bad way to go, though.

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19)

Every statement you make this month will be vociferously debated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. Good luck getting a word in edge-wise. Or keeping a straight face.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20)

Similarly, you'll be forced to eat all your meals with InfoWars lunatic Alex Jones. Be sure to stock up on ear plugs.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20)

Like a horror movie come to life, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos will come to stay at your house for the next month. You must really have some bad karma at work.

CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22)

While it's confusing as to why The Voice is still on TV, the main point here is that you'll have no choice but to sit between the show's judges and withstand their goofy banter and attempts at humor. At least Adam Levine is long-gone.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22)

Your existence is already grade-A miserable but take heart - the universe can't bring itself to make your life anymore of a living hell this month. Hey, it's a start.

VIRGO (Aug 23 - Sep 22)

You'll be begging the Gemini folks to swap roommates after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle show up on your doorstep for an extended stay this month - and Meghan insists that you listen to her insufferable podcast. Expect to be carried out in a body bag.

TRUE CRIME JUNKIE

WITH JOHNNY FLETCHER

CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN: FAMILY ANNIHILATOR

Many of you are probably familiar with the infamous Christ Watts case that grabbed the headlines a few years ago, primarily due to the unthinkable nature of the crime which involved the murders of Watts' pregnant wife Shanann and two innocent young daughters, Bella and Celeste. The idea that a seemingly mild-mannered husband with no history of violence could resort to such extremes confounded - and captivated, frankly - the nation as details of the triple homicide slowly came to light. What could possibly have driven Watts to do it?

Eventually, his affair with co-worker Nichol Kessinger was uncovered - a secret obsessive relationship that ultimately drove him to wipe out his family for the sake of autonomy. Media coverage of the crime and the trial that followed was off the charts, but interestingly, there was a strikingly similar - and equally shocking - case from nine years prior that received far less attention.

The case in question also centered around a "Chris"Christopher Coleman from Columbia, Illinois, who, like Watts, was white, in his early thirties and married with two young children. The two men even looked similar with short-cropped hair and bulbous heads. Employed as a bodyguard for world-famous Christian televangelist Joyce Meyer, Coleman was reportedly well-liked and respected - but in private he had started to lead a double life at odds with the teachings of the church.

It all began when Coleman's wandering eye focused on his wife Sheri's best friend from high school, Tara Lintz. Soon the pair was engaged in an illicit affair that Coleman simply could not get enough of; he even planned for a future together with his mistress. Just one problem: like Watts, Coleman was hamstrung by his family - not to mention that divorce didn't play well in his Christian community. Feeling boxed in, Coleman devised a sick

scheme to rid himself of responsibility and be free to carry on with Lintz at will.

In November 2008, Coleman began sending himself hateful, threatening messages targeting his family via the email address destroychris@gmail.com. These fictional threats reportedly alluded to his association with the Joyce Meyer empire, one in particular stating, "tell Joyce to stop preaching the bullsh*t or Chris and his family will be killed." In addition, Coleman claimed to have received disturbing letters through the mail. Cut to the morning of May 5, 2009 - Coleman left his home early in the morning to workout at a local gym. At 6:43 a.m. he called his neighbor, police detective Justin Barlow, and asked him to check on Sheri, stating that he had been unable to reach her by phone. Barlow duly walked over to the Coleman home and was met by a horrific scene: 11-yearold Garrett, 9-year-old Gavin and Sheri were all found strangled to death. On the walls Barlow noted similarly threatening messages spray-painted in red.

Still, Coleman's attempts to pin the murders on a fictional individual ultimately failed and he was sentenced to life in prison. His appeals for a new trial have been denied thus far.

SCAN TO DONATE TO DAWNITA'S GOFUNDME

SCAN FOR MISSING PERSONS AWARENESS

"BUT IN PRIVATE HE HAD STARTED TO LEAD A DOUBLE LIFE AT ODDS WITH THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH.

PICTURED: Chris Coleman & Family

HUMANE SOCIETY

BOBBY: Have you been searching for a loyal sweetie to call your own? Look no further than Bobby, a six-year-old retriever mix! After his previous owner’s health made it too difficult to care for him, Bobby found himself at the Vanderburgh Humane Society. With years of experience as “Man’s Best Friend,” Bobby does great on a leash, knows how to sit and shake, has lived with kiddos, loves everyone he meets and is eager to become your loyal sweetie! His $150 adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip and vaccinations.

MARLA SINGER: The first rule of River Kitty is: There is no such thing as a bad cat. The second rule of River Kitty is: There is no such thing as a bad cat. Even if they’ve been at River Kitty for almost a year, there’s no such thing as a bad cat! Marla Singer, named after a character from the cult-classic Fight Club, is 2-years-old and the longest resident at River Kitty Cat Cafe. Like her namesake, she’s a strong-willed lady. Don’t let her fool you, though. She has a tender side and adores attention on her own terms. Marla’s $80 adoption fee covers her spay, microchip and up-to-date vaccinations. Come meet her in downtown Evansville at the River Kitty Cat Cafe!

HOOTIE: Meet Hootie, an approximately one-year-old carrier pigeon. We know what you’re thinking and just hear us out… carrier pigeons can be great pets, too! They’re smart, easy-going birds that quickly learn routines. While we don’t know how or when Hootie’s routine went awry, we do know she was lucky to end up on a good Samaritan’s doorstep who noticed Hootie wasn’t like other birds in the wild – they were very social and easy to handle. Pigeons can be emotional birds and need a BFF, whether it’s another bird or human, to spend their days with. And while you don’t need to be an expert with birds to adopt Hootie, some experience with feathered friends is preferred. Interested in adopting Hootie? Come speak with one of our adoption counselors, or email adoptions@vhslifesaver.org.

EACH MONTH WE’LL BE CHECKING IN WITH THE VHS FOR THE LATEST GOOD NEWS AND TO HELP FIND FUREVER HOMES FOR SOME OF THEIR MORE UNIQUE AND OLDER RESIDENTS

HE WANTS NOTHING BUT TO SPOON AND BE THE LITTLE SPOON.

CHOMPER

VHS ADOPTION SPOTLIGHT

Evansville's Chloe Wannamuehler has always been a friend to animals, growing up with numerous cats, dogs and guinea pigs. Once out on her own and settled, she cared for a beloved rescue dog up until its passing just five months ago - a loss that hit hard after 11 years together. And while she still had a tortoise to keep her company, Wannamuehler missed the companionship of a furry friend, eventually opting to start the search for another dog last month. She scoured the VHS website and caught sight of Chomper, a Pitbull mix whose history somewhat mirrored her

previous rescue in the sense that he was reportedly a little aggressive towards children and other dogs. That gave Wannamuehler pause. "I thought I should find a match that would be a little friendlier," she says. "But I couldn't really find one and then got back on the website and Chomper was still there - such a cute little chunker. I couldn't resist."

Wannamuehler took a friend with her to the VHS for a meet & greet with Chomper who initially came across as indifferent to their presence, almost cold. But everything changed for the better

quickly. "There were toys on the table, including a plushy toy - a stuffed animal - and he was all about it," she recalls. "We played tug and ripped the plushy in half on accident. He was super cute, let me take the toys out of his mouth with no aggression. He minded well, would come or sit on command - he was just as sweet as can be." That sealed the deal for Wannamuehler; she signed the adoption papers and headed home with Chomper to begin a new journey in life together.

Somewhat surprisingly - but much to the delight of Wannamuehler - Chomper immediately blossomed under her care, his previous indifference replaced by excitement and enthusiasm. Perhaps most unexpectedly, the three-year-old pup lives for cuddling. "He wants nothing but to spoon and be the little spoon," Wannamuehler says with a laugh. "I have not slept without this dog being the little spoon since I got him. He's 73 pounds so he doesn't leave me much choice - he's there whether I like it or not."

AS I TYPE THIS...

with Barold Hume

MAKE WAY FOR MIDTERM MADNESSS

Just a little over a month to go... Like it or not, the midterm elections are looming, casting a huge shadow over the country. As is typical when races are close coming down the home-stretch, the gloves are coming off between political opponents. This is none more apparent than in the borderline comical Pennsylvania Senate seat showdown pitting TV personality Dr. Oz against PA Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman. Watching these two trade insults back and forth is nothing short of ridiculous. And not so coincidentally, the media can't get

enough of the pair's antics; every day there's a new headline magnifying the mud-slinging. Fetterman, for his part, is intent on portraying Dr. Oz as an out of touch elitist while Dr. Oz keeps trying to pin Fetterman down as an unhealthy moron. Gripping stuff. Then there's the Georgia Senate race featuring incumbent Raphael Warnock versus former NFL star Herschel Walker. As I type this, the race is reportedly close with Warnock holding onto a slim lead - but a debate is set for the 14th of this month so we'll see how that impacts the current polling. Seeing those two go headto-head on stage should be entertaining, at least. Walker, based on some of his comments over the last so many months, seems to have suffered a brain injury of some kind during his days on the football field; he often rambles incoherently, making little sense when discussing major issues. But even so, he's right there in the thick of it, having garnered much support from Republicans who simply think Warnock is the worst senator the country has ever seen.

Speaking of Georgia, it's home to yet another high profile race - a re-do of sorts between Governor Brian Kemp and challenger Stacey Abrams. As you

may recall, Abrams lost to Kemp in 2018 but refused to concede. Needless to say, there's not an abundance of good vibes at play here. But what's new? Midterm elections are particularly fraught with ill feelings as they ultimately decide the balance of power between the two parties in the Senate and the House. Which ultimately affects major policies across the country. Historically, the party that holds the White House - in this case, the Democrats - tends not to fare well in the midterm elections. I suppose because, as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. After a president, regardless of party affiliation, has served two years, many voters are re-thinking things, for better or worse. Let the madness begin.

Fox

COULD AN ELPERS WIN PROMPT MAYORAL RUN NEXT YEAR?

You've probably seen the billboard; might have even received a mailer or two announcing that fifth ward city councilman Justin Elpers is running for county commissioner. And apparently his family, who is featured in his campaign literature, is about as big as the Waltons.

My quick analysis of this race: Elpers

is running in a Republican-leaning county in a year shaping up to be bad for Democrats. So he wins.

52 | OCTOBER 2022 • www.evansvillemediagroup.com WATCHING THESE TWO TRADE INSULTS BACK AND FORTH IS NOTHING SHORT OF RIDICULOUS. AND NOT SO COINCIDENTALLY, THE MEDIA CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THE PAIR'S ANTICS.

But that's not what this story is about. It's about perhaps the aftermath of what might happen next for Elpers regarding next year's mayoral race.

MAYBE I'M JUST GETTING OLD...

with Johnny Fletcher

IS IT POSSIBLE...???

The short answer is no, not really. Hang tight, I'll get to an explanation, but first I need to revisit the subject of last month's column which focused on my unhealthy interest in the MTV show Catfish. Sadly, I've continued to watch at every opportunity, seemingly unable to put on the brakes. Which is particularly embarrassing considering the ridiculous nature of some of the latest episodes. Let me just say this: the day that a potential love

interest refers to me as their "boo" I'll pack it in. I'm clearly old and out of touch, but this has got to stop. Whatever happened to classics like "dear" and "honey"? You know, terms of endearment that don't sound like you're reciting lyrics from an obnoxious Justin Bieber track. Anyhow, here's the rub: there's yet another show that I simply can't shake - Ancient Aliens on the History Channel. Impressively, it's every bit as over-the-top as Catfish, albeit in a completely different context. In a nutshell, this unintentionally funny cable series delves into the assumed connection between humans and extraterrestrials, forever asking the question, "Is it possible...???" Allow me to expand.

Here's just one example of the sort of hi-jinks that Ancient Aliens gets up to, centering around the creation of the Egyptian pyramids - one of the show's favorite topics. See, the featured "experts" have this idea that maybe, just maybe, extraterrestrials came down to Earth circa 2550 B.C. and built - or helped to build - those magnificent structures. Then they apparently got back in their spaceships and rocketed back home. No matter how insane that sounds, I'm powerless to the charm of the narrator who begins every voice-over with the aforementioned, "Is it possible...???" In this case, he wanted to

know if I, and the other viewers, believed that malarkey about the pyramids. Of course not. Still, it's just so much fun to sit back and watch all these folks seriously debate such a scenario - or discuss the likelihood that some of the world's most prominent leaders through history were delivered from the star cluster Pleiades. I mean, yeah, there's always a chance, however minute. Honestly, I'd LOVE for that to be true - but the older I get, the more I discount the majority of "out there" theories. Yup, I've gotten awfully boring in my twilight years. Yet I'm still entertained by the notion of aliens playing a role in our development as a species - I just don't think it's remotely possible.

NO MATTER HOW INSANE

THAT SOUNDS, I'M POWERLESS

EVERY VOICE-OVER WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED, "IS IT POSSIBLE...???

If Elpers wins the commissioner seat, which he should, does this set up a possible run for mayor? Elpers has been elected twice to city council and he knows how city government work s. He has shown his electability status by twice winning the swing ward that is the fifth.

If this happens, it could set up one of the most intriguing primaries in the city's history. Cheryl Musgrave, a current county commissioner, has already announced she

will run. Assuming Elpers wins his race and then decides to throw his hat in the ring for the mayoral race, it would feature two commissioners squaring off against each other.

Both Elpers and Musgrave are polarizing figures, albeit in different ways. Musgrave has a more in-your-face approach to campaigning and governing - a Trump-like quality. Elpers, meanwhile, hasn't shied away from social issues including his stance

on LGBT issues and a library's decision to allow drag queens to read stories to children.

Current mayor Winnecke, however, always the professional and pragmatist, has stayed away from controversial issues and has always proven to be a cool customer.

If Elpers decides to run for mayor, the entire city could be in for a wild ride.

TO THE CHARM OF THE NARRATOR WHO BEGINS

OCTOBER MUSIC REVIEWS

YUNGBLUD Yungblud Locomotion/Geffen Records

British singer-songwriter Yungblud is bringing the moody emotions and passions with his self-titled third studio album. If his sting on Chicken Shop Date gives any indication, his North American tour next year will be incredibly entertaining. He’s got the brooding, intelligent demeanor to awaken the most dormant Edward Cullen of any Jacob fans. The 25-year-old also delivers all the raw passions and emotions with the 80s sounding “The Funeral.” The twisted, dark music video gives us a glimpse of his talent while his lyrics bleed the macabre: “I've been dancing at my funeral/ Waiting for you to arrive/ I was hoping you'd look beautiful/ Dancing with tears in your eyes/ But nobody came, what a shame, shame, shame (hey).” “Memories” and “Willow” are also standouts. All three of his albums have cracked the top 10 in the United Kingdom and it is easy to hear why.- Marisa Patwa

KANE BROWN Different Man 1021 Entertainment/Sony Nashville

Kane Brown has got that country swagger mix. The bi-racial country singer is also talented and an inspiration, bending music genre barriers. I got to witness the up-and-coming performer in Evansville a few years ago and he’ll be slipping back into those cowboy boots at the Ford Center on March 17th for the “Drunk and Dreaming” Tour. The family man professes he is a “Different Man” now with this album and he definitely has grown. Katelyn Brown, his wife, harmonizes like honey in their dewy duet “Thank God.” The trap-pop “Grand,” funky “See You Like I Do,” and guitar-heavy “One Mississippi” show off his great range. Brown steps up as a producer on the album, giving himself more control over the flow of his music. All I can say is let’s keep it flowing. - Marisa Patwa

NOAH CYRUS The Hardest Part Columbia Records

Ever since Labrinth and Noah Cyrus’ haunting duet “Make Me (Cry)" - which has racked up over 157 million views on YouTube - I was instantly hooked. Sure, her sister is one of the biggest pop stars in the world and her dad has had a few good hits (and an “Old Town Road” comeback), but Noah stands out on her own. Her voice is insanely pure, raw and good. Her lyrics are poetry and reflective. She’s both the one hurt and the healer. The indie folk-inspired “I Burned LA Down” and pop balled “Mr. Percocet” will both haunt and soothe your soul. “I Just Want a Lover” is tender, but full of despair with lyrics, “I picked my conscience over clarity and deal with the disparity/ It's anarchy/ And the narcissists all run at me with guns ablaze/ No empathy, insanity/ I can't believe I didn't see/ A mistake is just a state of my identity/ I got a feeling I will never, ever get it right.” On the contrary, her music hits the mark. - Marisa Patwa

KING'S X Three Sides of One InsideOutMusic

In the late 1980s, KING'S X made an indelible mark on the rock and metal genre. What is remarkable is that they did it with little commercial success, but a devoted core following that carries their standard to this day. Ask any KING'S X fan and they’ll tell you that the trio’s lack of fame is one of the great crimes in music history. Often called the hard rock Beatles and the “musician’s musicians,” bassist/vocalist Doug Pinnick, guitarist/vocalist Ty Tabor, and percussionist/vocalist Jerry Gaskill are talented beyond measure. KING'S X are often cited as progenitors of American prog-rock as well as grunge before grunge was cool! Three Sides of One is their first new studio album in 13 years, and it does not disappoint. Drawing from a range of styles, it abounds with heavy riffs, pop sensibilities, grooves, harmonies and hooks galore. Standouts are "Let it Rain,” “Give it Up,” “All God’s Children” and “The Watcher.” Matt Alschbach

CHECK OUT THESE HONEST REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST NEW ALBUMS IN MUSIC!

CHECK OUT THESE HONEST REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST NEW ALBUMS IN MUSIC

PREOCCUPATIONS Arrangements Self-Released

In the last half of the 2010s, Calgary-based Preoccupations released three great post-punk albums that helped set the tone for an emerging trend of post-punk resurgence. By 2021, the indie rock landscape was at a peak of a new post-punk revival with bands like Dry Cleaning, Shame, and Fontaines D.C. leading the wave. Since then many lesser bands have joined the trend and watered down the creativity the genre is known for. However, Preoccupations continue to exist in a realm in which they sound only like themselves. On Arrangements, it’s undeniablethis is a Preoccupations album, and it rocks. No one is making music quite like them and their latest effort is a welcome addition to their already-fantastic catalogue.

- Russ Finn

DIAMANDA GALÁS Broken Gargoyles Intravenal Sound Operations

New York-based avant-garde composer and performer Diamanda Galás has released an incredible body of work in her near-50 years as an artist. In addition to her prolific musical output that showcases her other-worldly voice, Galás is known for her performance art, paintings, voice work for film, and her unflinching activism for the AIDS epidemic. Classic rock fans may best know Galás from 1994’s The Sporting Life, a collaborative album she made with Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones. On her new album Broken Gargoyles, Galás presents two lengthy avant-garde compositions inspired by German poetry dealing with plague and war, repurposing these old hymns to relate them to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The result is a haunting, visceral experience that should be sought out by fans of classical music, avant-garde compositions, and even metalheads and horror enthusiasts- Russ Finn

FEMBOTS Transfigurations Junkshop Productions

FemBots are a vastly underappreciated altcountry/folk rock band from Toronto, Canada, who released four albums between 2000 and 2008. They are perhaps best known for their 2003 sophomore album Small Town Murder Scene - a mellow indie rock record that should rank with the best of contemporaries like Wilco, Drive-By Truckers, or Okkervil River, but is often forgotten and overlooked. FemBots became inactive following their 2008 album Calling Out, but now they return with Transfigurations - their first album in 14 years. Impressively, it's on par with their other work. If you are a fan of laid-back acoustic rock music, don’t overlook Transfigurations, as it will surely be one of the best releases for the genre this year, even if no one is talking about it.- Russ Finn

BUILT TO SPILL When The Wind Forgets Your Name Sub Pop

When The Wind Forgets Your Name is the new quintessential album from long-time 90’s rock band Built to Spill. Channeling the power pop structures of their older albums such as There’s Nothing Wrong with Love and Ultimate Alternative Wavers while dripping with the denser overdrive saturated tones of There is No Enemy , Doug Martsch’s vocals settle perfectly atop the sonic walls the band manages to compose. Being the first time this iteration of the band has produced a studio album together might make some fans trepidatious, but it actually lends to the freshness of the album, oscillating between the slow psychedelia of Brian Jonestown Massacre and the more texture rich sounds of Dinosaur Jr.’s albums from the mid-to-late aughts. Any Built to Spill fan is sure to love it!

- Hamilton Golike

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

MICK KOLASSA They Call Me Uncle Mick Endless Blues Records

Prolific singer-songwriter Mick Kolassa returns with the acoustic-based They Call Me Uncle Mick. The album opens with Kolassa’s version of the 1930s classic “My Pencil Won’t Write No More.” Kolassa plays the guitar masterfully and a guest appearance from Eric Hughes on harmonica adds to the vintage feel. “Wasted Youth” showcases Kolassa’s talents on an acoustic version of a song he previously recorded in a different style. “Daddy’s Little Pumpkin,” a cover of a John Prine song, showcases Tom Leonardo’s drumming. Kolassa laments the state of the world on “Used to Be” as Doug MacLeod joins in on guitar.

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” offers Kolassa’s bluesy interpretation of a Hank Williams song as Alice Hasan adds a melancholy violin. Hughes returns on harmonica on “My Woman She’s So Mean” as Kolassa sings about a woman who tries to destroy his relationships. “Woodstock” features Watermelon Slim on harmonica and vocals performing with Kolassa on a cover of the Joni Mitchell classic. The Kolassa original “Why?” asks why the woman in his life treats him poorly. “Sunny Side of the Street” gives a laid-back feel with excellent vibraphone playing from John Whittemore. The Kolassa original “Bless His Heart” sounds like something from a 1950s sock hop with superb piano from Rick Steff. The album closes with “The Cheese Song,” a phenomenal tune about a beloved food staple. For more info, visit mimsmick.com.

- Paul Bragin

OCTOBER BEER REVIEWS

This month’s beers are available depending on supply & demand at all 10 Liquor Locker locations. Visit our website at www.Liquor-Locker.com.

OMISSION ULTIMATE IPA

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4

I wasn't sure what to expect from this lowcarb, low-cal IPA. It pours a golden hue that is mostly clear. On the nose are some nice, hoppy aromas, with notes of grapefruit and other citrus. Fairly heavily carbonated on the palate, it is very light bodied, has subtle citrusy hop flavors and a nice, balanced flavor. At 4.5% ABV, this IPA will surprise you. Finally a light beer for the craft IPA drinker.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4

A thick white head tops this IPA but evaporates somewhat quickly. Fruity hop notes and some pine scents control the nose. Carbonation hits the tongue immediately, followed by a balance of malt and hops, with the hop flavors lingering in the finish. This lower alcohol beer makes it a great choice as a session beer. Pair it with a variety of foods like Asian cuisines, lighter salads or cheeses like Camembert or fontina.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

This is a clear yellow beer with an ABV of 4.5%. I really like the sweet hops flavor. I'm impressed that this is a “light beer” but classified as an IPA. It's pretty easy to drink and is very refreshing. Like the can says, "Good Balance and Good Flavor." I've never had a beer from this brewery before but will have to keep an eye out for other offerings.

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.25

This NE IPA pours a hazy yellow, with a thin white head. Tropical notes on the nose, dominated by mango with a hint of pineapple. Mango and peach dominate the palate with a slight bitterness and a smooth finish. The dry hopping is evident in the aromas and flavors of this IPA.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4

A thick white head rests on this IPA and dissipates reluctantly. A generous amount of citrus dominates the scent profile. A heavier mouthfeel and bitter hops come through during the initial tasting of the beer and stay in the long finish. People who enjoy hoppy beers need to try this one. Pair it with fish tacos with mango salsa, ceviche, green Thai curry, roasted pork belly with mango chutney or a charcuterie board.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4

This is a cloudy, straw-colored beer with decent carbonation. I notice it has an ABV of 6.5% and find it to be a pretty solid beer. I like the sweet, solid hops flavor and enjoy the refreshing finish this beer has. My question is: How many more breweries are going to release IPAs? They have finally worn me down but I'm ready for the next trend of beers.

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.25

This marzen lager pours a clear, light amber color. Typical of the style, there are notes of caramel on the nose. It is lighter bodied, and not as sweet as a typical Oktoberfest beer. Malty and not too bitter on the palate and finishes very nicely.

PAUL BRAGIN - 5

A thick white head crowns this lager when poured into a traditional beer mug. The scent boasts a good amount of malt sweetness. The sweet malt flavor continues while drinking the beer along with a strong burst of carbonation and lingering malt flavors in the finish. People who like malty beers need to drink this seasonal while it’s available during the cool autumn months. Pair it with classic German dishes like sausage, sauerkraut and soft pretzels.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4

This is a clear, amber-colored beer that features the standard malty flavor of an Oktoberfest beer. It has the other typical malty flavors, too, but overall, I'm not terribly overwhelmed with this Sun King offering. I prefer many of their other beers; however, this one's still better than average.

RHINEGEIST CLOUD HARVEST

SUN KING OKTOBERFEST

DOGFISH HEAD SLIGHTY MIGHTY LO-CAL IPA

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 3.5

This IPA pours a slightly hazy yellow with a nice, thick white head. There are tropical notes on the nose, and I also notice a touch of piney resin, typical of a more traditional IPA. It is very light for an IPA and has just a touch of sweetness on the palate. Finishes with a light bitterness. I preferred the Omission Ultimate IPA if I’m looking for a light IPA, but this one is also worth trying.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.5

A thick white head forms on this IPA and evaporates slowly. A burst of fruit and hop notes fill the nose. Fruit notes from the monk fruit used during brewing hit the tongue first, followed by hop notes

in the extended finish. The lower calorie and alcohol content give this beer an edge as a good choice for a session beer to drink several in one sitting. Pair it with grilled chicken, salmon or fish tacos.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

This is a cloudy, straw-colored beer. I'm impressed with this low calorie IPA. It has a great IPA flavor with a nice tropical flavor. It says it contains monk fruit extract but I have no idea what that is. The flavor is crisp and refreshing - I really like this beer. The ABV is only 4% but this would be a great session beer.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

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Q:Admittedly, I'm an over-protective parent and worry constantly about dangers that my child faces when he's out and about. During this time of year, I particularly worry when he goes trick-or-treating throughout the neighborhood. My concern is that he'll get a hold of bad candy or, worst case scenario, someone may slip him something bad on purpose and cause him injury. If something like this should ever occur, how would I best proceed legally to protect my child?

A:As a parent myself, I understand the fear of allowing something bad to happen to your child. In fact, as a personal injury lawyer I see more than my share of bad accidents and injuries.

At the same time. Who wants to live in fear? So, a measured approach is how my wife and I have raised our kids. In other words, we balance safety with letting the kids experience life.

When it comes to trick or treating in particular, we let the kids go but we take reasonable precautions. First, an adult goes with the kids, we make sure the kids have on a visible costume, we have them go to homes we know and we inspect the candy before the kids are allowed to eat the candy.

If despite taking these precautions, something bad happens, the first step is contacting local law enforcement. Make sure to preserve any evidence, such as, the candy and doorbell camera feeds. Then, contact an experienced personal injury attorney for a free consultation.

Until next month, be safe.

Disclaimer: The above information provided by Siesky Law Firm, PC, is not legal advice and should not be taken as legal advice. Application of the law is highly fact sensitive and readers should consult with an attorney on legal matters.