February 2019 by Gesso Magazine

Inside Page

February 2019

Editors Word – February 2019 Straight Up Magazine is now Gesso Magazine and it is here with its 43rd edition ‘Serving Up Art, Music and Culture for the Metro-East’s Enjoyment’. The St. Louis Metro deserves its own arts and entertainment magazine. And here it is. It’s called Gesso!!! We are so very pleased to have native son Glenn McCoy as our featured cover artist. Read about his extraordinary career and see more of his work inside this edition. We thank our writers for their poignant features. We appreciate our fans who have submitted their works for publication. And “Likes” to all you followers on Facebook!!! We are grateful to you, the reader, for picking up this latest issue of Gesso Magazine – issue #43 in the Str8 Up Magazine legacy!!! Like Straight Up before it, the mission of Gesso Magazine is to support local arts and artists and the businesses and organizations that support local arts and artists. Please feel free to contact us with ideas, comments, information, etc. that might assist us in our mission to serve you, the residents of the St. Louis Metro area. WE WANT YOU! - All you artistic and creative types out there! You should contact us. Show us your work. Tell us of your craft and brief personal/artistic history. Submit any art form that you’d like. Perhaps, you can be one of our next published contributors or even a featured artist. Check out the Submissions Pages to see who’s featured this month. Next month, that could be you!! Enjoy Gesso! Tell your friends. Send us your work. And visit our website at GessoMagazine.com. Visit us on Facebook daily for new and additional events and features. You’ll see Gesso Magazine at over 425 area distribution locations. And we’ll see you at the clubs, theatres and festivals all over the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

P.O. Box 412 Belleville, IL 62222 * (314) 266-9199 editor@gessomagazine.com

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Staff

February Credits

Editors: Jake Bishop, Robert Corey, Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Layout Design Artists: Jake Bishop, Dylan Seibert, Mark Polege Sales: Jake Bishop, Robert Corey, Paul Seibert, Dylan Seibert Ad Artists: Jake Bishop, Mark Polege, Dylan Seibert, Wil Sullivan Calendar: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Website Design & Up-Keep: Mark Polege (MarkusDesignWorks.com), Jake Bishop Photography: Mark Polege (PhotographyofMarkPolege.com) Distribution: Jake Bishop, Robert Corey, KenDale Hampton, Daniel Nygard, Lesley Schaeperkoetter, Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert, Wil Sullivan, Herald Publications

Contributors

Cover Artist: Glenn McCoy Cover Logo: Jake Bishop Comics: Robert Corey, Brian Gardner Fun Page: Jake Bishop Photography: Photos courtesy of Evangeline’s (pg. 8) Accompanying Artwork: Glenn McCoy (Pg.3), Jake Bishop (pg.26) Feature Writers: Jennaver Brown, John Dorroh, Alex Enyart, Robyn L. Kirsch

Submissions

Valerie Hosna-Davis, Mitch Berens, Quaron Gooch All material in this publication and its affiiated on-line content are copyrighted to the individual contributors or Gesso Magazine, LLC and may not be reproduced without written consent. We are very grateful to those who have submitted material to be considered for publication. However, the opinions and views of those contributing content to Gesso do not necessarily reflect those of Gesso Magazine.

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Table of Contents

February 2019

Evangelineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bistro and Music House

The Legal Eagle

February Calendar of Events

February Comics

The Real McCoy

Fun Page

February Submissions

by John Dorroh

by Alex Enyart

by Robyn L. Kirsch

From the Ground Up by Jennaver Brown

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Distribution List Gesso Magazine Can Be Found At Over 425 Convenient Metro Area Locations

Alton

AmTrak Chez Marilyn Doc Holiday’s Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire Jacoby Art Center Mike’s Ten Pin Perfect 10 Pub (Formerly 4204) Village Inn Pancake House

Belleville

10th Street Baking Co 4204 Main Street Brewing Co. Advance Family Chiropractic Almighty Tattoos Althoff CHS Art Dept Anthony’s Salon Balance Coffee and Tea Bamboo Valley Buffet Beast Craft BBQ Co. Beatnik’s Bell Air Bowl Belle Clair Expo Cente Belleville Inn & Suites Belleville Main Street Belleville Public Libraries (West Main; East Washington) Belleville Screen Printing Co. BP Huck’s Locations (Carlyle Ave; N. Illinois St.) Bronx Zoo Boutique Centerfield Bar and Grill Chamber of Commerce Cigar Inn Circa Circle K Locations (Old Collinsville Rd, 177) City Hall Club Escapade Club Fitness Conoco Phillips Crehan’s Irish Pub Dog Day Afternoon Drawing Fantasies by Kathy Dutch Hollow Barn 4

February 2019

Eckert Florist Effinger’s Garden Center Family Sports Plex Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap Geo’s Wings & More Golden Dragon Governor French Gallery Grappa Growlers Green Forest Vapors Hair on Main Hardee’s (S. Belt East) Hicks Bar-B-Que Imo’s Pizza JR’s Last Call Kelso Auto Body League Lounge Lindenwood Univ Little Ceasar’s Local Lucy’s Main Street Café Mary’s Hidden Treasures Maytag Laundry Max’s One Stop Melodic Rhythms Metro East Gastroenterology MotoMart Mueller Furniture New Concepts Beauty & Barber North Belt West Liquor Papa Vito’s (E. Washington & N. Belt West) Pizza World Plug N Play Computers Quick Mart Rain Tree Salon Renaissance Hair & Skin Care Rising Star Too Schnucks Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC Seven Shop N Save Locations (Carlyle Ave, N. Belt West) Smoothie King

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Southwestern IL College (Art Dept.,Cafe’, Film Dept.) Spa Demi St. Clair County Event Center St E’s Medical Arts Bldg Stein Automotive Stillpointe Wellness Center Sullivan’s Super 8 Motel Surya Rakta Tavern on Main The Abbey TOCO Shop Towne & Country Mart TR’s Place Turned Treasures Uncle Nick’s Deli Valvoline Walgreens Weingarten Wingate Manor YMCA East

Cahokia

Cahokia Club KC

Caseyville

America’s Best Inn & Suites First Western Inn Huddle Bar & Grill Knollwood Retirement Quality Inn and Suites Woody’z Bar & Grill

Centreville

Terry’s Home & Garden

Collinsville

Apple Cleaners Asia Garden Bert’s Chuckwagon Camelot Bowl Carsilios Mexican Restaurant Collinsville Public Library

Dean’s Exxon Gas Farmers Market Fazzi’s Headliners Bar & Grill Jim’s Pawn & Jewelry John Locus Photography Knights of Columbus McDill’s Irish Pub New China Palm Beach Tan Papa John’s Red Bar ReMax Smoke Pit BBQ Spring Garden Restaurant Sports Clips Swing City Music

Stagger Inn...Again Teaspoon Cafe

Fairview Heights

Best Western BP Huck’s CALC Institute of Technology Casey’s Caseyville Twshp Bldg Catholic Credit Union Cherry’s Vapes & Emporium China King Circle K City Hall Comfort Inn & Suites Drury Inn Econolodge Express Medical Care Fairfield Inn Fairview Liquor Fairview Lounge Columbia Fortel’s Pizza Den Art 2 Go Studio Guitar Center Aunt Maggie’s Hampton Inn Chateau La Vin Hooters Columbia City Saloon Hucks Locations Mish Mash Studio (Lincoln HWY, Old Collinsville) Who Dat’s Jacob’s Herb Shop Joe’s Pizza Edwardsville Lasting Impressions Floral Auto Tire Lilly’s Gyro Bailey Cakes Lizzy Bob’s Bakery Bridal Couture MotoMart Circle K New Venture Pharmacy Enclave & Enclave West Phillip 66 Gas Mart Green Mobile (Bunkum Rd.) Happy Up Toys Public Library Heroic Adventures Quick Stop 2 Mark’s Appliances Quiznos Public Library Ramada Inn Run Well Randalls Wine & Spirits Sacred Grounds Sahara Hair Studio Southern IL University Schnucks (The Alestle Office, Arts & Sciences Sheraton Four Points Dept., Dunham Theatre, Lovejoy St. Clair Bowl Library, Morris University Center)

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Distribution List Sunshine Daydream Super 8 Motel Total Eyeware USave Cleaners Walgreens Winchester Place Office VFW Zapata’s

Freeburg

Casey’s Country Market Gary’s Restaurant MotoMart Way Ward Pub

Glen Carbon Glen Mart

Granite City

Alfresco Art Center Apple Tree Restaurant Kool Beanz Southwestern IL College (Cafe’, Fitness Center)

Highland

501 Blues Club Great Clips Highland’s Tru-Buy Railshake Brewery Starlight Studio

Lebanon

Casey’s CC Food Mart First Federal Bank Ghost Vapor Shop Hanger 18 Guitar Repair Shop Lebanon Visitors Center Legendary Creations McKendree University (Art Dept., Gallery of Art, Hett Arts Center, Holman Library) MotoMart Public Library Tiadaghton House Whimsey Gifts

February 2019

Maryville

Villa Marie Winery Lakehouse at Buffalo Park Red Apple Restaurant

Mascoutah

All Mart Smoke Shop American Legion Bee Hollow Marketplace Best Western Inn & Suites Boyce, Hund, & Associates Casey’s General Store Dauber’s Pharmacy Donna Mae’s Salon Han-Dee Mart Jo-Al Winery Mascoutah Elementary Mascoutah Steak House McDonald’s MotoMart Nite Deposit Sax Hometown Store Scott Credit Union Skootr’s St E’s Medical Plaza St. Louis Coffee Tom’s Supermarket VFW Visitor’s Center

Millstadt

ATI Physical Therapy Coffee Mill Cafe Farmers Tan IGA Papa Vito’s

New Baden

CC Food Mart New Baden Market Casey’s Kokomo Joe’s Kountry Store First Federal Bank

O’Fallon

Auffenberg Ford Service Baymont Inn Cambridge Dental Candlewood Suites Casey’s Casa Azteca Circle K City Hall CoffeeHouse Co & Salon Country Inn and Suites CVS Denny’s Drury Inn Egg and I Extended Stay First American Title Gas Mart Gias Pizza Green Mt. Rd Harley Davidson Hemingway’s Zen Garden Hilton Garden Inn Hometown Barber Hometown Suites Hop House Knights of Columbus Lake Point Dental LaQuinta Inn & Suites Luckenbooth Gallery McDonald’s McKendree Metroplex Memorial Healthcare/Therapy Memorial Therapy MotoMart Public Library RJ’s Computer Schnucks Shell Sips n Splatters Sleep Inn St. E’s Medical Center Suburban Inn Subway Restaurants (Regency Park, E. US HWY 50) Super 8 Sweet Katie Bee’s Towne Lounge Vetta Sports GessoMagazine.com

Walgreens Wood Bakery WOW Hotel YMCA

Pontoon Beach Mastermind Vodka

Sauget

Sauget Diner SW IL Welcome Center

Scott Air Force Base

Lucy’s Place Miller Music New China Northwest Liquor Olympika Bar & Grill Pottery Hollow Rural King Shop n Save Twilight Comics Wild Birds Unlimited

Troy

Public Library ZX Fuel

David Anthony Barber Quick Mart Subway VFW #4183

Community Thrift / Classy Lady

Shiloh

Waterloo

American Eagle Credit Union Bank of Edwardsville Dierberg’s Dobbs Auto & Tire Golden Corral Holiday Inn St. Louis Bread Co. Quizno’s Walgreens Wings of Shiloh

Smithton

All Mart No-Jacks Bar & Grill Smithton Liquor Southern Illinois Realty

Swansea

A Storage Inn Big Time Beads Circle K Concept Shoe Repair CVS First American Title Schnucks Dobbs Gas Mart ILLINOISouth Tourism Lucky’s Bar & Grill

Washington Park BoBecks Sports Bar & Grill City Hall Gallagher’s JV’s Bar and Grill Karban’s Knotty Pines Papa Vito’s Schorr Lake Vineyard

St. Louis

1860s Saloon BP Gas Mart Broadway Oyster Bar & Grill City Greens Market Club Rehab Hammerstone’s Hanneke’s Logowear HWY 61 Roadhouse Just John’s Magnify Gallery Molly’s in Soulard Napalese Indian & Korean Cuisine Running Niche Soulard Art Gallery Soulard Coffee Garden South Side Barber & Beauty Salon St. Louis Bubble Tea Sunshine Daydream Tower Classic Tattooing Urban Chestnut Brewing

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February 2019 “Don Bailey, alias Renaissance Man: Fun Times at Evangeline’s Bistro and Music House”

under your collar and makes you want to holler.

by John Dorroh

As my grandma used to say, “Get on with it!” This is a partial list of items offered on the extensive menu:

Incredible Brunch Menu…

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epic poem, “Evangeline,” is a 1400-word saga, tracing the steps of young Evangeline Bellefontaine across American landscapes to find her lost love, Gabriel Lajeunesse. The poem was written in 1847 and describes the imaginary search during the time of the Great Expulsion in Nova Scotia by the British of the Acadians. At times, Evangeline is so close geographically to her lover that it’s ridiculous; however, neither knows the other’s whereabouts. She settles in Philadelphia and, as an old woman, works as Sister of Mercy among the poor. While tending the sick and dying during an epidemic, Evangeline finds “Gabe” among the sick. Sadly, he dies in her arms. In essence “Evangeline” is a modern tragedy. Although school children are no longer required to read the poem, hundreds – maybe thousands – of venues throughout Louisiana’s parishes claim the name in their titles. Evangeline’s in St. Louis?... Located in the Central West End at 512 N. Euclid sits Evangeline’s Bistro & Music House. To tell you the truth, I can’t decide which is better – the restaurant portion or the music. I suppose it’s like the old ad for Certs: “It’s a breath mint…no, it’s a candy.” Boys and girls, it’s both! Since I’m somewhat of a foodie, let me first take on the task of describing some of the food and drink items that caught my attention. Being from the New Orleans general area, I think I know good Cajun/Creole food. It’s in my genes. Week-end brunch… Who doesn’t like a brunch, especially on the week-ends when you don’t have to go to work, you want to sleep in, and then have a late breakfast/early lunch? This is the place. Saturday’s brunch does not come with a side of music. Sunday’s brunch does – Miss Jubliee, who, if you’ve been living under a rock, is a St. Louis fixture. She and her band members, the Humdingers, are not considered the official house band, but they might as well be.

• Strawberry Jubilee Stuffed New Orleans French Toast (Let that sink in.) • Bananas Foster Stuffed French Toast (as if strawberries weren’t decadent enough) • Beignets (those French-style doughnuts served at Cafe Monde in New Orleans. These are just as good, maybe better. I know these things) • Pork Chop Sliders (What?!) • Andouille Sausage Gravy & Biscuits (What!?) • Blackstrap Molasses Bacon (Yes, indeed. Now you’re talking.) • Chicken Saucisse Jambalaya If you can’t find something on that list that you like, then either your taste buds are dormant or you need medical attention. Add the sassy jazz notes by Miss Jubilee on Sunday mornings, and you just might be skipping church. That’s your call. The Appetizers… If you can’t attend one of the week-end brunches, take in a dinner, beginning with one of the following scrumptious openers: • • • • • • •

Blue Crab Cakes Broiled Crab Parmesan Crayfish Carolyn Crispy Boudin Balls Muffaletta Olive Bruchetta Mussels Sauvignon Tabasco Butter Shrimp

Consider one of the classics: • • • •

Blue Crab Etoufee Championship Gumbo Crawfish Etoufee Red Beans & Rice

Or an entrée: • BBQ Shrimp & Smoked Grits • Blackened Red Snapper • Crispy Chicken Linguine with Blackened Andouille & Parmesan Sauce (Shut your mouth!) • Hangar Steak with Bourbon Tasso Butter • Port of New Orleans Pasta (the entire Gulf in your plate!)

The music is “jump blues” and old-time jazz, the kind that gets up 6

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February 2019 Or a sandwich: • • • •

Andouille BLT Bourbon Chicken Chochon de lait Po-Boy ‘Who Dat’ Creole Burger Blackstrap Molasses Bacon Beignet Burger (truly decadent)

Salads: • Bacon Vidalia Caesar • Spinach Orange Cinnamon • Café Orleans And to top it all off: • Bananas Foster • Bread Pudding • Bourbon Pecan Pie New Orleans Cheesecake (I could do just dessert and be happy.) • Cafe au lait • Chicory coffee My friend Beth and I shared an order of the Tabasco Butter Shrimp, which featured six to eight moderately large Gulf shrimp, perched on the side of the small oval casserole dish. The sauce was two shades lighter than pure Tabasco (the marvels of melted butter!),and creamy, as you’d expect. It was not a dish for those with tame pallets. The Sazeracs were potent with the distinct taste of a rye whiskey, Peychauds bitters, a hint of sugar, and a rinse of absinthe. I wanted three but stuck with the one.

to orchestrate music acts every night of the week amazes me. The only night of the week that there is usually an absence of music is Sunday. But the walls of the building need a break after having soaked in all of that jazz by Miss Jubilee that morning. Bailey lines up blues, jazz, American, and international groups from France, Australia, and Japan. The line-up is eclectic. For instance, the day that I was writing this article, Chris “Luppy” Swan was slated to perform Tuesday night, January 15th. Swan’s contemporary inspiration, piano-driven music can be described as hip-hop with a message of positivity, recovery, and hope. He’s the founder of Soul Motivation Records. He’s a postmodern composer/performer and multi-media artist, working with the convergence of materials. “His playing is bluesy, with a very light touch, nice pulse but with an approach that goes a little against the grain. Sometimes angular, sometimes hesitant or cautious…” (Steff Gjissels) Also slated for that week was the Gary Coleman Jazz Trio, The Booti Grabber Delights with Leslie Sanazan, the Keith Moyer Quartet, and BurlyQ and Bubbly Review Burlesque Show (yes, burlesque!). I’m not finished. Later in the month there was Dada Veda, a yoga monk from Urbana, Illinois, and Matt Cox, Paul Niehaus & Walter Greiner. On January 25th Bob Baker hosted the Improv Comedy Cabaret, and on Monday nights there was Open Mic and jam sessions.

And the first Sunday of every month brought on the Jazz My crawfish etoufee was dark blonde, a nice roux with a pleasant Troubadors, a regional group playing a wide variety from every era nutty taste, and respectable pieces of crawfish crowded each of America’s indigenous music. other in the bowl. The small scoop of white rice in the center was necessary for it to qualify as etoufee. And it was garnished with a That’s just a tasting of what Bailey offers at Evangeline’s in an bright red boiled crawfish who I ate like a Cajun. (You might know average month. Just writing this makes me tired. what I mean.) The Man… Beth tried the half order of Chicken Jambalaya. I got to taste it When I asked Baily who is the chef, he said, “I am.” and wished I had ordered it rather than mine. Not really. When Jake, our server, asked if we might want some dangerously delicious bread pudding, we declined, not because we have anything about bread pudding, but because we were s-t-u-f-f-e-d. Boys and girls, this is more than an ambitious effort. It’s not New Orleans, but it’s as close as you can get without the hassle of getting there. You can bring your taste buds here and let them make their own decision. The Music… Oh, did I fail to mention that Evangeline’s Bistro is also a music house? There’s music almost every night. How Don Bailey manages

”Who helps you?” I asked. “There are 31 on the staff with seven in the kitchen,” he said. The fish and seafood is as fresh as you can get here in the Midwest; it didn’t seem flash frozen, as is the case with much of the seafood in this part of the country. The shrimp in our appetizer and the crawfish in my etoufee tasted like it was caught that morning. Bailey is a jack-of-all trades. He shared with me that he is the person who does most of the maintenance. “When something breaks in the kitchen and there’s a full house,

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February 2019 you don’t have time to call a person to fix it. You have to learn to do those things yourself.” The studio… In his spare time (ha) Bailey manages and operates a recording studio called Lonnie’s Farm (www.lonniesfarm.com). Opening a selffunded 8-track analog studio in an abandoned train station in 1991, Bailey has worked in live sound, mixing, tracking, and production with over 5000 (!) DIY, independent and professional bands. In conclusion… Evangeline’s Bistro & Music House is worth checking out if you haven’t already. The menu is Cajun/Creole with twists and tweaks on some of the old New Orleans classic. Drinks are potent and the music is an eclectic line-up that offers something for everyone. Check out the website and see for yourself. And as far as I’m concerned, Don Bailey should be dubbed Renaissance Man, with his wide range of skills – culinary, management, maintenance, and who knows what else. The man’s energy level leaves me wondering what happened to mine. I think Bailey, like Evangeline from days past, has found his love, but he didn’t have to wait until the end of his life. He’s doing it now.

www.evangelinesstl.com

www.facebook.com/evangelinesstl/

www.facebook.com/TheDonBailey

www.facebook.com/pg/thebobmusic/about?ref=page_internet

www.lonniesfarm.com * All images from www.evangelinesstl.com 8

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February 2019

Grandma Shaw portrait by local Gesso cover artist Glenn McCoy GessoMagazine.com

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Calendar of Events

February 2019

February 1 (Fri):

Boots Poetry Series is co-organized by Jessica Baran, poet and Associate Director of Curatorial and Program Development at Barrett Barrera & 1860s Saloon – 6p; Rick Green on acoustic guitar Projects Plus Gallery; and Ted Mathys, poet and educator at St. Louis University. Limited-edition broadsides, created by artist Sage Dawson, will Alton Little Theater – 7:30p; “Maybe This Time” – Director’s Showcase be available for free to audience members, and a selection of the poets’ books Production; Q&A with playwright Michael Madden following Friday are for sale courtesy of Left Bank Books. “We encourage visitors to arrive evening performance early due to limited seating.” To learn more, visit pulitzerarts.org BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p-10p; James Harman Blues Band; Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live music w/ Kevin, Ann & 10p-2:30a; Aaron Griffin Steve Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 9p; Marleyfest Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) – 7p; Harry Potter Trivia Night Casa Loma Ballroom – 7:30p-11:30p; Pennsylvania Slim; Swing to the St. Clair Country Club (Belleville) – 6:30p; Masterworks Chorale Blues; Complimentary swing dance lesson 8p-8:30p. Dancing until Midnight. Celebrating 45 Years; Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer: Mr. Steve $10 / $12 if under 21 Jankowski Cathedral Basilica of STL – American Spiritual Ensemble - St. Louis Stifel Theatre – 7:30p; Vince Gill Cathedral Concerts; Comprised of some of the finest classically trained singers in the United States, the mission of the American Spiritual Ensemble The Abbey Espresso Bar & Cafe (Belleville) – 6p; Gift Giving Party; is to keep the American Negro spiritual alive. “Help us make our 2019 Gala Silent Auction a success! Enjoy appetizers and drinks on us and bring an item for our Silent Auction. We would appreciate Evangeline’s – 8:15p; Wyatt Edmondson (Nashville, TN) gift cards, bottles of liquor, and baskets ready to auction. We appreciate your generosity! Can’t make it that evening but still want to help? contact: Fast Eddie’s (Alton) – 7pm; Borderline; 8pm; All Mixed Up fundraising@ondessonk.com Fubar – 7:30p; The Puppet Show Live Action Comedy Tour; $10 The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof Game 6 HonkyTonk Joint – 9p; Johnathan Braddy Band; Live Country The Focal Point – 8p; Beppe Gambetta; $15/$20 Music Grand Center Arts District (St. Louis) – 5p; First Fridays in Grand Center; The Firebird – 6:30p; Hallow Point & Glass Houses, Unimagined, This Is Make a night of it! On the first Friday of every month, museums and galleries Me Breathing, Arkangela; All Ages; $10/$12 in Grand Center Arts District are free and open until 9pm. Discover the The Frisco Barroom (Webster Groves) – 9:30p; The River Kittens remarkable array of visual arts in St. Louis’s premier neighborhood for arts and culture while enjoying cocktails, conversation, and entertainment. A full The Gramophone – 1p; Piano Lunch list of museums and galleries included can be found at firstfridaysgrandcenter. The Heavy Anchor – 9p; Qstreet, Pirate Signal org. The Monocle – 8p; Ten Directions in collaboration with St Lou Fringe present: ‘Deenie Nast is Back!’

Hartford Coffee Co. – 7:30p; Open Mic every Friday

Hwy 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) – 7p-10p; Lucky Old Sons; No Cover; a four-piece band focused on the piano driven rock and country music The Nail (New Athens) – 8p; Music by Shortmist of the 1950s and 1960s. Inspired by the piano styles of Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, and Ray Charles, to name a few, the group also The Ready Room – 7p; Thames; w/ Hounds, Pono AM, Sister Wizzard writes and records original music along the same lines. The Sinkhole – TWEN w/ Mother Meat, Boreal Hills, Tok Jazz St. Louis – Bistro All-Stars Tin Roof – 9:30p; 90’s Dance Party w/ Fool House; Fool House is bringing the 90s back to St Louis! Don’t miss the epic night of dancing to your favorite Joy of Yoga – 12p; First Fridays Free Yoga! live tunes! Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg (Through 02/10); Written by David Davalos; Talkback will be held after 02/03 .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat performance. February 2 (Sat): Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 7:30p; Jesus Christ Superstar Old Rock House – 8p; Bayside (Acoustic) w/ Golds; All Ages

1860s Saloon – 2p; Soul Reunion Alton Little Theater – 7:30p; “Maybe This Time” – Director’s Showcase Production

*Papa Vito’s (Belleville) – 7p-10p; Live Music by Pat Liston American Legion Post 1026 (Albers) – 6:30p-10:30p; Chicken ‘N’ Beer from Mama’s Pride Powell Hall – 8p; St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Mendelssohn’s Scottish

Dance w/ Avery Hill Band

Atomic Cowboy – 8p; Jamo Presents: The Big Wu; $15 ADV, $18 DOS; Pulitzer Arts Foundation – 7p; 100 Boots: Roger Reeves and Sawako 21+ Nakayasu; This series presents readings by a range of emerging, mid-career, and established poets from St. Louis and across the United States. The 100 BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 4p-6:30p; Skeet Rodgers & Inner City Blues; 10

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Calendar of Events

February 2019

7p-9:30p; Devils Elbow; 10p – 2:30a; Boo Davis with The Renegades Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Largest Indoor Yard Sale Chico’s (Wood River) – 9p-1a; Flipside Classic Rock Band Cutter’s (Belleville) – 9p; Here Comes The 80’s Band!

The Bullpen Bar & Grill (New Athens) – 6:30p; Chicken & Beer Dance w/ music by Beaucoup Bottom Band starting at 8p The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof The Focal Point – 8p; WirePilots; $15/$20

The Heavy Anchor – 8p; The Future Is Female, A Stand-up Comedy Show Fast Eddie’s (Alton) – 3pm; Naked Soul; 7pm; Anthony Nanney & Co; The Pageant – 105.7 The Point welcomes: Nightmare After Christmas, 8pm; All Mixed Up Story of the Year w/ Memphis May Fire Folk School @ KDHX – Old-Time Jam The Ready Room – 7p; 40 Oz To Freedom (Sublime Tribute Band) w/ Rota; Fubar – 6p; FemFest 5; $10 $10 adv, $13 dos; All Ages Game 6 Honky Tonk Joint – 9:30p; Joe Stamm Band Live The Sheldon – 1p; Anita Jackson - “Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald”; Soulful and swinging, one of St. Louis’ premier ladies of song, Anita Jackson, makes Germania Brew Haus (Alton) – 6p-9p; Mistakes and Misplaced Faces; her Sheldon series debut, paying tribute to jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald; 8p; Curated by: BLPart and Curating; Due to inclement weather, “we have Comedian Paula Poundstone decided to change things up and hold a closing reception … Come meet the artist behind this amazing series of art and do some last-minute Valentine The Sinkhole – Xaemora w/ Cryptic Hymn, Blackwell Day shopping. Who knows maybe the artist will feel up to a little price The Venice Café – 4p; TYPE A DELIC Type Tim’s Bday 8hr FUNKATHON; bargaining on that piece you keep eyeballing!!!!” $5 after 8p Good Times Saloon (Dupo) – 9p-1a; Brad Noe w/ Mark Hochberg Tin Roof – 10p; Redwood Black; Live music on stage & a DJ spinning your Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) – 7p-11p; Pin-Up Competition w/ Music favorite dance tunes in the Green Room! by Champagne Fixx .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat Hwy 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) – 8p-11p; Rogers & Nienhaus; Two February 3 (Sun): exceptional musicians with a lifelong career of performance on the world stage. With pristine harmony and searing instrumentation, they are truly a 1860s Saloon – 2p; Fred Pierce & Co. (Classic R&B, Blues & Rock N Roll) ‘not to be missed’ act; $5 Cover Alton Little Theater – 2p; “Maybe This Time” – Director’s Showcase Jazz St. Louis – Bistro All-Stars Production Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups – 5p-7:30p; Genesis Jazz Project; 8p-12:30a; Lascelles (Granite City) – 7p; Bill Forness and One More Round: A Johnny Love Jones “The Band” Cash Tribute Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Largest Indoor Yard Sale Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 7:30p; Jesus Christ Superstar Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 7p; Radar State; Bruiser Queen, Brother Lee And The Leather Jackals; A Pagan Productions Event Mikey’s Pub (Smithton) – 7p-11p; Neon Cadillac Missouri Botanical Gardens – 9a-5p; Orchid Society of St. Louis Sale

Evangeline’s – 11a-3p; Hot Swing Jazz Brunch w/ Miss Jubilee

Off Broadway – 1p & 7p; Harry’s Nilsson’s - The Point! Live; A cadre of St. Jazz St. Louis – Bistro All-Stars Louis musicians and actors perform live music and dialogue to the tripped out animated classic on the big screen. An early show for the kiddos and a Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg later show for grown-ups. Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 2p; Jesus Christ Superstar Old Rock House – 7p; Southern Avenue w/ Neal Francis; All Ages Missouri Botanical Gardens – 9a-5p; Orchid Society of St. Louis Sale Pop’s (Sauget) – 7p; Mike Judy Presents: Shoreline Mafia

Molly’s (Soulard) – 11:30a-2:30p; You, Me, & Dougie; Every Sunday

Powell Hall – 8p; St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Mendelssohn’s Scottish Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic Symphony The Beale on Broadway – 8p-10p; Devil’s Elbow; 10:30p; Soul Reunion Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live music w/ Lee & Laneve The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof St. Louis Workers’ Education Society – 3p; Kitty Fest 2019; A night of hardcore, punk, metal, vegan food, a make-your-own merch booth, and other The Sinkhole – Gaffer Project w/ Reaver, Idle Threat fundraising for Tenth Life, a St Louis based no kill cat rescue and adoption center. Featuring musical guests: Closet Witch, Abraxas, Terminal Nation, .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat Treason, Decline, Dissapear, True Self, Better Days, Redbait, Time and February 4 (Mon): Pressure, Brute Force, Tracing Wires, Red Squad; All Ages. “NO BOOZE NO DRUGS NO JERKS” 1860s Saloon – 9p-1a; Dallas Murphy Plays Americana GessoMagazine.com

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Calendar of Events

February 2019

BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups – 8p-11:30p; Third Sight Band

Pop’s (Sauget) – 7p; Mike Judy Presents: Marty Friedman w/ Conquest

Fast Eddie’s (Alton) – 6p; Deluxe Duo

Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic

Fubar Lounge – 6:30p; The Second After; $10-$12

The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof

Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg

The Heavy Anchor – 8p; Run The Joes: An Improvised Stand-Up Comedy Show

Stifel Theatre – Legally Blonde - The Musical

The Ready Room – Motherfolk, Stay Outside, All Ages

The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof

The Sinkhole – 7p-11:30p; Gateway City Hardcore Presents: Cross Me w/ The Pageant – Disco Donnie Present & ALT 104.9FM Welcomes: Lost My Dare, Low End, Time & Pressure, Life Sucks; $7 Mind Tour; Dillon Francis, Alison Wonderland w/ TBA .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat The Venice Café - Open Mic with Zack and Neal Every Monday .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat

February 5 (Tues):

February 7 (Thurs):

1860s Saloon – 9p-1a; Everette Dean & the Lonesome Hearts Atomic Cowboy – 9p; Jamo Presents: Steady Flow w/ Guerrilla Theory

BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups – 8p-11:30p; St. Louis Social Club

BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups – 7p-9:30p; Billy Barnett Band Enterprise Center – 7p; Panic! at the Disco brings their “Pray for the Wicked” Tour w/ Two Feet and Betty Who Foam – 9p; Bib w/ Q, Headbutt; $7 Evangeline’s – 7p; Sissy Brown

Fubar – 7p; Bas: Milky Way Tour; $22

Fast Eddie’s (Alton) – 6p; Champagne Fixx

Jazz St. Louis – Chucho Valdes: Jazz Bata

Funny Bone – 7:30p; Open Mic Night Every Tuesday

Joe’s Café – 7p; Tonina; In a town brimming w/ talent, Tonina stands out.

Jazz St. Louis – Chucho Valdes: Jazz Bata Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg Off Broadway – 7p; The Crossing Tour: Alejandro Escovdeo w/ Don Antonio (Band) The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof The Gramophone – 10p; DJ Sayword The Sheldon – 7:30p; Rachel Seiler .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat

February 6 (Wed): 1860s Saloon – 6p; Ross Bell/Steve Reeb on guitar! 9p-1a; Blues Jam Session (Hosted by Fred Pierce & Company) BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups – 7p-9:30p; Big Rich McDonough & Rhythm Renegades Delmar Hall – Ones To Watch Present: The Freedom Tour; Dorothy w/ Spirit Animal Fast Eddie’s (Alton) – 6p; Jay & Waylon; 6p; Champagne Fixx Fubar Lounge – 6p; Damien Quinn of Dark Half; $10-$13 Hwy 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) – 7:30p-11p; Blues Open Mic & Jam Session – every Wednesday Jacoby Arts Center – 7p-9p; Art Attack; Warm Soda Magazine Member gathering and art project Jazz St. Louis – Chucho Valdes: Jazz Bata Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg 12

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Calendar of Events

February 2019 February 9 (Sat):

She will bring her full band to Joe’s for a very special night. $15 Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg Pat Connolly Tavern – 7p; Jazz Night w/ Vince Sala Trio Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Ag Building @ Scheve Park (Mascoutah) – 6:15p; Sippity Do Dah! Fine Wine & Craft Beer Tasting; Mascoutah Tuesday Woman’s Club; $20 in advance, $25 at the door Atomic Cowboy – 9p; Jamo Presents: Satsang

The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof The Gramophone – 10p; DJ Crucial

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p-9:30p; Larry Griffin & Eric McSpadden; 9p-1a; Watermelon Slim Band

Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg

River City – 8p; Super Diamond: The Neil Diamond Tribute

The Heavy Anchor – 9p-11p; Boondoggle: Episode 10 - He Cast a Crooked Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Auto Swap Meet Shadow; A live comedy variety show written and performed entirely by Casa Loma Ballroom – 7p-12a; The Fabulous Motown Revue; Dance to the Aaron Sawyer and a rotating guest comedian. iconic Motown songs of the 60’s and 70’s; Admission $15 / $17 The Pageant – The Pageant & Disco Donnie Present: The Apex Tour; Downtown (Belleville) – 4p-7p; Sparkles, Suds & Sweets Walk Excision, w/ Squnto, Sullivan King, He$h Eckert’s (Belleville) – 4p-8p; Daddy Daughter Dinner .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat Evangeline’s – 7p-10:30p; The Zonkeys (St. Louis, MO); 11p-1a; BurlyQ February 8 (Fri): Burlesque Show BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p-9:30p; Little Rachel & The Rockin’ Fools; Fubar – 8p; Devotchka; $25-$60 10p-2:30a; Lindsay Beaver Blues Band Jazz St. Louis – Melissa Aldana, Emmet Cohen, Marquis Hill Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Auto Swap Meet Knotty by Nature (Grafton) – 6p; Poetry & Wine: Installment #8; An early Casa Loma Ballroom – 7:30p-11:30p; Sweetie And The Toothaches; evening of poetry, wine, food. Special reader CT Salazar, from Columbus, Complimentary swing dance lesson 8p-8:30p. Dancing until Midnight. $10 Mississippi. / $12 if under 21. Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg Cutter’s (Belleville) – 9p; Saloonatic’s Off Broadway – 7p; Snow Tire Concert Series Welcomes Rhett Miller Evangeline’s – 7p; Stacy Antonel (Nashville, TN) Old Rock House – 7p; Headtronics; All Ages Fubar Lounge – 6p; Chaos Reborn and more! $10-$12 Pop’s (Sauget) – 6:30p; KPNT Presents: Road to Pointfest Session 1 Finals; Hartford Coffee Co. – 7:30p; Open Mic every Friday Adv $6 Dos $8 Jazz St. Louis – Melissa Aldana, Emmet Cohen, Marquis Hill Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live music w/ Roy & Dave Old Rock House – 7p; William Fitzsimmions w/ Jim & Sam; All Ages

Stifel Theatre – Shen Yun

*Papa Vito’s (Belleville) – 7p-10p; Live Music by Charlotte street Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller Pop’s (Sauget) – 8p; Frost Money Presents: Frost Night

The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof

Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live Music w/ Kaylor & The Focal Point – 8p; Richard Smith; $15/$20 Tomasino The Sheldon – 8p; Dianne Reeves Stifel Theatre – Shen Yun Tin Roof – 10p; Jerry Jacobs Band Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof

February 10 (Sun):

The Focal Point – 8p; Focal Point Friends of Old-time Music Presents: New Missouri Fox Hunters; $12/$15 BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 8p-12:30a; Love Jones “The Band” The Heavy Anchor – 9p; STL Comedy Digest

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Belleville Flea Market

The Ready Room – Mozes and The Firstborn & The Parrots; All Ages

Evangeline’s – 11a-3p; Miss Jubilee Hot Swing Jazz Brunch

The Sinkhole – Bad Investments w/ Stinkbomb, Fight Back Mountain

Foam – 7:30p; Gateway City Hardcore Presents: Vamachara w/ Seeyouspacecowboy, Lowered AD, Capitol Offense, Man the Manipulator; $7; All Ages

Tin Roof – 10p; Jerry Jacobs Band .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat

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Calendar of Events

February 2019

Kranzberg Arts Center – Upstream Theater Presents: Wittenberg

The Heavy Anchor – 8p; Compass Improv Open Court

Molly’s (Soulard) – 11:30a-2:30p; You, Me, & Dougie; Every Sunday

The Ready Room – Chrome Sparks; All Ages

February 14 (Thurs):

Off Broadway – 7p; Ruen Brothers and the River Kittens; Free Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic

Atomic Cowboy – 9p; Jamo Presents: Goose

Stifel Theatre – Shen Yun

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p-9:30p; Ivas John & Brian Curran

The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof

Jacoby Arts Center – 7:30p-9:30p; Music - Tia McGraff: Valentine’s Concert; $20/ticket (children under 12 are free)

The Firebird – Backstage Productions presents: Silence The Witness, Wrecklamation, The Nokturnal, Cycle Of Ruin, Toddler Fight Club Jazz St. Louis – Grace Kelly .ZACK – 7p; R-S Theatrics Presents: The Motherf**ker With The Hat

February 11 (Mon):

Missouri Botanical Gardens – 6p-8p; Orchid Nights; Enjoy an exclusive lighted viewing of the orchid displays with live music, tastings from local wineries and more.

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 8p-11:30p; Music Unlimited

Off Broadway – 7p; Read Southall Band; $10

The Heavy Anchor – 6p; Drink and Draw: Figure Drawing

Pat Connolly Tavern – 7p; Jazz Night w/ Dave Black & Friends

The Sheldon – 7:30p; Endless Lovefest; Love and romance have inspired Stifel Theatre – Sesame Street Live! countless musical masterpieces. Set up a “date night” and celebrate Valentine’s Day with Beethoven, Elgar, Greig, Kreisler, Schumann, Poulenc Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller and CMSSL; (Chamber Music Society of St. Louis) The Venice Café - Open Mic with Zack and Neal Every Monday

February 12 (Tues):

February 15 (Fri):

Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall – Balanchine’s Rubies and other Love Stories; presented by Saint Louis Ballet

Evangeline’s – 7p-10p; Jeff Chapman Duo (Brother Jefferson Band, St. Atomic Cowboy – 9p; Jamo Presents: Henhouse Prowlers Louis, MO) Casa Loma Ballroom – 7:30p-11:30p; Swing Dance w/ Robbie & The Funny Bone – 7:30p; Open Mic Night Every Tuesday Rockin’ Fools; Complimentary swing dance lesson 8-8:30pm; $10 per person / $12 if under 21. The Grandel – 7p & 8:30p; 2019 Grandel Theatre Ghost Tours Presented by the St. Louis Paranormal Research Society Chaifetz Arena – 7:30p; St Louis Music Festival: Some people might say that after notching eleven No. 1 singles, 11 Grammy Award nominations, a The Ready Room – The Knocks; All Ages New York Times best-selling memoir and ongoing sold-out, coast-to-coast The Sheldon – 7:30p; Endless Lovefest; Love and romance have inspired arena tours, Charlie Wilson has proven his point.... and he isn’t planning countless musical masterpieces. Set up a “date night” and celebrate to slow down anytime soon! Wilson will perform at the St Louis Music Valentine’s Day with Beethoven, Elgar, Greig, Kreisler, Schumann, Poulenc Festival along with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Joe. and CMSSL; (Chamber Music Society of St. Louis) Fubar Lounge – 6p; BRAINWAVES & More; $10-$12

February 13 (Wed):

Hartford Coffee Co. – 7:30p; Open Mic every Friday

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p-9:30p; Big Rich McDonough & Rhythm Jacoby Arts Center – 8p-10p; Comedy Improv - Paper Slip Theater: “How Renegades We First Met” - Couples show in celebration of Valentine’s Day Hwy 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) – 7:30p-11p; Blues Open Mic & Jazz St. Louis – Grace Kelly Jam Session – every Wednesday Mikey’s Pub (Smithton) – 9p-1a; Lil Sister Jazz St. Louis – Grace Kelly Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live music w/ Gordon Off Broadway – 7p; The Band Camino Whitlow Old Rock House – 7p; Pigeons Playing Ping Pong; All Ages River City – 8p; Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Tour St. Charles Music House (St. Charles) – Live Music by Pat Liston Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic Stifel Theatre – Sesame Street Live!

St. Clair County Event Center (Belleville) – 6:30p; Merle Haggard’s Music: Ben Haggard Carries On His Father’s Musical Legacy; w/ special musical guest Boulderdash; Country Café open for food and drink

The Focal Point – Focal Point Friends of Old-time Music & Cajun Dance Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller Present: T’Monde; $15/$20 The Focal Point – 8p; The Chimps — Valentine’s Day Show; $12/$15 14

Gesso Magazine

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Calendar of Events

February 2019

The Heavy Anchor – 9p; Crooked Fauna, Rabble Rouser Thing Band

Vip tables available includes complimentary wine!

February 17 (Sun):

The Ready Room – Donna Missal; All Ages Tin Roof – 10p; Phillip Michael Parsons; DJ Chulo in the Green Room

February 16 (Sat):

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 8p-12:30a; Love Jones “The Band” Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Flea Market

Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall – Balanchine’s Rubies and other Love Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 7p; The Love Language; A Pagan Productions Stories; presented by Saint Louis Ballet Event Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Flea Market

Evangeline’s – 11a-3p; Miss Jubilee Hot Swing Jazz Brunch

Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 7p; Harris Entertainment Presents: Dancing Fubar – 6:45p; Afton Live Hip Hop Showcase; $12-$15 With Your Sweetheart; $10 Cover Price Jazz St. Louis – Grace Kelly Casa Loma Ballroom – Annual Vices & Virtues Masquerade Ball presented by Soulard Restoration Group; Bring your vices and virtues, wear your most Molly’s (Soulard) – 11:30a-2:30p; You, Me, & Dougie; Every Sunday elaborate 18th century gala gowns and suits and prepare to have a wonderful Kranzberg Arts Center – 8p; Howard Street Featuring Roland Johnson time. Presented By Kasimu Taylor

*Central Studio (St. Louis) – 2:30p-5:30p; Inspiration Activation Mini-Retreat: Step Into A More Vibrant You; “Our retreats combine Hatha & Restorative Yoga, YOUniversal FLOW Dance, Transformative Breathwork & Vibrational Sound Therapy to take you on an empowering journey of self-embodiment, expression and joy! Registry: Schedulicity.com via Inspiration Activation; Inquiries: InspirationActivationEvents@gmail.com or @Inspiration_Activation

Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic Stifel Theatre – The Sophisticated Soul Tour Stray Dog Theatre – 2p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller The Back Bar (Edwardsville) – 4p; Hot Flash Duo Acoustic The Focal Point – Focal Point Friends of Old-time Music Presents: The Baker Family; $15/$20

Chez Marilyn (Alton) – 8p; Pat Liston Live Evangeline’s – 7p-11p; Robbie & the Rockin’ Fools (St. Louis, MO) Fubar – 6p; As It Is: The Great Depression Tour 2019; $15-$17 Hooch & Sixteen’s (Granite City) – 9p-1a; Flipside Classic Rock Band Jazz St. Louis – Grace Kelly Off Broadway – 7p; The Fighting Side & Old Capital-an Americana Love Affair

*Papa Vito’s (Belleville) – 7p-10p; Live Music by Mikey B Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live Music w/ IN2N; Americana, Blues & Bluegrass! St. Joseph Parish (Freeburg) – 7p-11p; Chicken and Beer Dance w/ live music by Boulderdash; ages 21+ Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller The Firebird – 7p; Mike Judy Presents: Milo, Pink Navel, Signor Benedick The Moor The Heavy Anchor –8p; SLLAW Xviii: the SLLAWmber Party The Office Bar & Grill (Red Bud) – 9p-1a; Dear Darla Tin Roof – 10p; Legends Undercover Voce – 5p-9p; The WoKE BRAND SLAM; The WoKE BRAND presents the 1st SLAM of 10 poets, 3 rounds and 1 WINNER featuring I Am Unlimited The Poet chasing a $1000 bag! Free appetizers so early arrival suggested!

GessoMagazine.com

Gesso Magazine

Calendar of Events

February 2019

The Ready Room – Bryce Vine; All Ages

Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller

February 18 (Mon):

The Fabulous Fox Theatre – 2CELLOS; Let There Be Cello

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7:30p-11:30p; Rocky Mantia & Killer Combo The Focal Point – 7:30p; Pat Reedy & The Longtime Goners with opening set by Ryan Koenig; $12/$15 Enterprise Center – Travis Scott: ASTROWORLD – Wish You Were Here Tour 2 The Heavy Anchor – 9p; Micah Schnabel (OH), The Wilderness

February 22 (Fri):

Stifel Theatre – NEEDTOBREATHE: The Acoustic Live Tour

The Sinkhole – Homewrecker w/ Funeral Chic, Creeping Death, Coffin Fit, Casa Loma Ballroom – 7:30p-11:30p; Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers; Extinctionism Complimentary swing dance lesson 8p-8:30p; $10 / $12 if under 21. Reserved seating available by calling The Venice Café - Open Mic with Zack and Neal Every Monday Evangeline’s – 7p-11p; Lauren Lee Project Jazz (New York, NY)

February 19 (Tues):

Fubar – 6:30p; Tetrarch; $12-$14

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 8p-11:30p; St. Louis Social Club

Hartford Coffee Co. – 7:30p; Open Mic every Friday Foam – 9p; Mouton w/ Brother Lee & the Leather Jackals, Pono AM, Boreal Hills Jazz St. Louis – Denise Thimes Funny Bone – 7:30p; Open Mic Night Every Tuesday

Off Broadway – 7p; The Snow Tire Concert Series Welcomes William Clark Green & Brent Cobb; $20-$35

The Sheldon – 7:30p; Perseid String Quartet

*Papa Vito’s (Belleville) – 7p-10p; Live music by Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo

The Sinkhole – Constraint w/ Kill Their Past, Soul Craft

February 20 (Wed):

Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live Music w/ Pennsylvania BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p-9:30p; Big Rich McDonough & Rhythm Slim Renegades Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller Fubar – 8p; Face To Face - Acoustic; $25 The Fabulous Fox Theatre – The Rat Pack is Back! Hwy 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) – 7:30p-11p; Blues Open Mic & The Focal Point – 8p; Focal Point Friends of Old-time Music Presents: Bob Jam Session – every Wednesday Bovee; $15/$20 Jacoby Arts Center – 7p-9p; ArtAttack: WarmSoda Magazine Member The Sheldon – 8p; An Evening with Leftover Salmon gathering and art project Tin Roof – 10p; Legends Undercover Jazz St. Louis – Cyrus Chestnut Trio

February 23 (Sat):

Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic

*Angry Beaver – 7p-1a; Pam Lowe Benefit; “We are gathering together for our friend Pam Lowe. She has been an intricate The Ready Room – Watsky: Complaint Tour; All Ages part of the STL music scene since the ‘80s. Pam was recently hospitalized and unable to work for two months, so we are February 21 (Thurs): hosting a benefit to help-out.” … Entertainment Schedule: Evangeline’s – 7p-8:30p; Mark Gibson (Cincinnati, OH) 8p-11p – ‘Vitamen A’ (Tracy A Guy Lowe, Anthony Vrooman, Jazz St. Louis – Cyrus Chestnut Trio Andy Barnes, and Sean Anglin); 11p-1:30a – ‘MTD’ (Seth Missouri Botanical Gardens – 6p-8p; Orchid Nights; Enjoy an exclusive (Marcelle) Owens, Tracy A Guy Lowe and Larry (Duane) Hoff); lighted viewing of the orchid displays with live music, tastings from local Sound: Bart Darnell; Lights: Bobby Scharff; Donations will be wineries and more. accepted at the door. The Heavy Anchor – 8p; The Wasted Bananas Present: The Monocle

Off Broadway – 6p; Magic Giant Pat Connolly Tavern – 7p; Jazz Night w/ Andy Ament Trio

Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall – Tiffany Jenkins: This Show is Awkward AF; presented by Mills Entertainment

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Vapor Mania Expo Pop’s (Sauget) – 7p; Mike Judy Presents: Black Stone Cherry w/ Stump Water Shine Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 7p; MIPSO; A Pagan Productions Event Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 6p-9p; Randy Bahr and Larry Johnson; Casa Loma Ballroom – 7p-11:30p; Little Ozzy Osborn Tribute Show Swinging standards, cool jazz and bossa nova Chaifetz Arena – 7p; Kelly Clarkson w/ special guests Kelsea Ballerini and 16

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Calendar of Events

February 2019 February 26 (Tues):

Brynn Cartelli Evangeline’s – 7p-11p; Salt of the Earth (St. Louis, MO)

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 8p-12:30a; Rockin’ Jake Band

Fubar – 7p; Daughters; $18-$20

Fubar – 6p; Entheos; $13-$15

Jazz St. Louis – Denise Thimes

Funny Bone – 7:30p; Open Mic Night Every Tuesday

Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live Music w/ Roy & Dave

Off Broadway – 7p; Adia Victoria

River City – 8p; American English – The Ultimate Beatles Experience

The Ready Room – John Maus; All Ages

Stray Dog Theatre – 8p; THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller The Fabulous Fox Theatre – The Rat Pack is Back! The Focal Point – 8p; The Brianna Brown Band; $12/$15 The Heavy Anchor – 9p; Emo Takeover! Round 2 The Sinkhole – Anodes Record Release show w/ Nineteen, De’Lorme, Jr. Clooney Tin Roof – 10p; Cardfall

February 24 (Sun): Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall – ETHEL & Robert Mirabal - The River BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 5p-7:30p; Genesis Jazz Project; 8p-12:30a; Love Jones “The Band” Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – Vapor Mania Expo Fubar – 7p; DaniLeigh; $20-$55 Jacoby Arts Center – 3p-4p; Alton Symphony “French Composers” Jazz St. Louis – Juice Box Jazz Molly’s (Soulard) – 11:30a-2:30p; You, Me, & Dougie; Every Sunday Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic The Fabulous Fox Theatre – The Rat Pack is Back! The Focal Point – 2p; Will Soll & Friends: “Bob Dylan and the Yiddish Poets”; Join us as Will Soll and friends take Yiddish poetry and song out of the realm of nostalgia and into the realm of modern creativity. You’ll quickly learn to expect from Yiddish song something comparable to what we expect from Dylan — a range that includes many things from the humorous to the poetic to the socially relevant, but which is not nostalgic. The Dylan covers themselves are a great deal of fun, and the reframing of the Yiddish material will leave you with a different perspective. The Historic Lincoln Theatre (Belleville) – 2:30p; Masterworks Chorale Broadway Pops! w/ Steve Jankowski Master of Ceremonies; Dr. Steven Mager: Artistic Director and Conductor; Sponsored by Art on the Square Foundation The Sheldon – 7:30p; Ladysmith Black Mambazo

February 25 (Mon): BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 8p-11:30p; Third Sight “Special Edition” Old Rock House – 8p; Yung Gravy: Experience the Sensation Tour The Venice Café - Open Mic with Zack and Neal Every Monday GessoMagazine.com

Gesso Magazine

Calendar of Events February 27 (Wed):

February 2019 Off Broadway – 7p; Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p-9:30p; Big Rich McDonough & Rhythm Old Rock House – 7p; Summer Camp: On the Road; All Ages Renegades Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live music w/ Kevin, Ann & Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 7p; Kikagaku Moyo; A Pagan Productions Steve Event Stifel Theatre – Dane Cook: Tell It Like It Is Tour Evangeline’s – 7p-10p; Walter Greiner & Paul Niehaus (St. Louis, MO) The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Rock of Ages: Tenth Anniversary Tour Hwy 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) – 7:30p-11p; Blues Open Mic & The Focal Point – Greg Klyma Jam Session – every Wednesday The Grandel – 8p; Saint Louis Ballet Presents Ballet Beyond Borders Off Broadway – 7p; Soccer Mommy Pop’s (Sauget) – 7p; The White Bronco Tour w/ Action Bronson, Roc The Marcelle – 8p; New Line Theatre Presents: “La Cage Aux Folles” Marciano, Meyhem Lauren, T-Dubb-O, Indiana Rome The Ready Room – Hell Night Unlimited Destruction Album Release Party; All Ages Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic The Focal Point – 6:45p; Songbird Café: Joe Bizelli, Miro Goto, Chris The Sheldon – 8p; Alarm Will Sound Nathan, Shaughn Uebinger March 2 (Sat): The Heavy Anchor – 8p; Sorry, Please Continue

Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall – PostSecret Live; “Secrets are the currency of intimacy”; Frank Warren is the most trusted stranger in America. Tin Roof – 9p; EMO NIGHT He’s creator of the The PostSecret Project - a collection of intimately personal Touhill Performing Arts Center – Autobiography- Company Wayne and artistic postcards mailed anonymously from individuals worldwide, sharing personal secrets. McGregor; presented by Dance St. Louis

February 28 (Thurs):

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p-9:30p; Brian Curran

Kranzberg Arts Center – Saint Louis University Theatre Presents: The Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – RV & Camper Show Misanthrope Columbia City Saloon (Columbia, IL) – 8:30p-12:30a; Avery Hill Band Pat Connolly Tavern – 7p; Jazz Night w/ Joseph Weinstein-Hibbs Trio Delmar Hall – 7p; Pinegrove Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 6p-9p; “Jazz Jammin’ In The O” Fubar – 6p; Elvis Deppressedly; $15-$17 Sophie’s Artist Lounge – 6:30p; Story Lounge: “Holidays Gone Wrong”; Kranzberg Arts Center – Saint Louis University Theatre Presents: The Suggested Donation of $5 Misanthrope The Marcelle – 8p; New Line Theatre Presents: “La Cage Aux Folles” Old Rock House – 9p; Disco Donnie & B&W Present: G Jones; 18+ only

March 1 (Fri):

Rendezvous Café (O’Fallon, MO) – 7p-10p; Live music w/ Jordan Herrera Atomic Cowboy – 9p; Jamo Presents: Andy Frasco & The U.N. w/ Wild Stifel Theatre – Jo Koy: Break the Mold Tour Adriatic The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Rock of Ages: Tenth Anniversary Tour Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – RV & Camper Show

Casa Loma Ballroom – 7:30p-12a; Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers; The Focal Point – Switchback Complimentary swing dance lesson 8p-8:30p; $10 / $12 if under 21. Reserved The Grandel – 8p; Saint Louis Ballet Presents Ballet Beyond Borders seating available by calling The Heavy Anchor – 9p; Benefit Show for Clara’s Crusade w/ The Cars Evangeline’s – 7p; MARDI GRAS WEEKEND - David Ashley Trent Tribute Band & more (Jackson, TN) The Marcelle – 8p; New Line Theatre Presents “La Cage Aux Folles” Foam – 9p; Crown Larks (CHI) w/ Kleb; $7; All Ages The Sheldon – 8p; Eliane Elias Fubar – 7p; Profanatica; $20-$30 The Sinkhole – Tom Skeemask w/ Reserving Dirtnaps, Capitol Offense, Hartford Coffee Co. – 7:30p; Open Mic every Friday Life Sucks, Brief Jacoby Arts Center – 6p-8p; Reception - Sacred Creatures, Sacred Spaces; March 3 (Sun): Runs through 03/30 BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 5p-7:30p; Genesis Jazz Project; 8p-12:30a; Kranzberg Arts Center – Saint Louis University Theatre Presents: The Love Jones “The Band” Misanthrope 18

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Calendar of Events

February 2019

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds – RV & Camper Show Kranzberg Arts Center – Saint Louis University Theatre Presents: The Misanthrope Molly’s (Soulard) – 11:30a-2:30p; You, Me, & Dougie; Every Sunday River City – 7:30p; Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee: Urban Cowboy Reunion Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic Stifel Theatre – Lauren Daigle: Look Up Child Tour The Fabulous Fox Theatre – Rock of Ages: Tenth Anniversary Tour The Marcelle – 8p; New Line Theatre Presents “La Cage Aux Folles” The Ready Room – STRFKR; All Ages The Sheldon – 8p; Aaron Neville

March 4 (Mon): The Marcelle – 8p; New Line Theatre Presents “La Cage Aux Folles” The Sheldon – 7:30p; Chamber Music Society of St. Louis

For More Event Listings, Visit Our Website and Like Us On Facebook

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February 2019 The Real McCoy: Metro-East Native Cartoonist/Illustrator/Animator Gone Global by Robyn L. Kirsch

You know those little ‘yellow hellions’ that litter the covers of our children’s “The Lorax,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” “The Grinch,” “Ice Age III” and coloring books, clothes, iPads and on the big screen? Whether you’ve “Sing,” he also contributes on some various scene plots and, is a director at watched the “Despicable Me” and “Minions” animation films or not, the times too. minion characters are recognizable to most. Weaving in his own humor and style affords Glenn the ability to “have fun” The billion-dollar Illumination Universal Pictures film franchise of doing “what he loves.” “Despicable Me” and “Minions,” has swept the globe with its pop culture When he started working on the first “Despicable Me” movie, Glenn said he icons. was a story artist throwing his own gags into the storyboards. One of your own metro-east residents, Glenn McCoy, 53, of Belleville, has “As each movie that I would work on, subsequently, they would come to had a hand in this pop cultural phenomenon. me, not so much to storyboard a scene, but for humor for a certain scene,” While he wasn’t the sole creator of the minions, Glenn said he’s been Glenn said.”So now, I’ll work with a director who will call me up and say, ‘Ok, Glenn, here’s the scene and the minions are doing this or that, give me “working on them since their inception.” anything you can think of.” As one of the top five grossing animated films of all time, “Minions,” and its short films, which he is directing, continue to bring laughter to people From there, Glenn said he will randomly write or free associate ideas that the and kids worldwide, which Glenn said is, “what sparks (him) the most right director and writer of the movie will look at his work and it will, either, spark ideas of their own from his work or they will use his ideas in total. now.” “I’d like to pursue that further and see where it goes,” he said.

“It’s just a really fun process where I try to write and draw funny stuff, which is the most simple breakdown of what I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.

“You can’t deny their appeal, and they’re very universal in that they don’t speak any one language, so they’re very popular around the world,” Glenn In retrospect, Glenn said, solely working with Illumination now differs from his various previous employers in a very positive way. said.

He is one of the handful of storyboard artists who bring these devious, slap “When I worked for other studios or syndicates there was always some happy, cantankerous, yet heartwarming pill-shaped creatures to life and creative constraint, but now it seems I’m given free rein almost to do specifically what I do best,” he said. “I don’t even like to call it work because evolve them. I feel like I’m going to jinx myself.” “We never expected these characters to become the cultural force that they are now. I mean they’re almost ingrained into our culture, so that was “Where I am now, looking back on the path that led me to what I’m doing surprising,” he said. now, it’s been very serendipitous as to how I ended up doing the work that I’m doing now. I love doing it, but there was never any real game-plan,” Glenn said it’s “exciting” that he is “creating a facet of these characters who Glenn said. will live on … and, now I’ve had a hand in shaping the minions’ world too, so whatever small mark I leave on how they’re portrayed will carry over to Humble beginnings the next director or writer who has to work with them.” His illustrious, award-winning art career in the vast arena of cartoon illustration and animation had humble beginnings rooted in the metro-east. It Similarly with the classic Disney character, Mickey Mouse, Glenn said, “You started with a dream. With a passion. can see how they’ll be looked back on in some historical sense, in terms of how other popular cultural characters have left a mark on our society’s “Drawing is its own language. It is inner exploration, a personal journey into entertainment.” the unknown,” McCoy said. Glenn wears many hats behind the scenes of the production of several feature animation studios including: DreamWorks SKG, Film Roman, 20th His love for artistic expression took flight with drawing at the early age of Century Fox, Illumination Universal Pictures, Walt Disney TV and Feature four under the wings of his grandfather as well as his older brother, Gary Animation. McCoy. “You know, the thing that sucked me into drawing as a kid was Charlie He not only draws the minions and other characters from other films like 20

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February 2019 Brown with the ‘Peanuts’ strips by iconic Charles Schultz, and ‘Dennis The book by the way, which is kinda the punch line to all this.” Menace’, and all these strips I read as a child, that’s what really started the fire to be a cartoonist,” he said. Irony aside, Glenn said he cherishes what he did earn. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a week on the east coast with a community of the top The Making of a Cartoonist cartoonists. And that “fire” emboldened him as the resident cartoonist at his school newspapers throughout childhood, from grade school through college at “The “So, I spent a week up in Stamford, CT, with Mort Walker, the cartoonist Alestle” at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville where he graduated who did (the 1950s) strips ‘Beetle Bailey,’ and ‘Hi and Lois,’ and, ‘Boner’s with a degree in fine arts and graphic design. Ark,’ (in 1968)” Glenn said with a hint of nostalgia. “But once you got into college, cartooning seemed like a pipe dream. I mean it didn’t seem like a realistic career path, and I don’t know why. I mean I guess it’s because you never go down the street and see a sign in the window saying, ‘Cartoonist Wanted,’” he said with a chuckle.

While the offers for Glenn to sign with King Features and other syndicates were rolling in following the contest, he said he ultimately signed with Universal Press Syndicate because they were syndicating Bill Watterson’s ‘Calvin & Hobbes’ and, Gary Larson’s ‘The Far Side’, which were two of his favorite strips at that time.

But like most about to enter the job force, pragmatism kept his passion at bay, but only briefly, he said. “I was thinking, ‘well, if I sign with this syndicate, I’ll be hanging out with my heroes at syndicate functions, and that will be great,’ but unfortunately Feeling the looming pressure of “getting a real job,” Glenn said he focused both cartoonists retired the year that I signed with Universal (in 1995), so I more on graphic design and illustration, “but there was that pull of being a never got the chance to meet them,” Glenn said. cartoonist that was always there.” Regardless, Glenn said, “I did meet every other cartoonist hero of mine Right out of the gates of SIUE, Glenn was brought on as the Art Director at throughout my career; and, I got to know Charles Schultz, who was the the Belleville News-Democrat. reason I started to begin with.” “I always secretly wanted to be a cartoonist, and when I saw the opportunity In fact, Glenn and his wife, Laura, once flew to Santa Rosa, Calif., to have to start doing cartoons for the News-Democrat, that was sort of my entry dinner with Charles and his wife, Jean Schultz, which Glenn describes as point,” he said. “magical.” “But from that point on, the desire to have more of my cartoons published grew,” he said. “So, I started sending my work out to magazines and syndicates; and, my career sort of grew out of that,” he said. Looking back, winning a 1990’s cartoonist talent search contest co-sponsored by King Features Syndicate and USA Today was “one of the big turning points” of his career, Glenn said. “The top 300 entries would get this really beautiful giant, hardcover book on the history of cartoons,” which Glenn said. “And, I thought, ‘boy, I’d really like to have that book.’” He thought he stood a chance of at least landing in the top 300, he said laughingly. “So I entered, and accidentally won the contest,” he said. “I never got the GessoMagazine.com

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February 2019 “gallery show every day,” which he wanted in on. “I thought this is probably the best job in the world,” he attested. There was another appeal of working in print for magazines, greeting card companies and book publishing companies, according to Glenn. “Having your work printed the next day, there was this sense of immediacy that you don’t get with other commercial platforms,” he explained. “So I always liked doing a drawing on a Monday, having it printed on a Tuesday, and seeing the reaction on a Wednesday in the editorial letters page.” His editorial cartoons have been nationally syndicated in prominent newspapers like the New York Times and USA Today, have been reprinted in Newsweek and have often been seen on CNN. Glenn’s popular comic strip, ‘The Duplex,’ published in 1993, by Andrews McMeel Universal (parent company to Universal Press Syndicate and UClick), has also become a local and national pillar of the comics section in many print newspapers coast to coast. It’s even been printed in newspapers in Sweden and is still running today online. While ‘The Duplex’ started with Glenn, he now works on it in tandem with his brother, Gary. Glenn recalls memories of “wanting to be just like him,” imitating his big brother.

“I love drawing so much, which is sort of the reason why I went into being an editorial cartoonist because it wasn’t so much that I had some fire-in-thebelly compulsion to espouse my political opinions for the masses,” Glenn explained. Instead, it was his fascination with editorial cartoonists of the time “who were making the biggest splash,” like Pulitzer Prize winners like Pat Oliphant in 1966; 3-time winner Jeff MacNelly; and, Mike Peters in 1981, Glenn said.

And in concert, the imaginations of youthful boys grew to later create the nationally recognized single-panel 13-year strong comic strip, ‘The Flying McCoys,’ which launched in 2005. It has been featured by 150 sources including Chicago Sun Times, New York Daily News and Washington Post. “We work really well together. Our style and humor jive well,” Glenn said. “So it’s always fun to work with him and when we’re working together on something like ‘The Duplex,’ or ‘The Flying McCoys,’ I feel like I’m eight and he’s 11 again because there’s really been that connection throughout our lives and that’s the way it’s always been. We’re really close.”

“I just enjoyed their drawings so much. It inspired me, and I would just pour “The stuff that really inspired me or got my juices flowing were the contemporary illustrators of the time, Bernie Fuchs and Mark English and over all of these beautiful drawings that they were doing,” he said. Brad Holland, and those guys, (who) were the hot illustrators of the day -the vanguard of contemporary illustration,” he said. Seeing that they were given such a huge chunk of “real estate” in the newspaper to do a daily drawing, Glenn said, he realized it was akin to a Some of the “older school illustrators” who were poignant role models as 22

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February 2019

Glenn was developing as an illustrator himself were Frank Frazetta and starts with Skyping his Parisian co-director, whose day is usually ending as Glenn’s begins. Norman Rockwell, he said. “American political cartooning is its own animal. It’s different than cartooning in other parts of the world. There’s a lineage that goes all the way back to Ben Franklin, and I really felt it was an important American art form in the same way that jazz is, and I was proud to be a part of that and working alongside shoulder-to-shoulder with journalists at a newspaper, which I think is a crucial part of our society,” Glenn explained.

“It’s pretty cool, so, he’ll be giving me a recap of the work he did that day and I’m explaining the work I will be doing that day,” he explained. Glenn says his artistic process varies with the project.

Sometimes he starts with “putting pen to paper” with a sketch to later upload to his computer for advanced coloring, shading and editing digitally. But after 22 years at the BND producing editorial cartoons, Glenn said “I love good drawings and I love to try to make them. I have no formula. Nor do I aspire to find one,” according to Glenn. farewell to focus on his illustration and animation work. “I felt that part of that job was to be provocative, but now we seem to be at a point in this country where being provocative can (hurt you) and the atmosphere is getting so divisive and toxic, and I wanted to focus on more simple, fun things and making people laugh and making them happy rather than possibly angry.”

Lately, the creation of his animation work is mostly created digitally, he said, but that doesn’t stop him from sticking to the basics. “I usually carve out a couple hours every morning to sit in a coffee place and just draw, whether it’s just sketching or working on my latest assignment from the studio is a toss-up,” he said.

Family First Here and Now Whether it was the East Coast for cartoon and print syndication or the West Currently, Glenn said when he’s directing for the studio, his typical workday Coast for studio animation work, traveling comes with the territory as a means of connecting with his peers on various projects over the years. GessoMagazine.com

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February 2019 Exploratory Painting Coming from a commercial point of view, Glenn said the rare occasion for a gallery show allows him to showcase his work that’s born from a more personal place. “Those works were more or less gifts to myself and they stacked up in my basement or in my studio to the point where I wanted to show them,” he said. “I’ve always painted as sort of a creative release for me because I work so much in cartoons and comics and things like that, that I always felt like it’s a way to decompress to throw paint on a canvas.” According to Glenn, he is on “stronger footing with drawing,” which is the foundation for all of his work, including his painting. “A lot of times I’ll work in oil glazes, which allow for a stained-glass effect where you can see through the colors to the drawing underneath,” he said. As of late, in terms of subject matter, Glenn said, he’s been on a “monster kick,” since having the opportunity The question of relocation comes up quite often, but as his roots run deep in to do a gallery show around Halloween. But the season wasn’t the only thing driving this retro monster movie fanatic the Midwest, Glenn said he has no plans of moving anytime soon. to paint famous monsters from the Universal Studios and Hammer Films of “It seemed like being in the Midwest was like the bridge between both the 1960s and ‘70s. careers, and then as I pivoted away from print and more towards animation, “It was fun to revisit that part of my childhood and explore why I loved those I found myself making more trips out to California,” he said. movies and those images so much,” he said. “It’s sort of like a touchstone But now, Glenn says utilizing Skype and email allows him to work primarily that takes me back to happier, simpler times as a kid.” from his home studio where he can remain close to his family.

So, his large-scale approach, where he hones in on form, structure and His wife Laura, a former X-ray technician, is a stay-at-home mom to their shading, tends to stem from his childhood perception of the characters being “larger than life,” he said. children, Molly, 17, and Jack, 14. “She’s amazing. She helps me a lot with my writing,” Glenn said. “She’s a “I can sort of get lost in the face of the characters because most of the really good foil for bouncing ideas and she gives me a lot of good ideas, as paintings are details of their faces,” he explained. “They’re like landscapes in a way because there’s so many textures and folds to explore; and, I can well.” get lost in those meandering facial details like the hair of the Wolfman or the Whether he’s dedicating his books to them, or slipping their names on the wrinkles of the Frankenstein monster.”

vehicle license plates or street signs in his comics or cartoons, over the years, Author & Illustrator To Boot Glenn said he always tries to honor his children in some way. Not only has Glenn illustrated a series of children’s books, ‘Artemis Fowler,’ for Irish author, Eoin Colfer, but he has also been at the helm of some of his 24

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February 2019 own. Some of his books include: ‘Penny Lee and Her T.V.,’ ‘Mixed Feelings,’ ‘Disney’s Tall Tails,’ and recently released last fall, ‘I See Santa Everywhere.’ Words of Wisdom For those aspiring artists out there, Glenn advises, “(the industry) is very competitive, so if you’re going to succeed you should do it because you really love to do it and it’s what makes you happy and you feel compelled to do it.” Thinking back to the remarks of a fellow cartoonist, Glenn said, “‘everybody has like 10,000 bad drawings in them; and, the quicker they get it out of their system, the better it is for everybody.’” “I know a lot of young cartoonists and artists strive to achieve a style and they really work at that, and I think that’s the wrong way to go about it because if you draw a lot, the style develops organically,” he said. Glenn recommends, “carry sketchbooks with you at all times, and fill them up. When you’re sketching, you’re not really thinking about things like style or anything, you’re just trying to get that information from your brain, to your hand and then onto the paper and then that’s how your true style will emerge -- it’s authentic when it’s not planned.” Moreover, Glenn said, “If a drawing is a labor of love or enjoyment, I truly believe that the viewer will pick up on (it); and, if it wasn’t fun to draw then I think that carries over a well.” “I feel lucky and truly blessed being able to do what I love every day. It’s all very surreal, but if the end-product is just that I made some kids laugh in a movie theater or made someone chuckle over their bagel and coffee in the morning, well, I can definitely live with that,” Glenn said. You can find out more on Glenn’s career, creative creations; and, see his daily cartoons at Glenn McCoy’s Playground website. Plus, his books, including his anthologies of his comic strips spearheaded by Andrews McMeel Publishing can be found on Amazon.com. Staff writer Robyn Kirsch can be reached at robynkirsch84@gmail.com Glenn McCoy’s Playground / glennmccoy.com:

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February 2019 From the Ground Up Calling all “Permies” & “Slow Food” gurus! by Jennaver Brown I was exposed to the term “Permie” in 2015 when our eldest daughter became one. Through the passionate application of “permaculture” principles to our Belleville property, including 5 acres of soil which had been systematically destroyed over several decades with conventional farming practices, she began to build an organic farm from the ground up and committed to eating a healthier, less processed diet which she will one day be able to source completely for herself with the output of her labors. With this decision, she joined ranks with thousands of modern trailblazers committed to these practices and those of the equally exciting “Slow Food Movement”. On these almost forgotten but newly rediscovered paths, she is now walking side by side with thousands of others in the U.S. including her younger sister, a working farm to table chef in the Sonoma valley of California and “slow food “ practicioner, and her father who replaced modern medicine with a self-taught education in whole food nutrition and traditional cooking methods decades ago. Having been so thoroughly immersed in these intertwined cultures and passionate dinner table discussions for some time now, I became inspired to find and support more local artisans and pioneers in these fields. In this way I can participate in the movement as these vanguards threaten to revolutionize the way that Americans think about food production and consumption in the 21st century. By empowering them, we are afforded more options and control over our environment, health and welfare and are thus empowered. So what is Permaculture? The word is a contraction of the words permanent and agriculture as contrived by Bill Mollison in the 1970’s. Practitioners are known as “permaculturists” or “permies.” The root word, permanent, refers to a sustainable farming design which operates without chemicals or extensive human facilitation, to enhance the land and its bounty over time through the harmonious production of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts supported and integrated with thoughtful animal husbandry practices. Utilizing the concepts of permaculture, a “Permie” can inexpensively provide a complete selection of food for their family of 6 on 2 acres of land or generate high quality raw ingredients for local chefs and artisans. For a great read on the topic take a look at “Restoration Agriculture: Real-World Permaculture for Farmer” as written by Mark Shepard.

bounty that enhances flavor and the ability to satisfy beyond any verbal definition. To embrace the concept of “Slow Food” we must turn our agricultural and culinary eyes backwards towards ancient traditions and simpler methods of food production and preparation. If your interest is sparked, take a look at Dan Barber’s book “The Third Plate: A field guide to the future of food”. Perhaps this generation, more than any that has gone before, is charged with the difficult and seemingly contrary task of slowing our progress and turning a now wizened gaze backwards to renew old and sometimes ancient methodologies designed to nourish humanity and work in tandem with the planet that supports us. We must believe once more in our capacity to enjoy becoming healthier and more vibrant creatures that live easily in harmony with our environment through our relationship with food production and consumption. I offer my thanks to the folks behind Gesso Magazine who hold up art, culture and music in its many forms for celebration by a society that generally seems to place little measurable energy in their preservation. It is here that I have an opportunity to promote the products, plans and practices of local business owners within our own neighborhoods who are working to build their farms, co-ops, small businesses and restaurants. These artisans and entrepreneurs make it possible for us to get our hands on great locally produced whole foods and the delicious meals and beverages prepared with them. Within this column, I will highlight these humble food revolutionaries who are so focused on growing the perfect carrot or brewing the cleanest organic beer that they often forget to market their endeavors. With your help, I will seek out our own locals who are able to make magic in the garden without pesticides and in the kitchen without use of bottled “natural flavors”. With our support, these “Slow Food” and ”Permaculture” pioneers will continue to multiply and perhaps save us all before we careen off the ever steepening cliff of disease and sterility in a technological blaze of agricultural and fast food efficiency. Together, you and I will identify those among us who are producing foods and libations with traditional, non- industrialized methods and those who are using these delicious and nutritious ingredients to create works of art on local plates and in local glasses. To contribute and lift up a local artisan, chef or farmer working from the ground up, please contact me at jennaver@thelivewellinitiative. com.

“Slow food” is defined as food that is produced or prepared in farms, public gardens, distilleries, farm to table restaurants and food co-ops in accordance with local or foreign culinary traditions, typically using high-quality locally sourced ingredients prepared slowly to preserve or enhance nutritional value. Most passionate “farm to table” chefs I have met would agree with this technical definition but then lean in with a gleam in their eye to remind you that the resulting food includes a powerful vitality and nutritional 26

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February 2019 The Legal Eagle by Alex Enyart

“Illinois Unveils Groundbreaking Medical Cannabis Program Updates”

The Illinois Medical Cannabis Program is seeing rapid expansion under Senate Bill 336, the “Alternatives to Opioids” Program which recently became law and went into effect January 31st, 2019. The new law allows for patients, prescribed an opiate, to be able to access medical cannabis in place of opioids such as hydrocodone or codeine. Existing Illinois Medical Cannabis Program Patients had to have a doctor certify that they have a particular listing, such as cancer, PTSD, or Crohn’s Disease. Under the Rauner Administration, this process resulted in a back log of delays and lost applications. Previously, medical cannabis card applications took 90 days to process, with millions of dollars of revenue sitting unclaimed in the form of checks for processing fees.

physician certify that they have one of the qualifying conditions, and have the physician submit this form. The patient must separately submit a proof of identity, residency, passport photos, background check, and a color copy of one’s drivers license or state ID card. An application and instructions can be found at: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/preventionwellness/medical-cannabis/medical-cannabis-registry-application

Alex Enyart is a Partner at Eckert Enyart Attorneys at Law in Belleville IL. www.eckertenyart.com

Under the new regulations, patients can independently register in the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System (ICTS). They can then see a healthcare provider to determine if they would qualify for an opioid prescription and the physician then files a certification in ICTS, which is good for up to 90 days. Locally, the Madison County Health Department is offering assistance to sign up for ICTS. Registration requires a valid e-mail address, an Illinois Driver’s License or State ID card, proof of address, passport photo, and a credit or debit card fee of $10. The program is for adults 21 and over who do not possess Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) or School Bus Driver’s Permits. When asked how the new regulations will impact the existing medical program, local dispensary manager, Andrew Cordes, at The Green Solution in Sauget, stated “We are working hard to make sure we can keep giving the same great experience to current patients and Alternative to Opioid Participants alike. Patrons can expect to see the store increase hours of operation and more employees in the dispensaries.” Cordes does not believe the new regulations will lead to an increase in prices, stating “Cultivators in Illinois have been preparing for the expected increase associated with this program. They are confident that their efforts to expand their facilities and increase production will allow them to meet increase demand from Alternative to Opioid Participants.” The Alternative to Opioids Program is a new approach to issuing medical cannabis cards. Previously, states base the criteria for obtaining a medical cannabis card individually with significant variation between states. Some states, like California, issue cannabis cards for symptoms or diagnoses, such as chronic pain and cancer, while other states, such as Illinois before the program, only issued medical cannabis cards for certain conditions and diseases such as epilepsy and HIV/AIDS. Illinois Patients who have one of the 40+ qualifying conditions can still enter into the Medical Cannabis Program. However, they must have an Illinois licensed GessoMagazine.com

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Comics

February 2019

I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know that barking spiders lived in this area...

Dad, it was funny when I was 8. But now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just gotten old

At least this way, no one bothers us...

Yeah... By the way, what have you been eating?

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February 2019

FUN PAGE Gesso Magazine Word Search: MUSIC EDITION

-BASSCLEF -BRASS -FLAT -HALFNOTE -ORCHESTRA -PERCUSSION -QUARTERNOTE -RHYTHM -SHARP -STACCATO -STRING -TEMPO -TREBLECLEF -WHOLENOTE -WOODWINDS

Gesso’s monthly dose of eclectic holidays: Feb. 2nd- Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Feb. 5th- Chocolate Fondue Day Feb. 11th- Make a Friend Day Feb. 16th- Do a Grouch a Favor Day Feb. 17th- Random Act of Kindness Day Feb. 23rd- International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

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Feb. 24th- Tortilla Chip Day Feb. 26th- Tell a Fairy Tale Day Feb. 27th- No Brainer Day Feb. 28th- Public Sleeping Day Feb. 29th- I forgot it’s March day

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Submissions

February 2019

Valerie Hosna-Davis Photography My passion for photography began around three years ago after I went through a major medical scare. I would very much consider myself a self-taught photographer. I absolutely love photographing flowers, birds, dragonflies and butterflies. One of my favorite subjects to capture though is water lilies and lotuses. My work has been displayed at Soulard Art Gallery, Urban Eats, Framations, The Foundry Art Center, Hartford Coffee Company, Old Orchard Gallery and I am a 2017 MetroScapesArt Contest winner. I was a resident artist at the Knox Gallery of Fine Art and I currently have gallery representation at Artisans in the Loop. More of Valerie’s work can be found at www.facebook.com/Valerie-HosnaDavis-Photography

The Eyes Within An Unlocked Soul by Mitch E Berens The bestage, you’re my world and my inner core I’ll move mountains to refind you an open that door We have been burned by people more than the word fire itself We can read each other like the knowledge on a bookshelf What in life is it that we seek Those beautiful eyes and an angelica voice to speak You have helped me through stressful times for the past couple years When I literally lost my mind and had to handful of tears I have no clue what I would do without you in my life I quick-witted and you smart; sharp as a knife I talk to you everyday and always wish you sweet dreams and goodnight There will never be anything you can do wrong; to me you are perfectly right With three beautiful kids and a mother that’s like one of my own You have gave me something back that no one dared to be shown You ask yourself what is it that you have shown me If I ever get locked up in life you will always have the key That no matter how much stress death or breakdowns I may endure That I have to be strong, keep calm, and a mind like an entrepreneur So Merry Christmas and let the New Year be great I cherish every moment with you kind of like a soulmate

Mo Bot Water Lily (Top Right), Japanese Garden Bridge (Top), Robin (Bottom)

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Mytchy Mitch Artist Statement : My name is Mitch Berens and I am a local artist. I have a gift for writing and other mediums. More Mytchy Mitch can be found at www.facebook.com/mytchy.mitch GessoMagazine.com

Submissions

February 2019 Quaron Gooch

Only started doing canvas work in May 2018, I instantly fell in love with art. I started off doing shoes and clothes throughout my high-school and college days but once I painted on a canvas something changed forever. I decided to take a break from school and become a full time artist. My style is unique and different because I use physical pieces in all my artwork, paint is the least used material in my artwork. Developing my style this early in my career allows my work to now have a personal connection to my self but also to others. Gooch Art is my name and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who I am. More Gooch Art can be found at www.saatchiart.com/goochart

OK, Fine, Great (top and bottom transformation right side)

Visuals 2 (left)

Murica (below)

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