December 2014

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The Masterminds at Mastermind Vodka ~ The Treasure of Turned Wood December Calendar of Events ~ Chilling with Christkindlmarkt Expect Delays ~ Hey Guys...Meet Carolyn Agnew! ~ December Submissions

December 2014

Issue

Sarah Skiold-Hanlin

Serving Up Art, Music,StraightUpMagazine.net and Culture for the Metro Str8Up East’s Enjoyment 1 Magazine

Inside Page

December 2014

Editors Word – November 2014 Decemberof 2014! The 29th monthly edition of Straight Up Magazine, ‘Serving Up Art, Music and Culture for the Metro-East’s Enjoyment’. The Metro East deserves its own arts and entertainment magazine. It’s here and it’s called Straight Up!!!

We are pleased to have Sara Skiold-Hanlin as the cover artist for this twenty-ninth Straight Up edition!

We always 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!!!

Straight Up loves you!!!!

Like Straight Up on Facebook & receive daily entertainment updates, photos, videos & more.

The mission of Straight Up 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 Metro region.

Enjoy Str8 Up. Tell your friends. Send us your work. And visit our website at StraightUpMagazine.net (You can scan our QRC on the cover). You’ll see Straight Up Magazine at over 300 area distribution locations. And we’ll see you at the clubs, theatres and festivals all over the Metro-East.

Contact Straight Up Magazine:

PO Box 412 – Belleville IL, 62222; (618) 416-2289 straightup@straightupmagazine.net.

The Editors thank you!!!

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Staff

October Credits

Editors: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert, Daniel Nygard Layout Design Artists: Mark Polege, Michelle Reynolds, Dylan Seibert Sales: Paul Seibert, Mark Palmer, Michelle Reynolds Ad Artists: Mark Polege, Michelle Reynolds, Wil Sullivan Calendar: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert, Michelle Reynolds Website Design: Mark Polege (MarkusDesignWorks.com) Photography: Mark Polege (PhotographyofMarkPolege.com) Distribution: Brenton Ebersole; Brian Gardner, Daniel Nygard, Kaila Ryan, Sarah Skiold-Hanlin

Contributors

Cover Art: Cover Logo: Josh Rowan (JoshuaRowan.com) Photography: Dan Cross, Mark Polege, John Dorroh Occompanying Artwork: John Coleman, Jr. Feature Writers: Dan Cross, John Dorroh

Submissions

All material in this publication and its affiiated on-line content are copyrighted to the individual contributors or Straight Up 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 Straight Up do not necessarily reflect those of Str8 Up Magazine.

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Table of Contents

December 2014

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The Mastermids at Mastermind Vodka

28

Chilling with Christkindlmarkt: Belleville’s First Open-Air Holiday Market Mow Open

by Mark Johnson

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December Calendar of Events

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Expect Delays

by Dasn Cross

24

Contacts

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Hey Guys...Meet Carolyn Agnew!

by John Dorroh

26

The Treasures of Turned Wood

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December Submissions

by John Dorroh

by Paul Seibert

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December 2014

Str8 Up Magazine Can Be Found At All of These

Conveniently Local Metro-Area Distribution Locations:

Alton

Alton Sports Tap AmTrak Chez Marilyn Doc Holiday’s Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire Frank’s Restaurant Jacoby Art Center Mike’s Ten Pin

Belleville

10th Street Baking Co 4204 Main Street Brewing Co. Adenaline Prints Almighty Tattoos Althoff CHS Art Dept Anthony’s Salon Bamboo Valley Buffet Bank of Belleville Beast Cafe Beatnik’s Bell Air Bowl Belle Clair Expo Cente Belleville Inr & Suites Belleville Main Street Belleville Public Libraries (West Main; East Washington) Ben’s Crafts & Floral Blissfull Living Studio Blue Agave BP Huck’s Locations (Carlyle Ave; N. Illinois St.) Bronx Zoo Boutique Casablanca Café CeLeen Gallery Centerfield Bar and Grill Chamber of Commerce Christopher Mikal Photo.

Circa City Hall Club Escapade Conoco Phillips Crehan’s Irish Pub Dutch Hollow Barn Eckert Florist Effinger’s Garden Center Facial Rejuvenation Center 4

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(Now Available at Over 300 Locations!)

Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap Geo’s Wings & More Governor French Gallery Grappa Growlers Green Forest Vapors Hair on Main Happy Hops Homebrew Hardee’s (S. Belt East) Harter’s Hobby House Hicks Bar-B-Que Hippie Daze Hite Auto Body and Repair Imo’s Pizza Junction Coffe Shop & Ice Cream (Formerly Peachy’s Frozen Yogurt) JR’s Last Call Katherine Frazier State Farm Kelso Auto Body League Lounge Lindenwood Univ Local Lucy’s Mabista Salon and Spa Main Street Café Mary’s Hidden Treasures Maytag Laundry Max’s One Stop Melodic Rhythms Miscellanea House New Concepts Beauty & Barber North Belt West Liquor Olympic Restaurant Papa Vito’s (E. Washington & N. Belt West) Pitchers Sports Pub & Pizzeria Pizza World Plug N Play Computers Rain Tree Salon Renaissance Hair & Skin Care Rising Star Too Schnucks Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC Sears Appliance & Hardware Seven

Shop N Save Locations (Carlyle Ave, N. Belt West) Simply Sindy Smith Simply Thrift Sips n Splatters Sole Survivor Leather & Art Southwestern IL College (Art Dept.,Cafe’, Film Dept.)

Spa Demi St E’s Medical Arts Bldg Stein Automotive Stillpointe Wellness Center Sullivan’s Super 8 Motel Sweet Sinsation The Abbey TOCO Shop Towne & Country Mart Weingarten Yellow Tomato Imports YMCA East

Cahokia

Cahokia Club KC Hanger Restaurant

Caseyville

America’s Best Inn & Suites First Western Inn Knollwood Retirement Mudbugs Bar & Grill Quality Inn and Suites

Centreville

Terry’s Home & Garden

Collinsville

Bert’s Chuckwagon Collinsville Public Library Dean’s Farmers Market Fifth Quarter Jim’Pawn & Jewelry Knights of Columbus

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Public Library Spring Garden Restaurant Swing City Music

Columbia

Columbia City Saloon

Edwardsville

Auto Tire Aleste Office Bailey Cakes Bin 51 Bridal Couture Circle K Edison’s Entertainment Enclave & Enclave West Green Mobile Handee-Mart (BP) Happy Up Toys Heroic Adventures Mark’s Appliances Public Library Run Well Sacred Grounds Southern IL University (The Alestle Office, Arts & Sciences Dept., Dunham Theatre, Lovejoy Library, Morris University Center) Stagger Inn...Again Stur Restaurant Teaspoon Cafe

Fairview Heights $1.98 Cleaners Best Western BP Huck’s Casey’s Caseyville Twshp Bldg China King City Hall Drury Inn Express Medical Care Fairview Lounge Fortel’s Pizza Den Guitar Center Hey Guys Comedy Club

December 2014 Jacob’s Herb Shop Jonnie’s Pizza Just One More Time Hooters Huck’s Lasting Impressions Floral Lilly’s Gyro MotoMart Phillip 66 Gas Mart (Bunkum Rd.) Public Library Quick Stop 2 Quiznos Ramada Inn Randalls Wine & Spirits Sahara Hair Studio Schnucks Sheraton Four Points St. Clair Bowl Sunshine Daydream Super 8 Motel Winchester Place Office VFW

Freeburg

Casey’s Deli Express Skootr’s West Tom’s Supermarket

Glen Carbon Glen Mart

Granite City

Apple Tree Restaurant Southwestern IL College (Cafe’, Fitness Center)

Highland

501 Blues Club CharlieDave’s BBQ Great Clips Highland’s Tru-Buy Randy’s House of BBQ

Lebanon

Artimis Brickstreet Arts Fezziwig’s Marketplace Ghost Vapor Shop

Hanger 18 Guitar Repair Shop Las Cabanas Lebanon Visitors Center Legendary Creations Mama Gusto’s McKendree University (Art Dept., Gallery of Art, Hett Arts Center, Holman Library) MotoMart Public Library Sasafras Way Photography Tiadaghton House Whimsey Gifts

Maryville

Villa Marie Winery

Mascoutah

All Mart Smoke Shop American Legion Bee Hollow Mavrketplace Boyce, Hund, & Associates Casey’s General Store Dauber’s Pharmacy Donna Mae’s Salon Han-Dee Mart Jo-Al Winery Mascoutah Steak House MidAmerica Inn & Suite McDonald’s Moore’s Family Restaurant MotoMart Nite Deposit Sax Hometown Store Scott Credit Union Silver Creek Assisted Living St E’s Medical Plaza Tom’s Supermarket Visitor’s Center

O’Fallon

AC Computers Baymont Inn Candlewood Suites Casey’s Casa Azteca Circle K City Hall CoffeeHouse Co & Salon Country Inn and Suites

CVS Days Inn Drury Inn Egg and I Extended Stay First American Title Frieze Harley Davidson Gas Mart Gias Pizza Hemingway’s Zen Garden Hilton Garden Inn Hometown Barber Knights of Columbus Lake Point Dental LaParilla Restaurant Luckenbooth Gallery McDonald’s Memorial Healthcare/Therapy New Art Legacies Public Library RJ’s Computer Schnucks Shell St. E’s Medical Center Suburban Inn Subway Restaurants (Regency Park, E. US HWY 50) Super 8 Towne Lounge Vetta Sports Walgreens Wood Bakery YMCA

Pontoon Beach Mastermind Vodka

Sauget

Sauget Diner SW IL Welcome Center

Scott Air Force Base

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Chicago Chicken & Fish Ralph’s Barber Quick Mart Subway VFW #4183

Shiloh

Bank of Edwardsville David Anthony Barber Dierberg’s Golden Corral St. Louis Bread Quizno’s Walgreens Wings of Shiloh

Smithton

All Mart Century 21 Advantage No-Jacks Bar & Grill Tom’s Supermarket

Swansea

Big Time Beads Concept Shoe Repair CVS First American Title Schnucks Dobbs Gas Mart Tourism Bureua of Southern IL Wild Birds Unlimited

Troy

Inksane Asylum Randy’s House of BBQ Speedy Scrappers Public Library ZX Fuel

Waterloo

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

Broadway Oyster Bar & Grill HWY 61 Roadhouse Iron Barley Market Pubhouse Molly’s in Soulard Str8Up Magazine

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December 2014 “The Masterminds at Mastermind Vodka”

by John Dorroh Friday afternoons are generally not prime time for interviews.

That’s the time of the week reserved for people who work “normal” hours to let down their hair a bit, meet friends for drinks, appetizers, and meals, or plan a family event at home.

There are exceptions. Case in point: This past Friday afternoon, I met a friend at Mastermind Vodka distillery in Pontoon Beach. The deal was that we’d check out the establishment with a tour led by manager Travis McDonald. Mastermind conducts tours Thursday-Saturday from noon until 8:00 PM. The interview would follow.

The Tour…

We began our tour in the front of the facility at 4262 State Highway 162 in Pontoon Beach. I was not overly impressed with the outside appearance; however, I learned a long time ago to reserve judgment.

Mastermind is set up with a small tasting room in the front, with drinks galore. There’s the Dirty Mind, which is a dirty martini with Mastermind Vodka; Happy Moon with lemonade, cranberry juice, and LPR Moonshine. (Did I say “moonshine”? I did!) And about 30 more.

McDonald led us down a hallway into the processing lab where

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the magic happens. It wasn’t a huge lay-out but it had the right look, the right smell: alcohol. I saw a significant amount of glassware, tubing, and even a few barrels. There were containers of grains and corn, and even a small bag of grits (polenta).

“Carl likes to experiment,” said McDonald with a smile, speaking of founder Carl Levering.

About those grains…

Many people think of Poland, Russia, and Sweden when vodka enters the conversation. When I asked McDonald why Mastermind uses grains and corn rather than traditional potatoes, I got an education. It’s true that many countries use potatoes rather than grains as grain can cost more.

“Vodka can be made out of a rotten potato,” said McDonald, “but we’re here in the heart of the grain belt, and we want to use what’s locally available.” Mastermind goes out of its way to produce vodka with superior quality. It’s just what they do.

Sometimes we pick up tips from every day people. “….a moonshiner once told Carl that corn would make the best finished product, sweeter, smoother,” said McDonald. Apparently he was right.

“Carl is experimenting with mashing the corn instead of cracking it. This speeds up the fermenting process once enzymes have been added to the mash,” McDonald informed us.

“We strain the corn by hand,” he added.

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December 2014 They were awarded a Gold prize at the San Francisco Wine & Spirits Tasting, a Silver at the New York Wine & Spirits Tasting, a Top 50 for domestic vodka competition, and a 100% for the All American Vodka.

More on the process…

The vodka-producing process is not so complicated. Grain is cracked and cooked into a mash. Enzymes are added to break down the grain and corn starches into sugar. Yeasts convert the sugar into alcohol, but at that point, it’s not “clean.”

“The liquidy mash is called wort, which is sweet and sour, sort of a distiller’s beer. It’s stacked in these columns (of the still) that has six distillation plates. The more we distill it, the cleaner the drink,” he explained.

Impurities are practically non-existent in Mastermind. The first by-product that comes off during the distillation process as “head” is methanol. The ethanol (the good stuff) is captured in glass vessels. Next, fusel oils, or “tails,” are discarded, leaving almost-pure ethanol (96%) and must be diluted with reverse osmosis water before being it’s bottled.

“We use the heart of the batch,” said Travis.

Each bottled is corked and hand-dipped in a warm gray waxing agent that provides a tight seal.

A pleasant dilemma…

The success of Mastermind Vodka is somewhat of an American rags-to-riches story. Humble beginnings with a man who liked vodka and who had a vision with a friend to make a better vodka: “Better drinking through thinking.” Levering seems to have the mind of a scientist. Even the bottle with its chemical formula for ethanol etched across the front reflects a “touch of science.”

With 8,500 bottles of vodka being produced in 2012, and 18,000 in 2013, and…are you ready…25,000-30,000 in 2014, Mastermind has outgrown its present facility. A move in the near future is eminent. That’s a double-edged sword since the people in Pontoon Beach will probably miss having Mastermind as part of their community.

So where can you get your Mastermind Vodka. I highly recommend the tour at the Pontoon Beach facility. But Mastermind is available in a plethora of regional retail stores from Wal-Marts, Schnucks and Dierbergs to Randall’s Liquors in the Metro area. And fine restaurants like Stur in Edwardsville (where Mastermind and I first met) or Fischer’s in Belleville. How about Fubar or Bailey’s Chocolate Bar in St Louis. And as far west as Kansas City and north to Chicago, with Mattoon and Charleston in between.

What: Where: Why: How:

Mastermind Vodka Produced in Pontoon Beach, Illinois.

Available throughout the Metro area and beyond Because of its superior quality and taste 4262 State Hwy 162, Pontoon Beach, IL 62040 855-668-6352 http://www.mastermindvodka.com

Several touring Mastermind Vodka drinkers readily attested that they had never experienced a hangover. Cheers to that!

The Mastermind staff also uses reverse osmosis purified ice for their drinks, and that provides the finishing touch. Ice with negligible impurities coupled with a pure, clean vodka results in crystal-clear finished product. As for the taste, you’d have to ask those who have had it.

(You could ask me, and I’d tell you that it’s incredibly smooth and clean-tasting… but that might not be too professional.)

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December 2014 December 1st (Monday)

Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Music presents Steel Band Concert; 7:30pm Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Music presents Choir Concert; 7:30pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday O. C. Joseph Chrysler Dodge (Belleville) - Gateway Garden Railroad Club display opens; daily through December 31.

Our Lady of the Snows Shrine (Belleville) - 45th Annual Way of Lights opens; a mile-and-a-half drive with over one million lights electro-art displays and life-size biblical statues which take you on a scriptural Journey to Bethlehem; every evening through January 2 Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Exhibitions by Dale Threlkeld, Michael Dunbar, Mark Pease, and Albert Yowshien Kuo; exhibit continues through December 18

December 2nd (Tuesday)

Alfresco Art Center (Granite City) - Tinsel Town Tuesday; Holiday Inn starring Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby; free; 7-9pm Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm Metcalf Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - “Far & Away” and “A Number”; two one-act plays by British playwright Caryl Churchill. 7:30pm Pitcher’s Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Stur-ing It Up for a Good Cause benefit event with Chris Nagus of KMOV Channel 4. LIve music with Night Train; 5:30-9pm Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

December 3rd (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night with Brad Noe; 7-11pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hashtag; 6pm Lincoln Theater (Belleville ) - Mike Williamson’s Live Musical Christmas Spectacular; 1:30pm *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - College night specials with DJ Schwen Metcalf Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - “Far & Away” and “A Number”; two one-act plays by British playwright Caryl Churchill. 7:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am PSOP (Belleville) - Gateway East Artist Guild Membership meeting, Christmas Party and Art Competition; 6pm

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PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over.

Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Rock Springs Park (O’Fallon) - The O’Fallon Garden Club Annual Potluck & Wreath Making Holiday hands-on event. Bring your potluck, ribbons, containers or wreath forms and make a beautiful holiday arrangement for the Holiday season with Garden Club Members! Greenery and inspiration is supplied at no charge. 6pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm SeVen (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Wednesday; 8:30pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; every Wednesday night featuring Night Train *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Wine All You Want Wednesdays; “Group Therapy”; leave the men at home, ladies, for an evening of guaranteed fun; every first Wednesday; this month’s theme: Sip, Savor and Shop; 6-9pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

December 4th (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Thursday night; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - “Always... Patsy Cline”; more than a tribute to the legendary country singer. Based on the true story of Cline’s relationship with fan Louise Seger. Includes many of her unforgettable hits. 7:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - American Idle; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Fairview Heights Rotary Club Benefit; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen

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November Calendar of Events Metcalf Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - “Far & Away” and “A Number”; two one-act plays by British playwright Caryl Churchill. 7:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm *The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - A McKendree Christmas featuring Music Department Ensembles; 7:30pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ JoyceWarren; 7:30-10pm

December 5th (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday night; 8pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - “Always... Patsy Cline”; more than a tribute to the legendary country singer. Based on the true story of Cline’s relationship with fan Louise Seger. Includes many of her unforgettable hits. 7:30pm American Legion (Aviston) - A Swingin’ Christmas Show featuring professional swing dancers Christian Frommelt and Jenny Shirar plus super swing band Topper Harley and St Louis All-Star Hoola Hooper Michelle Schaeffer plus Copper Creek Acoustic; doors at 7pm; show begins 7:30pm American Legion (Edwardsville) - Live music “On The Hill” with Lanny and Julie; public always welcome; 8pm *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - AKC Dog Show hosted by Edwardsville Kennel Club Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Hot Flash Duo; 7:30pm Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Downtown (Mascoutah) - 4th Annual Illuminated Holiday Parade; 6:30pm Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Music presents Orchestra Performance; 7:30pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Spun, 7pm; All Mixed Up, 8pm *Fezziwig’s Marketplace (Lebanon) - Complimentary Wine Tastings and join in Christmas Sing-a-longs just like back in the good old days before big box stores, malls and the Internet! 6-8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Mikey Mason; 8 and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Pik ‘n Lik ‘n; 7-11pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) – Class Act Karaoke *Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Two Marks and a George Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke

December 2014 Lindenwood Auditorium @ Lindenwood University (Belleville) - The Lindenwood University Department of Theatre presents A Christmas Carol; 7:30pm Metcalf Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - “Far & Away” and “A Number”; two one-act plays by British playwright Caryl Churchill. 7:30pm *No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - Live music featuring John Pry; 1/47-11pm *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music with Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Prohibition Repeal Day Party with D.C. Cusanelli; Roaring 20s attire encouraged Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Scottish Rite Cathedral (Belleville) - USAF Band of Mid-America Concert Band Holiday Concert Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday The Weingarten (Belleville) - Robert Wagener; 7-10pm The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - The Nutcracker presented by Turning Point Academy of Dance; 7:30pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Hicktown; 10pm-2am Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant (Swansea) - Karaoke every Friday; 7-11pm

December 6th (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Company (Belleville) - Lil’ Sister; 7:3011:30pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 2-9pm Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - “Always... Patsy Cline”; more than a tribute to the legendary country singer. Based on the true story of Cline’s relationship with fan Louise Seger. Includes many of her unforgettable hits. 7:30pm American Legion (Edwardsville) - Live music “On The Hill” with Tim Campbell and Dave Horton; public always welcome; 8pm

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December 2014 American Legion (Mascoutah) - 9th Annual Bluegrass Show with George Portz and the Friends of Bluegrass, Thunder and Lightning Cloggers, and Fiddlers Frolic *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - AKC Dog Show hosted by Edwardsville Kennel Club Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Super Hero Food Drive and Costume Contest; 9pm Blum House (Collinsville) - 7th Annual Blum House Holiday Market and Blum House Tour; market features books, hand-painted ornaments, jewelry, art and more; 1-6pm BoBeck’s Sports Bar & Grill (Waterloo) - Live DJ spins your favs; 9pm Buffalo Park (Maryville) - Blue Marlin; 8:30pm-12:30am Chaser’s (Belleville) - Sky High; 9pm-1am Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Broken Hipsters; 8pm-12am Cutters (Belleville) - Old Salt Union; 8pm Dixon Student Center @ Lindenwood University (Belleville) Breakfast with Santa; pancakes, photos, crafts, and gifts from Santa; 9-11am Doc Holiday’s (Cottage Hills) - Mondinband; 9pm-1am Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; story telling with Marilyn Kinsella, 12pm; Abe’s Popcorn tasting demo, 3pm; Bavarian Dancers, 3:30pm; Christ Church Choir and Bell Choir with Suzuki strings students from Phil’z Harmoniks; 6:30pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Downtown (Columbia) - Bright Night Christmas Parade; 5pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddies, 3pm; Anthony Nanny, 7pm; All Mixed Up, 8pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Karaoke every Saturday night; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Tailgate Troubadours; every 1st and 3rd Saturday *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Mikey Mason; 8 and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Billy Peek; 9pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Lindenwood Auditorium @ Lindenwood University (Belleville) - The Lindenwood University Department of Theatre presents: A Christmas Carol; 7:30pm *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - Karaoke night Metcalf Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - “Far & Away” and “A Number”; two one-act plays by British playwright Caryl Churchill. 2pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Christmas Season Social; 1-3pm *No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm 10

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*Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music with Stephen Koritta; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Creative Kids Art Class: “Holiday Gift Wrap,” 12:30pm Scottish Rite Cathedral (Belleville) - USAF Band of Mid-America Unwrap the Season Christmas Concert; 7pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Skootr’s West (Freeburg) - Bud Summers Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music Station House (St Louis) - Ogana with special guest Sully; 9pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - The Nutcracker presented by Turning Point Academy of Dance; 2pm Union United Methodist Church (Belleville) - Sounds of Harmony Barbershop Chorus Holiday Concert; 7:30pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Hicktown; 10pm-2am

December 7th (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm

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November Calendar of Events Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - “Always... Patsy Cline”; more than a tribute to the legendary country singer. Based on the true story of Cline’s relationship with fan Louise Seger. Includes many of her unforgettable hits. 2pm *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - AKC Dog Show hosted by Edwardsville Kennel Club Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Componere Gallery of Art (St Louis) - Str8Up Feature Artist Dimitrina Kutriansky “Transcending The Ordinary” Exhibit Opening Reception, 2-4pm; exhibit continues through December 31 Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; Ben’s Mesh Wreath demo, 1:30pm; Sole Survivor Leather demo, 3pm Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Music presents Suzuki Concert; 2pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddies, 3pm; Sable, 6pm; American Idle, 7pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Lindenwood Auditorium @ Lindenwood University (Belleville) - The Lindenwood University Department of Theatre presents A Christmas Carol; 2pm Metcalf Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - “Far & Away” and “A Number”; two one-act plays by British playwright Caryl Churchill. 2pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Holiday Gathering; 1-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Scottish Rite Cathedral (Belleville) - USAF Band of Mid-America Unwrap the Season Christmas Concert; 3pm St Mary’s Church (Collinsville) - Collinsville Chorale Concert; 3pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - The Nutcracker presented by Turning Point Academy of Dance; 2pm

December 2014 Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

December 10th (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night with Brad Noe; 7-11pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Flamingos (Belleville) - Dine to Donate Benefit for Hospice of Southern Illinois; closed bid auction; lotto tree; 11am-3pm *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - College night specials with DJ Schwen Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm SeVen (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Wednesday; 8:30pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; every Wednesday night featuring Night Train

December 8th (Monday)

JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday *The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - The USAF Band of Mid-America salutes the holidays with two nights of free concerts - again December 9; both at 7:30pm

December 9th (Tuesday)

Alfresco Art Center (Granite City) - Tinsel Town Tuesday; White Christmas with music by Irving Berlin; free; 7-9pm Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:30-11:30pm Pitcher’s Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday *The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - The USAF Band of Mid-America salutes the holidays; 7:30pm StraightUpMagazine.net

New Year’s Eve Package $150/couple*

Dinner, Hotel, Comedy Show, Breakfast, Transportation, and more!

Information: 618-416-6434, or www.heyguyscomedy.com * on-line, plus fees—$170 thru box office

Info, Show Times and Tickets at www.heyguyscomedy.com or 1-800-514-eTix

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November Calendar of Events Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

December 11th (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Thursday; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm *Brickstreet Arts (Lebanon) - Sips and Stemware Painting; 6-8pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Chez Marilyn (Alton) - Mondinband; 6-10pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - East St Louis High School Social Committee Benefit Event; doors at 6:30pm; show at 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen No Jacks (Smithton) - Live music every Thursday night; 7-11pm PSOP / Office on Aging (Belleville) - Senior Health Screening Day; free and exclusively for persons 55 and over; 8:30-11am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ JoyceWarren; 7:30-10pm

December 2014 Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; The Philosophers Jazz Ensemble; 6pm Downtown (Lebanon) - Christmas with Dickens; sing Christmas Carols and look for Tiny Tim Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music *Fezziwig’s Marketplace (Lebanon) - Complimentary Wine Tastings and join in Christmas Sing-a-longs just like back in the good old days before big box stores, malls and the Internet! 6-8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Charlie Weiner; 8 and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Jason Garms; 7-11pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke *Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Tim the DJ Karaoke Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol; 7:30pm *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music with Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music

December 12th (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live music every Friday night; tonight Lil’ Sister; 7:30-11:30pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Holiday Craft, Gift and Home Decorating Show; Hundreds of Vendors Featuring Furniture, Primitives, Pottery, Jewelry, Wearable Art, Florals, Gourmet Foods, Christmas Decor, Prints, Antiques, Country, Plus Much More! 4-8pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music

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December 2014

Heirloom Soapworks Natural Bath & Body soaps - lotions - gifts

111 W. St. Louis Street Lebanon, IL 62220 1-855-SOAP-4-ME

TEA & GOURMET MARKET      

    

   



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December 2014 *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Swansea Improvement Association (Swansea) - Cactus Moon; 8pm12am The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Winter Concert Series featuring Lucky Old Sons; 6pm Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant (Swansea) - Karaoke every Friday; 7-11pm

December 13th (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Saturday night; 8pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 2-9pm American Legion (Edwardsville) - Live music “On The Hill” with Bobby Rolens; public always welcome; 8pm *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Holiday Craft, Gift and Home Decorating Show; Hundreds of Vendors Featuring Furniture, Primitives, Pottery, Jewelry, Wearable Art, Florals, Gourmet Foods, Christmas Decor, Prints, Antiques, Country, Plus Much More! 10am-5pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - 6th Annual Ugly Sweater Party; contest and live DJ; 9pm BoBeck’s Sports Bar & Grill (Waterloo) - Live DJ spins your favs; 9pm Buffalo Park (Maryville) - Lauren Marshall Band; 8:30pm Chez Marilyn (Alton) - Mondinband; 8pm-12am Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Doc Holiday’s (Cottage Hills) - Mondinband; 9pm-1am Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; Wood carving and Turned Treasures wood turning, 10am; O’Fallon High School Madrigal Choir; 4pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Downtown (Lebanon) - Christmas with Dickens; sing Christmas Carols and look for Tiny Tim Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Karaoke every Saturday night; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Tailgate Troubadours; every 1st and 3rd Saturday *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Mikey Mason; 8 and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Joe Metzka Band; 9pm12am Hough Park (Belleville) - Mutual Aide Picnic – Belleville Solidarity Group; Free food, free clothes, free hygiene items, free home supplies. Bring what you can, take what you need. Come join us in Solidarity as we come together as a community; every second Saturday. 1-5pm

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Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) - LIVE at Jacoby: Saturday Nights; Christmas with Jesse; Jesse Prather, vocals and piano; doors at 6pm; concert 7pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - Karaoke night *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Christmas Season Social; 1-3pm *No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music with Judy Koen Trio; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Skootr’s West (Freeburg) - Miranda Hagan; 8pm-12am Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Wine Tap (Belleville) - Robert Wagener; 7-11pm

December 14th (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm

StraightUpMagazine.net

November Calendar of Events *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Holiday Craft, Gift and Home Decorating Show; Hundreds of Vendors Featuring Furniture, Primitives, Pottery, Jewelry, Wearable Art, Florals, Gourmet Foods, Christmas Decor, Prints, Antiques, Country, Plus Much More! 10am-4pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Cactus Moon; 4-7pm Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; Happy Hops brewing demo; Belleville Ballet, 1:30pm Downtown (Lebanon) - 21st Annual Candlelight House Tour; Experience nine historic Lebanon homes and buildings festively decorated for the holiday season! 1-6pm Downtown (Lebanon) - Christmas with Dickens; sing Christmas Carols and look for Tiny Tim Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”; 2pm and 7:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Holiday Gathering; 1-3pm Our Lady of the Snows Shrine (Belleville) - Metro East Community Chorale Christmas Concert and Sing-A-Long; 3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke St Clare Catholic Church (O’Fallon) - Masterworks Choral and Orchestra and the Masterworks Children’s Choruses; A Masterworks Christmas; 7:30pm St Luke’s Church (Belleville) - Belleville Philharmonic Chorale and Orchestra Christmas Wonders Concert; Rutter’s Magnificat, Vivaldi’s Gloria and favorites of the season; 3pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Metro East Premier of Marshall the Miracle Dog; locally produced film; 1pm and 4pm

December 2014 December 17th (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night with Brad Noe; 7-11pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - College night specials with DJ Schwen Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm SeVen (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Wednesday; 8:30pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; every Wednesday night featuring Night Train Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

December 18th (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Thursday night; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm *Brickstreet Arts (Lebanon) - Sips and Stemware Painting; 6-8pm

December 15th (Monday)

JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday

December 16th (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Celtica; every third Tuesday Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - The Philosophers, sophisticated jazz *Pitcher’s Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

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December 2014

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November Calendar of Events Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Chez Marilyn (Alton) - Mondinband; 6-10pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday *Downtown (Belleville) - Belleville Main Street Downtown Diva Night; an exciting ladies night out! Theme: Cookies, Cookies, Cookies; Starting at Hospice of Southern Illinois; After party at Baja Cali; 5-8pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen PSOP / Office on Aging (Belleville) - Budgeting Workshop; How to manage and budget finances in your retirement years; 10:3011:30am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ JoyceWarren; 7:30-10pm

December 2014 Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - The Holiday Film Classis White Christmas; 7pm Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant (Swansea) - Karaoke every Friday; 7-11pm

December 20th (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Saturday nights; 8pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 2-9pm Alfresco Art Center (Granite City) - Christmas Cabaret starring Joy Powell; 7:30-9pm *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market; Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new. Indoor/Outdoor Year Round. $2 parking; Free admission; 9am-4pm BoBeck’s Sports Bar & Grill (Waterloo) - Live DJ spins your favs; 9pm Chaser’s (Belleville) - Mondinband; 8pm-12am Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm

December 19th (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday nights; tonight featuring Mondinband; 8pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; Masterworks Children’s Choir, 5:30pm; St Matthew’s Choir, 6:30pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music *Fezziwig’s Marketplace (Lebanon) - Complimentary Wine Tastings and join in Christmas Sing-a-longs just like back in the good old days before big box stores, malls and the Internet! 6-8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Kent Rader; 8 and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Lucky Old Sons; 7-11pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke *Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Mr T and The Houseshakers Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke *No Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - D.C. Cusanelli; 7pm *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music with Brad Noe; 7pm

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December 2014 Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; Sole Survivor Leather demo, 10am and 1pm; vibraphone performance by Matthew Hake, 5pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live Music **Fischer’s Restaurant (Belleville - MidTowne Neighborhood) - The Solstice TOCO Helping Hands Festivities!! Sponsored by Str8Up Magazine. A Full Day & Full Night of Old Friends & New Friends - 1 & all are welcome - Guys, Gals, & Children of all ages, sharing in the holiday spirit.

Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffle, & a collection drive for food, clothes, toys & other helpful goods all for the wonderful folks at TOCO to do their thing with & continue benefiting the community by voluntarily providing their helping hands.

So why not lend your helping hand with any donations you can provide or just by coming out to enjoy Phenomenal Live Local Music. Enjoy Fischer’s great food & drink menu & bring your festive spirit.

*Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Kent Rader; 8 and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Broken Hipster; 9pm12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - Karaoke night *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Christmas Season Social; 1-3pm *No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music with Stephen Koritta; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - D.C. Cusanelli; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Skootr’s West (Freeburg) - Clark Rowden Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Syberg’s (O’Fallon) - Sky High; 7-11pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am

$8 @ the door for the entire festival day/night - readmission for no cost.

All those who donate receive 1/2 off all raffles tickets at this shindig event & leading up to Friday the 19th, we will leek details of the great performances that await you.

Post on our FB page (& share on your timeline) how you would like to help TOCO on their continuing mission or good ideas about helping the community - & get free admission.

AND include in your post your top 10 local bands/musicians - and if 1 or more from your list match our roster line-up and you’ve posted before that band/musician has been announced, you get free admission AND a plus one.

Hoops/Flow Toys/Hand-drums/other instruments welcomed as there will be opportunities for such fun.

The Solstice TOCO Helping Hands Festivities of Dec 20th await!! Come to MidTowne Belleville and we’ll see you there :) Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Karaoke every Saturday night; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Tailgate Troubadours; every 1st and 3rd Saturday

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November Calendar of Events The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Southern Rock Icons Wet Willie in concert, with special guests Rogers and Nienhaus; 8pm Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - The Brass Rail Players present “It’s A Wonderful Life”, a radio-play adaption with vintage holiday music; 7:30pm

December 21st (Winter Solstice Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market; Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new. Indoor/ Outdoor Year Round. $2 parking; Free admission; 9am-4pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Cahokia Mounds (Collinsville) - Winter Solstice Observance; meet at the reconstructed Woodhenge. Hear explanation of the discovery, form and function of this ancient post circle monument used as a calendar by the Mississippians. No ceremonies will be conducted. Arrive by 7am Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; caroling by Belleville East High School, O’Fallon High School plus Folk Dancing, 1:30pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Gulf Shores Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Robert Wagener; 11:30am2:30pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Holiday Gathering; 1-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 4-8pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) -Open Mic Night Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - The Brass Rail Players present “It’s a Wonderful Life”, a radio-play adaption with vintage holiday music; 2pm

December 2014 Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - College night specials with DJ Schwen Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over.

Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm SeVen (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Wednesday; 8:30pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; every Wednesday night featuring Night Train Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

December 25th (Christmas Thursday)

501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am

December 22nd (Monday)

JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday

December 23rd (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Downtown (Belleville) - 1st Annual Christkindlmarkt; closes at noon Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Pitcher’s Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

December 24th (Wednesday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm

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December 2014 Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Free Christmas Buffet Meal; serving begins 1pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ JoyceWarren; 7:30-10pm

December 26th (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday nights; 8pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Chris “Boom Boom” Johnson; 8 and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Dave & Them; 7-11pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke *Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Gentlemen Bandits *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music with Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Junior Smalls and the Oncoming, live in The Dugout; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Mondinband; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant (Swansea) - Karaoke every Friday; 7-11pm

December 27th (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Saturday night; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 2-9pm *Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Dixie Express Reunion Concert; One Night Only; doors at 5pm; music at 6pm BoBeck’s Sports Bar & Grill (Waterloo) - Live DJ spins your favs; 9pm 20

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Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Mondinband; 8pm-12am Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Karaoke every Saturday night; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Tailgate Troubadours; every 1st and 3rd Saturday *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Chris “Boom Boom” Johnson; 8 and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Oh Brother; 9pm-12am Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) - LIVE at Jacoby: Saturday Nights; Tia Mc Graff Duo; rootsy melodies and honest-to-heart lyrics; doors at 6pm; concert 7pm *Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Rev DJ Disco Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) – Karaoke Lincoln Theater (Belleville) - “Expect Delays”; locally produced feature film from the creators of “Belleville, The Movie”; Pre show, meet the cast and crew, 11am *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 8pm-12am

Give a Holiday Gift that Shows You Care with a Stillpointe Gift Certificate.

Your well-being is our deep driving desire.

Located only 20 minutes East of downtown St. Louis, nestled among hundreds of acres of peaceful farm country.

Contact us to see how we can help you!

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December 2014 *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Christmas Season Social; 1-3pm *No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) – DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music with Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Skootr’s West (Freeburg) - Stump Water Shine Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am

December 28th (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Holiday Gathering; 1-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night

December 29th (Monday)

JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday

Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - New Years Eve with The Blue Lemmings; 8:30pm Lincoln Theater (Belleville) - Ring in the New Year with a two-hour gala theater pipe organ concert; 7pm *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - College night specials with DJ Schwen Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Moose Hall (Wood River) - New Years Eve Party with Borderline; open to the public; dinner at 7pm; music at 8:30pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; every Wednesday night featuring Night Train Swansea Improvement Association (Swansea) - Cactus Moon; 8:30pm-12:30am The Falls (Columbia) - A New Years Celebration with the Well Hungarians and Top Cats DJs; drinks included, dinner and hotel available The Winetap (Belleville) - Robert Wagener; 9pm-1am *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - New Years Evening includes dinner, dancing to live music, champagne toast at midnight and break fast at 1am; begins at 7pm

Community Kindness Resale Shop 500 E. Main St. Belleville, IL 62220 618-222-9980 M-F 10am - 6pm Sat 9am - 4pm

December 30th (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Pitcher’s Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

December 31st (New Years Eve Wednesday)

Atrium Hotel (Alton) - New Years Eve Ballroom Bash with the Glendale Riders; 7pm Big Stix (Breese) - Drew Baldridge Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - New Years Even with Sky High; 8:30pm-12:30am Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Fischer’s Restaurant (Belleville) - New Years Eve Celebration featuring The Jorrells; doors at 8pm; music at 9pm-1am *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Special Comedy Package featuring Joe Marlotti; includes dinner, hotel, comedy show, breakfast, transportation and more; begins 10pm

Your Purchases, Donati ons and Volunteeri ng supports the follow i ng chari table servi ce organi zati ons that serve the publi c by helpi ng others CASA COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES COMMUNITY INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY COSGROVE’S KITCHEN ST.VINCENT DEPAUL DISASTER RELIEF FUND EPILEPSY FOUNDATION FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS FOOD PANTRY FAMILY HOSPICE FIRE SUPPORT MINISTRIES FRANKLIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

FREEBURG AREA FOOD PANTRY HOSPICE OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS MILLSTADT FOOD PANTRY SEEDS OF HOPE SMITHTON AREA FOOD PANTRY ST.JOHN BOSCO CHILDREN’S CENTER ST.MARK’S FINANCIAL CRISIS CENTER SWANSEA FOOD PANTRY VIOLENCE PREVENTION CENTER

* We are a charitable, Not For Profit thrift department store that is run by Community Kindness, Inc. A volunteer organization.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AND WELCMED

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December 2014 Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am

January 1st (New Years Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Thursday night; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday and Thursday Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Jazz Gathering; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ JoyceWarren; 7:30-10pm

Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant (Swansea) - Karaoke every Friday; 7-11pm

January 3rd (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Saturday night; 8pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 2-9pm BoBeck’s Sports Bar & Grill (Waterloo) - Live DJ spins your favs; 9pm Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Karaoke every Saturday night; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Tailgate Troubadours; every 1st and 3rd Saturday *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Aaron Brooks; 8 and 10pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - Karaoke night

January 2nd (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday night; 8pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm *Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Aaron Brooks; 8 and 10pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

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December 2014 *No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm *Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live music; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am *The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Russian National Ballet Theatre presents Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake; a lavish production of the magical tale of Odette, full of courtly splendor; the wonderfully dark story of good against evil in one of the most famous and beloved of all ballets; 7:30pm

January 4th (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am

*Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Holiday Gathering; 1-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night

January 5th (Monday)

JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday

January 6th (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Pitcher’s Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

January 7th (Wednesday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm *Mama Gustos (Lebanon) - College night specials with DJ Schwen *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; every Wednesday night featuring Night Train *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Wine All You Want Wednesdays; “Group Therapy”; leave the men at home, ladies, for an evening of guaranteed fun; every first Wednesday; 6-9pm

Special Thanks to these Fine Supporters of the Local Art, Music, and Culture Scene: Hanger 18 (Lebanon) Renew Audio Adrenaline Prints (Belleville) Stache Publishing (Alton)

Ramon Woody

Lizard Labs

The Great Joint Commission

Johnny’s Sidebar (Collinsville)

Crystal Zehner Garden Specailist, etc.

(618) 509-1404

Earthscapes

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Pheonix Rose Art (Alton/Godfrey)

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December 2014

Straight Up Star Contact List Beast Cafe 20 South Belt West Belleville, IL 62220 618-257-5000

Heirloom Soapworks 111 West St Louis Street Lebanon IL 62254 618-855-SOAP-4-ME

Papa Vito’s Restaurant 318 East Washington Belleville IL 62220 618-277-6200

Beatnik’s 115 East Main Belleville IL 62220 618-355-4600

Hey Guys Comedy Club 5225 North Illinois Street Fairview Heights, IL 62208 618-416-6434

Papa Vito’s Restaurant 4205 North Belt West Belleville IL 62226 618-277-6200

Bee Hollow Marketplace 217 East Main Mascoutah IL 62258 618-566-8583

Hippie Daze 1508 West Blvd Belleville IL 62220 618-277-3293

Papa Vito’s Restaurant 223 West Mill Waterloo IL 62298 618-939-5200

Belle Clair Expo Center 200 South Belt East Belleville IL 62220 618-233-0052

Knights of Columbus 402 East US 50 O’Fallon IL 62269 618-632-6229

Pitchers Pub & Pizzeria 104 West Main Belleville IL 62220 618-233-4800

Belleville Main Street 510 West Main Belleville IL 62220 618-233-7522

Mama Gustos Pizzeria 115 West St Louis Lebanon IL 62254 618-537-8800

Spa Demi 1017 West Main Belleville IL 62220 618-530-9559

Bike Taxi Belleville IL 62220 618-203-1090

McKendree University Hett Arts Center 400 North Alton Street Lebanon IL 62254 618-537-6863

Stein Automotive 1215 West Main Street Belleville, IL 62220 618-233-8786

Melodic Rhythms 110 North High Belleville IL 62220 618-233-0659

Stillpointe Wellness Center 2135 Dorothy Drive Belleville IL 62223 618-531-8814

Melodic Rhythms 572 Memorial Drive Breese IL 62230 618-526-7588

Stur Restaurant 4 Club Center Court Suite A Edwardsville IL 62025 618-307-9613

Michael Rousseau, Esq. 10 South Jackson Belleville IL 62220 618-235-5870

Tiadaghton House 111 West St Louis Street Lebanon IL 62254 618-808-0311

Miscellanea House 1111 West Main Belleville IL 62220 618-416-8520

TOCO Shop 825 West Main Belleville IL 62220 618-257-8626

No-Jacks Bar and Grill 4001 State Rt 159 Smithton IL 62285 618-235-2356

Villa Marie Winery 6633 East Main Maryville IL 62062 618-345-3100

Brickstreet Arts Studio & Gallery 218 West St Louis Lebanon IL 62254 618-537-4492 Century 21 - Top Team 21 4001 State Rt 159 Suite 105 Smithton IL 62285 618-233-1111 Community Kindness Resale Shop 500 East Main Street Belleville, IL 62220 618-222-9980 Fischer’s Restaurant 2100 West Main Street Belleville, IL 62220 618-233-1131 Fezziwig’s Marketplace 220 West St Louis Street Lebanon IL 62254 618-537-8422 Hangar 18 Guitar Repair 204 West St Louis Street Lebanon IL 62254 618-537-8870

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December 2014

The Treasure of Turned Wood

(Author’s note: Once upon a time, I briefly studied wood turning and procured a small hobby lathe. While not nearly skilled enough to be called an artist in this medium, I am clear that it is a high-risk endeavor, potentially dangerous even without a visual impairment.)

by Paul Seibert There is a most unique new art gallery in Downtown Belleville. Turned Treasures Gallery and School of Woodturning features the works of some 21 artists in warm and welcoming environment. Every item on display is for sale. AND every item is hand-crafted of wood. Local and regional artists works are displayed on pedestals and table tops. And each is an individualized work of art hand-turned on a lathe.

A lathe? Per Wikipedia, “A lathe is a machine tool which rotates a piece of wood on its axis to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, face turning, etc.” And “woodturning is a form of woodworking that is used to create wooden objects on a lathe.

Woodturning differs from most other forms of woodworking in that the wood is moving while a stationary tool is used to cut and shape it. The origin of woodturning dates to around 1300 BC when the Egyptians first developed a two-person lathe. One person would turn the wood with a rope while the other used a sharp tool to cut shapes in the wood.”

Modern lathed wood artworks include bowls, vases, decorative objects from jewelry to holiday ornaments, fine writing instruments, whimsical objects and children’s toys. All are created on rapidly revolving power tools that typically require the trained, skilled craftsman to have a vast amount of hand-eye coordination.

Unless that craftsman should happen to be completely blind.

Michael Blankenship is one of the 21 featured artists at Turned Treasures and Michael happens to be completely blind. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the gallery when he was the galley’s featured artist during the Main Street Art and Wine Walk.

Michael explained that “I was a flat wood worker. I had never turned at all. I developed an autoimmune disease that fed on the rods and cones in my eyes”. The disease is AZOOR (acute zonal occult outer retinopathy), a rare condition with a long name. Michael demonstrated his great sense of humor asking me, with an engaging smile, to repeat the full name of the disease. I got the AZOOR part right. “My doctor believed and told me I would not go blind. And maybe that’s why I did not have the depression problem that most people go through (when they lose their sight).” It has been 10 years now since Michael completely lost his sight.

According to his wife, Jackie, “Michael is a determined man, a Type A personality. He had to find something to do.” With a loving smile, she continued “I’m a nurse. I work in the ICU. I have seen all kinds of stuff.

And I knew lots of doctors who could fix him up if necessary. I pushed him and encouraged him.”

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Michael continued his story. “It took me about a year to go completely blind. At first, me and my brother-in-law decided to set up a saw mill on his farm. Then I lost too much sight to travel. One of our wood customers handed me a bowl he had turned. I was touching it and thought, that was really neat. He said he thought I could do this. I hadn’t been in my shop for four years and I was going try it. It took me about six hours to turn my first bowl. And I burned out the motor of the lathe in the process. I was so proud of that piece of junk. I showed my wife and we went out an bought a new lathe and I started turning.

I would listen to videos on how to turn and then go out in the shop and play around. Then when Jackie would come home from work, we’d play the videos and she would stop the video when I’d tell her to stop. She would bring me a cooking bowl and big spoon. And I would ask her ‘Now which way was the bowl facing and where was his hands and what was the angle?’ She would position everything for me. I’d go out in the shop and practice. We’d do the same thing day after day, repeat repeat. I taught myself to turn that way.”

Through the Woodtuners of St Louis (a chapter of the American Association of Woodturners), Michael met Jon and Laura Spelbring.

I asked Jon why he and Laura started a woodturning gallery. “I hated my job. I really enjoy woodturning. I began to think about how I could make a living turning wood. At first, I thought maybe I could teach wood turning at home. I began having classes in my garage - one student at a time. My insurance agent put a halt to that.”

Laura also began turning wood. “We did the craft show circuit for a while. That gave us good experience but we were not a good fit for the craft circuit. Wood turning is more art than craft.”

Jon told me “We knew that wood is underrepresented in the art world.

We decided that if we could not find a venue, we would create a venue.

Our St Louis Woodturner friends felt the same. Individually, they did not produce enough works to support a venue. But they all said they would support us with their creations if we opened this collective gallery.

We began looking for a site the end of March. We found this building during Belleville’s Art on the Square. Dave at The Winetap next door had posted the building for sale. It seemed to be a perfect fit. We bought the building and were open within 60 days.”

Laura proudly stated that “We have 21 wood turners in here now. And a waiting list of others who would like to get in. We have classes four nights a week which bring people in and pays for our overhead. We’re in our third month and still here.”

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December 2014 Jon complemented Laura’s statement. “This is a communal gallery featuring the artistic and functional wood turning pieces of 21 turning artist (including Michael). We have a full classroom downstairs with classes four nights a week. From Introductory to Intermediate skill levels.” Classes are limited to four students per class.

Laura noted “We educate people, both in the gallery and in the classroom. We also make Heritage Bowls.” This is the turning of bowls from sections of ancient trees that have significance to an individual or family. Perhaps that old tree out in the front yard where the kids always climbed or you picnicked under on summer days. The tree may have been blown down by a storm or succumbed to old age. Heritage Bowls are turned from a piece of such a tree and commemorate the family memories that tree represents for them.

Who: What:

Jon and Laura Spelbring Turned Treasures Gallery and School of Woodturning

Where:

225 East Main Street, Belleville IL 62220

When:

Tuesday - Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm; Sunday, 12am-4pm (closed every fourth Sunday)

Why:

View, touch, purchase, learn the art of turned wood.

How:

www.TurnedTreasuresLLC.com 618-698-3627

Who else:

Michael Blankenship

What:

Turning Blind, A Completely Blind Woodturner

How:

www.TurningBlind.com 217-502-0235

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Culture

December2014 2014 December

Chilling with Christkind: Belleville’s First Open-Air Holiday Market Now Open

by Mark Johnson Twin nutcrackers guard each entrance; their charges are the two tenfoot gates, each speckled with lights that spell out “Belleville Christkindlmarkt.” Beyond their post is Belleville’s newest holiday event, the only one of its kind for hundreds of miles that, like Belleville’s original residents, was imported from Germany.

Why import it?

We giftwrap just fine, or at least the person at the wrapping counter does, and our national penchant for home decorations turned the Griswold surname into an adjective of dubious honor. Regardless of our own national traditions, Christmas has been happening long before the ink dried on the Constitution. Our Christkind, Mayor Mark Eckert, Carole Piontkowsky, & Father Christmas traditions are already imported and much of the fuzzy warmth that comes from the mere consideration of a hearthside family gathering on a snowy December day is laid on their foundations.

Christkindlmarkts are a tradition that’s just starting to catch in the United States. Belleville’s is just starting its first year and is located on the northeast and southeast quadrants of the city’s square. It’s the final event of the city’s 200th anniversary celebration, and the mere mention of its possibility thrilled many residents across the county.

Christ-kindl-markt: First syllable is self-explanatory. Second syllable means child (kind as in kindergarten), and the third syllable means market. But definitions only go so deep.

These markets are the seasonal gathering of specialized merchants in town squares. They first started sometime in the late Middle Ages in Germany, Austria and surrounding countries. The merchants sell holiday delights of all sorts from festively decorated booths; they’ll offer everything from ornaments, figurines, decorations, special foods and other items that aren’t normally available at other times of the year. The markets serve warm German foods, cold beer and a warm mulled wine called Glühwein to help shoppers stay toasty.

Each year the market is opened by the Christkind, a tradition which dates back to the protestant revolution. Before the revolution in Germany, Christmas gifts were given on December 6th, St. Nicholas’s day, but Martin Luther pushed that day back to Christmas Eve to distance his holidays from the Catholic Church, telling his children that Christ brought their gifts.

At that time, traditional German plays featured the Angel of Annunciation,

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which was slowly adopted into the Christkind as a representation of the giftgiver. From that, the tradition of having the angel open the market began, and that’s where the market’s name originated.

Belleville’s market opened on the evening of November 28, after the city’s annual Santa parade, with a visitation by its own Christkind, Vanessa Pendergrass, a high school senior from O’Fallon. Pendergrass was born in Germany to an American father and German mother. She has lived in Germany for many years and has fond memories of the Christmas markets. Her story is common thanks to Scott Air Force Base. And the buzz that came from military families when the market was first announced was palpable.

Now each day, until December 23, from 11am to 7pm Monday through Thursday, 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday, and 12 to 6pm on Sunday, the market and its sixteen vendors will be open to all who want to experience something new yet somehow familiar.

The story behind how Belleville got its own Christmas market starts, once again, in Germany.

Mayor Mark Eckert had long wanted to develop a holiday event but never quite made the jump. Carole Piontkowsky, like so many residents in the area, lived in Germany when her husband was stationed there and returned with memories of their Christmas markets. After moving here, she began working at the city’s Parks and Recreation department. She slowly realized that Belleville was ripe for hosting a Christmas market. Eckert agreed, and she quickly began the long process of organizing the event.

“It’s something I’ve been telling the Mayor, that the city, with all the renovations and new lights downtown, has been working towards this without even realizing it. It’s such a perfect setting for the market,” Piontkowsky said.

Eckert’s son quickly came on board, with his fellow union carpenters, to build the vendor housings, which have been dubbed “hauses.” The event has been fine-tuned to expand upon Belleville’s existing range of shopping, all of which is located just down Main Street, making the market the logical extension of the city’s picturesque downtown.

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December December2014 2014 The heart of the Christkindlmarkt is split between the northeast and southeast quadrants of the square, the northeast being shared with Santa’s house. Each vendor at the market has something unique; you’ll find handblown glass ornaments from Egypt, German lace, traditional Irish items and jewelry, Bavarian items ranging from candy to puzzles, and nesting dolls and other beautiful things from Poland, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine.

Along with those vendors, there’s also a haus staffed by members from local non-profit organizations. The staff and non-profit will change throughout the market’s season, giving numerous organizations the chance to fundraise at the city’s newest event by keeping part of the profits from sales.

The booth sells hot chocolate, German cookies and souvenir mugs.

Since the market is a family event, children have their own hunt they can go while the adults hunt for gifts. Gustav, a sneaky elf, has decided to hide himself throughout the market and at numerous stores downtown: It’s up to the kids to find him. When they do, they get a stamp from the store on their kid’s activity book. When they’ve collected 25 or more stamps, they can turn in their completed book at 25 East Main and a selected winner will get $100 in Main Street Dollars.

Belleville’s Christkindlmarkt is a happening, and it’s also host to happenings. On the south quadrant, you’ll find an Advent Calendar which serves as the market’s official calendar. From the opening until its December 23 close, the market will host over 24 events, ranging from wood carving and leatherworking demonstrations, concerts, a ballet, storytelling and even a homebrew demo.

First Light On opening day, a large crowd gathered around the stage. As Mayor Eckert gave a speech, a fully-loaded horse-drawn trolley pulled past the crowd and around the fountain. After the Christkind’s proclamation the crowd broke to go enjoy themselves; you could see kids excitedly hunting for Gustav and adults milling through the rows of vendors with food and Glühwein in hand.

The market is the pure essence of the holiday season. It’s something to behold with your family, a place to go spent an evening together before going home and trying to hide the gifts you secretly bought to keep them a surprise. It’s time spent together, or better said, time spent for each other finding ways to make people you love feel loved. Through all of her efforts organizing the Christkindlmarkt, Piontkowsky has also felt a huge amount of support.

“The community has been wonderful, and it’s been really exciting to see people come together for this,” Piontkowsky said.

At 6pm, the city lit its tree, complete with carolers. Between the glow of the tree and the market, you already have many reasons to come to Belleville’s Christkindlmarkt – bring your family and you’ll surely find more.

Vendor List: North Quadrant Irish Collections – Traditional Irish Items including jewelry, children’s name prints, apparel and much more. Larger selection at 25 East Main behind the Bank of America.

Bavarian Specialties – Lebkuchen, candy, chocolate, stollen, gifts, music, steins, puzzles and more.

Modern German Lace – Handcrafted German lace and nativities, pyramids, smokers, ornaments and more.

Moosemingo – Eclectic array of handmade bags and accessories using vintage finds, including German escutcheons.

Unique Gifts – Hand-blown glass ornaments, candleholders and candlesticks.

Grimm & Gorly – Fresh greens, gift items and cupcakes. (Until Dec 12) Santa’s House Picture Perfect Alphabet – Customize the perfect gift with photos from around the world. (Dec 12-23).

South Quadrant Roemer Topf – German hot food and regional specialties.

Sister Cities – Beer and Glühwein.

Oma Gisi’s German Bakery – Special German and European style baked goods and pastries baked fresh by three generations of family members.

Non-Profit – Staffed by a rotating group from a local non-profit. Sells hot chocolate, German cookies, gifts, Christkindlmarkt ornaments and souvenir mugs.

Belleville 200 – Belleville 200th anniversary souvenirs.

Names and Frames – Family name history and coats of arms, frames, key chains, mugs, steins, all created while you shop.

Gifts from Afar – Amber jewelry, lacquered boxes, hand-carved Santas, nesting dolls, hairpins, Lithuanian candle houses and more by Polish, Russian and Ukrainian artists.

Event Schedule: There are wonderful live performance events throughout the month, especially on weekends. Follow the Str8Up Calendar pages for an ongoing listing. Or visit the Christkindlmarkt website at Belleville200.com/ christmasMarket.php

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The Arts

December2014 2014 December

Expect Delays

by Dan Cross

The weather fit the mood on November 13th as Expect Delays, the Christmas movie produced by Belleville Native Ted Trent, premiered at the Lincoln Theater, complete with a red carpet parade and press interviews.

Despite the cold, windy night, the spirit was festive among the sold-out crowd. Expect Delays is the second movie filmed in the Metro East by the producer/director team of Ted Trent and Dan Steadman.

Dan Steadman (left), Ted Trent (right)

“What we found through this whole experience is that we have a lot of talent here,” Trent explained before the screening. “When Dan and I started making movies here, we didn’t know. We hoped we’d find great actors, great set dressers, great costume people, great cinematographers, and we found them.”

Steadman agrees. “I wanted to give the actors of this area a big starring role, because they were so good in Neila (Belleville - The Movie), I wanted them to expand into full featured roles. This is an ensemble dramedy, and I wanted everyone to get to know every character in the family very well.”

The actors really succeeded in creating a believable family on screen, perhaps because of how the cast bonded off-screen. “We had a fantastic time,” said Andra Harkins, who played Barb, the matriarch of the family in the movie. Wayne Ault played Barb’s husband, Donald. “It was a pleasure working with Andra and everyone else. It was like a family; we all go so close in the making of this movie. It was so much fun, we all kind of hated to see it come to an end.”

Local actors Margery Handy and Antonio St. James played a mother and son in the film, and the screen relationship continued off screen. St James, who also appears in the recent movie Gone Girl, explained. “We’ve made a friendship together that’s like, I text her all the time and say, ‘Hey mom, how’s it going?’ and she says ‘Son, it’s going good.”

On the stage of the Lincoln before the movie, Trent made a beautiful speech about what motivated him to make movies here. “I made this movie for all the young people in this area who want to go into a creative 26 30

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field, who want to play the trombone or design sets or compose film scores, so their parents won’t discourage them and tell them to choose a more traditional career. So everyone can say that there were two feature movies made right here in Belleville, and it’s okay to follow your dreams.”

If you missed the premiere, there will be one more special screening right after Christmas at the Lincoln Theater, 11am, December 27.

Marshall the Miracle Dog Another film shot in the Metro East premiered in November. Marshall the Miracle Dog was directed by local attorney Jay Kanzler and co-produced by Judee Sauget of Zingraff Motion Pictures in Sauget. The film, which was shot in Edwardsville, is based on the true story of a yellow lab from Missouri that was found abandoned with 60 other dogs in deplorable conditions by a crew from Animal Planet while filming a program about animal hoarders. Marshall was in the worst shape of all, and had to have one of his front legs amputated, but he survived and is now living happily with Cindi Willenbrock, who coproduced the movie. The inspirational tale won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the St. Louis International Film Festival. Due to popular demand, two more screenings of the film have been scheduled at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville on Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 and 4:00. The real Marshall, now a certified therapy dog who has visited over 250 schools, will appear between the two screenings at 3pm to meet his fans.

Expect Delays: ExpectDelaysMovie.com

Marshall the Miracle Dog: MarshallTheMiracleDog.com

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December 2014

Ryan, the drummer of the Rat Rod Kings, pictured here in the studio laying down tracks for their soon-to-be released Christmas single. Follow Straight Up Magazine to follow Rat Rod Kings and other local musical, visual and literary artists.

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Art

December 2014 2014 December

Hey Guys…..Meet Carolyn Agnew!

by John Dorroh No one that I know has such a sour outlook on life that he or she it was like starting over because of the long absence while she was raising doesn’t enjoy a good laugh. Like the old saying goes, “Laughter is the best her daughter and paying the bills with “normal” work. medicine.” And if that is true, then the Metro East has a new wellness cenIn 2008 she met comedian Caroline Picard who took her under her ter. wings and out on the road for some grooming.

Hey Guys Unfortunately comedy club in for Agnew, Picard Fairview Heights accepted a job is packing ‘em in. with a cruise One of their regular line. The comedy customers told me scene in Housthat she didn’t realton had become ize how many serisaturated with ously funny people mediocre acts. live in this area.

Admission prices Case in had gone up, and point is Carolyn often customers Agnew, a St. Louwere required to is native, who has accept a drink “been around the minimum while block,” or at least being exposed to around the comso-so comedians. edy club circuit.

Agnew reBack to St. cently won a comLouis… edy competition at Agnew moved Hey Guys for sharback to her St. ing her perspective Louis roots in on life’s events March, 2014, and and experiences. once again began “My matea new search rial makes it evifor a comfortdent that we are able niche. She all the same, that stepped out into we are all con- The winners of the Hey Guys Comedy contest final competition - Bobby Jaycox (Third Place). Carolyn Agnew (First Place). Tyrone Robinson (Second Place). the St. Louis nected,” she assured me. “It’s for adult audiences,” she said, comedy scene, feeling good about being back in her home city. “but it’s not ‘blue’ with a lot of profanity….I use innuendos…”

“I love St. Louis,” she said. “I like the green spaces throughout the city. Houston was too big – took forever to get anywhere in a car and the Seeds of comedy... people were often unfriendly.”

Agnew started her comedy career as a dare from a friend, Rod, who She found a few clubs in the St. Louis area that afforded her a bit of challenged her to enter an Open Mic contest back in 1988. “I got bit by the stage time, but nothing of substance ever developed. One day, a Facebook experience,” she said. friend directed her to the website of Hey Guys. She saw that there was goBy 1991, she’d been living in Washington, DC for three years. ing to be a comedy competition, so she paid them a visit.

She’d started a family and her comedy career was put on hold. From 1992“The club is so inviting,” she told me. “They’re friendly and warm.”

2005, she was in her “rehearsal period” in Houston, Texas.

“Bruce Veach welcomed me from the first time I was there,” she “Getting stage time in Texas was easy,” she said. At the same time said. “He even asked me to emcee a few rounds at the club.”

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December2014 2014 December “I was blown away by the talent,” said Agnew. There were judges who had the difficult task of selecting a winner for each round of the competition. Agnew made it to the final round where she “took the bullet,” meaning that she had to go first.

Things weren’t going so well,” she said. “It felt like I was pulling teeth…I started talking to myself and making adjustments to pull in the audience….it must have worked,” she said, “because the feedback began to become positive.” She won!

Hey Guys….background Veach and a co-owner of Hey Guys I Like Talking to You, LLC, Shelbie Wohlstadter, were working at a local hospital and decided to give it up for comedy. Veach had worked as a paid comedian all across the country and felt it was time to take a leap.

“There are four of us,” he explained, “and each one of us has our own particular strength. Alex and Shireen Bacchetti are strong business persons.” Together the foursome became an incorporated business, found a site in Fairview Heights, and opened their doors to the pubic this past July.

Hey Guys has a comprehensive website that houses all of the information about the club and its performances – calendar of scheduled performances, how to obtain tickets, the address and contacts.

To experience the comedy of Carolyn Agnew, mark your calendar for December 10, 26, and 27. Check the website for exact times and tickets. Pay them a visit and see for yourself if you don’t feel better when you leave than when you entered. If laughter is indeed the best medicine, then you should feel on top of the world. Check it out.

What: Hey Guys Comedy Club Where: 5225 North Illinois (IL Route 159), Fairview Heights, IL 62208 When: Friday and Saturday, 8 and 10pm Open Mic, Wednesday, 7:30pm How: HeyGuysComedyClub.com Who: Carolyn Agnew, award winning local comedienne Where: Hey Guys Comedy Club When: December 10, 26 and 27

Carolyn Agnew

Hey Guys, I Like Talking to You… Bruce Veach, veteran comedian of 30+ years, and co-owner of Hey Guys Comedy Club, wants the venue at 5225 North Illinois (IL Route 159) in Fairview Heights to be more than a week-end comedy club.

“We opened this past July and hosted our first comedy competition (the one that Carolyn won) beginning in October,” explained Veach.

The eight finalists from that first competition will participate in a Best of Hey Guys Comedy on Wednesday, December 10.. The show starts at 7:30pm and tickets are $7.

Veach explained to me how a typical comedy club operates. There’s usually an emcee who’s a local newbie. He or she gets about five minutes of stage time, then feels out the crowd, introduces the comedians, and generally keeps the momentum going throughout the show.

The featured performer is someone who’s made a name locally but who may or may not have sponsors on a national level… Carolyn Agnew will be the featured performer in two shows on December 26th and 27th.

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Submissions

December 2014 November 2013

Larry D. Spencer’s style of mousepainting was created in the 90’s after 30 years in Graphic Communication Art and Design, and Editorial Cartooning. He creates “Mousepaintings” of Fine and Modern Art with today’s computer graphics technology.

Larry has over five hundred creations of paintings and portraits expertly drawn using only the mouse as his paintbrush.

“Mousepaintings” can be used as Screen Savers, Background Wallpaper, Icons, at home and in the office. View his gallery and enjoy a fresh and new flavor in the world of Fine and Modern Art at http://www.mousepaintings.8m.com/index. html Larry was recently featured at The Governor French Academy Gallery in Belleville and at the Mother Earth Natural Gallery in Fairview Heights.

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November 2013 December 2014 You Get a Village When You Raise a Child

I haven’t raised a child in the White House, but I have raised a child. Actually, I’m still raising a child – a teenager. Raising a child in the White House is undoubtedly a different experience than mine, living in a private home in a small town. So I wouldn’t say that needing a village to raise a child is not someone else’s experience. But it certainly isn’t mine.

My experience has been, even when our son was a toddler, that a child turns what was my “private home” into a town hall. This has become especially noticeable during more recent teenage years.

We only moved to this small town a year ago. We knew only one couple, a couple with no children. We liked the house, the town, the prospect of a relatively quiet existence In this Midwestern village. My wife and I have employment in other nearby communities. We don’t get out much to socialize. We’re not on any committees and don’t belong to any clubs or organizations. In other words, we don’t do the things that have one meet a lot of people around town. Then how is it our house is always full of other people and the phone is always occupied? It is because we have a child.

In addition to our two previous friends, we now know numerous other adults. Parents who call and/or stop by for chats and/or counseling sessions. We know the local police officers and the firefighters. We know the animal control officer and the local librarian. We know extremely well the public school principal and many of its teachers. How do two otherwise rather reclusives as ourselves meet and know so many people?

My return home from work is met with greetings from the voice of a teenager, sometimes my own. Often as not, the voice is of someone I’ve never met. Often as not, it is a multiple of voices, a council of teenagers, having dinner out of my refrigerator. It is like entering a town meeting of the village people – who really look like The Village People. Wending my way through this cacophony, I head for the ringing phone. It is not anyone returning any of my calls. It is not, even, anyone that I sought to know. It is some young person seeking my child. Or it is some adult seeking theirs.

Do I need a village to raise a child? How can one need something one already has? A village seems to come as standard equipment with a child, issued right along with the birth certificate. It is not optional equipment, although it certainly does cost more than specified on the original sticker. I would be a stranger in my own hometown if it were not for the village that comes with raising a child. I know the village and the village knows me. And my child is the source of the village.

Henry Collins – May 19, 1997

Str8 Up Magazine is accepting submissions of artwork, photography, poetry, creative writing, etc. for possible publication in print and on the web. To have your work considered, send hard copy or disc to P.O. Box 412 in Belleville, IL 62222. Digital submissions should be 300dpi and can be e-mailed to editor@straightupmagazine.net.

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