PN
ST. LOUIS’ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT INDEPENDENT PRESS VOLUME 1, EDITION 2 | AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018 | FREE
PUBLIC NEWS
UNDIE-ROCK WITH
THE SKIVVIES NEWS THEATRE FILM SPOTLIGHT
ST. LOUIS MICROBREWERIES & COMEDY SCENE page 9
MUSIC DINING ART HUMOR POP CULTURE LETTER RIP
COLUMNS
page 3
page 4
CENSORSHIP MY @$$
CROSSING ABBEY ROAD
2
ART
ART FROM FAR OFF PLACES THE PACIFIC (MO) OPERA HOUSE 2
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
PUBLIC NEWS
www.stlouispublicnews.com
PUBLIC NEWS #2 August 15 - 28, 2018 CONTENTS
3
LETTER RIP
CENSORSHIP MY @$$ Dear Readers,
2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 14 15
ART LETTER RIP ANDY SINGER BEST BET NEWSBITS ASK JODY ELECTION RECAP EVENTS/THE MUNY SPOTLIGHT COVER STORY: THE SKIVVIES LIVE MUSIC LISTINGS PUBLIC NOISE FOODIE FOODIE PIC OF THE WEEK FILM CAPS & PICKS
PUBLIC NEWS IS LOOKING FOR FAST LEARNERS WHO WANT TO MAKE AN IMPACT AND CHANGE THEIR WORLD
YouTube will lose out to Vimeo or other video platforms. Instagram will lose out to You would have to either have lived out of Flicker. Google has already seen the crosshairs of Congressional action to break up a cave or with your head in the sand if you were not aware of the recent trend of major their monopolistic hold on web technology. [History buffs note: Microsoft and Internet social media players Explorer]. And don’t get me started on Apple silencing with those/ as I have felt no love for them since they whom they disagree. tied my music collection to their devices It’s almost as if Lois Lerner was running the and servers. It’s because of this that I have become an Android fan. Alphabet companies. So, what do we as American citizens do? These are the new faces Digital media in a social media context is in mainstream media. free media. It exists to the pleasure of its These major players: users. You know, we the people. UnfortuFacebook, YouTube, nately for us, we have become sheep and Google, Apple and Ken Petty Instagram are shuttering numbers (read: audience) that are sold to the accounts that belong to, highest bidder. Does anyone really think that advertising on social media really makes a generally, conservative thinkers like Prager U, somewhat controversial pundits like Alex difference? Now the social media giants have stooped Jones and now libertarians like those that ran the Ron Paul think tank. This is absolute to being bullies. Bullies to those who do not participate in group think. Granted, madness on the part of mainstream media, media plays a huge role in helping form the of which I am not a fan of, and it will get worse. Dissenting thoughts and dialogue are dialogue that eventually makes its way to the being silenced by corporate America (mostly floor of legislative bodies. It was newspaper editors back in the day that spoke about endleftist sympathizers) in such a way that ing slavery, ending the national bank, giving seems like high-tech bullying. women the right to vote, etc. Media played Don’t get me wrong, leftist and hard core liberals should be allowed to have their say. and will continue to play a vital role in formThey always have. Same goes with the right, ing a national / regional / local discussion of the issues that our representatives in DC and moderates, libertarians and the like. But Jefferson City will not. when you silence those you disagree with, The guarantee of a free press (free as in and you control the very technology we communicate with, you’ve screwed with the unshackled) is codified in the US Constitution. Don’t let these companies get away wrong pooch. with bullying. You’ll never know if you will The blow back is on its way. Tech combe the next one to be silenced. panies may have a huge market share, but when you use your might to silence the Letters to the editor can be emailed to us at: weak or less popular, you open the door to editor@stlouispublicnews.com alternative means to an end. Facebook will give way to MeWe, Gab or a host of others. or snail mailed to us at: PO Box 270036 St. Louis, Missouri 63127
CALL 832-818-8969 PUBLIC NEWS
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
3
4
COLUMNS
BILL BEGGS JR.
CROSSING ABBEY ROAD
dation of my musical advisor Paul E. Mitchell, whose praises I will forever sing, as it was he who talked me out of stumbling as a fledgling collector into the doomed world of 8-track. Never have I been startled out of an Abbey Road reverie by the loud ka-Chunk of a cartridge changing tracks. With headphones I became one with the Fab Four’s ever-expanding sonic palette, voyaging across their universe over and again. But wow, man; that was even before I tried pot. I was about 25 when I crossed Abbey Road a second time, spending more than $20 for a half-speed-mastered copy from Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab in 1980. I seem to recall donating the original to my next-door neighbor in Atlanta, whom I shall not name because he may actually have paid for it by joint. All I still know about MFSL is that the records weighed more—and there was practically no surface noise, the bane of my listening experience. Ten years after my first time, “Come y first time crossing Abbey Road was in singles. art class, in 1969, when I was in 9th grade. At home, the sound emanating from my plastic Together” had come together, again. Deeper, richer… with only a few of those frigging snaps, Another kid put the just-released Beatles album Sears record changer changed me. I had to crackles and pops. on the battered record player, a mono contrapwriggle my head between the immobile speakI didn’t realize with the new recording that, tion that folded up like a suitcase so an A.V. ers, trying not to bump against the record, to get dork could transport it to a class that had to some stereo. In good time a better system—with while how I listened would remain essentially unchanged, Abbey Road had begun rising to watch a filmstrip. speakers I could move, then Koss headphones It didn’t matter that the needle was already with fluid-filled earpads, so heavy the top of my meet me. Six years later I crossed Abbey Road my third 15 years old, or the single oval speaker wasn’t head hurt—came together. time. I bought a copy on CD, actually having the much bigger than a coffee cup. The last music “Come Together” was to become the litmus discretionary income to pay for it. On a Sony The Beatles ever recorded together sounded test. In 9th grade I didn’t know there was bass Walkman, “Come Together” just came together glorious. (On the album cover Paul is the only at all, much less that undead Paul played it. As Beatle barefoot in the crosswalk, the only one a sophomore, I started feeling the pretty Beatles faster. I could cue it up instantaneously, and it sounded just fine, with nary an unwanted noise with the head of his shadow obscured. Was there deep Thum-thum in my torso, synced with the except when I pushed a button to repeat or a message on the Volkswagen license plate in the rapid Ship-dik-dih-dih-dih-dish, bum-ba-dabackground? But he wasn’t really dead. Was he?) bum-ba-da-bum-ba-da-bum (I know, right?) of change tracks. But by then Abbey Road had opened up to I rode my Raleigh 3-speed up to Village Hobby percussion, some by Ringo, maybe, all miracuothers. I’d started playing “my” music profesin Greenlawn, on the north shore of Long Islously George Martinized. sionally, and Abbey Road always came along for land, and spent lawnmowing money on my very I bought a Garrard turntable as a junior and first 33⅓ LP from the old lady who’d first sold the headphones my senior year, both by mail or- the ride, just “Because.” It was hardly necessary. me plastic model airplane kits, then 45 RPM der from Burstein-Applebee on the recommen- Since starting to deejay in 1985, I’ve played a
M
little “Something”… “Because”, maybe… and definitely, as I go grey, “When I’m 64”. Meanwhile, I downsized my record collection, replacing most of my favorite LPs with CDs. Then I bought scores upon dozens of the remastered versions as they came out, trading in the first-generation CDs… some of which did sound kinda tinny. In 2009, Apple remastered all the Beatles albums. I replaced everything except Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Abbey Road; those CDs sounded fine to me. I replaced the doubledisc “White Album” only because “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” began, annoyingly, with a split-second “Bungalow Bill” leftover. As an aside, when “Sgt. Pepper” was released on CD to great fanfare in 1987, I sold my LP to Mikey Heidorn, then-drummer for Uncle Tupelo who worked production at the newspaper chain where I was the copyeditor who wrote a column. Young fellow must have been prescient about the resurgence of vinyl 20 years hence. He also bought a diamond ring I still had from a previous engagement. Hope he was right about that, too. At any rate, he’s also played in Jay Farrar’s Son Volt half of the late, lamented Uncle Tupelo, the other half of which is Jeff Tweedy’s Wilco. Is not such a digression forgivable in a column, even if mostly to name-drop? Good. Mariah Carey is from Greenlawn. And I rode on an elevator with Daryl Hall. The other day I crossed Abbey Road a fourth time, at age 55. At Slacker’s I orphaned a few dozen CDs for the 2009 remaster… plus a Cat Power, a Jeff Buckley, a Ministry and two Animal Collective titles. As I stare down mortality, I don’t think I need to listen to No Strings Attached by *NSYNC or Britney Spears’ Oops… I Did It Again again to make sure there’s not just one more good song on them. The remix of
ABBEY ROAD continued on page 5 EDITORIAL CHAIRMAN: Ken Petty MANAGING EDITOR: by committee MUSIC EDITOR: Mark Crampton FOOD EDITOR: open position FILM EDITOR: open position ART EDITOR: open position EVENT CALENDAR EDITOR: open position CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Bill Beggs Jr., Mark Crampton, Lara Csengody, Roxanne Davis, Brian Doolittle, Susan Love Fitts, Cindy Groover, Luke W. Henderson, Sherry Morgan, Vicki Nash, David Paster, Anna ‘Pinion’ Pena, Andy Singer
Public News is a free news, arts & entertainment fortnightly published on Wednesday and distributed to over 1,000 locations in and around metro St. Louis. We welcome community news, press releases, and article ideas; sent by mail or email. Deadline for calendar items and advertising is the Friday prior to our publication date. Letters to the Editor and filtered Hate Mail are always encouraged. www.stlouispublicnews.com Contents of Public News are the sole property of Public News, LLC. and are protected under copyright. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher... and he does check things out from time to time. You are encouraged to share your copy of the Public News with as many friends as you’d like! #StLPublicNews
DUE DATE FOR ALL EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS IS 5pm THURSDAYS AND ADVERTISING IS 5pm FRIDAYS PRIOR TO PUBLICATION DATE
PUBLIC NEWS
4
www.andysinger.com
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
PO Box 270036 St. Louis, MO 63127
PUBLIC NEWS
www.stlouispublicnews.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Ken Petty, Lara Csengody GRAPHICS/LAYOUT: Ken Petty ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Ken Petty, Alex Key DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS: Issuu, Press Reader FAKE CELEBRITY INTERN: Chuck Norris
Contact Us: Website
www.stlouispublicnews.com
General Information.......... info@stlouispublicnews.com Letters To The Editor...... editor@stlouispublicnews.com News & Press Releases.. news@stlouispublicnews.com Events for Calendar...... events@stlouispublicnews.com Music/Venue News...... music@stlouispublicnews.com Advertising........................ ads@stlouispublicnews.com Writer Submissions....... writers@stlouispublicnews.com
832-818-8969 © 2018 Public News, all rights reserved
5
BEST BET
Natalie Prass? Hell, Yass! Thank the good lord for drugs. Because if I hadn’t been running low on my bloodpressure meds, I may never have heard that sweet, soulful voice. Natalie Prass is one of those little miracles the universe bestows upon me through the ether, usually via KDHX (88.1 FM). I’d had the radio on for less than five minutes on a short prescription run. She was good for what ails me, and I wasn’t even ailing. Her management might be loath to bill her as retro, but her music is from somewhere else, some other time. The first song I heard of hers was a slice of Anita Baker… without the funk almost boiled out of it, as was much of mid-1980s Quiet Storm radio. Short Court Style is a timeless gem you Must. Download. Now. (Speaking of Anita Baker, Prass covers her 1986 hit—Caught Up in the Rapture—on a 2015 “live in the studio” EP.)
NATALIE PRASS
ABBEY ROAD continued from page 4 *NSYNC’s “Girlfriend” ft. Nelly is already among the 29,000-plus songs crowding out everything else on my laptop, and I’ve a backup on NOW That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 321, XYZ… Although becoming the perfect lifetime consumer for record companies was certainly not my intent, I download honestly, too. I’m not a saint, just a-skeered of viruses. Full disclosure: I personally boosted Maxell’s stock by making mix tapes all through the 1980s and ’90s. I’ve downloaded a couple CDs people have loaned me—maybe they even got them from the library. And I’ve burned a few CDs to give to friends, of course. Perhaps two. Or three. Hundred. Meanwhile my teenage son, Henry, has started to dig vinyl. Fortunately, he has 22 crates to dig through… and access to my top-o’-the-line Technics turntable, the one that club deejays have preferred for years. There’s still plenty of good stuff for him to discover, maybe sample and remix. Then mash up on his Mac. Wish I’d known. Last year I sold the half-speed mastered Abbey Road for $20. Didn’t mean to cross my own son. But I have yet another Abbey Road crossing of my own to make. I loaded the new CD onto my laptop, then promptly filed it. I leisurely converted a few tracks to mp3 for my new deejay system, which uses the SD cards designed for a digital camera, because maybe I’ll play “Something” again sometime. “Come Together” does sound fabulous on my iPod. But is it the best ever? On a CD player, through headphones, I’m sure Abbey Road will sound fabulous. But I doubt it will have the emotional impact it did when we listened to side 1, then side 2, on the school record player back in ’69. I’m not even sure I’ll get beyond “Come To-
gether”. There’s just so much other music I need to get to now. A lot of it, a helluva lot more than I care to admit, has yet to be unwrapped. Postscript, July 4, 2017: The entire Beatles catalog was released on iTunes. I could cross Abbey Road a fifth time, I reckon. But there were only four Beatles… and I don’t think I’ll cross another time in honor of Brian Epstein, Stu Sutcliffe or Pete Best. Anyhow, maybe I listened to the remastered CD once, probably only getting through “Come Together” before falling asleep and waking up with my earbuds on my face. (Meanwhile, I’d sold all 22 Peaches crates of LPs to Euclid Records to get them out of my ex’s basement. They offered $800, and she persuaded me to ask $200 more, which they gave me.) This was right before vinyl started selling like hotcakes to millennials. Just a year or so later, 2015 I believe, Slackers helped me load two flatbed carts and carry 95 percent of my CD collection into the mall. I made three thousand bucks. And when I left the store, I had the most peculiar sensation… I felt that a tremendous weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The rare and collectible LPs that I’d displayed on the mantel of my apartment for the six years before I remarried? They languished in storage for a year or so with furniture, stereo speakers, more CDs, etc., etc. … for $175 a month. Eventually Cate and I surrendered most everything to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, abandoned the space, and Public Storage stopped automatically deducting rent from my checking account. Today, Abbey Road is on my laptop’s external hard drive—much of it’s on an iPod, too. “Come Together” still sounds dope! Recently, I found out that my friend Mitchel Smith also backed all of that up himself and keeps a duplicate for me on a server in his basement.
the show, but they’re $15… $18 day of show. It’s an all-ages gig, with a $2 surcharge for minors. More about her sophomore release, “The Future and the Past,” on which Short Court Style appears: Oh My—with its stuttering, chunk-a chunk-a guitar and whelming, not quite overwhelming, bass—evokes the edgy, harder sound of early-Seventies soul. Music reflected the fear and loathing oozing 45 years ago from a political crisis sparked not the least by nefarious doings in, and in behalf of, The White House by Nixon and his minions.
If that sounds familiar, it helps explain a record that was all but ready to record in November 2016. Upon the realization that every day she’d have to think about the unthinkable, after an unexpected president was elected, Prass abandoned her completed work and started afresh, channeling It Is You, from her eponymous 2014 her frustration and anger, her soul, into debut, could have been lifted from a turn of new songs. Sisters could be a manifesto— the (20th) century musical at the Muny. Her rather, a “femifesto,” her anthem for a new voice a coo, light as a butterfly, Prass could generation of protesters in pink pussy hats. just as well be singing in French. Imagine a Backed up by female singers, and why not, yet-to-be-written scene where she’s strollPrass sings… “I wanna say it loud / For all ing along the Rive Gauche arm in arm with the ones held down / We gotta change the some dude (OK; garçon) who hasn’t a clue plan.” how lucky he is. The album finally hit the street June 1. On All of this is crucial and urgent because one hand, it is very much a protest record. Prass plays the Duck Room at Blueberry But it’s also rich with love songs for adults, Hill on Friday at 8 p.m. Doors, 7 p.m. as her upcoming show surely should be. Opening act, at presstime, was TBA. Not that there’s much time to buy tickets before
Can’t find a copy of the Public News or missed a back issue? No Problem! All back issues are available as digital downloads on our website: www.stlouispublicnews.com as well at www.issuu.com/stlouispublicnews
ONE GOOD TEST IS WORTH A THOUSAND EXPERT OPINIONS -Wernher Von Braun PUBLIC NEWS
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
5
6
NEWSBITS
The CBD Movement Enters ‘The Show-Me State’ by Lara Csengody Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is available for overthe-counter purchases in the “Show-me State” and its all-natural presence is quickly covering ground. In 2014, the Farm Bill legislation permitted the cultivation of industrial hemp on state soil. After which, former Governor Matt Blunt signed House Bill 2238 which granted the Department of Agriculture to grow a low THC variety of Hemp. Specifically, these two pieces of legislature cultivated the CBD Movement to legally flourish in Missouri. Cannabidiol (CBD) among other cannabinoids offer medicinal properties with tremendous value and no side-effects. CBD oil is derived from Industrial Hemp which contains a THC level below 0.3%. Given the positive research that CBD has on seizures, tremors, arthritis to promoting cell suicide in cancer cells, Cannabis is quite possibly the missing link to self-care. Cbd Invigorates The Body’s Internal Systems
CUSTOMER NATALIE MASTERSON AND HER DOG STORM WITH DEVIN ALLGAIER AND ALEX KEY
Replenishing the ECS (Endocannabinoid system), CBD effectively stimulates CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the body. Therein, Cannabidiol naturally promotes the body to create its own cannabinoids which help in regulating its complex internal systems. Supplying patients with a natural supplement that acts as an adaptogen with no side effects, CBD is also an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-epileptic, anti-psychotic, anti-spasmodic, anti-cancer, anti-diarrheal, anti-ischemic, anti-diabetic and anti-emetic. Devin Allgaier is the owner of The CBD Store on 3522 Lemay Ferry Rd in the Lemay Ferry Township. When learning more about how CBD
positively impacts the body, he said: “You have cannabinoid receptors all over your body: connective tissues, immune system, your digestive system and your brain. Your body naturally produces cannabinoids already. It’s a part of your Endocannabinoid System. Its main goal is homeostasis so that there’s a balance and your system is in the perfect environment to thrive. Every vertebrate has an Endocannabinoid System. It’s very important since it’s one of the largest regulatory systems in the body affecting blood pressure, blood sugar, all the way down to the acid levels of your stomach. CBD is very beneficial even if you don’t have something wrong with you, CBD is also preventative since its anti-tumoral.” Join The CBD Movement at The CBD Store While CBD Oils are for sale online there’s also the more organic choice to support local businesses in Saint Louis such as The CBD Store. Not only do they have a dynamic patented technology in their Water Soluble Full-Spectrum Cannabis Oil, it’s also up to nine times more bioavailable than other hemp oils. “We do free samples in-store. They say ‘The proof is in the pudding,’ and most people notice something in 5-10 minutes. We also carry Topicals like lotion or even stronger topicals that are great for pain and neuropathy that we let people try out in the store.” Selling CBD products at The CBD Store 7 days a week, from 11 am to 7 pm, Devin also actively teaches his customers about the ECS system and how it directly corresponds with CBD.
ASK JODY
A LITTLE BIO ON ME AND THE NEGLECTED GIRLFRIEND
Once upon a time there was a teenager named Jody whose friends would flock to her for advice. She was a great listener and empathized with the plight of the human race. She earned a Masters in Clinical Psychology and went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor and also a Special Education teacher. These two roles helped prepare her for the biggest role of her life (drum roll please)...the one role that combines countless fields of expertise, such as counseling, teaching, nursing, cooking, chauffeuring, ad nauseam. The fairy tale doesn’t end with her becoming a princess, but she has landed the all-encompassing role of Mom! So now that she has many years of life experience, she would like to reach out to a broader audience and help anyone who would like some advice, no matter what stage of life
6
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
they are in. So, let’s go!
I feel the pain through your words, and I wish I could give you a big hug. Either one of Dear Jody, two things is likely going on. My boyfriend has been acting kind of weird Either your boyfriend is a really nice guy and lately. He makes plans with me and then cancels doesn’t say no to a person in need, or he is at the last minute. He has a different excuse each a coward and just phasing you out in hopes time. One time he said that his friend just had that you will be the one to break up with him. a bad breakup and needed to talk. Last time it If he is really helping people in need, then I was that his mom’s car broke down and he had would recommend communicating your needs to drive her to an appointment. I really like him, to him and share with him how you feel when but I am beginning to think that maybe he wants he doesn’t follow through with the plans he to end our relationship. makes with you. If he is hoping you will break I’ve been afraid to bring it up to him, but I feel up with him, my advice is the same communilike I am being slowly pushed out of his life. cate with him how you are feeling and don’t What should I do? drag it out any longer. It is better to know Sincerely, Feeling Neglected sooner rather than later so you can move on with your life. Either way, communication is Dear Feeling Neglected, key.
PUBLIC NEWS
www.stlouispublicnews.com
FREE CLASSIFIED FRIDAY! CLASSIFIED ADS EMAILED TO PUBLIC NEWS, ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE WE PUBLISH, WILL SEE THEIR AD RUN FREE OF CHARGE IN THE UPCOMING ISSUE! (PENDING SPACE LIMITATIONS)
7
ELECTION AFTERMATH
MISSOURI PRIMARIES 2018
SENATE PRIMARY PARTICIPATION BEATS LAST FOUR PRIMARIES by Luke W. Henderson office has sparked many citizens Dhighest to get involved and seek change to what onald Trump’s election to the country’s
they see as a troubled United States. The enthusiasm was evident in the number of candidates each party had vying for incumbent Claire McCaskill’s senate seat. The senator’s last run for reelection contained no opposition, while the Republicans ran 8 candidates with Todd Akin winning the nomination. This year, both party’s ballots were jam packed, consisting of seven Democrats and eleven Republicans. Despite the increased competition, the longtime presumptive nominees Claire McCaskill and Josh Hawley won handily, the Democrat garnering 82.6% of the vote and the Republican 58.6%.
election run by nearly 400,000. The biggest change from previous primaries was the number of Democratic voters who cast their ballot which almost doubled 2016s total and nearly matched Republican participation. That fact is astounding considering that Missouri has typically been a red state and 19% more people voted for Donald Trump than did for Hillary Clinton according to Politico.
ism within Democratic circles. St. Louis neighborhoods seem to have been flooded with yard signs supporting one Democrat or another and one would be hard pressed to find a Republican sign blessing any yard. Participation in the GOP primary was nearly identical from 2016 and only slightly larger than the previous two primaries, suggesting little growth in the base since the last election.
Growth in the Democratic primary could have been attributed to the wide swath of candidates this time, but it could also imply that there’s a rising enthusiasm and activ-
With quite similar vote totals, the predicted contentiousness and Fox News’ “toss-up” power ranking for the November general election is all but confirmed. The race was
However, most shocking about the primary was the voter turnout that beat the last three senatorial primaries immensely. According to Politico’s live coverage, nearly 1.3 million Missourian’s participated in the Senatorial primary, which topped Senator Roy Blunt’s 2016 primary by almost 300,000 and McCaskill’s last
LIKE US ON www.facebook.com/stlouispn/
already predicted to be “one of the nastiest, most closely contested and expensive elections in the nation,” by NBC in April and McCaskill has been noted in multiple media outlets as being in trouble of losing her seat. McCaskill currently far exceeds Hawley in fund-raising, raising $4.3 million last quarter compared to Hawley’s $1.87 million according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s June report. Hawley has the support of President Trump, who stated during his visit to Kansas City for the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention “we need Josh badly,” Vice-President Mike Pence and Senator Mitch McConnell, which is sure to assist in his race, but there were also concerns of him “squandering” his campaign because of his poor attendance at GOP events. Republican Rep. Ann Wagner told Politico in May “I try not to tell candidates how to run their races […], but you gotta show up to win.” Hawley was also previously absent from debates set up by the other GOP candidates. All of this suggests that November is sure to have one of the highest voter turnouts for a midterm election that Missouri has seen in a long time.
GET THE PUBLIC NEWS ON YOUR FAVORITE APP TODAY BOTH ARE FREE!
FOLLOW US ON www.twitter.com/StL_Public_News
Remember, When Times Get Tough...
No Pressure
No Diamond PUBLIC NEWS
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
7
8
EVENTS
The Muny Theater of St. Louis;
ABenchmark for Egalitarianism for a Century story and photos by David Paster St. Louis, within the Smith family, the grandfather, one son and one daughter are portrayed by African-American actors. This delicate balance actually commenced in 1963 with the casting of Pelagio Green and, in 1968, even defied gender norms with the choice of Leonard Drum to play the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz production. Note Leonard Drum’s “sister’s” legs in the prop wagon. Most of all, the Muny serves as a “common / public good” artistic facility that is population encompassing for both the citizenry and welcome visitors to St. Louis, regardless of having or lacking financial means. Yes, a bottle of water at the concession stand runs $6.00 and a pretzel $6.00 more, but there are also drinking fountain located throughout the venue if one chose not to buy a commodity beverage, plus there remains free parking, and most importantly, over fourteen hundred light opera is an authentic one. The producBoth older sister characters named Rose, free seats, replete with unforgiving steel tion itself, complete with adorable child from last week’s production of Gypsy, actors and topped by fireworks, earned its “St. chairs identical in manufacturer to those Gypsy “Rose” Lee and this week of “Rose” that those spectators closer to the stage in the Smith in Meet Me In St. Louis parlait un peu Louis Standing Ovation”. theater pay up to $100 per seat to inhabit. Albeit, one must consider the context of the francais to demonstrate respective sophisticaThere will be guests, like the musical loving film’s source content of this unapologetically tion. Bon mots piped up by these characters couple to whom I sat adjacent, who have been “warm and fuzzy” golden age of the cinematwhilst they are being tamped down. The St. married for 62 years and have held season ic musical storyline. When one reflects on the Louis Municipal Opera, a rose by any other tickets to the Muny for all save the first two juxtaposition of the timing of the release of name, simply “The Muny” embodies a particularly French, aligned with the metropolis’ this film during the horrific military struggles years of matrimony. Further, with multiple tiers of seating, there is an entertainment price and cultural toxicity of World War II, the origin, spirit of Liberté, égalité, fraternité point for tickets that might be considered almost syrupy, mid-west grounded, sentimen(“liberty, equality, fraternity”). comfortable for most seeking a little escape tality cannot only be forgiven but even adEgalitarianism is not a typical hallmark of the theater or descriptive typically employed mired for its inherent emotional transparency for reality’s bonds. The audience calculus dictates that a “free and spiritual purity that explores first-loves to exalt the genre’s too-often exclusionary seat” patron is just as important a part of the and familial bonds. attributes. Musical theater is not “high art” crowd composition as the The Muny, over its admirable 100-year by intent and design, but rather is thoroughly premium paying showtunes service as an institutional entertainment comfortable in its existence as middle-brow diversion has practiced tenants of being egali- and jazz hands aficionado. populist. The Muny’s choice of the centurymark finale performance of a revised interpre- tarian from casting to viewing opportunities, One report from a free seat guest was that a whole famtation of the 1944 MGM classic musical as a maintaining a multi-generational appeal. ily enjoyed the show with A concurrent exhibit celebrating a picnic basket of victuals. Bringing one’s own nourishthe Muny’s milement to the free seats is not stone is presently only accepted but actually on display at the historically encouraged. For Missouri History Museum (aka: The the grand price of nothing, this family, four youngsters Jefferson Memoin toe, was able to partake in rial). The images a cultural engagement and be included within the beneficiaries of a night’s this piece are appremium quality theatrical propriated from entertainment. said exhibit. The St. Louis Municipal In a city burOpera; The Muny is a venue dened by fragile of superlatives…oldest, largrace relations, the Muny refreshingly est, but most importantly it is civic mindedly recognized practices coloras a locale of integrative blind or nontraprogress that is assured to ditional casting. continue with its mission of In Meet Me in
8
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
PUBLIC NEWS
www.stlouispublicnews.com
communal inclusivity. The lights shall assuredly continue to shine bright upon this beacon of St. Louis spirited communal equity, especially with its planned radical renovation. As artificial as a casino visitation can be is as authentic an entertainment experience as an evening at the Muny is. The visceral changes in weather and skyscape, enveloping darkness and lessening oppressive St. Louis-style heat marking the passing of time, provides an extraordinary environment for a genuine get away “right here in St. Louis” .
9
SPOTLIGHT
St. Louis Microbreweries are Buzzing in Beer Town by Alex Key St. Louis has rightfully earned the reputation of being a beer drinking town, thanks in part to being the longtime headquarters of an internationally famed brewery, AnheuserBusch. Truth is, the storied tradition of brewing began before that macro brand and continues with local microbreweries abound. Overall, each microbrewery brings unique offerings and atmospheres, but each elicits the essential feelings of passion and community, ultimately bringing people together. New, Popular, and Family Friendly Microbreweries in Saint Louis
4 Hands Brewing Company, located downtown off South 8th Street, is one of the most notorious microbreweries. Their hand-crafted beers are available at bars and restaurants all over town including my personal favorite, the City Wide American Pale Ale. The facility is enormous, downstairs has a full bar, retail shop, and a small kitchen with food by Peacemaker and Sidney Street Cafe. Upstairs a full tasting room complete with free arcade games and ski-ball. If you want to see how the magic is made, the rest of the facility is available for tours.
Square One Brewery & Distillery, located in Historic Lafayette Square, is in a beautifully restored, old tavern building. The two-storied The Center Ice Brewing Company, located inside contains a retail shop, full bar, dining downtown on Olive Street, is a brand new area with full menu, and event/banquet room. brewery crafted for St. Louis Blues and hockey Outside contains a scenic courtyard patio fans alike. It has an intimate setting with large for dining that is dog-friendly. Square One is TVs on nearly every wall and even shuttles to unique, producing both a wide selection of Blues games. The in-house brews are delecbeers, spirits, and food. Their delicious beers table and appropriately named, including the range from light, the summer seasonal Spicy Red Line Ale and Puck O’ The Irish Stout. Blonde, to dark, the imperial stout Barley Located next to Pappy’s Smokehouse and Wine. Their spirits use natural ingredients Southern, patrons can order food delivered creating unique flavors ranging from whiskey without missing any of the action. Make note, to rum, gin, vodka, and absinthe. the main entrance and parking are in the back. Rise Like Foam and Support Local St. Louis Breweries Second Shift Brewing, operating since 2010, recently opened a new warehouse and tastIf you’re interested in learning more about St. ing room off of Sublette Avenue on The Hill. Louis breweries, The St. Louis Brewers Guild Whether seasonal or year-round, their brews has compiled a website at https://stlbeer.org/. have both flavors and names that beg attenIt features everything brewing related from tion such as Art of Neurosis, Cat Spit Stout, or local history to a summary of every brewery Butt Dial. Guerilla Street Food offers a small in town. Indeed, the best learning comes from menu of eats. Additionally, the Ms. Pacman/ experience. With that in mind, become a conGalaga machine and numerous board games noisseur of amazing microbrewery facilities provide fun for the whole family. in Saint Louis and indulge in their artisanal creations.
The St. Louis Comedy Scene: Liveth, Giveth, Loveth by Lara Csengody
A dynamic win for St. Louis Comedy is the Improv Shop on 3960 Chouteau, 63110. Its Open Mic is on Mondays with a showtime of 7 pm and a sign-up at 6 PM. In addition, Fatal Bus Accident, a long-form sketch comedy show, hailed as The Riverfront Time’s Best Comedy Show performs at the Improv Shop too. Check out The Improv Shop online for their exact showtimes.
If laughter is the best medicine then get medicated by checking into the STL comedy scene. Hustling and always bustling in the heart of the Midwest, Saint Louis is a metropolitan city that has the chance to laugh it off nightly. A comedian is just the modern day jester of the urban court, making light out of dark and laughter out of pain. Stand-up comedy is a tool wherein, Indie Comedy Rooms Have No Reservations revelry is invoked. In the long run, laughter lengthens life, on the other hand, that’s On the other hand, independent rooms expensive. hosting comedy shows are scattered throughout Saint Louis City and County. Any given day there’s the chance to tap into the funny bone of Saint Louis without Run by tenaciously charismatic comedians, having to necessarily go to the Funny Bone indie stand up comedy shows produce open mics to showcases with a recurrence from nightclub. Surely if you’re in Westport Plaza, there’s that. Funny Bone a nightclub weekly to monthly. Below entails a sprinkling of the indie comedy that’s thriving discreetly tucked into the underbelly of and surviving in Saint Louis, Show-Mea Business plaza on 614 Westport Plaza Drive. For the most part, this is the comedy How-To-Laugh-Missouri. club ghost of Saint Louis Comedy Past. Get ready for the Flyover Comedy FestiLuckily, Saint Louis Comedy Future is out val. Stand-up comedy, sketch, improv, and there if you choose wisely. Look for upstorytelling will be burning and churning in and-coming talent that got it at the Funny Bone Open Mic every Tuesday at 7:30 PM. the Tower Grove on November 8-10th. Weekly on Mondays, The Heavy Anchor at 5226 Gravois, is a Comedy Shipwreck The Midwest Laughs It Off in The St. Open Mic serving rich laughs and cheap Louis Comedy Scene dollar PBRs. 9:30 PM sign-up, 10 PM show. The act and process of stand-up comedy On Wednesday night, if Maplewood had do have its highs and its lows both of which can be funny. Such as the club scene a dive bar, it’s a solid bet that it’d be The Crow’s Nest. Dive in to come up at Wild wherein Helium Comedy Club, located in the St. Louis Galleria is pulling street cred- Card Wednesday Night Comedy. It pops off at 7336 Manchester with a 10 PM Sign-up it. They host a vibrant array of comedians on their club’s bill as well as a bubbly base- and a 10:30 PM Show. Embrace laughter on Aug 23, 2018, at ment. An open mic does have the potential 8 pm, with Coffee Break. An irreverent to become an open casket. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Helium’s Open Mic stand-up comedy show produced on a fluctuating monthly basis at Foam Coffee shop, showcasing the snap, crackle, and pop of 3359 S Jefferson, 63118. rising talent at 8 PM on Wednesday night.
PUBLIC NEWS
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
9
10
COVER STORY
UNDIE-ROCK WITH
THE SKIVVIES by mark crampton
I’ll bet that not too many of you readers out there in St. Louis are familiar with a music sub-category styled UNDIE-ROCK - which is – WOW! What a concept! - music performed by groups playing public shows while clad ONLY in their UNDERWEAR! Nick Cearley of the burlesque/ comedy/music group The Skivvies [Home page: https://www.theskivviesnyc.com/] claims that he, in fact, coined the term back about 2009 or so. During research for this article, I had posted a request on Facebook for information about any bands who play or played in their underwear, and got several responses. 10
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
Most mentioned were The Red Hot Chili Peppers [Home page: http://redhotchilipeppers.com/] who supposedly, at the bands’ beginnings in the early ‘80s played shows wearing only socks sheathing their genitalia. NOT a band I ever listened to or followed, so I personally don’t know. However, in researching, I found NO evidence of this supposed practice on the bands website, Face Book page, Wikipedia, or on independent media photo pages. I cannot locate a single photo or video of such – but there are lots of photos/videos of band members in early days playing bare-chested in surfer shorts and body paint. So if any of you readPUBLIC NEWS
ers CAN document this – possible urban legend – please send it to me! Just to satisfy my curiosity. And, similarly, I was told that at one Lollapalooza (no year given) Rage Against the Machine [Home page: https://www.ratm.com/] played a set while clad only in socks on THEIR privates. Categorically not my kind of music, so once more, I personally don’t know! Again, I searched videos from the Lollapaloozas this group did play, and their web site, and media photo pages, and cannot find anything to verify this – so, another possible urban legend. Once more, if any of you readers can prove or disprove it, send me the links, OK? Just to
www.stlouispublicnews.com
satisfy my curiosity. One reader said that Tool [Home page: https://www.toolband.com/] played the ’92 Lollapalooza in their underwear – except I found that Tool didn’t first play Lollapalooza until ’93 – and then, fully dressed. Not even an urban legend. However, one reply did provide the link to an Austin “Street Rock” group G.O.A.T. and Your M.O.M. [Face Book: https://www.facebook. com/goatandyourmomofficial/] whose front man Michael Anthony (NO, he’s a DIFFERENT Michael Anthony!) wears ONLY a Texas flag thong, hat and cape on stage. Be forewarned, if you look them up, they are SO far beyond “Shock
Rock” – well, Anthony often invites audience members – men or women – to come up and masturbate him on stage! Obviously, they do NOT play a lot of mainstream venues! And NO, I am NEVER doing an article on them! Don’t ask! I don’t even know it they’re still together. Just this mention was bad enough! But now we finally come to the actual subject group of this article, the burlesque/comedy musical group The Skivvies, who HAVE firmly developed and celebrate UNDIEROCK on stage and video! Nick Cearley [Home page: http:// www.nickcearley.com/] and Lauren Molina [Home page: http:// laurenmolina.com/] first met in 2003, when they both performed in Theatreworks USA [Home page: https://twusa.org/]. Nick and Lauren lead full but hectic schedules as musicians and actors, so it was credible that they became friends, then musical partners. They performed a musical duo act together in NYC clubs for several years. Between other stage and show productions, that is, in which they appeared singly and together. In fact, Nick and Lauren played Brad and Janet in a 2013 Bucks County (PA) Playhouse [Home page: http://bcptheater.org/] production of The Rocky Horror Show.
I found a couple of videos of Nick’s solo performances from this production on YouTube, but none of the pair singing together, or Lauren solo. In 2012 Nick and Lauren finished fine-tuning their underwear-clad burlesque/comedy concept, and began billing themselves as The Skivvies, by recording several videos which they launched on YouTube. [NOTE: From the URBAN DICTIONARY: Skivvies is slang for underwear, generally mens’ trunks or briefs . . . Can also be applied to swimwear or other skimpy items of clothing.] Well, their videos were so popular and developed such a following, that The Skivvies soon had a successful posse of followers, and a live stage show, headlining at several NYC clubs . They developed a style of singing musical mash-ups - songs with similar themes interspersed with gags, short skits, and audi-
ence interaction. And, of course, both Nick and Lauren, as do all their band members and musical guests, appear in ONLY their underwear on stage. With their mutual connections to Broadway and show business, it stands to reason that The Skivvies would indeed have numerous talented guests (both male and female) willing to perform with them – even if they are required to strip down to their underwear! In truth, many guests seem to enjoy that part of the performance so much, they sometimes do strip routines as part of their act! As an added bonus and crossover, Lauren is ALSO a member of Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
PUBLIC NEWS
[Home page: http://postmodernjukebox.com/], and has played her cello in several of their videos (fully clad for PMJ, of course!) In turn, several members of PMJ often guest on The Skivvies’ stage: Morgan James [Home page: http:// ww.morganjamesonline.com/] and Robyn Adele Anderson [Home page: http://www.robynadele.com/] guest regularly. New York City is the home base for The Skivvies, where they perform frequently at Joe’s Pub, 54 Below and other NYC venues, and additional clubs in the northwest. They also frequently get out to the West Coast, and have played Las Vegas several times. Check their schedule on their website - http:// www.theskivviesnyc.com/shows. html – if you are traveling and close, it would be worth it to see The Skivvies in person!
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
11
12
LIVE MUSIC LISTINGS
1860 Saloon 1860 S 9th St, St. Louis, MO 63104 Phone: (314) 231-1860 Genre: Blues Neighborhood: Soulard www.1860saloon.com August Music Calendar: Weds. 15th - 6-8 Steve Reeb, 9-1 Blues Jam Session hosted by Fred Pierce & Co. Thurs. 16th - 9-1 Everett Dean & the Lonesome Hearts Fri. 17th - 6-8 Rick Green on acoustic guitar, 9-1 The Ross Bell Band Sat. 18th - 2-6 Soul Reunion, 9-1 The Stingers Band Sun. 19th - 2-6 Fred Pierce & Co., 7:30-11:30 Coupe Deville Mon. 20th - 8-11 Third Avenue A Jazz Tues. 21st - 9-1 Open Mic Night Hosted by Tim Perry Weds. 22nd - 6-8 Steve Reeb, 9-1 Blues Jam Session hosted by Fred Pierce & Co. Thurs. 23rd - 9-1 Everett Dean & the Lonesome Hearts Fri. 24th - 6-8 Rick Green on acoustic guitar, 9-1 Big Mike Aguirre & the Blues City All Stars Sat. 25th - 2-6 Soul Reunion, 9-1 Marsha Evans & the Coalition Sun. 26th - 2-6 Fred Pierce & Co., 7:30-11:30 Michael Thomas & Travelin’ Mon. 27th - 9-1 Dallas Murphy plays Americana Music Tues. 28th - 9-1 Open Mic Night Hosted by Tim Perry Weds. 29th - 6-8 Steve Reeb, 9-1 Blues Jam Session hosted by Fred Pierce & Co. Thurs. 30th - 9-1 Everett Dean & the Lonesome Hearts Fri. 31st - 6-8 Rick Green on acoustic guitar, 9-1 Patti & the Hitman Sat. Sept. 1st - 2-6 Soul Reunion, 9-1 Torrey Casey & the Southside Hustle Atomic Cowboy 4140 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 Phone: (314) 775-0775 Genre: Americana, Alt Rock, Folk Rock Neighborhood: The Grove www.atomiccowboystl.com BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups 700 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102 Phone: (314) 436-5222 Genre: Blues and Jazz
Neighborhood: Downtown www.bbsjazzbluessoups.com Beale on Broadway 701 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102 Phone: (314) 621-7880 Genre: Blues, Soul, R&B, Roots/Rockabilly Neighborhood: Downtown www.bealeonbroadway.com Blueberry Hill 6504 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130 Phone: (314) 727-4444 Genre: Rock, R&B, Rockabilly Neighborhood: The Loop www.blueberryhill.com Blues City Deli 2438 McNair Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104 Phone: (314) 773-8225 Genre: Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass Neighborhood: Benton Park www.bluescitydeli.com Bottleneck Blues Bar One Ameristar Blvd. St. Charles, MO 63301 Phone: (636) 940-4387 Genre: Blues, Rock, Country Neighborhood: St. Charles www.bottleneckbluesbar.com Broadway Oyster Bar 736 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102 Phone: (314) 621-8811 Genre: Blues, Rock, Reggae, Cajun, R&B, Soul, Funk, Bluegrass Neighborhood: Downtown www.broadwayoysterbar.com The Dark Room 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63103 Phone: (314) 776-9550 Genre: Jazz, Soul Neighborhood: Grand Center www.thedarkroomstl.com Evangeline’s Bistro & Music House 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108 Phone: (314) 367-3644 Genre: Jazz, Swing, Americana, Roots Neighborhood: Central West End
www.evangelinesstl.com Hammerstones 2028 S 9th St, St. Louis, MO 63104 Phone: (314) 773-5565 Genre: Blues Neighborhood: Soulard www.hammerstones.net The Heavy Anchor 5226 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116 Phone: (314) 352-5226 Genre: Original Rock, Punk, Alt Rock Neighborhood: South City www.theheavyanchor.com Helen Fitzgerald’s 3650 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63127 Phone: (314) 984-0026 Genre: Rock, Dance, Tribute Bands Neighborhood: South County www.helenfitzgeralds.com Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre 14141 Riverport Dr, Maryland Heights, MO 63043 Genre: National Touring Acts Neighborhood: West County www,thehollywoodcasinoamphitheatre.com Howl at the Moon 601 Clark Ave, Unit J (Ballpark Village) St. Louis, MO Phone: (314) 736-4695 Genre: Rock, Pop, Country Neighborhood: Downtown www.howlatthemoon.com Jazz at the Bistro 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103 Phone: (314) 571-6000 Genre: Jazz, Blues Neighborhood: Grand Center www.jazzstl.org Kirkwood Station Brewing Co. 105 E Jefferson Ave, Kirkwood, MO 63122 Phone: (314) 966-2739 Genre: Rock, Funk, Tribute Bands Neighborhood: Kirkwood www.kirkwoodstationbrewing.com Main Street Music Club & Coffee Bar
Genre: Local Artists, Rock, Acoustic Location: Festus http://www.facebook.com/mainstreetmusicclub/ McGurk’s 1200 Russell Blvd St. Louis, MO 63104 (314) 776-8309 Genre: Irish Location: Soulard www.mcgurks.com Nathalie’s 4356 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108 Phone: (314) 533-1580 Genre: Jazz, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Neighborhood: Central West End www.nathaliesstl.com The National Blues Museum 615 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101 Phone: (314) 925-0016 Genre: Blues Neighborhood: Downtown www.nationalbluesmuseum.org Off Broadway 3509 Lemp Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118 Genre: Original Rock, Alt Rock, Roots Neighborhood: Cherokee www.offbroadwaystl.com Old Rock House 1200 S 7th St, St. Louis, MO 63104 Phone: (314) 588-0505 Genre: Rock, Folk, Roots, Celtic Rock, Alt Rock, Americana Neighborhood: Downtown www.oldrockhouse.com The Pageant 6161 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112 Phone: (314) 726-6161 Genre: National Touring Acts Neighborhood: The Loop www.thepageant.com Peabody Opera House 1400 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103 Genre: National Touring Acts Neighborhood: Downtown www.peabodyoperahouse.com
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T ADVERTISE? IT SUCKS TO BE A MUSICIAN PLAYING FOR A VENUE THAT WILL NOT PROMOTE YOUR GIG..... AND ONLY PAYS YOU A PORTION OF THE DOOR.
...NOTHING! 12
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
PUBLIC NEWS
LET THE PUBLIC NEWS HELP WITH FREE MUSICIAN CLASSIFIEDS
www.stlouispublicnews.com
13
PUBLIC NOISE
Pop’s Blue Moon 5249 Pattison Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 Phone: (314) 776-4200 Genre: Rock, Alternative, Jam Bands, Hard Rock Neighborhood: The Hill www.popsbluemoon.com Powell Hall 718 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103 Genre: Classical and Beyond Neighborhood: Grand Center www.stlsymphony.org The Ready Room 4195 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 Phone: (314) 833-3929 Genre: Rock, Alt Rock, Bluegrass, Tributes Neighborhood: The Grove www.thereadyroom.com Schlafly Tap Room 2100 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103 Phone: (314) 241-2337 Genre: Rock, Alt Rock, Folk, Hip Hop Neighborhood: Downtown www.schlafly.com/tap-room Schlafly Bottleworks 7260 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63143 Phone: (314) 241-2337 Genre: Folk, Alt Rock, Bluegrass, Country Neighborhood: Maplewood www.schlafly.com/bottleworks The Sheldon 3648 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108 Phone: (314) 533-9900 Genre: Jazz, Classical, Pop, Americana, Folk, Cabaret Neighborhood: Grand Center www.thesheldon.org Sky Music Lounge 930 Kehrs Mill Rd #201, Ballwin, MO 63011 Phone: (636) 527-6909 Genre: Rock, Alt Rock, Tribute Bands Neighborhood: West County www.skymusiclounge.com SqWires Restaurant & Annex Genre: Lounge, Acoustic Neighborhood: Lafayette Square www.sqwires.com The Venice Café 1903 Pestalozzi St, St. Louis, MO 63118 Phone: (314) 772-5994 Genre: Rock, Tribute Bands, Jazz, Swing, Funk, Soul, Original Rock Neighborhood: Benton Park www.thevenicecafe.com The Way Out Club 2525 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104 Phone: (314) 664-7638 Genre: Punk, Alt Rock, Indie Rock, Urban Neighborhood: South City www.facebook.com/The-Way-Out-Club
A BOSOM-FULL BRUNCH The Boom Boom Room Review by David Paster
If, in polite society, one should not imbibe alcohol infused libations before the sun indicates high noon, then there has to be some equivalent protocol policy with Burlesque and seeing tassels (and, to some degree, muffin tops) swing to-and-fro and around and around prior to mid-afternoon. The Roaring 20’s speakeasy themed / decorated Boom Boom Room at 500 North 14th Street, officially on the corner of St. Charles but basically on the cusp of once-hip Washington Avenue, offers two sessions of a Burlesque brunch at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Sundays. The intimate capacity venue is laid out around a traditional wood center-stage with a cabaret style seating floor plan for guests’ tables. Burlesque vignette enhancing videos are projected on a screen behind the main bar and upon the alternate brick wall encompassing the intermingling patronage and show place. For example, there is historic footage for scene performance homages to both Carmen Miranda and Josephine Baker that provides a simultaneous comparison to the real McCoy and the artistic interpretation on the boards occurring live. Present Sunday afternoon were two tables of men, one a collection of work colleagues, the other a gang-of-four planning a bachelor party. A bachelorette party including the bride-to-be, a couple bridesmaids, a sister and a mother were also in attendance. Even for a small place, inclusive of contrived audience interaction, the room felt sparse. The mandatory steam-tray based, limited service buffet offering up brunch edibles ranging from standard fare eggs and waffles to fried chicken and pasta is $20 (drinks, soft or hard, are not included; coffee runs $3 extra), the “bundled” show fee is an additional $20 and there is a bottomless Mimosa and modest Bloody Mary bar option available for $12.00. To be blunt, the food, ending with a desert display of seemingly store-bought mini-muffins and
a cheesecake that wasn’t worth finishing for the calories-to-taste ratio does not meet the Van Westendrop price point sensitivity model thresholds. For the tariff of $20, one expects a manned omelet station, fresh cooked and moist waffles (not stacked and dry as found) and included orange juice and coffee, not a secondary market airport Hilton caliber express breakfast buffet. In short, the food as consumed was perfunctory and serviceable, but again, not price justifiable as purchasing the meal is mandatory to attend the show. The pejorative observation about most dining theater that singing waiters can neither sing nor (serve as) wait (staff) is somewhat true. This sentiment can be held true for the quality of the food and beverage with this re-imagined burlesque house. During the Sunday afternoon second seating visit, the buffet was available upon arrival at 12:40 p.m. and the first thirty minutes of the burlesque show began around 1:00 p.m., continued into a 10-minute intermission about 35 minutes in and resumed to end approximately at 2:00 p.m. (or a little under one hour) showcasing, save the “POI” performances, a fireless, somewhat static and repetitive exhibition ensued. The show led by a more than zaftig but rather Rubenesque and seasoned MC featured four entertainers, a waiter / stage tiger (i.e., catcher) and a DJ / light and video show maestro. The four featured performers, the “Boom Boom Room Bombshells” were talented and gave a concerted effort but were simply not that strong in terms of finesse compared to some Burlesque presentations witnessed even locally at, for example, The ShowMe Burlesque Festival or at other one-off shows hosted within the Grove and Cherokee Street entertainment districts. Regrettably, like the meal offering, instead of being spicy, the show was a little melbatoast bland (especially for an artform as potentially scintillating as new wave
PUBLIC NEWS
burlesque. Maybe the Friday and Saturday night performances are more varied and engaging.) To the venue and the artistic form’s credit, The Boom Boom Room offers the only on-going, scheduled burlesque show in town, but when one compares its offerings to the decadent pageantry of the late-great Queen of the Night burlesque production in Jack Rose’s former Diamond Horseshoe club two stories below Manhattan or the Bombay Club at the Prince Conti Hotel of the French Quarter in New Orleans, the variety and exhilaration inherent to a fullscale burlesque production simply was not present. The underwhelming entertainment experience was analogous to seeing Cabaret as interpreted by a St. Louis high school’s drama guild versus on Broadway. As a hospitality operations evaluator in terms of profession, it was difficult to not identify a couple of missed opportunities for establishing the Boom Boom Room brand, promoting incremental visitation, and maximizing revenue streams. Maybe the construct is passé in the digital age, but there was not physical collateral, complimentary or for merchandising sale (t-shirts, hats, Bombshells performers featured calendars, et cetera), such as a program or advertising give-away brand stamped garters to garner as a souvenir keepsake (especially for the multitude of bachelorette party guests). Thus, the facility, for all of its authentic uniqueness, seems to be a “one and done joint” with little incentive for patronage to bounce back for an incremental trip to re-experience the outon-the-town encounter. The Boom Boom Room is located at 500 North 14th St., St. Louis, Mo, 63103. Their telephone number is 314-436-7000. Their website is https://theboomboomroomstl. com.
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
13
14
FOODIE
ANTHONY OF J & I COOKING UP LUNCH
SZECHUAN CHICKEN COMBO
BIG SERVINGS, SMALL PRICES AT J & I CHINESE KITCHEN Have you ever felt the urge to enjoy some really authentic Chinese cuisine and didn’t want to handle a full blown buffet or deal with psuedo-Chinese food like Panda Express? The trick is to find a great “go-to” Chinese restaurant that won’t break your budget and won’t make you sick. The Public
News is pleased to announce that we have found such a place. J & I Chinese Kitchen is located about two miles south of the Highway 141 exit on Highway 30’s southbound feeder road. It’s hard to find as it is squeezed between a huge fitness center and a dental clinic. But
FOODIE PIC OF THE WEEK
You’ve been picked! Julie Sanders Toasted Ravioli Joe Boccardi’s
once you’ve found it, you know that you’ve found Oriental food paradise at great prices. Anthony (he goes by that name) runs J & I with a little help, but the chefmeistering is done by him for each meal. Anthony pours himself into every morsel that comes out of his restaurant. Being a fan of Szechuan cuisine, I had to give it a taste. Besides, it’s hard to find a Chinese restaurant that will create Szechuan dishes from scratch. J & I Chinese Kitchen is such a place. I watched Anthony make the Szechuan Chicken that I had ordered. I bought the combo that included a huge portion of fried rice and two crab rangoons. I had the option of trading the rangoons for a pair of wontons, but opted for the former. The Szechuan Chicken was made with chunks of white chicken meat, prepared and held in refrigeration until needed at the stove top. Behind Anthony was a refrigerated make table (think: salad bar) where water chestnuts, snap peas and the various other oriental palate treasures are kept ready to add to create the various dishes. It took Anthony about three minutes to
cook my meal in a huge wok with oils and a lot of fire. I wondered why he doesn’t do this in front of his customers. It’s quite a show! The food is presented in a “to go” Styrofoam box whether you eat in, or carry out. For just over $6, including a can soda, it’s quite a lot of food. The restaurant itself is quite small with just a pair of tables seating four each. So dining is an option as long as your party is less than eight people and the tables are unoccupied. Anthony said that dinner time is his busiest time of the day. For the most part, he is a one man show and by the taste and appearance of his offerings you can tell that he loves what he does. J & I Chinese Kitchen opens everyday at 11 a.m. but is closed on Mondays. They are mainly a carry out establishment although they do use Door Dash to deliver. Their telephone number is (636) 343-3737.
BREAK THE CHAIN BUY LOCAL EAT LOCAL 14
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
PUBLIC NEWS
www.stlouispublicnews.com
15
FILM
CRAZY RICH ASIANS
AUGUST 17
Mile 22 R Action CIA operative James Silva leads a small but lethal paramilitary team on an urgent and dangerous mission. They must transport a foreign intelligence asset from an American embassy in Southeast Asia to an airfield for extraction -- a distance of 22 miles. Silva and the soldiers soon find themselves in a race against time as the city’s military, police and street gangs close in to reclaim the asset. Director: Peter Berg Stars: Lauren Cohan, Mark Wahlberg, Ronda Rousey, John Malkovich Crazy Rich Asians PUBLIC NEWS PICK PG-13 120 min Comedy Rachel Chu is happy to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. She’s also surprised to learn that Nick’s family is extremely wealthy and he’s considered one of the country’s most eligible bachelors. Thrust into the spotlight, Rachel must now contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives and something far, far worse -- Nick’s disapproving mother Director: Jon M. Chu Stars: Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan Juliet, Naked R 105 min Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance Annie (Rose Byrne) is stuck in a long-term relationship with Duncan (Chris O’Dowd) – an obsessive fan of obscure rocker Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke). When the acoustic demo of
Tucker’s hit record from 25 years ago surfaces, its release leads to a life-changing encounter with the elusive rocker himself. Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, Juliet, Naked is a comic account of life’s second chances. Director: Jesse Peretz Stars: Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, Chris O’Dowd, Jimmy O. Yang The Wife R 100 min Drama Joan and Joe remain complements after nearly 40 years of marriage. Where Joe is casual, Joan is elegant. Where Joe is vain, Joan is self-effacing. And where Joe enjoys his very public role as the great American novelist, Joan pours her considerable intellect, grace, charm and diplomacy into the private role of a great man’s wife. As Joe is about to be awarded the Nobel Prize for his acclaimed and prolific body of work, Joan starts to think about the shared compromises, secrets and betrayals. Director: Björn Runge Stars: Christian Slater, Max Irons, Glenn Close, Elizabeth McGovern Billionaire Boys Club R 108 min Biography | Drama | Thriller Led by their fellow preppie friend Joe Hunt, a group of wealthy boys in 1980s Los Angeles come up with a plan to get-rich-quick with a Ponzi scheme. The plan ends badly for all involved when Hunt and friend Tim Pitt end up murdering investor and con-man, Ron Levin. Director: James Cox Stars: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Taron Egerton, Emma Roberts
THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS
AUGUST 24
The Happytime Murders PUBLIC NEWS PICK R Action | Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Thriller In a world where humans and puppets coexist but are reviled by society and considered inferior to humans, puppet private investigator, Phil Philips (Bill Barretta), reunites with his ex-partner Detective Connie Edwards (Melissa McCarthy) to find a serial killer who murdered Phil’s brother and is now targeting the cast members of the 1980s television series The Happytime Gang, and Phil’s former flame, Jenny (Elizabeth Banks) is next on the list. Now he and his partner are running out of time as they try to solve “The Happytime Murders.” Director: Brian Henson Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph, Joel McHale A.X.L. PG Sci-Fi A.X.L. is a top-secret, robotic dog that has advanced artificial intelligence created by the military. After an experiment gone wrong, A.X.L. is discovered hiding in the desert by Alex, a kindhearted outsider who finds a way to connect with the robot. The two soon develop a special friendship based on trust, loyalty and compassion. Helping Miles gain confidence, A.X.L. goes to any length to protect his new companion, including facing off against the scientists who want their creation back. Director: Oliver Daly Stars: Thomas Jane, Becky G, Dominic Rains, Alex Neustaedter Searching PG-13 102 min Drama | Mystery | Thriller David Kim becomes desperate when his 16-yearold daughter Margot disappears and an immediate police investigation leads nowhere. He soon decides to search the one place that no one else has -- Margot’s laptop. Hoping to trace her digital footprints, David contacts her friends and looks at photos and videos for any possible clues to her whereabouts Director: Aneesh Chaganty Stars: John Cho, Debra Messing, Joseph Lee, Michelle La Papillon R 133 min Crime | Mystery | Thriller The epic story of Henri “Papillon” Charrière, a safecracker from the Parisian underworld who is framed for murder and condemned to life in the notorious penal colony on Devil’s Island. Determined to regain his freedom, Papillon forms
PUBLIC NEWS
an unlikely alliance with convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega, who in exchange for protection, agrees to finance Papillon’s escape. A remake of the 1973 film ‘Papillon’. Director: Michael Noer Stars: Rami Malek, Charlie Hunnam, Tommy Flanagan, Eve Hewson Support the Girls R 90 min Comedy The general manager at a highway-side ‘’sports bar with curves” has her incurable optimism and faith, in her girls, her customers, and herself, tested over the course of a long, strange day. Director: Andrew Bujalski Stars: Regina Hall, Haley Lu Richardson, Dylan Gelula, Zoe Graham Replicas PG-13 Crime | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller In a Christofascist collectivist future, a daring synthetic biologist, after a car accident kills his family, will stop at nothing to bring them back, even if it means pitting himself against a government-controlled laboratory, a police task force, and the physical laws of science. Director: Jeffrey Nachmanoff Stars: Keanu Reeves, Alice Eve, Thomas Middleditch, Emily Alyn Lind The Bookshop PG 113 min Drama Florence Green, a free-spirited widow, puts grief behind her and risks everything to open up a bookshop -- the first such shop in the sleepy seaside town of Hardborough, England. But this mini social revolution soon brings her fierce enemies: she invites the hostility of the town’s less prosperous shopkeepers and also crosses Mrs. Gamart, Harborough’s vengeful, embittered alpha female who is a wannabe doyenne of the local arts scene. Director: Isabel Coixet Stars: Emily Mortimer, Bill Nighy, Patricia Clarkson, Hunter Tremayne Beautifully Broken PG-13 108 min Drama A refugee’s escape, a prisoner’s promise, and a daughter’s painful secret converge in this inspiring real life story of hope. As three fathers fight to save their families, their lives become intertwined in an unlikely journey across the globe, where they learn the healing power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Director: Eric Welch Stars: Benjamin A. Onyango, Scott William Winters, Emily Hahn, Caitlin Nicol-Thomas
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
15
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED, ST. LOUIS 16
AUGUST 15 - 28, 2018
PUBLIC NEWS
www.stlouispublicnews.com