Straight Up Magazine May 2015

May 2015 #

Issue

May 2015

Art on the Square is the Opening Scene Karrie Brown • Alice’s Place Bronx Zoo Boutique • Chris Mollet • Giving Back to Bellevue

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Christopher Mollet

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

Inside Page

May 2015

Editor’s Word – May 2015

May 2015! The 34th 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 Christopher Mollet as the cover artist for the thirty-fourth 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 to 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

May Credits

Editors: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert, Daniel Nygard, Alison Lysakowski Layout Design Artists: Michelle Reynolds, Sierra Wilson, Jacob Oliver, Victoria Dietzen Sales: Paul Seibert, Daniel Nygard, Seth Owens Ad Artists: Wil Sullivan, Mark Polege, Michelle Reynolds, Jacob Oliver, Crystal Cooley Calendar: Paul Seibert, Michelle Reynolds Website Design: Mark Polege (MarkusDesignWorks.com), Michelle Reynolds Photography: Dan Cross Distribution: Brian Gardner, Daniel Nygard, Kaila Ryan, Shenee Booth, Victoria Dietzen, Paul Seibert

Contributors

Cover Art: Christopher Mollet Cover Logo: Josh Rowan (JoshuaRowan.com) Photography: Dan Cross, John Dorroh, Alison Lysakowski, Paul Seibert, Kathy Sax, Kyle Pingsterhaus, Jacob Oliver Feature Writers: Dan Cross, John Dorroh, Daniel Nygard, Alison Lysakowski, Kathy Sax, Paul Seibert, Dylan Seibert Submissions: Joseph Murphy, Joshua Vaughn, Danielle Dalechek All material in this publication and its affiliated 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

May 2015

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Art on the Square is the Opening Scene Art on the Square

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Étonnant Et Artistique: Christopher Mollet

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Karried Away: Karrie Brown

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Giving Back to Bellevue: Bellevue Park

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Love & Beer: Alice’s Place

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Submissions

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Field Trip to the Bronx Zoo, Belleville Style Bronx Zoo Boutique

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Str8 Up Magazine Can Be Found At All of These

May 2015

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. Adrenaline Prints Althoff CHS Art Department Almighty Tattoos Althoff CHS Art Dept Anthony’s Salon Bamboo Valley Buffet Bank of Belleville Beast Cafe Beatnik’s Bel-Air Bowl Belle Clair Expo Center Belleville Inn & Suites Belleville Main Street Belleville Public Libraries (West Main; East Washington) Ben’s Crafts & Floral BlissFull Living Studio BP Huck’s Locations (Carlyle Ave; N. Illinois St.) Bronx Zoo Boutique Cattywampus Centerfield Bar and Grill Chamber of Commerce Christopher Mikal Photo.

Circa City Hall Club Escapade Conoco Phillips Crehan’s Irish Pub Dog Day Afternoon Drawing Fantasies by Kathy Dutch Hollow Barn Eckert Florist Effinger’s Garden Center 4

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(Now Available at Over 330 Locations!)

Facial Rejuvenation Center Fischer’s Restaurant Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap Forgotten Treasures 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 Hitching Post Hippie Daze Hite Auto Body and Repair Imo’s Pizza Irish Market Place Jazzy Girl Junction Coffee & Frozen Yogurt (Formerly Peachy’s Frozen Yogurt) JR’s Last Call Katherine Frazier State Farm Kelso Auto Body League Lounge Lindenwood University Local Lucy’s Mabista Salon and Spa Main Street Café Mary’s Hidden Treasures Maytag Laundry Max’s One Stop Melodic Rhythms Metro East Gastroenterology Miscellanea House Nanylou’s Kitchen New Concepts Beauty & Barber North Belt West Liquor 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 Splatter Mania Southwestern IL College (Art Dept., Café, Film Dept.)

Spa Demi St E’s Medical Arts Bldg Stein Automotive Stillpointe Wellness Center Sullivan’s Super 8 Motel The Abbey The West Main TOCO Shop Towne & Country Mart TR’s Place Turned Treasures 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

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Collinsville

Bert’s Chuckwagon Collinsville Public Library Dean’s Farmers Market Fifth Quarter Jim’s Pawn & Jewelry Knights of Columbus Public Library Spring Garden Restaurant Swing City Music

Columbia

Chateau La Vin Columbia City Saloon Who Dat’s

Edwardsville

Auto Tire Bailey Cakes Bridal Couture Circle K Edison’s Entertainment Enclave & Enclave West Green Mobile 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 Twnshp Bldg China King City Hall Cloud 9 Cafe Lounge

May 2015 Drury Inn Express Medical Care Fairview Lounge Fortel’s Pizza Den Guitar Center Hey Guys Comedy Club 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 Alfresco Art Center Art Park and Ost Gallery Kool Beanz Southwestern IL College (Cafe’, Fitness Center)

Highland

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

Randy’s House of BBQ Starlight Gallery

Lebanon

Artimis Fezziwig’s Marketplace Ghost Vapor Shop Hanger 18 Guitar Repair Shop Las Cabanas Lebanon Visitors Center Legendary Creations McKendree University (Art Dept., Gallery of Art, Hett Arts Center, Holman Library) MotoMart Public Library Tiadaghton House Whimsey Gifts

Maryville

Villa Marie Winery

Mascoutah

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

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 Gia’s 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

O’Fallon

AC Computers Baymont Inn Candlewood Suites Casey’s Casa Azteca Circle K StraightUpMagazine.net

Pontoon Beach Mastermind Vodka

Sauget

Sauget Diner SW IL Welcome Center

Scott Air Force Base 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 Schmitty’s Tom’s Supermarket

Swansea

Big Time Beads Concept Shoe Repair CVS First American Title Schnucks Dobbs Gas Mart Lucky’s Bar and Grill Olympika Bar and Grill Tourism Bureau of IL South Wild Birds Unlimited

Troy

Inksane Asylum Public Library Who Dat’s 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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Art

May 2015

Art on the Square is the Opening Scene

by Paul Seibert and Dylan Seibert

April showers bring May flowers. And May flowers remind us that art is in season. And that Art on the Square will burst its 14th annual bloom on the Belleville Public Square this month. Artists from 49 states, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East applied. Artists were accepted by a blind jury process in the following mediums: Oil/Acrylics, Watercolor, Photography, Glass, Jewelry, Clay, Drawing, Sculpture, Fine Craft, Mixed Media, Wood, and Digital art.

and sampling a variety of different wines. Saturday, November 7th. 5-9pm

ArtEAST Edwardsville/Alton Studio Tour; Over 200 local artists will interact With 103 local, national, and international artists participating, with the public as they take Belleville’s Art on the Square is one of the top art fairs in the nation. Last self-guided tours of artist year’s show was rated #2 Fine Arts Show by Art Fair Source Book. This studios, demonstrations, and ranking is determined by the average sales of each Artist and the 2013 Art on group exhibitions. Madison the Square Show brought in $1,195,525.00. AOTS has consistently been one County is home to an of the top five art shows over the past nine years. exciting, lively, and diverse art scene. Appreciation for There are also two Sculpture in the City tours with Art on the Square. the arts begins in the local See Belleville’s growing collection of public sculpture on Friday, May 1st. grade schools and continues Tour buses leave Lindenwood University at 9am and 1pm. Tours include with the strong support lunch. Reservation is required. of the Art Departments at both of the local colleges The myriad of Art on the Square white tents will fill Belleville’s Southern Illinois University public square on May 15th through May 17th. The festive event will be at Edwardsville and Lewis punctuated with the viewing and purchasing of fine arts and will include and Clark Community College. Many of the area’s artists taught or took a high school arts competition, activities for children, food and beverage classes at these institutions. Represented in the ArtEAST event will be vendors – a community of art and artists in which all can participate. Plus, nationally recognized artists as well as young emerging artists. October 17th two concert stages provide a myriad of great musical entertainment (see the and 18th Str8Up Calendar for details). Friday 5-10pm. Saturday 10am-8pm. Sunday 11am-5pm.

Art in the Park, Highland; The vibrant colors of Autumn provide the perfect canvas to paint a relaxing weekend filled with delicious food and Art on the Square is one superb example of the arts Mecca that the demonstrations, exciting entertainment, wine tasting, and loads of fun and Metro East has become. creative activities for kids of all ages. Saturday October 10th, 10am – 5pm; Sunday October 11th, 11am-4pm Many cities throughout the country and throughout the world are renowned for their “art scenes.” No art scene comes to be overnight. There Art on the Bluffs, Columbia; Dedicated to providing opportunity is always a history to the scene. Just as fire is borne of a first spark, countless and cultural appreciation in the city of Columbia IL, through showcasing factors involved in a given scene can either nurture or extinguish that infant the work of diverse professional and student artists. Join the sixth annual flame and they can do so at any conceivable rate. self-guided Art Walk and enjoy all that the walk has to offer...amazing works of art, talented musicians, food and drink from local restaurants and Perhaps a valid gauge of an art scene is the number of significant art other organizations, an interactive Kid’s Area, a Student Gallery and other events a region has to offer. Check the sampling other regional art fairs here entertainment! Saturday September 19th, 10am-6pm and you will begin to discern: The Metro East is an art “scene”.

Lebanon Art Festival at Horner Park, Lebanon; Fifth Annual Art and Wine Walk, Belleville; Register on Main Street near the exhibit of paintings, sculptures, crafts, pottery, jewelry, textiles, and mixed Belleville Public Square. Then stroll through the more than 20 sponsoring media. Food and drink vendors; art demonstrations in the activity hall; fourth shops of downtown Belleville while enjoying artwork from area artists weekend in June, Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday 10am-4pm

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Art

May 2015

The Masterworks Chorale and Children’s Chorale is an arts organization whose primary goal is to make a significant artistic contribution to the residents of Southwestern Illinois. This is done by maintaining a tradition of choral excellence. Chorale singers are a select group of auditioned vocalists, many of whom have music degrees and vocal training. Continuing vocal instruction is encouraged. It is Masterworks’ objective to foster an appreciation of the arts. This is measured in the Chorale by its ability to hold many of its original members throughout its 36-year history, as well as attract new ones. All singers are unpaid and rehearse weekly. Although most concerts are held in Belleville, singers come from as far away as Pinckneyville, Sparta, Trenton, Carlyle, and Centralia. Encouraging and providing opportunities for local artists is another objective. This can be measured by the inclusion of professional Illinois and regional artists in the programs. The next scheduled performances are Springtime Serenade: Saturday, May 2nd, Christ Church Spring Indian Art Market, Cahokia Mounds, Collinsville; Native Cathedral St Louis at 7pm and Sunday, May 3rd, St Paul UC Church Belleville at 3pm.

American artists and vendors display and sell crafts, artwork, clothing, jewelry etc. This annual event brought over 4800 visitors over the weekend, Follow the Str8Up print, web and Facebook calendars for and about 30 artists participated. This year’s dates: April 17-19th; Friday information on all these events. ♦ noon-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm Midwest Salute to the Arts, Fairview Heights; The 27th Annual Midwest Salute to the Arts is a juried fine arts show featuring 100 artists exhibiting and selling their works in 11 different mediums. The Salute offers attendees a chance to view and purchase art under huge white tents in a relaxed setting in Everett Moody Park, Fairview Heights, IL. There is easy free parking, free admission, and the relaxed nature of the show allows for enjoyment for all! Besides viewing and purchasing art, there are live musical entertainment to enjoy, and a variety of food and drinks available.

Plus children’s activities at the Creation Station, and an exclusive Children’s Gallery where only children may purchase a piece of art for $5 (no adults allowed!). The Midwest Salute to the Arts was established with the goal of combining community involvement with an appreciation for the arts.

Friday August 28th, 6-10pm; Saturday August 29th, 10am-8pm; and Sunday August 30th, 11am-5pm.

Strange Folk Festival, O’Fallon; Featuring 150 indie vendors selling handmade, upcycled, and vintage wares. Live bands all weekend, unique exhibits and DIY activities for kids and adults, a variety of concessions, and new this year, the Running with Scissors 5K on Sunday morning. Strange Folk is an RFT Best of St. Louis and St. Louis Magazine A-List award winner for Best Festival! The 10th Annual Strange Folk Festival will be held Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th at O’Fallon Community Park in O’Fallon, Illinois. 10am-6pm both days Street Art Fest, Highland; The streets of Highland do become a canvas for talented chalk artists during this one-of-a-kind festival! Carrying on a tradition started centuries ago, the 12th Annual Street Art Festival and Art Expo will turn the streets of downtown Highland into a temporary art gallery. Art, music, great food, and beverages, all at Highland’s beautiful downtown square, combine to make this an event you won’t want to miss!

Check out the Art Expo - paintings, jewelry, pottery, photography, and more, all made by local artists, will be available for sale. Saturday, August 20th.

And let us not forget that the Metro “scene” includes remarkable musical institutions.

The Belleville Philharmonic Society was founded on November 19th, 1866. The Philharmonic presented its first concert on January 26, 1867. The Society’s first conductor was Theodore Decker, who began the annual schedule of concerts that is unbroken to this day--making the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra the nation’s second oldest symphony orchestra in continuous operation. The orchestra was comprised of talented volunteer musicians who made distinguished contributions to the Str8Up Calendar community in a wide range of vocations, and the same can be said of the http://straightupmagazine.net/calendar Society’s various ensembles today. The next scheduled performance is the

Spring Concert at Our Lady of the Snows Church on Sunday, May 9th, 2pm.

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http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Straight-Up-Magazine/ 465295946876059

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Culture

May 2015

Karried Away

by Kathy Sax

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” -Harriet Tubman Not only did Karrie Brown have a dream, she had the self-confidence and determination to reach for those stars. And she was faced with some star-reaching hurdles most young people don’t face. At birth, Karrie was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a hearing defect, and was later also diagnosed with autism. Sue Brown, Karrie’s mother, was told by doctors that her daughter would probably be severely disabled, but she refused to believe it. She would not let Karrie be defined by a diagnosis. Was it an easy road?

Hardly, but she and Karrie went through all the obstacles side by side, with Sue encouraging her daughter to fulfill whatever dreams she had. Sue raised Karrie to know that she was no less than anyone around her. Sue may have had to push doors open for her daughter, but then Karrie would step through, take the ball and run with it.

Karrie was once asked by her mom, “Karrie, do you know any kids with disabilities?” She proceeded to tell her mom that she indeed knew a couple. Her mom then asked her, “Karrie, do you have a disability?” and Karrie responded, “No Mom, I just have Down syndrome.” A significant and empowering distinction.

In less than 24 hours, Karrie had 11,000 Facebook Likes and Wet Seal honored their promise. In just two weeks, Karrie and her mom were off to California. Mom was more anxious about how Karrie was going to react to the commotion around her than was Karrie. And as it turned out, Karrie was a natural in front of the cameras, especially with the Justin Bieber music she requested to be ©Wet Seal played during the shoot. The rest of the week was a whirlwind of shopping sprees, meeting the designer, and taking a trip to Disneyland. And Wet Seal became the first clothing company to use a model with Down syndrome in their advertising, opening the doors for others with “disabilities.”

Like other teenage girls, Karrie loves fashion (she describes her style The fashion industry has long been criticized for representing beauty as “biker chick”). A challenge for her mom though was finding stylish clothes with tall, lanky, anorexic models. Women all across the world strive to that fit the curvy figure typical of people with Down syndrome. When Wet emulate that definition of beauty, altering their appearances to fit in. But Seal -- Karrie’s favorite designer -- released their plus size line in 2013, Karrie what is beauty? What defines being beautiful? One of the most refreshing was thrilled. The line was edgy and and beautiful qualities about Karrie fun. is her ability to look in the mirror and love what she sees in front of her, a Sue posted a picture of Karrie reflection of the positive acceptance on her next first day of school which and support her mom gave her drew the attention of another mom throughout her childhood. Karrie who called to ask about her clothes. embraces her differences and realizes Sue mentioned that it was from that they are what make her Karrie.

Karrie’s favorite store and that she had a dream to model for them. Later Since that first shoot, Karrie that day, Sue and a friend created a has modeled for several other clothing new page on Facebook called “Karrie companies. She accepts no money Brown: Modeling the Future”. Wet for her modeling shoots or public Seal took notice. The following day, appearances, instead asking the the corporate office of Wet Seal in companies to donate directly into a California came back with a challenge non-for-profit organization her mother that if Karrie could get 10,000 Likes on founded called “KarriedAway.org”.

Facebook in 2 days, they would fly her The mission of this organization to California for her very own photo is to empower people diagnosed shoot. with “disabilities” to find gainful Karrie and Sue: Photo By Kathy Sax

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Culture

May 2015 classes at Godfrey’s Lewis and Clark Community College in the Fall. The “Unsinkable Karrie Brown” and her mom will continue their mission to educate the public through the “KarriedAway” organization.

I was recently honored to attend one of Karrie’s photoshoots at Woodland Park in Collinsville with local photographer Kyle Pingsterhaus of KWP Photography in Belleville, Illinois. Kyle is one of six photographers that Karrie has worked with and, according to her mom, one of Karrie’s favorites. Watching the two work together, I could see the bond that has developed between them. The moment the camera started clicking, Karrie went into “her zone” and performed like the professional model she is. Kyle said that Karrie is a joy to work with -- always listening to his suggestions and following through with his directions.

Photo By Kyle Pingsterhaus employment through natural supports in their community and to build a society where everyone’s potential in the employment arena is achieved, regardless of level of ability. Karrie travels across the country, sharing her story with others and letting them know that just because you have a “disability” doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve your dreams.

Karrie now has a Facebook fan base of over 32,000 people across 45 countries. She has won the YMCA Youth of the Year award and she spoke to over 1,500 YMCA directors in Los Angeles. She has been featured in “J-14”, Karrie and Kyle: Photo By Kathy Sax the #1 Teen Celebrity Magazine with 16.5 million subscribers. On the web, Karrie can be found featured in Cosmopolitan, Glamour, The Huffington Post, Seventeen, ABC News, and - in the UK - The Daily Mail, just to name a few. She was also honored to walk the Red Carpet at a pre-Oscar event. She is an honor roll student at Collinsville High School and will graduate this month. She just attended her high school prom and, although she had a date, decided to go with her girlfriends instead. Karrie’s plans after high school include starting

I want to thank Karrie, her mom Sue, and Kyle for allowing me to be a part of their lives that day. I am humbled by the dedication, determination, love, and support that surround Karrie. And my final thought to Karrie is, “Keep shining beautiful one. The world needs your light.” --author unknown. ♦ Who: Karrie Brown What: Fashion model Where: Collinsville, IL How: https://www.facebook.com/karriebrownmodel

http://www.karriedaway.org/ Who: Kyle Pingsterhaus What: Photographer Where: KWP Photography, Belleville IL How: 618-910-3858

http://www.photographykwp.com/

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Calendar of Events May 1 (Friday)

May 2015

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Harvest Drive; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm American Legion (Edwardsville) - Live music “On The Hill” with Jack Tweston; public always welcome; 7pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Stock Car Races Friday Nights through September; 6pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Hot Flash Duo; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 8pm-12am Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Choral and Orchestra Concert; 7:30pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Live music Governor French Gallery (Belleville) - Art Exhibit featuring the Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois; opening reception, 6-8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Untamed Shrews; 8pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Sarah Jane and The Blue Notes; 7-10pm Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Live music Laurie’s (Edwardsville) - Live music; 9:30pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday Lucky’s (Swansea) - Park Avenue Duo; 8pm Olympika Restaurant (Swansea) - Singer / Songwriter John Cornell; 8pm-12am *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Friday, tonight featuring Joe Truttman / Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Southwestern Illinois College Art Department Annual Student Exhibit. Student artwork created from a variety of media, including paint, photography, clay, mixed media, graphite, charcoal and more will be on display. Exhibit continues through May 14.

SeVen (Belleville) - Pat Liston; 9pm-12am Shakers (Alton) - Bud Summers; 8pm-12am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Brother Hiram; 8pm The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Les Miserables; Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide; 7:30pm Union United Methodist Church (Belleville) - Annual Car Cruise; 6:30-9pm

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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 Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Open Mic Night with Jeff Schmitz; 7pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Friday; 6pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! every Wednesday night; 7pm-1am

May 2 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Avery Hill; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 1-8pm Alton Sports Tap (Alton) - DJ / Karaoke every Saturday; 9pm-1am American Legion (Collinsville) - Rockin’ for The Miner’s Sound the Alarm Benefit for the Restoration of the Historic Miner’s Theater; featuring Doc Holiday, Quarter Draw Band, Sweet N Sour, and The Jammin’ Ringtonz; 6:30-11pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Illinois’ Largest Gun and Knife Show; 9am-5pm Blum House (Collinsville) - Collinsville High School Student Art Exhibition; artist reception with light refreshments; 6:30-8:30pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Pure Nectar Band; 7:30pm Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Cutters (Belleville) - Live Music; 9pm Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts. Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones! 7:30am-12pm Downtown (Belleville) - 14th Annual St Clair County Law Day 5k Run/Walk through historic Downtown Belleville; benefits Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation; 9am 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) - Annual May Market Home and Garden Day; vendors on the Brickstreet featuring plants, tools, garden art and home decorating ideas and demos; food and live music; 9am5pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Pegasus Productions Psychic Fair; 10am-6pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Karaoke every Saturday night; 8pm

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

Happy Hops Homebrew (Belleville) - American Homebrewers Association Big Brew Day; brewing demonstration with many guest brewers. Talk shop with tons of home beer brewer’s and winemakers, bring samples and enjoy samples; 11am-4pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Untamed Shrews; 8pm and 10pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - George Portz 4th Annual Bluegrass and Elvis Show; 7pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday Loading Dock (Grafton) - Mondinband; 6-10pm Lucy and Ricardo’s (Edwardsville) - Judy Koen with Chris Voelker; 6:30-8:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Open Mic Poetry / Songwriter Jam Night; Bring your instruments and plug in; All writers and musicians welcome! 5pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Olympika Restaurant (Swansea) - Latin Saturday After Party with DJ Pantera; every Saturday; 9pm-1am *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live Music every Saturday, tonight featuring Joe Truttman / Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Acoustic Horns; 8pm Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Live Music; 9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Les Miserables; Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide; 2pm and 7:30pm Wings (Shiloh) - Live music with Rev Ken; 9pm-12am

May 3 (Sunday)

Abbott Auditorium @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - The Heroin Project Documentary Premier Screening; free and open to the public; 2-4pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Illinois’ Largest Gun and Knife Show; 9am-4pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - First Sunday Jam with Paul Bonn and The Bluesmen; 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Pegasus Productions Psychic Fair; Adults - $7; Children under 12 Free; 10am-6pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Sunday Social; 1-3pm

Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers; 4pm St Paul UCC (Belleville) - Masterworks Chorale Concert; Springtime Serenade; featuring Francis Poulenc’s spirited Gloria, and the gloriously lyrical Serenade to Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams; 3pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm

May 4th (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm Visitor’s Center @ Lindenwood University (Belleville) - Sculpture in the City Tour; travel to view sculptures throughout Belleville.

Learn about the sculptor, the donor and the intent of each piece.

Tour busses leave at 9am and 1pm

May 5th (Cinco de Mayo Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Roemer Topf (Mascoutah) - Celtica every first Tuesday; 7-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm Tequila Mexican Restaurant (Freeburg) - Rusty Van Go; 6pm V and H Recreation (Breese) - Open Mic every Tuesday, hosted by Marcus Kruep; 7-11pm Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

May 6 (Wednesday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 6pm Major’s (O’Fallon) - Whiskey Dixon Acoustic every Wednesday; 8pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Bike Night every Wednesday with Live Music *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia now every Wednesday; 8pm PSOP (Belleville) - Gateway East Artist Guild monthly meeting; every first Wednesday; This month: annual auction. Featured again this year for the silent auction are finished unframed original oil paintings by plein-air artist David Cornell, plus art supplies, finished works, books, plants and edible goodies availabe for the bidding. There will also be a monthly membership art competition and refreshments. 6pm

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

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 Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Open Mic Night with Jeff Schmitz; 7pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm SWIC Auditorium (Belleville) - The Heroin Project Documentary Screening; followed by Q&A with directors and subject experts; free and open to the public; 7pm *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 Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! every Wednesday night; 7pm-1am

May 7 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm Belleville Township High School West (Belleville) - Racial Harmony May Dinner Meeting; The “All Lives Matter” Series continues: panel discussion and breakout sessions on the importance of education in the alleviation of socio-economic inequities; free and open to the public; 6:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm 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) - Brian Hicks; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Aaron Kamm and The One Drops; 9pm Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The wonderfully nostalgic Disney’s Mary Poppins with all the wonderful songs and choreography; 7pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Thursday; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm 12

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Soulard Blues Band; 7pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm

May 8 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Ken and Mike Duo; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 1-8pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm Alton Sports Tap (Alton) - DJ / Karaoke every Saturday; 9pm-1am Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Stock Car Races Friday Nights through September; 6p Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Charlotte Street; 7:30p Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 8pm-12am Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bud Summers; 8pm-12am Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Brian Hicks; 8pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Lucky Old Sons; 7-10pm Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Live music Laurie’s (Edwardsville) - Live music; 9:30pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The wonderfully nostalgic Disney’s Mary Poppins with all the wonderful songs and choreography; 7pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Friday, tonight featuring Brad Noe; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm SeVen (Belleville) - Clark Rowden; 8pm-12am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am Str8Up Gallery @ Irish Market Place (Belleville) - An Art Exhibit of Creative Writing; the central focus of every work is the written word; opening reception; 6-8pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Roger McGuinn, the legendary co-founder of Folk-Rock band, The Byrds; 8pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Mondinband; 3-7pm

Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Confluence Crush Women’s Roller Derby, Heroes vs Villains; doors at 5:50pm; first bout 6:30pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Hilary Scott; 7:30pm Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Cutters (Belleville) - Live Music; 9pm Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts. Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones! 7:30am-12pm 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.

Eberling-Maurer House at the Rose Garden (Belleville) - Historic West Belleville Walking Tour; discover the history and potential of what was the independent city of West Belleville, now identified as MidTowne Belleville; 10am Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Karaoke every Saturday night; 8pm

May 9 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Ross Kinkaid; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 1-8pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm Alton Sports Tap (Alton) - DJ / Karaoke every Saturday; 9pm-1am

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Brian Hicks; 8pm and 10pm 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 Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The wonderfully nostalgic Disney’s Mary Poppins with all the wonderful songs and choreography; 7pm Olympika Restaurant (Swansea) - Latin Saturday After Party with DJ Pantera; every Saturday; 9pm-1am *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Saturday, tonight featuring Scrambled; 7pm Roemer Topf (Mascoutah) - Larry Hallar Sit N Bull (New Memphis) - Noisemaker and The Silent Partner; 4pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abby (Belleville) - John McEuen of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; doors at 6pm; music at 7pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Weingarten (Belleville) - Mayfest with German Music by Herb Eberle, 2-5pm; Catfish Willie; 6pm The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Grand Allusion, the ultimate Styx tribute band; 8pm

YOUR AD HERE?

618-416-2289

May 10 (Mother’s Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 2pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music; 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Hawg Pit (Grafton) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 1-5pm Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Bud Summers; 2-6pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The wonderfully nostalgic Disney’s Mary Poppins with all the wonderful songs and choreography; 2pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Sunday Social; 1-3pm Roemer Topf (Mascoutah) - Pat Aubrey Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers; 4pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

May 11 (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm Flavors (Breese) - Clinton County Art Guild; monthly meeting every second Monday; 6:30pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

May 12 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm V and H Recreation (Breese) - Open Mic every Tuesday, hosted by Marcus Kruep; 7-11pm Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

May 13 (Wednesday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 6pm Major’s (O’Fallon) - Whiskey Dixon Acoustic every Wednesday; 8pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Bike Night every Wednesday with Live Music *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia now every Wednesday; 8pm 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 Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Open Mic Night with Jeff Schmitz; 7pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! every Wednesday night; 7pm-1am

May 14 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Whiskey Dixon Duo; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm

Blum House (Collinsville) - Mario Kart 8 Tournament for gamers aged 18 and under; Race upside-down and along walls on anti-gravity tracks in the most action-fueled Mario Kart game yet. Game play will be on a Wii U. The game is rated E for Everyone; 6pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm 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) - Jack Willhite; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Live music; 9pm Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The wonderfully nostalgic Disney’s Mary Poppins with all the wonderful songs and choreography; 7pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Thursday; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Bottoms Up Blues Gang; 7pm Shakers (Alton) - Writers Night with Bud Summers; 7-10pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm The Ready Room (St Louis) - RAW - natural born artists; art, music, fashion, film, performance, hair and makeup; artists include Str8Up Feature Artists Jake Bishop, Renee Canetta, Sarah Baker; 8pm-12am

May 15 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Paul Konya; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Saturday; 1-8pm Alfresco Productions Arts Center (Granite City) - Nunsence, A Musical; 7:30pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm Alton Sports Tap (Alton) - DJ / Karaoke every Saturday; 9pm-1am Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Brad Noe; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 8pm-12am Downtown (Mascoutah) - Springfest; foods, beverages, a car cruise and live music; 11am-11pm

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

Downtown (Belleville) - Fourteenth Annual Art On The Square; a juried fine art show; Art on the Square has been ranked #1 and #2 in the nation for the past eight years; Featuring the original works of over 100 accomplished artists from around the world, fantastic musical and stage performances as well as delicious local food and drink; today 5-10pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Jack Willhite; 8pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Dave and Them; 7-10pm Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The wonderfully nostalgic Disney’s Mary Poppins with all the wonderful songs and choreography; 7pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Friday, tonight featuring Ryan Spriggs; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm Skootr’s West (Freeburg) - Clark Rowden; 8pm-12am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Singer / Songwriter Samantha Fish; 8pm

May 16 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Hands Off; 7pm 5th Street Billiards (Dupo) - Rat Rod Kings; Alfresco Productions Arts Center (Granite City) - Nunsence, A Musical; 7:30pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm 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 Bluff City Grill (Alton) - Bud Summers; 8pm-12am Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Lisa Jones; 7:30pm Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night CKLofI Country Club (Swansea) - An Evening of Johnny Cash; featuring Bill Forness and One More Round; doors at 6pm; show at 7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Cutters (Belleville) - Old Salt Union; 9pm Downtown (Belleville) - 14th Annual Art On The Square; a juried fine art show; Art on the Square has been ranked #1 and #2 in the nation for the past eight years; Featuring the original works of over 100 accomplished artists from around the world, fantastic musical and stage performances as well as deliious local food and drink; today 10am-8pm 16

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May 2015

Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts. Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones! 7:30am12pm 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.

Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Jack Willhite; 8pm and 10pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Zydeco Crawdaddies; 7-10pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Fourth Annual Elvis Tribute Artist Contest; up to 15 in competition; $1700 in prizes; 7pm Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Country Music Artist Alexandra Kay; 8pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The wonderfully nostalgic Disney’s Mary Poppins with all the wonderful songs and choreography; 7pm Metter Park (Columbia) - Ticket To The Beatles Spring Concert presented by Historic Main Street Columbia; Beatles tribute band plus Main Street merchant booths with food, beverages and products from their shops; 3-7pm Olympika Restaurant (Swansea) - Latin Saturday After Party with DJ Pantera; every Saturday; 9pm-1am *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Saturday, tonight featuring Landon; 7pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - The classic film “Field of Dreams” with special appearance by Dwyer Brown; 3pm

May 17 (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Alfresco Productions Arts Center (Granite City) - Nunsence, A Musical; 2pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; 2pm 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

Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music; 4-8pm Downtown (Belleville) - Fourteenth Annual Art On The Square; a juried fine art show; Art on the Square has been ranked #1 and #2 in the nation for the past eight years; Featuring the original works of over 100 accomplished artists from around the world, fantastic musical and stage performances as well as delicious local food and drink; today 11am-5pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The wonderfully nostalgic Disney’s Mary Poppins with all the wonderful songs and choreography; 2pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Sunday Social; 1-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - CD and The Cadillac Daddies; 4pm *Stur (Edwardsville) - Mastermind Vodka Tour; live music and appetizers at Stur; Board the Bus for a Tour of the Mastermind Vodka Distillery in Pontoon Beach; free bottle of Mastermind a bonus; reservations required; 12-6pm

May 18 (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm Blum House (Collinsville) - Family Life Size Game Night; part of the 1500 Minute Challenge. The challenge is to spend 1500 minutes (about 30 minutes a week) playing “unplugged” games as a family between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015.

“Unplugged” games are games that do not require computers, videos, and the like. games to be featured tonight include: Angry Birds, Candyland, Memory, Tic Tac Toe, and more!

6-8pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

May 19 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm V and H Recreation (Breese) - Open Mic every Tuesday, hosted by Marcus Kruep; 7-11pm Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

May 20 (Wednesday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday

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May 2015

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 6pm Major’s (O’Fallon) - Whiskey Dixon Acoustic every Wednesday; 8pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Bike Night every Wednesday with Live Music *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia now every Wednesday; 8pm 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 Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Open Mic Night with Jeff Schmitz; 7pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! every Wednesday night; 7pm-1am

May 21 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Chez Marilyn (Alton) - Mondinband; 8pm-12am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm Downtown (Belleville) - Belleville Main Street Downtown Diva Night; an exciting ladies night out! Starting at Hospice of Southern Illinois; After party at Club Escapade; pink flamingo night; 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 Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Keith Cissell; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Live music; 9pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Thursday; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Chris Shepherd and Friends; 7pm

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm

May 22 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Whiskey Dixon Duo; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Casey Reeves; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 8pm-12am Eckert’s Farms (Belleville) - Summer Concert Series featuring Courtney Patton; 7-9pm First United Presbyterian Church (Belleville) - Bach on Fridays featuring Dennis Bergin, Concert Organist; featuring Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major and the Prelude and Fugue in D Major; 7:30pm Halo at The Pageant (St Louis) - Rat Rod Kings; 11pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Keith Cissell; 8pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Doc Ellis Band; 8pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Friday, tonight featuring Brad Noe; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm Towne Lounge (Freeburg) - Blue Fruit Snacks; 9pm

May 23 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Eugene and Company; 7pm 7 West (Trenton) - Davis Brothers Band; 9pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Jim McClaren; 7:30pm Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Cutters (Belleville) - Live Music; 9pm Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts. Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones! 7:30am12pm

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.

Eckert’s Farms (Belleville) - Summer Concert Series featuring Jason Eady; 7-9pm Elks Lodge (Granite City) - Summer Carnival with music by Penny Moon and Copper Creek; 7-11pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Keith Cissell; 8pm and 10pm Knights of Columbus (Collinsville) - Special Olympics Chicken and Beer Benefit with Avery Hill Band; 6-10:30pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday Olympika Restaurant (Swansea) - Latin Saturday After Party with DJ Pantera; every Saturday; 9pm-1am *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Saturday, tongiht featuring Ryan Spriggs; 7pm Shakers (Alton) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 8pm-12am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am

May 24 (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Chasers (Belleville) - Mondinband; 3-7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music; 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Sunday Social; 1-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Sweetwater; 4-7pm

May 25 (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm Downtown (Belleville) - Memorial Day Parade; 11am JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

May 26 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

*Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm V and H Recreation (Breese) - Open Mic every Tuesday, hosted by Marcus Kruep; 7-11pm Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

May 27 (Wednesday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Corner Keg Pub (Highland) - Bud Summers; 5:30-9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 6pm Major’s (O’Fallon) - Whiskey Dixon Acoustic every Wednesday; 8pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Bike Night every Wednesday with Live Music *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia now every Wednesday; 8pm 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 Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Open Mic Night with Jeff Schmitz; 7pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! every Wednesday night; 7pm-1am

May 28 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Whiskey Dixon DUo; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm 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).

Faith Lutheran Church (O’Fallon) - Monthly meeting of the Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois; 6:30-8:30pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night 20

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Steve Burr; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Live music; 9pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Thursday; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Soulard Blues Band; 7pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm

May 29 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Paul Bonn and The Bluesmen; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Eric Pruett Band; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 8pm-12am Downtown (Belleville) - Shriners Parade; 7pm Eckert’s Farms (Belleville) - Summer Concert Series featuring Matt Stell; 7-9pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Steve Burr; 8pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Bonaventure Kings; 7-10pm Lucky’s (Swansea) - Clark Rowden; 8pm-12am *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Friday, tonight featuring Landon; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Bailey Dee and the Late Night Bait; 8pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Mondinband; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Late Night Catechism; an interactive comedy, one of the longest running show is US theater history; 8pm

May 30 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Slick Ice Blues; 7pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Ainad Shriners Circus; America’s Original 3-Ring Circus brings you the best circus performers in the world today; a combination of strength & skill, beauty & mystery. With amazing lighting and sound, watch as our human and animal performers transform you into the magical world of circus. 2pm and 7:30pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Jonathan Baker; 7:30pm

Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cicero’s (St Louis) - Vitamen A with SULLY, last Saturday every month Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Cutters (Belleville) - Live Music; 9pm Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts. Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones! 7:30am-12pm 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.

Eberling-Maurer House at the Rose Garden (Belleville) - Historic West Belleville Walking Tour; discover the history and potential of what was the independent city of West Belleville, now identified as MidTowne Belleville; 10am Eckert’s Farms (Belleville) - Summer Concert Series featuring Johnny Appleseed; 7-9pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Steve Burr; 8pm and 10pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday Loading Dock (Grafton) - Mondinband; 6-10pm Olympika Restaurant (Swansea) - Latin Saturday After Party with DJ Pantera; every Saturday; 9pm-1am *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Saturday, tonight featuring Scrambled; 7pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Late Night Catechism; an interactive comedy, one of the longest running show is US theater history; 8pm

May 31 (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Ainad Shriners Circus; America’s Original 3-Ring Circus brings you the best circus performers in the world today; a combination of strength & skill, beauty & mystery. With amazing lighting and sound, watch as our human and animal performers transform you into the magical world of circus. 2pm and 7pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music; 4-8pm

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday Metter Park (Columbia) - Music at Metter Summer Concert Series Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Sunday Social; 1-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Rat Rod Kings; 4pm *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Open Mic featuring Paul Jarvis; last Sunday every month; bring on all those aspiring musicians and groups - especially singer/songwriters! 3-7pm

June 1 (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

June 2 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 5pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Roemer Topf (Mascoutah) - Celtica every first Tuesday; 7-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm V and H Recreation (Breese) - Open Mic every Tuesday, hosted by Marcus Kruep; 7-11pm Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

June 3 (Wednesday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 6pm Major’s (O’Fallon) - Whiskey Dixon Acoustic every Wednesday; 8pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Bike Night every Wednesday with Live Music *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia now every Wednesday; 8pm 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 Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Open Mic Night with Jeff Schmitz; 7pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm

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Calendar of Events

May 2015

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

June 4 (Thursday)

501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Dixie Swim Club, A Comedy; through May 17; 7pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm 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) - Hypnotist Doug T; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Live music; 9pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Open Mic Night every Thursday; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - The works of Brian Smith, Adam West, and Leandra Spangler; artist reception 6-8pm; exhibit continues through July 30.

Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Soulard Blues Band; 7pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm

June 5 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Avery Hill; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 8pm-12am Eckert’s Farms (Belleville) - Summer Concert Series featuring Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers; 7-9pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Hypnotist Doug T; 8pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Diesel Island; 7-10pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Friday; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm

Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm Woodland Park (Collinsville) - International Horseradish Festival; family friendly event offers many ways to enjoy Horseradish right in the Horseradish Capital of the World.

5-10pm; live music 6:30pm

June 6 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Lil Sister; 7pm Casino Queen (East St Louis) - Old Salt Union; 7pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Hot Flash Duo; 7:30pm Chubby’s (Alton) - Eastside Acoustic every Saturday; 7-11pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm-1am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Cutters (Belleville) - Live Music; 9pm Downtown (Belleville) - Old Belleville Street Fair Downtown (Belleville) - Brew and Que Challenge Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts. Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones! 7:30am12pm 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) - Car Show; over 100 classic cars and trucks will be on display while music from the 50s, 60s and 70s fills the street; 6-9pm Eckert’s Farms (Belleville) - Summer Concert Series featuring John D Hale Band; 7-9pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Hypnotist Doug T; 8pm and 10pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Saturday; 7pm Quail Club (Belleville) - Mondinband; 8pm-12am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am Woodland Park (Collinsville) - International Horseradish Festival; family friendly event offers many ways to enjoy Horseradish right in the Horseradish Capital of the World. 10am-10pm; live music 12-4pm and 6-10pm

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Culture

May 2015 Alice’s Place Midtowne Belleville 230 North 11th St. Belleville, IL 62220 618-236-1043

Love & Beer: Alice’s Place

By Alison Lysakowski

The drinks are perfect, the prices are good, and the environment is cozy. Alice’s Place survives despite the decline of many local neighborhood taverns over time. While revenue is a concrete means of keeping Alice’s Place alive, a deeper source seems to play a hand as well.

That source is something I call love.

Before it was Alice’s Place, it was a tavern called Sardicas. Before that, it was a duplex. Before that, it was a grocery store. It was built in 1874:

and chill for anyone over 21.

Back in the 1980’s, Ray and Alice would host awesome block parties. 36year customer “Bill” says, “This place used to rock ‘n roll back in the day, always people coming and going.” There were wild game roasts.

Ray would hunt from Iceland to Argentina, even bringing back a camel for the roasts at Alice’s. Along with that, there would be goose, duck, and other game.

Ray & Alice Dill

Also in the 1980’s, the back room at Alice’s was a political hotbed for local representatives. Local politicians were known to frequent and play poker there.

At the turn of the 20th century, there were over 100 taverns in Belleville. Today there are about 40. Some bars that were placed right in the middle of downtown Main Street did not last long. I find it interesting that Alice’s Place does not give way to surrounding competition, holding steadily in the middle of a quiet neighborhood.What makes Alice’s special?

I might have the answer. Ray Dill began this business for his wife, and continues even when she is gone, because he loves her. I think that the force of love can be far greater than odds and circumstances. Sometimes you just have to put your best foot forward and fulfill your promises. ♦

Photo: Belleville Historical Society www.bellevillehistoricalsociety.org

Ray Dill purchased the property in 1949. It was a retirement gift for his beloved wife Alice, who had worked at the Stag brewery that once existed in Belleville. They fixed it up within a year. “It was a good year,” says Ray.

Before Alice passed away in Nov. 2004, Ray promised her he would keep the tavern open for her. When I asked him what his favorite part of the tavern is, he told me that the people are. These facts alone compel me to go there. It is nice to find a place where the owner genuinely wants you there, and not just your wallet.

Special thank-you to Jacob Oliver, Sharon Egler, and John Elmore

Belleville is known for its high volume of places to drink. Back in the early days of Alice’s Place, there were even more bars than today.

There were also grocery stores on many corners. People used to walk within their own neighborhoods to purchase basic needs and drink at the bar. Alice’s Place is one of the few businesses from that time period that is still humming along. Anyone who visits can recognize it as a great place to pop in and relax, without the feeling of being rushed or ignored. The two barmaids, Maggie and Karen, made sure I was covered the whole time I was there. Sometimes there is live entertainment. It is a great place to go 24

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Culture

May 2015

Field Trip to the Bronx Zoo, Belleville-Style

by John Dorroh

Yesterday afternoon, I drove over to the Bronx for fun and diversion. It was perfect weather for a field trip to get me away from yard work for a few hours and to help me get in touch with my creative side.

Bronx Zoo Boutique 1300 E. Main St Belleville, IL IL 62220 618-741-8157 present their pieces to the public in a fall festival.

Phillips never took an art class.

“I’m self-taught,” she said. “I began crocheting when I was a girl.” The rest has evolved….

On the patio I saw frogs riding bicycles, chickens, pigs, and old tires that had been fashioned into planters; metal cornstalks with full ears of bright yellow kernels; one-of-a-kind mosaic glass creations and a giraffe. I saw a pink flamingo out front nearly 30 feet tall. He or she was styling, inviting people with body language to come on in and take a look.

“My customers are my pickers,” she shared. “They are forever dropping by with items that they think I can use…and I do.”

She had an idea for a project for two old doors, and every time she got the project started, someone came by and talked her into letting them take them home.

Inside the building, which is “funkified,” I saw fun, functional, funky furniture, mirrors with found art that took the shape of birds, and jewelry; reflecting balls, fabrics, and homemade paper. There were bowls and vases and thing-ama-jigs to hang on the walls, oh my.

“Where in the Bronx did you find such treasures?” you ask. And “You didn’t tell us that you were going to New York.”

“I have lot of one-of-a-kind items,” she said, which indicates that she’s not into mass production. I like that.

“Once I make it, that’s it!” she said. She could make another piece of art like a previous piece, but it will not be the same.

To which I reply, “No, silly. I was at the

I wanted to have $1000 to spend on the Bronx Zoo Boutique in Belleville.” spot. Not saying that you need that much, but

I could easily fill up my car and a couple of

Owner Beverly Phillips chatted with me Silverados.

Photo by John Dorroh as she continued to sweep and straighten up the

place.

I chuckled and looked around to see if anyone had heard me. But then

again, who cares, right? The Bronx Zoo Boutique has that effect on me. It opens

“I’m from Belleville,” she told me. “But I have spent time in Tours, up my channels of creativity and makes me laugh. Phillips is a facilitator of those France, and Italy…” energies, never pushing merchandise down your throat.

I admitted to Phillips that I had driven past the Bronx more times than I

“Take your time,” she says, “look around, and let me know if I can help care to count but had never stopped since I’m usually on a mission and short on you.” And she will. ♦ time. But I was certainly glad that I had stopped by two weeks ago before she had moved more items onto the patio. Her promise to add more items motivated me to What: Bronx Zoo Boutique return.

Where: 1300 E. Main St., Belleville When: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am - 6pm

“In the past,” she said, “I focused on clothes, but now it’s all about art, Contact: 6181-781-5231 mainly metal, and upcycled furniture, which is old furniture that’s been turned

into something new.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com BronxZooBoutique

This summer, Phillips plans to have classes on premises in jewelrye-mail: thebronxzoo618@aol.com making, making art with glass and found materials, and whatever else that could be taught along those lines. Then in the fall, the teachers and their students will

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25

Art

May 2015

Étonnant Et Artistique

by Daniel Nygard

I started working at a t-shirt printing shop about 2 and a half years ago. While working there, I met a guy that worked in the art department. He seemed to be a nice guy. Given our positions in the shop, we never really had too much interaction with each other though. As time went by, we began to get to know each other more and more. As friends usually, do we became Facebook friends. I came to know through Facebook that he was in a band. So, I asked him, “Hey dude are you in a band?” I had seen a picture of him on a stage holding a microphone in a still frame that looked as if he were screaming at the top of his lungs. It was the type of picture you would see in a magazine or a snap shot at the right second of an awesome show. Seemed appropriate as I was right. He was in a band. It was very interesting. A couple of weeks after that we ate lunch together at work. Somehow the subject came up that he had a record label as well.

That fact just made it twice as interesting. After that he invited me to like a page of his on Facebook; it was a graphic design page he made. He had a Graphic Design Company as well. As if it couldn’t get any more exciting to know someone who did all of these things, there was one last surprise. Just recently, I was at work and we were printing some shirts. They had large lettering on them that stretched from collar to the bottom of the shirt in the front. The shirt read “GENO SAYS RELAX I AM SCORE”. Then he came down from the art department to check out the shirts that one of the shirt printers and I were making. I said “Pretty cool, don’t you think?’’ and he replied “Yeah, I thought so when I designed it for my clothing line”. There was a clothing line as well?! That was it, I had to sit down and talk to him about everything.

So I asked “Chris Mollet, how about an interview?” So here we are.

Photo c/o Chris Mollet

designs for bands doing local shows. I had a ton of fun doing that and it eventually lead to doing t-shirt designs and album artwork for friends of mine that were in bands. I used to be in a band called “Big Mouth” when I lived in Springfield, IL. We would play with a band from St. Louis a lot called “Can We Win” and I got to become good friends with them.

After Big Mouth and Can We Win broke up and I moved back to the St. Louis area, we all kind of just got together and thought it’d be a good idea to start a new band: FREAK OUT STR8 UP: Wow, that sounds pretty cool. Do you guys play local shows in the area? Who are the other band members?

CM: David Vaughn, David Green, Ben Teter, and myself. Pretty much any venue in St. Louis I’ve preformed at. Countless times. Basements, churches, bars, backyards, venues. I’ve seen it all. The St. Louis hardcore/punk community is pretty tightly knit so you meet pretty much everyone if you go to more than one show. I’ve known these guys for about 5 years now and I’ve been doing the vocals for the band for about 4 years.

STR8 UP: What is that process like for you, writing your own lyrics?

It was hard to try to figure out what exactly to ask someone that did all of these things at the same time. So I asked him about everything.

CM: Writing lyrics is either super easy or super hard. It all depends if It turns out that although Chris is a very busy man with a whole lot on his plate, he actually is a very conserved, easy going guy, who does all the things he does because he loves doing it and doesn’t get overwhelmed very easily.

STR8 Up: Hello Chris, thank you for doing this interview with me.

CM: Thank you for having me.

STR8 UP: So first off, you’re a part of a band, a record label, a graphic design company, and now just recently a clothing line. First of all “Holy Cow” that’s a lot to do. How did you get involved with all of these things, especially all at once?

Photo c/o Chris Mollet

CM: Well, I started doing graphic design when I was 14, doing 26

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May 2015

you’re forcing yourself to write. I base my lyrics off of everyday things I see going wrong in the world; racism/sexism/homophobia etc. Things that sadly are still “tolerated” in 2015.

STR8 UP: If you could tour with any current band who would it be?

CM: This is a really tough question. There are so many good bands out right now. I would have to pick Praise from Baltimore though. That band has the most positive impact on me I think.

STR8 UP: Sounds good to me. Where do you see your band in the next 5 years?

CM: As far as Freak Out, I don’t see us being around for 5 years because we started it as kind of just a way to kill time. I would love to release a vinyl record before we break up though.

STR8 UP: Moving on, let’s talk about the record label. Tell me about it.

CM: DOG YEARS RECORDS! Dog Years has been around for about 5 years now. Dog Years was started by my friend Dylan McIntosh in 2010. He started it by finding a tape duplicator at a church rummage sale and 400 blank tapes. The idea was to just make cassettes for his friends and ended up starting a record label and asking me to help him in 2011

after things started to pick up. We’ve worked with about 25+ bands and are currently on our 27th release. I would love to see Dog Years release some more records before we call it quits and continue to be the stepping stone for small bands.

STR8 UP: That sounds really cool. You don’t hear much about cassette tapes any more. Sounds like that’s one thing that sets you apart from the rest. How about the graphic design company “Chris Mollet Design”?

Tell me a little about that project.

CM: Like I said before, I started getting into graphic design when I was about 14 years old and started booking shows. I would make the flyers and had a ton of fun doing that, which eventually led to me making shirt designs/album artwork for bands I was friends with. I’ve made designs for 50+ companies and over 100 bands now. My favorite design is one that lets me be creative. When a client gives me an awesome idea and lets me run with it.

STR8 UP: That sounds awesome. That’s a lot of experience. It’s nice too when people tell you an idea of what they want and give you the freedom to be creative with it as well too. If you could design clothes for any person, sports team, band, etc who would it be and why?

CM: I would love to make designs for the Pittsburgh Penguins. That’s mainly why I started my clothing company.

STR8 UP: Yes the clothing company. Let’s talk about that. What makes your line unique?

CM: We specialize in Pittsburg Penguins hockey t-shirts. “I Am Score” is the name of it and it has always been an idea my friend Nick Covert and I have had ever since we were young. We are both huge Pittsburgh Penguins fans. ♦

FREAK OUT

http://www.freakouthc.bandcamp.com

SCORE

http://www.iamscorecrew.com

Chris Mollet Designs http://www.facebook.com/ chrismolletdesigns

Dog Years Records

http://www.dogyearsrecords.com

Photo c/o Chris Mollet StraightUpMagazine.net

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27

Culture

May 2015 Bellevue Park 401 Bellevue Park Drive Belleville, IL 62226

Giving Back to Bellevue

by Dan Cross

On a typical Saturday morning, there is nothing better than to just stay in bed and recuperate from the long workweek (and whatever you got into on Friday night).

Right? So it’s all the more impressive that at 8am on Saturday, April 17, over 100 good citizens of Belleville were up and at it at Bellevue Park, volunteering their time to give the park an overhaul.

Jason Poole, Assistant Director of the Belleville Parks and Recreation Department, described the project: “We had a large contingent of volunteers who did work staining, and spreading mulch, staining, and spreading rip rap along the shore of the lake. We brought in around 130 tons of rock and the Lindenwood University Football team spread that in about 45 minutes. We also had about 36 tons of rubber mulch made from recycled tires that we spread, and Americorps was a big help with that.”

cities applied for the Building Better Communities grant, and Belleville was one of only four lucky recipients.

A condition of the grant was a community work day, and the people of Belleville responded in a big way. Many of the volunteers were employees of Ameren and the Illinois-American Water Company. Jamie, a volunteer from Ameren, explained why he and his co-workers came. “We like helping out; we understand that we’ve been blessed, and it’s just a nice thing to give back.”

Many other volunteers were from Americorps.

While spreading recycled rubber mulch, one of the Americorps workers told me what brought her out on a warm Saturday morning to do manual labor: “I’m here because I honestly love giving back. I feel like this is an important thing to do; if you want your community to look good, you have to do something about it. That’s why I’m out here.”

A major focus of the work was the new Natural Play Area at the park. As an alternative to the metal and plastic playgrounds found in most parks, the Natural Play Area is made of mainly organic materials: Rocks, logs, sand, and water.

Jimmy O’Connor from the National Recreation and Park Association was on hand to join the volunteers putting the finishing touches on the play area, spreading mulch, planting a butterfly garden, and staining the new gazebo and wooden The project was made possible by a grant which Belleville climbing wall. After the work was finished, he explained the was fortunate to receive from the Building Better Communities goals of the project. “Natural Play Areas like this one are an initiative, a partnership between the National Recreation important feature in getting kids back outdoors and reconnecting and Park Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to to the natural environment. Kids are able to run on logs, play supporting public parks, recreation and conservation, and the with boulders, there is moving water they can manipulate, they American Water Charitable Foundation, an effort created by can play in the sand pits, and there are lots of things for them the water company to give back to the communities where to climb on. Belleville is really on the cusp nationwide of the company and its employees live and work. Over 150 providing these amenities to people in the community. We look 28

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May 2015 really gravitate to these type of community events where you can come out and give back; it’s so pretty here and just to know that we’re going to have a park that will be here for our families and friends for years to come is really touching.”

After the work ended at about noon, volunteers prepared lunch for the workers. I would have thought it impossible to cook enough hot dogs for an entire football team and all the other workers, but somehow, they did it. After everyone recharged with hot dogs, chips, soft drinks, and a truck full of delicious cold water (provided by Illinois American Water), Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert personally thanked the volunteers.

forward to using this very successful project as a model for other communities.”

“What you helped us do today, our staff couldn’t accomplish in weeks. When you get people, like all of you here today, working for a common good, Belleville’s got a bright future.” ♦

Over two dozen employees from Illinois-American Water Company also joined in the work. Dawn Tomlin, spokesperson from the company, explains what brought them out. “People

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Photography by Dan Cross

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Submissions

May 2015 Silent In Public

Drawing by Joshua Vaughn

About the Artist:

Joshua Vaughn is a 25 year old artist who currently resides in O’ Fallon, IL but originally hails from Atlanta, GA. He draws inspiration from artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Monet, and Andy Warhol. His style varies, with hints of surrealism, impressionism, and pop art techniques.

Joshua hopes to further his art career by doing future exhibits in the future and also converting some of his drawings into screen prints for clothing. He understands that some may not look at his art as conventional, but as Warhol said, “Art is what you can get away with “. Joshua also dabbles in poetry, hip hop, film, and writing as well, and hopes to grow in those fields with his directorial debut on the horizon for a video slated for one his original songs, and also a short story in the works.

Joshua can be contacted at joshua.r.vaughns@gmail.com.

Wave of heart racing tension electrifies my body and a tingling begins at the feet.

Thoughts so far forgotten come flooding in.

A reminder of tooooo many times before.

A feeling stuck in litigation with judges and lawyers and not enough justice.

Grey marble floors and giant wooden double doors.

Echoes of regret and pain sound in this sullen hall.

If walls could talk what tragedy would replace the off white paint?

And with loud murmurs from dissssssscussing jurors that shame the privacy laws.

Loose lips sinking ships, that may have sailed otherwise.

So we patiently wait on abnormally large benches and I recall memories of sitting waiting by the principals’office for a right and just punishment, desperate for escape.

No chance! Our fate lays in others hands.

Authorized personnel only and unauthorized personnel stay out!

The people, they and I and we and you care about most now reduced to prisoners behind closed doors reading holding cell in bold letters above or to a mere mention on a thirteen page document now explaining parental rights in all their glory and missed representation.

And these prisoners our sons, our daughters, our neighbors, and ourselves greet the silence no longer just as a passing acquaintance but as permanent lover in the residence of the past and present reaches of the mind.

Yes, as we too must endure this imprisonment not under lock and key but upon the restrictions made through judgment and sentencing.

Stuck waiting and waiting while these walls keep wailing and wailing With a “Why Me” and a “Please no” and my soul weeps inside and longs to reach out to comfort and calm but my body stays limp sitting in bench vibrating from the wailing and wailing in these tainted walls.

- Joseph Murphy

About the Writer:

I have been a constant writer for a long time now. My writing style has always been in free form and with a certain rhythm. The rhythm is probably due to my writing while listening to Jazz or Blues music. The subject matter of my poetry and short stories has always come straight from my own life. I always figured it was better write about what you know best.

Which for me is my life and the experiences had between myself and others. When I write I figure out who I’m writing to since everything is written in some way to someone or something even if there is no intention for the subject to read the work.

Drawing by Joshua Vaughn 30

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May 2015

Lucid Dream Wake up from Your lucid dream You are not the girl you Used to be Metal and coiled wires This cold machine heart Blood and rust and oil And some forgotten part Iron rag doll How they tossed you Here and there Until you bruised Mechanical heartbeat A pattern in the bloodstream When will they realize You are not what you seem Brittle little birds flutter Confusion in my head What grew and inside who In the once old and dead At what point does porcelain Become a wall of stone When will you see I chose to be alone These shadows everyone cast I soaked them all up Layers upon layers Will it ever be enough Somewhere beneath All that bone and twisted steel A little girl is sleeping Broken by everything she feels A woman stares into glass And wonders who is in her mirror Such tired eyes full of hate She doesn’t want to recognize Time to wake up From this lucid dream You are not the girl This woman used to be.

- Danielle Dalechek

STRAIGHT UP MAGAZINE WORD SEARCH Name:

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ABSTRACT Powered by: TheTeachersCorner.net ART Word ART Search Maker CHARCOAL EXPRESSIONIST FESTIVAL FILM MODERN MONOCHROME OIL PAINT PASTEL PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY POP POTTERY PRISMACOLOR REPLICA

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ABSTRACT CHARCOAL FILM OIL PERSPECTIVE POTTERY REVITALIZATION VARIETY ART EXPRESSIONIST MODERN PAINT PHOTOGRAPHY PRISMACOLOR SCULPTURE FESTIVAL MONOCHROME PASTEL POP REPLICA SURREALISM

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