Straight Up Magazine Feb. 2014 by Dylan Seibert

Feb. 2014

FREE

Issue

McKendree Presents: The Hett Experience ~ February Calendar of Events ~ Alma Terra: Dream of Green - Very Cold, Hardy ~ Hair, Heart and Soul at The Renaissance ~ Dinner and a Movie—at the Same Time! The Edge Bistro Theaters ~ Bringing Organic to Music Production ~ Submissions

February 2014

Serving Up Art, Music, and Culture for the Metro East’s Enjoyment

Zeke Genard

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Inside Page

February 2014

Editors Word – February 2014 It is now the 19th 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 “Danger” Zeke Gunard as the cover artist for this nineteenth Straight Up edition! See more on Zeke in our Submissions section. 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 and receive daily entertainment updates, photos, videos and 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 260 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

February Credits

Managing Editors: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Content Editors: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Layout Design Artists: Mark Polege, Michelle Reynolds, Callib Heard Sales: Paul Seibert Ad Artists: Mark Polege, Wil Sullivan Wanted Poster: Michelle Reynolds Calendar: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Website Design: Mark Polege (MarkusDesignWorks.com) Photography: Mark Polege (PhotographyofMarkPolege.com)

Contributors

Cover Art: “A Long Night” by Zeke Gunard (Facebook.com/zeke.danger.3) Cover Logo: Josh Rowan (JoshuaRowan.com) Photography: Dan Cross (Dinner and A Movie), Robin Kyrsch (Hair, Heart and Soul) Feature Writers: Brenton Ebersole, Dan Cross, Julia Jenson, Robyn Kirsch

Submissions

Zeke Genard – Painting Jacoby Arts Center Awards of Excellence Exhibition All material in this publication is 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

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February 2014

Str8 Up Magazine Distribution Locations: Alton Alton Sports Tap AmTrac Chez Marilyn Doc Holiday’s Frank’s Restaurant Jacoby Art Center Mike’s Ten Pin Belleville 10th Street Baking Co Abbey, The Acropolis Restaurant Almighty Tatoos Althoff CHS Art Dept Anthony’s Salon At Home Computer Repair Bank of Belleville Bamboo Valley Buffet Beatnik’s Bell Air Bowl Belle Clair Expo Center Belleville Public Libraries Ben’s Crafts & Floral Big Reggie’s Blue Agave BP Hucks - Carlyle Ave. BP Hucks - N. Illinois Bronx Zoo CeLeen Gallery Centerfield Bar and Grill Chamber of Commerce Christopher Mikal Photo. Circa City Hall Club Escapade Conoco Phillips Crehan’s Pub Dutch Hollow Barn Eckert Florist Effinger’s Garden Center Facial Rejuvenation Center Fletcher’s Kitchen Geo’s Wings Governor French Gallery Grappa Growlers Hair on Main Happy Hops Homebrew Hardees Harters Hobby House Hicks Bar-B-Que Hippie Daze

Hite Auto Body and Repair Imo’s Pizza Katherine Frazier State Farm Kelso Auto Body Lindenwood Univ Local Lucy’s Mabista Salon and Spa Main Street Café Mary’s Hidden Treasures Maytag Laundry Max’s One Stop Melodic Rhythms Miscellanea MotoMart North Belt West Liquor Olympic Restaurant Papa Vito’s Patriot Restaurant Pitchers Pub Pizza World Plug N Play Computers Renaissance Hair & Skin Care Rising Star Too Schnucks Sears App and Hrdwe Seven Shop N Save Simply Thrift Sips n Splatters Sole Survivor Leather & Art Southwestern IL College St E’s Medical Arts Bldg Sullivan’s Super 8 Motel Sweet Sinsation TOCO Shop Towne & Country Mart Weingarten YMCA East Cahokia Cahokia Club KC MarkO’s Grill Spinner’s Restaurant Caseyville Amer.’s Best Inn & Suites First Western Inn Knollwood Retirement Mudbugs Bar & Grill Quality Inn and Suites

McKendree Presents: The Hett Experience February Calendar of Events Alma Terra: Dream of Green - Very Cold, Hardy Hair, Heart and Soul at The Renaissance Dinner and a Movie—at the Same Time! The Edge Bistro Theaters Bringing Organic to Music Production Submissions

Centreville Terry’s Home & Garden Collinsville Dean’s Farmers Market Knights of Columbus Public Library Spring Garden Restaurant Swing City Music Columbia Columbia City Saloon Edwardsville Auto Tire Bailey Cakes Bin 51 Bridal Couture Circle K Edison’s Entertainment Enclave & Enclave West Green Mobile Handee-Mart (BP) Happy Up Toys Heroic Adventures Mark’s Appliances Public Library Run Well Sacred Grounds Southern IL University Stagger Inn Teaspoon Cafe Fairview Heights $1.98 Cleaners Best Western BP Hucks Casey’s Caseyville Twshp Bldg China King City Hall Drury Inn Express Medical Care Fortels Pizza Guitar Center Jacob’s Herb Shop Jonnie’s Pizza Just One More Time Hooters Hucks Lasting Impress. Floral Lilly’s Gyro MotoMart Phillips 66 Gas Mart

Public Library Quick Stop 2 Quiznos RaaQQa Food Mart 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 Tom’s Supermarket Granite City Apple Tree Restaurant SWIC Café & Fitness Ctr Highland Great Clips Highland’s Tru-Buy Randy’s House of BBQ Lebanon Artimis Fezziwig’s Marketplace Ghost Vapor Shop Las Cabanas Lebanon Visitors Center Legendary Creations Mama Gusto’s McKendree University MotoMart Public Library Sasafras Way Photography Tiadaghton House Whimsey Gifts Mascoutah All Mart Smoke Shop American Legion Bee Hollow Marketplace Boyce Hund & Assocs Casey’s General Store Dauber’s Pharmacy Han-Dee Mart Jo-Al Winery LaQuinta Hotel & Suites Mascoutah Steak House MidAmerica Inn & Suite

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McDonald’s Moore’s Family Restaurant Moto Mart Nite Deposit Sax Hometown Store Scott Credit Union St E’s Medical Plaza Tom’s Supermarket O’Fallon AC Computers Baymont Inn Candlewood Suites Casey’s Casa Azteca Circle K City Hall CoffeeHouse Co & Salon Country Inn and Suites CVS Days Inn Drury Inn Egg and I Extended Stay Frieze Harley Davidson Gas Mart Gias Pizza Hemingway’s Zen Garden Hilton Garden Inn Hometown Barber Knights of Columbus Lake Point Dental Luckenbooth Gallery McDonald’s Memorial Healthcare Memorial Therapy New Art Legacies Public Library RJs Computer Schnucks Settle Inn Shell St. E’s Medical Center Suburban Inn Subway Towne Lounge Vetta Sports Walgreens Wood Bakery YMCA Sauget Sauget Diner

SW IL Welcome Center Scott Air Force Base Chicago Chicken & Fish Ralph’s Barber Quick Mart Subway 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 No-Jacks Tom’s Supermarket Swansea Big Time Beads Concept Shoe Repair CVS Schnucks Dobbs Gas Mart Tourism Bureua of IL S. Wild Birds Unlimited Troy Inksane Asylum Randy’s House of BBQ Speedy Scrappers Troy Public Library ZX Fuel Waterloo BoBecks Sports Bar & Grill City Hall Gallagher’s JV’s Bar and Grill Karban’s Knotty Pines Knotty Pines Papa Vito’s Schorr Lake Vineyard St.Louis Concrete Ocean Gallery

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The Arts

February 2014

McKendree Presents: The Hett Experience by Julia Jenson Exciting things are happening at McKendree University’s Hettenhausen Center for the Arts. With a broad variety of performances, the second half of the 2013-2014 season is sure to offer something to everyone. Director Peter Palermo has been with The Hett since day one in 2006. When planning each season’s schedule, Palermo looks for events to represent all disciplines of art. What began 8 years ago has grown to encompass a wide range of topics and events. With the Film Art Series, Met at The Hett, Distinguished Speakers series, live professional performances and student performances, The Hett offers over 120 programs each year. “We like to offer a diversity of content to give people in the area the widest possible array; to challenge them to think and explore different methods,” Palermo said. The 2014 schedule has no shortage of variety, which Palermo says “is the fuel for a creative spirit.” The Distinguished Speaker Series aims to bring in individuals whose lives and stories will have a cultural impact on the community and students. These events are free to the public. Temple Grandin, whose incredible story has been explored in film, television, and print, was diagnosed with autism in 1950, a time when little to no achievement was expected for those on the autism spectrum. Dr. Grandin has accomplished more in her lifetime than most. A prominent author, advocate, and speaker, she used her skills to revolutionize livestock-handling equipment as well as become a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Dr. Grandin speaks worldwide on both autism and cattle handling. Though her visit on February 28 is already sold out, The Hett is also showing the critically acclaimed 2010 biopic “Temple Grandin” starring Claire Danes on Wednesday, February 12 at 7:00pm free of charge. The Hettenhausen Center offers musical acts to suit a plethora of tastes. Jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli has been playing since he was 6 years old. Brought up in the jazz community, Pizzarelli has performed with some of music’s best acts like Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Natalie Cole, and Rosemary Clooney, just 4

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Tosca - Patricia Racette as Tosca adn Roberto Alagna as Cavaradossi, photo by Ken Howard

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to name a few. “He’s got great stage presence, a charming voice, and great guitar licks. He’s the total package,” Palermo said. Drawing from the likes of Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra, George Gershwin, and Lennon and McCartney, Pizzarelli is quite established with the Great American Songbook. The John Pizzarelli Quartet performs Friday, February 21 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $8 for students and children. Russian classical pianist Valentina Igoshina will perform Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30pm. She has performed throughout the world to critical acclaim. Igoshina has won numerous prizes and awards at international competitions. General admission is $5. The Hett will also feature smaller chamber ensembles from the St. Louis Symphony on Monday, March 31 at 7:30pm. Admission is free. The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra is also a big draw for The Hett. “They play as well as some mid-size cities’ pros,” said Palermo. “It’s a treat to hear that big of an orchestra in such an intimate setting.” The Youth Orchestra will perform Sunday, May 4 at 3:00pm. Admission for that performance is free. The Met at The Hett series is a continually popular event. Audience members are treated to high-definition simulcasts from the New York Metropolitan Opera. Opera stars host the series, which includes interviews and behindthe-scene features from each performance. The 2014 schedule includes “Rusalka” (Saturday, February 8, 12:00pm), “Prince Igor” (Sunday, March 2, 1:00pm), “Werther” (Saturday, March 15, 12:00pm), “La Bohéme” (Saturday, April 5, 12:00pm), “Cosi Fan Tutte” (Saturday, April 16, 12:00pm), and “La Cenerentola” (Sunday, May 11, 1:00pm). Seating is general admission. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for children and student. “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo” is a whole-family experience unlike any other. Erth Visual & Physical Inc. invites audience members on an incredible journey to prehistoric Australia with giant puppets, stilt-walkers, aerial creatures, and inflatables. Children can feed, water, and care for

February 2014

the dinosaurs brought to life at the “Dinosaur Zoo.” Using sophisticated technology and design, the company collaborates with paleontologists and current scientific interpretations of fossil records. The result is an experiential theater that engages children’s imaginations while connecting them with the science of paleontology. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Due to the popularity of this event, a second show has been added Saturday, March 8 at 3:00pm and 6:00pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $5 for students and children. “The Intergalactic Nemesis” is a live-action graphic novel, combining science fiction, comic books, and the pulp serials of the 1930s. Performed like the radio dramas of old, this sci-fi adventure features three live actors, one Foley artist responsible for hundreds of sound effects, a keyboardist, and over 1,000 hand drawn color comic book images projected on a huge screen. The story follows reporter Molly Sloan, her intrepid assistant Timmy, and a mysterious librarian named Ben Wilcott as they prepare for the impending invasion of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon. An illustrated story dramatized live, “The Intergalactic Nemesis” makes for a fun, family-friendly night out. The performance is Thursday, April 3 at 7:30pm, and tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $5 for students and kids. The Film Art Series events are free and open to the public. This year’s series explores two themes: “Vengeance is Mine” and “Standard Deviation: Diversity in Film”. Informal discussions follow each screening. The newest addition to the schedule is critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated “12 Years a Slave”, the harrowing true story of Solomon Northup. The film will be shown Sunday, February 23 at 2pm and 7pm. Upcoming films include: “Temple Grandin” (Wednesday, February 12), “The Crying Game” (Tuesday, March 4), “Titus” (Thursday, March 20), and “Manon of the Spring” (Wednesday, April 16). All films are free. Polermo says that the best part of his job is working with McKendree students and having a positive effect on their lives. “Art is beneficial for young people. They become more empathetic when they walk in the artist’s shoes. It creates a more civil society.” The Hett is Southern Illinois’ premier perJohn Pizzarelli forming arts venue, presenting world class dance, StraightUpMagazine.net

drama, classical music and jazz. The 488-seat auditorium is located on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Illinois, 25 miles east of St. Louis. Opened in 2006, The Hett is named for Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen of Belleville, IL. Mrs. and Mrs. Hettenhausen shared a lifelong love for the arts. Following the death of Russel, Fern sought out a way to memorialize him in a fitting manner. She stepped forward with the lead gift of six million dollars and jump-started the effort to construct a new arts center on McKendree University’s beautiful campus. Her gift is a lasting tribute to her husband and her commitment to the arts and young people who study here. At the time of this printing, tickets are still available for most of the events. For a complete schedule and more details about each performance, visit The Hett’s website at McKendree.edu/the_hett.

What: The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen

Center for the Arts

Where: McKendree University Campus

400 North Alton Street Lebanon, IL 62254

Contact: phone 618-537-6863

email - thehett@mckendree.edu

Box Office Hours: M-F Noon to 4 pm; one hour prior to show for ticketed performances and 90 minutes prior to show for free performances. University break and holiday hours may vary. Booking inquiries: booking@mckendree.edu

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February Calendar of Events February 1st (Saturday)

February 2014

Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Moonlight and Magnolias (Comedy); Legendry Hollywood producer David O. Selznick has a problem. He has just fired the director of Gone With the Wind and the script is on its umpteenth version. Take a fun, farcical look at the behind-the-scene birth of one of the most beloved films of all time. 7:30-10:30pm Audubon Center (West Alton) - Join us for the arrival of the Birds of Winter! It may be cold outside, but it’s always 70 degrees inside The Audubon Center at Riverlands. Two story circular bay windows provide a 140o grand vista of the Mississippi River, where you may see eagles, trumpeter swans and other fascinating waterfowl. 10am-2pm Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Wine Tasting & Sweetie Pie Day; Wine Tasting in conjunction with Sweetie Pie Day. Sample sweet treats from local merchants. 10am-2pm; Wine tasting starts at 11am. Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Spring Craft, Home and Garden Decorating Show; 10am-5pm Bobby’s @ Buffalo Park (Maryville) - Blue Marlin; 9pm-1:30am BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm Chasers (Belleville) - Mondinband; 9pm-1am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Cutters (Belleville) - Old Salt Union and Clusterpluck; all day 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 (Mascoutah) - Sweetie Pie Day; Enjoy free pie samples at participating businesses then vote for your favorite; 10am2pm Eckert’s (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Big Mike Aguirre; Blues/Soul and Rock & Roll; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - American Idle; 3pm; All Mixed Up; 8pm Frawley’s (Granite City) - Avery Hill Band; 9pm-1am Highland High School (Highland) - Hard Road Theatre presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; 7:30-10pm Jacoby Art Center (Alton) - Awards of Excellence Exhibition; through February 22, 2014 KofC Watering Hole Bar and Grill (O’Fallon) - Live music with guitarist/singer/songwriter Mark Gordon; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm; Big Wheel: 6:30-10pm; Southern Justice: 9:30pm1:30am Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower (Hartford) - Native American Tribute to the Bald Eagle; Celebrate the elegance and significance of the American Bald Eagle and its impact on a variety of native cultures during this event at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower. Listen to Native American folklore and watch an authentic Eagle Dance 6

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performed every hour from noon to 3 pm. Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits; A compilation of the silliest and most beloved show tune parodies; 7:30pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live acoustic music; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Second Annual Ambassador Wing Challenge; An amateur wing eating competition consisting of both heat and quantity; Win an all inclusive trip to Cancun Mexico! Registration at 3pm, competition at 4pm Pop’s (Sauget) - American Head Charge; presented The Beard Productions; with Righteous Vendetta; Cathercist; TBA; $12 advance, $13 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Exhibitions: “Architecture Out of Context” by Ken Konchel and “Home from Work to Find Your Spaniel Turned into a Wolf ” by Alison Ouellette-Kirby; through February 27 SeVen (Belleville) - Pat Liston; 9pm-12am Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Radio Star; 9pm-1am Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music ST Metcalf Student Experimental Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Black Theater Workshop; 7:30-10pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Deadline for application for the Gateway East Artist Guild (GEAG) Exhibit, February 19 - April 4. Towne Lounge (O’Fallon) - Mr. T and the Houseshakers; 8pm

February 2nd (Sunday)

Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Moonlight and Magnolias (Comedy); 2pm-5pm; Legendry Hollywood producer David O. Selznick has a problem. He has just fired the director of Gone With the Wind and the script is on its umpteenth version. Take a fun, farcical look at the behind-the-scene birth of one of the most beloved films of all time. Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Combined Audition for ‘Sex Please, We’re 60’ and ‘Hallelujah Girls’; 7pm-8pm (or by appointment, contacting Mark Hilgert, Lee Cox or Kevin Frakes through the ALT office, 462-3205). Both Shows have a total of twelve roles for women 45-65 and three men of the same age range. SEX PLEASE, WE’RE 60 runs March 13-23, and HALLELUJAH GIRLS runs May 1-11. Combined Audition will begin at 7pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Spring Craft, Home and Garden Decorating Show; 10am-4pm Bobby’s @ Buffalo Park (Maryville) - Night Riders; 4-7pm

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February 2014 7pm

Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 3-6pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session;

Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits; A compilation of the silliest and most beloved show tune parodies; 2pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke The Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night ST Metcalf Student Experimental Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Black Theater Workshop; 2-4pm

February 3rd (Monday)

February 4th (Tuesday)

7pm

Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music;

Katy Cavins Center (O’Fallon) - O’Fallon Garden Club; “Improving Your Curb Appeal”. Featuring Ron Gatewood, Certified Arborist with 18 yrs exp in landscape design and installation with Crain Tree Farm. This event is open to the public to attend. Refreshments served. 6:30pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - 3rd-5th Grade Home School Art Sampler; through February 13; 10-11:30am The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Young People’s Concert Series; “Blockbuster Movies”; for grades PreK–3; 9:30am and 12:30pm

February 5th (Wednesday)

Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Young People’s Concert Series; “Blockbuster Movies”; for grades PreK–3; 9:30am Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

February 6th (Thursday)

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February Calendar of Events

February 2014

gallery community; exhibit runs through February 27; artist reception February 20. Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); every Thursday; 9pm12pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night; 7-10pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons with Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm

February 7th (Friday)

Argosy’s Music Hall (Alton) - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Legend Leon Russell; $20 with Argosy Preferred Card; $25 General Admission; 8pm Avon Theater (Breese) - Snoopy! The Musical; 8-10pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Largest Yard Sale; Bargains, Treasures and Finds! New and Used merchandise – Everything you can imagine or want for you and your home; 4-7pm Capitol Theatre (Waterloo) - Monroe Actors Stage Company presents ‘Hay Fever’; Noel Coward; directed by Zona Ludland; 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Cutters (Belleville) - Well Hungarians Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Jack Tweston; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - American Idle; 8pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis Woodworking Show; 12-6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm KofC Watering Hole Bar and Grill (O’Fallon) - The Mark and Mark Comedy Show; Kevin Sullivan as Mark Twain plus local PGA professional and stand-up comic Mark Morfey; free admission; 8:30pm Lovejoy Library @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Honor Voice Recital; 7:30-8:30pm Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits; A compilation of the silliest and most beloved show tune parodies; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live acoustic music; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night; 7-11pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Evil Empire, a tribute to Rage Against The Machine; presented by The Beard; with Pretty Penny, a tribute to Stone Temple Pilots, TBA; $8 advance, $10 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music 8

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Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Out of Focus; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Jazz Every Friday night; tonight with Boyer-Voland Acoustic Duo; 7-10pm The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Winter Concert Series featuring Jim Stevens with Good 4 the Soul; a tribute to the music of David Sanborn; Born in the St. Louis area, Jim Stevens has built a reputation as one of the most in-demand, exciting artists in the Midwest. Driven by Jim’s virtuoso and aggressive saxophone playing, his set features a crowd-pleasing mix of music by some of the greatest soul, blues, rock and jazz musicians. Good 4 the Soul is an explosive four-piece outfit, led by John King on bass, with Adaron “Pops” Jackson on keys, James Jackson on drums, and Shaun Robinson on guitar, draws upon jazz, funk, fusion, gospel, and R&B repertoires to deliver a powerful and unapologetic sound that excites and thrills audiences; 7pm

February 8th (Saturday)

Argosy’s Music Hall (Alton) - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Legend Leon Russell; $20 with Argosy Preferred Card; $25 General Admission; 7pm Audubon Center (West Alton) - Join us for the arrival of the Birds of Winter! It may be cold outside, but it’s always 70 degrees inside The Audubon Center at Riverlands. Two story circular bay windows provide a 140o grand vista of the Mississippi River, where you may see eagles, trumpeter swans and other fascinating waterfowl. 10am-2pm Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Specialty Liquor Tasting; Sample new liquor products from BC Merchants. 12-4pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Largest Yard Sale; Bargains, Treasures and Finds! New and Used merchandise – Everything you can imagine or want for you and your home; 8am-2pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Winter Ribfest with Covering Fire; 7-10pm BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm Capitol Theatre (Waterloo) - Monroe Actors Stage Company presents ‘Hay Fever’; Noel Coward; directed by Zona Ludland; 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music

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February 2014 Cutters (Belleville) - Well Hungarians 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 (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Justin Heskett Band; Country/Blues/Originals; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddy’s; 3pm; American Idle; 8pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis Woodworking Show; 10am-6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm KofC Watering Hole Bar and Grill (O’Fallon) - Live music with the Waiting for Jimmy Band; 8pm-12am Knights of Columbus (Fairview Heights) - 8th Annual Valentine Trivia Night benefit for Hospice of Southern Illinois; doors at 6pm, games begin at 7pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower (Hartford) - See artisans create a one-of-a-kind sculpture for the 2014 eagle season. Watch Chip Off the Block demonstrate how to create an eagle ice sculpture. 1-2pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits; A compilation of the silliest and most beloved show tune parodies; 7:30pm No-Jack’s Bar & Grill (Smithton) - Paint N Party; Feeling creative and inspired? Let’s Paint! Art 2 Go Studio is bringing the party to No-Jack’s; The theme will be “Love” and it will be able to be personalized; $40/person includes all needed materials and an appetizer buffet; 6:30-9:30pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live acoustic music; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Pop’s (Sauget) - Hopsin w/ DJ Hoppa, Irv Da Pheonom, John Boi, Kold Kace; $18 advance, $20 door, $2 minor surcharge Pump House (Wood River) - Hicktown; 9:30pm-1:30am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Creative Kids Art Class: Your Funny Valentine; With a backdrop of the Romantic art movement, children will create a collage featuring family photos and magazine cutouts to create something fun for Valentine’s Day; 12:30pm Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Adult Workshop: Customize Your Kicks; 2-4pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Signal Hill School (Belleville) - Trivia Night: Brass Rail Players; Doors at 6pm, first round 7pm Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Amberfade; 9pm-1am Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am

St Clair Country Club (Belleville) - Masterworks Chorale and Children’s Choruses fundraiser; delicious dinner, your favorite beverages, auctions, raffles and great entertainment by the Masterworks Chorale; 5:30pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Rusalka (Dvořák): Met at the Hett; Join a worldwide audience from your “better than front row seat” for the New York Metropolitan Opera’s Emmy award-winning Live in HD series of high-definition simulcast transmissions. Presented with subtitles; $18 adults, $15 seniors, $10 student/child; 12pm

February 9th (Sunday)

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Auto Swap Meet; buy and sell auto parts and accessories; 1am-1:30pm Bobby’s @ Buffalo Park (Maryville) - Hill Williams; 4-7pm Capitol Theatre (Waterloo) - Monroe Actors Stage Company presents ‘Hay Fever’; Noel Coward; directed by Zona Ludland; 2:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 3-6pm Crehan’s Pub (Belleville) - Paul Bonn and the Bluesmen First Sunday Jam (postponed for last week’s Superbowl); 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddy’s; 2pm; Radio Star; 7pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis Woodworking Show; 10am-4pm Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) - Live at Jacoby: Sunday Afternoon Jam Sessions; Bud Shultz, clarinetist and leader of the “You Can’t Beat Experience” Jazz Band, presents a performance opportunity for jazz musicians every 2nd Sunday of the month; A jazz rhythm combo will play along with Bud and other guest musicians. Tickets are $12.50 general admission; $10 seniors and students; Cash bar and beverages will be available. Sessions begin at 3pm and run until 6pm. Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits; A compilation of the silliest and most beloved show tune parodies; 2pm

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Str8Up Magazine

February Calendar of Events

February 2014

Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - The Official Blues Brothers Revue; The Official Blues Brothers Revue celebrates Chicago’s rhythm and blues history in the only show sanctioned by Dan Akroyd and the late John Belushi’s family. 7:30-9pm

February 10th (Monday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course; 6-7:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat Joyce; 1-4pm Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - American Red Cross – Blood Drive; Commons; 10am Riverbender Community Center (Alton) - Mark Glenshaw of the National Audubon Society will speak on “The Great Horned Owls of Forest Park.” 7:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Park Avenue Trio every Monday; 8-11pm

February 11th (Tuesday)

6pm

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride;

7pm

Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music;

Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Valentine’s Day Celebration; Reid Hall; 11am Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - “Aspects of Love” - Brown Bag Series; Music Building Atrium; 12pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Film Series; Temple Grandin (2010); A captivating biopic of a woman who overcame the limitations of autism to become a top scientist and expert in the humane livestock handling industry. Rated PG; 7pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

CARD Building (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Camera Club meeting; “Still Life Photo Shoot”; 7pm Farmer’s Restaurant (Highland) - Highland Area Women’s Connection: Motivational Moves for your Heart Brunch; 9-10:30am Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Women’s Connection; “Dress Up” Luncheon; $13.00 Ticket-includes a delicious meal, beverages, program and gratuity; Reservations necessary - Must be honored or cancelled; All Women Invited To Attend; 12:15-2pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Morris University Center Art Gallery @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Art and Design Exhibition: Opening Reception; Joe Weber, Emeritus; 8am-8pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke

February 12th (Wednesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Surgeon Yoga; stretch and relax! All you need is a yoga mat. For all ages and skill levels; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wed Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Theater and Dance presents: Dance in Concert; 7:30-10pm Fairview Heights Library (Fairview Heights) - Snacks and Facts; The Area Agency on Aging presents “Snacks and Facts.” This is an event that is held the 2nd Wed of each month. 12-1pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Real St. Band; 6pm 10

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February 2014 February 13th (Thursday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 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). Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Theater and Dance presents: Dance in Concert; 7:30pm-10pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Wherehouse Project; 7pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); every Thursday; 9pm12pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Battle For Pointfest 2014: Hip Hop Edition; 105.7 The Point, Redwood Studios, and Busch Beer Present: The Battle For Pointfest 2014: Hip Hop Edition Featuring: Triple A Ent, XIII Tha Deva5+8a, Nuttinxnyce, Yak Boy Fresh, & TBA; $3 adv, $5 dos $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night; 7-10pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - The Little River Band; 8pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm

February 14th (Friday) – Valentine’s Day

Bobby’s @ Buffalo Park (Maryville) - Hicktown; 9pm-1:30am Capitol Theatre (Waterloo) - Monroe Actors Stage Company presents ‘Hay Fever’; Noel Coward; directed by Zona Ludland; 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Theater and Dance presents: Dance in Concert; 7:30-10pm Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Midlife; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Champagne Fix; 8pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - The Cupid Shuffle; ultimate night out for singles, couples, everybody! Come enjoy an evening of entertainment, dancing, comedy, and live music from the Louis Michael Band! 7-10pm

7pm

Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music;

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Rocky Fork Art Exhibit; Open to the Public; 8am Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Mama Gusto’s (Lebanon) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7-11pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live acoustic music; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Conquest - A Tribute to Metal Gods featuring Killer Instinct & Local TBA; $5 advance, $10 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Avery Hill Band; 9pm-1:30am Senior Services Plus (Alton) - Annual Sweethearts Dance with Johnny Hernandez. King & Queen Dance off, Zumba Demonstration, food & drink, and door prizes for all; 4-7pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Hobo Jungle; 9pm-1am Skootrs (Mascoutah) - Dick Krim; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Friday Night Jazz; Every Friday night; 7-10pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Valentine’s Day Dinner with live music by Trish Prager; doors at 4pm, dinner and music at 6:30pm (reservations required) The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - The Little River Band; 8pm

February 15th (Saturday)

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (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. Free admission; 8am-5pm BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm Capitol Theatre (Waterloo) - Monroe Actors Stage Company presents ‘Hay Fever’; Noel Coward; directed by Zona Ludland; 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music

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Str8Up Magazine

February Calendar of Events

February 2014

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. Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Theater and Dance presents: Dance in Concert; 7:30pm-10pm Eckert’s (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Evan Webb; Country/TX Rock; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Acoustic Asylum; 3pm; Whiskey Dixon; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Valentine’s Dinner/Show; 7pm; Bring your sweetheart for a very special performance by Jeff Caldwell and the Vinyl Frontier! Tickets - $28 per person; includes show, dinner, glass of wine and dessert; Dinner served at 7pm; show starts at 8pm. KofC Watering Hole Bar and Grill (O’Fallon) - Live music with singer/songwriter/entertainer Mark Moebeck; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Nite Deposit (Mascoutah) - Straight 6; 9pm-12am No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live acoustic music; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Creative Kids Art Class: Tissue Sun Catcher; With the South Rose Window of Notre Dame as inspiration, young artists will create a stained-glass-effect artwork; 12:30pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Super Majik Robot; 9pm-1am Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers live; 8-11pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Falls (Columbia) - Memories of Elvis with Steve Davis; with Thomas Hickey as Buddy Holly; dinner and show $55, all drinks included. Fundraising event for Human Support Services. Doors at 6:30, dinner 7:00pm, show 8:00pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Ladysmith Black Mambazo; This South African a cappella vocal group has created a musical and spiritual alchemy that has touched a worldwide audience representing every corner of the religious, cultural and ethnic landscape. 8pm

Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new. Indoor/ Outdoor Year Round. Free admission; 8am-5pm Bobby’s @ Buffalo Park (Maryville) - Hill Williams; 4-7pm Capitol Theatre (Waterloo) - Monroe Actors Stage Company presents ‘Hay Fever’; Noel Coward; directed by Zona Ludland; 2:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 3-6pm Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Department of Theater and Dance presents: Dance in Concert; 2pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Acoustic Asylum; 2pm; American Idle; 7pm Flatland Rocks (Germantown) - Original Music hosted by Knoisemaker and the Silent Partners; featuring The Cobras and the Floyd Duncan Orchestra; 6-10pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Shenanigans Bar & Grill (Belleville) - Tapestry Of Community Organizations (TOCO) Quarter Auction; TOCO empowers children & families through green & community partnerships. Doors at 1pm; Auction 2-5:30pm Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Gypsy Jones; 6-9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night

February 16th (Sunday)

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market; 12

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February 2014 February 17th (Monday)

February 18th (Tuesday)

6pm 7pm

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke

February 19th (Wednesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Surgeon Yoga; stretch and relax! All you need is a yoga mat. For all ages and skill levels; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wed Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Jay & Waylon; 6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - “Sonata Sampler” Brown Bag Series; Music Building Atrium; 12pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Comedy Night with The Fryman; plus Chris Smith; 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 Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Bourbon Street at the Creek with TBA; 6-9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Fifth Annual Gateway East Artist Guild (GEAG) Exhibit, February 19 - April 4. Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

1:30am

Cahokia State Historic Site (Collinsville) - Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting; Come at 6:30pm to help wash artifacts. Program and meeting, 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 8pm Downtown (Belleville) - Downtown Diva Night; an exciting ladies night out! Start at Grim and Gorly Florals and Gifts; after-party at Papa Vito’s; 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) - Whiskey Dixon; 7pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke McKendree Gallery of Art (Lebanon) - Five Views: A Photography Invitational; John Gardner, Bill Kniest, Don McKenna, Mary Ann Demonstrating a wide range of sensibilities and working methods, these artists bring their distinctive viewpoints to share with our gallery community; artists reception 4-7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); every Thursday; 9pm-12pm Pop’s (Sauget) - $3 Throwdown; presented by The Beard; with Milata, Avery, Repatalleon, Mark Bone, Unsolved Homicide, Splig Town or Laydown, TBA; $3 advance, $5 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night; 7-10pm Talahi Lodge (Godfrey) - The Nature Institute, partnering with Eddie Agha of Agha Designs Jewelry Studio, invites the public to a program of the newly formed TNI Astronomy Association. Navigate the

February 20th (Thursday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pmStraightUpMagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

February Calendar of Events

February 2014

preserve with naturalist Eddie Agha to observe and record constellations. (No tele-scopes are needed.) 7-9pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm

February 20th (Thursday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm1:30am Cahokia State Historic Site (Collinsville) - Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting; Come at 6:30pm to help wash artifacts. Program and meeting, 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 8pm Downtown (Belleville) - Downtown Diva Night; an exciting ladies night out! Start at Grim and Gorly Florals and Gifts; after-party at Papa Vito’s; 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) - Whiskey Dixon; 7pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke McKendree Gallery of Art (Lebanon) - Five Views: A Photography Invitational; John Gardner, Bill Kniest, Don McKenna, Mary Ann Demonstrating a wide range of sensibilities and working methods, these artists bring their distinctive viewpoints to share with our gallery community; artists reception 4-7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); every Thursday; 9pm12pm Pop’s (Sauget) - $3 Throwdown; presented by The Beard; with Milata, Avery, Repatalleon, Mark Bone, Unsolved Homicide, Splig Town or Laydown, TBA; $3 advance, $5 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night; 7-10pm Talahi Lodge (Godfrey) - The Nature Institute, partnering with Eddie Agha of Agha Designs Jewelry Studio, invites the public to a program of the newly formed TNI Astronomy Association. Navigate the preserve with naturalist Eddie Agha to observe and record constellations. (No telescopes are needed.) 7-9pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm 14

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February 22nd (Saturday)

Argosy’s Music Hall (Alton) - The Brothers: A Tribute to the Allman Brothers; Free with your Argosy Preferred Card; 7pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - RV & Camper Show; 100,000 square feet of campers and motor homes and camping supplies; 10am-8pm BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Double Tap (Troy) - Avery Hill Band; 9pm-1am 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 (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Andy Roose; Americana/Folk/Country; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddy’s; 3pm; Spin the Bottle; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Star City Games.Com 10K Weekend Jacoby Art Center (Alton) - Last day for the Awards of Excellence Exhibition

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February 2014 Jacoby Art Center (Alton) - LIVE at Jacoby: Saturday Nights; Jared Hennings Band. Standards, Ballads and Broadway show tunes. Tickets $12.50 and $10 for seniors and students. Cash bar and snacks available. Doors at 6pm, music at 7pm Knights of Columbus (Godfrey) - Second Annual Madrigal Dinner and Play; Re-enter the days of old for a Renaissance Feast and howling comedy just as in the days of the Lords and Ladies of the Castle! 6-8:30pm KofC Watering Hole Bar and Grill (O’Fallon) - Live music with Pierce Crask of Falling Martins; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower (Godfrey) - Eagle Photo Workshop; Start with tips from a professional photographer and then try it yourself from 150 feet above. 12-2pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Lovejoy Library @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Suzuki Graduation Recital; 1-3:30pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live acoustic music; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Str8Up Magazine Presents, in conjunction with The Great Joint Commission, live and in concert: Network, Monkh, Lot 7, Skrilla and Tony Walker; in the Dugout at 8pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Rocket Ride: A Tribute to Kiss presented by The Beard & Pop’s; w/ Judas Beast: A Tribute to Iron Maiden/Judas Priest, & Candy Coated Evil; $10 advance, $12 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Family Workshop: Bowties, Top Hats and More! 1-3pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Metal Studz; 9pm-1am Signal Hill United Methodist Church (Belleville) - Youth Orchestra Concerts: Winter Concert; 2pm Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - “Nunsense - The Mega Musical”; The Brass Rail Players community theater organization will present the metro-east premiere of “Nunsense - The Mega Musical.” “Nunsense” is based on real nuns, and has resonated big with audiences since its off-Broadway debut in 1986. 7:30pm Woodlands Golf Club (Alton) - 2nd Annual “Uncorked” Junior League of Greater Alton wine tasting event! 5-7:30pm

February 23rd (Sunday)

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - RV & Camper Show; 100,000 square feet of campers and motor homes and camping supplies;

10am-4pm Cahokia Mounds (Collinsville) - Winter Lecture Series: “The Marvels of Mud: Using Lake Sediments to uncover the Ecological History of the Cahokia Region,” (Including possible major flood about AD1200) by Samuel Munoz. Free; 2pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Hill Williams; 4-7pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddy’s; 2pm; Radio Star; 7pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Star City Games.Com 10K Weekend Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Alton Symphony Orchestra concert; “A Spanish Affair”; This concert includes the beautiful Symphonie Espagnole, featuring ASO’s own violinist Vincent Piassa. The Alton Youth Symphony joins ASO on stage performing side-by-side selections. 3pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) – Karaoke The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) – Film Series: “12 Years a Slave” based on an extraordinary true story; stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northrup, a free African-American from upstate New York who was abducted and sold into slavery in pre-Civil War Louisiana. Rated R; 2pm and 7pm The Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night Towne Lounge (O’Fallon) - Mr. T and the Houseshakers; 4pm Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - “Nunsense - The Mega Musical”; The Brass Rail Players community theater organization will present the metro-east premiere of “Nunsense - The Mega Musical”. “Nunsense” is based on real nuns, and has resonated big with audiences since its off-Broadway debut in 1986. Matinee 2pm

February 24th (Monday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course; 6-7:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat

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February Calendar of Events

February 2014

Joyce; 1-4pm Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - St. Louis Symphony Concert; featuring the Brass Quintet from the St. Louis Symphony. This is a Free Event. 7:30-9:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Park Avenue Trio every Monday; 8-11pm

February 25th (Tuesday)

6pm

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Adam’s Auction Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride;

Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Belleville News Democrat Career Expo; admission free; Come dressed for success and bring plenty of resumes; 10am-3pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke

February 26th (Wednesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Surgeon Yoga; stretch and relax! All you need is a yoga mat. For all ages and skill levels; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wed Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Scott N Karl; 6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Black History; “Spirit of Angela Dance”; Reid Hall; 11:30am Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 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) - Radio Star; 7pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); every Thursday; 9pm12pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night; 7-10pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm

February 28th (Friday)

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Home Show; The HBA

February 27th (Thursday)

Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel (Godfrey) - SIUE Black Theater Workshop; 11am Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm1:30am CARD Building (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Camera Club meeting; “Travel, Trials, Trivia” plus photography swap meet; 7pm 16

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February 2014 Home Show is the best one-stop-shop to locating quality builders, remodelers, contractors, retailers and suppliers in the area. The vast array of booths will feature everything from state of the art appliances to window treatments, spas, decks, sunrooms, room additions and landscaping; 2-8pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Borderline; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Planet Boogie; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - “Keeping It Classy” Music Building Atrium; 7pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Lovejoy Library @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Music Department Faculty Showcase; 7:30-9:30pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live acoustic music; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Pitchers will be celebrating their Two Year Anniversary in style all day with drink specials, great prizes and Live Music with Steve Ewing at 9pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Battle For Pointfest 2014; 105.7 The Point, Redwood Studios, and Busch Beer Present: The Battle For Pointfest 2014; Featuring: Hollow Point Heroes, Driven by Fate, Evading Azrael, Anguish Of Atrophy, FTP, & Barewire; $3 adv, $5 dos $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Johny Rock-itt; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Friday Night Jazz; Every Friday night; 7-10pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Distinguished Speakers Series; Author Temple Grandin; Temple Grandin is a remarkable author, advocate and educator who channeled her experience as a person with autism to revolutionize the way livestock are treated at packing facilities. 7:30pm Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - “Nunsense - The Mega Musical”; The Brass Rail Players community theater organization will present the metro-east premiere of “Nunsense - The Mega Musical.” “Nunsense” is based on real nuns, and has resonated big with audiences since its off-Broadway debut in 1986. 7:30pm

scaping; 10am-8pm BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ Mardi Gras Party; 9pm CARD Building (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Camera Club meeting; “Butterfly House Photo Shoot”; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company. Eckert’s (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Shakey Dave; Country; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Red Rocks; 3pm; Planet Boogie; 8pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis Regional Gun & Knife Show Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Pegasus Productions Psychic Fair; Adults - $7; Children under 12 Free; 10am-6pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) Daddy Daughter Date Night Dance; girls ages 5-16 and their “dates” (no moms allowed); formal attire; special appearance by Miss Illinois; 6-9pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm

March 1st (Saturday)

Str8Up Magazine

February Calendar of Events

February 2014

KofC Watering Hole Bar and Grill (O’Fallon) - The guitar and vocals of Rev Ken; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat - Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Lindenwood University Auditorium (Belleville) - Belleville Philharmonic; Classical POPS Concert; 7:30pm Lovejoy Library @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Marie Menninga, Piano Recital; 5-6pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Live acoustic music; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Social Remedy; 9pm-1am Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - The Stubblefield Band; Enjoy this rare treat and relive the 90’s as the band gets together for a show at the Wildey. 8pm Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - “Nunsense - The Mega Musical”; The Brass Rail Players community theater organization will present the metro-east premiere of “Nunsense - The Mega Musical.” “Nunsense” is based on real nuns, and has resonated big with audiences since its off-Broadway debut in 1986. 7:30pm

March 2nd (Sunday)

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Home Show; The HBA Home Show is the best one-stop-shop to locating quality builders, remodelers, contractors, retailers and suppliers in the area. The vast array of booths will feature everything from state of the art appliances to window treatments, spas, decks, sunrooms, room additions and landscaping; 11am-4pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 3-6pm Crehan’s Pub (Belleville) - Paul Bonn and the Bluesmen First Sunday Jam; 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Eckert’s (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Tim Ryan and Friends; 1-4pm Eden Church of Christ (Edwardsville) - Choir Concert; General Admission-$12; Seniors & Under 18 Years-$9; SIUE Students admitted free with ID; 3-5pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis Regional Gun & Knife Show Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Pegasus Productions Psychic Fair; Adults - $7; Children under 12 Free; 10am-6pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am 18

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Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Hed PE & Smile Empty Soul presented by The Beard Productions; with Bound To Break, Sake Of Sanity, Hero For A Day, Filthee Benjaminz; $13 advance, $15 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Met at the Hett; Prince Igor (Borodin); Join a worldwide audience from your “better than front row seat” for the New York Metropolitan Opera’s Emmy awardwinning Live in HD series of high-definition simulcast transmissions. Presented with subtitles; (One day delay, not shown live) $18 adults, $15 seniors, $10 student/child; 1pm Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - “Nunsense - The Mega Musical”; The Brass Rail Players community theater organization will present the metro-east premiere of “Nunsense - The Mega Musical.” “Nunsense” is based on real nuns, and has resonated big with audiences since its off-Broadway debut in 1986. 2pm

March 3rd (Monday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course; 6-7:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat Joyce; 1-4pm Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Jazz Combo Concert; General Admission-$12; Seniors & Under 18 Years-$9; SIUE Students admitted free with ID; 8-10pm Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Bi-State Brass Quintet; 12pm Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Choral Pops Concert; Commons; 7:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Park Avenue Trio every Monday; 8-11pm

March 4th (Tuesday)

6pm

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Band Concert;

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Specializing in Criminal Defense 10 South Jackson, Suite 300

(618) 235-6505 Belleville, IL 62220 Fax: (618) 235-5870

Culture

February 2014

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Business Profile

February 2014

Hair, Heart and Soul at The Renaissance by Robyn L. Kirsch

On a bitterly cold Saturday morning, the January air was chilling Joe’s and Jane’s, but even as I type this, I almost stop to hit backspace beto the bones; but entering Belleville’s ‘The Renaissance’ was quite the op- cause, to Raghda, each of her clients is a special gem - like brothers, sisters, posite environment - warm vibes, good energy and sincere smiles. I felt dear friends, no holds barred. right at home despite it being I watched closely as my first time in the eclectic Raghda went from Doris, salon and massage establisha white-haired beauty inment, which I soon found out side and out, who had been had grown over the years into coming to Raghda for over a becoming much more. It had decade, to Robert, a friendevolved into an epicenter for of-a-friend who talked of meaningful conversation, positive personal life changes healing moments with kind hanging in the balance. And words, casual drop-in visitors more trickled in throughout and a happy brood of loyal the morning, all ready to just clients of all ages, religions, relax and have a good time. cultures and backgrounds. One jokingly described what coming to see Raghda at At the helm of this Renaissance meant for her ship is the one and only Ragh- therapy, plus a confidence da Salah, hair artiste, spiritual (hair) transformation of sorts. healer and connoisseur of life. Some had been coming for According to Raghda, 18 years, or 6, and another she opened the first Renaishad been coming since he sance Salon in September was a young boy - the list 1982. Just two short years latgoes on. People are drawn to er, she bought her own properRaghda - her ability to look ty and expanded to five chairs. at you and get to know you “Within two years, and, “...create as I go. I don’t I knocked down the whole Owner of Renaissance Hair Salon Raghda Salah, right, poses with her client, Doris. follow anything or copy anybuilding and rebuilt a two level, 12-chair salon, with six nail technicians, five massage therapists and thing - I help bring ‘you’ out.” two estheticians - and we were well known,” Raghda said. “When I opened Doris had this to say when I asked her why she so faithfully keeps my doors, I opened my heart!” coming back, “I wouldn’t come here if it wasn’t for the angel (Raghda). Raghda laughed as she recalled her sheer dedication over her years We’d follow (her) to a garage.” I looked around and saw all the faces listenof service, which is a true testament to how she perceives life, treats others ing, smiling and concurring - everyone else chimed in with encouraging and perseveres with her clients by her side. “The real heart of the love of banter shortly after. my work has to include my clients,” Raghda announced. “We’ve been open Robert’s response was unexpected. He answered a question with a on Christmas Eve and Christmas with cookies and cheer and a warm spot question. “Have you ever heard of the movie The Barbershop?” he asked to sit for those who need somewhere to go and be around good people.” me. Before I could answer, he said, “Well that’s what it’s like here. We talk Watching Raghda do her magic on her clients was quite an adabout anything from bowel movements to politics, and it’s great. We give venture. All of them were there for their regular appointments or to hang advice to each other, we laugh and she just knows what to do with this.” out before and/or after as usual, laughing and cutting up together like old The latter he said with a hand motion around his head like he was describschool mates carry on. ing an askew, orbiting moon. Turns out, that day, Raghda cut and styled his But, the true essence of this experience I was observing was that hair slightly different than usual, and he loved it, although he poked fun for women and men alike all converged at this spot with the common connec- a second like a brother would his sister. tion of Raghda, which was obviously something that had taken on a life of Raghda shared with me and the others some memories of clients its own. I imagine every visit must be a unique memory for these everyday that have come and gone over the years that were near and dear to her. I sat 20

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February 2014 on her sofa, not more than three feet away, next to the ‘family,’ and realized how special every moment was to her. “No clocks exist here. I don’t worry about what time it is while I’m working because it’s not like work for me - it’s real-time with people I’ve grown to care about and everyday, more come through the door, and I feel as though my life is rich,” Raghda said with a calmness in her voice and a stern expression on her face - there was only truth in her words, that I knew for sure. As one long-time client described Renaissance, “(It’s an) oasis and a profoundly nurturing space (full of) vibrant kindness.” But the “oasis” doesn’t stop with Raghda - there’s the second level to explore too, full of the scent of lavender oils, calm music and inviting walls. Raghda has Douglas Hill, an Illinois and Missouri certified massage therapist, working on the second level of Renaissance. Hill is retired, but wanted to reach out and help others with the extra time on his hands, literally. “It’s great. I come in and I help provide a relaxing, but yet stimulating environment for our clients,” Hill said. “This gives me a chance to give back to the community. Raghda continued, “I have a lot of clients, but am willing to take new clients. It doesn’t matter what you do, because I treat all my clients

Raghda cutting Robert’s hair.

the same - with respect and love. I celebrate life. I don’t think there’s any harm in being happy and sharing it with the new and the old in my life. How lucky I was to have been able to touch so many people’s lives, as they have mine. My mother once said to me many years ago, as she watched my clients with me, ‘these aren’t clients, they are family.’” Asked about any other caIL. & MO. Certified Massage reer highlights, Raghda had two key Therapist Douglas Hill experiences to share: “About 15 years ago, I was visiting Ramallah in Jerusalem and came in contact with the FAROUK Systems. Back then, this Egyptian company was well known in Middle-Eastern and European countries; they were not yet known in the United States. They approached me to help them market in the U.S., especially their CHI products, which are hair irons and other tools. Now those products are top of the line here in this country - but back then, that was new territory. I remember coming home to my husband Mike (he sometimes likes to go by ‘Mr. Raghda’) and told him about this exciting opportunity. It would mean travelling internationally on the weekends, and that I would still run the shop, and what did he think? He said, ‘Whatever you want to do, Raghda, whatever makes you happy.’ He is incredibly supportive. I still was raising the youngest of my three sons, and family is just so important to me. So I turned them down - and I have no regrets. There is nothing in life more valuable to me than my family. My family is my joy.” Another opportunity came a few years later. “I had been to training in Las Vegas, at Caesar’s Palace, and in Los Angeles - which was so exciting! Soon after that, I went to a training show in Paducah, Kentucky - featuring RUSK products and technology. Owner Irving Rusk came up to me and said, ‘I know your work - from LA and Vegas shows.’ He asked me to come to be a part of his team, to join with his international artists, to train and present with them. He introduced me to one of his assistants, who told me later, ‘I’ve been working with him for many years now and I have never seen him approach anyone to be on his team.’ I was truly honored. And, as with FAROUK, I told him that my family comes first - they are my joy. And.... here I am! Renaissance in Belleville, Illinois. And I still love it!” “I’ve been doing this for over 37 years and have learned so much about hair, about people, about the human condition, love, pain, family - so much,” Raghda said. “No one has guarantees in life; it is what you make of it. Life changes and change is one thing you can count on. So, I live it, and everyday I try to change people’s lives...they usually end up changing mine too.”

Who: Raghda Salah What: The Renaissance Hair and Skin Care Salon Where: 4200 North Belt West, Belleville When: By appointment How: 618-233-7710 StraightUpMagazine.net

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Business Profile

February 2014

Dinner and a Movie—at the Same Time! The Edge Bistro Theaters by Dan Cross “We always wanted to open a theater; that was always our goal all along,” says Mary Dahm-Schell, co-owner of the amazing entertainment complex which includes D.S. Vespers Sports Pub and Eatery, two large rooms full of arcade games, and Laser Rock (the world’s largest laser tag facility), a 14,000 square foot wonderland of day-glo blacklight forests and mazes three stories tall. “Showing movies is probably the least profitable

they began running D.S. Vespers (then located on West Main Street in Belleville). After learning that St. Louis was one of the largest metropolitan areas without a laser tag venue, they sensed a business opportunity and decided to fill the void. That led them to relocate to their current building at 701 South Belt West (the former site of Russell’s Grocery) back in 1998. Laser Rock soon became the largest such venue in the world, accommodating up to sixty players at a time. The décor alone is worth the price of admission. It looks like a place straight out of J. R. R. Tolkien, with trippy

part of our business,” adds Keith Schell, Mary’s husband and partner. “But it’s something we always wanted to do.” The results of this dream (and lots of research and hard work) are the new Edge 5 Theaters which opened last year in a brand new addition to the sprawling fun spot. The Schells first got into the bar/restaurant business in 1995 when

day-glo airbrush murals, trees with faces, secret passageways, and towers. Keith and Mary did much of the construction themselves, with the help of volunteers. Keith explained, “We had a friend who worked restoring religious icons; he came in and helped us design and build a lot of what we have. He didn’t ask for money—he just wanted to help. We did give him free laser tag.” After 15 years of success operating Laser Rock and Vespers, Keith and Mary took the plunge and launched a big expansion of the space and the business, adding movies to their entertainment Mecca. All five theaters were constructed with state-of-the-art digital technology. “We use Christie projectors, the brightest digital projectors there are,” Keith explained. The

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February 2014

screens are slightly curved, making for optimal viewing from every seat in the theater. Top it off with Dolby Digital surround sound and the overall experience for the viewer is exhilarating, the kind of whole-body immersion you can only get when you see movies on the big screen. But the joy does not end there. Taking in a movie at The Edge 5 is like flying first class. The seats are large, cushy, and incredibly comfortable, and the rows of seats are spaced far enough apart so every patron enjoys luxurious legroom and no one has to stand up if someone needs to get up for more popcorn. But if you want more than popcorn with your movie, check out the two Movie Bistro theaters at The Edge 5. Every seat reclines, and each is equipped with a small swinging tray and a call button you can press to summon a server who will bring you your choice of food and beverages from Vespers’ excellent menu. You can choose from salads, appetizers like Hummus or Smoked Gouda Bites, sandwiches and wraps (the Alamo Wrap and the Chipotle Chicken Melt are two of my favorites), and delicious sides like sweet potato fries and homemade onion rings. And finally, the coup de grâce: your choice of beer or wine. The menu lists 18 different draft beers ranging from Stag to more exotic choices like Affligem Noel and Dragon’s Milk, nearly 50 different bottled beers, eight different wines by the glass and another 20 by the bottle. You’d think table service during movies might be distracting, but it is not at all; the aisles are so roomy and the servers are so discreet (“We are all ninjas, stealthy and silent,” my server Kyle explained) that you barely notice when another frosty cold one suddenly appears on your tray. By the time the movie is finished, you have received and paid your tab, and the whole experience is pure smug pleasure.

The Movie Bistro Theaters are quite small, seating fewer than 60 people each (the other three theaters seat two or three times that number) and since they serve alcohol, the Bistro Theaters are limited to people age 21 and up (another big plus, in my book!). The other three theaters are open to people of all ages. Keith and Mary have an impressive knack for thinking up new ways for people to have fun in their place. Besides the eating, drinking, gaming, and laser tagging that go on every day, there are often special events like Super Bowl Sunday in the Movie Bistros, where guests will enjoy table service while they soak in the game (and the commercials) on the largest screen EVER. They have also hosted local film and video events and hope to do more in the future. The Edge 5/D.S. Vespers/Laser Rock is a great venue for people of all ages. It is a friendly environment with lots of loyal long-time customers and new ones all the time. With the addition of new movie theaters, Keith and Mary have built an entertainment venue unlike any other in the St. Louis area. Check it out!

Who: The Edge family entertainment complex What: Films, food, drinks, games, laser tag & special events for all ages Where: 701 South Belt West, Belleville IL When: Seven days a week

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How: 618-236-2101 - Edge618.com

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Music

February 2014

Bringing Organic to Music Production by Brenton Ebersole

In the summer of 2013, Belleville natives Richie Ducksworth, Alex Surmeier and a few friends in the local music scene, had a vision of musicians and recording artists working together in synergy, pooling resources to better work with each other. “I had been producing for a while already and I had this idea one day while I was at work,” Richie said. “Why isn’t there a collection of people that are like minded about music, that help each other go places or do things… not just with recording artists, but just anyone one who is trying to create something.” Alex had recently completed the audio engineering program at Vatterott College - ex’treme Institute by Nelly and Richie had completed the program at Full Sail University earlier that winter. Alex and Richie started building music together. Since the beginning, it’s been a creative blend of knowledge coming from two parallel schools of music; a true collaboration. This became the foundation of their business; a joint effort between musicians and recording artists. They would help artists create their musical vision through a more organic approach to music. The Great Joint Commission (TGJC) has been built bare bones from the ground up. Surmeier explained that they figured out what they needed to provide the service they wanted for other musicians. Alex said, “It’s just been us two; we’re the only people answering all the emails, mixing the recordings... we’re just trying to do what we want (on all levels).” Keeping things this streamlined keeps costs down and allows them a more hands-on approach with each production. Posted on their website, The Great Joint Commission has beats to sample, for sale or for lease. This is a very attractive option to musicians in a changing industry where often a produced song may only capture an audience’s attention for a short time. Segments are available to lease individually or in package deals of two, five or ten. Leasing a beat grants the artist the rights to distribution, up to two thousand copies, but TGJC retains the legal rights to the recording. If the artist really digs one of the beats, they also have the option to purchase the rights to the track. Hosting the files on their website is a great way for people to sample what TGJC is capable of. Many of the beats listed on their site have been leased or sold to artists, some as far away as Texas and Oklahoma. Their Twitter page keeps them in real-time direct communication with their customers, further streamlining the process and allowing for custom beat works even for artists that can’t readily collaborate in person. Having premixed tracks grants them stability for the business and a way to spread their art out to interested ears. But Alex and Rich’s true passion 24

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lies in the real-time work with artists, working on custom collaborations. “It’s one thing for us to sit down in the studio and make beats, but you never know what the artist is really going to be feeling,” Alex said. The Great Joint Commission now has a production studio in Swansea, IL. This allows them to have a deeper involvement in the creative process and a space to cater to each artist’s specific style or instruments. Richie explained, “That’s our specialty, that’s what we like doing more than anything. We like to meet people and work with people. Come to us with an idea, and we’ll make it happen.” This adaptability is important for almost every kind of music, and particularly in the music scene The Great Joint Commission has been most actively working with: the St. Louis area underground hip-hop community. Hip-hop beats are always about what’s hot. So, once they sit down with an artist and hear what concept they’re going for, they try to work at the fastest possible pace. Alex said, “You can hear the difference in the end result when people work together.” Working for the fastest possible response time gives the artist the best chance to stay on the edge of what’s fresh. Many artists are calling in Alex and Rich’s help with both building beats and completing their recordings. Metro East hip-hop artists the Great Joint Commission has worked with include “Doorway” of Fairview Heights,

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February 2014

“Network” and “Scripts and Screws” of Belleville and “E.S.E.” of East St. Louis. Artists from the West side of the Mississippi have been taking notice as well. TGJC has worked with acts like “Family Affair”, “Rockwell Knuckles”, “Indiana Rome”, “Tef Poe” of St. Louis and “Monkh”, “Lot 7” and Tony Walker from Columbia, MO. Doorway’s video ‘Out There’ won Best HipHop Video of 2012 at the St. Louis Underground Music (SLUM) Fest in January 2013. Richie produced that video. And Doorway won the RFT’s Best Hip Hop Group award that same year. “Some of our stuff that’s come out recently and stuff that’s about to come out in the next couple months is real ‘hood’, street stuff. There’s this song by “Doorway” called ‘Hero Inside’. It’s an old school hip hop, anti-heroine song that has guitar, strings and live bass,” Alex said. This type of song, released in the same range of work, shows they’re open to fit into each artist’s unique vision for each song. It’s a great opportunity for them to be involved with instruments and genres they may not have been exposed to previously. It’s a learning experience each and every recording. This keeps them well saturated in all the many shades of music, giving them a broader range to draw from for the next time they’re producing or recording a track.

Even though most of their experience to date is with hip hop artists, they are looking to work with any musician, singer, band or musical act, giving people a helping hand with the experience of extracting music from a thought and turning it to an audible format.

And you can experience some of the TGJC magic in concert as Straight Up Magazine presents: “Network”, “Monkh”, “Lot 7”, Skrilla and Tony Walker at Pitchers Pub on Saturday, February 22. Doors open at 7, music is from 8pm-12am.

Who: The Great Joint Commission What: Music and Video Production Company Where: Swansea / TGJC.org

How: Twitter.com/tgjc1

What’s More: Str8Up Presents Network, Monkh, Lot 7,

Skrilla & Tony Walker in concert (see back page poster) Where: Pitchers Pub, 104 West Main, Belleville When: Saturday, February 22, 8pm

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Submissions

February 2014

Zeke Genard “My name is Zeke Genard. I am 23 and from Collinsville, IL. I currently don’t have a set focus on any particular subject or style for my art. I enjoy keeping a fresh eye on new subjects and taking in new styles. The goal is to create a unique style I can call my own. Anyone interested in my paintings can contact me by e-mail. Open to commissions; we can discuss the size, the color scheme, and subject of your composition. I currently have work on display through the month of February at Cafe Ventana in St. Louis, MO. Thank you Friends and Family for all your support! E-mail: dangerzeke@gmail.com Facebook.com/ zeke.danger.3

“Sunset”

“Open Mic”

Jacoby Arts Center Awards of Excellence Exhibition The Awards of Excellence Exhibition at Jacoby Arts Center features the work of seven outstanding local artists: Amber Biggs, Suzy Farren, Adrienne Patel, Kristen Powers Nowlin, Sarah Gillespie, Snail Scott, and Michael Wartgow. These artists were chosen for this exhibition by Chris Kahler, a professor at Eastern Illinois University, who juried our “JAC Juried 2013” exhibition this past summer. The work featured in the exhibition covers a variety of mediums, formats and ideas. Photos courtesy of Jacoby Art Center. The exhibition runs from January 10th to February 22nd. Hours are 10 to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Jacoby Arts Center is located at 627 East Broadway, Alton IL, 62002. Phone: 618-462-5222 JacobyArtsCenter.org

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February 2014 Jacoby Arts Center Awards of Excellence Exhibition (Cont.) Sarah Gillespie “Amalgamate I” Mixed Media 7” x 5” 2013

Adrienne Patel “Outer Limits II” Watercolor on paper 37” x 29” 2013

Michael Wartgow “Beware the Loon” Oil on canvas 40” x 30” 2013

Snail Scott “Synthetic Life Form” Mixed media 10” x 12” x 9” 2013

Suzy Farren “The Past is a Foreign Country” Mixed Media 29” x 13” 2013

Kristen Powers Nowlin, “The Land of Romance: Behind Closed Gates” Woodblock print on paper, 22” x 30”, 2011

Amber Biggs “Forgotten” Inkjet print (Photography) 19” x 13” 2013

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

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Str8Up Magazine

February 2014

Str8Up Magazine

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