Straight Up Magazine January 2007

January Calendar of Events

Faculty Art Show Exhibit at Schmidt Art Gallery

T h e Tr o u b l e w i t h F r e n c h K i s s e s

Freeburg Has Its Perks

Issue #

Jan 2007

8

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

Inside Page

January 2006

Credits:

Editor’s Word: We wouldn’t want to be the only one who didn’t say it – so Happy New Year! Straight Up Magazine started to manifest as a project about this time one year ago. It made its appearance on the Metro Scene on June 1st. (Perhaps you have a collectors copy of Edition 1 and / or you may have attended the June 9th Launch Party at the Ground Floor.) And now, one short year later, it’s 2007 and you are reading the 8th Edition of your source for information on Arts, Music and Culture in the Metro East.

In late November, the region experienced the impact of a large slow-moving storm. Our special showing of the Straight Up Artists Holiday Art Exhibit in conjunction with Belleville Main Street’s Pleasures of the Palate at the Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery had to be cancelled.

The November 30th event coincided perfectly with the “Night of the Living Storm”. Other than that one-night disappointment, the exhibit was a great success, ending December 20th. Our exuberant thanks to the sixteen Straight Up featured artist who displayed – and sold – their works, as well as to all those who attended during the exhibit’s four-week run.

When you visit our website, you will notice that we have added an Amber Alert “Ticker” to the bottom of our home page. The Amber Alert System is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in cases of child abduction.

Straight Up is pleased to now be one of those “broadcasters”. See the website for additional details.

The turn of the year is a time for both reflection and thanks. And this column is always our opportunity to give thanks to all of you who make this magazine and this arts and culture movement possible. Thanks to our readers for supporting Straight Up along with supporting local arts, music and cultural events. We always give thanks to our advertisers who continue to make this magazine free to the reading public. Thanks to all those artists and musicians who not only grace our pages, but make our regional life so rich. Thanks to the many Straight Up staffers and volunteers without whom there would be nothing in your hands right now. We thank all those readers who attend the many art, music and cultural events – that’s what continues to make all these events possible. And if you read about it in Straight Up Magazine, be sure and tell them so.

And be sure to tell your friends.

We want you - All you artistic types out there! You should contact us. Show us your work. Tell us of your craft and brief personal/artistic history. Submit any art form that you’d like. Perhaps, you can be one of our next published submitters or even a featured artist.

Enjoy Straight Up. Tell your friends. Send us your work. And visit our website at www. straightupmagazine.net. You’ll see Straight Up Magazine at over 140 area distribution locations.

And we’ll see you at the clubs, theatres and festivals all over the Metro East.

Editor-in-chief: Dylan Seibert Content Editors: Daniel Nygard, Paul Seibert, Scott Bryant, RD Prosa, Crystal Pena Layout Design Artists: Mark Polege (www. markusdesignworks.com), Dylan Seibert Ad Sales: Daniel Nygard, Christopher England, Scott Bryant In-House Ad Artists: Charles Herr, Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Cover Logo Artist: Josh Rowan Cover Art: Danny Brackey II Wanted ad/flyer design, page 3 & 31: Charles Herr Photography / Images: Michelle Satchel; page 4 top left, bottom right, page 5 bottom left, pages 6 & 7 Bonnie Rainbolt; page 4 center, page 5 top left, top right, center Paul Seibert; page 32 Charles Herr; page 33 Calendar: Kate Collins, w/ the help of Paul Seibert, Daniel Nygard, Dylan Seibert Comics: Charles Herr, Daniel Nygard, Josh Rowan Website Design and Upkeep: Mark Polege, Dylan Seibert, Charles Herr

Think it.

Be it.

There are as many reasons to attend Southwestern as there are students who attend.

EMILY W.

If you want to get started on a fouryear degree or get the education you need for a better job, let Southwestern help you become the person you’ve always thought you could be.

• Wants affordable education • Loves singing & acting • Future Broadway star

Spring classes start January 13, 2007!

To view the class schedule, go to www.swic.edu/courses.

For more information, call (618) 235-2700, ext. 5660, or 1-800-222-5131, ext. 5660.

Belleville Campus

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•

Sam Wolf Granite City Campus

www.straightupmagazine.net

•

Red Bud Campus

Table of Contents

January 2006

4 Faculty Art Show Exhibit at Schmidt Art Gallery 6 The Trouble with French Kisses 8 January Calendar of Events 32 Freeburg Has Its Perks 34 Comics 36 Submissions Str8 Up Magazine Distribution Locations The Abbey – Belleville The Acropolis – Belleville Affordable Cleaners – Belleville Alexander Photography – Belleville Allison’s Scent Shop/Dave’s Home Brewery – Belleville Alternative Ts – Belleville American Frame – Fairview Heights Anne’s Bra Shop – O’Fallon Apple Cleaners – Collinsville Artiste De Fleurs – Belleville Artwear – Belleville Audio Tech – Fairview Heights B & G Music – Belleville The Back & Spine Institute – Fairview Heights Beatniks – Belleville Belleville Army Surplus Store – Belleville Belleville Main Street, Inc. – Belleville Bert’s Chuckwagon – Collinsville Best Friends Animal Hospital & Resort – Swansea Big Daddy’s – Belleville Blockbuster Video – Belleville Borders – Fairview Heights Boyce, Hund, and Associates – Mascoutah Broadway Center of Arts – Belleville The Bronx Zoo – Belleville Cafe’ Avanti – Shiloh Castletown Geogehan’s – Belleville Cecil Whittaker’s – Swansea Cellular Accessories – Fairview Heights Circus Skates – Collinsville The Coffee House Co. – O’Fallon Collinsville Dental Care – Collinsville Corner Stone Dental – Swansea The Country Store – Summerfield Crehan’s Irish Pub – Belleville Dandy Inn – Fairview Heights Denny’s – Belleville Discount Cigarettes – Belleville, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon Evermore Gallery – Edwardsville Fantasy Books – Belleville Farm Fresh –Collinsville Feather & Fur – Collinsville Filipino American Association of Southern Illinois –Shiloh Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap –

Belleville Funny Bone – Fairview Heights Geo’s Wings and More – Belleville Governor French Academy Arts Center – Belleville Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce – Belleville Greater Fairview Heights Chamber of Commerce – Fairview Heights Greater Lebanon Chamber of Commerce – Lebanon

Greater O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce – O’Fallon Tha Grind – Edwardsville The Ground Floor – Belleville Guitar Center – Fairview Heights Harry’s East – Fairview Heights Hart’s – O’Fallon Heartland Thunder – Belleville

Mississippi Nights – St. Louis Mueller Furniture – Belleville Mud Hut Ceramics – Belleville Neruda – Edwardsville North Belt West Liquor Store – Belleville Northgate Small Animal Hospital – Collinsville Oblivion – Belleville Ostles Family Pharmacy – Collinsville Perks and More Coffee House – Freeburg Pick a Video – Collinsville Pizza World – Collinsville Plato’s Closet – Fairview Heights The Pour Haus – Belleville Pro Caliper – Belleville Quinn’s – Fairview Heights Rick’s Place – O’Fallon Ravissant Winery – Belleville Renaissance Hair Studio – Belleville Rhonda B. Hanser Dentistry – Fairview Heights Ryan’s – Swansea St. Clair Antique Mall – Fairview Heights St. Louis Bread Co. – Belleville St. Louis Street Café – Lebanon Schiappa’s – Swansea Schmitt Music – O’Fallon Sharky’s – Collinsville Shelter Boutique – Shiloh Shelter Insurance – Belleville Shenanigan’s – Belleville Slackers CDs and Games – O’Fallon, Glenn Carbon Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville Southwestern Illinois College Art Department – Belleville Southwestern Illinois College Library – Granite City Spring Valley Dental Group – O’Fallon State Farm Insurance, Katherine M. Frazier –Belleville The Stomp – Mascoutah Sunshine Daydream – Fairview Heights Twilight Comics and Gaming Mandy’s – O’Fallon Center – Belleville The Maui Onion Grill – O’Fallon Maytag Homestyle Laundry – Belleville V.F.W. – Fairview Heights Vanzo’s – Edwardsville McKendree College – Lebanon Vintage Vinyl – St. Louis The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy Winchester Apartments – Fairview – Fairview Heights Heights Midtown Liquor – Collinsville White Cottage – Belleville Miller Music – Swansea Integrity Tattoos – Belleville Ink Well – Fairview Heights Kaesberg Chiropractic – Belleville Keefe & Depauli Law Firm – Fairview Heights King’s Beauty – Fairview Heights L.J.’s Smoke Shop – Fairview Heights Latham Signworks – Mascoutah Laurie’s Place – Edwardsville Lonnie’s Liquor – Collinsville Main Street Jazz and Blues – Belleville

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Str8Up Magazine

Art

January 2007

by Bonnie Rainbolt and Paul Seibert

Exhibit Scheduled to Run through January 27th “Making art is hard work…a lot of personal sacrifices…and it’s lonely…endless hours on a myriad of details and decisions many people would consider trivial and a waste of time. But, the rewards can be astounding; they make it all worthwhile.”

Spyros Karayiannis, Assistant Professor of Art, Southwestern Illinois College The Art Faculty of Southwestern Illinois College honors the college’s 60th birthday with an exhibition. The William and Florence Schmidt Art Center Gallery on the SWIC campus is hosting this celebratory Faculty Art Show, curated by Libby Reuter, the Center’s executive director. Twenty-one full-time, emeritus and adjunct faculty members are featured in this gala exhibit.

The Schmidt Art Center includes in its mission statement to “exhibit visual images that inspire, inform, and connect people and ideas.” The two and three dimensional works in ceramics, digital imaging, drawings, paintings, photographs and sculpture of this exhibit align with that mission. The exhibit’s featured visual artists are Don Bevirt, Brad Eilering, Doug Eskra, William Evans, Nancy Friederich, Carol Gilpin, Robert Hilpert, Spyros Karayiannis, Daniel Lowery, Todd May, Shawn Niebruegge, Adelia Parker-Castro, Jennifer Rogenski, Dawn Schuck, Wayne Shaw, Dale Threlkeld, Nancy Weck, Fran Weible, Guy Weible, Cheryl Wimmer and David Woesthaus.

The faculty worked long and hard to generate the new material displayed here. “It’s 95 percent brand new work,” said Don Bevirt, featured artist and Chairman of the Art Department.

Guy Weible, another of the featured faculty artists concurred. “I think it’s good for our students. They get an opportunity to see what we do. I, myself, work a lot with my students because I think that’s a real important part of my teaching. I demonstrate a lot. I’m doing it with them. They get to see the trials and tribulations. It’s been fun. They saw the process. Doing a body of work and being able to select the ones that were the most successful. It was a great experience for all of us.” Bevirt added, “We are going to try to have a faculty show every few years because we want them to know that we are practicing artists. SWIC has full professors teaching basic classes and even their adjuncts have full master degrees. Not only are we artists, we are teachers.”

Bevirt complimented the gallery. “The Schmidt is a wonderful, wonderful facility. It is a tribute to art,” he said. The 6,800 square foot center includes four galleries, a conservatory, and sculpture gardens. “It is an honor to show in there.”

The wonderful Schmidt Art Center was designed by Brad Eilering, 4

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AIA, one of the SWIC art faculty, another of the featured artists. “It’s certainly an honor to have designed the building, and to be a faculty member, to have designed the vessel to hold all the work. It’s really nice to have that connection,” said Eilering. The architect / artist said that “it’s truly a nice reflection of our capabilities here at SWIC. So rare is it that we’re all assembled together in a way that you can observe the abilities of the people.”

Weible also complimented the building and the possibility it represents. “It’s always a pleasure to have an opportunity to show and for the faculty to be able to show what we do. We’re really thrilled to have the opportunity to put our work in the Schmidt. It’s a tremendous space. We’re really big supporters of it. It’s nice to have an opportunity to fill it up with our work. It’s there for all of us. Most of us continue to work. But when you have a space like this that you can exhibit in, it kind of helps you bring it up another notch.”

In addition to the wondrous gallery, there is the artwork of the twentyone accomplished artists. Included in the array were works of digital art, an exciting and young genre that presents more opportunities but also new challenges. “It allows the hand of the artist back into the world of photography,” said Bevirt, Assistant Professor of Photo and Computer Art Programs. “I can take an image and stretch it and push it to the limit but it is still photography.” In his artist statement, he said “I am aware of a need in myself not only to record the scene as it appears in nature but then to post-visualize the image intellectually as well. I work with the figure because of the universal nature of the imagery. I try to enhance the emotion and expression of the figure by trying to retain in some small part the photographic image and then I try to expand the capture by using computer applications. I think that my images do capture a primal concept of the figure, i.e., they end up as interpretations of the figure that are not photographic in reality but still can be called photographs.”

Man’s desire to express himself can be clearly seen in the story form of cave paintings dating back to prehistoric times. Modern man still has a vision to transform a mental image into a tangible reality. “That’s the fun part of being a painter,” said Doug Eskra, Assistant Professor of Art, “you can switch from painting to drawing and differ-

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2007 ent kinds of painting. Mostly I am an oil painter,” he said. “I believe I was born to paint. It was a self-realization that I was to share because I had great success and great fulfillment even as a youngster. I would help other students and when they were able to accomplish the task it made me feel very good inside. I quickly learned that it was very personally fulfilling and gratifying.”

One of the things he was given by his professor was the formula for the medium that Rembrandt used that included natural beeswax. Eskra kept

straightforward product of the creative expression of pottery making.”

“Being an artist is a way of life, it’s a philosophy of living,” said Eskra. “Everything you do in your life is predicated on how you see the world, how you view the world. Your technique changes because you obtain a higher level of confidence in your abilities because it allows you much more freedom and the whole point of it is to keep growing in the expression of ideas.”

Paintings are reflections of the influence of the mind and emotions and the masters are our

it locked in a safety deposit box. “It was incredibly beautiful stuff,” he said.

His artist statement in part explains, “Since my student art history studies, I have mused over the question: can art truly be born from such an “automatic” exploration process? Could it be that intuition, creativity, training, and experience applied in proper measure combine to provide the mechanism or vehicle for the creation of a painting without conscious direction or effort? The work I offer is born from such auto-experimentation.

Begin with a blank canvas, open mind, and a first arbitrary mark. After that the painting leads me where it wants to go – color, shapes, texture and forms. I work to avoid imposing my intellect in the process contenting that my subconscious will direct me. Of course while there is a constant need for formal artistic decisions as I paint, these are made at a much deeper level than my conscious awareness and seem automatic. I do what ‘feels’ right.”

The origins of pot making illustrate the link between ancient and contemporary artists and their need to produce this powerful and awe-inspiring art form.

“I am a potter. My work speaks to the tradition and processes by which it was created,” said Guy Weible, Assistant Professor of Art, in his artist statement. “The form and marks come from its creation on the potter’s wheel. The glazes act as a skin to enhance the form and its surface, solidified by the firing. The resulting piece is a lasting object of beauty and function. It is an honest,

guides. “Rembrandt and Cézanne sustained me,” said Spyros Karayiannis, also an Assistant Professor of Art, in his artist statement. “They gave me the courage to go on. Art has nourished me throughout. It has been my soul mate since childhood. It has helped me understand myself and the world around me probably more than anything else. We are all a part of creation. Art is that which gives meaning to our lives beyond the ordinary reality we face everyday. It allows us to delve in to the depths of human existence...and perhaps get a glimpse of what it means to be human.”

Art can touch us deeply when it says something special about the space we live in. In our minds we have private museums, quiet places for our most vivid memories, imagination and dreams. It’s a hidden need. “I have a need to make art,” said Bevirt. “It’s like breathing, you just have to do it.”

Weible encouraged SWIC art students to come examine these collective works. “It would give them all a chance to see what’s happening.” His invitation applies to us all. “Get them out here and take a look and give the public a chance to see what we do also.”

You won’t want to miss this exiting exhibit which opened on December 14th and continues through January 27th . The William and Florence Schmidt Art Center Gallery is located on the Belleville Campus of Southwestern Illinois College at 2500 Carlyle Avenue, next to the white marble outdoor sculpture.

The Schmidt Art Center is just a short walk across the parking lot from the MetroLink’s College Station. Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and Thursday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm. Exhibits are free and open to the public. You can contact the Schmidt at 618-2225ART or on the net at www.schmidtartcenter.com. For more on Southwestern Illinois College and its arts programs, call 618-235-2700 or visit the net at www.swic.edu.

Kids can participate in the January 20, 2007 event, “Grid It Up”. Tour the SWIC Faculty Show, talk about the effect of artworks’ size and scale, and learn to use a grid system to enlarge or shrink images. For information and advance registration, call 618-222-5278.

To have your work considered for an exhibit at the Schmidt Art Center, please submit 12-20 slides or digital images on a CD along with an artist statement and resume listing previous exhibits, awards, and education.

For additional / color images of the exhibit, visit the Straight Up website at www.straightupmagazine.net.

(From left to right on Page 4: ”Evening Solitude” by Dale Threlkeld, and painting by Nancy Friederich. Page 5: Flying Ceramic by Nancy Weck, spiral pot by Guy Weible, “YoMomma”

by Adelia Parker-Castro, and photo of Don Bevirt at bottom.)

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5

Art

January 2007

by R.D. Prosa

section in the knowledge that you are witnessing success of a select few authors in an incredibly competitive industry.

It is said that out of every ten thousand manuscripts submitted to a publisher, just one by a new author will make the cut. Given such odds, only someone undaunted would attempt to make romance writing a career. Like any other artist, an author must love to work for the sake of personal fulfillment, regardless of any commercial success as goal.

Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming one such author to this area: Kristi Ahlers, romance writer, has arrived – as military dependent wife of an Air Force member – from a seven year stay in England and Belgium back to the United States, as a newly published author of two romantic short stories.

Meeting Kristi at such an exciting point in her life, we found her bubbling with happiness and totally thrilled. Asked about the most important ingredients to her success, she sobered and said, “The key to finding any overseas stay like ours enjoyable is to be open to new experiences. Don’t expect things to be the same as they were at home. There are new laws, new rules to learn. Make the most of your opportunities. As for writing, I think my diligence and networking helped me to get my work published. With the support of my family and friends, I’m on my way...”

And so she is. Here is our conversation with Ms. Kristi Ahlers, author: Please name the titles of your published work and tell us a bit about them.

When grey clouds hang low and icy winds blow, a little romance just might lift your spirit. While any activity in the pursuit of ‘real life’ romance is up to you, you may want to test the effect of romance on your mind by simply reading a little. Yes, immerse yourself in a ‘feel good’ story; for instance, in The Trouble with French Kisses.

First, however, let’s take a quick look at some hard facts – the math behind the dreams: In our visual-media driven, often harsh world, it is perhaps not surprising that book sales in the romance genre still flourish. Did you know these novels generate billions of dollars a year and make up 52% of all mass-market book sales?

“I am very happy to have been asked to contribute one story to each volume of two anthologies published by Highland Press: No Laws Against Love features The Trouble With French Kisses, a contemporary I set in Paris. You can find my other story in Blue Moon Magic. This one, Midsummer Magic, is set in England and Scotland during the reign of Mary I. I wrote both while living in Belgium.

Trouble With French Kisses is based on a law that is still on the books in France. It’s illegal to kiss on the railways of France.” Here Kristi laughs a little.

“That’s surprising when you consider the kiss is named after the country! In Midsummer Magic, love is found on the night of a blue moon.”

How do you create your main characters?

“As strange as it sounds, my characters come to me...and pester me to tell their stories. They are already formed with likes and dislikes. They are not always perfect, and that is what makes them unique.”

Romance Writers of America, a national organization founded in the early 1980s by a small group of authors, today boasts 9,500 members – the majority of these are aspiring to become published authors. ‘Romantic Times BOOK reviews’, the most powerful magazine aimed at booksellers and readers, publishes about 250 romance novel reviews a month. The magazine has a circulation of 250,000 copies plus a thriving website (romantictimes.com).

Do you tend to draw on personal experience more than on research? Or, is it the other way around?

So next time you roam the aisles of a book store, please look at the romance

Do real historical people and stories inspire you?

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“Both. The French Kiss heroine was based on how I felt about living overseas and not understanding the ‘rules’. For Midsummer Magic, I did a lot more research.”

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2007 “Very much so. My long historical was actually inspired by what I had learned regarding the Sepoy Mutiny in India while I lived in the U.K. It is a part of history few are familiar with and the sad circumstances of what happened touched me. Which of course led me to wonder what could have happened if...”

You are a prolific reviewer for ‘Romantic Times BOOKreviews’, which is the romance novel ‘bible’ for readers and booksellers, and at amazon.com you are among the top 100 book reviewers with more than 900 reviews posted.

How did this come about?

Do you relay a message of sorts via your stories or do you write for pure entertainment?

“My stories all have the theme of acceptance and understanding. Having lived in Europe for so long, I have come to understand and accept that there are different ways of doing things...and that sometimes the ‘other way’ can be better.”

“When I decided to get serious about my writing, I heard the same thing over and over...you had to get your name into the industry. We were living in England at the time...and there were few online groups to join. So I decided to backdoor my way in through reviewing. My reviews caught the eyes of authors who then contacted me to review for them personally...which led to review sites contacting me and voila. I’m a well-known reviewer.”

Describe a typical workday for Kristi.

Do you enjoy writing reviews? Why? When is it difficult?

“I get up...get the kids off to school. Take an hour or two and do house chores.

I sit down to the computer around noon and write until the kids get home from school. Help with homework, make dinner and relax. Spend time with the family...get back to the computer around 9 p.m. and write until around 1 a.m.”

“I do. I enjoy sharing my thoughts with fellow readers. The only time that it’s tough is if I’ve been sent a book that was not ‘brilliant’. I want to be honest and yet constructive. I always try to include something positive...but at times that is not possible because I have to condense the review to 140 words.”

Do you edit your writing yourself? Or, who helps?

Do you encourage readers to post their own reviews/opinions?

“I work with a fantastic friend who is my Critiquing Partner. We turn in a chapter a week to each other.”

“Yes, I do. Not everyone is going to agree and it gives future readers something to choose from. I don’t always agree and I think it’s interesting to see what works and doesn’t work for readers. It helps me with my writing.”

Are you currently working on a new story?

“I’m actually working on two stories, both set in Louisiana. One is a historical.

The other is a paranormal.

In addition, I’m working on a story of a girl who is a prima ballerina in a ballet troupe but suffers an accident and her dream of dancing is suddenly over due to her injury. Thanks to the hero, she finds that life is not only about dance.”

What or who brought you to Highland Press?

“My friend Deborah Anne MacGillivray, a published author, asked me to participate in the ‘No Laws Against Love’ project, which benefits Breast Cancer Research.”

Do you have advice to offer to a beginning writer?

“Read...see what is out on the market now. And write. No matter how little, no matter if you have a full story or just bits and pieces, you need to get the thoughts down. Attending writers workshops and conventions are a big help.

Networking is very important. Who you know can really help you.”

What else do you do to promote?

“I do book signings and attend the Romantic Times (magazine) conventions. I also have a website: www.kristiahlers.com.”

On a personal note, what seems strangest about life in Lebanon, Illinois, after such a long time away?

“We arrived in July, so the heat felt extreme. Most startling was the fact that you can get service work done on a Sunday, and you can go shopping! In Europe, on Sundays, that would be impossible. I loved what we did overseas, but I’m just happy to be back in the States.”

Highland Press books can be ordered online or found at your local bookstore. For more information, please visit Kristi at her website or contact her at krisahlers@gmail.com.

Why do you choose to write romance? What appeals to you about it?

“I love to read about people finding their happy endings. Romance is a genre that actually follows certain rules. Monogamy, male/female, with the end result of a happy ending are requirements all of the publishing houses have. You see very little of this in life so it’s nice to see it in print.”

What would you like readers to know about your writing?

“I write sensual romances that hopefully touch the readers’ hearts. Emotion is key in any genre you read and that is what I hope I evoke in my stories. They run the gamut in time periods and sub-genres...but I more or less stick to the historical time periods.” www.straightupmagazine.net

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January Calendar of Events 1

Monday – New Year’s Day

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Downtown (Belleville) Gingerbread Walk. Celebrating its German immigrant heritage, Belleville holds its annual Gingerbread Walk where dozens of prize-winning, edible gingerbread creations are displayed in shop windows along four blocks of East Main Street shop windows. Sponsored by Belleville Main Street. On display through January 8th. Free.

Downtown (Red Bud) Light the Night, known as a “must see” Christmas light display that runs through January 8th. Free.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Monday Night Music Review. Blues to Bluegrass by Tim “The Uncle” Albert, Danny “Stovehandle” Jackson (of Belleville’s Uncle Albert). 8-11pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) The State of Art–A Holiday Exhibition. Featured artists: Barbara Birdsong (Jewelry), Terry Dosset (Painting), John Galbreath (Photography), Peggy Peak (Clay), Lisa Plato (Jewelry), Deile Cherry Smith (Metal) and Tim Waldrop (Painting). Exhibit runs through January 7th. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Epiphany. 9:30pm-2am.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville) Way of Lights. This 1.5 mile drive-through route is lined with more than a million lights and leads to a life-size straw-lined manger cradling the newborn baby Jesus. 5-10pm nightly until January 6th. Free.

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Tuesday

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Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish/Traditional Music, Seisuns. 7:30pm until closing.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Downtown (Belleville) Gingerbread Walk. Celebrating its German immigrant heritage, Belleville holds its annual Gingerbread Walk where dozens of prize-winning, edible gingerbread creations are displayed in shop windows along four blocks of East Main Street shop windows. Sponsored by Belleville Main Street. On display through January 8th. Free.

Downtown (Red Bud) Light the Night, known as a “must see” Christmas light display that runs through January 8th. Free.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Form & Function. Exhibit runs through January 5th.

Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) The State of Art–A Holiday Exhibition. Featured artists: Barbara Birdsong (Jewelry), Terry Dosset (Painting), John Galbreath (Photography), Peggy Peak (Clay), Lisa Plato (Jewelry), Deile Cherry Smith (Metal) and Tim Waldrop (Painting). Exhibit runs through January 7th. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

January 2006 Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Open Mic Blues Jam. 7pm-2am.

Rick’s Place (O’Fallon) Open Mic Night. 8:30pm.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville) Way of Lights. This 1.5 mile drive-through route is lined with more than a million lights and leads to a life-size straw-lined manger cradling the newborn baby Jesus. 5-10pm nightly until January 6th. Free.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

3

Wednesday

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Wednesday 9am-Noon; Saturday 1-4pm.

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Liston, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustic music with outstanding three-part harmonies. 6-10pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Schweinfurth House – Cedarhurst Book Club. The Christmas Quilt. Lunchtime discussion with an art-related theme, includes dessert and coffee, free. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). Contact for details.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday. Noon– 4pm.

Downtown (Belleville) Gingerbread Walk. Celebrating its German immigrant heritage,

Belleville holds its annual Gingerbread Walk where dozens of prize-winning, edible gingerbread creations are displayed in shop windows along four blocks of East Main Street shop windows. Sponsored by Belleville Main Street. On display through January 8th. Free.

Downtown (Red Bud) Light the Night, known as a “must see” Christmas light display that runs through January 8th. Free.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

The Funny Bone Comedy (Fairview Heights) Auggie Smith. 8pm.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Open Mic. 8pm. Free.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) The Park Ave Trio: Jazz & R&B & Latin & Soul, with guitarist John Farrar (of Caseyville) 8pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Form & Function. Exhibit runs through January 5th.

Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 6pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) The State of Art – A Holiday Exhibition. Featured artists: Barbara Birdsong (Jewelry), Terry Dosset (Painting), John Galbreath (Photography), Peggy Peak (Clay), Lisa Plato (Jewelry), Deile Cherry Smith (Metal) and Tim Waldrop (Painting). Exhibit runs through January 7th. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Latin Night every Wednesday. Latin Pop, Raggaeton,

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 Salsa, Merenge. 7pm–2am.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Gateway East Artists’ Guild (GEAG). Meetings 1st Wednesday @ month at PSOP Program & Services for Older Persons (SWIC) The purpose of GEAG, a non-profit organization of art enthusiasts, is to encourage self-expression through the visual arts, and to foster awareness, appreciation, and artistic development through educational programs throughout the Metro-East community. All skill levels welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity to network with others interested in art, enhance your artistic skills, and promote the arts in the MetroEast community. Monthly meetings, first Wednesday of each month and open to the public, monthly art contest, 6:45-7pm; educational program, lectures, workshops & demonstrations, 7:30pm-8:45pm. Local arts information and GEAG business meeting precedes contest, 6:30pm. “The arts are alive in the metro area. Come join the fun!”

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville) Way of Lights. This 1.5 mile drive-through route is lined with more than a million lights and leads to a life-size straw-lined manger cradling the newborn baby Jesus. 5-10pm nightly until January 6th. Free.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Open Mic. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am-5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night (with Duck Tape Trio). 9pm-1am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session – all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

Vanzo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 8:30pm-12:30am.

Wild Country (Collinsville) Free Dance Lessons every Wednesday from 7-10pm. $3 cover 21+; $4 cover under 21. Open at 7pm-1am.

4 Thursday

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Mosaics on Main Street: Original Acoustic Open

Mic Night 8pm.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. 9am-Noon.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site/Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) St. Clair Chess Club; starts around 6pm – come anytime.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday. Noon–4pm.

Downtown (Belleville) Gingerbread Walk. Celebrating its German immigrant heritage, Belleville holds its annual Gingerbread Walk where dozens of prize-winning, edible gingerbread creations are displayed in shop windows along four blocks of East Main Street shop windows. Sponsored by Belleville Main Street. On display through January 8th. Free.

Downtown (Red Bud) Light the Night, known as a “must see” Christmas light display that runs through January 8th. Free.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) The Sable Band. 7-11pm.

Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap (Belleville) Solo jazz guitarist, John Farrar. 8:30pm.

The Funny Bone Comedy (Fairview Heights) Auggie Smith. 8pm.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Shakey Ground, with vocals/front man Paul Bonn (of O’Fallon) 8pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Form & Function. Exhibit runs through January 5th.

Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Triad Jazz. Contact for details.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo pianist, Luke Wrischnick, boogie, show

tunes, and standards. 7-10pm.

Philharmonic Society of Belleville (Belleville) Rehearsal every Thursday. 7:45-10pm.

Riddle’s Penultimate Cafe & Wine Bar (St. Louis) Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville).

Boogie da Blues! 8pm-12am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) New Rising Sun. 9:30pm. No cover.

Shiloh’s Klucker Hall (Shiloh) Cadence Cloggers. Every Thursday. 6:30pm.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville) Way of Lights. This 1.5 mile drive-through route is lined with more than a million lights and leads to a life-size straw-lined manger cradling the newborn baby Jesus. 5-10pm nightly until January 6th. Free.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Vanzo’s Taproom (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 8:30pm-12:30am.

5

Friday

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Borders Books & Music (Fairview Heights) Music in the Coffeeshop. 8pm. Free.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish Music. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday. Noon–4pm.

Cutter’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm. No cover.

Downtown (Belleville) Gingerbread Walk. Celebrating its German immigrant heritage, Belleville holds its annual Gingerbread Walk where dozens of prize-winning, edible gingerbread creations are displayed in shop windows along four blocks of East Main Street shop windows. Sponsored by Belleville Main Street. On display through January 8th. Free.

Downtown (Red Bud) Light the Night, known as a “must see” Christmas light display that runs through January 8th. Free.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson,

www.straightupmagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

January Calendar of Events Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

The Funny Bone Comedy (Fairview Heights) Auggie Smith. Two shows: 8 & 10pm.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Friday Blues and Boogie. Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville). 9pm-1am.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) Wine Down Fridays. 7-11pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Form & Function. Today is the last day for this exhibit.

New exhibit: Awards of Excellence” opens January 12th and runs through February

25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Live Entertainment (band or impersonator, etc.). 9pm.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Neon Cadilac, formerly Rangers & Roses, and Glo Selvey, vocalist & guitarist of country music old and new. 9:30pm-1:30am.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) The State of Art – A Holiday Exhibition. Featured artists: Barbara Birdsong (Jewelry), Terry Dosset (Painting), John Galbreath (Photography), Peggy Peak (Clay), Lisa Plato (Jewelry), Deile Cherry Smith (Metal) and Tim Waldrop (Painting). Exhibit runs through January 7th. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Music 7pm-2am.

Margo’s (E. St. Louis) Open Mic Night & Jam Session – Jazz & Blues. Contact for details.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo pianist, Lloyd Kropp. 7-10pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-10pm.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Painting with Ed Karasek. 10am-Noon.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Mark Moore and the Smokers.10pm-2am.

Schatze’s (Belleville) The Saloonatics. 9pm-1:30am. No cover.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Details. 9:30pm. No cover.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville) Way of Lights. This 1.5 mile drive-through route is lined with more than a million lights and leads to a life-size straw-lined manger cradling the newborn baby Jesus. 5-10pm nightly until January 6th. Free.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) The Woodbox Gang. 9pm-1am.

Towne Lounge (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9pm.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session – all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

6

Saturday

10

Str8Up Magazine

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Allied Dinner. AARA Awards Banquet. Allied Auto Racing Associations Annual Awards Banquet. Racers and fans are invited. Awards, buffet dinner, dancing, and live music by Dixie Express, as well as entertainment by “TTG”. Prices range from $20-$30 per person. Doors open at 5pm, Dinner at 6pm.

Contact for details.

Bobby’s Frozen Custard (Maryville) Live Music. 7-10pm. Free.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Borders Books & Music (Fairview Heights) Music in the Coffeeshop. 8pm. Free.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours

Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm. Mosaics on Main Street: Original

Acoustic Open Mic Night. 8pm. Pottery Studio: Drop in sessions for hand-building

pottery. $15 per session, all materials included.10am-Noon.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Saturday 1-4pm; Wednesday 9am-Noon.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Casino Queen (E. St. Louis) Saturday Night Dance Party. 103.3 FM KLOU (Oldies Radio) with Paul Arca. 9pm-1am. No cover – must be 21 or older.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish Xiles. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant

January 2006 collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Rogers, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustical music with outstanding three-part harmonies. 5:34ish-9:46ish pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Cutter’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm. No cover.

Downtown (Belleville) Gingerbread Walk. Celebrating its German immigrant heritage, Belleville

holds its annual Gingerbread Walk where dozens of prize-winning, edible gingerbread

creations are displayed in shop windows along four blocks of East Main Street shop

windows. Sponsored by Belleville Main Street. On display through January 8th. Free.

Downtown (Red Bud) Light the Night, known as a “must see” Christmas light display that runs through January 8th. Free.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) The Sable Band. 3-7pm. 2nd Band. 8pm-Midnight.

The Funny Bone Comedy (Fairview Heights) Auggie Smith. Two shows: 8 & 10pm.

Gallagher’s (Waterloo) “Top of the Town, 3rd Floor Special Events. Contact for details. 9:30pm.

No cover charge.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) earthSol. 9pm.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Shakey Ground, with vocals/front man Paul Bonn (of O’Fallon) 8pm.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Who’s Driving? 9pm.

Jimmy T’s Sports Bar (Breese) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Labor & Industry Museum (Belleville) Housed in the 1837-based Conrad Bornman House renovated by the Belleville Historic Preservation Commission are permanent and special exhibition galleries (Industrial Hall & Union Hall), an educational center, library, archives and artifacts. Open every Saturday from 10am-4pm or by appointment.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary 6pm. Live Music at 9:30pm. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) The State of Art – A Holiday Exhibition. Featured artists: Barbara Birdsong (Jewelry), Terry Dosset (Painting), John Galbreath (Photography), Peggy Peak (Clay), Lisa Plato (Jewelry), Deile Cherry Smith (Metal) and Tim Waldrop (Painting). Exhibit runs through January 7th. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Rock. 7pm-2am.

Mandy’s Bar (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Mike’s Ten Pin Lounge (Alton) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 9:30pm-1:30am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo pianist, Gary Humphrey. 7-10:30pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) Music by “Dale”. Contact for details. 7-10pm.

Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

Rick’s Never Inn @ The Boat at the Riverbend (Alton) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Riddle’s Penultimate Cafe & Wine Bar (St. Louis) Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville).

Boogie da Blues! 9pm-1am.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Ben Wah Bob.10pm-2am.

Schatze’s (Belleville) The Saloonatics. 9pm-1:30am. No cover.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm. No cover.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville) Way of Lights. This 1.5 mile drive-through route is lined with more than a million lights and leads to a life-size straw-lined manger cradling the newborn baby Jesus. This is the last night for the display. 5-10pm.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) Brain Regiment. 9pm-1am.

Sullivan’s (Belleville) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

7 Sunday

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Monday Night Music Review. Blues to Bluegrass by Tim “The Uncle”

Albert, Danny “Stovehandle” Jackson (of Belleville’s Uncle Albert). 8-11pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Form & Function. Exhibit runs through January 5th.

Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) New special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery

& store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Pop’s Nightclub (Sauget) Cassius. Contact for details.

Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville) Art & Design Building, New Wagner Gallery:

Gallery hours: 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday.

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Motorcycle Swap.

Caddyshack Saloon (Caseyville) Farrar, Dover, Foreman & Friends (guitarist John Farrar of Caseyville). 7pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Casino Queen (E. St. Louis) Saturday Night Dance Party. 103.3 FM KLOU (Oldies Radio) 9pm-1am. No cover.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Liston, Nienhaus, Crawford & Super Granda of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Acoustic music with outstanding harmonies. 6:15ish-10:43ish pm.

Downtown (Belleville) Gingerbread Walk. Celebrating its German immigrant heritage, Belleville holds its annual Gingerbread Walk where dozens of prize-winning, edible gingerbread creations are displayed in shop windows along four blocks of East Main Street shop windows. Sponsored by Belleville Main Street. On display through January 8th. Free.

Downtown (Red Bud) Light the Night, known as a “must see” Christmas light display that runs through January 8th. Free.

Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) Weekly Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) The Sable Band. 2-11pm.

The Funny Bone Comedy (Fairview Heights) Auggie Smith. 8pm.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Slackful Sunday. Movies all night. Starts at 6pm. Free.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Mike’s Ten Pin Lounge (Alton) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 9:30pm-1:30am.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Sunday Night Ritual.

Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

POP’S (Sauget) 105.7 FM The Point Sunday Night Local Show, featuring Live Remote w/ Point DJ “Cornbread”. 6 bands compete every Sunday night; this week’s bands include Johnny Chase, The Inviting, TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA. Doors open at 5:30pm; Advance $6; Door $6; $2 minor surcharge; all ages.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night & Jam Session (with Butch Moore). 9pm 1am.

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish/Traditional Music, Seisuns. 7:30pm until closing.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Lincoln Theatre (Belleville) Travel & Adventure Film Series: Western Canada, Far and Wild. Presented by John Wilson, Belleville Rotary Club. Tickets: Adults $6/Children & Seniors $2. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Open Mic Blues Jam. 7pm-2am.

POP’s Nightclub (Sauget) Tuesday Night Terror. Contact for details.

Rick’s Place (O’Fallon) Open Mic Night. 8:30pm.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Open Mic. 9pm-1am.

Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville) Art & Design Building, New Wagner Gallery: Gallery hours: 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night. 9pm-1am Wild Country (Collinsville) Free Dance Lessons every Wednesday from 7-10pm. $3 cover 21+;

$4 cover under 21. Open at 7pm until 1am.

8 Monday

10 Wednesday

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Downtown (Belleville) Gingerbread Walk. Celebrating its German immigrant heritage, Belleville

holds its annual Gingerbread Walk where dozens of prize-winning, edible gingerbread

creations are displayed in shop windows along four blocks of East Main Street shop

windows. Sponsored by Belleville Main Street. Tonight is the last night of the display.

Free.

Downtown (Red Bud) Light the Night, known as a “must see” Christmas light display.

Tonight is the last night of the display. Free

9

Tuesday

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Rogers, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustic music with outstanding

three-part harmonies. 6-10pm.

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville

College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of

Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The

collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have

never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat,

10am-2pm.

www.straightupmagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

11

January Calendar of Events Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Wednesday 9am-Noon; Saturday 1-4pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am–5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach).

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Gallagher’s (Waterloo) “Top of the Town, 3rd Floor Special Events. Contact for details. 9:30pm.

No cover charge.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Open Mic. 8pm. Free..

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) The Park Ave Trio: Jazz & R&B & Latin & Soul, with guitarist John Farrar (of Caseyville) 8pm.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 6pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Latin Night every Wednesday. Latin Pop, Raggaeton, Salsa, Merenge. 7pm–2am.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Line dancing every Wednesday. 1-2:30pm.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Open Mic. 9pm-1am.

Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville) Art & Design Building, New Wagner Gallery:

Gallery hours: 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night (with Duck Tape Trio). 9pm-1am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session. All acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

Vanzo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 8:30pm-12:30am.

Wild Country (Collinsville) Free Dance Lessons every Wednesday from 7-10pm. $3 cover 21+; $4 cover under 21. Open at 7pm until 1am.

11 Thursday

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Open Mic Night.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Mosaics on Main Street: Original Acoustic Open Mic

Night. 8pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville). Open

Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and

most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk;

there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) St. Clair Chess Club; starts around 6pm – come anytime.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from

12

Str8Up Magazine

January 2006 Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th, . Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap (Belleville) Solo Jazz Piano, Greg Beabout. 9pm-Midnight.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) James Sibley. 8pm.

Gallagher’s (Waterloo) Magic & Comedy Hypnotism. 7pm. Contact for details.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). Gateway Bridal Show, advertised as an evening full of fun and flair! Sponsored by Gateway Center, Suburban Journals & St. Louis’ Best Bridal.

5-9pm. $5 Regular admission fee; fee waived for registered brides (via Gateway Center website).

The Ground Floor (Belleville) TBA. 9pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Jazz/Blues/Funk. 7pm-2am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo pianist Luke Wrischnick, boogie, show tunes, and standards. 7-10pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Double Deuce.

Philharmonic Society of Belleville (Belleville) Rehearsal every Thursday. 7:45-10pm.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm. No cover.

Shiloh’s Klucker Hall (Shiloh) Cadence Cloggers. Every Thursday. 6:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) 56 Hope Road. 9pm-1am.

Vanzo’s Taproom (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 8:30pm-12:30am.

12 Friday

Argosy’s Music Hall, Argosy Casino (Alton) Air Supply. 7pm. $25. SOLD OUT! Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Borders Books & Music (Fairview Heights) Music in the Coffeeshop. 8pm. Free.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm. Theatre-The Immediacy Theatre Project presents Drawn & Quartered I, January 12th & 13th. General admission $7. 2-for-1 Student Tickets January 12th only.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Casino Queen (E. St. Louis) Saturday Night Dance Party. 103.3 FM KLOU (Oldies Radio) 9pm-1am. No cover.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish Music. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this openair gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s site-specific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde” by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Cutter’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. Exhibit runs through January 13th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) James Sibley. Two shows: 8 & 10:30pm.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Subluminal: Live Electronic Music and Performance Art. 8pm.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Friday Blues and Boogie. Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville). 9pm-1am.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) Wine Down Fridays. 7-11pm.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Live Entertainment (band or impersonator, etc.). 9pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit Opening: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon4pm. Free.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary,

6:30pm. Live Music. 9pm-1am.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Alternative & Neo Funk. 7pm-2am.

Margo’s (E. St. Louis) Open Mic Night & Jam Session – Jazz & Blues. Contact for details.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo piano music by Lloyd Kropp. 7-10pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-10pm.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Painting with Ed Karasek. 10am-Noon.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Live Music. 10pm-2am.

Schatze’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm. No cover.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Neon Cadilac, formerly Rangers & Roses, and Glo Selvey, vocalist & guitarist of country music old and new. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm. No cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Towne Lounge (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9pm.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session–all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

Wild Country (Collinsville) Live Music. Contact for details.

13 Saturday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Auditions for Dearly Departed, a comedy written by David Bottrell and Jesse Jones, directed by Barry Thornell, performances scheduled for March 15-25th. Auditions will consist of cold reading from the script on either January 13th or 14th at 4:00 pm (or by appointment) at the showplace. 4 males & 6 females will be cast.

Full description of play on ALT website. Call for additional information.

Argosy’s Music Hall, Argosy Casino (Alton) Air Supply. 7pm. $25. SOLD OUT! Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Gun & Knife Show. January 13 & 14. 9am-4pm.

Saturday & Sunday. Free Admission.

Bobby’s Frozen Custard (Maryville) Live Music. 7-10pm. Free.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Borders Books & Music (Fairview Heights) Music in the Coffeeshop. 8pm. Free.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm. Mosaics on Main Street: Original Acoustic

Open Mic Night. 8pm. Pottery Studio: Drop in sessions for hand-building pottery. $15 per session, all materials included.10am-Noon. Theatre-The Immediacy Theatre Project presents Drawn & Quartered I, January 12th & 13th. General admission $7.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Saturday 1-4pm; Wednesday 9am-Noon.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Casino Queen (E. St. Louis) Saturday Night Dance Party. 103.3 FM KLOU (Oldies Radio) with Paul Arca. 9pm-1am. No cover – must be 21 or older.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish Music. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9pm-1am.

Cutter’s (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Bethany Carlson, Paintings. This is the last day of this exhibit. New exhibit starts today, Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs until February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) James Sibley. Two shows: 8 & 10:30pm.

Gallagher’s (Waterloo) “Top of the Town, 3rd Floor Special Events. Contact for details.

9:30pm. No cover charge.

Gateway Drag Racing 2006 Awards Banquet @ Ramada Inn (Fairview Heights). 6:30pm doors open; 7pm Dinner/Awards. $25/person.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Shakey Ground, with vocals/front man Paul Bonn (of O’Fallon) 8pm.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Souled Out Soul Review. 8:30-11:30pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Springfield Shaky. 9pm.

Jimmy T’s Sports Bar (Breese) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Labor & Industry Museum (Belleville) Housed in the 1837-based Conrad Bornman House renovated by the Belleville Historic Preservation Commission are permanent and special exhibition galleries (Industrial Hall & Union Hall), an educational center, library, archives and artifacts. Open every Saturday from 10am-4pm or by appointment.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary 6pm. Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am. Contact for details.

Lewis & Clark Community College, Hatheway Cultural Center (Godfrey) The Hughes Brothers, sponsored by the Greater Alton Concert Association Foundation. Tickets: Advance, Adult $15/Student $5; Door, Adult $17/ Student $6. 7:30pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Mandy’s Bar (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo piano music by Gary Humphrey. 7-10:30pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Papa Wheelie’s (Trenton) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) 3 Freeburg High School Bands take the stage. Punk,

www.straightupmagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

13

January Calendar of Events jazz & rock. 7-10pm.

Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

Rick’s Never Inn @ Live Music 9pm-1am.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Live Music. Contact for details. 10pm-2am.

Schatze’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm. No cover.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm. No cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) The Saps. 9pm-1am.

Sullivan’s (Belleville) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

Vanzo’s (Edwardsville) Live Music. Contact for details.

14 Sunday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Auditions for Dearly Departed, a comedy written by David Bottrell and Jesse Jones, directed by Barry Thornell, performances scheduled for March 15-25th. Auditions will consist of cold reading from the script on either January 13th or 14th at 4:00 pm (or by appointment) at the showplace. 4 males & 6 females will be cast.

Full description of play on ALT website. Call for additional information.

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Gun & Knife Show. January 13 & 14. 9am-4pm.

Saturday & Sunday. Free Admission.

Bubby & Sissy’s (Alton) Dance Party. 9pm-1:30am.

Caddyshack Saloon (Caseyville) Farrar, Dover, Foreman & Friends (guitarist John Farrar of Caseyville). 7pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Interpretive Center (Collinsville) Lecture: Alan Harn, “Dickson Mounds: New Perspectives on the Rise of Mississippian on the Cahokia Frontier.” 2pm. Free. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Liston, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustic music with outstanding three-part harmonies. 6:15ish-10:43ish pm.

Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) Weekly Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs until February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) James Sibley. 8pm.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). St. Louis Gift Show. Exhibit runs through January 16th. 9am5pm. Contact for details.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Slackful Sunday. Movies all night. Starts at 6pm. Free.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Mike’s Ten Pin Lounge (Alton) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 9:30pm-1:30am.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Sunday Night Ritual.

POP’S (Sauget) 105.7 FM The Point Sunday Night Local Show, featuring Live Remote

14

Str8Up Magazine

January 2006 w/ Point DJ “Cornbread”. 6 bands compete every Sunday night; this week’s bands TBA. Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night & Jam Session (with Butch Moore). 9pm 1am.

15 Monday Martin Luther King’s Birthday

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am– 11pm.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). St. Louis Gift Show. Exhibit runs through January 16th. 9am5pm. Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Oliver C. Joseph Theatre: Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration featuring the Inspirational Voices of Mt. Zion M B Church Choir, The African Drum and Dance Group of Wirth-Parks Middle School.

Master of Ceremonies: Lt. Bill Clay, Acting Police Chief of Belleville. 10am-Noon.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Monday Night Music Review. Blues to Bluegrass by Tim “The Uncle” Albert, Danny “Stovehandle” Jackson (of Belleville’s Uncle Albert).

8-11pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

16 Tuesday

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish/Traditional Music, Seisuns. 7:30pm until closing.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Downtown (Sparta) Sparta Midwinter Classic. January 16th through 20th. Contact City of Sparta for further details.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am– 11pm.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). St. Louis Gift Show. 9am-2pm. Contact for details.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Open Mic Blues Jam. 7pm-2am.

Rick’s Place (O’Fallon) Open Mic Night. 8:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In

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January 2006 honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

17 Wednesday

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Liston, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustic music with outstanding

three-part harmonies. 6-10pm.

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Wednesday 9am-Noon; Saturday 1-4pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Downtown (Sparta) Sparta Midwinter Classic. January 16th through 20th. Contact City of Sparta for further details.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am– 11pm.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Poetry Open Mic hosted by Matt? 8pm. Free.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) The Park Ave Trio: Jazz & R&B & Latin & Soul, with guitarist John Farrar (of Caseyville) 8pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 6pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Latin Night every Wednesday. Latin Pop, Raggaeton, Salsa, Merenge. 7pm–2am.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Line dancing every Wednesday. 1-2:30pm.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Open Mic. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am-

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Str8Up Magazine

15

January Calendar of Events 5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night (with Duck Tape Trio). 9pm-1am.

Vanzo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 8:30pm-12:30am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session. All acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

Wild Country (Collinsville) Free Dance Lessons every Wednesday from 7-10pm. $3 cover 21+; $4 cover under 21. Open at 7pm until 1am.

18 Thursday

Str8Up Magazine

drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Acoustic Night. 9pm-1am.

Vanzo’s Taproom (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Wild Country (Collinsville) Mark Wills performing his new hit single “Take It All Out On Me” and more. Contact for details.

19 Friday

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Open Mic Night.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Mosaics on Main Street: Original Acoustic Open Mic Night. 8pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) St. Clair Chess Club; starts around 6pm – come anytime.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Downtown (Sparta) Sparta Midwinter Classic. January 16th through 20th. Contact City of Sparta for further details.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-11pm.

Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap (Belleville) Solo Jazz Guitar, John Farrar. 8:30pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Ralphie May. 8pm.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Shakey Ground, with vocals/front man Paul Bonn (of O’Fallon) 8pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Jazz/Blues/Funk. 7pm-2am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo pianist, Luke Wrischnick, boogie, show tunes, and standards. 7-10pm.

Philharmonic Society of Belleville (Belleville) Rehearsal every Thursday. 7:45-10pm.

POP’S (Sauget) Night Club: 92.3 WIL presents Keith Anderson. 7pm.

Riddle’s Penultimate Cafe & Wine Bar (St. Louis) Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville).

Boogie da Blues! 8pm-12am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

9:30pm. No cover.

Shiloh’s Klucker Hall (Shiloh) Cadence Cloggers. Every Thursday. 6:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include

16

January 2006

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Borders Books & Music (Fairview Heights) Music in the Coffeeshop. 8pm. Free.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm. Mosaics on Main Street: A Night of Originals / Theatre. 7pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9pm-1am.

Cutter’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm. No cover.

Downtown (Sparta) Sparta Midwinter Classic. January 16th through 20th. Contact City of Sparta for further details.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am– 11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details. 8pm-Midnight.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Ralphie May. Two shows: 8 & 10:30pm.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). Home Show. Exhibit runs through January 21st. Contact for

details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. Opening reception. This exhibit runs through February 9th.

Gallery hours Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Subluminal: Live Electronic Music & Performance Art.

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January 2006 Every 3rd Friday. 8pm.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Friday Blues and Boogie. Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville). 9pm-1am.

Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) Wine Down Fridays. 7-11pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Live Entertainment (band or impersonator, etc.). 9pm.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary,

6:30pm; Live music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Alternative & Neo Funk. 7pm-2am.

Margo’s (E. St. Louis) Open Mic Night & Jam Session – Jazz & Blues. Contact for details.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo piano music by Lloyd Kropp. 7-10pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-10pm.

Progressive Grange Dinner Theatre (New Athens) A Bad Year for Tomatoes, Comedy by John Patrick, Dramatists Play Service. This is a hilarious success dealing with the very funny misfortunes of a famous television actress who seeks to “get away from it all” in a small New England town. Fed up with the pressures and demands of her acting career, the famous Myra Marlowe leases a house in the tiny New England hamlet of Beaver Haven and settles down to write her autobiography. She is successful in turning aside the offers pressed on her by her long-time agent, but dealing with the nosy, omnipresent neighbors in a different matter. In an attempt to shoo them away, and gain some privacy, Myra invents a mad, homicidal sister. Tonight: Play only (not dinner) at 7:30pm; Adults $7/Seniors and $5/Children. Performances also on Saturday, January 20th at 6pm and Sunday, January 21st, at Noon.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Live Music. Contact for details.10pm-2am.

Schatzes (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm-1:30am.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. No cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) The Dewayn Brothers. 9pm-1am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session – all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

20 Saturday

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Flea Market. January 20 & 21. 9am-4pm. Saturday &

Sunday. Free Admission.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Borders Books & Music (Fairview Heights) Music in the Coffeeshop. 8pm. Free.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm. Mosaics on Main Street: Original Acoustic Open

Mic Night. 8pm. Pottery Studio: Drop in sessions for hand-building pottery. $15 per

session, all materials included.10am-Noon.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Saturday 1-4pm; Wednesday 9am-Noon.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Casino Queen (E. St. Louis) Saturday Night Dance Party. 103.3 FM KLOU (Oldies Radio) with Paul Arca. 9pm-1am. No cover – must be 21 or older.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art

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Str8Up Magazine

17

January Calendar of Events by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Cutter’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am. No cover.

Downtown (Sparta) Sparta Midwinter Classic. January 16th through 20th. Contact City of Sparta for further details.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am– 11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Air (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details. 8pm-Midnight.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Ralphie May. Two shows: 8 & 10:30pm.

Gallagher’s (Waterloo) “Top of the Town, 3rd Floor Special Events. Billy Barnett & The Movers. 9:30pm . No cover charge.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). Home Show. Exhibit runs through January 21st. Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. Contact for details. 8:30pm-11:30am.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Trouble Elvis Tribute, starring Michael Anthony Smith and Darrell Ray. Tickets are $12 in advance /$15 on the day of the event. 8pm.

Jimmy T’s Sports Bar (Breese) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Labor & Industry Museum (Belleville) Housed in the 1837-based Conrad Bornman House

renovated by the Belleville Historic Preservation Commission are permanent and special

exhibition galleries (Industrial Hall & Union Hall), an educational center, library,

archives and artifacts. Open every Saturday from 10am-4pm or by appointment.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary,

6:00pm; Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Lenjo’s (Pocahontas) Breakfast for Dinner. 9pm.

Lewis & Clark Community College, Hatheway Cultural Center (Godfrey) 29th Annual Harman Family and Friends. Also joining the Harman Family & Friends: The Little Trio and The Rarely Herd. Admission $12. 7pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Rock. 7pm-2am.

Mandy’s Bar (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo piano music by Gary Humphrey. 7-10:30pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Papa Wheelies (Trenton) Souled Out Soul Review. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) Terry Jones Rogers. 7-10pm.

Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

Progressive Grange Dinner Theatre (New Athens) A Bad Year for Tomatoes, Comedy by John Patrick, Dramatists Play Service. Progressive Grange Dinner Theatre (New Athens) A Bad Year for Tomatoes, Comedy by John Patrick, Dramatists Play Service.

This is a hilarious success dealing with the very funny misfortunes of a famous television actress who seeks to “get away from it all” in a small New England town. Fed up with the pressures and demands of her acting career, the famous Myra Marlowe leases a house in the tiny New England hamlet of Beaver Haven and settles down to write her

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Str8Up Magazine

January 2006 autobiography. She is successful in turning aside the offers pressed on her by her longtime agent, but dealing with the nosy, omnipresent neighbors in a different matter. In an attempt to shoo them away, and gain some privacy, Myra invents a mad, homicidal sister.

Adults $15/Advance & Door; Seniors and Children under 12/$18. Performance also on Sunday, January 23rd, at Noon.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Painting with Ed Karasek. 10am-Noon.

Rick’s Never Inn @ The Boat at the Riverbend (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Live Music. Contact for details. 10pm-2am.

Schatzes (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm-1:30am.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Night Moves. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville). The Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville). 9pm-1am.

Sullivan’s (Belleville) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

Vanzo’s (Edwardsville) Live Music.

Wood River Eagles (Wood River) Neon Cadilac, formerly Rangers & Roses, and Glo Selvey, vocalist & guitarist of country music old and new. 8:30pm-12:30am.

21 Sunday

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Flea Market. January 20 & 21. 9am-4pm. Saturday &

Sunday. Free Admission.

Bubby & Sissy’s (Alton) Dance Party. 9pm-1:30am.

Caddyshack Saloon (Caseyville) Farrar, Dover, Foreman & Friends (guitarist John Farrar of Caseyville). 7pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). Home Show. Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Slackful Sunday. Movies all night. Starts at 6pm. Free.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Mike’s Ten Pin Lounge (Alton) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 9:30pm-1:30am.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Sunday Night Ritual.

POP’S (Sauget) 105.7 FM The Point Sunday Night Local Show, featuring Live Remote w/ Point DJ “Cornbread”. 6 bands compete every Sunday night; this week’s bands TBA. Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 Progressive Grange Dinner Theatre (New Athens) A Bad Year for Tomatoes, Comedy by John Patrick, Dramatists Play Service. Progressive Grange Dinner Theatre (New Athens) A Bad Year for Tomatoes, Comedy by John Patrick, Dramatists Play Service.

This is a hilarious success dealing with the very funny misfortunes of a famous television actress who seeks to “get away from it all” in a small New England town. Fed up with the pressures and demands of her acting career, the famous Myra Marlowe leases a house in the tiny New England hamlet of Beaver Haven and settles down to write her autobiography. She is successful in turning aside the offers pressed on her by her longtime agent, but dealing with the nosy, omnipresent neighbors in a different matter. In an attempt to shoo them away, and gain some privacy, Myra invents a mad, homicidal sister.

Adults $15/Advance & Door; Seniors and Children under 12/$18.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night & Jam Session (with Butch Moore). 9pm 1am.

22 Monday

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am-11pm.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Monday Night Music Review. Blues to Bluegrass by Tim “The Uncle” Albert, Danny “Stovehandle” Jackson (of Belleville’s Uncle Albert).

8-11pm.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Live Music. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

23 Tuesday

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish/Traditional Music, Seisuns. 7:30pm until closing.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am– 11pm.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday

www.straightupmagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

19

January Calendar of Events through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Open Mic Blues Jam. 7pm-2am.

Rick’s Place (O’Fallon) Open Mic Night. 8:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

24 Wednesday

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Rogers, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustic music with outstanding three-part harmonies. 6-10pm.

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Wednesday 9am-Noon; Saturday 1-4pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). Contact for details.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap (Belleville) Acoustic soloist, Sully. 9pm-Midnight.

Gallagher’s (Waterloo) Comedy Dinner with Matthew Lumpkin. 6pm. Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Open Mic. 8pm. Free..

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) The Park Ave Trio: Jazz & R&B & Latin & Soul, with guitarist John Farrar (of Caseyville) 8pm.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. 8:30pm-12:30am.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

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January 2006 Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 6pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Latin Night every Wednesday. Latin Pop, Raggaeton, Salsa, Merenge. 7pm–2am.

McKendree College, The Hett (The Russel E. & Fern M. Hettenhausen Center of the Arts) (Lebanon). Spotlight Series. The George E. McCammon Distinguished Speaker Series: Mary Cheney. Mary Cheney, who served as a top campaign aide to her father, Vice President Dick Cheney, pulls back the curtain and offers a behind-the- scenes glimpse of the high-intensity world of presidential politics and political campaigns.

Chaney offers a unique perspective and the authority of having played a key role in two national elections. Cheney, her experiences, and her opinions, have been the subject of intensive debate in the media and from activists on both ends of the political spectrum.

As a senior adviser to her father, she was in the middle of every major event of the 2000 and 2004 presidential contests – at the conventions, the debates, and on the trail. 7pm.

Reserved seating. Free admission.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Line dancing every Wednesday. 1-2:30pm.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30 pm. No cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Open Mic. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night (with Duck Tape Trio). 9pm-1am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session – all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

Vanzo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 8:30pm-12:30am.

Wild Country (Collinsville) Free dance lessons every Wednesday from 7-10pm. $3 cover 21+; $4 cover under 21.

25 Thursday

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Open Mic Night.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Mosaics on Main Street: Piano Bar Karaoke Style. 8pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) St. Clair Chess Club; starts around 6pm – come anytime.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

Daddie-O’s Nite Out (Wood River Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 8:30pm-12:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am– 11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-11pm.

Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap (Belleville) Solo Jazz Piano, Greg Beabout. 9pm-Midnight.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Jazz/Blues/Funk. 7pm-2am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo pianist Luke Wrischnick, boogie, show tunes, and standards. 7-10pm.

Philharmonic Society of Belleville (Belleville) Rehearsal every Thursday. 7:45-10pm.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm. No cover.

Shiloh’s Klucker Hall (Shiloh) Cadence Cloggers. Every Thursday. 6:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Vanzo’s Taproom (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 8:30pm-12:30am.

26 Friday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert.

The show is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 8pm. Adults $14/Students $6.

Argosy’s Music Hall, Argosy Casino (Alton) Heartland. Their Country Billboard number one single “I Loved Her First” has sizzled on the top of the charts with the release of their new album. Experience the band that is quickly becoming the hottest group on country radio. 7pm. $20.

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Boat & Fishing Show. January 26, 27 & 28.

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Borders Books & Music (Fairview Heights) Music in the Coffeeshop. 8pm. Free.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish Xiles. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

www.straightupmagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

21

January Calendar of Events Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music.

Cutter’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am. No cover.

Donzo’s (Wood River) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer, Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am– 11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details. 8pm-Midnight.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Friday Blues and Boogie. Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville). 9pm-1am.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. Contact for details. 9pm-1am.

Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) Wine Down Fridays. 7-11pm.

Highland Upper Elementary Auditorium (Highland) Hard Road Theatre presents I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Directed by Krista Wheatley, Musical Direction by Charlie Bourrage, Produced by Rob Bowman. The production is a fun, high-energy musical review that explores relationships between men and women. Presenting the longest-running Off-Broadway musical has been affectionately named “Seinfeld set to music” by critics. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, explores the trials and tribulations of being single, dating, marriage, loss and heartbreak. Basically it touches on everything in the relationship process that you have ever secretly thought about. Some of the satire includes what it means to be a part of the crazed, hopeless single scene; pre- wedding cold feet; the in-laws; family trips in the car; and dating techniques of the geriatric set. Note: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change contains adult themes and is not recommended for children. Sponsored by First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust Company; thanks also to the Highland Arts Council. Four evening performances will be held: January 26, 27, February 2nd & 3rd at 7:30pm; the only matinee performance will occur on January 28th at 2:00 pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Live Entertainment (band or impersonator, etc.). 9pm.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary, 6:30pm; Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Alternative & Neo Funk. 7pm-2am.

Margo’s (E. St. Louis) Open Mic Night & Jam Session – Jazz & Blues. Contact for details.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo piano music by Lloyd Kropp. 7-10pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-10pm.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Painting with Ed Karasek. 10am-Noon.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Live Music. Contact for details.10pm-2am.

Schatze’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm. No cover.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9:30pm and

no cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville) Morris University Center, Meridian Ballroom.

Imani Winds. Arts & Issues. Since 1997, Imani Winds has been expanding the bounds of the traditional wind quintet, establishing a distinct presence in the classical music scene.

They are acclaimed for their dynamic performances, critically-praised recordings and innovative programming. $24 general; $12 students. 8pm. SOLD OUT. Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Towne Lounge (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session – all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

27 Saturday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert.

The show is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 8pm. Adults $14/Students $6.

22

Str8Up Magazine

January 2006 Argosy’s Music Hall, Argosy Casino (Alton) Heartland. Their Country Billboard number one single “I Loved Her First” has sizzled on the top of the charts with the release of their new album. Experience the band that is quickly becoming the hottest group on country radio. 7pm. $20.

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Boat & Fishing Show. January 26, 27 & 28.

Bobby’s Frozen Custard (Maryville) Live Music. 7-10pm. Free.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville

College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of

Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The

collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have

never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat,

10am-2pm.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm. Mosaics on Main Street: Original Acoustic Open

Mic Night. 8pm. Pottery Studio: Drop in sessions for hand-building pottery. $15 per

session, all materials included.10am-Noon.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Saturday 1-4pm; Wednesday 9am-Noon.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville).

Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8amdusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Casino Queen (E. St. Louis) Saturday Night Dance Party. 103.3 FM KLOU (Oldies Radio) with Paul Arca. 9pm-1am. No cover – must be 21 or older.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish Xiles. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9pm.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details..

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Contact for details.

Gallagher’s (Waterloo) “Top of the Town, 3rd Floor Special Events. Contact for details.

9:30pm. No cover charge.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). Winterfest: Ham Radio Swap Meet. Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Live Hip Hop. Last Saturday @ month. Contact for details.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Souled Out Soul Review. 8:30-11:30pm.

Highland Upper Elementary Auditorium (Highland) Hard Road Theatre presents I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Directed by Krista Wheatley, Musical Direction by Charlie Bourrage, Produced by Rob Bowman. The production is a fun, high-energy musical review that explores relationships between men and women. Presenting the

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 longest-running Off-Broadway musical has been affectionately named “Seinfeld set to music” by critics. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, explores the trials and tribulations of being single, dating, marriage, loss and heartbreak. Basically it touches on everything in the relationship process that you have ever secretly thought about. Some of the satire includes what it means to be a part of the crazed, hopeless single scene; pre- wedding cold feet; the in-laws; family trips in the car; and dating techniques of the geriatric set. Note: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change contains adult themes and is not recommended for children. Sponsored by First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust Company; thanks also to the Highland Arts Council. Four evening performances will be held: January 26, 27, February 2nd & 3rd at 7:30pm; the only matinee performance will occur on January 28th at 2:00 pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Live Entertainment (band or impersonator, etc.). 9pm.

Jimmy T’s (Breese) Breakfast for Dinner. 9pm.

Labor & Industry Museum (Belleville) Housed in the 1837-based Conrad Bornman House renovated by the Belleville Historic Preservation Commission are permanent and special exhibition galleries (Industrial Hall & Union Hall), an educational center, library, archives and artifacts. Open every Saturday from 10am-4pm or by appointment.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary,

6:00pm; Live Music. 9pm-1am. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Rock. 7pm-2am.

Mandy’s Bar (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo piano music by Gary Humphrey. 710:30pm.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall (Sparta) Sparta Home Show. January 27th & 28th . Contact for

details.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) John Farrar, Jazz Guitar. 6-9pm.

Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Live Music. Contact for details. 10pm-2am.

Schatze’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm. No cover.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville). Live Music. Contact for details.

9:30pm. No cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Southern Illinois University, Dunham Hall Theater (Edwardsville). CinderBottom. Season for the Child. Performed by Piwacket Theatre for Children. Theater and Dance Event.

“The folks at Piwacket have taken the Cinderella story to a new level in adaptation of the popular fairytale.” 7pm. Tickets, $5. Students get 2 complimentary tickets with their Student ID. Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville). Acoustic Night. 9pm-1am.

Sullivan’s (Belleville) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

28 Sunday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert. The show

is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 2pm Matinee. Adults $14/Students $6.

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Boat & Fishing Show. January 26, 27 & 28.

Bubby & Sissy’s (Alton) Dance Party. 9pm-1:30am.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Mosaics on Main Street: Immediacy Theatre Project

– 24/6 returns!!!! The Immediacy Theatre Project presents 24/6, a program of six one act plays written, rehearsed and presented within twenty-four hours. 8pm.

Caddyshack Saloon (Caseyville) Farrar, Dover, Foreman & Friends (guitarist John Farrar of Caseyville). 7pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville). Open

Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and

most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk;

there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art

www.straightupmagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

23

January Calendar of Events

January 2006 Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Live Music. Contact for details.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Rogers, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustic music with outstanding three-part harmonies. 6:15ish-10:43ish pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9pm-1am.

Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) Weekly Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Slackful Sunday. Movies all night. Starts at 6pm. Free.

Highland Upper Elementary Auditorium (Highland) Hard Road Theatre presents I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Directed by Krista Wheatley, Musical Direction by Charlie Bourrage, Produced by Rob Bowman. The production is a fun, high-energy musical review that explores relationships between men and women. Presenting the longest-running Off-Broadway musical has been affectionately named “Seinfeld set to music” by critics. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, explores the trials and tribulations of being single, dating, marriage, loss and heartbreak. Basically it touches on everything in the relationship process that you have ever secretly thought about. Some of the satire includes what it means to be a part of the crazed, hopeless single scene; pre- wedding cold feet; the in-laws; family trips in the car; and dating techniques of the geriatric set. Note: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change contains adult themes and is not recommended for children. Sponsored by First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust Company; thanks also to the Highland Arts Council. Four evening performances will be held: January 26, 27, February 2nd & 3rd at 7:30pm; the only matinee performance will occur on January 28th at 2:00 pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary,

6:30pm; Moore Pleasure. 9pm-1am.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 7pm-2am.

Mike’s Ten Pin Lounge (Alton) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 9:30pm-1:30am.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall (Sparta) Sparta Home Show. January 27th & 28th .

Contact for details.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Sunday Night Ritual.

Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

POP’S (Sauget) 105.7 FM The Point Sunday Night Local Show, featuring Live Remote w/ Point DJ “Cornbread”. 6 bands compete every Sunday night; this week’s bands TBA. Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night & Jam Session (with Butch Moore). 9pm 1am.

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert.

The show is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 8pm. Adults $14/Students $6.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish/Traditional Music, Seisuns. 7:30pm until closing.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Open Mic Blues Jam. 7pm-2am.

Rick’s Place (O’Fallon) Open Mic Night. 8:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

29 Monday

31 Wednesday

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Monday Night Music Review. Blues to Bluegrass by Tim “The Uncle”

Albert, Danny “Stovehandle” Jackson (of Belleville’s Uncle Albert). 8-11pm.

24

Str8Up Magazine

30 Tuesday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert.

The show is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 8pm. Adults $14/Students $6.

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Liston, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustic music with outstanding

three-part harmonies. 6-10pm.

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville

College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of

Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The

collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have

never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat,

10am-2pm.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Wednesday 9am-Noon; Saturday 1-4pm.

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville). Open

Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and

most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk;

there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) TBA. Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Open Mic. 8pm. Free..

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) The Park Ave Trio: Jazz & R&B & Latin & Soul, with guitarist John Farrar (of Caseyville) 8pm.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. Contact for details. 8:30pm-12:30am.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 6pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit January; contact for details. Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Latin Night every Wednesday. Latin Pop, Raggaeton, Salsa, Merenge. 7pm–2am.

McKendree College, The Hett (The Russel E. & Fern M. Hettenhausen Center of the Arts) (Lebanon). Spotlight Series. Irving Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.

Led by young trumpeter and former Wynton Marsalis protégé Irvin Mayfield, the funky and swinging, 16-piece New Orleans Jazz Orchestra showcases the brightest young New Orleans talent alongside seasoned jazz professionals. Under Mayfield’s leadership, NOJO has created a permanent national performing arts and education organization to celebrate America’s native musical form. When on the road, NOJO is one of the hottest tickets in the country and McKendree is thrilled to showcase the group during The Hett’s inaugural season. In the past year, NOJO has been seen at some of the nation’s most prestigious venues: Jazz at Lincoln Center, New Orleans JazzFest, Stanford Lively Arts and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Having established himself as member of the great legacy of New Orleans trumpeters, in the books with King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Wynton Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield’s big band arrangements should not be missed. 7:30pm. $10. SOLD OUT! PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Line dancing every Wednesday. 1-2:30pm.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9:30pm. No

cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Open Mic. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am-

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Str8Up Magazine

25

February Calendar of Events 5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night (with Duck Tape Trio). 9pm-1am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session – all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

Vanzo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 8:30pm-12:30am.

Wild Country (Collinsville) Free dance lessons every Wednesday from 7-10pm. $3 cover 21+; $4 cover under 21.

February 2007 - 1st week only 1

Thursday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert.

The show is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 8pm. Adults $14/Students $6.

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Open Mic Night.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Mosaics on Main Street: Piano Bar Karaoke Style. 8pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville). Open

Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and

most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk;

there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) St. Clair Chess Club; starts around 6pm – come anytime.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-11pm.

Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap (Belleville) Solo Jazz Guitar, John Farrar. 8:30pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Oliver C. Joseph Theatre: Lower School Fair Tale Theatre. (Students from forms K, K-1, I, II of The Governor French Academy) Directed by Phillip Paeltz. Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Lewis & Clark Community College, Trimpe Building, ATC (Godfrey) Rocky Fork Oral History Presentation, sponsored by the Diversity Council, featuring Jim Price and Donna White. 7pm. Free admission.

Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) Urinetown-The Musical. Urinetown is a Tony Award winning musical co-written by the Belleville native, Mark Hollmann. It is a humorous satire that tells a tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. Evening performances begin at 7:30 pm and will be held on February 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th & 10th. Sunday shows begin at 2pm and will be held on February 4th, and 11th. Contact for reservations.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit in February; contact for details.

26

Str8Up Magazine

January 2006 Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Jazz/Blues/Funk. 7pm-2am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo pianist Luke Wrischnick, boogie, show tunes, and standards. 7-10pm.

Philharmonic Society of Belleville (Belleville) Rehearsal every Thursday. 7:45-10pm.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9:30pm. No

cover.

Shiloh’s Klucker Hall (Shiloh) Cadence Cloggers. Every Thursday. 6:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Vanzo’s Taproom (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 8:30pm-12:30am.

2

Friday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert.

The show is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 8pm. Adults $14/Students $6.

Argosy’s Music Hall, Argosy Casino (Alton) Chuck Berry. Good old fashioned Rock ‘N Roll Music is back for another year at Argosy Casino with the father of Rock ‘N Roll, Chuck Berry! Enjoy this remarkable musical icon’s legendary hits such as “Johnny B. Goode”, Roll Over Beethoven” “Rock n’ Roll Music” and many more. 7pm. $20.

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Craft Show. February 2, 3 & 4.

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville

College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of

Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The

collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have

never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat,

10am-2pm.

Borders Books & Music (Fairview Heights) Music in the Coffeeshop. 8pm. Free.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (Collinsville) Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville). Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am–5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk; there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish Xiles. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music.

Cutter’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am. No cover.

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 Donzo’s (Wood River) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Oliver C. Joseph Theatre: Lower School Fair Tale Theatre. (Students from forms K, K-1, I, II of The Governor French Academy) Directed by Phillip Paeltz. Gallery: Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Friday Blues and Boogie. Uncle Albert Band (of Belleville).

9pm-1am.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. Contact for details. 9pm-1am.

Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) Wine Down Fridays. 7-11pm.

Highland Upper Elementary Auditorium (Highland) Hard Road Theatre presents I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Directed by Krista Wheatley, Musical Direction by Charlie Bourrage, Produced by Rob Bowman. The production is a fun, high-energy musical review that explores relationships between men and women. Presenting the longest-running Off-Broadway musical has been affectionately named “Seinfeld set to music” by critics. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, explores the trials and tribulations of being single, dating, marriage, loss and heartbreak. Basically it touches on everything in the relationship process that you have ever secretly thought about. Some of the satire includes what it means to be a part of the crazed, hopeless single scene; pre- wedding cold feet; the in-laws; family trips in the car; and dating techniques of the geriatric set. Note: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change contains adult themes and is not recommended for children. Sponsored by First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust Company; thanks also to the Highland Arts Council. Four evening performances will be held: January 26, 27, February 2nd & 3rd at 7:30pm; the only matinee performance will occur on January 28th at 2:00 pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Live Entertainment (band or impersonator, etc.). 9pm.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary, 6:30pm. Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am. Contact for details.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) Urinetown-The Musical. Urinetown is a Tony Award winning musical co-written by the Belleville native, Mark Hollmann. It is a humorous satire that tells a tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. Evening performances begin at 7:30 pm and will be held on February 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th & 10th. Sunday shows begin at 2pm and will be held on February 4th, and 11th. Contact for reservations.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit in February; contact for details.

Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Alternative & Neo Funk. 7pm-2am.

Margo’s (E. St. Louis) Open Mic Night & Jam Session – Jazz & Blues. Contact for details.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo pianist, Lloyd Kropp. 7-10pm.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Selector.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-10pm.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Painting with Ed Karasek. 10am-Noon.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Live Music. Contact for details.10pm-2am.

Schatze’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm. No cover.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Towne Lounge (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session – all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

3

Saturday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert.

The show is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 8pm. Adults $14/Students $6.

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Craft Show. February 2, 3 & 4.

Bobby’s Frozen Custard (Maryville) Live Music. 7-10pm. Free.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying

development of Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat, 10am-2pm.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm. Mosaics on Main Street: Original Acoustic Open

Mic Night. 8pm. Pottery Studio: Drop in sessions for hand-building pottery. $15 per

session, all materials included.10am-Noon.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Saturday 1-4pm; Wednesday 9am-Noon.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville). Open

Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and

most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk;

there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Casino Queen (E. St. Louis) Saturday Night Dance Party. 103.3 FM KLOU (Oldies Radio) with Paul Arca. 9pm-1am. No cover – must be 21 or older.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish Xiles. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Children’s Museum (Edwardsville). A hands-on experiential learning environment for children and adult caregiver where exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3:30pm. $3 (under 1 yr. free).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9pm.

Eddie’s Lounge (Granite City) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

The Empty Bottle (Troy) Live Music. 9pm-1am Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire (Alton) Live Music. Contact for details.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Contact for details.

Gallagher’s (Waterloo) Top of the Town, 3rd Floor Special Events. 9:30pm. No cover charge.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) earthSol. 9pm.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. 8:30pm-12:30am.

Highland Upper Elementary Auditorium (Highland) Hard Road Theatre presents I Love You,

You’re Perfect, Now Change, Directed by Krista Wheatley, Musical Direction by Charlie

Bourrage, Produced by Rob Bowman. The production is a fun, high-energy musical

review that explores relationships between men and women. Presenting the longest running Off-Broadway musical has been affectionately named “Seinfeld set to music” by

critics. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, explores the trials and tribulations

of being single, dating, marriage, loss and heartbreak. Basically it touches on everything

in the relationship process that you have ever secretly thought about. Some of the satire

includes what it means to be a part of the crazed, hopeless single scene; pre- wedding

cold feet; the in-laws; family trips in the car; and dating techniques of the geriatric set.

Note: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change contains adult themes and is not

recommended for children. Sponsored by First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust Company;

thanks also to the Highland Arts Council. Four evening performances will be held:

January 26, 27, February 2nd & 3rd at 7:30pm; the only matinee performance will occur

www.straightupmagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

27

February Calendar of Events

on January 28th at 2:00 pm.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) Scott Wattles Elvis Tribute. 9pm.

Jimmy T’s Sports Bar (Breese) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Labor & Industry Museum (Belleville) Housed in the 1837-based Conrad Bornman House renovated by the Belleville Historic Preservation Commission are permanent and special exhibition galleries (Industrial Hall & Union Hall), an educational center, library, archives and artifacts. Open every Saturday from 10am-4pm or by appointment.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary,

6:00pm. Live Music. 9pm-1am. Contact for details.

Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) Urinetown-The Musical. Urinetown is a Tony Award winning musical co-written by the Belleville native, Mark Hollmann. It is a humorous satire that tells a tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. Evening performances begin at 7:30 pm and will be held on February 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th & 10th. Sunday shows begin at 2pm and will be held on February 4th, and 11th. Contact for reservations. The Debutante Ball. Auditions at 1pm for play which will run on March 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th. (Hoping to revive her family’s reputation, Jen Parker Turner looks forward to her daughter’s debutante ball. Instead, facades crumble and various family secrets are revealed. This is a stunning comic drama set in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit in February; contact for details.

Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Rock. 7pm-2am.

Mandy’s Bar (O’Fallon) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Neruda Restaurant & Bar (Edwardsville) Solo piano music by Gary Humphrey. 7-10:30pm.

Perks & More Coffeehouse (Freeburg) Live Music. Contact for details. 7-10pm.

Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

Rusty’s Restaurant (Edwardsville) Live Music. Contact for details. 10pm-2am.

Schatze’s (Belleville) Live Music. 9pm. No cover.

Sharky’s (Collinsville) Live Music. 9:30pm-1:30am.

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9:30pm. No

cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Live Music. 9pm-1am.

Southern Illinois University, Meridian Ballroom, Morris University Center (Edwardsville)

BeauSoleil, Arts & Issues. Since forming in 1975, Grammy winners BeauSoleil have

claimed their undisputed role as the most esteemed Cajun group in music. Michael

Doucet and his ensemble take the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and artfully blend

elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more into a

satisfying musical recipe. A captivating overture for Mardi Gras. Sponsored by Partners

Bank, Arts & Issues. Tickets: General $24; Students $12. Two shows. 8 & 10:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville). Acoustic Night. 9pm-1am.

Sullivan’s (Belleville) Live Music. 8pm-Midnight.

4

Sunday

Alton Little Theater (Alton) Meanwhile, Back on the Couch, Directed by Mark Hilgert. The show

is set in New York in the early 1970’s. 2pm Matinee. Adults $14/Students $6.

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park (Belleville) Craft Show. February 2, 3 & 4.

Bubby & Sissy’s (Alton) Dance Party. 9pm-1:30am.

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Mosaics on Main Street: Immediacy Theatre Project – 24/6 returns!!!! 8pm.

Caddyshack Saloon (Caseyville) Farrar, Dover, Foreman & Friends (guitarist John Farrar of Caseyville). 7pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville). Open

Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and

most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk;

there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of

28

Str8Up Magazine

January 2006 American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Liston, Nienhaus, Crawford. Acoustic music with outstanding harmonies.

6:15ish-10:43ish pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9pm-1am.

Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) Weekly Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) TBA. Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Slackful Sunday. Movies all night. Starts at 6pm. Free.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Jam Session hosted by Moore Pleasure, 2pm; Beno & Mary,

6:30pm; Moore Pleasure. 9pm-1am.

The Lincoln Jug (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details.

Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) Urinetown-The Musical. Urinetown is a Tony Award winning musical co-written by the Belleville native, Mark Hollmann. It is a humorous satire that tells a tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. Evening performances begin at 7:30 pm and will be held on February 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th & 10th. Sunday shows begin at 2pm and will be held on February 4th, and 11th. Contact for reservations.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 7pm-2am.

Mike’s Ten Pin Lounge (Alton) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 9:30pm-1:30am.

OZ Nightclub (Sauget) Sunday Night Ritual.

Porter’s Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn (Collinsville) Live Music. 7-11pm.

POP’S (Sauget) 105.7 FM The Point Sunday Night Local Show, featuring Live Remote w/ Point DJ “Cornbread”. 6 bands compete every Sunday night; this week’s bands TBA. Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic & Jam Session (with Butch Moore). 9pm-1am.

5 Monday

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) Monday Night Music Review. Blues to Bluegrass by Tim “The Uncle”

Albert, Danny “Stovehandle” Jackson (of Belleville’s Uncle Albert). 8pm-12am.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit in February; contact for details.

Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

6

Tuesday

Broadway Center of Arts (Belleville) Gallery–Featured Artist (TBA). Gallery hours Monday,

Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 4-8pm.

Castletown Geoghegan (Belleville) Irish/Traditional Music, Seisuns. 7:30pm until closing.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art

www.straightupmagazine.net

January 2006 by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Gateway Center (Collinsville). Chamber Net. See Soldier’s Wish List on Gateway Center website

or call for further details. 5-7pm.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Lincoln Theatre (Belleville) Travel & Adventure Film Series: Royal Netherlands: The Dutch

Today. Presented by Willis H. Moore, Belleville Rotary Club. Contact for starting time.

Tickets: Adults $6/Children & Seniors $2.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit in February; contact for details.

Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Open Mic Blues Jam. 7pm-2am.

Rick’s Place (O’Fallon) Open Mic Night. 8:30pm.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

7

Wednesday

The Big Muddy Pub (Alton) Rogers, Nienhaus and Crawford: acoustic music with outstanding

three-part harmonies. 6-10pm.

Bob’s Tavern (Dupo) Acoustic Jam Session. 7-11pm.

Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) Almira College House, constructed in 1855, Greenville

College. Contains over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of

Richard W. Bock’s ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. The

collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wight, which have

never before been publicly displayed. Museum hours: Wednesday & Friday, 1-5pm; Sat,

10am-2pm.

Brown Memorial Museum (Sparta) Art & History. Wednesday 9am-Noon; Saturday 1-4pm.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – Museum & Interpretive Center (Collinsville). Open

Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and

most holidays; call or check web site for verification. Grounds are open from 8am-dusk;

there is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts-Mitchell Museum (Mt. Vernon) Administration Building Gallery: Teaching Artists. To partner with The Scholastic Art Awards, the Administration Building Gallery will feature work by teachers of the students in the Scholastics exhibit.

Exhibit runs through February 11th. Children’s Gallery: Art Around the World. Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County grade school students create and exhibit work to the theme Art Around the World in conjunction with The Scholastic Art Awards. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Main Gallery: The Scholastic Art Awards. Selected works of art by junior and senior high school students are sent to New York for further judging in the national competition. Exhibit runs through February 11th. Permanent Collection Gallery: John and Eleanor Mitchell, founders of Cedarhurst, acquired a significant collection of American paintings, decorative arts, and sculpture. Many of these works are available in the Mitchell Museum’s Permanent Collection Gallery for visitors to enjoy. Sculpture Park: Amid 90 acres of meadows, woods, and nature trails, this open-air gallery provides the experience of art in a nature setting. Beginning with support from Midwest

sculptors, the sculpture park now includes works by nationally and internationally known artists, such as Dennis Oppenheim, Fletcher Benton, Alexander Liberman, and Chakaia Booker. The park received regional and national attention from Alfio Bonanno’s sitespecific installation Self-Suspended/Fallen, which has been featured on the front cover of Sculpture magazine. The sculpture park was acclaimed for its unique loan program and dynamic growth in Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America, produced by Kesend Publishing (1996). “Dancers”, the floating sculpture by Martha Enzmann, is featured on the front cover. The latest additions to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park include “Venus Verde”

by Florida artist Kathleen Holmes, “The Apple of Eve’s Eye” by New York artist Howard Kalish and “Folded Square Alphabet Q” and “Folded Square Alphabet U” by California artist Fletcher Benton. Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Cleo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach).

Collinsville Historical Museum (Collinsville) Objects, writings, newspapers and journals, clothing and memorabilia pertain to the first settlers, and founders, of historical Collinsville and regional. Monday through Saturday, Noon – 4pm.

Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) Live Music.

Edwardsville Art Center-EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery (Edwardsville) Samantha Smeltzer,

Photography. Exhibit runs through February 17th. Gallery hours daily 7am–11pm.

Funny Bone Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) Contact for details.

Governor French Academy Art Center Gallery (Belleville) Photography Exhibit: Imaging Steel. Artist Ed Paeltz. This exhibit runs through February 9th. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, evenings & weekends by appointment.

The Ground Floor (Belleville) Open Mic. 8pm. Free..

Hammerstone’s (St. Louis) The Park Ave Trio: Jazz & R&B & Latin & Soul, with guitarist John Farrar (of Caseyville) 8pm.

Harry’s East (Fairview Heights) Live Music. 8:30pm-12:30am.

The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) Exhibit: “Awards of Excellence” runs through February 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Sunday Noon-4pm. Free.

Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) Moore Pleasure. 6pm.

Main Street Art Gallery (Edwardsville) Special exhibit in February; contact for details.

Gallery & store hours: Monday through Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm. Free.

Main Street Jazz & Blues (Belleville) Latin Night every Wednesday. Latin Pop, Raggaeton, Salsa, Merenge. 7pm–2am.

PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) PSOP / SWIC (Belleville) Gateway East Artists’ Guild (GEAG). Meetings 1st Wednesday @ month at PSOP Program & Services for Older Persons (SWIC) The purpose of GEAG, a non-profit organization of art enthusiasts, is to encourage self-expression through the visual arts, and to foster awareness, appreciation, and artistic development through educational programs throughout the Metro-East community. All skill levels welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity to network with others interested in art, enhance your artistic skills, and promote the arts in the MetroEast community. Monthly meetings, first Wednesday of each month and open to the public, monthly art contest, 6:45-7pm; educational program, lectures, workshops & demonstrations, 7:30pm-8:45pm. Local arts information and GEAG business meeting precedes contest, 6:30pm. “The arts are alive in the metro area. Come join the fun!”

Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Belleville) Live Music. Contact for details. 9:30pm. No

cover.

Sit “N” Bull Saloon (New Memphis) Open Mic. 9pm-1am.

Southern Illinois University, Metcalf Theater (Edwardsville). Black Theater Workshop Presents: Purlie Victorious. Directed by Kathryn Bentley, February 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th at 7:30pm & February 11th at 2pm. Call for ticket information and reservations.

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville) Schmidt Art Center: SWIC Faculty Exhibit. In honor of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sixtieth Anniversary, full and part-time art faculty from all of the campuses will be exhibiting new work. The exhibit will include drawing, painting, ceramics and photography by approximately 40 artist who teach at SWIC. Exhibit runs through January 27th. Gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday 11am5pm with extended hours to 8pm Thursday. Free and open to the public.

Stagger Inn...Again (Edwardsville) Open Mic Night (with Duck Tape Trio). 9pm-1am.

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor (Baldwin) Jam Session – all acoustic instruments, all ages and skill levels welcomed. This is a “comfy place for fiddlers, pickers, strummers and listeners”. Serving non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. 5pm until ???

Vanzo’s (Edwardsville) Mondinband (formerly Eat a Peach). 8:30pm-12:30am.

Wild Country (Collinsville) Free dance lessons every Wednesday from 7-10pm. $3 cover 21+; $4 cover under 21.

www.straightupmagazine.net

Str8Up Magazine

29

Event Contact Info ALTON

Alton Little Theater 2450 North Henry Street 618.462.6562 Call for reservations Argosy Music Hall Argosy Casino 1 Front Street 618.474.7500 Big Muddy Pub 204 State Street 618.463.1095 Bubby & Sissy’s “An Open-Minded Kinda Place” 602 Belle Street 618.465.4773

January 2006

Broadway Center of Arts Dance Studio Gallery Mosaics on Main Street Pottery Studio Theatre 124 E Main Street 618.233.0431 Castletown Geoghegan 104 West Main Street 618.233.4800 Crehan’s Irish Pub 5500 N. Belt West 618.234.6500 Cutters 239 Carlyle Avenue 618.235.7642

Fast Eddie’s Bon-Aire 1530 E. 4th Street 618.462.5532

Dutch Hollow Barn 533 Dutch Hollow Rd 618.235.5868

The Jacoby Arts Center 627 East Broadway 618.462.5222

Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap 6101 West Main Street Between S 62nd and S 60th 618.239.3317

Mike’s Ten Pin Lounge 18 East Broadway 618.465.6565 Rick’s Never Inn on the Boat at the Riverbend 3 Piasa On the riverfront between the Alton Belle Casino & the Alton Marina 618.462.4100

AVISTON

Hidden Lake Winery 10580 Wellen Road 618.228.9111 888.966.WINE

BALDWIN

Uncle Dave’s Pickin Parlor 114 S. 5th Street 618.785.2915

BELLEVILLE

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park 200 South Belt East 618.233.0052 A.A.R.A. Awards Banquet Allied Auto Racing Association 618.277.3995 636.288.2716 Belleville Main Street Gingerbread Walk 227 East Main 618.239.9428

30

Gateway East Artists’ Guild (GEAG) P.O. Box 4590 Fairview Heights, IL 62208 Meetings 1st Wednesday @ month at PSOP Program & Services for Older Persons (SWIC) 201 N. Church Street Belleville, IL 618.235.6110 Governor French Academy Arts Center 223 West Main Street 618.233.7542 The Ground Floor 215 East Main Street 618.277.1026 Harry’s East 4660 N. Highway 159 618.236.9696 The Immediacy Theatre Project info@immediacytheatre.org Labor & Industry Museum 123 North Church Street 618.222.9430 The Lincoln Jug 100 North High Street 618.233.7277 The Lincoln Theater 103 E. Main Street 618.233.0018 Evenings

Str8Up Magazine

618.233.0123 Main Street Jazz & Blues 307 E. Main Street 618.235.6025 Mosaics on Main 126 E. Main Street 2nd floor - Broadway Center of Arts 124 E Main Street 618.233.0431 Philharmonic Society of Belleville 116 N. Jackson Street 618.235.6500 PSOP / SWIC Programs & Services for Older Persons A Community Service Division of Southwestern Illinois College 201 N. Church Street Belleville, IL 618.234.4410 ext. 7042 Also meeting place of GEAG Gateway East Artists Guild 1st Wednesday @ month Schatze’s 2301 E. Main 618.235.2337 Schmidt Art Center Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) 2500 Carlyle Ave 618.222.5278 Shenanigan’s Restaurant & Sports Bar 6401 W. Main Street 618.398.6979 Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Visitors & Conference Center & Interfaith Learning Center Illinois State Highway #15 & S. DeMazenod 618.397.6700 800.682.7829 Southwestern Illinois CollegeSWIC 2500 Carlyle Avenue

618.235.2700 PSOP – Programs & Services for Older Persons 618.234.4410 ext. 7042 Schmidt Art Center 618.222.5278 Sullivan’s 907 N. Illinois Street No phone number listed

www.straightupmagazine.net

BREESE

Jimmy T’s Sports Bar 259 N. Main 618.526.4690

CASEYVILLE

Caddyshack Saloon 2865 N. 89th Street (Old Bunkum Road & Rt. 157) 618.397.4704

COLLINSVILLE Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site 30 Ramey Dr 618.346.5160 618.346.5161 Collinsville Historical Museum 408 W. Main Street 618.344.1834 618.345.6401 Gateway Center I-55 / I-70 at Exit 11 1 Gateway Drive 618.345.8998 Porter’s Steakhouse c/o Holiday Inn 1000 Eastport Plaza Drive 618.345.2400 Sharky’s Restaurant & Sports Bar 2537 Vandalia 618.344.0826 Wild Country 17 Gateway Drive 618.346.6775

COLUMBIA

618.692.2094 Cleo’s 1013 N Main St 618.692.0786 Edwardsville Art Center (EAC) EAC Sacred Grounds Gallery 233 N. Main Street Laurie’s Place 228 N Main St 618.656.2175 Main Street Art Gallery ArtEast 237 / 239 N. Main Street (Access to the Gallery is through the “Bead It” shop next door.)

618.655.9999 Neruda Restaurant & Bar 4 Club Center Court Illinois State Highway #157 & Meridian 618.659.9866 Rusty’s Restaurant 1201 N. Main Street 618.656.1113 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 618.650.2000 Dunham Hall Theatre 618.650.2774 Metcalf Theater 618.650.2000 Morris University CenterMeridian Ballroom 618.650.3799 Stagger Inn…Again 104 E Vandalia St 618.656.4221

Columbia City Saloon 1101 Valmeyer Road 618.281.6410

Vanzo’s 132 N Main St 618.656.9706

DUPO

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

Bob’s Tavern North Main Street 618.286.9557

EAST ST. LOUIS Casino Queen 200 Front Street 314.241.2628

Margo’s 105 Collinsville Ave 618.271.5299

EDWARDSVILLE Children’s Museum 722 Holyoake Road

Borders Books & Music 6601 N. Illinois 618.397.6097 Funny Bone Comedy Club I-64 & Illinois State Highway #159 1900 N. Illinois 618.628.4242 Harry’s East 4660 N Illinois St Illinois State Highway #159 618.236.9696

January 2006 Ramada Hotel 6900 N. Illinois St. Interstate 64 618.632.4747 Gateway Drag Racing

FREEBURG

Perks & More Coffeehouse 301 Market Place Drive 618.539.5282

MT. VERNON

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts Mitchell Museum 2400 Richview Road Administration Building Gallery Children’s Gallery Main Gallery Performing Arts 618.242.1236

O’FALLON

SAUGET

OZ Nightclub 300 Montsanto Avenue 618.274.1464

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall 611 W. Broadway 618.443.2811

Rick’s Place 126 E. State Street 618.632.0538

POP’S Concert Club Night Club 1403 Mississippi Ave 618.274.6720

Sparta, City of 114 W. Jackson 618.443.2917

Mandy’s Bar 108 E. State Unlisted number.

Towne Lounge 119 W. 1st Street

TRENTON

618.632.8886

GODFREY

Jailhouse Rock 24 W. Missouri 618.224.9814 Preferred seating, ask for Jeff

Lewis & Clark Community College 5800 Godfrey Road Also 1.800.YES.LCCC TTY 618.468.2270 Hatheway Cultural Center 618.468.3260 Trimpe Building, ATC Diversity Council Event 618.468.4000

Papa Wheelies 11974 Old US 50 618.224.7949

TROY

Empty Bottle 917 Edwardsville Road 618.667.0200

GRANITE CITY Eddie’s Lounge 2900 Nameoki Road 618.877.4141

WATERLOO Gallagher’s 114 W. Mill Street 618.939.9933

GREENVILLE

Bock Sculpture Museum (Richard W. Bock) Almira College House (1855) Greenville College 618.664.6724

WOOD RIVER

Daddie-O’s Nite Out 305 East Edwardsville Road 618.258.9844

Greenfield, City of 404 S. Third 618.664.1644

Donzo’s 8 E. Ferguson Ave. 618.254.6615 Wood River Eagles 74 E. Ferguson Avenue 618.254.3231 ________________________

HIGHLAND

Highland Upper Elementary Auditorium 618.654.6405 (Hard Road Theatre) 618.654.7748

NON-METROEAST VENUES Featuring METRO-EAST ARTISTS / MUSICIANS

LEBANON

The Hett Russel E. and Fern. M Hettenhausen Center for the Arts Theatre & Arts Center McKendree College 701 College Road 618.537.4481

NEW ATHENS

POCAHONTAS

Looking Glass Playhouse 301 West St. Louis Street 618.537.4962

Progressive Grange Rural Route #1 618.475.3330

Lenjo’s 209 Pocahontas Avenue 618.669.2129

MARYVILLE

NEW MEMPHIS

RED BUD

Bobby’s Frozen Custard 2525 N. Center Street Illinois State Highway #159 618.345.3002

Sit “N” Bull Saloon 31 S. Mill Street 618.588.3003

Red Bud, City of 200 E. Main 618.282.2315

Hammerstone’s 2028 S. 9th Street (Soulard) St. Louis, MO 314.773.5565

SHILOH

Shiloh, Village of Klucker Hall 14 Park Drive 618.632.7824

SPARTA

Brown Memorial Museum (Mr. & Mrs. Alfred A. Brown) 132 W. Broadway 618.443.6908

www.straightupmagazine.net

Riddles Penultimate 6307 Delmar Blvd.

University City St. Louis, MO 314.725.6985

Str8Up Magazine

31

Business Profile

January 2007

by

Paul Seibert

I’ve been there. Have you? I met founder Margie Nahass this summer at a chess day camp in Belleville. Two of her young sons were participating.

Perks & More Coffee House had just opened and Margie was effervescent about her new establishment in Freeburg. I stopped in for some coffee and a live music session with the Belle Vegas Band a couple of weeks later.

The music was great, the coffee rich, and the environment clean, clear and inviting.

I’ve been in a couple of times since then but it was just recently that I came with pen in hand to really get to know this new thing called Perks & More in Freeburg.

“The mission at Perks is to provide a warm, wholesome and welcoming place to spend time with friends and family.” It says so right on the menu.

“We hope to become a community gathering place that Freeburg will embrace and be proud of.” It looks to me like they’re succeeding.

In real life, Margie works in the medical field. “I work three days a week in Mt. Vernon and I’m here Tuesdays and Thursdays.” And what would possess this young professional working mother of three to start a coffee house, on the side, in Freeburg, Illinois? “I’ve been in this Freeburg area since I was 14,” tells Ms. Nahass. “For about 10 years, I was away in college. My husband George and I moved back here 8 years ago. Some of the time I was gone, I was in the Central West End (St. Louis) and went to school. Then I spent 4 months in Berkeley, California and got my first taste of coffee houses there.

And I lived in Soulard about a year and while there weren’t really coffee houses then, there were places like this that were quaint, kind of artsy, low-key but pleasant. So it was kind of a leap of faith that I would open a place like this.”

And speaking of faith, Margie brought her own faith to bear in opening Perks. “I thought about having a Christian theme coffee house. As I thought about it and prayed about it, I realized that people who most need to be surrounded by other Christians, people of faith in general – the one’s who most need to be there – probably they’re not going to come if it’s in-your-face that this is a Christian coffee house. Whereas, if you come in here not knowing the space, it’s here, you see it, you feel it. There are things around here that let people know it’s a Christian operation. I didn’t want to turn people away.

“I want kids to come here. Kids that don’t have anywhere else to go or that do have other places to go but think, ‘You know what, it’s a good, fun, cool place.’ And I was afraid that some of those kids in particular would think maybe it’s not cool to go to a Christian coffee house. Or maybe it is, depending on your peer group. But I didn’t want anyone to feel excluded.”

Margie has other faiths as well. “We have a lot of kids come in here, and some people said, ‘You know, kids are going to ruin your business.’ And I just don’t believe that. I have too much faith in today’s youth.” That part of her faith also seems to be paying off, too. “There are kids who come in here routinely. We have an acoustic guitar here and an electric keyboard. I have a little amp here for those kids who play electric guitar. It’s not unusual to see two or three kids ride across the parking lot on their bicycles with their guitars strapped on their back. And I LOVE that.”

And Perks & More is not just for kids. “When we have music, we’ll see people in their 60s, their 20s and 30s. And we’ll have this little circle filled with high school kids, hanging on every chord, every progression that the musicians play. The musicians, during their break, will come over and work through some riffs with them. To me, that’s what this place is about.

“First we needed a community place to go where people could bring their families,” tells Nahass. “And being smoke free is huge. A lot of people smoke on the patio – that’s fine – just not in here. People have commented many times that it’s so refreshing to be able to go out and have a drink and listen to music without being inundated with smoke. And that has been very positive, too.”

Perks has music most every Friday and Saturday night. Lots of different kinds of music. “The music we’ve been getting – we have jazz. John Ferrar comes in, an old friend of mine. We have a lot of acoustic folk / rock. Steve Koritta who plays the wineries comes in quite a bit. The Gordons who have been playing bluegrass and folk for 25 years, they bring their own crowd. They’re coming on Saturday night (December 23rd). Belle Vegas is a local Belleville band. The boys are back (from college). They’ll be here on December thirtieth. I love those guys. They’re great kids. They’re good! We have all sorts of genres of music. Neal Connors who used to own Main Street Jazz, he comes in. People will sit in with him. One night when John Ferrar was here, he brought in a tenor sax and a trumpet. So musicians are starting to find out about us.”

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January 2007 According to the name, there must be More. Some of the More certainly includes food and drink. “We open at 6 am every day. So we have a wonderful line of espresso coffee drinks, specialty drinks. We get our beans from Chauvin’s Coffee Roasters in St. Louis. They’re four generations of coffee roasters – outstanding. I think the best that there is. So the crux of everything here is the coffees.

“We have Republic of Tea, which is based out of Nashville, Illinois. I chose that because, first, I love their tea, but secondly because it’s kind of a local arrangement. And of course, smoothies and ice cream. We can make floats and all those kinds of things. But my sister says she won’t come if there’s no diet Coke, so there are always those die-hards. For them, we have soda and soft drinks by the bottle. For breakfast, we have biscuits and gravy on occasions. But every morning we have pastries and bagels. Sometimes we bring in Mallow’s Bakery pastries. We bake our own bagels. We make our own cream cheese now. We can make ham and cheese croissants.”

“The mission at Perks is to provide a warm, wholesome and welcoming place to spend time with friends and family.”

A bell sounded. It was the service signal for the drive-through window. “George always wanted a drive-through as well in Freeburg. I always believed we needed a place for a decent meal, drink a coffee and it would be a cool place. So this is kind of a dream come true. And George was right about the drive-through,” as the bell rang again.

“For lunch, we have soups, salads and sandwiches. Then we have wonderful cheesecakes and desserts which go nicely with the coffees and the liqueurs we started serving. And now we’re catering. We’re doing our third catering up to the grade school. The first one was 10 people, the second was 8 people, the next one was 50 people. 50 bread bowls and soup.”

“Please, sir...I want some more.” (I borrowed this line from Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist.)

There’s the daily newspapers. “We have some great magazines, everything from Fresh Cup to Mother Earth News, and Chess Life (and Straight Up Magazine). I’m getting ready to start a lending library kind of thing where people can pick books off the shelf and read them. If they want to take them out, they can. Eventually my goal would be to sell some books and CDs, just more under-the-radar kind of artists. Local musicians. We have Belle Vegas and Gateway Quartet, those kinds of things. The Gordons, they sell tons of CDs when they come in.

“We serve alcohol after 5 pm. Our liquor sales during the week are next to nothing. It’s really only a Friday and Saturday evening thing, but it’s available all week. And that’s nice because you can’t just really drink a lot of coffee – well you can – but to have a glass of wine, to have a liqueur, it’s been good.

It’s still not the main thrust of our business by any means. I think it adds something. If you’re going to pay a babysitter and go out and eat you may want to include a drink. Plus we’ve been doing some wine tastings. Black Diamond Winery has been coming in.

More hours. “We just started opening on Sunday. I struggled with that as well. Again being Christian based, I thought, ‘Nah, I don’t want to do that.’ But employees who are opposed to it are not required to work. And I did it because I was approached by a member of at least every congregation in town who said, you know what, it’s the only day that I have my husband, or my wife, and my kids with me – the only day we have the time to go somewhere after church and sit around and have a meal. And again, being a community service type place, we need to be open part of Sunday.”

And what do patrons say? “I find it a real nice space. It’s close to home. I don’t have to go to Belleville or somewhere else for a coffee house. I live in New Athens. So it’s definitely a nice place I don’t have to go far to get to.” -Jane Riefo “I come here because of the owner. I like the owner. My daughter Annie is here because she’s into eating healthy kinds of things. Not like her dad, eating hamburgers and stuff.” – Rich Janssen You want more? (I borrowed that line from Dickens, too.)

How about “in addition to serving freshly ground and brewed coffee, we have whole coffee beans by-the-pound, a full line of teas, bagels, pastries, soup, salad, and sandwiches, hand-scooped ice cream and floats, fresh fruit smoothies, desserts, retail gift items, and wireless internet access.” (I borrowed this line from the Perks website: www.freeburgperks.com.)

Perks & More is open Monday: 6am - 4pm, Tuesday - Thursday: 6am - 8pm, Friday and Saturday: 6am - 10pm, and Sunday from 6am - 4pm.

Visit Perks & More at 301 Market Place Drive (next to Tom’s and Paper Moon) in Freeburg or on the web at www.freeburgperks.com. You can call in your order at 539-5281. Tell them Straight Up Magazine sent you. www.straightupmagazine.net

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Comics

January 2006

This project started out as just a joke in between friends. It is not to be taken too seriously and is in no form here to be cruel or hurtful towards others. It is completely open to suggestion and a lot of them have come from others contributing “Bad News� of their own. To make a request, feel free to write me at joshrowan@gmail.com.

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Submissions

January 2007

Robert Charles Howard EAGLES ON THE MISSISSIPPI Majestic eagles ride on thermals high Above the river’s wooded shore, White hooded monarchs of the sky.

Keen eyes search the waters as they fly In quest of prey to eat or store Majestic eagles ride on thermals high

Ice Storm 2006

Warmer breezes have drawn them nigh Just for the season - nothing more White hooded monarchs of the sky.

The soft rustling of ice rain swept over us.

Diamond garlands enveloped the trees In shimmering laminates of crystal.

Northward on spring’s return they’ll fly Their homeland waters to explore.

Majestic eagles ride on thermals high.

Branches bowed down Until the limit of bending was breached A sharp crack And another electrical artery Fell to the earth.

A brief flickering - then the dark As fingers of frigid air sucked the warmth From a half million heartland homes.

Underneath layers of blankets, We heard the cracking of limbs Shattering the cold stillness like artillery fire.

The eagle’s noble span and piercing cry Are deep enshrined in native lore White hooded monarchs of the sky.

Gazing heavenward we long to try To soar with the eagles evermore.

Majestic eagles ride on thermals high White hooded monarchs of the sky.

December, 2006

Through the night the soft rustling of sleet And the sweeping wind whistled outside our windows.

Doug Stewart

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January 2007 America, i love you

by Rupret Mcgillicutty America, you’re full of color again your skirts & blouses looking their best your shirts & ties all neatly pressed your summer air all perfectly conditioned & yet my iron lungs cave & collapse what have we still to teach our elders? i’m tired i won’t remain a fish in your sea & i won’t swim all night with your constellation of dogmas above me morning’s gonna come America, rusty framework, cracked foundation our parents put down seeds where we now stop for gas & where our children play America, how’s the price of gas these days anyways? & how about that war? oh well, christmas still brings egg nog & school-bells will still ring you’re okay America, the snooze button’s still there we can still take the train we can still change our names & dye our hair we can still roll out of someone else’s bed & then just take it from there America, yes, we’re open for business transcends the real catastrophes won’t stop or slow us down not even long enough to think or feel America, 10 cents a day who’s soul can i save? don’t wait call today operators, please stand by America, things just haven’t been the same since we were the refugees & the land, our host & the animals, our guides America, bearing arms & on guard at all outposts & border lines America, the apple of our own eye America, so pretty with everything labeled & named America, it’s okay we can still call out sick or maimed America, you’re crumbling silently & so am i beneath our starless sky too many streetlights & billboards in my eye you’ll be forgiven, America – grass still grows through the cracks of pavement & roads birds have learned to roost upon window sills & over-passes so, now, people, let’s raise our glasses here’s to all those 3rd world literature classes to npr & pbs here’s to viewers like you America, here’s to your children inspired if not horrified in awe America, here’s to your children marching off to fight for you marching two by two - hoo rah!

here’s to the hard working women & men drenched in sweat from bearing the load in restaurants & hospitals in orchards & groves here’s to nap-sack nomads on the side of the road here’s to all the places where flowers still grow here’s to all the things we sure think we know oh, and here’s to letting go letting go of our veiled hearts & closed minds of the ‘over-population’ excuse & victimless crimes letting go of the distinction between what’s yours & mine America, don’t you think it’s time we settled our grievances & sat in a circle let down our guards & opened up the currents for a miracle America, you moody old coot i know this all sounds idealistic or satirical to you but we are all woven into the same tapestry we all come from the same roots & fall from the same tree America, deep into your eyes will always be better than deep between your thighs America, i missed the prom America, i never tried out for the team it’s okay, America ‘cause that was never me i’m green tea w/ ginseng & a cigarette between my teeth i’m deep in thought at 70 mph & 50 mpg i’m most alive with both feet folded under knees America, i’m ‘do unto others & love my neighbors in peace’ yet you’re always selling costlier and costlier American dreams America, you don’t have a place for me in your cadence & your machine i’m ‘Life is but a fleeting dream let’s live accordingly’ that’s me & where’s there still any room for that in your nation it wouldn’t fit between infomercials & there’s no place for it in church you’d wash it off the side of your warehouses & bus stations you’d hardly strain to perceive it through your foggy glass & you wouldn’t even notice it on the side of a freight car barreling past you’d scarcely hear its whisper as you dream your way back to sleep & it would be a trifle abstruse starving on your streets but it’s okay ‘cause every sun brings a new day and sooner than later your battles will cease to rage and your bert & ernie bodhisattva tykes will grow up indigo & walk your forgotten freedom highway hand in hand & man your public offices & with crayola creativity imagine us up a world & all its people living life in Peace.

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Submissions

January 2007

Josh Brackey

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January 2007

Danielle Fowlkes Danielle Fowlkes is 17 yrs old, resides Belleville, and is excited about the creative careers that lay in wait for her. Keep up with Str8 Up to see more of her work as time goes on

Every month Str8 Up Magazine displays submitted examples of Metro-East creativity. To have your work considered for publication and for more details, see our ad on page 3 or check out our website at: www.straightupmagazine.net. We hope you enjoy January’s selected contributions.

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November 2006

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