Straight Up Magazine Mar. 2014

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20

Issue

Mar. 2014

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Herstory ~ March Calendar of Events ~ Comics ~ Alma Terra: Organic Recycling ~ St. Patty’s Day Block Party ~ Edwardsville’s Judy Koen: Changing With the Seasons ~ Confluence Crush Photos ~ Submissions

March 2014

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

Eric Herrspink

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Inside Page

March 2014

Editors Word – March 2014 Welcome to the 20th edition of Straight Up Magazine, ‘Serving Up Art, Music and Culture for the Metro-East’s Enjoyment’. The Metro East deserves its own arts and entertainment magazine. It’s here and it’s called Straight Up!!!

We are pleased to have Eric Heerspink as the cover artist for this twentieth Straight Up edition! It’s the first time we’ve featured ceramic sculpture on our cover. See more on Eric in our Submissions section.

We always thank our writers for their poignant features. We appreciate our fans who have submitted their works for publication. And “Likes” to all you followers on Facebook!!! Straight Up loves you!!!!

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

The mission of Straight Up Magazine is to support local arts and artists and the businesses and organizations that support local arts and artists. Please feel free to contact us with ideas, comments, information, etc. that might assist us in our mission to serve you, the residents of the Metro region.

Enjoy Str8 Up. Tell your friends. Send us your work. And visit our website at StraightUpMagazine.net (You can scan our QRC on the cover). You’ll see Straight Up Magazine at over 260 area distribution locations. And we’ll see you at the clubs, theatres and festivals all over the Metro-East.

Contact Straight Up Magazine:

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

The Editors thank you!!!

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Staff

February Credits

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

Contributors

Cover Art: “Bottle Set with Tray” by Eric Heerspink (EricHeerspinkCeramics.weebly.com) Cover Logo: Josh Rowan (JoshuaRowan.com) Photography: Dan Cross (Herstory); Madison Thorn (Herstory), Robyn Kirsch (St. Patty’s Day Block Party) Feature Writers: Brenton Ebersole; Dan Cross; John Dorroh; Robyn Kirsch

Submissions

Eric Heerspink – Ceramics, Joshua Vaughn – Drawings Nic Tullis – iPhonetography, Dylan. – Poetic Prose All material in this publication is copyrighted to the individual contributors or Straight Up Magazine, LLC and may not be reproduced without written consent. We are very grateful to those who have submitted material to be considered for publication. However, the opinions and views of those contributing content to Straight Up do not necessarily reflect those of Str8 Up Magazine.

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Table of Contents

March 2014

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Str8 Up Magazine Distribution Locations: Alton Alton Sports Tap AmTrac Chez Marilyn Doc Holiday’s Frank’s Restaurant Jacoby Art Center Mike’s Ten Pin Belleville 10th Street Baking Co Abbey, The Acropolis Restaurant Almighty Tatoos Althoff CHS Art Dept Anthony’s Salon At Home Computer Repair Bank of Belleville Bamboo Valley Buffet Beatnik’s Bell Air Bowl Belle Clair Expo Center Belleville Public Libraries Ben’s Crafts & Floral Big Reggie’s Blue Agave BP Hucks - Carlyle Ave. BP Hucks - N. Illinois Bronx Zoo CeLeen Gallery Centerfield Bar and Grill Chamber of Commerce Christopher Mikal Photo.

Circa City Hall Club Escapade Conoco Phillips Crehan’s Pub Dutch Hollow Barn Eckert Florist Effinger’s Garden Center Facial Rejuvenation Center Fletcher’s Kitchen Geo’s Wings Governor French Gallery Grappa Growlers Hair on Main Happy Hops Homebrew Hardees Harters Hobby House Hicks Bar-B-Que Hippie Daze

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

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

Public Library Quick Stop 2 Quiznos RaaQQa Food Mart Ramada Inn Randalls Wine & Spirits Sahara Hair Studio Schnucks Sheraton Four Points St Clair Bowl Sunshine Daydream Super 8 Motel Winchester Place Office VFW Freeburg Casey’s Deli Express Tom’s Supermarket Glen Carbon Glen Mart Granite City Apple Tree Restaurant SWIC Café & Fitness Ctr Highland Great Clips Highland’s Tru-Buy Randy’s House of BBQ Lebanon Artimis Fezziwig’s Marketplace Ghost Vapor Shop Las Cabanas Lebanon Visitors Center Legendary Creations Mama Gusto’s McKendree University MotoMart Public Library Sasafras Way Photography Tiadaghton House Whimsey Gifts Mascoutah All Mart Smoke Shop American Legion Bee Hollow Marketplace Boyce Hund & Assocs Casey’s General Store Dauber’s Pharmacy Han-Dee Mart Jo-Al Winery LaQuinta Hotel & Suites

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Mascoutah Steak House MidAmerica Inn & Suite McDonald’s Moore’s Family Restaurant Moto Mart Nite Deposit Sax Hometown Store Silver Creek Asstd Living Scott Credit Union St E’s Medical Plaza Tom’s Supermarket O’Fallon AC Computers Baymont Inn Candlewood Suites Casey’s Casa Azteca Circle K City Hall CoffeeHouse Co & Salon Country Inn and Suites CVS Days Inn Drury Inn Egg and I Extended Stay Frieze Harley Davidson Gas Mart Gias Pizza Hemingway’s Zen Garden Hilton Garden Inn Hometown Barber Knights of Columbus Lake Point Dental Luckenbooth Gallery McDonald’s Memorial Healthcare Memorial Therapy New Art Legacies Public Library RJs Computer Schnucks Shell St. E’s Medical Center Suburban Inn Subway Super 8 Towne Lounge Vetta Sports Walgreens Wood Bakery

YMCA Sauget Sauget Diner SW IL Welcome Center Scott Air Force Base Chicago Chicken & Fish Ralph’s Barber Quick Mart Subway Shiloh Bank of Edwardsville David Anthony Barber Dierberg’s Golden Corral St. Louis Bread Quizno’s Walgreens Wings of Shiloh Smithton All Mart Century 21 Advantage No-Jacks Tom’s Supermarket Swansea Big Time Beads Concept Shoe Repair CVS Schnucks Dobbs Gas Mart Tourism Bureua of IL S. Wild Birds Unlimited Troy Inksane Asylum Randy’s House of BBQ Speedy Scrappers Troy Public Library ZX Fuel Waterloo BoBecks Sports Bar & Grill City Hall Gallagher’s JV’s Bar and Grill Karban’s Knotty Pines Knotty Pines Papa Vito’s Schorr Lake Vineyard St.Louis Cmty Arts & Movement Concrete Ocean Gallery Healing Arts Center

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Music

March 2014

A Weekend That Will Go Down in Herstory

by Dan Cross Friday March 28 and Saturday March 29 are Herstory Weekend 2014.

Kimmie V

For 10 years now, one of the most exciting events on the Metro East arts and entertainment calendar has been Herstory Weekend. This two-day long celebration of women artists, musicians, dancers, and filmmakers has been held at several different venues over the years (The Ground Floor, Mosaics, Pitchers Pub) but this year, the event has a new home: the Governor French Academy in Belleville. Founder Kim Vrooman is very happy about the location. “It’s a beautiful space which can hold up to 200 people, and it is already a facility dedicated to arts and education, so it is a perfect fit for this event.”

When you walk through the door to Herstory Weekend, the first things you’ll notice will be the big, diverse crowd (the event always attracts a lot of people of all ages, races, and genders) and the huge array of activities taking place everywhere you turn. On stage will be one of many talented women musicians, backed with a full band and great sound system. On the dance floor will be some of the talented and athletic members of the St. Louis Hoop Club, defying gravity with their lighted hula-hoops.

Between bands, short films and music videos by local female filmmakers play on a large projection screen. Across the room will be tables with jewelry, artwork, and other wares from creative local women, and clothes and 4

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other fun goodies from the Tapestry Of Community Organizations (TOCO) resale shop. Other tables will provide plenty of beer, wine, sangria, and appetizers to keep everyone happy and well-oiled.

And, just when you might think you’ve seen everything, suddenly the music changes to a different style, and a dance troupe appears in full regalia to wow the crowd with the ancient and seductive art of belly dance.

It’s no surprise then, that the event is popular with men as well as women. But underneath all the fun activities is an important agenda and a good cause.

As TOCO director Kim Vrooman explains, “Until women become truly equal in terms of pay and political influence, we feel that it is important to have an event which emphasizes the contributions of women to society. But the event is definitely open to men and women; we want as many people as possible to become involved.”

Herstory Weekend began as an outgrowth of Southwestern Illinois College’s Herstory Month, a month-long series of events which takes place at the campus every March to honor women’s history month.

But besides raising awareness of the contributions of women, Herstory Weekend also benefits a great cause: scholarships for single parents. The event has been

St. Louis Hoop Club

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March 2014

awarding scholarships for the last six years, helping women who are raising children on their own to stay in college and achieve a better future.

Whitney, one of the recipients of the scholarship, wrote about how much it helped her:

“Thank you for organizing Herstory Weekend to benefit SWIC students. You have aided me in paying for my books, helping with my educational expenses, and alleviating some of the burdens of being a single mother trying to go back to school on a full time basis… Thanks again for making a difference in my life.”

Another great cause that Herstory Weekend benefits is Beautiful Lengths, a program to collect donated hair for cancer patients. Every year at Herstory, stylists are on hand to give free haircuts to anyone who has at least 8 inches of hair to donate. The hair is tied into ponytails, snipped off and collected to make wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy.

And Herstory is long on amazing musical entertainment. Headlining Herstory Weekend this year will be show-stopping R ‘n’ B singer Kim Massie, retro swing band Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes, and rock groups EarthSol and The Oncomings. Adding to the fun are belly dance troupes Aalim and Exotic Rhythms. The event is open to all ages, and always includes activities and entertainment for young people, including several young female musicians: Phoebe Lieberman, Bella and Lilly, and Broken Cookie, a band made up of adolescent girl scout members making music together and having fun.

The entire weekend is made possible through the generosity of donors and volunteers.

Who: Tapestry of Community Organizations (TOCO) What: Herstory Weekend Where: Governor French Academy, 219 West Main

Street, Belleville

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Why: A benefit for scholarships and other necessities for Metro East women in need

When: March 28 and 29, 7pm – 1am each night Contact: For more infor-

mation or to volunteer for this event, call 618-257-8626 or visit www.TOCONFP.org

Kim Massie & bassist Dan Cross

Aalim and Exotic Rhythms

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March Calendar of Events

March 2014

March 1st (Saturday) Alton High School (Alton) - Poetry Out Loud; A regional poetry recitation contest for high school students. Contest winners move on to state finals. 2pm Barnes & Noble (Fairview Heights) - The LEGO Movie Event; 11am Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Home Show; The HBA Home Show is the best one-stop-shop to locating quality builders, remodelers, contractors, retailers and suppliers in the area. The vast array of booths will feature everything from state of the art appliances to window treatments, spas, decks, sunrooms, room additions and landscaping; 10am-8pm Belleville West High School Gym (Belleville) - Belleville Parks and Recreation Annual Daddy Daughter Dance; a special evening with your little princess; dinner and dancing; 5-8:30pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Mardi Gras Ribfest with Mr BBQ; live music with Highway, 4pm; Covering Fire, 7pm BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ Mardi Gras Party; 9pm CARD Building (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Camera Club meeting; “Butterfly House Photo Shoot”; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Community Garden (O’Fallon) - Community Garden Work Day; get outside and dig for satisfaction; State Street and Smiley; 9am12pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Mardi Gras Party with Jukebox Jealousy Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Eckert’s (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Shakey Dave; Country; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Red Rocks; 3pm; American Idle; 8pm Fezziwig’s (Lebanon) - Casual Saturday Wine Tasting; 2-4pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis Regional Gun & Knife Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Pegasus Productions Psychic Fair; Adults - $7; Children under 12 Free; 10am-6pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) Daddy Daughter Date Night Dance; girls ages 5-16 and their “dates” (no moms allowed); formal attire; special appearance by Miss Illinois; 6-9pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Immaculate Conception School (Columbia) - Trivia Night Benefit, Art on the Bluffs; Door at 6:30pm, games at 7pm Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) - Material Attraction: Diverse Reactions V; Showcasing the work of 20 artists from the Missouri – Illinois bi-state area, this exhibit is the 5th in a series exploring the 6

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diverse and powerful ceramic work being made in this region. Through April 6.

Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - The guitar and vocals of Rev Ken; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Lindenwood University Auditorium (Belleville) - Belleville Philharmonic; Classical POPS Concert; 7:30pm Lovejoy Library @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Marie Menninga, Piano Recital; 5-6pm Mama Gusto’s (Lebanon) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7-11pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Ryan Spriggs; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Mardi Gras Party; Live music with Bob “Bumblebee” Kamonske, 5:30-8:30pm; Big Mike and the Blues City All-Stars, 9:30-12:30pm Quail Club (Belleville) - Mardi Gras Dinner and Dance; dinner at 7pm; Mondinband, 8pm-12am Redbud Winery (Redbud) - Mardi Gras Mania with Lock and Load; 6:30-10:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Wade and Dade Farrar, 1-5pm; Tim Ryan, 5-7pm; Ross Kincaid, 7-11pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Social Remedy; 9pm-1am Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Masterworks Chorale and Jazz Ensemble plus Masterworks Children’s Chorale present Broadway Pops, the annual promenade down the Great White Way; 7:30pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - The Stubblefield Band; Enjoy this rare treat and relive the 90’s as the band gets together for a show at the Wildey. 8pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Kerry Steinman; 6-10pm Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - “Nunsense - The Mega Musical”; The Brass Rail Players community theater organization will present the metro-east premiere of “Nunsense - The Mega Musical.” “’Nunsense” is based on real nuns, and has resonated big with audiences since its off-Broadway debut in 1986. 7:30pm Wild Jacks – formerly Flatland Rocks (Germantown) Hicktown; 9:30pm

March 2nd (Sunday)

Barnes & Noble (Fairview Heights) - Read Across America Storytime; Green Eggs and Ham; 11am

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March 2014 Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Home Show; The HBA Home Show is the best one-stop-shop to locating quality builders, remodelers, contractors, retailers and suppliers in the area. The vast array of booths will feature everything from state of the art appliances to window treatments, spas, decks, sunrooms, room additions and landscaping; 11am-4pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 3-6pm Crehan’s Pub (Belleville) - Paul Bonn and the Bluesmen First Sunday Jam; 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Eden Church of Christ (Edwardsville) - Choir Concert; General Admission-$12; Seniors & Under 18 Years-$9; SIUE Students admitted free with ID; 3pm-5pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Acoustic Asylum, 2pm; American Idle, 7pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis Regional Gun & Knife Show Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Pegasus Productions Psychic Fair; Adults - $7; Children under 12 Free; 10am-6pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Hed PE & Smile Empty Soul presented by The Beard Productions; with Bound To Break, Sake Of Sanity, Hero For A Day, Filthee Benjaminz; 6:30pm; $13 advance, $15 day of show, $2 minor surcharge Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Tim Ryan; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Met at the Hett; Prince Igor (Borodin); Join a worldwide audience from your “better than front row seat” for the New York Metropolitan Opera’s Emmy award-winning Live in HD series of high-definition simulcast transmissions. Presented with subtitles; (One day delay, not shown live) $18 adults, $15 seniors, $10 student/child; 1pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Lisa Jones; 2-6pm Turkey Hill Grange (Belleville) - “Nunsense - The Mega Musical”; The Brass Rail Players community theater organization will present the metro-east premiere of “Nunsense - The Mega Musical.” “’Nunsense” is based on real nuns, and has resonated big with audiences since its off-Broadway debut in 1986. 2pm

Quintet; 12pm Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Choral Pops Concert; Commons; 7:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke

March 4th (Tuesday)

6pm

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

Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Band Concert; SIUE Wind Symphony, St. Louis Brass Band & SIUE Concert Band; General Admission-$12; Seniors & Under 18 Years-$9; SIUE Students admitted free with ID; 7:30-9:30pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Rock Springs Park (O’Fallon) - O’Fallon Garden Club Growing and Harvesting Grapes for Wine Making; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Greg Silsby; 6-10pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Film Series; The Crying Game (1992); An unlikely friendship develops between a kidnapped British soldier and his IRA terrorist captor. Rated R; 7pm

March 5th (Wednesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Surgeon Yoga; stretch and relax! All you need is a yoga mat. For all ages and skill levels; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wed Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Jay & Waylon; 6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Bingo; Reid Cafe; 11:30am Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Women’s History Month; Brown Bag Series; 12pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am PSOP (Belleville) - Gateway East Artist Guild monthly meeting; 6pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol

March 3rd (Monday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course; 6-7:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat Joyce; 1-4pm Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Jazz Combo Concert; General Admission-$12; Seniors & Under 18 Years-$9; SIUE Students admitted free with ID; 8-10pm Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Bi-State Brass StraightUpMagazine.net

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March Calendar of Events

March 2014

Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week.

This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Valentina Igoshina the pianist performs; Valentina Igoshina is an acclaimed Russian pianist who has performed on many of the world’s grand concert stages. 7:30-9pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

March 6th (Thursday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 8pm Discovery Garden at LaVista Park (Godfrey) - Plant Some Seeds...and watch them grow throughout the rest of the season; 11am Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

EVUCC Church (Highland) - Art of the Soul; hands-on artistic fun for all; 7-9pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - American Idle; 7pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - “Ellis Island” American Theater Arts for Youth 2014; 8am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); all musicians, poets and performance artists welcome; every Thursday; 9pm-12pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Dayton; 7-11pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons from w/ Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm

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March 7th (Friday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Dunham Hall Theater @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - SIUE Orchestra Concert; General Admission-$12; Seniors & Under 18 Years-$9; SIUE Students admitted free with ID; 7:30-9:30pm Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Jack Tweston; 8pm Edwardsville Arts Center (Edwardsville) - Through April 11: Main Gallery: SIUE Collections – African; DeToye Student Gallery: Liberty Middle School Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Radio Star; 8pm Governor French Art Gallery (Belleville) - Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois Opening Reception; Billy Dame, Willie Jones, Joanna Hoge and Greg Pitchford (through the month of March); 6-8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Knight of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - DJ Rev Disco; 8pm-12am Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Thunder Road; 8pm-12am Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Ryan Springgs and The Fade; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Pat Liston; 7-11pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - That 80’s Band; 9pm-1am Spirits Lounge (Alton) - Dark Horse Art Works presents Booze Art Exhibition; featuring artwork that is inspired by alcohol, created under the influence of alcohol, or has alcohol as the theme. 5-10pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Friday Night Jazz; Every Friday night; 7-10pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Linda Ford; 6-10pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - The Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Winter Concert Series presents Dueling Pianos; Part

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March 2014 comedy, part music, and all fun, this act is sure to get the audience clapping their hands and yelling out requests. Catered hors d’oeuvres provided by the Parks Department are included with purchase of ticket and will be served 6-7pm; concert begins at 7pm VFW (Alton) - DD Revival playing your favorites from the50’s, 60’s and 70’s; 7-11pm

March 8th (Saturday)

Audubon Center (West Alton) - Winter Stargazing at Riverlands; Knowledgeable astronomers will guide your viewing of the night sky and staff from the Center will lead nature walks throughout the Sanctuary to listen to ducks and swans communicate on Heron Pond; 6:30-9pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Knife & Gun Show BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Eckert’s (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Lemon and Moon; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddy’s, 3pm; Radio Star, 8pm Fischer’s Restaurant (Belleville) - Bicentennial Gala; Festive attire suggested; Champaign Fountain and cash bar, 5pm; Dinner and Dancing, 6pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - American Indian and Ethnographic Show; 8am-5pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Mothers of Multiples Metro East St. Louis; 8:15am-12pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Prehistoric Artifact Show; sponsored by Illinois Archeological Society; 8am-5pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Live music with Pierce Crask of Falling Martins; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Edicks Way; 10:30pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - The Funatics – fun-lovin music with Steve Koritta and Tip Belz; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Pop’s (Sauget) - The Battle For Pointfest 2014; Featuring: Parted

By Illusion, Mississippi Clean, & TBA $3 adv, $5 dos $2 minor surcharge; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music

SeVen (Belleville) - Clark Rowden; 7-11pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo; Live on stage; Giant puppets, stilt-walkers and inflatables bring dinosaurs to life on stage in these unique, interactive shows; 3pm and 6pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Dade Farrar; 6-10pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Brewer and Shipley; 8pm VFW (Alton) - Smash Band; 6pm

March 9th (Sunday)

7pm

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Knife & Gun Show Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 2pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session;

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddy’s, 3pm; Featherstone Drive, 7pm Fir Acres Theater @ Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - As You Like It; 2pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - American Indian and Ethnographic Show; 8am-2pm

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March Calendar of Events

March 2014

Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Prehistoric Artifact Show; sponsored by Illinois Archeological Society; 8am-2pm Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) - Live at Jacoby: Sunday Afternoon Jam Sessions; Bud Shultz, clarinetist and leader of the “You Can’t Beat Experience” Jazz Band, presents a performance opportunity for jazz musicians every 2nd Sunday of the month; A jazz rhythm combo will play along with Bud and other guest musicians. Tickets are $12.50 general admission; $10 seniors and students; Cash bar and beverages will be available. Sessions begin at 3pm and run until 6pm.

Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Gavin M; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Weingarten (Belleville) - Gabie McGarrah; 2-6pm

March 10th (Monday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course; 6-7:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat Joyce; 1-4pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke

March 11th (Tuesday)

6pm

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

CARD Building (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Camera Club meeting; “Civil War Historical Images Competition: Prints”; 7pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Women’s Connection; 12:15-2pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Animals as Leaders w/ After The Burial, Navene-K, and Chon; $18 adv, $20 dos, $2 minor surcharge; 6pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Park Avenue Duo; 7-11pm

PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session.

1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

March 13th (Thursday)

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm1:30am Casino Queen (East St. Louis) - The Real McCoy LLC presents – Soul Rock ‘n’ Blues Tribute Show; 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 8pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

EVUCC Church (Highland) - Art of the Soul; hands-on artistic fun for all; 7-9pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Legends Undercover; 7pm

March 12th (Wednesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Surgeon Yoga; stretch and relax! All you need is a yoga mat. For all ages and skill levels; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wednesday Fairview Heights Library (Fairview Heights) - Snacks and Facts; The Area Agency on Aging presents “Snacks and Facts.” This is an event that is held the 2nd Wed of each month. 12-1pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Scott N Karl; 6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Katy Cavins Center (O’Fallon) - O’Fallon Arts Commission Meeting; 6:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am 10

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March 2014 7pm

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

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Lindenwood University Auditorium (Belleville) - Lindenwood Speakers Series: Dawn Porter “Pubic Defenders: The Keepers of Civil Rights”; open and free to the public; 7pm Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The Diary of Anne Frank; 7:30pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); all musicians, poets and performance artists welcome; every Thursday; 9pm-12pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Hip Hop Showcase presented by The Beard & Busch Beer with Nevermiind ENT, Augie, Apiphany, TBA; $5 advance, $5 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Greg Silsby; 7-11pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Sip and Shop; Music by Bob Koehler; 6:30pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm

March 14th (Friday)

Hellbound Glory, & Arythma $15 Flat - $2 minor surcharge; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Noe and Diekemper; 7-11pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Mondinband; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Friday Night Jazz; Every Friday night from 7-10pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Tom Doctor; 6-10pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - The Bellamy Brothers; 8pm

March 15th (Saturday)

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Bella Milano (O’Fallon) - Hot Flash Duo; 8:30-10:30pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market; Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new. Indoor/ Outdoor Year Round. Free admission; 8am-5pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - St Patrick’s Day Block Party; live music on the street featuring Old Salt Union and Aaron Kamm and the One Drops; block party begins immediately following the Downtown Belleville St Patrick’s Day Parade (11am) BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live St Patty’s Day DJ Party; 9pm Casino Queen (East St. Louis) - The Real McCoy LLC presents – Soul Rock ‘n’ Blues Tribute Show; 7:30pm

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Argosy’s Music Hall (Alton) - Cosmic Cow; all your favorite New Wave 80s hits; Free with Argosy Preferred Card; 7pm Casino Queen (East St. Louis) - The Real McCoy LLC presents – Soul Rock ‘n’ Blues Tribute Show; 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7-11pm Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Johnny Chase; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Fantasy; 8pm Fezziwig’s (Lebanon) - Premier Wine Tasting; 6:15-8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Tim the DJ; 8pm-12am Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The Diary of Anne Frank; 7:30pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Pop’s (Sauget) - 10 Years: Unplugged; An Acoustic Tour with StraightUpMagazine.net

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March Calendar of Events

March 2014

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Community Garden (O’Fallon) - Community Garden Work Day; get outside and dig for satisfaction; State Street and Smiley; 9am12pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Cutters (Belleville) - Old Salt Union; 9pm-1am Downtown (Belleville) - Annual St Patrick’s Day Hibernian Parade and Block Parties; 11am Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Eagles (Alton) - DD Revival playing your favorites from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s; 7-10pm Eckert’s (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Kerry Steinmann; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Acoustic Asylum, 3pm; Fantasy, 8pm Fezziwig’s (Lebanon) - Casual Saturday Wine Tasting; 2-4pm Grafton Winery (Grafton) - Comedy Night Starring Uncle Larry Reeb, hosted by The Fryman with special appearance by Chris Smith; 8pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jacoby Art Center (Alton) - Clay Olympics; Fun and Amazing Clay Artists compete in a wide array of fun events! Join us to help raise funds for Jacoby Art Center; 6-10pm Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Live music with Mark Moebeck; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2pm-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The Diary of Anne Frank; 7:30pm Mama Gusto’s (Lebanon) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7-11pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - St Patrick’s Day Party with Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - St Patrick’s Day Block Party; live music on the street featuring Snarky Gargoyles and Big Mike and the Blues City All-Stars; block party begins immediately following the Downtown Belleville St Patrick’s Day Parade (11am) Pop’s (Sauget) - Red: A Tribute to Sammy Hagar; presented by The Beard with Fallen Angel - a tribute to Poison, TBA; $8 advance, $10 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - St Patrick’s Day Party; Wade and Dade Farrar, 12-4pm; Gavin M, 4-7pm; Scott Miller Band, 8-12pm 12

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Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Met at the Hett; “Werther” (Massenet); Join a worldwide audience from your “better than front row seat” for the New York Metropolitan Opera’s Emmy award-winning Live in HD series of high-definition simulcast transmissions. Presented with subtitles. 12pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - St Patrick’s Day Party; Ross Kinkaid, 1-4pm; Brian Foggs Duo; 6-10pm

March 16th (Sunday)

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market; Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new. Indoor/ Outdoor Year Round. Free admission; 8am-5pm Cahokia State Historic Site (Collinsville) - Winter Lecture Series “Mound 72 Reconfigured: New Information on the Beaded Cape Burial,” by Kristin Hedman, PhD, Illinois State Archaeological Survey.

2pm Casino Queen (East St. Louis) - The Real McCoy LLC presents –

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March 2014 Soul Rock ‘n’ Blues Tribute Show; 1pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 2pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Acoustic Asylum, 2pm; American Idle, 7pm Fir Acres Theater @ Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - As You Like It; 2pm Flatland Rocks (Germantown) - The Jumpstarts, Lucky Dan and Naked Mike, hosted by Knoisemaker and the Silent Partners; 6-10pm Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The Diary of Anne Frank; 2pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Tim Ryan; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Weingarten (Belleville) - Kevin Bilchik; 2-6pm

March 17th (Monday)

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course; 6-7:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat Joyce; 1-4pm Morris University Center @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Black Violin; Classically trained violinists Wilner “Wil B” Baptiste and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester present a fresh fusion of classical music, rock, R&B, pop and hip-hop with Black Violin. Accompanied by drummer Jermaine “Beatdown” McQueen, turntable DJ Dwayne “DJTK” Dalal and cellist Joseph “Joe Cello” Valbrun, Baptiste and Sylvester produce a sound that breaks through the barriers of genre. 7:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Surgeon Yoga; stretch and relax! All you need is a yoga mat. For all ages and skill levels; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wed Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Jay & Waylon; 6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Comedy Night with Patrick Garrity; plus Stu McCallister; 8pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

March 20th (Thursday)

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm1:30am

March 18th (Tuesday)

6pm 7pm

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music;

Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Live music with The Philosophers jazz septet; 7-9:30pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Between The Buried And Me w/ Deafheaven, Intronaut, & The Kindred $17.50 advance, $20 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Music Majors Concert; 7:30pm

March 19th (Wednesday)

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March Calendar of Events

March 2014

Cahokia State Historic Site (Collinsville) - Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting; Come at 6:30pm to help wash artifacts.

Program and meeting, 7:30pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 8pm Downtown (Belleville) - Downtown Diva Night; an exciting ladies night out! Start at Local Lucy’s; after-party at Pitchers Pub and Pizzeria; 5-8pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

EVUCC Church (Highland) - Art of the Soul; hands-on artistic fun for all; 7-9pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - American Idle; 7pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) - Open Mic Night; Literary artists ages 16 and up, including writers, poets, songwriters, comedians and playwrights, are invited to present in Jacoby Arts Center’s newly renovated East Gallery. 6pm; An uncensored opportunity for literary artist to freely express themselves. 8pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The Diary of Anne Frank; 7:30pm McKendree Gallery of Art (Lebanon) - Abstract Paintings of Brian Smith; Artist Reception 4-7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); all musicians, poets and performance artists welcome; every Thursday; 9pm-12pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Rock Showcase presented by The Beard & Busch Beer with Acid Era, Caleb Shields, American Majors, Zach Almany, TBA; $5 advance, $5 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Annual Regional High School Student Art Exhibit; through April 3; Opening reception 6-8pm; awards ceremony 7pm SeVen (Belleville) - Joe Camel; 7-11pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Film Series; Titus (1999). A victorious general returns from war, only to plant the seeds of future turmoil for himself and his family; adapted from Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus”; Rated R; 7pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Wines of the World Wine Complimentary Tasting; 6-8pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce 14

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Warren; 7:30-10pm

March 21st (Friday)

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Alton-Wood River Sportsman’s Club (Godfrey) - Jac Freeze with Hicktown; 7pm Argosy’s Music Hall @ Argosy Casino (Alton) - Dereoke Finals; Featuring Derrick Keith from 92.3 WIL FM; The top performers will win a trip to M Resort Las Vegas and two tickets to the American Country Music Awards on April 6th, 2014! 7-10pm Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Wine Tasting; 4-7pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Spring Craft, Home and Garden Decorating Show; 4-8pm Chez Marilyn (Alton) - Mondinband; 8pm-12am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Dunham Hall Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker”; Originally produced in 1960, “The Caretaker” marked Harold Pinter’s arrival as the seminal playwright of his generation. He subsequently went on to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. 7:30pm Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Hands Off Band; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - All Mixed Up; 8pm

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March 2014 Four Points Sheraton (Fairview Heights) - More Than Just Desserts; silent auction and food tasting; benefit for the Violence Prevention Center; 6-10pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - International Gem and Jewelry Show; 12-6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - DJ Jim Hursey; 8pm-12am Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The Diary of Anne Frank; 7:30pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Tip Belz; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Scott Miller Band; 7-11pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Friday Night Jazz; Every Friday night from 7-10pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Jim and Darcy Duo; 6-10pm

March 22nd (Saturday)

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Spring Craft, Home and Garden Decorating Show; 10am-5pm BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Dunham Hall Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker”; Originally produced in 1960, “The Caretaker” marked Harold Pinter’s arrival as the seminal playwright of his generation. He subsequently went on to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. 7:30pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddy’s, 3pm; All Mixed Up, 8pm Fezziwig’s (Lebanon) - Casual Saturday Wine Tasting; 2-4pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - International Gem and Jewelry Show; 10am-6pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Live music with Waiting for Jimmy; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm

Lincoln Theater (Belleville) - World Premier of “Belleville – The Movie”; Locally produced by Ted Trent Studios and Circa87 Productions(see Straight Up Magazine November 2013); Sometimes hope comes from far, far away; 7:30pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The Diary of Anne Frank; 7:30pm No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Ryan Springgs and The Fade; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Echotrace; 8pm Red Bud Winery (Red Bud) - Hot Flash Duo; 7-10pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Creative Kids Art Class: Yarn Bombing; creating a colorful vase that will be da’ bomb; 12:30-1:30pm Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - Copper-Enameled Jewelry; learn the centuries-old technique, take home a finished pendant; 2-4pm SeVen (Belleville) - Carrier Tuneus Duo; 7-11pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music

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March Calendar of Events

March 2014

The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Weingarten (Belleville) - Jay Christopher; 6-10pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - The Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik; 8pm

6pm

March 23rd (Sunday)

Alton Little Theatre (Alton) - Sex, Please, We’re 60; Hilarious comedy Alton Wood River Sportsman (Alton) - Free Hula Hoop lessons; Hooping is great exercise, and great fun! There will be a couple of experienced “hoopers” to guide on how to perform tricks and possibly a routine. 4:30-6pm American Legion 1255 (Belleville) - Lupus Benefit for Lillian Tackitt Benefit Foundation; begins at 12pm Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Spring Craft, Home and Garden Decorating Show; 10am-4pm Cahokia State Historic Site (Collinsville) - Spring Equinox Sunrise Observance. Meet at the reconstructed Woodhenge. Hear an explanation of the discovery, form and function of this ancient post circle monument used as a calendar by the Mississippians. No ceremonies will be conducted. Free. 6:45am Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 2pm Dunham Hall Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker”; Originally produced in 1960, “The Caretaker” marked Harold Pinter’s arrival as the seminal playwright of his generation.

He subsequently went on to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. 2pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddy, 2pm; Spin the Bottle, 7pm Gateway Center (Collinsville) - International Gem and Jewelry Show; 11am-5pm Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) - The Diary of Anne Frank; 2pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Wade Farrar; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Weingarten (Belleville) - Bridal Fashion Show and Vendor Fair; 12-5pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Steve Kern; 2-6pm

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

CARD Building (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Camera Club meeting; “How to take Travel Photographs” Digital Open Competition; 7pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Tantric; presented by The Beard; with TBA; $13 advance, $15 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - SWIC Chamber Singers Concert; a rich tapestry of a cappella music; 7pm SeVen (Belleville) - Park Avenue Duo; 7-11pm

March 26th (Wednesday)

Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Adam’s Auction Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Surgeon Yoga; stretch and relax! All you need is a yoga mat. For all ages and skill levels; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wed Dunham Hall Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker”; Originally produced in 1960, “The Caretaker” marked Harold Pinter’s arrival as the seminal playwright of his generation. He subsequently went on to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. 7:30pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Prestige World Wide; 6pm

March 24th (Monday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course; 6-7:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat Joyce; 1-4pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke

March 25th (Tuesday)

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March 2014 7pm

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

Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week.

This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session. 1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

March 27th (Thursday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 8pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Dunham Hall Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker”; Originally produced in 1960, “The Caretaker” marked Harold Pinter’s arrival as the seminal playwright of his generation. He subsequently went on to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. 7:30pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Real Street Band; 7pm Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); all musicians, poets and performance artists welcome; every Thursday; 9pm-12pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Gavin M; 7-11pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Department of Theatre Student Production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit”; 7:30pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm

March 28th (Friday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Cutters (Belleville) - Social Remedy; 9:30pm-1:30am Dunham Hall Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker”; Originally produced in 1960, “The Caretaker” marked Harold Pinter’s arrival as the seminal playwright of his generation. He subsequently went on to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. 7:30pm Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Midlife; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Millennium; 8pm Governor French Academy (Belleville) - 10th Annual Herstory Weekend; in honor of Women’s History Month; music, art, dance, diva hair cuts for Survivor Wigs; sponsored by Tapestry Of Community Organizations (TOCO); Featured performers include Kim Massey, Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes, The Oncomings and EarthSol, plus Aalim and Exotic Rhythms belly dance troupes; and much more; 7pm-1am Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Live music with Moebeck and Gordon; 8pm-12am Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Crown Valley Wine Tasting with Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Clark Rowden; 7-11pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music St Jacob Elementary School (St Jacob) - St Jacob 6th Annual PTO Trivia Night and Silent Auction Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Friday Night Jazz; Every Friday night from 7-10pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Department of Theatre Student Production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit”; 7:30pm

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March Calendar of Events

March 2014

The Weingarten (Belleville) - Dueling Pianos; 7-11pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Yesterday: A Tribute to The Beatles; 8pm Towne Lounge (O’Fallon) - Steve Ewing; 10pm-1am

March 29th (Saturday)

Argosy’s Music Hall (Alton) - Petty Cash Junction; Hear your favorite classic songs from Johnny Cash and Tom Petty Free with Argosy Preferred Card; 8pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Confluence Crush Women’s Roller Derby. Our very own CCRD Heartbreakers taking on the ladies from McLean County Missfits. Doors at 5:30pm; First heat 6:30pm BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Community Garden (O’Fallon) - Community Garden Work Day; get outside and dig for satisfaction; State Street and Smiley; 9am12pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Cutters (Belleville) - Social Remedy; 9:30pm-1:30am Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Dunham Hall Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker”; Originally produced in 1960, “The Caretaker” marked Harold Pinter’s arrival as the seminal playwright of his generation. He subsequently went on to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. 7:30pm Eckert’s (Belleville) - Free Concert Series: Bud Summer; 1-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - American Idle, 3pm; Millennium, 8pm Governor French Academy (Belleville) - 10th Annual Herstory Weekend; in honor of Women’s History Month; music, art, dance, diva hair cuts for Survivor Wigs; sponsored by Tapestry Of Community Organizations (TOCO); Featured performers include Kim Massey, Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes, The Oncomings and EarthSol, plus Aalim and Exotic Rhythms belly dance troupes; and much more; 7pm-1am Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Live music with Truttman and Wooley Duo; 8pm-12am Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday; 9pm Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Ryan Springgs and The Fade; 7pm Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Str8Up Magazine Presents In Concert: 3 of 5; The Vanilla Beans; Super Fun Yeah Yeah Rocketship; 18

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and Zagk Gibbons; in the Dugout at 9pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Madman’s Diary - A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne; Presented by Pop’s & The Beard featuring TBA & The Pat Benatar Tribute; $8 advance, $10 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music SeVen (Belleville) - Greg Silsby; 7-11pm Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music Skootr’s West (Freeburg) - Hot Flash Duo; 8pm Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Department of Theatre Student Production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit”; 7:30pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Crossriver; 6-10pm The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Gypsy; 6pm

March 30th (Sunday)

Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 2pm Dunham Hall Theatre @ SIUE (Edwardsville) - Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker”; Originally produced in 1960, “The Caretaker” marked Harold Pinter’s arrival as the seminal playwright of his generation. He subsequently went on to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. 2pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Wherehouse Project; 7pm Lindenwood University Auditorium (Belleville) - Choral Classics; Belleville Philharmonic Chorale and Orchestra, 3pm; Pre-concert lecture with Maestro Howard, 2:15pm Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam; 7-11pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke SeVen (Belleville) - Dayton; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Department of Theatre Student Production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit”; 2pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Bob Koehler; 2-6pm

March 31st (Monday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course; 6-7:30pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat Joyce; 1-4pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke Law Office Of Michael J. Rousseau Attorney At Law

Specializing in Criminal Defense 10 South Jackson, Suite 300

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

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March 2014 The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Saint Louis Symphony Mondays; An exquisite concert experience features smaller chamber ensembles of Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra musicians; 7:30pm

April 1st (Tuesday)

6pm 7pm

7:30pm

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

April 2nd (Wednesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Surgeon Yoga; stretch and relax! All you need is a yoga mat. For all ages and skill levels; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wed Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband; 9:30pm-1:30am Pop’s (Sauget) - Bun B & Kirko Bangz w/ tba; $15 adv, $18 dos, $2 minor surcharge; 7pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over. Cost is $2 per session.

1:30-3pm Randy’s House of BBQ (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment & your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/ valid College ID! 7pm-1am Wood River Roundhouse (Wood River) - Imperial Swing Dance Lessons; 6:30-9pm

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Kimmy V (of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); all musicians, poets and performance artists welcome; every Thursday; 9pm-12pm Pop’s (Sauget) - Emmure with Volumes, Thy Art Is Murder, Gideon, Sworn In, The Engineered; $18 advance, $20 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Bike Night with Live Music Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Thursday; Every Thursday night from 7-10pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - The Intergalactic Nemesis - Book One: Target Earth; A 21st century mash-up of comic books, sci-fi and radio adventure drama for the kid in everyone. Family friendly and totally fun! Recommended for ages 8 and up; 7:30pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce Warren; 7:30-10pm

April 4th (Friday)

Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music;

April 3rd (Thursday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course; 6-8:30pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night with Brad Noe; 8pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm StraightUpMagazine.net

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Comics

March 2014

Follow Str8Up on Facebook for daily updates on the arts, music and culture of the Metro East...

The new Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge opened on Feb. 2nd, 2014.

Photos by Mark Polege

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Culture

November March 2013 2014

Organic Recycling

by Brenton Ebersole

March is the season when everyone, gardeners especially, start to realize that winter may not have a permanent hold on the world around them. The morning frost is fading quicker and night temperatures are less likely to drop below freezing. Some afternoons will get so warm and sunny they will trick the Spring spirit in us, maybe even preemptively causing some to plant seeds that can’t handle the next fluke of a killing frost. In light of this month’s unpredictability, it would be wise for the anxious Metro East gardener to construct a garden to-do list for small projects that can fit those varying warm afternoons or cool evenings.

Argueably, the most important and essential such project is creating a compost pile or compost bin. Tainted by cultural stigma, this recycling powerhouse is often seen as a non-hygienic, stinking heap of mess that will offend neighbors and draw in a plethora of pests. In reality, a compost pile, when filled with the right materials, rarely smells and is a fantastic way to reduce the cost of a garden while simultaniously boosting organic materials available to be tilled into the beds. This brings the home garden one step closer to self sufficiency as well; both kitchen scraps and yard waste can be churned into more nutrients for future generations of plants and nutrients for the gardener as well.

The components of compost: First, there are the carbon-rich “brown” materials: fall leaves or pine needles, straw, cornstalks, dead flowers, egg shells and shredded newspaper. You will need an abundance of these materials to keep the proper mircobe activity level flowing and digesting scraps. It is highley recomended to continuiously gather any dried “brown” garden waste over the growing season plus leaves from the fall to be thrown in throughout the current growing season and into the next.

The second group of materials is the nitrogen-rich “green” materials.

These include fresh, usually wet materials that, when biodegrading, are highely reactive and must be used sparingly in combination with the “brown” materials.

“Green” materials include grass clippings, plant-based kitchen vegetable waste (no meat scraps!), or manure from animals with a vegetable based diet. (Do not use manure from omnivores or carnivores such as cats or dogs.)

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Have a dedicated container in the kitchen for collecting kitchen wastes.

An airtight lid is highly recomended so as to avoid loss of precious nutrients.

Sprinkling baking soda into this container or bucket will neutralize any build up of smell and keep the bucket from having to be cleaned as often. Some buckets are designed with an active carbon filter in the lid which allows for the trapping of odors at the source.

To avoid the ever-feared smell in the compost pile itself, a balance of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria must be maintained. Sound like a school science fair project? Really, there is a simple ratio to be followed of these two main types of compostables: approximately three parts “brown” to one part “green” waste each time material is added to ensure continued breadown.

To begin filling your pile, start by spreading a several-inch-thick layer of coarse, dry “brown” stuff. Top that with a thinner layer of “green” material (3 to 1), then cover this with the third and final component: a thin layer of active, natural soil. Make sure it does not contain wet roots or plants such as grass or weeds as these will either continue to grow in the pile or act as more “green” material, throwing off that important 3-1 ratio. Add another layer of “brown” and moisten.

Continue this layering until the pile is three feet in height. If it takes awhile before you have enough material to build the pile that high, don’t worry.

What you have, if built to the proper ratios, will still decompose. Just keep adding to the pile until it gets to at least three feet high. The pile should be turned every couple of weeks. Give it small amounts of moisture during long dry periods in the summer.

And here’s a handy hint: If you have a pet in the home, collecting their shedded fur after sweeping the house, vacuuming or brushing their winter coat out will yield a great deterrent to mice, voles and other rodents. The fur can be mixed into the compost pile or used all season, sprinkled around the edges of garden beds.

Starting a compost pile now ensures that, as soon as possible, you will be able to enrich your plants with what was once a waste product. This brings both the joy of recycling and a deeper connection to the earth around you.

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Music

March 2014

Buzz around town: Live it up at Belleville’s St. Patty’s Day Block Party

by Robyn L. Kirsch

There’s a buzz around town, and word is Belleville does it up right.

Who needs to go across the river to satiate their St. Patty’s Day itch?

You need not look any further than your proverbial backyard--the Metro-East’s very own Downtown Belleville. Where live music, good eats and positivity thrive.

On Saturday, March 15, in downtown Bellvegas, an epic party for all ages is predicted to ensue just after the annual 11am Ancient Order of

To benefit the upcoming Belleville 200 Bicentennial Committee celebration, all proceeds from the 618 outdoor event and memorabilia sales will be going to a great cause, said Scott Schmelzel, owner of Big Daddy’s 618. “I hope people join in and realize they don’t have to go to St. Louis to have a stellar time. It’s worth it to stay local and be safe ta ’boot.”

The 300 block of East Main Street will be blocked off from Church Street to Charles Street for people to enjoy live bands, food, drinks and good company just after the parade until 9pm, said Schmelzel.

“Part of the side street (past Big Daddy’s) will also be blocked off so people can walk to the Belleville 200 Centennial Memorabilia store to support the effort of raising funds to aid in the year-long celebratory festivities,” Brian Fritz, of Chick Fritz Distributing, said. “Essentially, it will be a celebration from one end of downtown Main to the other, which is a big step up from what it used to be...

It’s a great parade, and now with the addition of all these local-area bands. Honestly, it’s a great flow of families and clans getting together to enjoy a (holiday) while supporting a wonderful mark of history for the town of Belleville.”

Simultaneously, on the Andrea Mowrer & Justin Snodgrass other side of the downtown circle from First to SecHibernian’s (AOH) St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Main Street. ond Street, Pitchers Sports Pub & Pizzeria will be host to a post-AOH St.

From one side of the Memorial Fountain Square to the other, there Patrick’s Day Parade block party too. In fact, Belleville based Triple Jam will be music and food, as well as local Belleville shops to peruse in beProductions (TJP) was at the helm of the musical line-up for both locations tween the short walk between both event locations - Pitchers Pub & Pizza to provide local music and encourage a joint effort in supporting the Belto Big Daddy’s 618. leville 200 Committee.

At both Pitchers, located at 104 West Main Street, and Big Daddy’s “Robert “Chick Fritz” Distributing Inc. and Triple Jam Productions 618, located at 315 East Main Street, crews will be setting up early in (TJP) are really pulling it all together to bring the best local entertainment preparation to facilitate a spirited and vivacious gathering of community. to this event,” Schmelzel said.

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March 2014

TJP’s Jon Courtney said he hopes attendees will be patient throughout the festivities because the schedule is all dependant of how the flow of the parade and other elements factor in. Courtney said he suspects live bands will be available until nightfall, weather permitting.

“If the parade is done by 1:30pm, then with stage set up and all, the first act(s) on either side may not go on until 2:30pm at the earliest,” Courtney said. “Depending on the progress of the parade, we expect kickoff to be at (about) 2pm,” said Andrea Mowrer, manager of Big Daddy’s 618.

Courtney said blue grass, rock-a-billy Old Salt Union will be the opening band at (about) 2pm at the Big Daddy’s 618 stage with blues-reggae-rock band Aaron Kamm & the One Drops following at 5pm, according to Courtney.

Old Salt Union

block party collaboration,” Schmelzel said.

Schmelzel said next year and every year, thereafter, he has high hopes the annual event will benefit another locally based organization or business.

“I’m Belleville born and bred, I want the local (economy to thrive), by helping draw attention to what’s prize to our area,” Schmelzel said.

Big Daddy’s 618 loyal patron Justin Snodgrass, of Belleville, said he would be at the St. Patty’s Day celebration without a doubt.

“I’ll be there in one shape or another. I plan on dressing as a Leprechaun,” Snodgrass said. “I eat here pretty often because the food is great, and it’s really a great atmosphere here. They have the best drink specials in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.”

Both venues will be participating in the AOH Food Drive to benefit the Belleville Food Pantry by collecting canned goods throughout the day.

“We are going to open at (about) 7:30am, and after the parade we will have a variety of unique musicians playing inside and out,” Andrew Cordes, manager of Pitchers, said. “Since we’ve been open, our location has been one of the main sponsors of the AOH parade, since the first St. Patty’s Day parade about 11 years ago. We took on the sponsorship after Castletown left, and we plan on continuing the tradition.”

If inclement weather presents itself, Courtney and Fritz concur that festivities will commence indoors, and will not be subject to the damper of rain or otherwise.

“If it’s pouring down rain, there is a secondary plan in place to move it all indoors to the facilities of Big Daddy’s and Pitchers, alike,” Courtney said.

While downtown, be sure to pick up your brochure from the Belleville 200 Centennial Memorabilia shop next to Big Daddy’s to stay informed on the upcoming events to take place over the next several months.

For more information visit “St Patty’s Parade & Block Party!!” on Facebook.

What: Ancient Order of Hibernia St. Patrick’s Day Pa“Old Salt Union has played here and they are an excellent band. We’re so rade and Celebration excited to have Old Salt Union and Aaron Kamm & the One Drops playing,” Mowrer said. “This will be our first time hosting the One Drops, but Where: Downtown Belleville / Big Daddy’s 618 / Pitchwe have heard so many great things and people are very receptive to them-ers Pub and Pizzeria we’ve no doubts they’ll be (a great addition).”

At the Pitchers location, music will also be a mainstay ranging from authentic bagpipe music to bands like Snarky Gargoyles and another local When: Saturday March 15th. Parade starts at 9am. Block Party entertainfavorite--Big Mike and the Blues City All-Stars. ment continues immediately following.

“Switching gears in a sense, at the Pitchers location will be an Americana-blues rock line up,” Courtney said.

According to Courtney, the music at either ends of Main Street will add a unique quality to the overall experience for those attending and participating.

“Our customers are always expecting something fun on St. Patty’s Day... and this year we are continuing that tradition, but also beginning a new tradition, with this being the first of our annual St. Patty’s Day outdoor StraightUpMagazine.net

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Music Feature+ The Arts

November March 2014 2013

Edwardville’s Judy Koen: Changing with the Seasons

by John Dorroh

One unusually hot July 2012 day, I decided to take a drive from my new home in Highland to Edwardsville. I was looking for a diversion, something to fill up my late afternoon.

While waiting for my turn for some lemon frozen custard at Annie’s, I saw a small poster featuring Judy Koen, Chris Voelker, and Scott Rice, a music trio which was playing across the street that afternoon in less than an hour at Crushed Grapes. What luck!

I had heard of Judy Koen through a mutual friend but had not heard her and her colleagues perform. Although my custard was the perfect taste treat for the 100-degree temperatures, the performance inside Crushed Grapes was better.

A musical history…

Koen began her exploration of music as a young girl in the turbulent 60s in a family that valued music. Strong female voices - Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, and Carole King - infiltrated coffee houses, concert stages, and the air waves.

“My mom had a guitar that I’d sneak and play…” said Koen, “…and I bought my first guitar with money I got from graduation gifts.” She knew that from that point that music would be a major part of her life.

With a degree in aviation science, Koen chose the airlines as a way to get around.

But with the first oil embargo of the early 70s, the airlines began laying off. Koen used her music as a way to moonlight through.

Colleagues and such…

Fast forward a few years. Koen has had a music partner for over 30 years named Monduel Bannasia. Originally from Pittsburg, PA, they met at the Shanti in Soulard. Over time, and because of unavoidable circumstances, Monduel became less active in their performances. Fortunately, there was Scott Rice, who she knew from the childhood neighborhood, and Chris Voelker, who was classically trained with stringed instruments, and who later became her husband.

During the times I saw the three performing, Rice played the cajon and bongos. As a sought-after instructor at Washington University and St. Louis University, Rice brings a definite vibe to the group, which can be up-tempo Caribbean, an organic African beat, or anything in between.

Voelker’s violin can weep or sing praises to the Almighty. His sounds can be background for Koen’s rendition of a Mitchell gem or be a lead song by itself.

Together, the three make music all over the Metro East in places such as Aries Lodge and Winery on the bluff in Grafton, the Two Rivers Winery (Grafton), and at the Wildey Theater and Goshen Market, 24 1

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both in Edwardsville. Many afternoons and evenings, I’ve been transported back to my carefree college days as I drank a Bahama Mama at Tropical Escape in Glen Carbon. Their easy-listening music there has helped me to do a lot more reflecting than might be healthy.

Seasonal changes…

Many of their performances in the spring and summer are outside events, which can be a tad uncomfortable and which can cause changes…in venue and in costumes.

As the chill of autumn moved in, so did Koen. Her thoughts shift from performing music to creating and selling costumes for Halloween. She does this from Judy’s Costumes at the corner of Filmore and Wolf in Edwardsville. After a cool season of indoor performances, changes occur once again when the Mardi Gras season arrives.

“I was fortunate enough to have been in school when they still taught home economics… I always wanted to be in musical groups and wore the outfits that matched…” Her mother suggested that she should rent costumes and she began doing just that. Her shop now houses over 230 mostly handmade costumes, complete with accessories, and although open seasonally, will open for appointments if the customer already know what he/she wants.

Koen lives a life that cycles in and out like the seasons. Through the influence of family and friends, and with a bit of persistence, Koen has learned how to use her passion to make a living. That can be a rare occurrence these days.

Voelker, Koen’s mate, said, “Playing music last forever.” As the couple moves into semi-retirement, they realize that whether they are playing music at home or “doing a gig,” they can continue to change with the season, whatever it might be.

Forever.

Who: Judy Koen, Chris Voelker, Scott Rice What: Live music in the Metro East Where (Costumes): 326 South Filmore Street, Edwardsville, IL 618-6568188 www.judyscostumes.com Where and When (Music): Venues change. Check her costumes website or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/judy.koen.54?fref=ts

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Culture

March 2014

On January 25, Straight Up Magazine welcomed Confluence Crush Heartbreakers Women’s Roller Derby to their new home at Belleville’s Belle Clair Expo Center. The Crush won their first home tournament and provided a crowd of over 800 fans a double-header evening of flat track roller derby excitement.

Photos of the bout between the Crush and Springfield (MO) Queen City Roller Derby courtesy Confluence Crush.

Next home event: McLean County Misfits Saturday, March 29. Belle Clair Expo Center; 6pm.

Facebook.com/ConfluenceCrush

ConfluenceCrush.com

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Submissions

March 2014

Eric Heerspink Bio: I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I hold a BFA degree in ceramics from Calvin College. After college, I moved to Miami to teach art at Westminster Christian School. Currently, I am living in Edwardsville, Illinois, and working towards a MFA degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“Tea Set with Tray”

“Buttress Bowl”

Statement: Each piece I create is intended to generate moments. Whether it’s a large family meal or a morning cup of coffee, my work is meant to enhance these moments through the formation of relationships with the work as well as with others. These relationships are crucial to the human experience. I am interested in these relationships and how functional objects play a role in their formation. My work draws its aesthetic from machinery that is often used, but rarely admired. I desire, through my work, to make the user more aware of the beauty that surrounds them, especially in unlikely places.

Eric’s works can be seen at the 4th Biennial Central Time Ceramics at Bradley University in the Heuser Art Gallery and Hartmann Center Gallery (Feb. 27 - March 28), the Varsity Art XVIII exhibit at Art Saint Louis Gallery (March 7-27), and at the SIUE Art Department Pottery Sale on April 26th. - Contact and more of Eric’s work at: EricHeerspinkCeramics.weebly.com

Joshua Vaughn

Bio: Joshua Vaughn is a 24 year old artist who currently resides in O’ Fallon, IL but originally hails from Atlanta, GA. He draws inspiration from artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Monet, and Andy Warhol. His style varies, with hints of surrealism, impressionism, and pop art techniques. Joshua hopes to further his art career by doing future exhibits in the future and also converting some of his drawings into screen prints for clothing. He understands that some may not look at his art as conventional, but as Warhol said, “Art is what you can get away with “. Joshua also dabbles in poetry, hip hop, film, and writing as well, and hopes to grow in those fields with his directorial debut on the horizon for a video slated for one his original songs, and also a short story in the works.

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

“Lost in Translation”

“Moon”

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Str8Up Magazine

StraightUpMagazine.net

March 2014 Poetic Prose

Beneath the slow celestial cycles, where in fact dead stars’ light still dances to find our eyes and newborn nebulas emit rhythms and breathe and bloom

Nic Tullis

Beneath the torturesome and affectionate sun we grow and wilt like flowers beside the road, our heads floating passionately in the breeze Fueled and Consumed by the karma of a thousand lives past Wandering from smile to tear and back again Endlessly drawn to and kept from the worldwide bliss of a tomorrow imagined, if not distantly awaiting Intangibly interconnected to all moments and things, we play out cagebird lives within the theatre of our skulls & the garden of our hearts The wheels feel as though they’ll forever turn beneath us and the distances that divide forever disappear over our shoulders And in due time comes the patience we so truly need in our youth and youth is generally wasted on the young Even in the oldest ages that we can manage and even with five toes into the grave we can choose the hue the canvas conveys if not bothered by blinders or the shaded lens or frame

“Face of the Faceless”

Nic Tullis (iPhonetography) is an up and coming young photographer from Belleville who specializes in capturing and/or editing photos using his iPhone 4s. Nic is self-taught, but aspires to travel internationally taking more than simple scenery shots. His awareness of social issues and societal challenges is evident in the images he captures on film, and is inspired in part by his grandfather, Jim Quinn, who was an award-winning photojournalist from Rockford, Illinois. Nic was previously featured in Str8Up Magazine in September 2013.

See more Nic Tullis at: Instagram.com/iphonetography

And we can be real in real reality if only we can so pretend

Else it’s one subjective universe upon another with no time or place to end Ne’er even born Just one hand endlessly washing the other A world of curves and lines electric, mirrors meeting mirrors over food or beverage or smoke; to hear poetry and music; to listen, talk, and dance Servants to each other all and Slaves unto ourselves That which we cost each other is what we too must pay Our knowledge can deplete our wisdom And our perfect vision can leave us blind And our words and actions are often seeds for heaven if crafted by a loving karmic mind Dylan.

“Autumn Road”

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

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Str8Up Magazine

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March 2014

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Str8Up Magazine

StraightUpMagazine.net