Str8UpMag_April2014

April 2014
1Str8Up MagazineStraightUpMagazine.net
#
21Apr. 2014
Issue
Serving Up Art, Music, and Culture for the Metro East’s Enjoyment
‘TryMe’MiscellaneaHouse~TheParadeofTwoCenturies~618Equals9~AprilCalendarof
Events~Comics~AprilisLocalFilmMonth!~ThingsHappenforaReason:ALookatOldSalt
Union’sRecentPast~~Submissions~MusicReviewPhotos
FREE
Gary Olds

April 2014
2 Str8Up Magazine StraightUpMagazine.net
Inside Page
Editors Word – April 2014
This is the 21st 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 Gary Olds as the cover artist for this twenty-first Straight Up edi-
tion! See more on Gary in our Submissions section.
We always thank our writers for their poignant features. We appreciate our fans who have
submitted their works for publication. And “Likes” to all you followers on Facebook!!!
Straight Up loves you!!!!
Like Straight Up on Facebook and receive daily entertainment updates, photos,
videos and more.
The mission of Straight Up Magazine is to support local arts and artists and the businesses
and organizations that support local arts and artists. Please feel free to contact us with
ideas, comments, information, etc. that might assist us in our mission to serve you, the
residents of the Metro region.
Enjoy Str8 Up. Tell your friends. Send us your work. And visit our website at Straight-
UpMagazine.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!!!
April Credits
Staff
Editors: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert
Layout Design Artists: Mark Polege, Michelle Reynolds, Callib Carver
Sales: Paul Seibert
Ad Artists: Mark Polege, Wil Sullivan
Calendar: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert
Website Design: Mark Polege (MarkusDesignWorks.com)
Photography: Mark Polege (PhotographyofMarkPolege.com)
Distribution: Brenton Ebersole; Brian Gardner, Daniel Nygard, Kaila Ryan,
Sarah Skiold-Hanlin
Contributors
Cover Art: “Reflections of Time” by Gary Olds (GaryOlds.com)
Cover Logo: Josh Rowan (JoshuaRowan.com)
Photography: Dan Cross (Local Film Month)
Feature Writers: Callib Carver; Dan Cross; Mark Johnson; Robyn Kirsch
Submissions
Gary Olds – Sculpture / Textiles
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 grate-
ful 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.

April 2014
Table of Contents
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
Adenaline Prints
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
Bronx Zoo
Casablanca Café
CeLeen Gallery
Centerfield Bar and Grill
Chamber of Commerce
Christopher Mikal Photo.
Circa
City Hall
Club Escapade
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
Green Forest Vapors
Hair on Main
Happy Hops Homebrew
Hardees
Harters Hobby House
Hicks Bar-B-Que
Hippie Daze
Hite Auto Body and Repair
Imo’s Pizza
Inside Out Ministries
Katherine Frazier State Farm
Kelso Auto Body
Lindenwood Univ
Local Lucy’s
Mabista Salon and Spa
Main Street Café
Mary’s Hidden Treasures
Max’s One Stop
Melodic Rhythms
Miscellanea
MotoMart
North Belt West Liquor
Olympic Restaurant
Papa Vito’s
Patriot Restaurant
Peachy Yogurt
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
Centreville
Terry’s Home & Garden
Collinsville
Bert’s Chuckwagon
Dean’s
Farmers Market
Fifth Quarter
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
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
Public Library
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
Southwestern IL College
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
Str8 Up Magazine Distribution Locations:
‘Try Me’ Miscellanea House
The Parade of Two Centuries
618 Equals 9
April Calendar of Events
Comics
April is Local Film Month!
Things Happen for a Reason: A Look at Old Salt Union’s Recent Past
Submissions
Music Review Photos
4
6
7
8
21
22
24
26
27
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
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
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

April 2014
Business Profile November 2013
The Metro East area, specifically Belleville, is a kind of refuge
for small businesses. And while Belleville has its big box stores and name
brands throughout the town, it is a haven for small, family businesses.
One of the newest businesses to open in Belleville is a family
owned and operated coffee shop called Miscellanea House. Miscellanea
is at 1111 West Main Street, occupying the former Bear Book and Candle
building in downtown Belleville.
Why the name Miscellanea? “You never know what to expect,”
said Michelle McIntosh, owner and co-manager with her mother, Sharon
Egler. This small coffee house sells and serves 106 (count them) different
coffees and teas. 40 small-batch, air-roasted coffees by Hartford Coffee
Company of St. Louis and 66 teas from around the world. “Go ahead and
start out big,” Egler told her daughter. So she went all out when she opened
Miscellanea House - with the help of her mother and family members like
Stephen Eddington, who is Miscellanea House’s resident artist. Stephen’s
artwork, like other local artisans, is on display and available.
The small coffee house also sells Vitale breads and Bissinger’s
handcrafted chocolates, things one would otherwise have to drive across
the river to St. Louis to purchase. And there is such a wide variety of menu
items lovingly prepared at Miscellanea: gyros, lasagna, chef salads, crepes,
soups, sandwiches, pizzas, build-your-own cheesecake slices, pastries (just
to name just a few).
Their foods are made to order and their service is superb. The staff
is extremely (like family) friendly. They know their
customers, even those who don’t come in every day. They know their or-
ders, and they have created an environment that reflects their personalities
and, in turn, welcomes their customers to stay as long as they want. It is a
full-service restaurant but it’s like coming home for a family meal. Oh, if
your mom could cook like that…
A very unique Miscellanea House feature is the “Try Bar”, a
sampling table that is always stocked with fruits and cheeses, pastries and
coffees and teas and an ever-changing variety of taste-temping items. All
are offered free of charge. A tip jar stands nearby for those who wish to
reward their Miscellanea House providers for such awesome treats.
“Old school café,” said McIntosh and Egler. This is what they envi-
sioned when they set out
to open a coffee house. “I
want to have an old atmo-
sphere, that says you can
stay as long as you want,”
McIntosh said. “Bigger
coffee houses don’t have
that.” Even the build-
ing itself has that older,
right-at-home feel. The
brick building has large
windows that let in plenty
‘Try Me’ — Miscellanea House
by Callib Carver
of sunlight. Wood floors
that, while worn, give addi-
tional warmth and character.
The ceilings are the original
pressed tin with beams and
fans. Built in 1904, the build-
ing does what it was originally
designed to do. It houses not
only the family business on
the first floor, it is residence to
business owner, McIntosh and
her family, on the second floor
above the coffee house. And
that certainly helps facilitate
the 7am to 10pm, seven-days-
a-week hours.
“I’m a single mom of
three kids. When I’m not here,
my mom helps out,” McIntosh
said, “She comes in at 5 am and
makes the beignets and opens
up.” Egler is one of the several family members who help out at Miscella-
nea House.
Two years ago, McIntosh was selling an assortment of spices at
local flea and farmers markets to supplement her income, while also putting
herself through college to earn a degree in journalism. “I outgrew selling
my spices at flea markets,” McIntosh said. After she started offering Vitale
breads, her business grew and pushed it beyond what small markets and
her out-of-her-home business could accommodate and prompted this new
enterprise.
Over the coming months, McIntosh and the rest of Miscellanea
House family are planning to make a number of additions. They are
installing a new canopy on the front of the building. They will be adding
additional local artwork and sponsor live artist demonstrations events. They
will be turning one corner of the coffee house into a stage area for
musical and spoken word
performances. And with
the coming warm
weather, outdoor patio
seating will be added.
Starting April 1,
Miscellanea House will
start hosting recurring
daily specials. On specific
days, 10% of the day’s
proceeds will go towards
a cause or charity. Like
Business Feature
A handmade triple berry pie, that like all the
food at Miscellenea House is freshly made
every day.

April 2014
November 2013
What: Miscellanea House
Where: 1111 West Main Street, Belleville
Who: Michelle McIntosh and Family
When: 7am – 10pm every day
Why: Because everything there is wonderful
How: Call 618-416-7808
Visit www.facebook.com/
miscellanea62220
A made to order seafood creepe. Grilled veggie sandwhiches
Flatbread pizza
Monday’s donations towards a no-kill animal shelter. Tuesday’s donations towards the Washington School District Parent Teacher Organization. Wednes-
day’s donations to the Autism Speaks Foundation. Thursday’s donations towards St. Mary / St. Augustine Energy Club. Fridays will be college days and
Saturdays High School days where students get 10% off on their purchase with their school ID. And every Sunday, anyone in uniform, such as active
military, firefighters, police, EMTS and other first responders, will receive 10% off their purchase.
Miscellanea House also offers live entertainment events. In early March, Matt Wynn, who was one of the top 100 contestants on Season 12 of
American Idol, preformed at Miscellanea House for an Autism Speaks St. Louis benefit. Miscellanea House donated 10% of all proceeds from the event
to the Autism Speaks St. Louis Foundation. According to McIntosh, Wynn plans to return once a month to perform at Miscellanea House as one of his
regular venues.
And the entertainment calendar continues to broaden. On April 11, Matt Wynn returns to Miscellanea House and will be performing from 7-10
pm. And on April 26, Miscellanea will host the acoustic sounds of Scott Frisius from 6-8 pm. Follow Miscellanea House daily on Facebook to discover
what other entertainment, features, new products and specials will surely arise.

April 2014
Culture
AbigfamilyeventiscomingtoBellevilleon
Friday,April 25. It is another feature in the string of
events and activities planned for the year-long Bel-
leville Bicentennial 200 celebration. And it is the
Belleville Bicentennial “Float” Parade and 5k race.
The City of Belleville was founded in
1814. Now, in 2014 with a population of near-
ly 45,000, Belleville has reached a major mile-
stone on its 200th birthday anniversary mark.
Mayor Mark Eckert said he is proud to be at
the forefront of the yearlong Belleville Bicentenni-
al 200 year celebration efforts. “The Belleville 200
Committee has been working since last summer to
organize events and activities, including a parade
and 5k run, a gala, fireworks and “The Weekend”
of September 19, 20 and 21, featuring great food,
great music and fun for all ages,” Eckert said.
Bringing the marching fun to Main Street
that evening is the Belleville’s Bicentennial Committee, the City of Bel-
leville, the Ainad Shriner’s and the Belleville Optimists Club.
Joyce Krueger, of the Belleville Optimists Club, said float registra-
tions are still steadily coming in. According to the parade organizers, a limit
of 200 participants will be accepted. Entries must provide a representation
or display that reflects the City’s Bicentennial history and celebration in
some way.
“Efforts are in progress, and we won’t know how many floats
there’ll be until the April 1st deadline,” Krueger said. “Starting at 6pm will
be a 5k run beginning and ending at the same spots as the parade.”
The parade and the 5k run begin at the corner of 17th and West
Main Streets spanning down to Oak and East Main Streets. All participants
who register by April 10th will receive custom athletic performance shirts
to keep as a memento. Historic participant medals will be given to all race
finishers. Top three overall male and female finishers and top three male
and female top finishers in each age group will receive medals and/or tro-
phies. To pre-register for the event, as well as peruse other upcoming event
details, visit the Belleville200 website.
Scott Schmelzel of Big Daddy’s 618 said the bar and grill is having
a big party to commemorate the Belleville 200 Bicentennial Parade and 5k
event. “We’re going to have Steve Reeb performing live on our patio from
5 to 8 pm on Friday night,” Schmelzel said. “We’re also going to have a DJ
pumping music in front of our building along the parade route and having a
good time while promoting the events.”
Mike Koeneman, of the Ainad Shriner’s organization, said he and
other Shrine members help organize the annual Ainad Shriner’s Circus
Parade every May. “This year, we’ve committed to helping organize and
assist with planning and logistics for the Belleville
Bicentennial 200 Parade (on April 25th),” Koene-
man said.
According to Krueger, spearheading a suc-
cessful parade is nothing new for the Belleville
Optimists Club, as she explained their charge in
the Santa’s Parade every winter. So, with enthu-
siasm, she glowed with expectations for this new,
upcoming parade that she and her club have also
dedicated time and energy to. “We are hoping that
the crowds and participants will share the history
of Belleville collectively,” Krueger said.
Scott Schmelzel, owner of Big Daddy’s 618,
added that a lot of people are coming together to
help stimulate the local economy and he said it’s
great to see it all happening. “I’m impressed by
the amount of effort of those who really support
Belleville 200 like Chick Fritz Distributing, all
the corporate folks that are buying advertising and donating funds to make
for a big celebration, but more importantly, I’m impressed with the civic
pride.”
Brian Fritz, of Chick Fritz Distributing and a Belleville 200 Com-
mittee member, also said it’s great that so many people of the community
are doing so much to bring this whole 2014 celebration full circle. “It’s
(going to be a) great parade with a great flow of families and people getting
together to enjoy (themselves) while supporting a wonderful mark of his-
tory for the city of Belleville.”
For more information about the Belleville 200 and other 2014 cel-
ebratory events, visit Belleville200.org.
What: Belleville Bicentennial Float Parade and 5k Run
Where: Main Street Downtown Belleville
When: April 25, 2014, run at 6pm / parade at 7pm
The Parade of Two Centuries
by Robyn L. Kirsch

April 2014
618 Equals 9
by Robyn L. Kirsch
What was once a dwindling downtown strip of shops with a high
turnover rate, Belleville’s Big Daddy’s 618 at 315 East Main Street will
be celebrating its nine-year anniversary in the now bustling shop, bar and
restaurant hub.
Belleville’s Big Daddy’s 618 owner Scott Schmelzel said he can
hardly contain his excitement for what’s soon to come -- the establish-
ment’s anniversary weekend party Friday, April 18 through Saturday, April
19.
“We first opened in April 2005, so this will be our ninth year and
we are going to celebrate and have fun with our friends and (patrons) all
weekend, and it’s going to be special,” Schmelzel said.
With the first Big Daddy’s location opening in the Soulard neigh-
borhood in St. Louis, Schmelzel said Big Daddy’s 618 is the second one to
open in the region.
Growing up in Fairview Heights and Belleville, Schmelzel said that
spurred his initial interest in opening a Big Daddy’s in Belleville years ago,
and it’s been truckin’ along great ever since.
“Nine years ago when we first opened, we felt Belleville’s Down-
town Main Street was underdeveloped and we saw a great opportunity,”
Schmelzel said. “Big Daddy’s was successful in Soulard for many years
before we decided to open up in Belleville.”
Big Daddy’s Manager, Andrea Mowerer, said the Lacleade’s Land-
ing location was the third to open and the fourth, in Edwardsville, just had
its five year anniversary recently.
According to Schmelzel, a lot of venues have spiced up the down-
town Belleville area creating a unique atmosphere.
“It became desirable to be a downtown Belleville establishment,”
Mowerer added.
“All of the Big Daddy’s locations maintain a close, tight niche
group of workers, which has worked well so far,” Schmelzel said. “The one
thing that’s really grown since we’ve been here, around the Belleville loca-
tion, has been the number of restaurants, bars and sandwich shops starting.
After we opened up, the business trend climbed for sure.”
Schmelzel said ‘Old Salt Union’ will be headlining from 7 to 10pm
on Friday, April 18 for the booming anniversary party.
“We’re kicking off the weekend with local band ‘Old Salt Union’,”
Schmelzel said. “To go along with our live entertainment we’re going to
have great drink specials,” Schmelzel said. “Coors Light is sponsoring our
ninth anniversary weekend too. Chick Fritz Distributing Inc. has been a
great supporter, and have helped (bring our success to a reality).”
“’Old Salt Union’ has played here before and they are an excellent
band. We’re so excited to have ‘Old Salt Union’ ... playing,” Mowerer said.
On Saturday, April 19, the fun will only get better and tastier with
Big Daddy’s 618’s smokin’ BBQ, Schmelzel said. Big Daddy’s 618 will
have a spread of BBQ pork steaks, our ‘famous’ wings, pulled pork and
much more straight out of the smoker on its patio all day.
“We’re not only having our BBQ throughout the day, but we will
also have two bands playing Saturday night,” Schmelzel said. “Our first
band with members from the Belleville and Waterloo area, a mature group
called ‘Highway 15’, will have a bluegrass sound from 4 to 6pm. Another
local cover band called ‘Covering Fire’, which has played here before with
great reception, will be playing from 7 to 10pm.”
Mowerer said ‘Covering Fire’ presents a wide array of music from
classic to modern rock.
“We will have DJ Bennie playing on the patio too from 6pm and on into the
night,” Mowerer said. “We won’t close our doors until 2am”
Schmelzel said he chose local bands to celebrate the anniversary to
keep local business and music at home, right where it counts.
“All our entertainment will be out on the patio, weather permitting
of course,” Schmelzel added. “Which, hopefully by mid-April, we’ll have
some great weather, which will make for a great party.”
Who: Big Daddy’s 618
What: Ninth Anniversary Party
When: April 18 and 19
Where: 315 East Main Street, Downtown Belleville
How: Live local bands, food and drink specials
Check them out:
Facebook at Facebook.com/pages/618-Big-Dadd-
ys/190751914270251
The web at Belleville.BigDaddySTL.com
Business Profile

April 2014
April 1st (Tuesday)
Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride;
6pm
Hemingway’s Zen Garden (O’Fallon) - Live Acoustic Music; 7pm
Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Tenacious Trivia; 8pm
Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke
The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Student Recital;
7:30pm
April 2nd (Wednesday)
Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night
Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke Every Wed
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Jay & Waylon; 6pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Free Dance Lessons with Jeff &
Marcia Wuebbles; 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. The lessons will
teach you to dance all night at a wedding. 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
Schmidt Gallery @ SWIC (Belleville) - Gateway East Artist Guild
meeting; 6pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Open Mic with Matt Diekemper; 7-11pm
Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night
Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Wine All You Want Wednesdays;
“Group Therapy”; leave the men at home, ladies, for an evening of
guaranteed fun; every first Wednesday; 6-9pm
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
April 3rd (Thursday)
Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Sip n Paint; Call now for
reservations, limited seating. Fee $27; 6-9pm
Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Pro Wrench Course;
6-8:30pm
Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am
Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz
Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Open Mic Jam Night; 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 Soul; hands-on artistic fun
for all; 7-9pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - American Idle; 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-12am
Pop’s (Sauget) - Emmure; Mike Judy presents; 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
SeVen (Belleville) - Jessie Farrar Duo; 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) - 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)
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Children’s Consignment
Sale; a children’s clothing (sizes 0-16 & Juniors), toy, furniture, and baby
equipment consignment sale; 8am-3pm
Belle Clair Fairgrounds (Belleville) - Stock Car Races Friday
Nights through September
Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music
Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Hot Flash Duo; 8pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Spin the Bottle; 8pm
Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis CK Scrapbook
Convention; Join other scrapbookers for shopping the hottest products &
latest brands, cropping with your friends, taking classes from the industry’s
top teachers, and of course, a weekend full of fun! Adults/Children 10+:
$10 (Door); $7 (Coupon) $6 (Early Online Purchase); Two-Day Pass: $13;
Children 9 & Under: FREE; Seniors: $7; Military/Teachers: $5; 10am-6pm
Governor French Gallery (Belleville) - Contemporary
Midwestern Images from the Department of Art and Design at SIUE;
featuring Steve Brown, Kimia Emami, Heather Kniffel and Dustin Lucas;
opening artist reception; 6-8pm
Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Gentlemen
Bandits; 8pm-12am
Liberal Arts Theater @ SWIC (Belleville) - SWIC Faculty Film
Screening; an evening of works produced by college faculty (see “April is
Local Film Month” in this edition); 7pm
Lilly’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke
Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Ryan Spriggs; 7pm
Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday
night from 7-11pm

April 2014
Pop’s (Sauget) - Battle For Pointfest: Session 2 Finals; featuring:
The Judge, Parted By Illusion, Arythma, DNA, Seven Year Nightmare,
Facing Infamy, Nothing Set In Stone, Hollow Point Heroes, & Evading
Azrael; $5 advance, $8 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6pm
Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music
SeVen (Belleville) - Pat Liston; 7-11pm
Shenanigan’s (Belleville) - DJ or Live Music
The Abbey (Belleville) - Friday Night Jazz; Every Friday night
from 7-10pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Chris Beldon; 6-10pm
April 5th (Saturday)
All City Museums (Belleville) - Museum Open House Day for all
Belleville museums
Barnes & Noble (Fairview Heights) - Special Storytime With
Janet Yaeger; Author Reading; Meet local author Janet Yaeger as she reads
and signs her amazing children titles: Matilda’s Upside Down Smile and
Matilda Takes Ballet; 11am
Bicentennial Park (Belleville) - Meeting of the Minds;
Welcoming ideas for betterment of self, others and community / society as
a whole; potluck food and drink (if you can); 12pm-?
Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Fundraising event for YMCA of
Southwestern Illinois; 5:30-8:30pm
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - 15th Annual Brewery
Collectible Show; largest brewery collectible show and sale in the
Midwest; 9am-3pm
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Children’s Consignment
Sale; a children’s clothing (sizes 0-16 & Juniors), toy, furniture, and baby
equipment consignment sale; 8am-3pm
BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm
Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Karaoke Night
Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Live Music; 9pm
morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind
the St Louis Bread Company.
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Red Rock, 3pm; Spin the Bottle,
8pm
Gateway Center (Collinsville) - St. Louis CK Scrapbook
Convention; Join other scrapbookers for shopping the hottest products &
latest brands, cropping with your friends, taking classes from the
industry’s top teachers, and of course, a weekend full of fun! Adults/
Children 10+: $10 (Door); $7 (Coupon) $6 (Early Online Purchase);
Children 9 & Under: FREE; Seniors: $7; Military/Teachers: $5; 9am-5pm
Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - “Mister
Radio” Steve Koritta; 8pm-12am
Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Sat-Jam Session w/ Mo’
Pleasure; 2-6pm
Lindenwood University Auditorium (Belleville) - Sounds of
Harmony Chorus presents “A Lifetime of Song”; Sounds of Harmony men’s
a capella chorus; Bases Loaded Quartet; Rivertown Sound du-wop quartet;
Steve Davis “Memories of Elvis”, 7pm
Moose Lodge (Edwardsville) - Hospice of Southern Illinois Trivia
Night; $125 per table/team up to 8 people; cash prizes for top 2 tables; prizes
for 2 best decorated tables; baked goods raffle; 50/50; mulligans; heads and
tails; doors at 6pm; games at 7pm
No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every
Saturday; 9pm
Phil’s Bar & Grill (Wood River) - Karaoke/DJ; 9pm-2am
Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Bob “Bumblebee” Komanske; 9pm-1am
SeVen (Belleville) - Scott Miller Band; 7-11pm
Spectators Sports Bar and Grill (Alton) - Country Karaoke; 9pm-
1am
The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday
Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am
The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - La Bohème
(Puccini): Met at the Hett; Join a worldwide audience from your “better
than front row seat” for the New York Metropolitan Opera’s Emmy
award-winning Live in HD series of high-definition simulcast
transmissions. Presented with subtitles; $18 adults, $15 seniors, $10 student/
child; 12pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Ross Kincaid; 6-10pm
The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Pettycash Junction: A Tribute
to Tom Petty and Johnny Cash; 8pm
Whiteside Elementary School (Belleville) - Kids 2 Kids Resale;
Children’s clothing from Newborn to 16, Maternity and nursing
clothing Lots of baby gear and furniture, Toys for all ages, Books, Movies
and More! 8am-12pm
April 6th (Sunday)
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Children’s Consignment Sale; a
children’s clothing (sizes 0-16 & Juniors), toy, furniture, and baby equipment
consignment sale; 9am-12pm
Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey; 3-6pm
Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Scott N Karl, 2pm; Acoustic

April 2014
3pm
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
Lessons; 6:30-9pm
April 10th (Thursday)
Cutters (Belleville) - “Putting on the Glitz” Girls Night Out;
sponsored by The Junior Service Club of St Clair County; dress up and
dance to Straight Six Band; auction and other great activities; 6-9pm
morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the
St Louis Bread Company.
Downtown (Lebanon) - Sip & Shop Night; 4-8pm
EVUCC Church (Highland) - Art of Soul; hands-on artistic fun for
all; 7-9pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Radio Star; 7pm
Mama Gusto’s (Lebanon) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7-11pm
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) - Mike Judy Presents The Underachievers; w/ Denzel
Curry, Dillon Cooper; $15 adv, $20 dos, $2 minor surcharge; 7pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Paul Konya; 7-11pm
Thursday Night
Asylum, 7pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Music by Roland Kreke; 2-6pm
Mudbugs (Caseyville) - Every Sunday Open Mic Blues Jam;
7-11pm
Pop’s (Sauget) - G-Eazy; These Things Happen Tour; with
special guest Rockie Fresh, Tory Lanez, Kurt Rockmore; $16 advance, $18
day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 7pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Brad Noe; 7-11pm
St Paul’s United Church of Christ (Belleville) - Masterworks
Children’s Chorus Concert; 3pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Doc Reitz; 2-6pm
The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Rush Studio of Dance
Spring Concert; 4:30pm
April 7th (Monday)
Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Group Ride Hero Wrench Course;
6-7:30pm
Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - The piano artistry of Pat
Joyce; 1-4pm
Discovery Garden at LaVista Park (Godfrey) - Garden Workday;
9am–12pm
Katy Cavins Center (O’Fallon) - Auditions for the Missoula
Children’s Theater production “Blackbeard the Pirate”; 3:30pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Art Exhibit
Opening; 8am
Pop’s (Sauget) - Mindless Self Indulgence w/ Death Valley High,
The Bunny The Bear; $22 adv, $24 dos, $2 minor surcharge; 7pm
St. Paul’s Lutheran Gym (Troy) - Mississippi Valley Regional
Blood Center Blood Drive; 3:30-6:30pm
April 8th (Tuesday)
6pm
CARD Building (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Camera Club
Special Competition – Best Five Photo Shoots; 7pm
April 9th (Wednesday)
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Doubletake Duo; 6pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Doug Byrkit on
Guitar; Brown Bag Series; Music Building; 12pm
Liberal Arts Theater @ SWIC (Belleville) - SWIC Student Film
Screening; new films and videos produced by film department students
(see “April is Local Film Month” in this edition); 7pm

April 2014
The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Friends of The Wildey
present Edwardsville High School Music Showcase; 7pm
Warren; 7:30-10pm
April 11th (Friday)
Argosy Music Hall (Alton) - Open Mic Karaoke; Take the stage at
Argosy as we present Karaoke! Free for everyone; 8pm
Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Irony Rains; 8pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Planet Boogie; 8pm
Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Anime St. Louis 2014
Convention; For pricing and registration info: http://animestl.net
Jacoby Arts Center (Alton) - The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary
Exhibit and Fundraiser opening reception with Art Talk; through May 2;
5pm
Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Tim the DJ;
8pm-12am
Milburn Auditorium OTHS (O’Fallon) - Missoula Children’s
Theater production “Blackbeard the Pirate”; 8pm
night from 7-11pm
Pop’s (Sauget) - Reckless Life a tribute to Guns N’ Roses presented
by The Beard; with Burning Sky a tribute to Bad Company , TBA; $8
advance, $10 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Noe and Diekemper; 7-11pm
The Abbey (Belleville) - Friday Night Jazz; Every Friday night from
7-10pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Adult Easter Egg Hunt with Mark
Gordon Duo; 6-10pm
Argosy Music Hall (Alton) - Elevation; Don’t miss the familiar
music of U2 and Bono with the live band Elevation. Free with your
Argosy Preferred Card; 7pm
BoBeck’s (Waterloo) - Live DJ every Saturday night; 9pm Trivia
Night; Bring your own snacks & drinks. Silent auction to benefit Powell
Archaeological Society and Cahokia Mounds Museum Society; 7-10pm
Casino Queen (East St Louis) - FatPocket; 8pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Hoosier Daddys, 3pm; Planet
Boogie, 8pm
Fezziwig’s Marketplace (Lebanon) - Casual Saturday Wine Tasting;
2-3:30pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Music by Randy Webb; 7-11pm
Knights of Columbus (O’Fallon) - 35th Annual George Portz
Fiddle Contest and Bluegrass Show; 5pm
Pleasure; 2-6pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Fundraiser for 5
A’s Animal Shelter; Nashville Productions; Hatheway Hall Auditorium
Milburn Auditorium OTHS (O’Fallon) - Missoula Children’s
Theater production “Blackbeard the Pirate”; 1pm
Moody Park at Longacre (Fairview Heights) - HERO INSIDE
Outdoor Family Festival; live music; car show; games & rides; food and
drinks (alcohol free); 12-9pm
Saturday; 9pm
Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - Joe Truttman and Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm

April 2014
Pop’s (Sauget) - Skiddalz; F.T.I. Army & Pop’s Nightclub Present:
SKIDDALZ! With special guests Kold Kace, Stogie, Heethen XL, Pe Ze,
Repatalleon, Zook, Lil Hitta, Brian G; $5 advance, $8 day of show, $2
minor surcharge; 7pm
Scottish Rite Parking Lot (Belleville) - Belleville Ale Fest; The
Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, will host the 2014 Belleville Ale
Fest; The one-day festival will feature food, live music and more than 50
different beers from over 30 of America’s finest craft breweries; From the
lightest pale ale to the darkest stout, there will be something for the novice
and craft beer aficionado; To stay in compliance with Illinois liquor law,
the Belleville Ale Fest will be a ticketed event. Tickets are $25 (general
admission). Designated driver tickets are available for $10 or purchase
your VIP tickets, which include a $10 food voucher, for $45. VIP tickets
are for a private tasting of exclusive craft beers only available for 1 hour
prior to event; Proceeds from the event benefit the Greater Belleville
Chamber of Commerce. 3-8pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Clark Rowden; 7-11pm
1am
Spirits Lounge (Alton) - Con Artist; an exhibition featuring art
created by parolees or persons currently incarcerated
St Clair Country Club (Belleville) - St Clair County Historical
Society Fashion Promenade & Luncheon; 11am
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Silverback; 6-10pm
The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) - Pure Prairie League; For
over 40 years Pure Prairie League has been entertaining audiences around
the world. Known for their hits songs Amie, Two Lane Highway and
Falling In And Out of Love, their strong vocals and harmonies are still
drawing crowds; 8pm
Wings (Shiloh) - Singer/songwriter Rev. Ken; Acoustic Rock &
Vocals; 9pm-12am
April 13th (Sunday)
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Motorcycle Swap Meet;
featuring over 300 booths of new and used parts and accessories; 7-10am
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Hoosier Daddys, 2pm;
American Idle, 7pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Music by Doc Reitz; 2-6pm
7-11pm
SeVen (Belleville) – Gavin; 7-11pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Trish Prager; 2-6pm
April 14th (Monday)
6-7:30pm
Joyce; 1-4pm
Discovery Garden at LaVista Park (Godfrey) - Garden
Workday; 9am–12pm
April 15th (Tuesday)
Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 6pm
Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Women’s
Connection; $13.00 Ticket-includes a delicious meal, beverages, program
and gratuity; Reservations necessary - Must be honored or cancelled; Please
call Barbara @ 344-7967 or Mavis @ 346-1331; All women are invited to
attend; 12:15-2pm

April 2014
Wild Country (Collinsville) - Free Dance Lessons w/ Joyce War-
ren; 7:30-10pm
April 18th (Friday)
Nights through September; 7pm
Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - 9th Anniversary Weekend Party
events Friday and Saturday; Old Salt Union; 7-10pm
Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Real Street Duo; 8pm
Edwardsville Arts Center (Edwardsville) - Drawn and Fired II:
Works of Robert Archambeau; Runs through May 30th
Edwardsville Arts Center (Edwardsville) - Main Gallery: Thom
Bohnert; DeToye Student Gallery: Primary Schools; Through May 30th;
Opening Reception 6pm-8pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Scott N Karl, 3pm; Wiskey Dixon,
8pm
Historic Mid-Town Restaurant (Alton) - Mondinband; 10pm-2am
Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Tom
Nickeson; 8pm-12am
Papa Vito’s (Belleville) - The Funatics – fun-lovin music with Steve
Koritta and Tip Belz; 7pm
teach you to dance all night at a wedding! 7-8pm
Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Comedy Night with Brad Tassell; plus
Rob Durham; 8pm
3pm
Schatze’s (Belleville) - Open Mic with AfterHours Entertainment
& your host Banyon Hanner; 7-11pm
The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Film Art Series;
“Manon of Spring”; a beautiful shepherdess takes revenge on the men
whose conspiracy to acquire her father’s land caused his death. In French
with subtitles. Rated PG; 113 min. 7pm
with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/
Lessons; 6:30-9pm
Cahokia State Historic Site (Collinsville) - Cahokia
Archaeological Society Meeting; Come at 6:30pm to help wash artifacts.
Program and meeting, 7:30pm
Downtown (Belleville) - Downtown Diva Night; an exciting
ladies night out! Start at Ben’s Crafts, after-party at Club Escapade; 5-8pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Spin the Bottle; 7pm
McKendree Gallery of Art (Lebanon) - All Student Show opens;
reception April 24
performance artists welcome; every Thursday; 9pm-12pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Diva Night with Joe Camel; 7-11pm
Thursday Night
The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - John Pizzarelli
Quartet; The world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer reinvigorates the
Great American Songbook with the cool jazz flavor of his brilliant guitar
playing and vocals. 7:30pm

April 2014
night from 7-11:00pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Dayton and Joey; 7-11pm
Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live music with EarthSol
from 7-10pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Adult Easter Egg Hunt with John
Baker; 7-11pm
Towne Lounge (O’Fallon) - Blue Fruit Snacks; 9pm-1am
Argosy Music Hall (Alton) - Rickie Lee Tanner; See a rising
country star in the making. Free with your Argosy Preferred Card; 7pm
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market;
Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and
300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new.
Indoor/ Outdoor Year Round. Free admission; 8am-5pm
Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - 9th Anniversary Weekend Party
events; Highway 15 and Covering Fire; starting at 4pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Acoustic Asylum, 3pm;
Champagne Fix, 8pm
Pleasure; 2-6pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Alton
Symphony Orchestra Concert; Hatheway Hall Auditorium; 7pm
Saturday; 9pm
Pop’s (Sauget) - Puff Puff Pass Juggalo Bash 2014 presented by The
Beard Productions & Whoop X2; with ABK, Big Hoodoo, Bake Lo, POW,
Freakz R Us, Kold Kace, Hazmat FTG, NuttinXNyce, Chainsaw McGavin,
Repatalleon; $12 advance, $14 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 5:30pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Greg Silsby; 7-11pm
1am
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Bud Summers; 6-10pm
The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Younger Than Yesterday;
Michael Curtis, Terry Jones Rogers, Scott Nienhaus and Tim Politte; A
tribute band to The Byrds, Younger Than Yesterday puts out nonstop
four-part vocal harmonies flawlessly throughout their entire show. 8pm
April 20th (Sunday)
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market;
Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and
300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new.
Indoor/ Outdoor Year Round. Free admission; 8am-5pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Acoustic Asylum; 2pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Easter Brunch with music by
Stephen Koritta; Reservations required; 9:30am-2pm
7-11pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Matt Diekemper; 7-11pm
April 21st (Monday)
6-7:30pm
Joyce; 1-4pm
Workday; 9am-12pm
Public Library (Mascoutah) - Civil War Speakers Presentation
Series, third Monday of the month; The 117th Civil War Infantry;

April 2014
Dr Patrick Folk, McKendree University; 7pm
The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - David J.R. Frakt
Speaks; David J.R. Frakt, an expert in the field of international war crimes
and military law, is an attorney, law professor and lieutenant colonel in the
U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps Reserve. 7:30-9pm
April 22nd (Tuesday)
6pm
CARD Building (Collinsville) - Collinsville Area Camera Club;
End of Year Competition; 7pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Fingerprinting;
9am
Lincoln Theater (Belleville) - World Premier of feature film
“Belleville – The Movie” (see “April is Local Film Month” in this edition);
Red carpet arrival, 6pm; Premier Screening; Starring: Ted Trent, Tim
O’Leary, Cooper Shaw, Kate Barton, Ted Jordan, Andrea Harkins; Not
rated; 7:30pm; second screening, 10pm
Pop’s (Sauget) - Double Vision Tour; presented by Pop’s & The
Beard; with Hypercrush, TYR, JFK, Kevo, DJ Ramification; $20 advance,
$25 day of show, $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm
St. Paul United Church of Christ (Lebanon) - Blood Drive;
Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive; Sponsored by the
Lions Club; 3-7pm
April 23rd (Wednesday)
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Scott N Karl; 6pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Music
Collaboration Project; Brown Bag Series; Music Building
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Movie: “No I
mpact Man”; 3pm
Lincoln Theater - Theater 1 (Belleville) - Parenting a Creative
Child Workshop; Diane Ewald (mother of Belleville – the Movie director
Dan Steadman) on following your dream and help your children do the
same; 10:15am
Lincoln Theater - Theater 2 (Belleville) - Be on Reality TV
Workshop; Belleville – the Movie director Dan Steadman; how to get into
the crazy world of Reality TV; 10:15am
Lincoln Theater - Theater 1 (Belleville) - TV and Film
Production Workshop; Belleville – the Movie director Dan Steadman; with
plenty of Q&A time; 12:30pm
Lincoln Theater - Theater 2 (Belleville) - Acting in Film and TV;
Belleville – the Movie producer and star Ted Trent; from Reality TV to
feature films; 12:30pm
3pm
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
Lessons; 6:30-9pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Whiskey Dixon; 7pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Bob Seger Tribute
Band; Hatheway Hall Auditorium; 6:30pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - “An Evening of
Ensembles”; Music Building Atrium; 7pm
Liberal Arts Theater @ SWIC (Belleville) -Joint SWIC /
Webster University Student Film Screening; showcasing some of the best
student films from both schools (see “April is Local Film Month” in this
edition); 7pm
Lincoln Theater - Theater 1 (Belleville) - Parenting a Creative
Child Workshop; Diane Ewald (mother of “Belleville – the Movie”
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

April 2014
director Dan Steadman) on following your dream and help your
children do the same; 10:15am
Lincoln Theater - Theater 2 (Belleville) - Be on Reality TV
Workshop; Belleville – the Movie director Dan Steadman; how to get into
the crazy world of Reality TV; 10:15am
Lincoln Theater - Theater 1 (Belleville) - TV and Film
Production Workshop; Belleville – the Movie director Dan Steadman; with
plenty of Q&A time; 12:30pm
Lincoln Theater - Theater 2 (Belleville) - Acting in Film and TV;
Belleville – the Movie producer and star Ted Trent; from Reality TV to
feature films; 12:30pm
McKendree Gallery of Art (Lebanon) - All Student Show artist
reception; This special reception is in coordination with McKendree Uni-
versity Academic Celebration Day events. Work representing other areas
of study within the Visual and Performing Arts division will also be on
display. Prepare for a delightful evening in the gallery! 4-7pm
performance artists welcome; every Thursday; 9pm-12pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Gavin Duo; 7-11pm
Thursday Night
The Governor French Academy via MVRBC Donor Bus
(Belleville) - Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive;
2-5pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Spring Fashion Show; doors
5:30pm; show begins 7pm
Warren; 7:30-10pm
April 25th (Friday)
Alton Square Mall (Alton) - Alton Youth Art Festival featuring
students of Alton public schools
Alton-Wood River Sportsman Club (Alton) - Adam Tucker
Argosy Music Hall (Alton) - Open Mic Karaoke; Take the stage at
Argosy as we present Karaoke! Free for everyone; 8pm
Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Wine Tasting; 4-7pm
Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Belleville is continuing the year-
long 200th celebration with a parade beginning on W. Main & 17th St at
7pm. Celebrate 200 years of Belleville partying before the parade with DJ
Bennie & Steve Reeb LIVE on our patio; 5-8pm
Cahokia State Historic Site (Collinsville) - Spring Indian
Market; Indian artists and vendors display and sell crafts, artwork,
clothing, jewelry etc; Free; 12-5pm
Corner Keg Pub (Highland) - Clusterpluck; 9pm
Dean’s (Collinsville) - Last Friday of the Month Wine Tasting;
5-8pm
Downtown (Belleville) - Bicentennial 5K Fun Run/Walk; starts at
17th and West Main and ends at Oak and East Main Streets; 6pm
Downtown (Belleville) - Bicentennial “Float” Parade; starts at
17th and West Main and ends at Oak and East Main Streets 7pm
Edison’s (Edwardsville) - The Waters Trifecta; 8pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Spun, 3pm; Legends Undercover,
8pm
Fezziwig’s Marketplace (Lebanon) - Premier Wine Tasting;
6-7:30pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Dueling Piano Bash; all day
Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Terry Beck;
8pm-12am
Lincoln Theater (Belleville) - Auditions for “Expect Delays”, a
Christmas movie feature film by Ted Trent Studios and Circa 87; open
call for singers, actors and storytellers; local filming begins on April 28;
9-11am
night from 7-11pm
Pop’s (Sauget) – Twiztid; w/ Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Smokehouse
Junkiez, Freakz R’ Us, John Boi; $20 adv, $22 dos, $2 minor surcharge; 7pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Konya & Caradonna; 7-11pm
Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Mondinband; 10pm-2am
from 7-10pm
The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Earth Week
electronics and appliance recycling; look for the tractor-trailer;
donations are tax deductable; 9am-4pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Clark Rowden; 6-10pm
The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Dave Mason Traffic Jam
Tour; The “Traffic Jam” concert will feature hits and deep album cuts from
1967’s Mr. Fantasy and 1968’s Traffic albums plus new material and a
selection of classic Dave Mason music. 8pm

April 2014
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - 40th St. Louis Antique Fes-
tival; 100 Quality Dealers from 32 states; $6 admission good for Sat & Sun;
10am-5pm
Market; Indian artists and vendors display and sell crafts, artwork, clothing,
jewelry etc; Free; 9am-5pm
American Idle, 8pm
Fezziwig’s Marketplace (Lebanon) - Casual Saturday Wine
Tasting; 2-3:30pm
Fischer’s Restaurant (Belleville) - Chariti Home presents the
5th annual Seeds of Promise luncheon and silent auction; “Standing Tall
Through it all”; special guest - Toni L. Coleman Carter, human resources
consultant, public speaker, author, humanitarian, former deputy mayor;
tickets: $40 per person or $280 for a table of 8; 12pm
First Christian Church (Belleville) - Belleville Philharmonic
Spring concert; 2pm
Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Fairview Heights) - Midwest
Salute to the Arts Trivia Night; benefiting the Midwest Salute to the Arts;
doors at 6:30pm; games begin at 7pm
Knights of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - Falling
Martins; 8pm-12am
Pleasure; 2-6pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Liverpool Leg-
ends Concert; Hatheway Auditorium; 8pm
Saturday; 9pm
SeVen (Belleville) - Scott Miller Band; 7-11pm
1am
The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Così Fan Tutte
(Mozart): Met at the Hett; Join a worldwide audience from your
“better than front row seat” for the New York Metropolitan Opera’s Emmy
award-winning Live in HD series of high-definition simulcast
transmissions. Presented with subtitles; $18 adults, $15 seniors, $10
student/child; 12pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Social Remedy; 7-11pm
The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Rock the Cure featuring
Deaf Mefford with Friends for Benefits; Music From the Past, Giving For
the Future; All proceeds benefit the Siteman Cancer Center; 7:30pm
April 27th (Sunday)
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - 40th St. Louis Antique
Festival; 100 Quality Dealers from 32 states; $6 admission good for Sat &
Sun; 10am-4pm
Market; Indian artists and vendors display and sell crafts, artwork,
clothing, jewelry etc; Free; 9am-4pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Hoosier Daddys, 2pm; American
Idle, 7pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Music by Ronny Lee; 2-6pm
7-11pm

April 2014
SeVen (Belleville) - Brad Noe; 7-11pm
St Paul’s United Church of Christ (Belleville) - Metro East
Community Chorale; 3pm
The Weingarten (Belleville) - Randy Webb; 2-6pm
The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Wounded Warriors
Benefit; The Robert Perry Band, Butch Moore and Alan White, The Jack
Twesten Quartet and The Mondin Band will play an afternoon of music to
raise money for our Wounded Warriors. 1pm
April 28th (Monday)
6-7:30pm
Joyce; 1-4pm
Workday; 9am–12pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Free Pizza,
Bowling, and Pool; 1pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - “An Evening of
Jazz”; 7:30pm
Lincoln Theater (Belleville) - Party on the Pipes
PSOP (Belleville) - Seniors Passport To Wellness; a tour of your
health; complete health screenings plus continental breakfast, lunch and
prizes; 9am-12pm
April 29th (Tuesday)
6pm
Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Adam’s Auction; 5-7pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Band; Hatheway
Hall Auditorium; 8am
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - “Springfest”;
11am
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Jamie Mills,
“Spring Song”; Music Building Atrium; 12pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - SIUE Steel Band;
Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel; 7pm
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville) -
Springboard to Success, A Women’s Forum; registration opens at 8am;
Belleville Memorial Hospital’s Wellness Vehicle will be offering screening
mammograms. An advanced appointment is required; 8:30am-1pm
Pop’s (Sauget) - Pop Evil & Escape The Fate; with Avatar,
Glamour of the Kill; $20 adv, $22 dos - $2 minor surcharge; 6:30pm
3pm
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Millennium Room at the Prairie Heart
Institute (Belleville) - Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood
Drive; 11am-3pm
with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! $5 for everyone, FREE w/
Lessons; 6:30-9pm
May 1st (Thursday)
Alton Little Theater (Alton) - Hallelujah Girls; Hilarity abounds
when the feisty females of Eden Falls, Georgia, decide to shake up their
lives. By the time the women rally together to overcome obstacles and
launch their new, improved lives, you’ve got a side-splitting, joyful
comedy that will make you laugh out loud and shout “Hallelujah!” 7:30pm

April 2014
May 3rd (Saturday)
comedy that will make you laugh out loud and shout “Hallelujah!” 7:30pm
Argosy Music Hall (Alton) - Spin The Bottle; Not your typical rock
‘n roll band, see Spin The Bottle. Free with your Argosy Preferred Card;
7pm
Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Specialty Liquor and Cocktail
Tasting; 12-4pm
Cahokia State Historic Site (Collinsville) - Storytelling Tim
Tingle will be the featured Native American storyteller this year. The event
is sponsored by the University of Missouri - St. Louis and the 34rd Annual
St. Louis Storytelling Festival; Free; Limited seating; 2pm
Downtown (Lebanon) - Annual May Market Home and Garden
Show; the brick street will be filled with all kinds of vendors displaying and
selling arts, crafts, spring flowers, and more; 9am-5pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Featherstone Drive; 7pm
Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) – Aaron Kamm and the One Drops
(of EarthSol) and Tony V (of Vitamen A); all musicians, poets and perfor-
mance artists welcome; every Thursday; 9pm-12pm
Pop’s (Sauget) - Hip Hop Hazard $3 Throwdown featuring: Johnny
Madness, Kush Cloud, Krazie Flo, Sonoxide, Jeuce, Johnny Clockwork,
So’N’So; XIII Tha Dev5+8a; $3 advance, $5 day of show, $2 minor
surcharge; 6:30pm
Thursday Night
Warren; 7:30-10pm
May 2nd (Friday)
launch their new, improved lives, you’ve got a side-splitting, joyful comedy
that will make you laugh out loud and shout “Hallelujah!” 7:30pm
Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Wine Tasting; Patio Nights
every Friday in May; 4-7pm
Nights through September; 7pm
Edison’s (Edwardsville) - Hot Flash Duo; 8pm
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Prestige World Wide, 3pm;
Millennium, 8pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Music by Randy Webb; 7-11pm
Mama Gusto’s (Lebanon) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7-11pm
night from 7-11pm
from 7-10pm
The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - Shameless: The Garth
Brooks Experience featuring Nathan Orr; 8pm

April 2014
Millennium, 8pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Music by Ronny Lee; 7-11pm
Pleasure; 2-6pm
No-Jacks Bar & Grill (Smithton) - DJ & Karaoke Every Saturday;
9pm
1am
May 4th (Sunday)
comedy that will make you laugh out loud and shout “Hallelujah!” 2pm
Ultraviolets, 7pm
Gateway Center (Collinsville) - Anderson Hospital Baby Fair;
Over 100 Vendor Booths; Children’s Safety Section; Car seat
demonstrations by Glen Carbon Fire Department; Enjoy Free Samples &
Gifts; Meet Local Physicians & Pediatricians; FREE Admission; 1-4pm
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Music by Doc Reitz; 2-6pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Alton Youth
Symphony Concert; Hatheway Hall Auditorium; 2pm
Lindenwood University Auditorium (Belleville) - Belleville
Philharmonic; Belleville Bicentennial Tribute Concert; 3pm
7-11pm
The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Saint Louis Sym-
phony Youth Orchestra; The region’s finest young musicians, ages 12 to 22,
represent 35 schools throughout greater St. Louis and beyond; FREE! 3pm
The Wildey Theater (Edwardsville) - D.A.R.E. presents
“Stringray”, “Stingray” is a 1978 action-comedy filmed in Edwardsville
featuring a Corvette Stingray and a couple of unsuspecting buddies who
unknowingly get wrapped up in criminal activity resulting high speed
chases. 2pm
May 5th (Monday)
6-7:30pm
Joyce; 1-4pm
Workday; 9am–12pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Spring Choral
Concert; 7:30pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Live Band –
Outside of Reid Café; 11am
May 6th (Tuesday)
Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 6pm
Lewis & Clark Community College (Godfrey) - Fingerprinting;
9am
May 7th (Wednesday)
Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire (Alton) - Prestige World Wide; 6pm
teach you to dance all night at a wedding! 7pm

April 2014
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 con-
sidered, 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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“Potatoes and Onions” by Brian Gardner

April 2014
The Arts
Local film events are rare in the Metro East, but this April will feature no
fewer than FOUR different screenings of work by filmmakers with ties to
the Belleville area.
April 4: SWIC Faculty Film Screening
For the first time ever, Southwest-
ern Illinois College will present
an evening of works by faculty in
its film department. Included in
the show will be “Go South for
Animal Index”, an experimental
silent film (set to 35 musical tracks
ranging from dreamy acoustic
songs to upbeat rock and roll) about the history of uranium mining and
the atomic bomb. The film is based on a poem by St. Louis writer Stefene
Russell. The poem was set to music by the St. Louis arts collective Poetry
Scores, and the musical CD was then adapted for the screen by producer
and director Chris King. The movie was shot over a two-year period in
locations around St. Louis including the Atomic Cowboy nightclub, Crystal
City Underground, and rural settings in St. Charles and Cuba, MO. SWIC
film instructor Dan Cross originally signed on to the project as an extra (a
zombie miner, to be precise). He ended up as co-director of photography
and edited the entire film. Also screening will be “Made in China,” a new
dramatic short film by SWIC film instructor Stacy Singh. Directors King
and Singh and editor/co-Director of Photography Cross will be on hand to
discuss the films and take questions from the audience. The event is free
April is Local Film Month!
by Dan Cross
and open to the public, though the films may not be appropriate for younger viewers.
When: April 4, 7:00 pm
Where: The Liberal Arts Theater (LAC 1370) at Southwestern Illinois
College, 2500 Carlyle Avenue, Belleville IL, 62220.
April 9: SWIC Student Film Screening
New films and videos by students
in the film program at Southwest-
ern will be presented. Works will
include “Sanity,” by Brandon
McNutt, a film about a man with
multiple personalities seeking
psychiatric help. McNutt not only
wrote and directed, but he plays
all five characters as well. “I’m really excited to have the chance to screen
my movie for people other than my friends and family,” McNutt said. Also
screening will be “Players” by Ron Lucas, an urban drama about a man
getting duped into helping a friend collect a bad debt. The show will also
include works by students in SWIC’s Visual Effects class, featuring many
interesting low-budget DIY special effects. The event is free and open to
the public, though some films may not be appropriate for younger viewers.
April 22-27: The Premiere of “Belleville: The Movie”
The biggest film news of the Metro
East this year (or maybe ever) is
the feature film “Belleville”, pro-
duced by and starring Belleville
native Ted Trent. The movie tells
the story of Willie, a widowed and
withdrawn farmer who is pulled
out of his depression by an unusual
kind-hearted visitor, Neila. The
film was shot over a three-week period in Belleville, Freeburg, and New
Athens last October, and dozens of people from the Metro East played roles
in the film and on the crew. With everyone dying to see the finished prod-
uct, Trent and director Dan Steadman have planned a glitzy premiere wor-
thy of Hollywood, complete with a red carpet, press corps, and limousines.
The premiere will be Tuesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Lincoln
Theater in downtown Belleville. Tickets for the premiere are already sold

April 2014
out, but tickets remain for many other scheduled screenings of the film at
the Lincoln from April 22-27. Every screening will be hosted by one or
more members of the cast and crew who will introduce the movie and share
interesting behind-the-scenes facts and stories.
Trent and Steadman are also hosting several free workshops April 23 and
24 in conjunction with the film’s debut. Topics will include how to break
into reality TV, how to raise a creative child (hosted by Steadman’s mother,
Diane Ewald), and how to find work on film productions. More informa-
tion about the workshops and the screenings can be found at their official
website, BellevilleTheMovie.com.
Before the curtain on the “Belleville” premiere has barely come down,
Trent and Steadman will begin shooting another new feature film, “Expect
Delays”, in and around Belleville. These folks have really energized the
people of the Metro East and made everyone excited about making movies
here. Please come out and support their great work!
When: April 22 through April 27, various times
Where: The Lincoln Theater, 103 East Main Street, Belleville, IL, 62220.
April 24: Joint SWIC/Webster Student Screening
Film faculty at Southwestern Illinois College and Webster University have
recently worked together to create an exciting transfer agreement to make
it easier for film students to earn a B.A. in film with two years of study at
SWIC and two years at Webster. To help celebrate this agreement, faculty
have organized a joint screening to showcase some the best student films to
come out of each schools. The event will feature two hours of films (half
from SWIC, half from Webster) showing a wide range of student projects
including narrative films, short documentaries, and music videos. The
same program will also screen at Webster’s Winifred Moore Auditorium on
Sunday, April 27. The screening at SWIC is free and open to the public,
though some films may not be appropriate for younger viewers. The same
program will also screen at Webster’s Winifred Moore Auditorium on Sun-
day, April 27 at 7:30pm.
Str8Up staff writer Dan Cross teaches film and directs
the film program at Southwestern Illinois College in Bel-
leville. He was “imbedded” with the film crew of Belleville
during their work in the Metro East and served as set pho-
tographer. He also works on other local films, including the
recent feature “Go South for Animal” Index, on which he served as editor,
assistant director, and co-director of photography. Cross also plays in two
local bands, Earthsol and the Vinyl Frontier.
“Belleville - the Movie” additional events / showtimes and conversa-
tions with the cast & crew at the Lincoln Theater:
Wednesday, April 23
12:15 p.m. Hosted by Rick Jey, Alie Morgan, Vincent Gaither, and acting coach Ted
Jordan, who worked with Forrest Whitaker on “Hurricane.” (FREE WITH TICKET PUR-
CHASE TO FILM)
2:25 p.m. Bob Snyder shares how he got the role in “Belleville” and what it’s like to be
the first face to appear on screen! (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
4:40 p.m. Antonio St. James tells how he went from auditioning and being featured in a
BND article to booking a role on NBC’s “Chicago P.D.” (FREE WITH TICKET PUR-
CHASE TO FILM)
7:15 p.m. Actor Ron Klein and camera operator David Lubbers will talk about life on the
set of “Belleville.” (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)

Thursday, April 24
12:15 p.m. Actors Susan Blakey and Wayne Ault will talk about following your dreams at
any age. (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
2:25 p.m. Bill Conklin and Ron Klein will talk about playing bowlers and best friends in
“Belleville.” (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
4:40 p.m. Eric Dean White and Keith Nussbaum will talk about their sizable on screen
roles. (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
7:15 p.m. Cathleen Lindauer, will share City tip of movie logistics. (FREE WITH
TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)

Friday, April 25
12:15 p.m. Actors Rose Marie Fitzgerald and Ann Jacobs talk about shooting on loca-
tion. (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
2:25 p.m. Susie Werle Larkin shares the specifics of being an on-set production assistant
& Aerial Hawkey will talk about the audition process. (FREE WITH TICKET PUR-
CHASE TO FILM)
4:40 p.m. Bob Snyder shares how he got the role in “Belleville” and what its like to be
the first face to appear on screen! (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
7:15 p.m. Hosted by lead actress Kate Barton (Jana in “Belleville”) and radio hosts of “The
John & Kane Show” (IndioRadio.com) (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
9:30 p.m. Script supervisor and actor Logan Short talks about balancing two roles on
a film set - behind the scenes and in front of the camera. (FREE WITH TICKET PUR-
CHASE TO FILM)

Saturday, April 26
12:15 p.m. Hosted by voiceover artist, print model, actress, and mom Jessica Ambue-
hl. (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
2:25 p.m. Hosted by actress Jennifer Blomstrom, who plays the pivotal role of the Gary’s
Restaurant waitress in “Belleville.” (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
4:40 p.m. Production assistants Keith Nussbaum and Mike Cowan talk about pulling off the
tricky water fountain scene in the movie. (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
7:15 p.m. Hosted by lead actress and St. Louis acting coach Cooper Shaw, who plays the
villainous Arlene! (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
9:30 p.m. Cooper Shaw and Eric Dean White tell stories from the set of “Bel-
leville.” (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
Sunday, April 27
12:30 p.m. Hosted by actors Shawn Chevalier (Jana’s friend) and Margery Handy, the
woman who intervenes at Belleville’s the water fountain. (FREE WITH TICKET PUR-
CHASE TO FILM)
2:45 p.m. Hosted by Andra Harkins, who plays the very funny bookstore owner in “Bel-
leville.” (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
5:00 p.m. Hosted by Bill Finkbiner, who plays the police officer who confronts Willie on
his farm. (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)
7:15 p.m. Wardrobe and Prop Specialist Rachel Farrell will share her experiences pulling
off “Belleville” on a budget. (FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO FILM)

April 2014
After a twenty-two hour drive from a gig in Kansas City, the band’s yel-
low and green converted shuttle bus, named Rosemary, reaches the security
line at the Daytona 500 and stops for clearance. The guard looks at them
and says, “Nope.”
A man in a golf cart behind the security line notices the bus and says
one word: “Yep.” A wave and the bus holding the five members of Old Salt
Union pulls into the sprawl of tents behind the race. At the start of this tour,
the band had no idea they’d end up here; but that all changed in a night.
A few weeks prior, the band was about to go on stage in Atlanta, play-
ing a set that was thirty minutes earlier than they had expected and for an
almost non-existent crowd. As they warmed up backstage, Ryan Murphey
thought he heard his mom’s voice, so he poked his head out into the hall.
“They weren’t going to let me back here but I told them ‘I’m your
mother!’” she said.
Ryan’s mom, his aunt and a few other people had come down to surprise
the guys before their show, driving all the way from Belleville and manag-
ing to catch them a few minutes before their set. It worked, and the guys
brought that extra energy with them when they got on stage, despite the
small crowd. That little bit more might have been what sealed the deal for
someone else listening that night.
“It’s just one of those things; we were busting our ass and positive
things happen. We did the show for next to no people, but someone was
there from Coca-Cola and they dug us, and the next thing you know we’re
exchanging emails with them about playing at the Daytona 500,” Jesse Far-
rar said.
Back in Belleville, in a garage splattered with posters and band t-shirts
on the west end, the five members of Old Salt Union sat down to talk with
me again. We last met in August after a show at Pitcher’s Sports Pub in
downtown Belleville, hiding from the humidity in Rosemary just out front.
They’ve been an increasingly rare sight in Belleville since then, traveling
over many roads to new cities and taking new steps forward as a band.
For those who haven’t heard Old Salt Union, they’re a five-piece band
comprised of John Brighton on violin, Dustin Eiskant on guitar, Jesse Far-
rar on standup bass, Ryan Murphey on banjo and Justin Wallace on mando-
lin. Borrowing the traditional bluegrass instrumentation, they transpose that
sonic foundation and use hybridized song structures borrowed from pop,
classical, jazz, rap and many other genres to create accessible, infectious
music that’s equal parts tux, t-shirt, business casual and denim overalls. As
musicians, they combine decades of training, practice, performance and
talent in an act that can break you down and build you back up in two songs
flat, and their gregarious personalities pour off stage through their banter in
the breaks between songs.
So, here we are in their practice garage, the five of them lined up facing
me. Behind Jesse and John, smack in the center of the back wall, is a dry
erase board filled with chord charts, a tone map for their upcoming second
Things Happen for a Reason: A Look at
Old Salt Union’s Recent Past
by Mark Johnson
album. Since we last met they’ve been anxious to record it – their first album,
Western Skies, was recorded before they had really meshed together as song-
writers and some of the songs composed before the band had all the members.
That said, it was still nominated for Best Album by the Indie Music Channel,
so their excitement about what comes next speaks volumes about how far
they’ve come together since forming about a year and a half ago.
Part of the push towards getting the new album recorded resulted in a
Kickstarter campaign after they realized they wouldn’t have the financing
to record and do the new material justice. The campaign ran for a month
and they hoped they’d reach $10,000 before time ran out. That total came
in a few days, and by the end they had $16,190 in backing from fans from
selling copies of the second album, artwork Justin created, custom-de-
signed shirts and a couple of private concerts.
Even after besting their expectations on raising funding, the band will still
put more money out of their own pockets towards recording, and some of
the money they hadn’t originally expected to bring in will now be set to-
wards hiring a publicist to promote the new release. Sixteen grand is noth-
ing to scoff at, and the band certainly isn’t taking their next album lightly.
“We’re not taking this money for granted,” Ryan said. “We have a re-
sponsibility to make the most professional album we can.”
The new tracks have been honed over a long period of time and they’ve
spent a lot of time making sure they find the right studio and recording
engineer to capture the new work, which they’re excited to share.
“I think we’ve all explored what works and what hasn’t, and we’ve
dabbled in making it a more musical thing,” Jesse said. “There are a lot
more dramatic chord changes, and we’re getting away from the stereotypi-
cal bluegrass vibe, but not completely.”
“With the first album, a lot of the core songs were written before Jesse
and I had even joined the band,” John said. “With this one, all five of us
have essentially written every song together, and I think you can feel us
Music

April 2014
playing off each other’s strengths
in that way.”
Old Salt Union will finish re-
cording the album in April and
slate it for a June release. Along
with that comes touring, some-
thing that’s become a much bigger
part of the band’s lives. When we
last spoke with them, Ryan had
recently quit his job to dedicate
his time towards the band to act as
their manager. Since then, nearly
every other member has quit their
job as well, a step that’s allowed
them to perform more and change
Old Salt Union into a way of life
and how they make their living.
Making that step wasn’t the easi-
est choice but it’s proven to be
easier than they had anticipated.
“We all have close relationships with our parents,” Justin said. “Having
that support from our parents is such an ease on my mind. When people
who, I never thought in a million years would, are telling me to quit my job
and that this is what I need to do.”
“That’s the foundation, having that support from your family,” Dustin
said.
“And if other people can believe in it that heavily, then it makes it easier
to believe in yourself,” Ryan said.
With more time to travel and play abroad, the band has established new
goals for themselves as they develop networks in new areas. One of those is
how often they’re playing shows each month: “Ideally we’re gigging 15 to
20 times a month,” Ryan said.
Old Salt Union recently signed with Atomic Music Group, a booking
agency that has gotten them shows across the United States. After the band
has played a few shows in a new area, they revisit it a few months later and
create a tour circuit they can repeat throughout the year.
With so much traveling, the band spends a lot of time in Rosemary. The
road trip to Kansas City, then Daytona and back had them driving 40 hours
in five days, with the brunt of it jammed into the last jaunt to Florida and
then home. The band doesn’t always have the money to spend on hotels so
they’ve often find themselves staying at stranger’s homes, something that
happened recently when a friend of a friend of a friend heard they’d be in
Plano, Texas and invited them to their home for the three days they were
in town. Experiences along with many others have expanded the group’s
network of friends hugely, and kindnesses like that have kept their dream
rolling.
“I’ve been meeting so many people and building my friend base up so
much -- it’s surreal. It’s nothing
I ever would have expected,”
Ryan said.
“That’s what makes it all pos-
sible, and that’s been the high-
light so far,” Dustin said. “This
is all going so fast that we really
haven’t had time to reflect.”
Without that reflection, the
band is still getting used to
the new realm of possibilities
they’ve opened themselves up to
and the world of new experienc-
es that will come with it. That’s
perhaps most obvious when they
were checking in at their hotel in
Daytona, a luxurious, four-star
beachfront spa called The Plaza
Resort & Spa that Coca Cola
arranged. Travel-worn and tired
they walked inside to check in, sweatpants and beards, still not entirely sure
that the whole arrangement for Daytona wasn’t a dream.
“Are you sure you’re not supposed to be at the Plaza Ocean Club?”
someone behind the counter asked, mentioning the cheaper hotel next door
as they tried to get their room.
“Maybe there’s an envelope,” Ryan told the man.
“Old Salt Union? Sorry, sir,” the man replied.
That niggling doubt was still there, a doubt which has injected so much
surprise into the last few months of these five guys’ lives. Surprising them-
selves, surprising new listeners – when talent and dedication meet it’s hard
to be certain of exactly how life will unfold itself. But following through
with belief and perseverance is key, and even after checking into their hotel
in Daytona, driving to the race for the show provided another test when the
security guard said “Nope.” Quickly they found that the follow through
requires one more thing that, luckily, the band has found within themselves
and pouring out from their new friends and all the people who support
them:
“We definitely had to verify that all that was real,” Dustin said about the
arrangements for Daytona.
“How did you verify?” I said.
“Faith,” Jesse said.
You can check out Old Salt Union on their website at www.oldsaltunion.
com and they’re also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. You
can get their music at their website and also on iTunes, and they also have
an iOS app that’ll keep you updated with all the latest OSU news.

Str8UpMag_April2014

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