January 2020

January Calendar of Events ~ An Interview with Big Tobacco

William “Wascally Wee Willy” Haroff ~ Pizza, Pencils, and Pints

Community Portrait Project: An Interview with Monica Mason

March 2019

Serving Up Art, Music, and Culture for the Metro Area’s Enjoyment 1 GessoMagazine.com Gesso Magazine

Inside Page

January 2020

Editor’s Word – January 2020 Straight Up Magazine is now Gesso Magazine and it is here with its 54th edition ‘Serving Up Art, Music and Culture for the Metro Area’s Enjoyment’. The St. Louis Metro deserves its own arts and entertainment magazine. And here it is.

It’s called Gesso!!!

We have a very special Gesso cover this month. A cover the celebrates The 12 Covers of 2019 - the inaugural Gesso year. Cover artists this year included (in chronological order) Glenn McCoy, Vesna Delevska, Shakyla Clark, Valerie Hosna-Davis, Tracey Ipollito, Mark Polege, Jake Bishop, Tom Blood, Mick O'Day, Mike Estes and Jennifer Lynn Reida. And, of course, the January edition 2019 (much like this January 2020 edition) celebrated many of the Str8Up Covers that came before. What a great group of talented artists these many edition covers represent. We couldn't be prouder than we are now to have represented them this last year.

It is truly a pleasure and an honor for us to share with you a small portion every month of the seemingly boundless abundance of creativity that our local region endlessly exudes.

This last month has been a prolific one for the Gesso Movement. We proudly sponsored and curated a gallery exhibition, "Soil, Rock & Feather", which ran through December 20th. It showcased 4 extremely talented and accomplished regional artists: Susan Bostwick, Linda J Miller, Dennis L Ringering and David M Yates. Our deepest thanks go out to these artists for their involvement and to all those of you who came to be part of the opening reception, including Mikey B who provided live music for this event. The Governor French Art Gallery is located at 219 W Main Street in beautiful Downtown Belleville, IL. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 9am - 4pm. As part of this exhibition, Gesso also proudly sponsored Belleville Main Street Art & Wine Walk which brought a constant stream of art and wine enthusiasts, both to the Gallery and also to 5 other Belleville Main Street venues for wine and beer sampling and - of course - live art demonstrations by Kevin Pickard, Amy Iverson, Michele Hilbing, Mick O'Day and Carol Morgan (Carol won the Favorite Artists award for her Wine Painting!).

May we not forget our Gesso sponsored "Pizza, Pencils & Pints" Social Drawing event. That's the third Tuesday of every month at Bennie's Pizza Pub on Main Street in Belleville. Co-sponsors Belleville Screen Print Company provides pencils and pens and crayons and markets and drawing paper - tons of art supplies free of charge as a delectable addition to the family friendly environment that is Bennie's. Diners draw, converse and share their artworks at this refreshing alternative dining experience. Next event: Tuesday, January 21st. Come play.

The next exhibition in our Governor French Gallery series will be "Fridges & Freezers", a display of new works by Haley Clancy Inyart. Please join us for that Opening Reception on Friday, January 17th from 5-8pm. This is an exciting exhibit that may prompt you to learn something new about yourself and your daily habits and choices. Come meet the artist and explore her work with her.

We thank our writers for their poignant features and all those who contribute to this project. We appreciate all of those individuals who have submitted their works for publication. And “Likes” to all you followers on Facebook!!! We are grateful to you, the reader, for picking up this latest issue of Gesso Magazine – issue #54 in the Str8 Up Magazine legacy!!!

Like Straight Up before it, the mission of Gesso Magazine is to support local arts and artists and the businesses and organizations that support local arts and artists. We invite you to contact us with ideas, comments, information, etc. that might assist us in our mission to serve you, the residents of the St. Louis Metro area.

WE WANT YOU! - All you artistic and creative types out there! You should contact us. Show us your work. Tell us of your craft and brief personal/artistic history. Submit any art form that you’d like. Perhaps, you can be one of our next published contributors or even a featured artist. Check out the Submissions Pages to see who’s featured this month. Next month, that could be you!!

Enjoy Gesso! Tell your friends. Send us your work. And visit our website at GessoMagazine.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook daily for new and additional events and content. You’ll see Gesso Magazine at over 500 area distribution locations! And we’ll see you at the clubs, theatres, galleries, and festivals all over the St. Louis Metro Area.

P.O. Box 412 Belleville, IL 62222 * (314) 266-9199 Editor@GessoMagazine.com 2

Gesso Magazine

January Credits

Staff

Editors: Jake Bishop, Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Layout Design Artists: Jake Bishop, Dylan Seibert, Mark Polege Sales: Thomas W. Allred Sr., Jake Bishop, Tom Blood, Jr., Jessica Canale, Jake Choate, Elisha Dasenbrock, Jennifer Kiser, Dakota Kramer, Michelle McGee, Brooke Peipert, William Schmitz, Paul Seibert, Dylan Seibert Ad Artists: Jake Bishop, Mark Polege, Dylan Seibert, Wil Sullivan Calendar: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Website Design & Up-Keep: Mark Polege (MarkusDesignWorks.com), Jake Bishop Photography: Mark Polege (PhotographyofMarkPolege.com) Distribution: Jake Bishop, Tom Blood,Jr., Jessica Canale, Gregory Dierlam, Courtney Feldman, Jennifer Kiser, Daniel Nygard, Brooke Peipert, Mark Polege, William Schmitz, Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert, Wil Sullivan, Herald Publications

Contributors

Cover Logo: Jake Bishop Comics: Jake Bishop, Wil Sullivan Game Page: Dank By Design Fun Page: Jake Bishop Photography: Courtesy of: Monica Mason (p.6-9), Big Tobacco (p.24-25), William Harroff (p.26), Paul Seibert (p.27) Feature Writers: Isobel Abbott-Dethrow, William Harroff, Brooke Peipert, Submissions: Ethan Fine, Morris Fletcher, Camellia Hicks All material in this publication and its affiiated on-line content are copyrighted to the individual contributors or Gesso 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 Gesso do not necessarily reflect those of Gesso Magazine.

The Gesso Movement Relies on Your Support!!

We are committed to supporting local artists, musicians, & businesses and providing this printed material FREE to readers month after month!!

We invite you to reach out to us!!

Together we can discover how we can best help you, your band, your business or organization, etc. and how you can best help us in our continuing mission.

Hit us up on Facebook or Instagram or via GessoMagazine.com Editor@GessoMagazine.com

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Table of Contents

6

January 2020

Community Portrait Project: An Interview with Monica Mason

by Brooke Peipert

30

January Fun Page

10

January Calendar of Events

31

Sunday Morning Game Night

24

An Interview with Big Tobacco

by Isobel Abbott-Dethrow

32

January Comics

26

William "Wascally Wee Willy" Harroff

by William Harroff

33

January Submissions:

27

Pizza, Pencils, & Pints

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from Dank by Design

featuring: Ethan Fine, Morris Fletcher, Camellia Hicks

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Distribution List

Illinois: Alton

Alton Visitor Center AMC Theatres AmTrak Beall Mansion Best Western Plus Best Western Premier Chez Marilyn Comfort Inn Doc Holiday’s Fast Eddie’s Bon Aire Germania Brew Haus Grand Piasa Body Art Hampton Inn Jacoby Art Center LuciAnna'a Maeva’s Coffee Merle Norman Mike’s Ten Pin Mineral Springs Mall Morrison's My Just Deserts Old Bakery Beer Co. Post Commons Ragin Cajun Score Records Second Reading Book Store Shields Family Pharmacy State Street Market The Salon Unique Smoke Shop Village Inn Pancake House

Aviston

Hidden Lake Winery

Belleville

10th Street Baking Co 1020 Artwork Studio 4204 Main Street Brewing Co. 4204 Banquet Center Advantage Family Chiropractic Almighty Tattoos Althoff CHS Art Dept Balance Coffee and Tea Bamboo Valley Buffet Beast Craft BBQ Co. Beatnik’s Bell Air Bowl Belleville Inn & Suites Belleville Main Street Belleville Public Libraries (West Main; East Washington) Belleville Screen Printing Co. Bennie’s Pizza Pub Big Daddy’s 618 BP Huck’s Locations (Carlyle Ave; N. Illinois St.) Bronx Zoo Boutique 4

January 2020

Hollywood Tan Hooters Gesso Magazine Can Be Found At Over 500 Hucks Locations (Lincoln HWY, Old Collinsville) Convenient Metro Area Locations!!!

Jacob’s Herb Shop

Chamber of Commerce Cigar Inn Circle K Locations (Old Collinsville Rd, 177) City Hall Club Escapade Club Fitness Collector’s Corner Conoco Phillips Corner Grill n Chill Cosmic Comics Crehan’s Irish Pub DeFrates Picture Eye Gallery Dog Day Afternoon Drawing Fantasies by Kathy Dutch Hollow Barn Eckert / Enyart Law Eckert Florist Effinger’s Garden Center Family Sports Plex Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap Geo’s Wings & More Golden Dragon Governor French Gallery Grappa Growlers Hair on Main Hardee’s (S. Belt East) Hicks Bar-B-Que Imo’s Pizza JR’s Last Call Kelso Auto Body League Lounge Lindenwood Univ Local Lucy’s Main Street Café Mama Jean’s / Crystal & Spice Mary’s Hidden Treasures Max’s One Stop Maytag Laundry Melodic Rhythms Metro East Gastroenterology MotoMart Mueller Furniture New Concepts Beauty & Barber North Belt West Liquor Papa Vito’s (E. Washington & N. Belt West) Pizza World Plug N Play Computers Quick Mart Rain Tree Salon Renaissance Hair & Skin Care Rising Star Too Schnucks Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC Scott Elementary School

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Columbia

Seven Shop N Save Smoothie King Southwestern IL College (Art Dept.,Cafe’, Film Dept.)

Spa Demi St. Clair County Event Center St E’s Medical Arts Bldg Stein Automotive Stillpointe Wellness Center Sullivan’s Super 8 Motel Surya Rakta Tavern on Main The Abbey TOCO Shop Towne & Country Mart TR’s Place Turned Treasures Uncle Nick’s Deli Valvoline Walgreens Weingarten Wingate Manor YMCA East

Art 2 Go Studio Chateau La Vin Columbia City Saloon Mish Mash Studio Stumpy’s Spirits Who Dat’s

East St. Louis

Gateway Market House of Miles East STL (H.O.M.E.) JWB Beauty Neighbors Market SIHF State Street

Edwardsville

Auto Tire Bailey Cakes Blow It Out on Main Bridal Couture Circle K Enclave Enclave West Good Weather Gallery Happy Up Toys Heroic Adventures Mark’s Appliances Otherside Games Public Library Run Well Sacred Grounds Stagger Inn...Again Teaspoon Cafe Wildey Theater

Caseyville

America’s Best Inn & Suites First Western Inn L.C.'s Pub Knollwood Retirement Quality Inn and Suites Woody’z Bar & Grill

Collinsville

Apple Cleaners Asia Garden Bert’s Chuckwagon Camelot Bowl Carsilios Collinsville Public Library Dean’s Exxon Gas Farmers Market Fazzi’s Glazy Squares Jim’s Pawn & Jewelry John Locus Photography Knights of Columbus McDill’s Irish Pub New China Palm Beach Tan Red Bar Sports Clips Spring Garden Restaurant Swing City Music

Fairview Heights

Best Western BP Huck’s CALC Institute of Technology Casey’s Caseyville Twshp Bldg Catholic Credit Union China King Circle K (Bunkum Rd, Lincoln Trail) City Hall Comfort Inn & Suites Drury Inn Econolodge Express Medical Care Fairfield Inn Fairview Liquor Fairview Lounge Guitar Center Hampton Inn Holiday Inn

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Jazzy 159 Joe’s Pizza Lasting Impressions Floral Lilly’s Gyro Lizzy Bob’s Bakery MotoMart Phillip 66 Gas Mart (Bunkum Rd.) Public Library Quick Stop 2 Quiznos Ramada Inn Randalls Wine & Spirits Sahara Hair Studio Schnucks Sheraton Four Points Slackers St. Clair Bowl Sunshine Daydream Super 8 Motel USave Cleaners Walgreens VFW Zapata’s

Freeburg

Casey’s Country Market Gary’s Restaurant MotoMart

Granite City

Alfresco Art Center Apple Tree Restaurant Southwestern IL College (Cafe’, Fitness Center)

Highland

501 Blues Club Great Clips Korte Rec Center Railshake Brewery Starlight Studio Woodcrest Small Engine

Lebanon

BP Casey’s CC Food Mart Cobblestone Eatery & Drinkery First Federal Bank Ghost Vapor Shop Hanger 18 Guitar Repair Shop Lebanon Visitors Center McKendree University (Art Dept., Gallery of Art, Hett Arts Center, Holman Library)

Distribution List Minerva MotoMart No Jack, It's a Jill Thing Public Library Robin’s Nest Rocking R Thrift Tiadaghton House True Value Whimsey Gifts

Maryville

Lakehouse at Buffalo Park Red Apple Restaurant

Mascoutah

All Mart Smoke Shop American Legion Bee Hollow Marketplace Best Western Inn & Suites Boyce, Hund, & Associates Casey’s General Store Dauber’s Pharmacy Donna Mae’s Salon El Sombrero Han-Dee Mart Huddle House Jo-Al Winery Mascoutah Community Lanes Mascoutah Steak House McDonald’s MotoMart Sax Hometown Store Scott Credit Union Skootr’s St E’s Medical Plaza St. Louis Coffee Tom’s Supermarket Twin Dragons VFW Visitor’s Center

Millstadt

ATI Physical Therapy Coffee Mill Cafe IGA Mike’s Automotive Papa Vito’s

New Baden

CC Food Mart New Baden Market Casey’s Kokomo Joe’s Kountry Store First Federal Bank

O’Fallon

Art Gecko Studio Auffenberg Ford Service Baymont Inn BJC Medical Group Cambridge Dental

Candlewood Suites Casey’s Casa Azteca Circle K City Hall CoffeeHouse Co & Salon Country Inn and Suites CVS Denny’s Drury Inn Extended Stay First American Title Gas Mart Green Mt. Rd Harley Davidson Hardee’s (Downtown, Hartman Ln) Hemingway’s Zen Garden Hilton Garden Inn Hometown Suites Hop House Knights of Columbus Kool Beanz Lake Point Dental LaQuinta Inn & Suites Luckenbooth Gallery McDonald’s McKendree Metroplex MotoMart (Downtown, HWY 50) Public Library Schnucks Scott Credit Union Serra Honda Shell Sips n Splatters Sleep Inn Suburban Inn Subway Restaurants (Regency Park, E. US HWY 50) Super 8 Sweet Katie Bee’s Syberg’s Town Place Suites VFW Walgreens Wood Bakery WOW Hotel YMCA

Pontoon Beach Mastermind Vodka

Sauget

SW IL Welcome Center

Scott Air Force Base David Anthony Barber Flying Aces Quick Mart Subway VFW #4183 WIT Cafe

Shiloh

American Eagle Credit Union Bank of Edwardsville Dierberg’s Dobbs Auto & Tire Golden Corral Holiday Inn Moto Mart St. Louis Bread Co. Starbucks The Joint Chiropractic Toolin’s Running Start Walgreens Wings of Shiloh

Smithton

All Mart Mikey’s Pub No-Jacks Bar & Grill Smithton Liquor Southern Illinois Realty

Swansea

A Storage Inn Big Time Beads Circle K Cloud 9 Vapor Lounge Concept Shoe Repair CVS Dobbs Gas Mart ILLINOISouth Tourism Lucky’s Bar & Grill Lucy’s Place Miller Music New China Northwest Liquor Papa Mendis Pottery Hollow Rural King Schnuck’s Twilight Comics

Troy

Public Library Schmitty’s Sunset Inn Again Troy Car Care ZX Fuel

Waterloo

Bean Tree Cafe City Hall Gallagher’s JV’s Bar and Grill Karban’s Knotty Pines Papa Vito’s Schorr Lake Vineyard Washy’s Sports Bar & Grill

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January 2020

Missouri:

Mansion House The Dark Room

Craft Beer Cellar Govero Salon Hampton Inn & Suites Mercy Urgent Care

BP Gas Mart City Greens Market Club Rehab Just John’s Southside Barber & Beauty The Gramophone Tower Classic Tattooing Urban Chestnut Brewery

Clayton

Cherokee Wax Rats

Eureka

La Finca Coffee Shop

Lambert Airport (Inside) Information Center Pasta House Starbucks USO of Missouri

Lambert Airport (Outside) Airport Inn Drury Inn & Suites Hilton Holiday Inn Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marriott Pear Tree Inn Quality Inn Renaissance Hotel

Maplewood

Art Mart Autohaus BMW Jim Butler Alfa Romeo / Maserati Mini of St. Louis Premier Porsche

Soulard

1860’s Saloon Hammerstone’s Molly’s in Soulard Soulard Art Gallery Soulard Coffee Garden

St. Charles

Art Glass Array Art Meets Vintage

St. Louis

Angad Arts Hotel Apotheosis Comics & Lounge Bamboo Bistro Broadway Oyster Bar & Grill Drury Inn Downtown Gentry’s Tavern Hampton Inn Hilton Downtown Hyatt at the Arch James Henry Provisions Co. Magnify Gallery

The Grove

Tower Grove

Apotheosis Comics & Lounge Craft Alliance Center Pizza Head Snarf's Sandwiches

University City

Blick Art Materials Blueberry Hill Come In and Get Lost Craft Alliance Center Emporium Smoke Shop Hop Cat Let’s Get Technical Peacock Loop Diner Perfect Taste Sichuan Cuisine Pitaya PokeDoke St. Louis Bubble Tea Subterranean Books Sunshine Daydream The Wacked Out Weiner This! Boutique Vintage Vinyl Wizard’s Wagon

Webster Groves

Anne March Studio Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Clover and the Bee Restaurant Gas Mart Grafica Fine Art and Custom Framing Green Door Gallery HWY 61 Roadhouse Krueger Pottery Supply Lockwood Chiropractic McGaughen and Burr Fine Arts Morgan Ford Massage & Spa Music Folk Real Life CBD Simply Torn (Art and Design) The Old Orchard Gallery Webster Groves Animal Shelter Webster Groves Dental Webster Groves Garden Cafe Webster Groves Subaru

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January 2020 Community Portrait Project: An interview with Monica Mason

paintings that make eye contact a “do-able” thing, and encourage more of it in real life, beyond the paintings.

Most of all, I want to depict the common humanity within us all, to encourage people to exercise more face-to-face contact which generates more compassion, more dialogue, more interaction with those we are unfamiliar with. Familiarity dispels fear, hatred, and pre-judgement.

by Brooke Peipert

1) When did this project officially begin? And 2) What inspired this project?

The Community Portrait Project (CPP) began in March of 2018, as I was working on some large scale (8ft) commissioned paintings of Alton’s past historic citizens. These were people who had contributed to the betterment of the community but had passed away relatively unnoticed. So often the noteworthy people of our past are depicted so heroically that they become characterless archetypes rather than real people. This deprives us of any genuine connection to them. My goal was not to create idealized historic portraits but to create an emotional bond between our past and present citizens. And so, I painted these faces with the sort of affection and intimacy one feels when sitting relatively close to another, sharing conversation, and making meaningful eye contact.

The expressions on these historic portraits are intimate, informal and friendly, to make them relatable. While painting the historic portraits, I recognized what a shame it was that I was paying tribute to people who had not lived to see themselves given the recognition they deserved. And so, I decided upon completion of the historic portraits that I’d paint the contemporary citizens of my community who made Alton a better, more interesting place. It seemed like a good idea to celebrate people while they were alive to appreciate it.

My motivation in creating this community portrait project is twofold; on one hand, in a very basic way, I want to create an opportunity for the people in my community to feel “seen”, to feel recognized for their contribution to the community, whether it is for civic engagement, volunteerism, contributions to the cultural landscape or simply providing moral support or inspiration to others. In a larger sense, these portraits aren’t just about commemorating people for their good deeds alone. They are also about painting the inner life of the models and creating an emotive connection with the viewer, a sense of familiarity and emotional intimacy; something I think our contemporary society shies away from.

So often these days, we spend too much time buried in the false “faces” of our phones, thereby losing the potential to make meaningful contact with others, especially those outside our sphere. I want to try and break that habitual aversion of the eyes that we do occasionally when we see someone in public and avert our gaze instead of making tangible eye contact. I want to create 6

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( Painting, 20x24”, portrait of Dan Deck from the “Community Portrait Project” 2019, acrylic on wood. )

How do you choose your models?

When I first began the portrait project, I considered a few acquaintances I knew from around town. Soon enough, however, I found myself watching people, strangers mostly, and finding a certain “energy” some people seemed to exude. I went to a fundraiser and saw a regal looking older woman wearing a rust colored shawl and the most elegant gray hair so elaborately curled that she seemed to have stepped out of a Renaissance painting.

After approaching her and asking if I could paint her, her response was so warm and receptive that I started approaching more people I did not know; a local barber who possessed this energy, a young mother who does community work for children in need, spiritual leaders, atheists, young people, old people, those who are wealthy, those who are poor. Instead of looking for traditionally accepted standards of popularized beauty, I sought out my own standards of beauty that were based more on the life and energy within each model I chose. Many of my choices became an intuitive process.

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January 2020 How are the portraits alike? How are they different?

Every person is different and so my approach to painting is different with each painting. As far as similarities go, I typically have an initial meeting with each model, and then a studio visit. Ordinarily, I’d paint from life and have each model sit for me, but because of the high number of people I’m painting, I’m documenting each of the models with roughly 40-60 photos. The photos are not an end product; they are used as an anatomical reference. I don’t paint or copy from a single photo, I create a sort of structural hybrid from 6-8 photos that I consult. I’ve no interest in simply copying a photo in paint. After shooting photos, I meet each model again to interview them about their lives. As I talk with them, I take notes and observe mannerisms and listen to what they verbally express to get a better idea of them as a person. It’s a somewhat lengthy process but I feel it helps me know them a bit, in order to paint them with any genuine honesty. I do not use projection devices and prefer to freehand the mapping out of each portrait. My entire process is very low tech which I enjoy.

The one thing all of my models have in common is that none of them have ever been painted before. I like this. Each model has their own unique response to their finished portrait.

realms of Facebook, or Instagram where we collect 1,000 “friends” without truly knowing most of them. My hope is to create a lowtech, indeed a no-tech, forum for basic human interaction between my models and I, my models and their audience, and my paintings themselves and their audience. My hope is that my interest in the inner life of my models is communicated effectively enough in the paintings that the audience feels some emotional connection to them.

What has been the response to the project?

Public reception to the Community Portrait Project has been positive and supportive, indeed I was surprised by the attendance at the first exhibition opening. I’d expected maybe 20 to 30 people to attend, instead over 200 came. The local media has been exceptionally supportive as well. I feel honored to be doing this project, painting my community members, befriending them and learning about their lives. My hope is that this project will help me to be a better artist, a better writer and possibly a better person from my association with so many inspiring individuals I’m painting.

How many portraits will you ultimately paint?

I honestly don’t know. Including the 3 large scale pieces, I painted 18 portraits which were part of the first Community Portrait Project exhibit in April 2019. I’m currently working on roughly 20 more for the next exhibit, early Spring 2020. If everything is still working, I’d love to do a third exhibit with 20 or more portraits late in 2020.

Maybe I’ll wind up with between 75 and 100 painted portraits when I’m done.

I’m also writing a book about the Community Portrait Project itself, which will describe the concepts motivating the project and mini bios of each of my models.

One aspect of the project I’ll be detailing in the book is something of an unexpected byproduct of the work, which has been an increasing circle of people I’ve gotten to know by simply reaching out to strangers; many of whom have become friends. I’m also finding myself working as a volunteer within the realm of community work of some of my models as well. The other element in this portrait project has been the interaction of the public with the models themselves. At the exhibit opening, attendees were interested in meeting the models, talking with them a bit, too. The models became like community “celebrities” in a sense, becoming more recognized for what they do, and inspiring others to roll up their sleeves and get more involved in their community, even if it’s simply to broaden their circle. So often we exist within insular

( Monica Mason with large scale portraits of Alton’s past citizens.

This launched the Community Portrait Project which depicts present citizens of Alton. ) Any negative reception to the project?

At the risk of sounding like some sort of Pollyanna figure who sees only sunshine, I have to admit there’s been no genuine negative reaction to the project. The closest thing to negativity isn’t really negative; it’s more about me learning along the way how to manage my model’s expectations as to what a painting is compared to a photograph. In a painting, the artist interprets the

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January 2020 subject matter, in this case the model. A painting is by no means a photograph, nor is it a glamour shot, or something akin to the multiple filtered photos one can post on social media; the kind of filters that make everyone look like soft butter, instead of flesh and bone.

What were your goals for this project?

At the inception of this project, I hoped to make paintings that would offer some respect, admiration and affection to the many people who operate under the radar, doing good things not for applause, but for the simple virtues of altruism and civic engagement. I hoped to acknowledge these people in a way that spoke more informally, as a means for both me and my audience to connect with them, to be inspired by them and to see some shared humanity, which seems vital, especially in a world as divided as ours is today.

We often talk of community building as either an economically motivated enterprise or as a singular event intended as a preventative to poor community relationships. I feel the Community Portrait Project is a vital, ongoing component in building genuine civic pride; pride which is unique to each individual citizen, and providing a forum in which people are given a more lasting recognition for their talents and their contributions to our community.

Where do you see this project in ten years?

I’d like to see the portraits with a thoughtful caretaker and in a good place where they might be seen as a time capsule, of sorts, of the community at this moment in history. I’d like to see my book about this project be kept within this same realm.

What is your background in the arts?

I received my Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from Washington University and my Masters Degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. Professionally speaking, I was a college Fine Arts, and Art History professor for 20 years, largely teaching Figure Drawing and anatomy, also painting and art history. I’ve been a practicing artist since 1980, although truthfully, I cannot remember a time in my childhood when I wasn’t drawing.

As far as painting goes, my background is in oil painting, but for reasons due to ventilation in my current studio, I started using acrylic paint. I’ve developed a method using acrylic in the same way I’d use oil, building up as many as 15-20 layers of exceptionally thin transparent paint. I’m also using a water based acrylic varnish as well.

People have often asked why I’m painting everyone in shades of blue. As a painter, I’ve always used blue as a base coat for underpainting when I paint people. On top of this blue I’d typically layer other tones to match the actual colors of the flesh of my model. The blue tone acts as a basis for structural shadows which occur in the face. Blue is a color which exists to some degree in all flesh tones, regardless of race and so blue became a conceptual unifier of all the models I’ve painted, regardless of the varying flesh tones each model possessed. I also like the look of black and white films and photography. In a painting, simple black and white can appear flat, whereas blue and white has a bit of an emotional connotation to it. It’s soft, it’s peaceful and somewhat intimate.

Some have said the blue is a bit romantic as well. I’ll take it.

What is your advice to young artists?

My advice to artists is as lengthy as my list of artistic influences.

( Monica Mason painter, photograph by Jeanie Stephens ) Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself writing, painting, engaged in my community and traveling.

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My advice to young artist is the same advice I’d give older artists, myself included. Take your art education seriously and take it for the long haul; in other words, keep learning for the rest of your life.

Whether your education is through college or whether it’s through your own self-guided study doesn’t matter much. As an educator, my prejudice leans to college simply because it exposes you to far more experiences and people than one’s own self-guided education might.

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January 2020 But there are exceptions to this, and I’ve known a few artists that were incredible exceptions to this. The point is to keep challenging yourself intellectually, aesthetically and emotionally. Keep developing your craft.

Don’t become an artist in order to be rich and famous. The ratio of rich, famous artists to the number of people making art is one in a million. There are better, more effective ways to become rich and easier ways to achieve fame.

The oft-repeated phrase “I know what I like” really means that you like what you know. It’s not a great thing to admit to. It just means you only like what you are familiar with, which is kind of the kiss of death for an artist or any thinking person really. Just because something is unfamiliar or beyond your comprehension doesn’t mean it’s not good, it doesn’t mean it’s invalid. It just means you don’t understand it… not yet, anyway. Perhaps you never will, and that’s ok too. And on that note, if you ever see a work of art utterly beyond your understanding, it’s ok. Not everyone gets every joke, not everyone understands every piece of art. It’s alright sometimes just to look at a work of art and think about how you respond to it, just as it’s ok to sometimes simply appreciate the aesthetics of a piece, even if the conceptual premise of the work evades you.

Look at works of art outside of your area of interest. If you are a traditional landscape painter, look at abstract expressionism. If you are an abstract sculptor, look at Renaissance figurative painting.

If you are a ceramicist, look at graphic novels. Expose yourself to works outside of your comfort zone; they have a lot to teach you about visual language, which has no barriers from one form of artistic media to another. No media is superior to others. It’s the thought and talent behind the media that matters.

Stay perpetually open to learning new things, otherwise you will rot from within and no perfume can mask that sort of thing.

For more information on Monica Mason and to follow the Community Portrait Project, follow Monica on Facebook at ( Portrait of Libby Reuter 20x24” from the “Community Portrait Project”, 2019 ) Be willing and able to make 100 works of art in order to create one good one; and most importantly, be capable of recognizing the other 99 works as necessary lessons you needed to learn. Be capable of doing research on any given subject to understand it in order to express it thoughtfully as an artist.

www.Facebook.com/Splonx

To read the full interview, check out GessoMagazine.com.

Be open to the influence of the masters, the big guys in art history, but not to merely copy/mimic what they did, but to try to comprehend the ideas behind what they did and why they did it within their social context, and yes, how they did it as well in terms of technical skills. Learn to talk about, write about the ideas behind your own work. Understanding how to communicate your ideas verbally will actually help you come to a better understanding of them. The more informed you are, the more thoughtful and communicative your art works will be.

Banish the phrase, “I know what I like” anytime you are looking at works of art that perhaps you don’t like or understand.

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Calendar of Events

January 2020

January 1 (Wed): Doit’s Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) – 2p; Scott and Mechelle - New Year’s Day! Foundry Public House (Edwardsville) – 2p; Lanny & Julie New Year’s Day Gridiron Grill (Breese) – 12p; Gridiron Grill NYD Party Hawg Pit Barbecue Barn, Inc (Grafton) – 1p; Led Sled NEW YEAR’S DAY Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) – 2p; Retro Boogie to return to Hidden Lake Winery for NY Day Fun! Public Square (Belleville) – 12p; Ring in the New Year with Belleville Ringing of the Bells; bring your dinner bell, jingle bells, cow bells, hand bells, any bells and RING; near Curt’s Clock on the Square

January 2 (Thurs):

Joe’s Cafe – 8p; Little Dylan; Little Dylan kicks off the 2020 season at Joe’s Cafe! This band is cooking with gas these days. They are red hot and we are very pleased to host them. This is blues royalty folks.

The Dark Room – 9:30p; Scooter Brown: Thursday Night Revue; “No cover ever. Good vibes always!”

Thurman’s in Shaw – 8p; Adam Maness Trio

January 3 (Fri): Brewskeez Smokehouse & Music (O’Fallon, MO) – 8p; Rogers & Nienhaus Debut at Brewskeez! “With pristine harmonies and searing instrumentation, Rogers & Nienhaus are truly a ‘not to be missed’ act!!

Two exceptional musicians with a lifelong career of performance on the world stage, Rogers & Nienhaus are just that… world-class!!!”

Hammerstone’s – 8p; Melissa Neels Band Helium Comedy Club – 7:30p & 10p; Sheryl Underwood! Host of “The Talk” Holiday Inn at Six Flags St. Louis (Eureka) – 7p; 38th Annual Pat Strawhun Memorial Winter Bluegrass Festival; “Our 2020 Festival is booked and ready to go! This will be our 50th year Anniversary as a committee hosting events! We plan to celebrate big time including another group of Pioneer inductees as well as a special concert honoring the 1970 vinyl recording of “Grass Cuttin Time in Missouri”. This will feature songs, artists and many special surprises from that recording!”

Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn – 7p; A Dickens of a Killing Murder Mystery Dinner Theater; “Join us for the Holidays and enjoy an exciting evening of murder, mystery and mayhem at the most dangerous comedy dinner theater show in town. Dig into a fantastic three-course dinner at the Famously Haunted Lemp Mansion and figure out who-dun-it during A Dickens of a Killing!”

Seven (Belleville) – 9p; Pat Nadig at Seven; “Well folks don’t miss it, it Gesso Magazine

The Dark Room – 5:30p; Jazz Dinner w/ Ptah Williams; “Join us for a Jazz Dinner w/ the legendary Ptah Williams for a solo set” The Heavy Anchor – 9p; Dr. Slappinstein and Brother Francis & the Soultones The Pump House Bar & Grill (Wood River) – 9p; Shotgun Creek; “SGC’s debut at one of the Metro East’s finest music venues. Great food and drink options with a party atmosphere!”

The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) – 8p; Silver Bullet STL: A Tribute to Bob Seger Thurman’s in Shaw – 9p; Kendrick Smith Trio’s Friday Night Jazz Lab; “These guys are on fire with face melting improvisational skills. If you don’t know about Kendrick, you’re missing out”

January 4 (Sat):

Blue Strawberry STL – 8p; Rick Jensen - With A Little Help From My Friends; One of St Louis’s go-to musical directors in an evening of Rick’s original songs. Rick will be joined by St. Louis’s own Beverly Brennan, Robert Breig, Dionna Raedeke & Angie Nicholson

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will be my first show for 2020, I will perform my best songs and bring a good mood plus you can expect great food and awesome bartenders”

BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 10:30p; BB’s Jazz Blues and Soups Presents Jeremiah Johnson Creve Coeur Farmers Market (Creve Coeur) – 9a; Winter Market; Please join us this Saturday, for our monthly winter farmers market. 934 East Rue De La Banque, Inside the American Legion Post Banquet Room.

9-Noon. Farm to fork meats, free range eggs, local honey, aquaponically raised lettuces, micro greens, baked goods, local crafts, Jamaican food, and more...see you there!

Good Weather Gallery (Edwardsville) – 6-9p; Opening Reception: Metra Mitchell “Interior Nature”; stunningly expressive figurative tableaus Hammerstone’s – 3p; Saturday Honky Tonk with Steve Reeb; “Traditional, classic country music presented with a heavy metal attitude and southern grace” Helium Comedy Club – 7:30p & 10p; Sheryl Underwood! Host of “The Talk” Holiday Inn at Six Flags St. Louis (Eureka) – 1p; 38th Annual Pat Strawhun Memorial Winter Bluegrass Festival; See description on 01/03 Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn – 7p; A Dickens of a Killing Murder Mystery Dinner Theater; See description on 01/03 Maggie Malone’s (Wentzville) – 9p; Johnny Rock-itt & the Double Wide Symphony Sonny’s Bar (Overland) – 7p; Agitate the Airwaves Presents: 3rd Annual Paula Corley Charity Memorial Show: Hip Hop Showcase Challenge; Main Event: 8 Local Rappers will compete in the ultimate hip hop challenge of performing each other’s songs while in character. The winner will win a custom Fighting for Autism belt! BF/BF Challenge: JMoney and Kitty will go head to head performing one of each other’s songs for bragging rights.

Stand Up Comedy by: Jon Not John, Larry Smith and Jon Maddy; All Ages Event (Warning Adult Themes and Content); All proceeds will support Fighting For Autism St. Charles Music House (St. Charles) – 8:30p; Every Little Thing at St Charles Music House St. Clair County Event Center (Belleville) – 9a; Flea Market; Monthly

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January 2020

Flea Market the first full weekend of every month. New Vendors Welcome!

Free Parking and Free Admission

January 8 (Wed):

Ernie & Annie’s Tavern (Granite City) – 2p; Live music by Scott and Mechelle; “It’s a birthday party”

Broadway Oyster Bar – 9p; Voodoo Little Feat: a tribute to Paul Barrere; Paul wrote favorites like “Skin It Back”, “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now”, “All That You Dream”, and the classic “Time Loves A Hero”. Celebrate his life with good friends and great music at the Broadway Oyster Bar!

International Tap House – 2p; Kegs For A Cause; “Come out and support AmeriCorps St. Louis’ Emergency Response Team (ERT) by having a beer with us at ITAP in Soulard.”

Fubar – 9p; Coast 2 Coast LIVE; All Ages Edition Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; The Bad Plus; Sponsored by: The Kent & Jeannine Kalkwarf Charitable Foundation

Schmitty’s Sunset Inn Again (Troy) – 3p; Schmitty’s Presents Jeremiah Johnson

The Heavy Anchor – 8p; Writer’s Galley: A Creative Open Mic; Hosted

by Jesse Keeney; Free to attend

January 5 (Sun):

St. Clair County Event Center (Belleville) – 9a; Flea Market; See description on 01/04 St. Louis Science Center – 7p; Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – The IMAX 2D Experience; “Experience the thrilling conclusion to the Skywalker saga in our newly revamped OMNIMAX® Theater. See Star Wars the way it was meant to be seen on an IMAX® Dome with Laser providing the sharpest images, greatest color range and unmatched sound quality.”

January 9 (Thurs): Alpha Brewing Co – 6p; Crystal Lady Trio Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; The Bad Plus; Sponsored by: The Kent & Jeannine Kalkwarf Charitable Foundation Joe’s Café – 8p; Mo Egeston All-Star Birthday Groove Sophie’s Artist Lounge – 9p; MaDMAn Presents: Beats & Vibes At Sophie’s; Join MaDMAn as some of the best producers around town showcase their music. There will be live painting from talented artist Pia Rene. “No cover fee, so bring friends!” Lineup: HugoBawse, Lexxiii Beatz, Trippy Dude, O.N.I., Flexxworthy

The Cheshire Grin Cat Cafe – 9a; Kitty Yoga; “Join us for a spectacular way to stretch and relax! In this very unique yoga event, we’ll pair yoga poses with the environment of the Cheshire Grin Cat Cafe, creating a welcoming space for the kitty residents to join us on the mat as we practice. St. Louis County Library – 6:30p; Bestselling novelist Mackenzi Lee You’re invited to touch and snuggle with the cats throughout our practice to enhance your relaxation, creating a truly special yoga experience.”

January 6 (Mon): Haskell Park (Alton) – 6p; 12th Night Celebration; 6:30p, bonfire will be lit St. Louis Science Center – 7p; Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – The IMAX 2D Experience; Experience the thrilling conclusion to the Skywalker saga in our newly revamped OMNIMAX® Theater. See Star Wars the way it was meant to be seen on an IMAX® Dome with Laser providing the sharpest images, greatest color range and unmatched sound quality The Dark Room – 8p; Monday Mix/Up featuring Mo Egeston; MUSICIANS: Bring your instrument, and join in the second set jam!

The Marcelle – 8p; Gilbert & Sullivan’s Bloody King Oedipus! - Free Public Reading of Gilbert & Sullivan’s great, lost, adult, horror-comedy, Bloody King Oedipus!, or Pardon Me, Mum!

January 7 (Tues): Fubar Saint Louis – 9:30a; COAST 2 COAST LIVE St. Louis Science Center – 7p; Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – The IMAX 2D Experience The Dark Room – 7p; Brother Jefferson Duo: Presented by the St. Louis Blues Society; No cover ever. Good vibes always!

The Royale – 9:30p; Royale Residencies: Tuesday Night Audio Reserve w/ LePonds

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January 2020

presents an adventurous story of struggle and betrayal told through the patchwork past of Marvel’s most misunderstood mischief-maker of all time: Loki

Grit & Tonic (Lebanon) – 5p; Little Known Fact

The Back Room at Bottle and Barrel (Alton) – 8p; Segura Michael brings Acoustic Awesomeness!

Off Broadway – 8p; Snow Tire Concert Series Presents: Heart Like a Wheel - A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt

The Dark Room – 9:30p; Joe Park Trio ft. Brad Ellebrecht: Thursday Night Revue; With his trio, guitarist Joe Park focuses on jazz from the 1940’s/50’s. Drawing inspiration from gypsy jazz and American jazz guitarists, Park creates his own unique sound. On this special evening, Joe Park will be joined by pianist Brad Ellebrecht The Frisco Barroom (Webster Groves) – 8:30p; Wooden Puddin’ at The Frisco; Wooden Puddin is a rotating cast of St. Louis Metro area players with a core group made of members of Old Salt Union. WP performs a variety of bluegrass standards, modern covers, and stripped down Old Salt Union tunes

January 10 (Fri): 612 Kitchen and Cocktails (Kirkwood) – Partyrock Live; “Danceable Rock from St. Louis’ premiere Power Trio - Partyrock plays songs everyone loves by artists such as Journey, Marvin Gaye, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder and more - come join the Party!”

Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; The Bad Plus; Sponsored by: The Kent & Jeannine Kalkwarf Charitable Foundation

Old Rock House – 8p; The Way Down Wanderers w/ Guest TBA San Loo – 8p; Andrew Hibbard Band, Nick Gusman, TBA; From the rural area of Southern OH, Andrew Hibbard showcases his honest and smart Americana, folk & blues and is destined for the spotlight, humbly Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) – 9p; Shotgun Creek Stifel Theatre – 10a & 2p; Nick Jr. Live! Move to the Music The Pageant – 9p; RockHouse Ent & Black Luxury Ent presents: Rick Ross w/ TBA The Ready Room – 9p; Rock 4 Tots; 2nd annual benefit show / instrument drive for Play It Forward~STL; with Whiskey & Thunder, Sorry Scout, and Spacetrucker Viviano’s Festa Italiano (Fenton) – 6p; Rogers and Nienhaus

January 12 (Sun):

Ballpark Village – 8p; Hot Country Nights: LANCO w/ special guest Matt BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p; The Hi-Jivers Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 8p; G. Love & Special Sauce; w/ Shamarr Stell Allen Broadway Oyster Bar – 10p; The Provels; “Start off 2020 with the funkiest band in town - The Provels!”

Doit’s Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) – 2p; 10-String Dream

Corner Keg (Highland) – 9p; The Rail Whiskey Band

Evangeline’s Bistro & Music House – 8p; Ultra Violet Fever

Craft Alliance – 6p; Tea and Cookies 17th Biennial Teapot Exhibition; Opening Reception

Helium Comedy Club – 7p & 9:30p; Leanne Morgan

Delmar Hall – 8p; American Rock N Soul Tour: Maggie Rose w/ Them Vibes & Mai Lee Helen Fitzgerald’s – 9p; Bullseye Womprats

Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; The Bad Plus; Sponsored by: The Kent & Jeannine Kalkwarf Charitable Foundation Left Bank Books – 2p; Amy Spalding reads, discusses, and signs “We Used to Be Friends”

Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; The Bad Plus; Sponsored by: The Kent & Jeannine Old Rock House – 12p; End Of Season Music Festival; “Join us for live music of our Performance Program, ages 10-18 who will be performing Kalkwarf Charitable Foundation awesome cover music of classic rock bands” Off Broadway – 7p; Karen Choi “Lost County” EP Release Show w/ Elliott Pearson & the Passing Lane & Jeff Kelly and the Graveyard Shift (solo) Old Rock House – Terrapin Flyer 10th Anniversary Tour

Stifel Theatre – 10a & 2p; Nick Jr. Live! Move to the Music

The Dark Room – 11:30a-2p; Brunchin’ w/ Janet Evra; “Join Janet Evra

The Abbey (Belleville) – 7-10p; Singer / Songwriter Night The Focal Point (Maplewood) – 7:30p; Jack Grelle The Frisco Barroom (Webster Groves) – 9:30p; Missouri Breaks; an exciting progressive bluegrass band featuring long-time Missouri musicians The Pageant – 8p; 105.7 The Point welcomes: Goldfinger w/ Mustard Plug & Flatfoot 56 Tin Roof – 10p; 90s + 2000s Night w/ Legends Undercover Washy’s Saloon (Waterloo) – 9p; Joe Dirt

January 11 (Sat): BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p; Kingdom Brothers 12

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January 2020

every second Sunday for Brunchin’ at The Dark Room” Featuring original and the Blu-City Allstars music as well as French jazz, bossa nova, and American songbook favorites

January 13 (Mon): Evangeline’s – 7p-10p; St. Louis OPEN MIC & JAM hosted by Shamus McFeron; St. Louis Music Industry Open Mic & Jam. Everyone is welcome! First come, first serve; sign up to play 3 songs on stage. All musicians performing will get a wrist band for Half-off drinks, cocktails and beer for the evening Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) – 6p; Trent & Nanny The Heavy Anchor – 10p; The Comedy Shipwreck Open Mic every Monday World Chess Hall of Fame – 10a-5p; “Ground Control: A Journey Through Chess and Space” explores space-themed chess sets and significant chess events from the year 1969, in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing

January 14 (Tues):

January 15 (Wed):

Broadway Oyster Bar – 9p; Voodoo Acoustic Jerry Garcia; the Voodoo Players will perform an evening of Jerry Garcia’s acoustic catalog including Old & In The Way, Grisman & Garcia, and acoustic Grateful Dead!

Halo Bar – 8p; ClusterPluck Scarlett’s Wine Bar – 7:30p; Crystal Lady’s Acoustic Trio The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical The Pageant – 8p; Greensky Bluegrass Winter Tour 2020

January 16 (Thurs): Atomic Cowboy – 7p; Wood & Wire w/ The Warbuckles Big Daddy’s Soulard – 7p; Locally produced award-winning WWII documentary “Path of the Past” Benefit Screening for H.E.R.O.E.S. Care Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) – 7p; The Truckers

Broadway Oyster Bar – 9p; Steven Woolley Fubar – 7p; Fubar & Heil Sound present: MOBILE DEATHCAMP (ft. ex-GWAR member Todd Evans aka Mighty Beefcake); This is an all ages show!

Naked Vine (Chesterfield) – 7p; Singer Songwriter Storytelling Showcase; every 2nd Tuesday of the month; an intimate night of songs & the stories behind them with some of the best talent around. This week: Ethan Jones (of Dr. Zhivegas), Lisa Houdei (of Le’Ponds), Christopher Curd (of The Hush List) The Dark Room – 7p; Jake Curtis Band: Presented by the St. Louis Blues Society; “No cover ever. Good vibes always!”

The Ready Room – 7:30p; Locals Only Night; four amazing local bands: Mother Stutter, Young Animals, Grand Opening, and Lee & Laneve! All tickets go towards supporting the bands

Grafica Fine Arts & Custom Framing – 5:30p-7:30p; Grafica’s 3rd Thursday “Artful Conversation” featuring Lindsay Higa: “Continuity and Change: Staying true to your artistic voice while pushing your work forward” Joe’s Café – 8p; Hillary Fitz Band Off Broadway – 7p; Art of Live Festival: Neighbor Lady, The Medium, and Le’Ponds Old Rock House – 7p; Art of Live Festival: Bruiser Queen + Tidal Volume Reifschneider’s Grill and Grape (Columbia, IL) – 7p; Lanny & Julie Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) – Exhibition Opening Reception: Joe Page & Angel Brame (continues through 02/20) The Fabulous Fox – 1p & 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

The Royale – 9:30p; Royale Residencies: Tuesday Night Audio Reserve w/ The Frisco Barroom (Webster Groves) – 8:30p; Irish Session with Kevin Buckley & Eimear Arkins; Kevin, Eimear and friends play Irish 18&Counting Traditional tunes and songs in an informal “jam” session setting found in The Sheldon – 7:30p; The Sheldon’s Notes From Home Concert Series proudly presents: Paul Bonn and the Bluesmen w/ special guests Big Mike cozy pubs throughout Ireland

January 17 (Fri):

Blue Strawberry STL – 8p; Mark Saunders: Everything’s Fine - A Bear in Search of His Honey Crown Room – 8p; Disco Donnie Presents and B&W Productions proudly brings you: OOKAY Delmar Hall – 8p; Cory Wong w/ Scott Mulvahill Elks Lodge #1063 (Granite City) – 7p; Bob and Bill return to GC Elks Lodge

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Calendar of Events

January 2020 January 18 (Sat):

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) – 8p; Jake & The Truckers Geo’s Wings & More (Belleville) – 7p; Little Known Fact

Art Saint Louis – 5p-7p; Heaven and Earth Exhibition; opens with a free reception open to all

* Governor French Gallery (Belleville) – 5-8p; Opening Reception: Fridges & Freezers; an exhibition of new works by Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) – 7p; Salmon Creek Haley Clancy Inyart; sponsored & curated by Gesso Magazine Delmar Hall – 8p; Yes We Can - A Tribute To Allen Toussaint Great Grizzly Bear – 8p-12a; Catfish and the Big Boss Blues Band LIVE Helium Comedy Club – 7:30p & 10:30p; D.L. Hughley!

Delmar Loop (StL) – 12-6p; Winter Carnival

Pop’s Blue Moon – 9p; Stank Thunder

Fubar – 7p; Ruby Soho STL presents: STL Pole Show featuring some of your favorite STL Pole Dancers & more!

Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) – 9p-1a; Threshold

Helium Comedy Club – 7:30p & 10:30p; D.L. Hughley!

The Chase Club @ the Chase Park Plaza Hotel – 9p; Retro Boogie

Off Broadway – 7p; Art of Live Festival: Off Broadway Winter Formal featuring: Cara Louise, John Henry, Brothers Lazaroff, Hazard to ya Booty, DJ Sets by DJ Matty Coonfield; *Contests, Games, Dress to Impress*

The Dark Room – 10p-1a; Mark Harris II: After Hours The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical The Heavy Anchor – 9p; The Blam Blams (Nashville), Matt F. Basler, Lightrider The Sheldon – 8p; Ruthie Foster The Sinkhole – 8:30p; Sh#tstorm, Echo Shampo, Labours (ALL LOCAL SHOW!) The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) – 7:30p; Chattahoochee: A Tribute to Alan Jackson Viviano’s Festa Italiano (Chesterfield) – 6p; Rogers and Neinhaus

Old Rock House – 7p; Art of Live Festival: *repeat repeat and Stef Chura w/ Jesus Christ Supercar Powell Hall – 8p; Thibaudet Plays Liszt; Stéphane Denève, conductor; Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano with the SLSO Rickman Auditorium (Arnold) – 7p; 55 South: Live at Rickman!

RYSE Nightclub (St. Charles) – 9p; Disco Donnie Presents and B&W Productions proudly bring you: Grum The Fabulous Fox – 2p & 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical The Monocle – 5p; Hart L’Ecuyer’s Poetry Book Release; and The Tory Starbuck Project!

The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) – 8p; Mr. Mojo Risin’ - The Doors Experience; Mr Mojo Risin’ takes audiences back in time to a Doors concert from the 1960’s! From “Break on Through” to “LA Woman” and the classics in between Vintage Wine Bar (Waterloo) – 8p; Rogers & Nienhaus

January 19 (Sun): 1860’s Saloon – 7:30p; BeDLaM BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 5p; Blue Sunday w/ Kalvin Dobbins; followed by Love Jones Band Big Daddy’s (Edwardsville) – 3p; Big Daddy’s presents - Scott and Mechelle Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 8p; Dogleg Chaifetz Arena – 7p; Xscap3 Cusumano’s Pizza – 10:30p; Say Less Sunday: TRAP Night!

Delmar Loop (StL) – 12-6p; Winter Carnival Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) – 7p; Todd Sarvies; Performing LIVE with Hollywood 5!

Fubar – 6:30p; Fubar Concert Venue & Backstage Productions Presents: 96 Bitter Beings, The Native Howl, Locust Grove Helium Comedy Club – 7p; D.L. Hughley!

@blvscreenprint 618.277.9600 14

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It’s Raining Zen (Alton) – 3p; Sanctuary Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation; Mark Biehl returns to Zen GessoMagazine.com

Calendar of Events

January 2020

Powell Hall – 8p; Thibaudet Plays Liszt; Stéphane Denève, conductor; Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano with the SLSO The Dome at America’s Center – 3p; Monster Jam The Fabulous Fox – 1p & 6:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical The Shaved Duck – 4p; Ross Bell Solo; Traditional, classic country music presented with a heavy metal attitude and southern grace

January 20 (Mon): Fubar – 6p; Backstage Productions Presents: Of Virtue and In Search of Solace w/ As Earth Shatters, Hard Graves, Sky Falls Down, Brave New World St Louis Science Center – 7p; Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – The IMAX 2D Experience The Dark Room – 8p; Monday Mix/Up featuring Jake Weisman The Sheldon – 7:30p; Special Blend - with the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society The Sinkhole – 8:30p; Grivo (Austin, TX), Hover, Oxherding

January 21 (Tues): Angad Arts Hotel – 5p; Opening Reception; “Mosaic of Filtrates”, 2019,

4’ x 4’ & “Puzzled Particles”, 2018 Apotheosis Comics & Lounge – 7p; Bluestravaganza on South Grand; “Come jam the blues with Us”; Drummers bring sticks. Also bring a snare and cymbals if possible, Bassist bring a bass, Guitarist bring a guitar, All others just bring instrument the same, Amps and drum kit provided.

Everybody bring energy and a will to jam

* Bennie’s Pizza Pub (Belleville) – 6p-9p; Pizza, Pencils & Pints - A Social Drawing Event; great food & drink & lotsa art supplies; come be social and share your artistic inspirations.

Very family friendly. Co-sponsored by Belleville Screen Print Company and Gesso Magazine; every third Tuesday; All Skill Levels Welcome!!

Casa Romero (East Alton) – 6p; Bookin’ Around Bethalto; Join us as we explore some great local eateries and readeries. Each time we meet at a different restaurant to discuss a book. You can pick up a copy of the book at the library at the beginning of the month. We do ask that you make a food or beverage purchase at these venues Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre – 7p; Royal Opera House: Coppélia; A classic returns to the Royal Ballet repertory with Ninette de Valois’ charming and funny COPPELIA– a story of love, mischief and mechanical dolls. This

KC Hall Presents

BIG LOVE A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Saturday January 25th 2020 Show starts at 7:00 P.M. $25.00 KC Hall, 402 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon, IL 62269, (618)632-6229

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January 2020

ROH production will screen at 7p; Please note that there is strobe lighting during Act I Off Broadway – 8p; YACHT w/ JUICEBOXXX The Dark Room – 7p; Fab Foehners: Presented by the St. Louis Blues Society The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical The Royale – 9:30p; Royale Residencies: Tuesday Night Audio Reserve w/ Aaron Stovall Tin Roof – 8p; ATCK Featuring AJ McLean of Backstreet Boys and DJ Lux

January 22 (Wed): Broadway Oyster Bar – 9p; Voodoo Phish; Come hear songs spanning their entire career, from 1.0 to 3.0 and everything in between Espresso Yourself Coffee & Cafe – 6p; Painting Succulents with Coffee HandleBar – 8:30p; Drag Me to Handlebar: A Drag Show; Our monthly drag show hosted by Becca Diamond and Tiffany Star Sapphire Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; Delivering an infectious blend of soul, jazz and rhythm & blues Melvin Brewing (Eureka) – 7p; Brushes N’ Brews; Get out for an evening and enjoy some great local brews and food while expressing your creativity through paint. Our experienced instructor will walk you through the painting step-by-step: which means everyone is welcome, no skill required!

Each Brushes N’ Brews event will host a different design and some will showcase different canvas material; If beer is not your thing - no problem, we have you covered with wine, cocktails, or soft drink options

We Reach Thousands You Reach Thousands Support The Local Arts and Music Scene Ads@GessoMagazine.com

Renaissance Airport Hotel – 7-9p; Timothy Wagner Art Exhibit Opening Reception The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical The Focal Point – 7:30p; Songbird Café The Heavy Anchor – 8p; Show & Tell for Adults: A Storytelling Show; “Bring in something to show & tell a story about it. Just like we did in grade school! Your nostalgia provoking item could bring about happiness, sadness, humor or anything (please do not bring live animals, anything dangerous or something that you probably shouldn’t bring inside a bar...)

Hosted by Ashlee Bross”

January 23 (Thurs):

The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; delivering an infectious blend of soul, jazz and rhythm & blues

The Frisco Barroom (Webster Groves) – 8:30p; Adam Gaffney; a prolific songwriter based out of St. Louis’s South City and tours heavily in the Midwestern region

Joe’s Café – 8p; The Steve Davis Super Band with Feyza Eren Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 7:30p; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Off Broadway – 8p; Bobby Bare Jr Old Rock House – 8p; Michal Menert w/ Filibusta Powell Hall – 7p; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back In Concert; The battle for the galaxy intensifies in the intergalactic adventure of the Gesso Magazine

Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – 9p; The Dead Roses; a night of rock, bluegrass, folk and Americana tunes The Dark Room – 9:30p; Vincent Varvel Trio: Thursday Night Revue

Blank Space – 7p; Hidden Hatred

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unfolding saga Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back In Concert. Travel to a galaxy far, far away and experience the iconic film on the big screen at Powell Hall as the SLSO performs the score live

The Heavy Anchor – 8p; Jeremy Essig w/ Shannon Lucas, Erik Woods The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) – 7:30p; McKendree Presents: Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll; With a cast of stars from Broadway’s greatest rock musicals, and incredible rock-and-roll singers, the composer, musician, and producer Neil Berg shares fascinating, often unknown stories from the 50-year history of the music that changed the

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January 2020

world forever The Wildey Theatre (Edwardsville) – 7:30p; Dueling Pianos

January 24 (Fri): 1860’s Saloon – 9p; Matty Mo & The Rockets Bennie’s Pizza Pub (Belleville) – 6p; JonesEffect Broadway Oyster Bar – 9p; Mike Gordon AfterParty w/Surco and Spillie Nelson Casino Queen Hotel & Casino (East Saint Louis) – 8p; Belly Laugh 2020; “Be prepared to laugh until it hurts! Headliner: Bruce Veach World’s Most Famous Flutophone Player Featuring: Gary Rittenhouse and Jamie Louella Fritz! Host/MC: Cory Flament of FlamentCo’s The Place”

Delmar Hall – 8p; Dogs of Society - Ultimate Elton Rock Tribute w/ Billy the Kid - Definitive Billy Joel Tribute Evangeline’s Bistro & Music House – Brian Jin, Ryan Burns, Karen Choi, the Sparrows; Brian Jin will be performing songs from his new EP, “In Color”, as well as selections from his previous albums. Come out, add some color to some things and have fun Hopskeller Brewing Company (Waterloo) – 8p; Skunk Live; a night of jammy rock n’ roll and country Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; Delivering an infectious blend of soul, jazz and rhythm & blues

* Knights of Columbus (O'Fallon, IL) - 7p; In Concert: Big Love - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Corner Keg (Highland) - 9p; P-Nut and The Shells * Lincoln Theatre (Belleville) – 8p; Live on stage - The Crehan’s (Belleville) – 7p; Rogers and Nienhaus Inaugural Belleville Winter Ball: Old Salt Union & Friends w/ Delmar Hall – 8p; An Evening with Mike Gordon ClusterPluck; This is a Dress To Impress Event! Bring out the El Volcán Discoteque – 8p; Shiverz - Shut Down & Shell Tour; w/ Shiverz suits and gowns for a 1920s themed party!! and Local Support From: Mohawk, Meechie Murdam, Joe Blush, Lil’ Medium

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) – 8p; Todd Sarvies Performing LIVE with Hollywood 5!

Lindenwood University (Belleville) – 10th Annual Chiro-Med Winter Luau 5K & Main Street Mile Run; benefits Special Olympics plus $500 to charity of choice of winning team/club; attendance prizes include a week in Hawaii; 5K starts 9a; mile run starts 9:45a

Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; Delivering an infectious blend of soul, jazz and rhythm & blues

Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 7:30p; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 7:30p; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Old Rock House – 7p; Sunny Sweeney w/ Erin Enderlin

Off Broadway – 8p; A Night of Blues at Off Broadway; w/ Bob Kamoske, Brother Jeff & Big Rich, and Jake Curtis Blues Band!

Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) – 9p; Champagne Fixx

Powell Hall – 7p; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back In Concert; See Description on 01/23 The 560 Music Center – 8p; Matthew Shipp

RYSE Nightclub (St. Charles) – 9p; Tiësto The Back Room at Bottle and Barrel (Alton) – 11:30p; Happy Trails Production & Entertainment & Krazy Circus Production present: Happy Trails Music & Arts Gathering after party: Double dose of Spillie Nelson & Family

The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Audio-described, Sign Language Interpreted, Captioned performance)

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The Focal Point – 8p; Fiddlin’ Sam and the Golden Bolo Band: Western Swing Showcase The Heavy Anchor – 9p; Vulture Culture, Hazebond (IL), Crystal Lady The Kranzberg – 7:30p; Jenny Tolman presented by Nashville Live in Grand Center The Mineral Springs Banquet Center (Alton) – Happy Trails Music & Arts Gathering 2020; Lineup includes: The Schwag, Spillie Nelson, Bounce House, Tree One Four, Ahna Schoenhoff, Syna So Pro, Haze Bond, The Dead Roses, HOOKiE, Justus & the Experience, Aid the Beast, Grass & Stone, Ian Whitmore, Raw Earth, BongoJak Vs The Loop Machine, GRAND HOUSE, Krickett and The Grilled Avocados, Accidentally on Purpose, The BuzzTones, Darian Roe, ELISE Band The Pageant – 8p; Gary Gulman: Peace of Mind Tour

January 25 (Sat): Cutter’s (Belleville) – 9p; Superjam GessoMagazine.com

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Calendar of Events

January 2020

The Fabulous Fox – 2p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Captioned Performance)

to Stevie Wonder; A unique musical perspective on the songs written and performed by Stevie Wonder

The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

Urban Chestnut Brewing Company – 1p; Wolpertinger 2020

The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) – 7:30p; Janet Evra; From Gloucester, England, Janet Evra is a jazz vocalist, bassist, and composer based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Evra blends traditional bossa nova, samba, and latin jazz with modern influences and an indie twist to produce a fresh sound

Vintage Wine Bar (Waterloo) – 4:30p; Fleetwood w/ Special Guest; “There is always the possibility of someone showing up and being a part of the show, but this month there’s going to be a surprise guest to debut herself and the fire she brings to the Mic!!”

The Mineral Springs Banquet Center (Alton) – Happy Trails Music & Arts Gathering 2020; See Description on 01/24 The Pageant – 9p; RockHouse Ent & Black Luxury Ent Presents: Jeezy “Legend Of The Snowman” Concert Who Dat’s (Collinsville) – 6p; Fresh Burn

January 26 (Sun): Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 8:30p; Modern Animal Tour w/ Magic City Hippies, Tim Atlas Dunaway Books – 2p; Story and Music Time with Steph Plant; Local children’s writer and singer-songwriter about town, Steph Plant returns to Dunaway Books. Steph Plant is a Montessori trained singer/songwriter and children’s book author/illustrator based out of Edwardsville, IL Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) – 2p; The Truckers

January 27 (Mon): Fubar – 6p; Fubar Concert Venue & Backstage Productions Presents: Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria, Starbender, w/ Mental Fixation & Shots Fired Left Bank Books – 7p; Left Bank Books welcomes debut author, Luke Geddes, who will sign and discuss his novel “Heart Of Junk” St. Louis County Library – 7p; Historian Andrew Wanko; For St. Louis, the Mississippi has always been more than just a river. It’s been the focus of the local economy, a shaping force on millions of lives, and a mirror for the city’s triumphs, embarrassments, joys, and tragedies. In “Great River City,” public historian for the Missouri Historical Society Andrew Wanko examines the many ways St. Louis has interacted with the mighty river running past its door The Dark Room – 8p; Monday Mix/Up featuring JD Hughes & The Fuze The Heavy Anchor – 6p; Drink and Draw: Figure Drawing

Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; Delivering an infectious blend of soul, jazz and rhythm & blues Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 2p; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder The Fabulous Fox – 1p & 6:30p; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical The Signature Club (Overland) – 6p; All Is Fair In Love: An Homage

The Pump House Bar & Grill (Wood River) – 6p; Bar Top Book Club; Have you ever wanted to join a book club but didn’t know where to start?

Wood River Public Library has partnered with The Pump House Bar & Grill to give you Bar Top Book Club!

The Sheldon – 7:30p; Mozartiana; “It’s time again for Wolfgang’s birthday! Our immensely popular programs, celebrating this happy occasion, continue with more great music from the maestro’s myriad masterpieces.”

January 28 (Tues): Left Bank Books – 7p; Left Bank Books presents senior editor at CNN Worlwide, Anissa Gray, who will sign and discuss the paperback release of her debut her novel “The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls” Missouri History Museum – 10:30a; Storytelling in the Museum (Winter); “Storytelling programs in the History Clubhouse engage the Missouri History Museum’s youngest visitors and their families with historic objects and museum settings through both traditional and contemporary storybooks as well as hands-on crafts. These programs are recommended for children ages 2–5 and their families, and each 45-minute session is free” This session’s theme is ‘Music Makers’ Off Broadway – Midge Ure; Songs, Questions, and Answers The Dark Room – 7p; Kingdom Brothers: Presented by the St. Louis Blues Society; “…powerful original music that combines blues, R&B, and Gospel influences” The Gaslight Theater – 8p; Gaslight Jazz Series - Arvell Keithley/Jim Manley 18

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Calendar of Events

January 2020

The Royale – 9:30p; Royale Residencies: Tuesday Night Audio Reserve w/ Allegra Pesenti, Associate Director and Senior Curator at UCLA Grunwald Paradise is a Frequency Center for the Graphic Arts, and independent curator Sarah Burney… This program is free to attend. Seating is limited; early arrival is encouraged. To The Sheldon – 10a; Adam Maness Trio, “Celebrating Dave Brubeck”; learn more, visit pulitzerarts.org” Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of jazz legend Dave Brubeck with performances of his popular “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” and more great jazz, both old and new!

The Dark Room – 9:30p; Thursday Night Revue, featuring BLSTET; No cover ever. Good vibes always!

The Sheldon – 7:30p; Mozartiana; See description on 01/27

The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Jersey Boys; Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony® and Grammy Award®-winning true-life musical phenomenon

January 29 (Wed): Afterwords Books (Edwardsville) – 6:30p; Pajama Party Storytime; “Wear your favorite pj’s and bring your cuddliest sleepy time pal to join us for stories and everyone’s favorite bedtime snack, cookies! *This is a FREE event, but please RSVP so we can be sure to have plenty of treats on hand for all.*”

The Focal Point – 7:30p; The Blue Eyed Bettys; All ages concert The Frisco Barroom – 8:30p; The River Kittens; “harmony-centric Americana / Folk group with tasteful covers and original music” The Monocle – 8p; Zafira Quartet Presents: Untold Stories; Untold Stories tells the tales of homosexual musicians from the last 1000 years. Join the Zafira Quartet for a thought-provoking, and amusing concert of music you know, alongside stories you don’t: lives hidden by prejudice and legal consequences

Broadway Oyster Bar – 9p; 6 Year Voodooversary featuring Voodoo Bruce Springsteen! It’s the 6-year anniversary of Sean Canan’s Voodoo Players! Come celebrate a half-dozen years of Wednesday nights with the debut of Voodoo Boss! We’ll be exploring Bruce’s amazing career as both a musician as well as a songwriter. Two full sets on the heated, covered patio. The Pageant – 8p; The Pageant, B&W Productions, & Disco Donnie Presents: Subtronics - Cyclops Invasion Tour w/ HE$H, Chee., Bommer, Helium Comedy Club – 8p; Todd Barry!

Level Up Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; Norm Lewis; The Contemporary Cabaret Series is January 31 (Fri): sponsored by: Jackson Advocates LLC; Co - Presented with The Cabaret Project of St. Louis Ambassador – 7p; Michael Jackson And Prince Vegas Style Tribute; The

Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop (Webster Groves) – 4p; Book Swap at FunkySoul Band featuring Quintin Brown impersonating and dancing Garden Happy Hour; All genres welcome, gently used please. Attendance is Ballpark Village – 8p; Hot Country Nights: Eli Young Band free of charge Big Daddy’s (Edwardsville) – 5:30p; Ales for Tails; an evening of drinks, The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) – 6p; Film Art Series: a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle! All proceeds will be going toward the “Three Identical Strangers”; In 1980 New York, three young men who construction of our outdoor pet Adoption Meet and Greet Yard! were all adopted meet each other and find out they’re triplets who were Blueberry Hill Duck Room – 8:30p; The Anniversary; 20 Years of separated at birth. But their quest to find out why turns into a bizarre and sinister mystery; Rated PG-13; screen talk: Dr Brenda Boudreau, professor Designing a Nervous Breakdown w/ Middle Class Fashion Columbia City Saloon – 8p; Cactus Moon Band of English The Sheldon – 8p; Symphony principal flutist Mark Sparks plays music from Partita for solo flute by classical composer C.P.E. Bach, Three Aquarelles by important French flute teacher and composer Phillippe Gaubert, and Sonata for Flute by Eastman composer Verne Reynolds.

Cellist Valentina Takova and pianist Peter Henderson

Europe Night Club – 10p; Disco Donnie Presents and B&W Productions proudly bring you: Paul Van Dyk Game 6 HonkyTonk Joint – 9p; Flatliner Band

January 30 (Thurs): Chase Club @ the Chase Hotel – 8p; Joe Metzka Band Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) – 7p; The Truckers Helium Comedy Club – 8p; T.J. Miller! Known For: “Silicon Valley” and “Deadpool” Jazz St. Louis – 7:30p; Norm Lewis Joe’s Café – 8p; Hudson & the Hoodoo Cats Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 7:30p; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Pulitzer Arts Foundation – 7p; Conversation: The Life and Work of Zarina; “Join us for a conversation about the life and work of Zarina with GessoMagazine.com

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Calendar of Events

January 2020

Helium Comedy Club – 7:30p & 10p; T.J. Miller! Known For: “Silicon Valley” and “Deadpool” Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 7:30p; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) – 3p-7p; DudeBro Duo Four Seasons Hotel – 5:30p; Anderson Hospital Foundation Gala; annual black-tie fundraiser featuring champagne reception, gourmet meal, silent and oral auction as well as live entertainment

Missouri History Museum – 10:30a; Storytelling in the Museum (Winter); Fubar – 7p; Irie 15 year reunion; Nick Gusman and the Coyotes; More tba See description on 01/28 Knights of Columbus #2869 (Breese) – 9a & 10a; Pancakes with Off Broadway – 8p; Morgan Heritage *Brought to you by Jamo Presents Princesses; “Join us for an enchanting frozen themed pancake breakfast Philharmonic Hall (Belleville) – 7:30p; Chorale Up-Close; Enjoy popular with the Ice Queen & Snow Sister plus activities, photos, music and more starring our 2019 Miss Clinton County Fair, Hannah Hill” and traditional choral classics in an intimate setting… Desserts and beverages will be available

RED FISH, BLUE FISH (St. Charles) – 9p; The Shaved Cat Project Schmitty’s Sunset Inn Again (Troy, IL) – 9p-1a; Steel Creek Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) – 9p; Bullseye Womprats Skeeter’s Pub (Staunton) – 9p; ClusterPluck Sophie’s Artist Lounge – 10p; Sophie’s Hang Suite Featuring Steve Ewing, lead singer of the St. Louis based band The Urge. Ewing made eight records with the band, and they toured for over a decade with heavyweights such as 311, Korn, and Incubus. Their three major label records on Immortal / Epic and sold nearly one million copies worldwide.

In 1998, Steve Ewing and The Urge scored a Billboard Top Ten hit, “Jump Right In” from their album Master of Styles. His unique and dynamic vocals are frequently displayed around town doing acoustic duo shows with his guitarist Trent Reed or with The Steve Ewing Band!

The 560 Music Center – 7:30p; Aaron Diehl, piano

Looking Glass Playhouse (Lebanon) – 7:30p; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Philharmonic Hall (Belleville) – 7:30p; Chorale Up-Close; Enjoy popular and traditional choral classics in an intimate setting. Desserts and beverages will be available Pop’s (Sauget) – 7p; Frost Money - Frost Night 2020; w/ Luxurii, Del Broadway, J- Rebel, Brodie 8500 & Tray Tray, T Mali, Yung Sauc33, Coljac YSD, Denny, and $tu St. Clair County Event Center (Belleville) – 9a; Flea Market; first full weekend of every month. New Vendors Welcome! Free Parking and Free Admission St Jacob Township Community Building (Marine) – 8p; Shotgun Creek at Marine Fire Department Chicken & Beer Dance; Come out to support the Marine, IL Fire Department!

St. Louis Science Center – 6p; Star Dates: “Spaceballs”; Enjoy a date

The Crack Fox – 9p; The Sideshow Menagerie; Come one, Come all! The Circus Awaits! Join us for this circus, sideshow, and freakshow themed bimonthly aerial production! Featuring aerial acrobatics performing gravity defying spectacles on rope, trapeze, aerial silks, aerial chains, and more!

Shows will also feature special performances by other sideshow and circus disciplines; such as contortion, sword swallowing, pole artists, and many more!

The Dark Room – 10p; Be.Be & the NeoSouls: After Hours The Fabulous Fox – 7:30p; Jersey Boys; see description on 01/30 The Frisco Barroom – 9:30p; Sweetie & The Toothaches The Heavy Anchor – 9p; Brasky, Grave Neighbors, Stoker The Judson House – 7:30p; Steve Davis, Nick Schlueter & Chris Turnbaugh The Monocle – 8p; Zafira Quartet Presents: Untold Stories The Pump House Bar & Grill (Wood River) – 9p; Friction Drive Touhill Performing Arts Center – 7:30p; National Geographic Live: Steve Winter, On the Trail of Big Cats Washy’s Saloon (Waterloo) – 9p; Shotgun Creek

February 1 (Sat): BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups – 7p, Marbin; a progressive jazz-rock band based in Chicago, IL; 10p, Django Knight Delmar Hall – 8p; Live Nation Presents: The Adicts 20

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Calendar of Events

January 2020

night under the stars of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Your evening will include a special live and interactive Planetarium star show, a movie screening of “Spaceballs” under the stars, complimentary snacks, and a cash bar The Fabulous Fox – 2 & 7:30p; Jersey Boys; see description on 01/30 The Heavy Anchor – 9p; The Jag-Wires, The Gasps, Jesus Christ Supercar, Giants in the Sky The Pageant – Cycle Showcase

February 2 (Sun): Doit’s Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) – 2p; Scott and Mechelle - Acoustic Duo Helium Comedy Club – 7:30p & 10p; T.J. Miller! Known For: “Silicon Valley” and “Deadpool”

For More Event Listings, Visit Our Website and Like Us On Facebook GessoMagazine.com

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Calendar of Events

January 2020

Mondays:

from St. Louis and occasionally friends traveling through from across the country.”

Blueberry Hill – 7p; Board Game Night at Blueberry Hill; Come play games every Monday. Bring your own games or play any of the games we bring. We play everything from quick party games to long strategy games. We are always happy to teach a new game. Open to anyone 21+ Gaslight – 8p; Monday Movie Madness; Join Kvar Black every Monday for one of his personally selected movie favorites, popcorn, drink specials, and trivia!

The Heavy Anchor – 10p; The Comedy Shipwreck Open Mic every Monday The Laugh Lounge STL (Florissant) – 7p; Comedy & Open Mic Night; Free Admission! Every Monday

Tuesdays: Funny Bone – 7:30p; Funny Bone Open Mic; “Our Tuesday open mics feature a pro-am line up filled with 12 to 20 local acts.” Every Tuesday

Tamm Avenue Bar – 7p-9p; Anthony Doria every Thursday with his unique acoustic cover show; Free!

The Shaved Duck – 6:30p; Unplugged Thursdays with Brian and Adam; Join us the last Thursday of each month for unplugged acoustic blues, country, rags and more!

Fridays: 1860s Saloon – 6p-8p; Music: Rick Green on acoustic guitar; Every Friday Grand Center Arts District – 5p; First Fridays in Grand Center; Make a night of it!

On the first Friday of every month, museums and galleries in Grand Center Arts District are free and open until 9pm. Discover the remarkable array of visual arts in St. Louis's premier neighborhood for arts and culture while enjoying cocktails, conversation, and entertainment. Every first Friday of the month, select galleries will host unique events in honor of First Fridays. In addition, some galleries may be closed due to exhibition installations

Gaslight – 9p; Tim Leavy Tuesdays; “Join me in the lounge every Tuesday for an eclectic Hartford Coffee Co. – 7:30p; Open Mic every Friday mix of covers and originals! Deep cuts and sing-along favorites. Folk, Country, Rock, Pop, and Piano Ballads” Saturdays: Livery Company – 8p; ISH & Friends Residency! ISH (brainchild of Brit Lockhart) takes over the Livery every other Tuesday with a wide array of friends & musicians including Amalghemy

Sasha's on Shaw – 8p; Tuesday Evenings with The Matching Shoe; “Join us every other Tuesday at Sasha's on Shaw!”

The Heavy Anchor – 5p; Bevo Farmer's Market; fresh fruits, vegetables & more from local farmers. Every Tuesday, Year-Round.

The Last Hotel STL – 5:05p; Turntable Tuesday; “Join us on the rooftop every Tuesday evening and listen to our great selection of Vinyl”

Wednesdays: 1860s Saloon – 9p-1a; Music: Blues Jam Session (Hosted by Fred Pierce and Company); every Wednesday; no cover Apotheosis Comics & Lounge – 7p; Play Music! Open Mic; Tune up those guitar strings, dust off the old keyboard, and bring your beautiful singing voice out to the Play Music! Open Mic with host, Bryan Ranney; every Wednesday Grand Center Arts District – 5p-11p; Wednesday Night Jazz Crawl in Grand Center; 5-7pm: KDHX; 7-9pm: The Kranzberg Jazz Jam hosted by Bob DeBoo at The Kranzberg; 9-11pm: The Dark Room (Featuring a rotating line-up); Every Wednesday evening, the St. Louis community comes together for the Wednesday Night Jazz Crawl, live in Grand Center. Free, family-friendly, and open to jazz lovers of all ages, this weekly event celebrates the finest in jazz talent, and the venues that form the backbone of a St. Louis legacy; Sponsored by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, the Wednesday Night Jazz Crawl helps continue the Foundation’s mission to establish the essential infrastructure necessary for the arts to thrive in the St. Louis community and bring the arts within reach for people of all ages and backgrounds

Apotheosis Comics & Lounge – 7p; South City Comedy Series; Every Saturday! The only comic book store in STL that is also a BAR! “We feature up and coming comics from the hyper talented St. Louis comedy scene and from around the Midwest!” *This show contains adult content*

Sundays: 1860s Saloon – 2p-6p; Music: Fred Pierce and Company; every Sunday; no cover Big Daddys on the Landing – Service Industry Night Karaoke every Sunday John D. McGurk's – 8p; Falling Fences Sunday Residency at McGurk's; For over 10 years, Falling Fences has performed every Sunday night at McGurk's in Soulard!

Molly's In Soulard – 11:30a; You, Me and Dougie; every Sunday Nick's Pub – 11p; Industry Night with Anthony; Attention Bartenders, barbacks, servers, and anyone else that works in the bar industry; Come join Anthony Doria for the most laid back show night of the week; every Sunday Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic every Sunday The Dark Room – 11:30a-2p; Brunchin at The Dark Room w/ Janet Evra; Featuring original music as well as French jazz, bossa nova, and American songbook favorites; Full brunch menu served 10am - 3pm. (times subject to change for theatre performances); Every Second Sunday Urb Arts – 7p; Lyrical Therapy Open Mic Every Sunday! “We invite you to come feel the vibe.”

If you are interested in seeing your event(s) included in our calendar, send your text-only info to:

Hwy 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) – 7:30p-11p; Blues Open Mic & Jam Session; every Wednesday Seven (Belleville) – 9p; Curt Copeland's Open Mic & Karaoke Night every Wednesday Stagger Inn Again (Edwardsville) – Open Mic every Wednesday

Thursdays: Café Piazza – 8p; Thursday Night Jazz with Dan Callihan and Friends; Local Jazz every Thursday with Dan Callihan and Friends Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) – 6:30p; Wine & Unwind Yoga; every Thursday J. Smugs GastroPit – 8:30p; Free Comedy Thursday; free comedy every Thursday; “Each week will feature a lineup of up and coming, established, and touring comedians

Editor@GessoMagazine.com Please note that sending in event information does not guarantee publication.

Spacing, timing, and other factors are considered in whether an event is included in our free calendar service.

The Gesso team also reserves the right to amend or abridge event descriptions.

To find out about guaranteed inclusion and support for Gesso Magazine contact us at:

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January 2020 An Interview with Big Tobacco

Chris: But yeah, we recorded two demos early on and one of those ended up being Time is Overrated,

by Isobel Abbott-Dethrow which ended up being a direct put-on to our first EP. Isobel Abbott-Dethrow sat down with the Coleman: Around the time I met Daniel, we had come members of St. Louis band Big Tobacco at Webster up with this band and had another drummer at the University: Max, Coleman, Chris, and Daniel. time. We were jamming under the name Drown Craft, writing and playing some shows. After that drummer Isobel: How was Big Tobacco formed? What inspired stopped being in the band, we became a threethe band name? piece. I met Daniel my first semester at Webster, Chris: It started with Coleman and me, mostly. We the first week. started sending each other demos over the summer Daniel: It was the first week at West Hall. into fall of 2016.

Coleman: He introduced himself with, “Hi, I’m Coleman: It was after we graduated high school.

Daniel, I write music and wash cars.” I thought Chris: I was down here, Coleman was not going to school at the time. We traded demos back and forth this was my guy.

Daniel: I didn’t just say that dorky crap. and we were like, “Hey, we like this. We should Everyone on the dorm floor was saying something get together and jiggity jam.” about themselves. I didn’t know what else to say.

Coleman: Chris had recorded an entire album by Coleman: We needed our cars washed and our music himself under the name Drown Craft. to sound better, so we got Daniel in.

Chris: ...Don’t say the name.

Daniel: Then I met Chris and thought he was the Max: We got to name drop Drown Craft. coolest guy I had ever seen before. He was doing Coleman: I heard it and thought, “Oh my goodness, some pretty cool stuff. They invited me to come this is amazing.” It was the fact that he did it over and run the **** on the EP Coleman had showed all himself, and I wanted to do something. me. I was just sitting in the dorm Max: We were called Drown Craft until two years ago.

Chris: It wasn’t even the band.

It was just my crappy songs.

Max: When Daniel joined, that’s when we became Big Tobacco.

Daniel: It was Big Tobacco when I joined.

Max: We changed it very briefly; it was brand new.

Chris: So yeah, Coleman and I started trading stuff and Max was always around.

Max: I would like to say something: I was actually ghosted. I came to Coleman’s house one day because with my headphones on, just playing it over and we used to live very close together. I had to drop over, having fun with it. I felt really at home something off at his house and there were all these with these guys. They’re all just super nice and inviting. cars outside. I walk in and they are having band Max: With how we got the name Big Tobacco, practice without me. Needless to say, I helped Coleman, Chris, and I were just shooting band them write two songs, two nights before that names and someone said “Big Tobacco” and I said practice. I just wanted it to be known that I was it was really cool and if we ever change the band ghosted in the beginning. name it should be that one.

Chris: It did happen, I have to admit. It didn’t Coleman: People kept getting Drown Craft wrong. take long until we got Max back involved.

Max: We got Brown Craft, Drown, or Down Craft Coleman: Over the course of our band, there has on posters. So we just changed it to Big Tobacco been many ghostings. after that.

Daniel: We’re off to a terrible start.

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January 2020 Isobel: How come Big Tobacco had to disband?

Coleman: I had an opportunity to go to college in Kansas City at UMKC for various reasons. We never concretely said we were done.

Max: It was an indefinite hiatus.

Coleman: We’ve kind of found a way to make it work now.

we have always done and figured we would record them. But this newest one has a surfy vibe to it, for sure. It’s also garage-y and louder.

Max: Our first album was a little bedroom poppy, kind of indie style. The second one was very postpunky, new-wavey. The Barry one is not really cohesive, but this new one definitely has surf rock, heavy songs. I’m pretty sure everyone is yelling in every song. That’s new.

Coleman: You have Daniel yelling?

Daniel: I dabble. From time to time, I’m known to yelp.

Isobel: Do you think Big Tobacco will get back together as an official band in the future?

Coleman: After Japan.

Max: We’ll see.

Chris: I feel like every time we call something our “final” show, we always end up being like, “Well, we can do one more…” I don’t want to ever Isobel: What are you currently working on in the say we are done done. studio?

Daniel: I think the interest is there with all of Coleman: Fire. us.

Max: In the spring, we went up to Columbia and Max: We all enjoy playing together. recorded a three-song EP. We recorded a couple Coleman: There’s definitely not going to be the hits and a brand new song. Then, over Thanksgiving amount of vigor we had. I think we’re doing it break, we recorded another three-song EP with because we enjoy it. We take any chance to play three older songs. They hadn’t been recorded yet. and record.

We never played them that much. We did one of Chris: Early on, we definitely took it kinda my songs, “I’m Not Going Outside Today,” which seriously. I feel like the more we loosened up, was new before we broke up. Then we did one of the better stuff became.

Daniel’s songs, “Mouthwash,” which we didn’t play Max: We were critical of ourselves, but we stepped for that long. Then we recorded Chris’ song “Jesus back for a year. We came back, practiced, did all Camp,” which we played a handful of times. We’re of that stuff. With these last few shows, we are hoping to do more. not so worried anymore. When we first started, we Chris: The one we recorded over the summer should were caught up in just trying to be good. Now, be out pretty soon. The other one will take a we’re just trying to have fun with the people who little while yet. enjoy our music.

Isobel: How do these projects compare to your previous records, production and composition-wise?

Coleman: With the old EPs, we recorded them ourselves in various basements across the Midwest.

The Barry EP is in an actual studio and sounds really crisp. The other one was recorded here at Webster.

Daniel: That was just the other day and it was awesome. Shout out to Scarato.

Chris: Barry’s going to be tight. We’ll see how the Webster one turns out. The last EP we did, I don’t know if anything really ties the songs together all that well; they are just songs that GessoMagazine.com

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January 2020 Isobel: What’s the best STL venue you have played at?

Chris: I’m going with Foam.

Daniel: I loved playing at the Ready Room with these guys. I’ve gotten to do it before, but playing with Big Tobacco was a really fun night.

Chris: The Ready Room is cool because the bigger bands play there. Nothing is as warm as the spirit of Foam and I’m really sad it’s closing.

Daniel: St. John’s, too.

Coleman: Our bands before Big Tobacco also got their starts at Foam. It’s just very nostalgic there.

Max: Coleman and I’s very first live show was at Foam.

Chris: They leave it up to you, what you want to charge for people. They’re really good about giving money to the touring bands.

Coleman: They take on bands with no reputation or who have never played shows before. They’re very welcoming to the scene.

Chris: Foam was the biggest oasis for DIY music in St. Louis. Now that it’s gone, I am kind of worried it will be a lot harder for bands.

Max: There are a lot more house venues now.

There’s Dugan, Nu Craig, the Nest, etc. There’s plenty of house venues that will try stepping their game up, too. They’re also pretty accepting.

RIP Foam.

Daniel: Even though it’s not in St. Louis, the Aquadome. They’re our friends.

Coleman: We played in a barber shop once.

Max: It was the Drown Craft days, in Galesburg, Illinois.

Coleman: We made a joke against pop-punk music and the crowd was not having it.

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Isobel: Who are your go-to bands STL to listen to?

Chris & Max: The Slow Boys.

Chris: Lobby Boxer.

Daniel: Lobby Boxer when I’m pissed. The Slow Boys, the Public, Frankie valet, Jr. Clooney, all such good boys. Shout out to Bleach.

Daniel & Max: The Lizardtones.

Daniel: Jackie Presley…

Max: Don’t name drop me!

Coleman: Inches From Glory. There’s too many.

Chris: The Slow Boys were in Max and I’s Spotify Wrapped.

Isobel: When should we expect the new record to come out?

Coleman: Right now.

Chris: It’s hard to say with the one EP we recorded at Barry’s. One more song needs to get mixed. Hopefully within the next two months. It’s very close. It’s just hard to get up to Columbia to finish it. The next one will be a little while.

I am taking engineering here at Webster next semester and Coleman will be in town for two whole months. So, who knows.

Daniel: We plan to use that time wisely.

Coleman: I don’t know about you guys, but I think we’re still planning on doing stuff when I come back from Japan. I’m down.

Chris: We will see. I’m going to be graduated at that point.

Max: Yeah, he’s gonna be an adult. Chris is going to have a job.

Chris: Hopefully. In this economy? www.Facebook.com/BigAssTobacco

www.Instagram.com/BigAssTobacco

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( All those free art materials )

( Bennies Pizza Pub, Belleville Illinois )

( Charlie )

( Ivan and his parents love this event )

( Valerie and Eric )

( Cover artist Jennifer Lynn Reida )

( Taylor and Carlton )

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( Krystal and Gesso cover artist Mick O’Day ) Gesso Magazine 27

January 2020 William “Wascally Wee Willy” Harroff “I joined the Supermen of America in 1958 and have done my best to pursue Truth, Justice and the American Way ever since.

I was awarded the 1st “Marvelmaniac-of-the-Month” award in 1969 by Mark Evanier and a coveted “No-Prize” by Marvel’s Stan Lee while attaining the hallowed rank of P.M.M., Permanent Marvelite Maximus. I taught manga at Technos University in Tokyo (Japan); illustration at the ISBK in Salzburg (Austria); bookmaking at Washington University’s Fine Arts Institute; and lectured on creating comics around the world. I studied with one of the leading political illustrators in Germany, Luis Murschetz, as well as current comic greats, Christopher Moeller, Scott McCloud and St. Louis’ own Matt Kindt.”

My unconventional artwork is inspired by banned 1950s comics.

Why? Dr. Fredric Wertham, a leading New York psychologist in the fifties, proclaimed that comics were largely responsible for juvenile delinquency according to his misleading “findings.”

He encouraged comic book burnings, the development of a Comics Code and a Senate investigation that eventually led to the collapse of a substantial segment of the multi-million dollar comic book industry. Hundreds of comic book artists, writers and publishers never worked in the industry again. Most comic book publishers ceased publishing.

“My wife, Charlotte Johnson, and I co-curate a comic art touring project entitled, Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the Hearts of Men (and Women)? I Do! I Do! (WKWELHMW). Our show has already been in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and, now, from January 8 - 30, 2020, at the beautiful University City Public Library (UCPL) Gallery in St. Louis. The Gallery is located at 6701 Delmar Blvd. in University City, MO. The Library is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.

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January 2020 Half of the WKWELHMW show is composed of poster-sized panels in comic form that relate the history of the 1952 Senate investigation that gutted the burgeoning comic book industry, its aftermath, and how the investigation creatively shaped my own work. The display focuses on comic book censorship and the notorious book burnings held from 1948 - 1952 at the same time as the Red Scare. Strangely enough, these American comic burnings took place almost ten years after the widelycondemned Nazi book burnings. There are disturbing and perplexing parallels with current events.

I have spent the last few years developing an original body of satirical comic narratives composed of kaleidoscopic quiltlike patterns inspired by the banned 1950s horror and crime comics. One of the best days of my life was at the 2019 Heroes Convention in Charlotte, NC. I got to meet and talk at length with Hy Fleishman, Joe Giella and Vic Carrabotta. All three horror comic creators were put out of work by the Wertham scare. These three gentlemen, all veterans and now in their 90s, told story after story about how they survived as artists under these difficult circumstances. Our show is dedicated to them. The UCPL exhibition catalog has just been published.

Comics remain the most banned publications in America!”

All the best, William “Wascally Wee Willy” Harroff

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Fun Page

January 2020

FUN PAGE Gesso Word Search: Anniversary Edition -Christmas -Audrey Hepburn -FootBall -The Wizard Of Oz

-Palette -Prince -American Gothic -Stan Musial -Rectangle -Yellow -Bassclef

Gesso’s monthly dose of eclectic holidays: January 1st- National Hangover Day January 4th- National Spaghetti Day January 7th- Old Rock Day January 8th- Bubble Bath Day

January 14th- Dress Up Your Pet Day January 16th- National Nothing Day

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-Abstract January 19th- National Popcorn Day January 24th- Compliment Day January 26th- Spouse’s Day January 27th- Chocolate Cake Day January 29th- National Puzzle Day January 30th- National Inane Answering Message

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January 2020 “PipLock” is a roll and write game for two players. You will need two different colored writing utensils. You only need two dice in order to play the game.

You win the game by having the most of your color of dice on the board by the end of the game. Last player to get stuck somewhere takes their turn first.

You are cordially invited to volume number eleven! This left column of games will remain the same trusty games with a different setup each month, while the right column will introduce new games monthly. Want to support more games like these? Want next month’s issue before it goes to print?Join our patreon at: Patreon.com/DankByDesign Bring as many eggs to the exit of the dungeon as you can carrying them in your inventory. Each skeleton is worth 1VP when defeated but undefeated costs 1 heart (1VP) when encountered. If you have no hearts you may not cross over a skeleton without a sword. Items are one time use! All items take 1 inventory slot and you must have empty inventory slots to pick them up. Use of any item means it is discarded and items may not be discarded without first using them. Eggs may never be discarded. You may cross a space more than once. Dark spaces require the use of one torch to travel through each time, even if you already traveled through it before. You may not travel diagonally. Start at the S and end at the E. You must finish if your path hits E.

First player, first turn: You roll both dice at once. Then you decide to use either die result’s pips (white dots) to fill in the white dots on a single die icon on the board with your player color. The die that you fill in’s pips must allow for the die you rolled’s pips pattern to overlay directly on top of it without excluding any pips from the rolled die.

You (or the other player) must have filled in the first/previous die in a row before you can fill in the next die in that row.

Only one die’s result can ever be filled into a single die on the board.

When filling in a die result you must use the orientation shown here without rotating it: If according to these conditions you cannot fill in any die on the board with the result from either dice rolled then you fill nothing in this turn.

Every other turn for the rest of the game: First you use the results rolled by the previous player to fill in one die on the board if you can.

Then you roll the dice yourself and decide and fill in a second die this turn if you can. Then you end your turn without altering the dice results so the next player can use the results you just used.

This repeats (filling in one die, rerolling filling in another then switching players) until the game ends.

Game end: When the last die left on the board has been filled in then the game ends. Whoever had the most dice of their color on the board is the winner!

Sword- Defeats 1 skeleton

Ties: If there is a tie then the winner is whoever has the most pips of their color on the board.

Torch- Travel through 1 dark space Key- Unlock 1 chest or 1 door Egg- Score 2VP when brought to E Ice- May not turn on ice unless if stopped by a dark space or edge.

Chest- Score 5VP when unlocked Warp- Transports you to any other warp, any time you step onto one.

Door- Blocks travel in all directions.

Escaping this room requires you to figure out the password for the door.

Solve the password based on how many letters long the code is, the selection of letters you have to choose from and what the room or painting looks like. You may use a letter more than once. Check back each month for the password to escaping from last month’s room!

Volume #10’s Password: “ROWS”

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Comics

January 2020

by Jake Bishop

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Submissions

January 2020

Morris Fletcher “I am a native of Carlinville, Illinois. While in Elementary School I was interested in drawing and art and was the ‘class artist and teachers assistant’ with art work for the classroom.

In High School I became interested in architectural drawing which led to my architectural education at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale where I earned a Masters Degree in Education in addition to an Associates Degree in Architectural Technology.

My career includes practice of architecture for more than 25 years. My teaching experience of more than 40 years includes St. Louis Community College at Meramec, SIU Carbondale, Washington University and Ranken Technical College.

( Jakes Alley )

Interest in art evolved into a passion for oil painting. I have studied art and oil painting for more than 8 years at the college level and I am currently working with subject matter that includes scenes around the Illinois and Missouri area along with scenes from global travel. I specialize in, but am not limited to, landscapes.”

In my retirement, I am teaching oil painting at St. Louis Artists’ Guild and at the Stone Soup Galleries. I am also a resident artist at the Stone Soup Gallery. Information for my upcoming class can be found below.

OIL PAINTING CLASS WINTER SESSION 2020 -WATER SOLUBLE OIL PAINT TAUGHT ALONG WITH PAINTING TECHNIQUES, AND PROCESSES. (NO ODORS OR TOXIC THINNERS)

( First Street )

-LOCATION: STONE SOUP GALLERIES - STUDIO -2004 CHESTERFIELD MALL, CHESTERFIELD, MO -PHONE: (314) 803-2085 -WEBSITE: www.StoneSoupGalleries.com -BEGINNING JANUARY 18, AND ENDING MARCH 7, 2020.

-EIGHT SATURDAY SESSIONS (1PM to 4PM) -TUITION: $150 Paid to gallery (see the staff or go on the website www.StoneSoupGalleries.com)

( Forest Park Bridge )

-INSTRUCTOR: MORRIS E. FLETCHER -WEBSITE: www.Fletcher-Art.com -EMAIL: fletcher9905@sbcglobal.net -PHONE: (314) 822-3234 -BEGINNERS THROUGH EXPERIENCED PAINTERS WELCOME (MINIMUM AGE – 12) MINIMUM 3 STUDENTS – MAXIMUM 12 STUDENTS. ( Oh Blah De, Oh Blah Da )

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Submissions

January 2020

It’s beautiful today, The Sun is shining A slight cool brisk in the gentle wind And you’re moving out The years I’ve had The stories I tell Time I have spent in depth taking care of you For you to pack up and leave Bitter Sweet when a child grows Teaching right from wrong, Respect and responsibility.

What did I expect? The worse.

I prayed for the best And somehow got it.

A reasonable, well educated, independent woman On a beautiful day.

Moving out.

-Camellia Hicks chicks17@yahoo.com

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Submissions

January 2020

Ethan Fine Ethan Fine is a St. Louis-based photographer. He never travels without his camera. He has held various statuses in multiple journalism programs such as managing editor and editor in chief. Fine has photographed bands on major recording labels such as Elektra, RCA and Fueled By Ramen. In December, as a representative for Gesso Magazine, he went on assignment to the Matisyahu concert at Delmar Hall. For more information about Ethan, check out his website at www.EthanFinePhoto.WixSite.com/EFinePhoto

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