September 2015

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Issue

Sept 2015

FREE

Caring for the Community Gripped by Popular Culture Sammy’s Market

Handsfree PaintingJesse Cuellar

See the New Fun Page!

Featured Cover Artwork by

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

Inside Cover Editor’s Word

September 2015. The 38th monthly edition of Straight Up Magazine, ‘Serving Up Art, Music and Culture for the Metro-Area’s Enjoyment’. The Metro East deserves its own arts and entertainment magazine. It’s here and it’s called Straight Up!!!

We are pleased to have Jesse Cuellar as the cover artist for this thirty-eighth Straight Up edition!

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

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

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

Enjoy Str8 Up. Tell your friends. Send us your work. And visit our website at StraightUpMagazine.net . You’ll see Straight Up Magazine at over 350 area distribution locations. And we’ll see you at the clubs, theatres, and festivals all over the Metro area.

Contact Straight Up Magazine: PO Box 412 – Belleville IL (62222); 618-416-2289 StraightUp@StraightUpMagazine.net The Editors thank you!!!

ISSUE 38 • September 2015 Staff

Editors Dylan Seibert Paul Seibert Alison Lysakowski Layout Design Artists Michelle Reynolds Sierra Wilson Jacob Oliver Sales Paul Seibert Daniel Nygard Ad Artists Wil Sullivan Michelle Reynolds Jacob Oliver theLineUp Paul Seibert Michelle Reynolds Website Design Mark Polege (MarkusDesignWorks.com) Michelle Reynolds Photography Dan Cross Alison Lysakowski Distribution Daniel Nygard, Victoria Dietzen, Paul Seibert, Shenee Booth, Dylan Seibert, Amy Seibert, Mascoutah Herald

Contributors Cover Art Cover Logo Photography Feature Writers

Jesse Cuellar Josh Rowan (JoshuaRowan.com) Dan Cross, Alison Lysakowski Kathy Sax, Alison Lysakowski, Dan Cross, Stephen Harrick Submissions & theLineUp Art Jennifer Isenhart (jlisen121@gmail.com) Printing Better Newspapers / Mascoutah Herald All material in this publication and its affiliated on-line content are copyrighted to the individual contributors or Straight Up Magazine, LLC and may not be reproduced without written consent. We are very grateful to those who have submitted material to be considered for publication. However, the opinions and views of those contributing content to Straight Up do not necessarily reflect those of Str8 Up Magazine.

Straight Up Magazine is accepting submissions of artwork, photography, poetry, creative writing, etc. for possible publication in print and on the web. To have your work considered, send hard copy or disc to P.O. Box 412 in Belleville, IL 62222. Digital submissions should be 300dpi and can be emailed to straightup@ straightupmagazine.net 2

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Table of Contents • Sept. 2015 6

Local Artist Spotlight

Jesse Cuellar

Handsfree Painting

8

Community Profile

Caritas Family Solutions

See our website for the prize winner for the $100 drawing held at Str8 Up’s Downtown Music Showcase in Belleville.

Highlighted Business pg. 12

Caring for the Community

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Gripped by Popular Culture

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theLineUp

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Fun Page

September 2015

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Submissions

Sammy’s Market

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Local Artist Spotlight

Handsfree Painting with Jesse Cuellar

by Kathy Sax

The one thing we all share all races, all socioeconomic circles- is the gift of life. It is up to us to take this life and transform it into something that is unique to us and to us alone, much like an artist and his or her canvas. Each are given a blank page and each create a masterpiece with whatever medium that they choose in whatever way that they choose to do it. Jesse Cuellar is that artist.

Five years ago he was creating the art that he loves, a graffiti mural, working on a rooftop of a building. Jesse was aware that graffiti art contains risks, due to the industrial environments where it is usually created. He loved painting these oversized pieces, beautiful masterpieces where there was once only rusty metal or an old brick wall, bringing color and life to these bleak landscapes.

as to create the motion he had once had with his hands.

One day, his friends approached him about an organization that they had read about on the internet called MFPA, which stands for Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. His friend suggested that Jesse contact them, to which he responded, “What the heck?” The organization sent a representative to assess him for a position in their program.

Formed in 1956, the MFPA is an international, for-profit association wholly owned and run by disabled artists to help them meet their financial needs. The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) is bitter, angry, mad at the world Although he was a quadriplegic an international organization, controlled by its artist and physically limited, his around you, mad at God for members, whose purpose is to: thoughts, loves, and desires “allowing” things like this to remained unscathed: his love happen. Or you can choose ● Make contact with the path that Jesse did and fight for art didn’t waver. artists who have lost to make this situation and the Losing his balance, he fell to the world around you a better place Knowing this, his physical the use of their hands ground, unable to move. It was because you are in it. through birth defect, therapist told him about a at that exact moment that Jesse’s accident, or illness, and local man who painted with life was changed forever; due now paint with their his mouth. Jesse researched Jesse entered the world to a severe spinal fracture, he mouths or feet. the man, and his painting renowned Rehabilitation permanently lost the ability to Institute of St. Louis. He ● Make contact with technique and, with the help move his arms or legs. disabled people who of his therapist, they created a spent long, grueling days would like to learn special mouth mold that held working with his Physical Now what? Everyone has to paint and support a paintbrush. Jesse started Therapist. During his time in choices in his or her life. You rehabilitation, one of the main relearning how to create art by themselves in this can chose at this moment to be goals was to regain autonomy. using his mouth in such a way capacity.

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September 2015

Local Artist Spotlight pieces creating the larger-thanlife pieces similar to those he had painted on the walls of buildings. One of these large pieces is on display at the Rehabilitation Institute.

Sectional paintings allow him to capture the magnitude of what he envisions, broken up into 3 more manageable canvases. His pieces take anywhere from a few hours to weeks to complete.

● Offer moral and financial assistance to the disabled that are interested in becoming students, and offer students financial, practical and creative support to become fully developed artists and members of the Association. ● Establish publishing houses. ● Tend to the interests of the artists by facilitating the sale of their work, primarily in the form of reproductions as greeting cards, calendars, etc. ● Publish material that communicates and supports the purpose of the organization ● Assist disabled artists in the attainment of September 2015

self-respect, creative fulfillment and financial security.

As a student, Jesse has a threeyear commitment with the association. In this time he has a quota of art that he must complete and have evaluated by the board. If accepted, he can reapply for another term.

Jesse told me that he used to do art for fun, but now it is his job. “Doing what you love for a living is so rewarding.”

His paintings vary in size and price. Each piece is reflective of his love of graffiti, filled with color and energy, bringing life to the canvas. His latest projects are working with sectional

not sure how to guide them through the acute phases of their recovery. I now know that simply allowing them that time was a large part of their movement toward reaching a new level of acceptance and fighting for their future.

I wish Jesse a long journey through life, many empowering experiences, and days filled with color and beauty.

Living in an artist’s loft in the city, he is surrounded by the energy of the other artists.

When he gets to a point where he needs to regroup after working, he will go to the music loft or the pottery loft, and the change of venue and time with his friends recharge and motivate him.

I asked Jesse what one message he would like to share with other people. “Be headstrong.

Take what is given you and make a positive effect on the world.”

I feel very privileged to have met this extraordinary artist and see the dedication that he has to make the world more beautiful, not only through his art but also in the way he travels through life. As a former neuro-surgical ICU nurse, I worked with patients-mostly men--who were quadriplegic/paraplegic after accidents. I felt so helpless dealing with these patients,

The Details...

Who: Jesse Cuellar What: Mouth Painter and Str8Up Cover Artist Where: St. Louis, MO How: puddleofdreamz@gmail.com Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) http://mfpausa.com/

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Community Profile

Caring for the Community: Caritas Family Solutions Article and Photography by Dan Cross

If you were asked who administers the largest foster care program in Southern Illinois, the largest adoption program, and the only residential facility for abused and neglected children south of Bloomington, you might guess some state or county governmental agency. And you would be wrong.

The correct answer is Caritas Family Solutions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing social services to people of all ages and backgrounds across southern Illinois. Besides serving hundreds of children in foster care, Caritas operates an assisted living facility for low-income elderly people, group homes for the developmentally disabled, a comprehensive program designed to help juvenile offenders turn their lives around and stay out of prison, and a counseling center which provides thousands of hours of counseling on a sliding scale for a wide variety of mental health and family issues.

necessary to meet a client’s needs), lower payroll costs, greater accountability (their funding is often contingent upon their performance, which is not true of most government services), and a tremendous amount of volunteer help.

Caritas began in 1947 as Catholic Charities, but is now a full-service, non-denominational social service agency, headquartered in Belleville.

Their mission is broad: taking care of people’s social and emotional needs across the spectrum of life.

You can see the entire spectrum being served at a couple of the facilities that are run by Caritas.

The St. John Bosco Children’s Center (Bosco) in west Belleville provides neglected and abused children, ages 6-12, with a safe, supervised place to live, so they can stay in school and learn the crucial emotional and social skills needed for a happy, successful life. The staff includes two art therapists to help these kids, many of whom are And the truth is, by most understandably struggling with a measurements, Caritas does a lot of difficult emotions, channel better job, for less money, than their feelings in a productive government agencies which way. Bosco is the only facility provide the same services. Part of of its kind in southern Illinois, the reason is the greater flexibility another example of Caritas they enjoy as a private agency, filling an absolutely essential the diverse range of their services need in our community. (which can be combined when

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The other end of the spectrum can be seen at the Fox River Assisted Living Apartments near Olney, IL. Caritas also operates a Senior Employment Program which provides employment preparation, job search assistance, and a paid public service assignment for seniors who would like to enter (or reenter) the workforce. work, we have to do so much in a confidential manner. That tends to make us a best-kept Another remarkable service secret. Now, we need to respect Caritas provides to a wide our clients, and not share range of people is professional their stories in inappropriate counseling services for ways, but we do need for anyone in any kind of crisis, the community to know that including depression, anxiety, we’re here. They need to know substance abuse, sexual abuse, that they can come to us for grief, divorce, and other life help. And we would like the challenges. Counseling is community to know that if we provided on a sliding fee scale had more support, if we had so no one need be denied this essential help (though insurance more resources, we could do even greater things. We are is also accepted for those who making a big difference, but have it). Caritas also partners there are more differences that with many local schools to need to be made.” provide on-site counseling services where there would otherwise be none.

In an effort to help improve upon the services they provide, Caritas recently purchased Even though Caritas helps so a large building, formerly a many people in so many ways, nursing home, and are well many people (including me, before writing this article) have underway with renovations that never heard of the organization, will produce some wonderful and have no ideas these services new opportunities for our are available. The reason? Gary community. A couple wings R. Huelsmann, Chief Executive already under construction will provide a new home for the kids Officer for Caritas explains. at the St John Bosco Children’s “Because of the nature of our

September 2015

Community Profile

Center. It was inspiring to walk through the construction site with CEO Huelsmann and hear the excitement in his voice as he described what all the framing, wiring, and plumbing work were leading to. “We had to move walls to widen the hallways to create more shared, community space, and we are planning a lot of landscaping outside to make it more inviting.

This is going to be home to these children, so we want it to feel like home.”

The new building is larger than is needed for the children’s center, but Caritas has an exciting plan for the rest of the building: A Non-Profit Collaborative. “So people will have a sort of onestop shopping for their social service needs,” according to Huelsmann. Any socialservice oriented NFP can rent a space of any size, from a small office to an entire wing of the building. Caritas envisions the center to be a collaborative where groups with a variety of missions can work side-by-side and cross-pollinate, which will

September 2015

ultimately improve everyone’s ability to serve people in need.

sociology classes (and human behavior) so interesting. But as soon as I found out about the kind of difficult and depressing Unless you live in a bubble, situations social workers you can see the scale of actually have to deal with, I human service needs in our community. I asked Huelsmann shied away and eventually changed my major. I have great about this. “There is certainly admiration for humanitarian activists like Jimmy Carter, who never seem to tire of doing good works for less fortunate people. So what I wanted to know was, how do they do it? How do you keep up the good fight against all these difficult problems, when CEO Gary Huelsmann things often seem to just keep getting worse every day? How no lack of needs. We are struggling with big budget cuts. do you keep from just throwing in the towel and giving up?

There are communities near us that are struggling mightily with poverty. There are a lot Huelsmann seemed to of families in crisis, and a lot appreciate my question, and of people who have suffered considered it thoughtfully. different types of trauma or Then he said, “We do see a lot loss.” of difficult situations. But we also look at all the progress that happens. And there is a science At this point, I asked to it; there are interventions that Huelsmann a question that I are proven to have results, to personally struggle with. Early help kids from being depressed, in my college career, I was a social work major, since I found help people without jobs get

employed, help foster kids find forever homes. My personal experience is, although we are non-denominational, I was raised Catholic, and the whole concept for me around Catholic social teaching, around the common good, is, what is the meaning of life, but to help others? If you live that faith, that’s a part of it all. That’s part of what your job in life is.”

The folks at Caritas work tirelessly to make our community a better place. We can all be glad for it.

If you are interested in supporting Caritas, or if you work with a non-profit agency that might be interested in leasing space in the Nonprofit Collaborative Center, contact Gary Huelsmann at 618-6881126, or by email at Gary.

Huelsmann@caritasfamily. org.

You can find Caritas Family Solutions at 8601 West Main Street, Belleville, IL Phone: 618-394-5900 Web: http://caritasfamilysolutions.org/

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Culture

Gripped by Popular Culture

by Stephen Harrick Wood River native can now add another credit to his résumé: Memoirist. His new book chronicles the pleasures and pitfalls that come with writing about celebrities and popular culture.

Planet of the Apes. Wonder Woman. The Incredible Hulk. Escape from New York. Star Trek. Batman. Sam Maronie has seen it all, and not solely on the screen. While writing for national magazines Starlog, Famous Monsters of Filmland, and Fangoria, Maronie an appearance as an extra in Battle for the Planet of the Apes. He also has an impressive array of credits with Marvel Comics, publishing several articles in Savage Sword of Conan and Planet of the Apes magazines. Mr. Maronie’s most recent venture is writing and publishing his memoir, Tripping through Pop Culture!: (Mis)Adventures of an Entertainment Writer. With a Foreword by comic book legend Howard Chaykin, Maronie has crafted a delightful tome on his lifelong fascination with popular culture.

Growing up in Wood River, a teenage Sam Maronie regularly wrote articles for the Alton Telegraph, reviewing television and interviewing actors and designers. He remained in the area after high school, studying journalism at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and later went on to write for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. One might think that living in the Metro East would preclude him from interviewing celebrities, but his passion and perseverance paid off. In this exclusive interview with Straight Up Magazine, Sam , and covering celebrities while living in Wood River.

Straight Up: What spurred you to write this memoir? You previously considered an oversized coffee table-type book, featuring many of the still images in your collection.

Will such a project see fruition?

Sam Maronie: I hope so. When you get to using movie stills and copyrighted material, you could do it easily before. Lawyers are getting involved now and it gets very stinky, so I would have to get a major publisher to do it as a book. I originally wanted to do a book of photographs of comic book celebrities. I had one publisher interested. In life, timing is everything. Someone else came out with a book, and that torpedoed my idea. The publisher lost interest.

I decided to do this on my own.

I looked around one day and I had all these great memories and memorabilia and I wanted to put my story together.

involves you meeting the comic book legend Jack Kirby, who cocreated the Avengers, The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Captain America, Thor, The Hulk, Black Panther, and more. You wrote about being an aspiring comic book writer at one point. What did you discuss with Mr. Kirby?

Sam Maronie: When Jack talked to me, I was too in awe. I just listened. He gave me one of his

Straight Up: Well, you have some incredible stories. One of them

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“you-know-the-trouble-withcomics-today, these-kids-don’tknow-how-to-write-comics.” I found out later he was famous for that speech. He thought comics were too wordy and not enough action. He thought comics should move and carry you from one page to another, and he’s 100% right.

Nobody did it better than he did.

Straight Up: Throughout your career, you have interviewed

an impressive array of subjects horror, action movies: directors David Cronenberg and John Carpenter, cast members Lou Ferrigno, Lynda Carter, and Roddy McDowall, make-up designers John Chambers and Dan Striepeke. Do you have a favorite?

Sam Maronie: I had so many people that were really kind to me.

I think my personal favorite was Forrest Ackerman, who was editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland.

Of all the people I came across, the most. Forty years ago, it was not like it is today where you get a DVD and see all these extras like behind-the-scenes. They had no concept of their past or history. Part of Hollywood’s past was destroyed because they didn’t see the merit of keeping it. I saw Forrest Ackerman was doing his best to preserve that.

Straight Up: You seem to have a soft spot for “Old Hollywood,”

September 2015

Culture having rubbed elbows with Bob Hope, Ernest Borgnine, Don Ameche, Virginia Mayo, and more.

What do you attribute to this fascination for stars from that period?

Sam Maronie: They had talent and class. I don’t see anybody now who has that kind of class, dealing with the press or the public. That was part of their training as much as acting was. I really respect talent that way.

Straight Up: You worked for Marvel Comics in the 1970s, a time period highly regarded as the Bronze Age. What were your experiences like writing for Savage Sword of Conan and Planet of the Apes magazines during that era? What was your process like, working with the editors?

Sam Maronie: The Planet of the Apes articles, they regarded those in between the comic book stories.

But on the other hand, all of the editors I worked with tried to do the best job that they could. They pretty much let me do what I wanted to do. Writing for Savage Sword, I got to work with (editor) Roy Thomas. a great writer and editor. He was always very kind to me. He paid me

September 2015

were so kind to me, they’d explain what they were doing and why they were doing it.

Straight Up: Your upbringing was in the Metro East area. Do you think that this gave you a unique perspective in writing about the entertainment industry?

Sam Maronie: Absolutely, because I had to work harder, I had to think harder.

A lot of these celebrities I met were doing theatre and things like that, so they had no entourage and no publicists. You could talk to them, it was very low-key. I “celebrity stalkers,” too.

A couple of times I called celebrities up at their hotels, ask if I could meet them.

Nine times out of ten they were very nice and say sure.

I don’t think I would see that nowadays. The industry has changed.

Sam Maronie has enjoyed incredible success in the publishing world, and there are no signs of slowing down. He runs the blog “Sam Maronie’s Entertainment Funhouse,” a veritable treasure trove of pop culture images, interviews, anecdotes, and more. Recent posts focus on his encounters with actor George Takei and make-up designer Rashaad Santiago, his take on the latest Planet Comic-Con in Kansas City and an obituary for Anne Meara.

His passion seeps through the prose—he proclaims that, “The best part of this business is I’ve met so many wonderful people.” He is also planning to launch a downloadable magazine, tentatively called Popped Culture, later this year.

Publishing is not his only endeavor. Mr. Maronie remains active on the convention circuit, attending and participating in multiple comic book and popular culture conventions each year. I Super Celebration in honor of Superman in Metropolis, Illinois (if you have not yet attended, do yourself a favor and go). He mentioned that he has also attended several of the annual Archon conventions in Collinsville: “Went

Straight Up: You got your above the average rate. He took care start writing professionally at the of me.

Alton Telegraph, and later, while you were a student at Southern Straight Up: You had a unique opportunity to appear in a big budget Illinois University Edwardsville.

What did you learn during those Battle for the Planet of the Apes). Tell the readers formative years at those two the guest.” That’s George R. R. institutions? What advice would about that.

Martin, writer of A Song of Fire and you give to budding writers?

Ice, the series of books upon which Sam Maronie: I had loved all Game of Thrones is based. As for Sam Maronie: I learned to be of the Planet of the Apes movies upcoming appearances, he plans to disciplined and to keep pushing. from the beginning, and to be part attend the aforementioned Archon, I’m a big believer nothing of one was one of those things in as well as PROJECT: Comic-Con in worthwhile in your life just falls St. Louis— the latter of which will in your lap. You have to get out would I ever be part of one? And include his presentation featuring and make it happen. You just here it happened. They treated photographs of comic book have to be persistent and believe me like royalty. They had a still celebrities. If it is anything like in yourself. photographer that followed me his other work, it will be another around and took pictures. I got For more information or to in a long line of successes for Sam to stand there and watch Roddy purchase a copy of his book, visit Maronie.

McDowall get made up and talk www.trippingthroughpopculture. to all of the make-up people. Just com. fascinating. People on the crew

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Highlighted Business

Shopping Local at Sammy’s Market Article and Photography by Alison Lysakowski

As a child living in Swansea in the 1990’s, I never had a reason to enter the CFM (Convenient Food Mart) located at 528 North Douglas Avenue in Belleville. My family often drove past it to go to my grandparents’ house, making it a staple in my memory. Being a nostalgic person, the comforting connection between passing the CFM and visiting my grandparents felt lost when that corner location became closed for many years. Even though I had never entered it, I disliked that it became a ghost building, all boarded up with no activity, however strange it is for me to have cared. This year, that all finally changed.

During my first visit, I noticed there are a few projects in progress and wanted to know what Sammy is planning to do with them. There is a deli counter, with open space and a small sink behind it. There is also a small room visible through a glass window with a slot beneath it on the other

On February 1st, 2015 (Superbowl Sunday), local resident Sammy Hamdan opened the doors of that building to welcome us to the new corner market in town, and called it Sammy’s Market.

Over the past year, he has been updating key features in the store to make it both comfortable and attractive to his patrons. There are brand new marble countertops and equipment, a newly-laid ceramic tiled floor, and even the shelves are new.

We would not typically conduct an entire grocery trip at a small place, but there are perfect explanations as to why it is beneficial to the “We will be doing subs and community to have corner pizza. We need a pizza oven markets: If you drive several and more merchandise first. miles away to buy your Hopefully everything will be ready by October of this year.” groceries, and then realize close to home that you forgot to grab sour cream, you might As for the glass window, Sammy’s Market will soon be drive all the way back to the offering a currency exchange, grocery store. But if you live where guests can cash checks, a few blocks from a corner market, the solution is right buy money orders, and pay there in front of you. And why bills. drive to buy candy when you

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side of the store, all under construction. I was excited when Sammy told me what is to come.

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Convenience stores all seemed run-of-the-mill to me before, but after meeting Sammy and acknowledging that this is an independent store, I decided to ask what his motivation here is. He said, “People wanted to see a market, and I gave it to them.”

can walk to an adequate source in five minutes? You will even get some exercise in and support a local business.

In addition to these perks, this particular corner market is perfect for those who commute via MetroLink.

“Sammy’s Market is great because of its proximity to the Belleville MetroLink station,” says Shenee Booth, Collinsville resident. It only takes a few minutes to walk to Sammy’s Market once you get off the train. “If we want our public transit riders to be comfortable, and for our cities to be accessible to visitors, it is key to have destinations within walking distance to stations.”

Sammy’s Market has a great liquor and beer selection, lottery tickets, baby formula, a great line of groceries and snacks, and accepts Link and WIC. Sammy says, “I have been working in stores for a long time, so why not have my own?” His experience and good intentions make for a great new corner market in Belleville.

I am thoroughly pleased to see this building thrive once againbetter than ever.

September 2015

Scan here to view our calendar online!

September 1 (Tuesday)

Alexi Era Gallery (Mascoutah) - Victoriana; exhibition inspired by items, style, and design from the Victorian period - 18361901. Focusing on print work, fashion, jewelry, furniture, architectural design, home decor, ornamentation, and everyday personal items; exhibit runs through August 31 Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 6pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Whiskey Dixon; 6pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Rock Springs Park (O’Fallon) - O’Fallon Garden Club presents “A Talk About Trees” with Rich Crain; the Garden Club meets the first Tuesday of each month; 6pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm Schmidt Art Center @ SWIC (Belleville) - The works of Stewart Halparin, Ron Isom, Florin Hategan, and Jessican Witte; exhibit continues through October 15.

September 2 (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Brad Noe; 7pm Blum House (Collinsville) - Tunes at Blum Free Outdoor Concert Series; Wednesdays in September; tonight featuring Three Pedros; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Jay and Waylon; 6pm Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce (Belleville) - Junior Idol Auditions; age groups 10-13 and 14-17; 4-8pm Laurie’s Place (Alton) - Mo’ Pleasure; 6:30-10:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am

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*Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Trivia with Craig Frazier every Wednesday; 8pm PSOP (Belleville) - Gateway East Artist Guild monthly meeting; every first Wednesday; This month: featuring carin sculpture presentation by Missouri artist Lilly Reuter. There will also be a monthly membership art competition and refreshments. 6pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over.

1:30-3pm Rural King (Swansea) - Farmers Market; a seasonal open air market featuring fruits, vegetables, meats, and crafts; Thursdays - rain or shine - from 11am-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Wine All You Want Wednesdays; “Group Therapy”; leave the men at home, ladies, for an evening of guaranteed fun; every first Wednesday; 6-9pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Karaoke every Wednesday; open to the public; 7-11pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! 7pm-1am

September 3 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Whiskey Dixon Trio; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the

September 2015

September • theLineUp parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - County Line; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Andrew Rivers; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - DJ; 9:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social; 7pm Roper’s Regal Beagle (Godfrey) - Mondinband; 6-10pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - From Chicago: Voo Davis Band; 7-10pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm

September 4 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Paul Konya; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Jonathan Baker; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music every Friday; 8pm-12am Eckert’s Farms (Belleville) - Summer Concert Series featuring The Woo Daddies; 7-9pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Nate Sickmiere, 3pm; Ross and Steve, 7pm; Borderline, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Andrew Rivers; 8pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Razed on Radio; 8pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Brad Noe; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 8pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Live music every Friday; open to the public; 6-11pm *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Jeremy Wright; 7pm

September 5 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Doug Phillips; 7pm Aeries Winery (Grafton) - Bud Summers; 3 pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - St Louis Antique Festival; 10am5pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night

September 2015

Copper Dock Winery (Pocahontas) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 1-5pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts.

Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones! Senior Discount coupons available; 7:30am-12pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Downtown (Edwardsville) - The Land of Goshen Community Market.

Visitors can find fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, farm fresh eggs, naturally raised meats – beef, pork and poultry – along with baked goods, pottery, jewelry, other fine arts, honey, soaps, seedlings and cut flowers; 8am-12pm Downtown (Lebanon) - Car Show; over 100 classic cars and trucks will be on display while music from the 50s, 60s and 70s fills the street; 6-9pm Eckert’s Farms (Belleville) - Final Summer Concert Series performance featuring Leland’s Road; 7-9pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Spun, 3pm; Half Plugged, 7pm; Gone Country, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Andrew Rivers; 8pm and 10pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Stump Water Shine; 9pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Scrambled; 7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Charlotte Street; 8pm-12am Public Square (Belleville) - Belleville Historical Society Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Belleville; 10 am Pump House (Wood River) - Razed on Radio; 9:30pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Tim Albert and The Boogiemen; 8pm-12am She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 9pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am

September 6 (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - St Louis Antique Festival; 10am4pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - First Sunday Jam with Paul Bonn and The Bluesmen; 4-8pm

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theLineUp • September Drawing Fantasies Gallery (Belleville) - Fine Art Exhibition featuring Ron Vivod and Kathy Gomric; opening reception 2-4pm; exhibit continues through Sept 25.

Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Rich Mahogany, 2pm; Ross and Steve, 6pm; Gone Country, 7pm Gulf Shores Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Leo B and John; 11:30am2:30pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Stump Water Shine; 3-7pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Rum Drum Ramblers; 4-8pm Shakers (Alton) - Open Mic hosted by Everhart & Light; 6-10pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Jazz every Sunday; open to the public; 7-10pm

Labor Day Monday (September 7)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm Downtown (Belleville) - Annual Labor Day Parade; 10am Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Spun, 1pm; Half-Plugged, 2pm; TBA, 6pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Loading Dock (Grafton) - Mondinband; 2-6pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

September 8 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 6pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Jay; 6pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm

September 9 (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Brad Noe; 7pm Blum House (Collinsville) - Tunes at Blum Free Outdoor Concert Series; Wednesdays in September; tonight featuring Quarter Draw Band; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hashtag; 6pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Comedy Open Mic Night; doors at 6:30pm; laughs at 7:30pm Laurie’s Place (Alton) - Mo’ Pleasure; 6:30-10:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am

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September 2015

*Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Trivia with Craig Frazier every Wednesday; 8pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over.

1:30-3pm Rural King (Swansea) - Farmers Market; a seasonal open air market featuring fruits, vegetables, meats, and crafts; Thursdays - rain or shine - from 11am-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Karaoke every Wednesday; open to the public; 7-11pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! 7pm-1am

September 10 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Send The Message; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - American Idle; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Dustin Diamond; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers; 7-10pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm

September 11 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Hands Off Trio; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Children’s clothing (sizes 0-16 & Juniors), toys, furniture, and baby equipment consignment sale, 8am-3pm; Girlie Girlz Gathering, everything a girl would

September 2015

September • theLineUp want. Hundreds of vendors catering to the woman, 4-8pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Joe Truttmann / Ron Wooley Duo; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Community Park (Shiloh) - Shiloh Picnic with George Portz and The Friends of Bluegrass Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Eddie’s (Granite City) - Razed on Radio; 10pm-2am Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Rich Mahogany, 3pm; Fabtonz, 7pm; and County Line, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Dustin Diamond; 8pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Live music; 7pm Old Bakery Beer Co (Alton) - Mondinband; 8-11pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Ryan Spriggs; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Paul Konya; 9pm-1am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 8pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Live music; open to the public; 7pm *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Doug Phillips; 7pm

September 12 (Saturday)

Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Children’s clothing (sizes 0-16 & Juniors), toys, furniture, and baby equipment consignment sale, 8am-3pm; Girlie Girlz Gathering, everything a girl would want. Hundreds of vendors catering to the woman, 10am-3pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night City Park (Edwardsville) - International Food Festival benefit for Habitat for Humanity with music by Bud Summers, 12-8pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts.

Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones! Senior Discount coupons available; 7:30am-12pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Downtown (Edwardsville) - The Land of Goshen Community Market.

Visitors can find fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, farm fresh eggs, naturally raised meats – beef, pork and poultry – along with baked goods, pottery, jewelry, other fine arts, honey, soaps,

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theLineUp • September

seedlings and cut flowers; 8am-12pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddies, 3pm; Fabtones, 7pm; and Scapegoat, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Dustin Diamond; 8pm and 10pm Hough Park (Belleville) - Mutual Aide Picnic – Belleville Solidarity Group; Free food, free clothes, free hygiene items, free home supplies. Bring what you can, take what you need. Come join us in Solidarity as we come together as a community; every second Saturday. 12-5pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Live music; 8pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday No-Jacks (Smithton) - 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off and Wing Contest; music by Stan Denton and The Wanted; 1-6pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Joe Truttmann / Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Half Way to St Pat’s Party with Tim Ryan; 9pm-1am *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Live music; 8pm-12am She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 9pm-2am Skootr’s West (Freeburg) - Razed on Radio; 8:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am West End Park (Belleville) - Belleville Historical Society Walking Tour of West Belleville Historic District; 10 am

September 13 (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm *American Legion (Edwardsville) - George Portz and The Friends of Bluegrass Folk and Bluegrass Festival; 2pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Children’s clothing (sizes 0-16 & Juniors), toys, furniture, and baby equipment consignment sale; 9am-12pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Copper Dock Winery (Pocahontas) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 1-5pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - 20th Annual Gear-Jammers Car Show and Cruise, 9am-4pm; Live music, 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddies, 2pm; Whiskey Dixon, 6pm; and American Idle, 7pm Gulf Shores Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Leo B and John; 11:30am-2:30pm Hawg Pit (Grafton) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 1-5pm Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston) - Bud Summers; 2 pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - K.D. Allen Band; 3-7pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am

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September 2015

September • theLineUp

Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - John McVey, Preston Hubbard, and David Watson; 4-8pm Shakers (Alton) - Open Mic hosted by Everhart & Light; 6-10pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Toast and Jam; 2-6pm The Wildey (Edwardsville) - Wishbone Ash; 7pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Jazz every Sunday; open to the public; 7-10pm *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Double Shot; 3pm

September 14 (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Spun; 6pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

September 15 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 6pm Courthouse Bandstand (Waterloo) - Free Municipal Band Concerts every Tuesday evening; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Whiskey Dixon; 6pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm V and H Recreation (Breese) - Open Mic hosted by Marcus Kruep; 7-11pm Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

September 16 (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Brad Noe; 7pm Blum House (Collinsville) - Tunes at Blum Free Outdoor Concert Series; Wednesdays in September; tonight featuring Jeni and Dave of That 80s Band; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Jay and Waylon; 6pm Laurie’s Place (Alton) - Mo’ Pleasure; 6:30-10:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Trivia with Craig Frazier every Wednesday; 8pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over.

1:30-3pm

September 2015

Rural King (Swansea) - Farmers Market; a seasonal open air market featuring fruits, vegetables, meats, and crafts; Thursdays - rain or shine - from 11am-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Karaoke every Wednesday; open to the public; 7-11pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! 7pm-1am

September 17 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Whiskey Dixon; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali). *Downtown (Belleville) - Belleville Main Street Downtown Diva Night; an exciting ladies night out! Starting at Eye On Design; After party at Big Daddy’s 618; Downtown Scavenger Hunt night tonight; 5-8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Wherehouse Project; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - No Confetti Improv and Stand Up Show; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - DJ; 9:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social; 7pm Roper’s Regal Beagle (Godfrey) - Mondinband; 6-10pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Live music; 7-10pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm The Wildey (Edwardsville) - Who’s Bad - the Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band; 8pm

September 18 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Whiskey Dixon; 7:30pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Wine Tasting; 4-7pm Brazz Monkey (Wood River) - Razed on Radio; 9pm

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theLineUp • September Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Charlotte Street; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music; 8pm-12am *Downtown (Belleville) - 35th Annual Belleville Oktoberfest; a festival of German Heritage with food, drink and entertainment; two stages of live music; Dave Hilla and The Good Times Band, 3-6pm; tapping of the Golden Half-Barrel, 5pm; Ainad Shrine Drum Corp; 6-7pm; SuperJam, 7-11pm; today and Saturday, 11am-11pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Red Rocks, 3pm; Nate Sickmeier, 7pm; and Midnight Rail, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with David Scott “The Swinger”; 8pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Live music; 8pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Joe Truttmann / Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Rat Rod Kings; 9pm-1am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Razed on Radio; 8pm She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 8pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm The Weingarten (Belleville) - Dade Farrar; 6-10pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Live music every Friday; open to the public; 6-11pm *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Erin Jo; 7pm

September 19 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Brad Noe; 7pm American Legion (New Baden) - A Night with Elvis featuring Steve Davis; plus Buddy Holly and Patsy Cline; benefit for American Legion Building Fund; doors at 5pm; dinner at 6pm; show at 7pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market; Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new. Indoor/Outdoor Year Round. $2 parking; Free admission; 9am-4pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Lisa Jones; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Cutters (Belleville) - Live Music; 9pm D. Boozers (Collinsville) - Bud Summers; 8:30 pm *Downtown (Belleville) - 35th Annual Belleville Oktoberfest; a festival of German Heritage with food, drink and entertainment; two stages of live music; play area for children; Car Show, 8am-12pm/ awards presented at 4:30pm; Cornhole Tournament – registration 10am, starts 11am; Ainad Shrine Brass Band,

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September 2015

September • theLineUp 11am-12pm; Weiner Dog Derby – registration 11am-1pm, racing Social Remedy, 2-4pm; Dynamic Combo, 3-5pm; Blackwater Revival, 5-7pm; Belleville Community Band, 5:308pm; Metal Studz, 8-11pm; Uber Cool, 8:30-11pm; 11am starts at 2pm; USAF Band of Mid-America Starlifter, 11am-1pm; Performances by High-School German Students, 12:30-2:30pm; Ainad Shrine Highlander’s, 1-2pm; -11pm Downtown (Belleville) - Belleville Historical Society 4th Annual Paint Historic Belleville Plein Air Art and Auction. Watch 12 regional artists paint 12 historic sites; 8am-12pm; live auction at Historic Garfield Street Saloon Museum benefits Belleville Historic Society; 1pm Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts.

Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones!

Senior Discount coupons available; 7:30am-12pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company. *Downtown (Columbia) - Art on the Bluff Art Walk on Historic Main Street; Art Du Soleil; showcasing the works of diverse visual and performing artists; some 25 local and regional visual artists plus The Trilogy Band, Second Sojourn, vibraphonist Matt Hake, vocalist Tee Schaefer, the Columbia High School Jazz Band, saxophonist Chuck Ludwig, Circus Kaput’s ‘Mazing Matthias, the Actor’s Attic, facepainter Jolene Sasser, and Randy the Balloonist plus the Shriners Clowns and a Children’s Art Garden; 10am-6pm Downtown (Edwardsville) - The Land of Goshen Community Market.

Visitors can find fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, farm fresh eggs, naturally raised meats – beef, pork and poultry – along with baked goods, pottery, jewelry, other fine arts, honey, soaps, seedlings and cut flowers; 8am-12pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Spun, 3pm; TBA, 7pm; County Line, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with David Scott “The Swinger”; 8pm and 10pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Drag Boat Racing; gate at 9am, races at noon Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Razed on Radio; 10:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Death Cafe; people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea or coffee, and discuss death; to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives; a discussion group rather than grief support or counseling; open to the public; 6-8pm

September 2015

*Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Joe Truttmann / Ron Wooley Duo; 7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - D.C. Cusanelli; 9pm-1am *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Lucky Old Sons; 8pm-12am She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 9pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Weingarten (Belleville) - Bud Summers; 6-10pm *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Doug Phillips; 7pm

September 20 (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Belleville Flea Market; Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise – old and new. Indoor/Outdoor Year Round. $2 parking; Free admission; 9am-4pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music; 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Spun, 2pm; TBA, 6pm; County Line,7pm Gulf Shores Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Leo B and John; 11:30am2:30pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Drag Boat Racing; gate at 9am, races at noon Olympika Restaurant (Swansea) - Gear-Jammers Car Cruise; 4-8pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Kilborn Alley, 12-3pm; Woody Pines, 4-8pm SeVen (Belleville) - Pedal for Pooches Block Party; 5-9pm Shakers (Alton) - Open Mic hosted by Everhart and Light; 6-10pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Jazz every Sunday; open to the public; 7-10pm

September 21 (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Whiskey Dixon; 6pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Old Cathedral (St Louis) - Belleville’s Masterworks Chorale performs with the St Louis American Guild of Organists; 7:30pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

September 22 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 6pm Courthouse Bandstand (Waterloo) - Free Municipal Band Concert; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Jay; 6pm

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theLineUp • September Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm Knight of Columbus Watering Hole (O’Fallon) - The Philosophers sophisticated jazz; 7pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Neuroscientist David Eagleman, director of the Laboratory for Perception and Action, Baylor College of Medicine and the Initiative on Neuroscience and Law; 7:30pm V and H Recreation (Breese) - Open Mic hosted by Marcus Kruep; 7-11pm Village Inn (Pontoon Beach) - J Christopher every Tuesday; 7-11pm

September 23 (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Brad Noe; 7pm Blum House (Collinsville) - Tunes at Blum Free Outdoor Concert Series; Wednesdays in September; tonight featuring madBeats; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hashtag; 6pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Comedy Open Mic Night; doors at 6:30pm; laughs at 7:30pm Laurie’s Place (Alton) - Mo’ Pleasure; 6:30-10:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Trivia with Craig Frazier every Wednesday; 8pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over.

1:30-3pm Randall Dalton Veterans Park (Pontoon Beach) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 7-10pm Rural King (Swansea) - Farmers Market; a seasonal open air market featuring fruits, vegetables, meats, and crafts; Thursdays - rain or shine - from 11am-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Karaoke every Wednesday; open to the public; 7-11pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! 7pm-1am

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September 2015

September • theLineUp September 24 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Do Rax Duptronx; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Wherehouse Project; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Don Jamieson; 7:30pm Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - DJ; 9:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social; 7pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Country Bill and the Cadillac Daddies; 7-10pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live music, 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - The Film Art Series presents A Beautiful Mind; rated PG, 135 mins; 7pm

September 25 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Avery Hill; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Bonnie & Clyde; 7:30pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Whiskey Dixon, 3pm; Rich Mahogany, 7pm; Wherehouse Project, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Don Jamieson; 8pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Boulderdash; 8pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music featuring Landon Cole; 7-9pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night every Friday night from 7-11pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Mollie Rittenhouse; 9pm-1am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live music; 9pm She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 8pm-1am Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Car Cruise every third Friday, 5pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Mondinband; 10pm-2am

September 2015

*Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm; 8-11pm The Wildey (Edwardsville) - Yesterday - Beatles Tribute Band; 8pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Live music every Friday; open to the public; 6-11pm

September 26 (Saturday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Pumpkins for a Purpose Festival; family event benefits Salvation Army and Special Olympics of Southern Illinois; 11am-11pm; music by Slick Ice Blues; 7pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Hot Flash Duo; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts.

Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones!

Senior Discount coupons available; 7:30am-12pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Downtown (Edwardsville) - The Land of Goshen Community Market.

Visitors can find fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, farm fresh eggs, naturally raised meats – beef, pork and poultry – along with baked goods, pottery, jewelry, other fine arts, honey, soaps, seedlings and cut flowers; 8am-12pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - TBA, 3pm; Half Plugged, 7pm; Wherehouse Project, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Don Jamieson; 8pm and 10pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - 97.5 Rock Festival with Razed on Radio and more Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Ryan Spriggs; 7pm Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Chris Rhein Acoustic; 9pm-1am She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 9pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am The Weingarten (Belleville) - Live music by Brother Hiram; 6-10pm *West City Park (Festus MO) - George Portz Festus MO Traditional Music Festival - Bluegrass, Cajun, Irish, Clogging; today and Sunday; 12-6pm

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theLineUp • September Westminster Presbyterian (Belleville) - Mission Fair supporting Beacon, 17th Street Neighborhood Assoc, St Augustine Food Pantry, Wellness Resource Center of Southern IL, SPIRIT of HOPE Academy and more. Food, fun, raffles; 12-4pm The Wildey (Edwardsville) - Jack Schmitt Concert Series presents Ladies of the 80s tribute to Pat Benatar, Madonna, Heart, Katrina, The Go-Gos, and more; 8pm

September 27 (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music; 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Hoosier Daddies, 2pm; Whiskey Dixon, 6pm; County Line, 7pm Gulf Shores Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Leo B and John; 11:30am2:30pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Live music; 3-7pm Loading Dock (Grafton) - Mondinband; 3-7pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - From Houma, Louisiana: Josh Garrett Band; 4-7pm Shakers (Alton) - Open Mic hosted by Everhart & Light; 6-10pm Silver Creek Saloon (Belleville) - Rogers and Nienhaus; 4-8pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Jazz every Sunday; open to the public; 7-10pm *Villa Marie Winery (Maryville) - Grape Stomp and Singer/ Songwriter Fall Festival; featuring the music of Zydeco Crawdaddies, Brandon Jacoby, Jeremy Wright, Paul Bonn and The Bluesmen, Leo B and John, and The Millersburg Waste Band; 1-6pm; Grape Stomp at 6:15pm *West City Park (Festus MO) - George Portz Festus MO Traditional Music Festival - Bluegrass, Cajun, Irish, Clogging; 12-6pm

September 28 (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Spun; 6pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

September 29 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 6pm Courthouse Bandstand (Waterloo) - Free Municipal Band Concert; 8pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Whiskey Dixon; 6pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm

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September • theLineUp *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm

September 30 (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Brad Noe; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Jay and Waylon; 6pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Comedy Open Mic Night; doors at 6:30pm; laughs at 7:30pm Laurie’s Place (Alton) - Mo’ Pleasure; 6:30-10:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Trivia with Craig Frazier every Wednesday; 8pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over.

1:30-3pm Rural King (Swansea) - Farmers Market; a seasonal open air market featuring fruits, vegetables, meats, and crafts; Thursdays - rain or shine - from 11am-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Karaoke every Wednesday; open to the public; 7-11pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! 7pm-1am

October 1 (Thursday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Whiskey Dixon; 7pm 501 Blues Club (Highland) - Thursday Night Open Mic Jam Session; 8pm Bubby and Sissy’s (Alton) - Karaoke Dance Party; 9:30pm-1:30am Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz; 9pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Karaoke; 8pm-12am Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke with The Kantina every Thursday; 7-11pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Thursday night runs meet at the parking lot at A and Jackson (Baja Cali).

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Gone Country; 7pm Geo’s Wings (Belleville) - Bike Night every Thursday night Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Disgruntled Clown; 7:30pm

September 2015

Jailhouse Rock (Trenton) - Class Act Karaoke JRs Last Call (Belleville) - DJ Schwen Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - DJ; 9:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social; 7pm Roper’s Regal Beagle (Godfrey) - Mondinband; 6-10pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Thursday; 4pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Live music; 7-10pm Silver Creek Saloon & Grill (Belleville) - Well Hungarians; Every Thursday Night Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am The Abbey (Belleville) - Singer/Songwriter Night Every Thursday; 7-10pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Count Basie Orchestra; 7:30pm

October 2 (Friday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Doug Phillips; 7pm Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Friday; 5-9pm Bee Hollow Market (Mascoutah) - Wine Tasting; 4-7pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Brad Noe; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Live jazz; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 8pm-12am *Downtown (Belleville) - 32nd Annual Belleville Chili Cook Off with live music by Well Hungarians, 6pm; 11am-10:30pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Red Rocks, 7pm; American Idle, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Disgruntled Clown; 8pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Live music; 8pm *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Friday; 7pm Piasa Winery & Pub (Grafton) - Open Mic Night; 7-11pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Live Music every Friday; 9pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Live music; 6pm-12am She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 8pm-1am Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Live Music; 10pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Abbey (Belleville) - Live music; 7:30-10:30pm The Hett @ McKendree University (Lebanon) - Count Basie Orchestra; 7:30pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Live music every Friday; open to the public; 6-11pm

October 3 (Saturday)

Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Illinois’ Largest Gun and Knife Show; 9am-4pm Chateau La Vin (Columbia) - Hilary Scott ; 7:30pm Cigar Inn Jazz Club (Belleville) - Karaoke Night Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live Music; 8pm-12am Crossfit Nucleus (Swansea) - Fundraiser show for Old Salt Union new touring vehicle. Live music all day, food, beer, silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle. Performing will be D.C. Cusanelli, Tim Ryan,

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theLineUp • September Michael Sullivan, River Kittens, Rat Rod Kings, EarthSol, and two sets of Old Salt Union. 12pm-12am *Downtown (Belleville) - 32nd Annual Belleville Chili Cook Off; 5k Chili Chase, 9am; 9th Annual Junior Idol Competition, 1pm; live music by USAF Band of Mid-America Starlifters, 3pm; live music by Dance Floor Riot, 6pm; 11am-10:30pm Downtown (Belleville) - Old Town Market; Catch the morning’s pick of fresh, flavorful produce grown by local farmers. Fresh hot coffee and teas. Live music. Peruse the booths of local artisans for one-of-a-kind treasures for yourself or to give as gifts.

Shop outdoors and enjoy the sunlight while you get to know your local growers and run into friends or meet new ones!

Senior Discount coupons available; 7:30am-12pm Downtown (Belleville) - The Belleville Running Club holds group runs in downtown Belleville every Thursday night at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. Saturday morning runs meet at the parking lot behind the St Louis Bread Company.

Downtown (Edwardsville) - The Land of Goshen Community Market.

Visitors can find fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, farm fresh eggs, naturally raised meats – beef, pork and poultry – along with baked goods, pottery, jewelry, other fine arts, honey, soaps, seedlings and cut flowers; 8am-12pm Downtown (Lebanon) - 47th Annual Fall Festival on The Brickstreet; over 100 crafters, food, music and the shops; 9am-4pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Anthony Nanny, 3pm; Rich Mahogany, 7pm; American Idle, 8pm Hey Guys Comedy Club (Fairview Heights) - Live Standup Comedy with Disgruntled Clown; 8pm and 10pm *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - K.D. Allen Band; 8pm Laurie’s Place (Edwardsville) - Every Saturday Jam Session w/ Mo’ Pleasure; 2-6pm Lily’s Lounge (Alton) - Karaoke every Friday and Saturday *Papa Vitos (Belleville) - Live music every Saturday; 7pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Live music; 8pm-12am She and I Bar (Cahokia) - RJ Entertainment DJ / Karaoke with DJ Jody Havenot; 9pm-2am *Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6-9pm The Cyclery and Fitness Center (Edwardsville) - Saturday Morning East Side Road Ride; 7am

October 4 (Sunday)

Aerie’s Winery (Grafton) - Stan Corliss every Sunday; 2-6pm Belle Clair Expo Center (Belleville) - Illinois’ Largest Gun and Knife Show; 9am-4pm Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 7pm Columbia City Saloon (Columbia) - Mike Lacey every Sunday; 3-6pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Live music; 4-8pm Dutch Hollow Barn (Belleville) - Every Sunday Jam Session; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music, 2pm, 6pm, and 7pm Gulf Shores Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Leo B and John; 11:30am2:30pm

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September • theLineUp JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday *Kaskaskia Riverhouse (New Athens) - Live music; 4-7pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Sunday; 9:30pm-1:30am Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Sunday; 9pm *Schmitty’s (Smithton) - Live music; 4-8pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Jazz every Sunday; open to the public; 7-10pm

October 5 (Monday)

Big Daddy’s 618 (Belleville) - Monday Trivia; hosted by Delish Trish; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 6pm JRs Last Call (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Monday; 9pm

*Stur Restaurant (Edwardsville) - Live music every Wednesday; 6pm VFW 8677 (Fairview Heights) - Karaoke every Wednesday; open to the public; 7-11pm Who Dat’s (Troy) - Open Mic Jam; 7-11pm Wild Country (Collinsville) - The Taping of St. Louis Country with WIL gang, Derrick, Danny, Bo & Judy! 7pm-1am

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October 6 (Tuesday)

Bike Surgeon (Shiloh) - Tuesday Night Metro East Road Ride; 6pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 6pm Highway 61 Roadhouse (Webster Groves) - Open Mic Blues Night every Tuesday with Matt Davis and Darrow Washington; 7:3011:30pm *Miscellanea House (Belleville) - Living Literary Society meetup; a loosely organized and casual writers group; show up and relax with others who write and/or appreciate writing; every Tuesday; 6-9pm Rock Springs Park (O’Fallon) - O’Fallon Garden Club presents The Wonderful World of Daffodils; the Garden Club meets the first Tuesday of each month; 6pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Tuesday; 9pm

October 7 (Wednesday)

4204 Main Street Brewing Co (Belleville) - Open Mic Night hosted by Brad Noe; 7pm Cigar Inn (Belleville) - Live Jazz, Cigar/Scotch Night; 9pm Crehan’s Irish Pub (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 7pm Fast Eddie’s Bon Air (Alton) - Live music; 6pm Laurie’s Place (Alton) - Mo’ Pleasure; 6:30-10:30pm Mike’s Ten Pin (Alton) - Mondinband every Wednesday; 9:30pm1:30am *Pitchers Pub (Belleville) - Trivia with Craig Frazier every Wednesday; 8pm PSOP (Belleville) - Gateway East Artist Guild monthly meeting; every first Wednesday; 6pm PSOP/SWIC (Belleville) - Line Dancing; Our instructor, Carol Schwartz, will show you new line dances and techniques each week. This is a great group to dance with, so sliiiide on over.

1:30-3pm Rural King (Swansea) - Farmers Market; a seasonal open air market featuring fruits, vegetables, meats, and crafts; Thursdays - rain or shine - from 11am-3pm Schatze’s (Belleville) - Karaoke every Wednesday; 9pm Stagger Inn…Again (Edwardsville) - Open Mic Night; 9:30pm

September 2015

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Str8 Up Fun Page There are many holidays we never hear about. Thanks to the Str8up Fun Page, you can stay updated on everything there is to celebrate.

September National Potato, Chicken, Piano, & Biscuit Month • 4: Hug Your Boss Day • • 5: Be Late for Something • • 9: Wonderful Weirdos Day • • 12: Chocolate Milkshakes Day • • 13: National Grandparents Day • • 25: Comic Book Day • • 26: Love Note Day • • 27: Gold Star Mothers Day • • 28: Drink Beer Day

Break out your colored writing utensils and go to town on this geometric image Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview Heights, IL is a wonderful place to walk down countless trails in the woods, roll down the grassy hills, host picnics, and even make exciting archaeological finds. If you keep your eyes peeled as you walk through the woods, especially near water, you will occasionally come across oceanic fossils.

As natural erosion breaks down big rocks, more are revealed. Some are sticking out of rocks and cannot be easily pried out, but I always try.

Shown in the picture are fossils that I found there. Some are shells, others I am not sure what they are. Happy hunting.

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September 2015

Submissions Artworks by

Jennifer Isenhart

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2015