Food & Fun 2011

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September 14, 2010

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FOOD AND FUN

September 14, 2010

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From cupcakes to tattoos, new local businesses offer a variety of options

By Kaycie Surrell The Standard

Sweet, sweet summer. In the three months allotted for our much anticipated summer break, eight businesses appeared in downtown Springfield, giving Missouri State students a valid reason to venture away from their usual haunts.

Bistro Market

Okay, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably seen, heard about or tasted something from the Bistro Market. Bistro popped up out of nowhere just over a month ago and has been amazing customers since the doors opened.

If you haven’t already done so, it’s about time you get yourself down there and sample something from their extremely reasonably priced and tasty hot food bar and salad bar, grab some sushi or a sandwich from their ready-to-eat lunch cooler or traipse down their grocery aisles for something to make in your own good time.

Caffeine fiend? Never fear, Starbucks is here! Or rather, inside the market, offering free Wi-Fi to boot.

What’s the added bonus, you ask? You can get a cold one from the bar and shop while you sip on the beer of your choosing.

Pretty fabulous.

The Cup

If you’ve been asking yourself what downtown Springfield is missing, your questions have been answered in Springfield’s newest dessert bar, The Cup. A cupcake bakery dreamed up by friends Ericka Frank and Nicole Puryear in 2007, The Cup’s business is booming when it comes to delicious and well-thought-out baked goods that are definitely a bang for your buck.

Their standard cupcakes run for $2.75, made fresh daily for your enjoyment. Flavors range from traditional like their Confetti cupcake, a simple vanilla buttercream on a French vanilla cake, to something a little more special like their Cuppa Coffee Cake, cinnamon streusel topping on a sour cream coffee cake.

They also offer fresh coffee drinks and signature sweet treats like the Cakewich, two layers of cake sandwiching buttercream.

Doors opened in July, and since then, The Cup has been urging Springfieldians to “rediscover your sweet tooth.”

Ophelia’s

Back by popular demand, Ophelia’s

gelato shop, located at 207 Park Central East, on Aug. 20.

Their story is something straight out of a fairy tale.

Andy Drennen is from Paraguay, and Chantal Drennen is from Argentina. Both fluent in Spanish, they connected at a Steak ‘n Shake while still in college and have since gone into the dessert business.

They offer a premium product: a 25-year-old recipe that comes from an Italian family based in Chicago. This is the same family that provides the recipe for the gelato served at the Illustration by Rachel Brown Caesars Palace casino in Las wine bar reopened their doors on down- Vegas. Pretty impressive. town Walnut Street on July 15. They With more than 30 flavors available at a closed a little over two-and-half-years ago, time, each being about 50 to 100 calories but thanks to their loyal patrons, they’ve per small cup, it’s a pretty sweet deal. come back with a vengeance.

An art gallery that occupies the back of Offering the largest selection of bottled the restaurant features art from Springwine in Springfield, this bar will surely field’s sister cities, Tlaquepaque, Mexico become a staple of date nights and friend- and Isesaki, Japan, as well as art from ly get-togethers alike. local artists.

As for food, get ready to be impressed.

To those afraid to stray from the safety They offer what’s known as tapas, a serv- of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, fear ing of food comparable to an appetizer not. One of Gelato Mio’s mottos guaranthat is meant to be shared. Mouthwatering tees, “the spoon is small because that much choices include their pressed herb cheese flavor is dangerous to your taste buds in sandwich, smoked trout fillet with arti- larger doses.” Enjoy. choke cream cheese spread and grilled shrimp with spicy romesco sauce.

Fria To drink, they have “cocktails your dad Gelato Mio isn’t the only sweet spot would be proud of.” That means tradition- that’s opened up in downtown Springfield. al drinks like the classic Mint Julep or a A soft-served yogurt bar, Fria, opened up Manhattan. Come January, they plan to about two weeks ago. start offering hard-to-find beers on tap.

Employees Jed Pierce and Alex Missouri State faculty and staff get a 20 Crisman are responsible for the amazing percent discount on all food items, all the interior design of the building and vouch time. for the amazing flavor of their kosher yogurt. Most of their yogurts are non-fat Gelato Mio or low fat, and they even offer a non-dairy Drury University graduates Chantal very berry flavor for the lactose intolerant. and Andy Drennen opened this gem of a What is described as “mad toppings”

adorn their countertop with options like fresh kiwi and watermelon.

Whatever your dietary need, they offer a sweet option to match in taste bud pleasing flavors like Georgia peach and Eurotart.

The Blue Bull

The Blue Bull is sports bar with a twist.

This bar moved into what used to be Riad, a short-lived martini lounge.

The walls are a cool inviting blue, and the menu is just as tantalizing. They even have a shot-wheel, and for $3.50, a bartender spins it. Whatever it lands on, you drink.

The usual appetizers like spinach dip and mozzarella cheese sticks are on the menu, but they also serve reasonably priced meals like the signature Blue Bull burger and chicken BLT wrap.

Ladies’ night is every Friday, featuring half-priced drinks from the time they open (11 a.m.) until close.

Pickleman’s Gourmet Café

The former owner of a Jimmy John’s franchise, Doug Stritzel, took a leap of faith and opened his own gourmet sandwich company in 2005 in Columbia, Mo. The downtown restaurant opened midAugust and offers signature sandwiches like the Veggie and the Turkey Bacon Club, as well as 12” thin crust pizzas, fresh chopped salads and what’s marketed as “really good soups.”

Open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., with delivery that is as freaky fast as their competitors, Pickleman’s is a soon-to-be favorite with the downtown crowd.

Transformations Gallery and Tattoo

This upscale art gallery and tattoo shop opened May 1. Working artists Austin Evans and Gabe Tenneson are both former employees of Sacred Art Tattoos, and with their new business, offer quality tattooing to the masses.

“Art is my life,” Evans said. “You have no business being a tattooist unless you’re an artist.”

The gallery space features their artwork as well as the artwork of fellow Springfieldians, including beautifully traditional canvas pieces and large-scale, mixed-media pieces.

For those looking for somewhere to get a fresh piece of ink or just interested in checking out some wonderfully aesthetically pleasing art, Transformations is a place to keep in mind.

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THE STANDARD

Downtown offers shopping options for any kind of budget

extremely fast because of the prices.”

Additional sales and discounts for students are posted on Envy’s Facebook page at Envy For students looking for great shopping Springfield. opportunities near campus, downtown Envy is open Monday through Thursday, Springfield has a wide variety of options.

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to Vintage Vice 5 p.m.

Located at 214 S. Campbell Ave., Vintage Vice offers vintage and one-of-a-kind clothing Indie at an affordable cost for males and females.

Also on Walnut Street at 210 E. Walnut “A lot of stores sell clothing; we sell indi- St., Indie features clothing, furniture and viduality,” general manager Shawn Matthews home items by local designers. said. “We are completely unique with a conCamille McCallister opened Indie in 2007 cept of modern vintage for the stylish individ- and finds designers who bring in pieces to ual.” show. She also stops people on the street and All store items are under $30 to offer cus- asks about their clothing to see if it’s an origitomers “cool clothing for a low cost,” nal piece.

Matthews said. In addition, Vintage Vice “We represent independent, up-andoffers “happy hour” on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. coming designers with pieces by 70 local to 4 p.m. when students can by $30 worth of designers,” McCallister said. “We try to be items for $20. unique and original and don’t follow trends.

Vintage Vice is open Monday through Sat- We want customers to define their own style.” urday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. with occasional Indie also tries to keep prices low for all late night sales announced on Facebook. To items in the store. find these sales, search Facebook for ‘Vintage “We have an assortment of clothing to fit Vice Store.’ any budget with nothing over $100,” McCallister said. “All our home items are really Chic Chick cheap. We have hand-painted, one-of-a-kind Offering clothes for juniors and women, pieces for $200 and try to keep it really affordChic Chick at 400 E. Walnut St. has a variety able.” of casual clothing and vintage options.

Also available to students is “discount “The clothing is fun and different, and it’s day.” Every Tuesday, students who show an nice to go downtown and not to the mall,” ID receive a 10 percent discount on their purassistant manager Laura Ayres said. “We chase. have lots of vintage-type clothing and jewelry and are something totally different from any- Staxx Apparel where else in Springfield.”

Around the corner from Indie at 331 Chic Chick offered a student discount dur- South Ave., Staxx Apparel offers a wide variing the first few weeks of the fall semester to ety of contemporary clothing for males and students with IDs. It also has coupons in the females.

Campus Special coupon booklets that are All the employees at Staxx are either fashavailable around campus. ion majors or minors, store manager Abby Regular business hours are Monday Poland said. through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and “We love to help, especially when people Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. During the ask for help or tell us what they’re looking First Friday Art Walk each month, Chic for,” Poland said. “We’ve seen an increase in Chick is open until 10 p.m. business because downtown is growing and the new Bistro Market next door.”

Envy “Staxx has a variety of prices ranging from Just a stones throw from Chic Chick, at earrings for $5 to jeans for $300. We also have 323 E. Walnut St., Envy is great for those ‘happy hour’ from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. once a shopping on a tight budget. month on a Thursday where everything in the Envy offers weekly promotions with regu- store is 25 percent off.” lar sales of $5 camis, T-shirts and sunglasses, Staxx is open Monday through Saturday manager Ann Clark said. from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Everything in the store is under $40 and is straight out of L.A.” Clark said. “We get Global Fayre new products in every week and stuff goes Located at 324 S. Campbell Ave., Global

By Megan Gates The Standard

Sarah Hiatt/THE STANDARD

Shawn Matthews, general manager at Vintage Vice, said his store sells “individuality.” Vintage Vice is located at 214 S. Campbell Ave. and sells clothes for males and females.

Fayre is owned and operated by David and Cheri Crump.

“We opened with the concept of a fair trade store,” said David Crump, who explained most of their merchandise is bought through co-opts owned by women in developing countries. “We help them develop through trade instead of through charity.”

The concept of fair trade also allows the Crumps to get to know the co-opt owners.

“We correspond with them through email, and through that, we get to know the people and see the impact we have on their lives,” David Crump said.

The Crumps were attracted to Springfield because of the lack of fair trade stores in the middle of the U.S. and wanted to bring the concept to downtown.

“We are really passionate about downtown Springfield,” David Crump said. “We wanted to know our neighboring retailers and customers.”

In addition to having a variety of clothing, accessories, toys, collectibles and household items, Global Fayre hosts discussions about the benefits of free trade, and these discussions are posted on its Facebook page.

Prices of items in the store vary from $4 for accessories to $200 for house-hold items.

They also offer a 10 percent discount to students who have IDs. Global Fayre is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sarah Hiatt/THE STANDARD

Vintage Vice store items are under $30.

FOOD AND FUN

A l co h o l i s ch e a pe r during weekdays

By The Standard

Finding a good drink in Springfield isn’t hard to do, but finding it cheap requires careful planning and maybe a calendar.

Every bar in town has a happy hour and daily drink specials. With an idea of who’s serving what and $20 in your pocket, you could easily have a very, very fun night on the town.

Because we care about the size of your wallet, we compiled a neat list of some of our favorite, budget friendly drink specials.

Remember, have fun and don’t drink more than Captain Jack Sparrow.

Important note: This is not a comprehensive list of drink specials/happy hours in downtown Springfield. In fact, this is just the tip of the iceberg that sank the Titanic. The goal of this story is to help you begin your quest to find cheap drinks downtown.

Happy Hour

For those of you who are quality beer fans and like to get your buzz on at 2 p.m., head to Patton Alley Pub. Happy hour is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday, and as of this summer, Patton also has a late-night happy hour starting at 10 p.m.

During happy hour, Patton serves halfpriced appetizers and domestic draught beers.

Monday

During NFL football season, Springfield Brew Co. has a sweet deal where you can get a pitcher and either a pizza or 20 wings for $12.

This deal is offered from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Year-round on Mondays, you can get $1 domestic mugs at Trolley’s as well as $2 import mugs and 2-for-1 bombs. We recommend the $1 domestic mugs. Steal.

Right across the street from Trolley’s, Big Whiskey’s serves half-priced drafts and burgers. We hear those burgers are tasty.

$1 drafts and well drinks. If you’re feeling like some Jägermeister, head to Fedora for $1 Jägermeister, cherry and grape bombs.

Thursday

You know what Thursday is? $5 martini night at the Mudlounge. The Mudlounge has a plethora of martini options, everything from the gin and vodka classic to the chocolate martin. Challenge: the fish bowl martini. It’s meant for two, but that doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish the task yourself.

Also serving martinis on Thursday night are Trolley’s and Fedora. You can get $3 Candy Store martinis at Fedora and $3.50 martinis at Trolley’s.

Besides martinis, there are also 2 wells for $1 and Coors Light bottles at The Boogie and $1 bottles at Tropical Liqueurs. While you’re at “Trops,” try one of their delicious alcoholic, smoothie-type, tropical beverages.

Friday

Even though Friday is a busy night downtown, there are still cheap drinks to be had somewhere.

At Ernie Biggs, you can get a $2 Coors Banquet draft, and at Trolley’s you can get a “Big Boulevard” for $4 and the martini of the Tuesday day for $5.

There’s this little dance party called Make Of course, if you feel like beating the downOut going on at The Outland Tuesdays, and it’s town rush, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., you can get free for 21-and-ups. Party. $6 pitchers at Trops.

Trolley’s serves $1 domestic bottles, and Ernie Biggs serves $2 wells and domestics, $2 Saturday grapebomb, cherrybomb and Starburst shots Another busy night, but no fear, $2 Coors and $3 Red Bull and vodka.

Banquet on draft is still here, courtesy of Ernie Feeling classy? Head to Fedora. They serve Biggs. $1 Bud Light and Miller Light bottles and $3 Also, there’s a $4 bartender’s choice “big bombs. beer” at Trolley’s as well as the $5 martini of the day.

Wednesday

How do you feel about drinking an entire pitcher of beer by yourself? If you ever want to try, we recommend heading to The Boogie on a Wednesday for a $3 pitcher of Coors Light.

They also serve $2 well drinks and shots.

Right across the street, Ernie Biggs serves

Sunday

Ah, Sunday, to do laundry and study or to go downtown and drink all day?

As on Mondays, Springfield Brew Co. has their NFL football season deal. In the meantime, Big Whiskey’s is serving $2 domestics.

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THE STANDARD

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D a t i n g d o e s n ’ t h ave t o b e c l i c h é w i t h t h e o p t i o n s d ow n t o w n o f f e r s

By Dillan Conn The Standard

martini specials.

Kai

It’s date night, and you have $20 to Another impressive dining spot – for your name. There are plenty of cheap the sake of a date – is Kai After Dark, choices downtown to fit your budget and located right across from the Campbell your level of commitment.

Avenue Parking Garage.

Kai is a partner of Haruno Sushi Bar & A Classy Affair: Flame Steakhouse Grill, so its sushi is preceded by a quality If you’re trying to impress the pants off reputation. of someone, think about Flame SteakThe best time to class it up and keep it house at 314 Walnut St. cheap is Kai’s “college night” on WednesHappy hour runs Monday through day from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. when they run Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the $2 to $3 specials on appetizers like spring downstairs “Red Room.” During the spe- rolls and steak skewers and have two cial, they have $3.50 premium hamburg- select sushi rolls for $4. ers, $3.50 plates of fried calamari and Downstairs is styled as somewhat of a $4.50 plates of steamed mussels. cocktail lounge and allows smoking; These dishes are awesome and the upstairs provides a more elegant dating atmosphere is dark enough to mask your experience. “College night” also serves $2 wrinkled shirt but still lend a classy and domestic beers. romantic feel.

For the 21-and-up crowd, happy hour A Bit More Casual: Bruno’s in the Red Room also serves 2-for-1 spe- Pizzeria Evan Melgren/THE STANDARD cials. On Wednesdays and Thursdays DATING, page 7 The Bistro hosts several options for your date, whether eating out or cooking at home.

See from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., there are wine and

FOOD AND FUN

Dating

There’s a big-city vibe, and you choose how ritzy you want to make it.

Continued from page 6

Totally Different Style: The Cup

When you hear “casual,” don’t think Bruno’s Pizzeria Ristorante Italiano on South Ave. is anything less than fine. It could easily be included in the sophisticated joints above, but with lunch specials less than $4, there’s no need to dress up.

Bruno’s produces legit Italian food. It’s a nice place with a warm vibe and an upstairs bar and dining area that opens at 5:00 p.m.

The prices aren’t exorbitant, but outside of the lunch special, they wouldn’t be considered cheap. However, it is still possible to split a couple of appetizers and have a drink under $20. Also, splitting a pizza is a solid choice to fill up two.

Bistro Market

Surely, you’ve heard of the Bistro Market by now. If you haven’t, this might be the first day of your newfound downtown life.

The Bistro offers so many things we can’t list them all; but as far as dates go, you can get sushi, coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, gelato or groceries to whip up a meal and woo her back at your place.

New to downtown, The Cup cupcake shop, across from Jimmy John’s on Walnut Street, offers “sweet treats and drinks,” according to its slogan.

This is a darling little shop; pastels and trendy chairs, plush pillows, a cool staff and a laid-back atmosphere make this a great first date destination.

The cupcakes are oversized and come in a mix of traditional and truly original flavors from Red Velvet and Confetti to Grasshopper, Banana Split and Peanut Butter Cup – all iced with buttercream topping.

Gailey’s

Finally, there’s Gailey’s Breakfast Café located at 220 Walnut St. As the name says, they specialize in breakfast food and are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday until 2:00 p.m.

No one ever said you had to go on a date before you spent the night together, so if you care enough not to cut out in the morning, take your date to Gailey’s to see if it’s really going to work out.

Sunday mornings are graced with a talented guitar and harp duo.

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THE STANDARD

All ages can have fun downtown

By Abby Webster The Standard

Justin Windsor, junior wildlife biology major, told me his favorite activity to partake in after 9 p.m. is drinking. When I asked him where, he replied “in an alleyway.”

Let’s not allow this to happen to you.

Instead, here are some safer and more interesting late-night spots to visit in downtown Springfield.

21 +

Fedora 300 E. Park Central St. 417-832-9514 This bar tries for a more upscale feel. It’s a great place to go to celebrate. They have unbelievable martini choices, including one called a “Cherry Smacker” that contains a Fruit Roll-up and a Twizzler straw. They also have great fondue.

Tropical Liqueurs 420 South Campbell Ave. 417-832-9067 “Trops” is a cool place because the majority of their drinks are, well, tropical and juicy. It’s a great place to go and have a smoothie-esque beverage served in a styrofoam cup. It’s a little small, but the environment is upbeat and friendly.

The Outland 326 South Ave. 417-869-7625 Events here vary, but this is mainly a music venue. Located across from the Mudhouse on South Avenue, The Outland is home to Black Box Revue every Friday night, which is a DJhosted dance party. Other bands play here during various days of the week. It’s a pretty grimy place, but it’s a lot of fun.

The Outland allows smoking.

Billiards 541 E. Saint Louis St. 417-866-4319 Play pool. Eat hot dogs. Drink beer out of plastic cups. It’s as if a typical Wisconsin bar came and visited Springfield. This is one of the more traditional, American-style bars downtown.

The Mudlounge 321 E. Walnut St. 417-865-6964 The Mudlounge is known for its extensive martini and diverse beer selection. This place provides a hip, classy atmosphere where you don’t have to yell at people to carry on a conversation.

Aside from being a good place to talk, Mudlounge has fondue, cheese plates and a cozy back patio.

All ages and 18 + activities The Albatross

Evan Melgren/THE STANDARD

Saint Louis Street and the rest of downtown Springfield is full of activities for all ages.

320 E. Walnut St. 417-862-2522 This is a dimly lit hookah and tobacco lounge. You can bring your own beer, but make sure you have an ID with you. This is a great place to go with friends and chat. It almost feels like you’re in somebody’s big living room.

The Bistro Market 401 South Ave. 417-869-1840 With a name like “Bistro Market,” you may think it’s just a grocery store, but it’s not.

The Bistro reminds me of a New York City market. It is open until 2 a.m. every night and has a bar with several beers on tap, including Fat Tire, and a late-night buffet.

They also have gelato, Starbucks and an awesome booze section. Along with their strictly organic produce, there’s a candystore-style wall covered in grains and nuts.

You can also make your own almond butter and peanut butter.

So, if you’re in need of groceries after a long day of studying, or you just want to grab something to eat at the buffet, head to The Bistro.

The Mudhouse 323 South Ave. 417-832-1720 The Mudhouse is the Mudlounge’s alcohol-free relative. Located at the heart of South Avenue, this popular coffee house

contains a wide selection of coffee drinks and baked goods. If you decide to visit the Mudhouse before 8 p.m., you should try one of their simple but delicious lunch options.

This is a great place to hit the books on a low-key night. The coffee is fair trade, and the atmosphere is unique and comfortable.

Pickleman’s Gourmet Café 333 E. Walnut St. 417-851-6900 If you’re hungry late at night and don’t want to resort to greasy fast food, order Pickleman’s or head there to pick up a sandwich. Not only do they have creative gourmet sandwiches, they also have salads, pizzas and cookies. They’re open until 2 p.m. every night.

Jimmy John’s 322 E. Walnut St. 417-832-0500 These sandwiches are a little simpler than Pickleman’s, but they’re faster to make.

Located on Walnut Street right across from the previously mentioned sandwich shop, this is a classic favorite. Order one to be delivered or go pick it up. Open until 2 a.m.

Whisler’s 208 W. McDaniel St. 417-864-5565 This is an old-fashioned, hole-in-thewall, slider-style burger place. They have a small but magnificent selection. The prices aren’t bad, and you get your food fast. There isn’t a place to sit in there, but you can take your burgers anywhere you want. They

close at 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, but on the weekends, they’re open until 2 a.m.

Patton Alley Pub 313 S. Patton Ave. 417-865-1188 Patton Alley is a great place to go if you love beer. This bar is huge and hosts trivia every Thursday and Sunday night at 7:30 p.m.

There are 36 different beers on tap as well as 85 different bottled beers. They carry great American bar-style food, including one of my personal favorites, fried okra.

They also often host live music, especially bluegrass.

Farmers Gastropub 431 S. Jefferson Ave. 417-864-6994 Modeled after a traditional English style pub, this place carries locally grown, organic food. I recommend this bar to anyone who wants to eat great food with their beer or get away from typical bar menus.

The restaurant is open until 10:30 p.m. with the exceptions of Tuesday and Wednesday when they close at 9 p.m.

However, the bar section is open until midnight or later Thursday through Saturday.

The Outland Ballroom 326 South Ave. 417-869-7625 The Outland Ballroom is located just above the Outland. Smoking is allowed here as well. More often than not, it’s 18 and up, but there’s still a bar. This graffiti-covered music venue is one of my favorite spots to watch a band perform. It’s compact, and sometimes you sort of feel like the ground may cave in.

The Front Porch 310 South Ave. 417-865-2673 The hours for this venue vary. It’s nonsmoking, and there’s no bar. But it’s a fun place to go if you just want to sip some coffee and watch a band play. The inside is cozy and loft-like.

Ebbets Field 1027 E. Walnut St. 417-865-5050 This is a fun sports bar located closer to campus than some of the other’s mentioned.

It hosts live music on Sunday nights. At Ebbets, you can get great burgers and eat them on the huge back patio.

Jordan Valley Park 635 E. Trafficway St. 417-864-1049 Go play in the water after hours before it gets too cold. The way that this long fountain is set up makes me feel like I’m in either a fairy tale or a different country.

FOOD AND FUN File photo by Evan Melgren/THE STANDARD

Springfield Hot Glass Studio offers classes for people to learn many things, including furnace glass blowing.

Act fast because classes fill up quickly, and students sign up six months in advance.

Make your own art in downtown Springfield

events as well, and help is always appreciated. Art Factory 417 is a non-profit business, but it has not qualified for a tax write-off Downtown Springfield offers art enthu- yet. Thus, the business pays for rent through siasts several outlets to express themselves donations. whether it’s through blowing glass or drawing still life.

Springfield Hot Glass Studio Students can learn how to make all sorts Art Factory 417 of glass creations in classes at the Hot Glass The Art Factory started out as a “brain- Studio. The cost of the classes varies from storming” idea, said Carlynn Forst, who is $50 to $300, according to their website. on the board of directors at the factory.

Gabriel Bloodworth, who works with his “It was a collaboration between lots of father at the studio, said the furnace glass people,” said Forst, a senior art education blowing class fills up fast. The class not only major. “Last January was when we started fills up in advance: It is also the most expenoffering all of these services.” sive.

Forst said John Coleman and Jeremy “We limit the class size to three stuMosher are two of the main founders. There dents,” he said. “That allows the students to are six people on the board of directors and have individual time and attention. Since we six additional members listed on the Art only offer the class two times a month, we Factory’s website. fill classes about six months in advance.

The Art Factory is open to anyone who Right now, we are offering classes for 2011.” wants to come create their own work, Forst Other classes offered include glass bead said. making, glass fusing and borosilicate pen“It is a venture of working in the field,” dants making. Bead making costs $50, glass she said. “The whole purpose is to get peo- fusing costs $75 and learning to make penple that are not currently involved, dants costs $60. involved.”

Bloodworth said his father, Terry BloodForst said they offer open studios almost worth, is the master glass blower. His father every Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. as learned to blow glass at Silver Dollar City well as life drawing and additional events where he worked for 25 years. posted on their website, “He worked at Silver Dollar City as the http://artfactory417.org. In addition to the master glass blower,” he said. “Then about classes being offered, there is no price for eight years ago, we opened our studio downadmission; the factory just asks for dona- town.” tions.

Art is important no matter what kind of “We ask for donations of $5 to $7, art it is, Bloodworth said. depending on whether you are a factory “I believe that people have to have an member or not,” she said. “It’s a suggested expression of some sort, even if it’s just bakdonation, so we won’t really refuse anyone ing,” he said. “You have to have some sort because they can’t pay it. It helps to pay for of release or valve that you can dedicate our facility.” yourself to. To me, (glass blowing) is mediForst said they have lots of fundraiser tative.”

By Karen Bliss The Standard

September 14, 2010

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10 September 14, 2010

Downtown locations keep you thinking, d r i n k i n g a n d f o r e ve r e n t e r t a i n e d

By Bobbie Sawyer The Standard From Art Walks to pub crawls, there’s always something to do in downtown Springfield. The following guide is made up of weekly, monthly and annual events; its designed to keep you boredom-free year round.

Patton Alley Think ‘n Drink Trivia Night

If you ever worry about losing brain cells at the bar, fear not. Patton Alley Pub’s Think ‘n Drink Trivia Night, taking place at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday and Sunday, is designed to stimulate the mind.

Tonia Castaneda, a Patton Alley employee, said trivia night was developed around two-and-a-half years ago upon the suggestion of regular customers.

“We have a highly educated group of patrons that come in,” she said. “People expressed interest in it.”

Castaneda said she thinks the most enjoyable part of trivia night is the competitive nature.

“The questions are stimulating,” she said. “It makes people think and gives them a sense of satisfaction.”

Castaneda said there are usually about 15 to 30 people on Thursday nights, while Sunday nights bring in a crowd of more than 75. Teams are made up of two to six participants.

Perhaps the best part? It’s completely free.

Shows at The Skinny Improv

The Skinny Improv is probably the only place downtown where you can see vampires being slain for under $5.

On the third Saturday of each month, the Improv presents Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, a comedic interpretation of the trials and triumphs of everybody’s favorite asskicking Sunnydale High School student.

House manager Austin Barton said the Skinny show brings out the classic teen drama’s most dedicated fans.

“That show has a cult following,” Barton said. “It’s a comedy reading of a very popular drama, and it’s an awesome show.”

Other performances at the Skinny include the Mainstage Show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 and Mystery Hour, a late night talk show that takes place the first Friday of every month at 10:15 p.m.

Admission is $12 for the Mainstage Show ($10 with your student ID), $6 for

Mystery Hour and “pay what you will” for Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

Barton said the humor at the Skinny Improv is something college students can relate to.

“We have a young crowd,” he said.

“From (college) seniors to people in their late 20s. Everything they’re dealing with is something we can make fun of.”

Cider Days

Cider Days, taking place Sept. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the area’s first fall festival. The two day celebration features local live music, cider for sale, a scarecrow competition and a wine barrel race.

Rusty Worley, executive director of Urban Districts Alliance (a non-profit community development organization dedicated to hosting and bringing attention to downtown community events), said Cider Days was developed after the success of Arts Fest, a 30-year-old event that brings approximately 25,000 people to downtown Springfield each May. “Out of (the success of Arts Fest) and the thousands of people who flock to Walnut Street, we decided that a second fest in the fall would be a good idea,” he said. “The two (events) bookend our two seasons well.”

Worley said he anticipates Cider Days, which is now in its 13th year, will bring out around 15,000 people.

Taste of Springfield

The 4th annual Taste of Springfield event will give community members an opportunity to sample the best of downtown restaurants Oct. 2. in Park Central Square.

Worley said attendants will be able to taste-test dishes from 27 restaurants while enjoying live music from Members Only, an 80s cover band, and a beer garden furnished by the Springfield Brewing Co.

Plays at The Vandivort

Usually, Halloween night in downtown Springfield is marked by hundreds of costumed Time Warpers making their trek to venues such as the Landers Theater and The Shrine Mosque to participate in a viewing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

But this year, the Vandivort Theater is giving fans the chance to see Brad, Janet and Dr. Frank-N-Furter live in the stage version that spawned the cult movie classic.

“Rocky Horror” begins Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and will end Oct. 31.

Lou Schaeffer, a producer at Vandivort, said the theater does nine productions each year with each production running for

Michael Gulledge/THE STANDARD

Patton Alley hosts Think ‘n Drink Trivia Night every Thursday and Sunday night at 7:30.

Teams are made of two to six participants. three or four weekends.

Schaeffer said it’s the intimacy that sets Vandivort apart from other theaters.

“It’s a very small theater,” he said. “We seat just over a hundred. The stage is close.

The audience isn’t oceans away.”

Schaeffer said the Vandivort doesn’t shy away from more serious subject matter.

“We generally do things that other theaters in town do not or will not do,” he said.

“Plays that have more adult subject matter, topical issues, plays with nudity. Some of our most successful plays are the ones that address social issues.”

Prices for college students are $10 for plays and $14 for musicals if purchased 30 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets can also be purchased at a half-price ticket booth at Coffee Ethic.

Friday Night Farmers Market

The Friday Night Farmers Market, located in Park Central East, features live music and local products and opens up shop at 6 p.m. every Friday. If you want to

experience the Friday Night Farmers Market, act fast. Oct. 1 is the final weekend of the market for this year.

Pub crawls

Throughout the year, students 21 and over attend a variety of pub crawls during which about 20 downtown bars open their doors with no cover charge. From the upcoming Halloween pub crawl, which Worley said is attended by approximately 10,000 to 12,000 patrons in crazy costumes, to the New Year’s Eve, Mardis Gras, St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo booze fests, it’s usually a holiday downtown.

First Friday Art Walk

Art Walk is a long-running tradition in downtown Springfield. The first Friday evening of each month, downtown’s wide variety of galleries are abuzz with community members viewing work from local artists, while streets are filled with street performers, vendors and the sounds of nightlife.

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September 14, 2010 11

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September 14, 2010 12