Here is TAG’s can’t-miss list for tonight’s First Friday Art Walk in down town SGF tonight. Not enough? Get your complete listing of FFAW stops. Find TAG Team to pick up a copy of the December issue of TAG Magazine.

Don’t Miss!

• A Cozy Christmas Celebration + beer and TAG Magazine, at Randy Bacon (600 W College) — Christmas music, cookies, crafts, refreshments and Randy Bacon’s favorite stills from the last decade will be on display in addition to a beer tasting from O’Fallon Brewery. Also a sure-fire stop to be among the first to grab a copy of TAG Magazine.

• Robert E. Smith: Springfieldian, Folk Artist, and Friend to All at Park Central Branch Library (128 Park Central Square) — A tribute to the work of a Springfield icon featuring 24 pieces of work from the private collections of SGFers. Copies of the book titled in his name Robert E. Smith will be available for purchase. Dallas Jones will provide the tunes.

• Stories About Things and META at Good Girt Art (325 E Walnut) – Exhibits by Kat Philbin and Kolmega Kalbfleisch will be joined by a laser light show and set by Black Box Revue’s DJ Johan.

• Winter Jewelry Trunk Show at Hawthorn Galleries (214 E Walnut) – Innovative original designs by local jewelry artists including India Marie Knowles, Nadine Janus-Jones, Lee Richards and Denise Temofeew accompanied by live music from harpist Darice Augustson.

Other highlights:

15 artists displayed as part of the 2011 Retrospective at Squidfoo Art Gallery; Jane’s Fantastic World of Nature at Obelisk Home; Christmas Ornament Party at Springfield Hot Glass Studio

Here is TAG’s can’t-miss list for tonight’s First Friday Art Walk in down town SGF tonight. Not enough? Get your complete listing of FFAW stops. Find TAG Team to pick up a copy of the November issue of TAG Magazine.

Don’t Miss!

• Photography, beer and TAG Magazine, at Caradee Photography (305 E Walnut) — Contemporary images from SGF photographers Cara Stucke and Mark Gilmore will line the walls in addition to a beer tasting from O’Fallon Brewery. Also a sure-fire stop to be among the first to grab a copy of TAG Magazine.

• Julie Blackmon at Creamery Arts Center (411 N Sherman Pkwy) — If you are unfamiliar with Julie Blackmon’s award-winning photography, that needs to change tonight. Her world-renowned photography will be the main event, but Springfield Regional Arts Council will also be kicking off its The Art of Process series.

• Christie Snelson at Boca Mocha (320 Park Central West) – Reduce, reuse, recycle, right? In a go-green era, Snelson picks up canvases from the Salvation Army and paints over them. There will be a handful of live artists as well (including Jane Troupe, James Richardson, John L. Payne and Tyler Thrasher).

• Women Artists of the Midwest Exhibition at Hawthorn Galleries (214 E Walnut) — New work by Lisa Esposito, Alishia Brundege, Jeanne Davis, Lyn Phariss, and Louise Thies will be on display for the 4th Annual exhibition of female artists from the midwest. Additionally Copper Run Distillery will be on hand for tastings of rum, vodka and moonshine from right here in the Ozarks.

Other highlights:

Tracy Lea Marshall and Noah Sheets at Squidfoo Art Gallery; Dryden Wells at Springfield Pottery; Chef HJ Schumer at OTC Fine Art Gallery; Christmas Ornament Party at Springfield Hot Glass Studio

Artists4Joplin, a collective of local artists, will hold a month-long auction at Squidfoo Art Gallery and Studio (407 N Boonville) to support the Joplin Arts Relief Fund. The silent auction will run from August 5-September 2 with proceeds to help replace supplies, canvases and other equipment lost in the May 22 tornado. Live music and live art by Gary Bedell, Austin Barton and Justin Gault on Friday, August 5.

Among others, you will be able to bid on work from:

• Jeremy Mosher
• H. E. Croan
• Hiram Mesa
• John Worcester
• Justin Gault
• Audra Rausa
• Jessica Hudson
• Fonda Golding
• Karla Trammel
• Kristen Atkinson
• Austin Barton
• Bernice Baver
• Marcus Howell
• Maneesh Anand

An example of one of the postcards sent to PostSecret.

One of the largest and longest continuously running community art projects in America is about to come to SGF. Created by Frank Warren in 2005, PostSecret encourages people via its website to anonymously send homemade postcards to a mailing address sharing a personal secret they have never revealed to anyone before. The results have been astonishing: The PostSecret site is, according to its own description, the largest ad-free blog in the world with more than 450 million visitors to date. Additionally, PostSecret spawned four books, a traveling art exhibit and a lecture tour hosted by Warren that is coming to Gillioz Theatre Friday, September 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale this Friday (July 15) at noon on the Gillioz Theatre ticket site.

The secrets you’ll find on the postcards range from hilarious to heart-wrenching, and the live version looks as though it will be that and more. Past stops have included videos, examples of secrets “banned” from the books (presumably by the publisher, though we don’t find an explanation), a revealing of Warren’s own secrets and an open-mic opportunity for the audience to reveal secrets of its own. The results could be therapeutic, inspiration or even a little shocking, but regardless of where in the spectrum it lands you can bet it will contain examples of mature content and may not be suitable for children.

Tickets will be $22.50 for all seating when they go on sale. Doors for the show are scheduled to open at 7 p.m.

FIND Art Magazine, based in Los Angeles, is loading a semi-truck with art and taking it on a national tour for “FIND Art Across America”. Along the way, it will hit more than 55 cities, the likes of San Francisco, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Miami … and Springfield. Twice. An artist from each stop is included in the exhibit, and SGF will be proudly represented by Francois Lariviere (coming soon to a TAGsgf.com Art Focus near you). The first stop will hit Lemondrop on May 16 and features an absolutely loaded lineup. More than a dozen local artists will be featured in the exhibit, with live music from Sincerely Yours with Nick Fury, and The Spacetones with more music to be announced later. If that isn’t enough, there will be drinks, and The Taco Wagon on hand with grub. And the best part? It’s free.

FIND Art Across America is sponsored locally by Lemondrop, SpringfieldArtScene.com, 5#Apparel and TAG Magazine

The Local Artist Lineup

• Francois Lariviere
• Derek Schlueter
• John Worcester
• Pixel Masher
• Zac Swanson
• Nicholas Tarr
• H.E. Croan
• Gary Bedell
• Tyler Gross
• Josh Nail
• Shawn Clark
• Joey Trent
• Joe Oelke

Image courtesy wpclipart.com

These are tough times for creatives and the things they create. With belt tightening being a common theme among endowments, committees and other charitable organizations the do-it-yourself approach to raising money for art projects is more popular than ever. Lots of people are learning how to use such DIY fundraising sites as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo to create audience-sourced infusions of cash to move forward with their next movie, music album or even saving a building. But what happens if you don’t raise the money you need? And how can you work to avoid such a problem in the first place?

Tonight’s monthly meeting of the Missouri Film Alliance of Springfield is about just that, and the organization is opening the doors to artists and creatives of all mediums to learn from the panel it has put in place. Tonight beginning at 6:30 at Creamery Arts Center (411 N. Sherman Pkwy.) you’ll hear from a panel of local fund-raising artmakers including Doug Wilson, one of the producers of Linotype: The Film, a local movie project that recently raised almost $25,000 through such independent means. They’ll be on hand to explain techniques they used to generate maximum interest and donations through their online campaigns, as well as take questions from the audience. If you have an art project looming on the horizon and need some financial help to see it through this is the chance to learn from those who succeeded in finding it. Best of all, it’s FREE to attend. That may be the last time you get to hear that word on the way to bringing your piece to life.

In spite of the presence of a dedicated full-time independent cinema in SGF there have been only occasional opportunities to see local films on local big screens. Outside of SATO48, the postponed Springfield Little Film Festival and the locally unprecedented success of Winter’s Bone (Roger Ebert even puts it as #5 on his Best Movies of 2010 list) the focus has generally been put elsewhere. That changes tonight with the first in a five-month run of monthly all-local film nights at Moxie Cinema. Called Queen City Cinema, the plan is to let SGF filmmakers submit their movies, whether short or long, and for selections to screen at Moxie on the first Tuesday of the month from now through May. Admission is FREE. The movies begin tonight at 9:30 p.m. and at 8:30 p.m. for each of the next four months.

These are the four films submitted tonight for your viewing pleasure:

oops, by Chris Beckman, a 2011 Sundance Film Festival selection (Short Film category) and Vimeo Awards winner last year:

This… Is the Orange Line, by Nathan Maulorico, played at the Cucalorus Film Festival late last year:

One Piece at a Time, by Max Rosen:

Loose Cannon, by Brook Linder:

As for the months ahead, the schedule isn’t set yet. The plan with the film series is to keep a “rolling” submission deadline (read: plan one screening at a time rather than all at once), so local moviemakers can still finish and submit movies for potential inclusion. All it takes is dropping off two DVD copies of the movie at Moxie for consideration. For viewers it means keeping an eye on each screening’s schedule as it’s announced, which you can do through the Missouri Film Alliance of Springfield’s Facebook page, Moxie’s website and the site you’re reading right now.

Since the recent announcement that SGF landmark Gillioz Theatre is about to begin foreclosure proceedings the downtown venue’s staff has feverishly pushed to raise money through private donations to start paying back the $1 million the facility owes in bank loans. In a little more than a week the Gillioz has received almost $100,000 in donations toward its $500,000 goal, and now its next-door neighbor is pitching in with an event of its own.

Next Tuesday, December 28, Big Whiskey’s American Bar & Grill (311 Park Central East) will host a “Save the Gillioz” night, in which a portion of all the day’s proceeds will go toward the Save the Gillioz Fund established through Community Foundation of the Ozarks. It’s a shrewd choice of nights by Big Whiskey’s, given that December 28 is also the night of the Insight Bowl pitting Missouri against Iowa in college football, a game sure to draw a large, money-spending crowd.

Of course, if you can’t make it to the bar on a Tuesday you can always go directly to CFO’s donation site and give to the fund that way; just be sure to specify “Save the Gillioz” in the “Fund/Program” field so it goes to the right place. The first 100 donations of $2,500 or more even get their own free rental of the Gillioz for a night. Hopefully all of that will make sure it’s still there to be rented when the time comes.

Springfield Contemporary Theatre announced in a press release that Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has been postponed to next season. DRS was scheduled to run at the Vandivort in February, but has been replaced by Lend Me a Tenor. Set in the 1930s around a missing celebrity singer, Lend Me a Tenor brings a chain of events humor, including the always riotous “given a tranquilizer” gag. Lend Me a Tenor will be directed by Richard Dines and will open Feb. 18.

Drury graduate Chris Beckman has been invited to attend the 2011 Sundance Film Festival where his video oops will be screened in the short film program. Beckman’s video was one of 81 short films chosen for the festival which will be held in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah January 20-30.

Beckman describes his video as, “A lucid, seamless voyage through the Internet’s infinite repository of ‘throwaway’ social documentation and into the humanity of everyday life – via YouTube’s clumsiest videographers.”

Beckman began the project by selecting 100-150 videos off of YouTube of people doing accidental things, such as, dropping the camera. Eventually, Beckman used portions of 40-45 YouTube videos. “It’s cool that people feel free enough to upload videos of them dropping the camera,” Beckman said. “It’s another thing that kind of attracted me to the videos. Salvaging almost useless things to make something that people want to watch.”

Beckman, who graduated from Drury in May 2010 with a degree in Fine Arts in the Department of Art and Art History, originally created the piece for a class called Video Art co-taught by Drury professors Blaine Whisenhunt and Greg Booker with assistance from Brian Shipman, a Drury video instructor.

On being selected for Sundance, Beckman said, “I was really surprised. Definitely pleased. When I first started this project I thought it was a class assignment that I could expand to play in a gallery. The fact that it got a life of its own and all kinds of people appreciate it kind of floored me. It’s exciting.”

Earlier this year, oops won a Vimeo Award, which honors videos that premiere online. Beckman’s video can be viewed at: http://vimeo.com/awards/about#experimental

Beckman plans to attend the Sundance Film Festival next month. Eventually, he hopes to go to graduate school where he will study film or art.

Read the full news release from the Sundance Film Festival at: http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/2011-short-film-program-announced/

oops from Chris Beckman on Vimeo.

Gabriel Iglesias has been described as unbelievably funny, electrifying, and a gifted performer who has the ability to consistently deliver a quality comedy experience in every venue he performs in. His high-octane show is a hilarious mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects that bring all his personal issues to life. Gabe’s clean, animated comedy style has earned national crossover appeal. Ask anyone who has seen him in concert and you will probably hear the same thing, “He was so funny!”

Known as the “fluffy” comic in a Hawaiian shirt, the 33-year old funny man often riffs about his girthy middle – whether it’s talking about how little dancing it takes for him to work up a sweat at the nightclub, or how hearing his girlfriend coo the words “chocolate cake” over the telephone works for him like phone sex, he evokes laughter.

Gabriel’s mass appeal opened the door to a rare opportunity to film a second one hour special and DVD. The new special entitled “I’m Not Fat… I’m Fluffy” Live from El Paso premiered on Comedy Central November 8, 2009. The new show is packed with a perfect blend of impeccable voice skills and an uncanny knack for hilarious storytelling that Gabe is known for. His vast imitative skills re-create numerous sound effects from speeding cars to microwave ovens to a plethora of dead-on voices. The new special is destine to top his previous hugely successful Special/DVD “Hot & Fluffy”.

Gabriel’s credits include; “Last Comic Standing”, ABC’s “My Wife & Kids,” Showtime’s “Resurrection Boulevard,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Good Morning America,” “The Late Late Show,” FOX TV’s “The Family Guy,” “Showtime at the Apollo” and BET’s “Comic View.”

For more information visit www.fluffyguy.com and www.gillioz.org!

The Fluffy Shop Tour
Coming to the Gillioz Theatre
Friday, February 25th at 8 p.m.

TICKETS ON-SALE:
Friday, December 10th
Tickets are $35.00
*Additional fees apply

The Gillioz Theatre announced today that Ralphie May will be performing February 19, 2011.

Ralphie May’s new comedy special, RALPHIE MAY: AUSTIN-TATIOUS was released on DVD and CD in May 2009. Recorded live to a sold-out crowd at the Paramount Theater in Austin, TX, this marks the comedian’s fourth recording in just a few short years.

Ralphie’s popularity exploded from the success of NBC’s hit show, “Last Comic Standing” making him one of the biggest comedians in the country.

Most recently, Ralphie just finished shooting a new movie titled “The Best and Brightest” starring Neil Patrick Harris and Amy Sedaris, scheduled for release later this year. In 2008, Ralphie was named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch.” His 2007 one-hour comedy special, PRIME CUT aired to higher ratings than Larry the Cable Guy or Ron White during Comedy Central’s “Blue Collar Weekend.” Ralphie has worked as a writer and producer on ESPN’s “Mohr Sports” starring Jay Mohr and has also written for the ESPY’s.

Ralphie has performed stand-up on numerous late night talk shows, including four appearances on CBS’s “The Late Late Show” as well as eleven appearances on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and he was the first comedian in over 10 years to receive a standing ovation on “The Tonight Show.” This is definitely a show you don’t want to miss! For more information visit www.ralphiemay.com and www.gillioz.org!

Ticket Info:

Tickets available at Gillioz Box Office, online at www.gillioz.org, or by calling 417-863-9491.

Tickets on-sale:
Friday, December 10

Show date:
Saturday, February 19 at 7:30pm

Ticket Price: $29.50
(additional fees apply)

Happy birthday, Moxie!@

The Moxie Cinema has been a part of downtown SGF for five years. They celebrated the occasion on Saturday and Alex Stocksdale joined in the celebration and snapped some photos.

This is your starter guide for tonight’s October edition of the First Friday Art Walk in downtown SGF. These are the places we won’t miss – check out the whole schedule here.

Galleries

* Smart Group and Gallery (405 W. Walnut) – The foodie in me would head to Smart Group anyway (Big Mike’s Crab Shack, pizza, pumpkin-spiced cordials tonight), but Kristi Mashburn’s Little Monsters exhibit will be a good view, as well. Think Nightmare before Christmas with oil instead of clay.

* Park Central Library (416 S. Campbell) – Enjoy the photography of Jess Heugel (who you may have seen a time or two in the News-Leader) and comedy of the Hero Squad.

Artists/Exhibits

* The Power of Beauty by Jacqueline Warren at Drury Pool Art Center (940 N. Clay): The work of Drury’s resident artist has been displayed internationally. The collection is a reaction to essays and studies about beauty in the arts.

* Grabadores Mexicanos Contemporáneos: Duran, Flores, Ortega, Paciorek at MSU Brick City (215 W Mill) – Four Mexican print makers – a professor, a teacher, a graphic designer, and a children’s book cover designer display prints with vibrant colors used by way of retro and contemporary methods.

* Dustin Burgert at Obelisk Home at the Inspired Commerce Building (214 W. Phelps) – Burgert turns wood that’s been deemed trash by other into artful pieces.

Other notes

* Sertoma Beer Garden (near Campbell and Walnut): Beer, brats, hot dogs and live music at the beer garden to benefit Sertoma charities.

Ran Cummings plays the role of Hamlet in the feature production from The Skinny Improv and Springfield Shakespeare Project.

Hamlet is widely regarded as the greatest English play, ever. TAGsgf.com caught up with the lead actor Ran Cummings at the Phelps Grove Park stage to talk about the significance of the work and how to avoid over-cheesing the famous To Be or Not To Be speech. The Skinny Improv and Springfield Shakespeare Project get set for week two of their limited seating production at National Avenue Christian Church. Tickets are just $10 and showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. There are only 50 seats available each night and doors open at 7 p.m., so get there early. They ran out quick during opening weekend.

Ran Cummings talks about playing the role of Hamlet

This weekend Walnut Street (from National Ave. to John Q Hammons Pkwy) transforms into an arts and crafts mecca for the 13th annual Cider Days festival. Donnie Rodgers, Urban District Alliance, said there are more than 75 artist vendors registered and with a sunny forecast, U.D.A. expects a big crowd. The vendors include handmade goods (jewelry, furniture, clay, glass, even stufed animals) and handmade art (painting, photography) – though it should be argued the two walk hand-in-hand.

On stage is a diverse lineup which features Springfield Little Theatre’s Youth Performance Troupes, the Skinny Improv, A Cub Bella, and a whole lot more.

Cider Days runs this Saturday and Sunday (September 18-19), from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. It’s just $4 at the gate, children 10 & under are free.

Cider Days Menu

A look at the music schedule

10 Booths to Check Out

(though you’ll enjoy many more as well)

1. Bluff Spring Photography
2. Fusion Stained Glass
3. Dan Bigbee of Fassnight Creek Farms
4. Jim the Bottle Guy
5. Felicity Glass
6. Fresh Gallery
7. Vintage Vice
8. Flower Child
9. Gypsy Junk
10. Just Because

Show Wagon Stage

Saturday

• 10 a.m. – Springfield Little Theatre Youth Performance Troupe
• 11:30 – Springfield Little Theatre Cast of Treasure Island Noon – The Skinny Improv
• 12:30 p.m. – MPAC
• 1:00 – Sonshine Dance Troupe
• 1:30 – Willard Mini Tigerettes
• 2:00 – Credo Dance Academy
• 2:30 – Springfield Ballet
• 3:00 – Sarrab School of Dance
• 3:30 – Pat’s Clogging Studio
• 4:30 – Ann’s PAC

Sunday

• 11:30 a.m. – Springfield Little Theatre Youth Performance Troupes
• 12:30 p.m. – A Cub Bella
• 1:00 – Ann’s PAC
• 1:30 - Credo Dance Academy
• 2:00 – Sarrab School of Dance
• 2:30 – Ozark Dance Academy Choreography Workshop
• 3:00 – SuperCharge
• 4:00 – MPAC
• 4:30 – Korean Association

The Skinny Improv and Springfield Shakespeare Project’s production Hamlet is set to open a three-week stint tomorrow night (Thursday September 16) at The Gallery at National Avenue. Considered by many to be the greatest play ever, Hamlet is directed by Jeff Jenkins who said they are “working to focus on the text and power of the words. There will be minimal costumes and set. Everything will be stripped down … we’re working to lose the distraction of what surrounds Shakespeare and make the power of the words and relationships accessible to contemporary audiences.”

Local actor Ran Cummings will play the lead role of Hamlet. The show runs Thursday-Saturday (7:30 p.m.) through October 2. All tickets are general admission ($10). There are just 50 seats available each night.

To purchase tickets, visit The Skinny Improv or call the box office at 417-831-5233.

The Gillioz Theatre has just announced that comedian and song writer Jeff Daniels will perform on Dec. 3, 2010 at the Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, MO.

When you think of “grassroots” and “down to Earth,” you don’t normally think of a movie star. You especially don’t think of a movie star the caliber of Jeff Daniels. Yet that is exactly what Jeff has accomplished with his second CD Grandfather’s Hat.

With the follow-up album to Live and Unplugged, Daniels has proven that he is not an actor who sings, but an accomplished singer/songwriter who’s musical talent does not require the support of his acting. Further proof of his talent is supported by the musicians Daniels has performed with over the last couple of years. Although it took him some time to feel comfortable on stage behind his guitar, Daniels’ confidence has matured with his songwriter, being invited on stage to perform a few songs with legends Lyle Lovett, John Haitt, and Guy Clark during their rare “Songwriters” tour. Having his pal Keb Mo’ join Jeff on stage was equally rewarding (Jeff calls it a “free guitar lesson”). From time to time he’s also been fortunate to expand his shows to sold out venues outside of the Midwest.

Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Gillioz Theatre box office, by calling 417.863.9491 or online at www.gillioz.org!

In what seems to be The Year of the Country Artist in SGF, in which it seems one nationally touring musician in the genre after another has been booked for a (admittedly successful) show here, would you believe the next name to be announced is… Hank Williams, Sr.?!

I can hear you already. Chris, Hank Sr. has been dead for more than 50 years. I knew you lived in the past and all, but damn… Relax; I know Bocephus‘s dad isn’t walking through that door. There is actually a play, titled Hank Williams: Lost Highway, written by Frank Myler (who did another similar play, Love, Janis) and combining the man’s life story with his own music to weave an unusual sort of bio-turned-musical tribute. The New York Times considered it Myler’s best work at the time of the show’s national touring days, and now we are about to receive a localized, all-SGF-cast version next month at Gillioz Theatre.

The star of the show, cast in the role of the hard-living country legend who effectively drank himself to death at age 29 in 1953, is Tim Hadler, who himself puts on the show Hank Williams, Revisited at the Little Opry Theatre inside the IMAX Entertainment Complex in Branson. Want even more close-to-home casting? Holding it down for Springfield’s music scene is noted blues slide-guitar specialist Clarence “King Clarentz” Brewer in a surprising (Brewer isn’t a regular on local theatre stages) but very cool casting choice.

The show opens Wednesday, October 27 and continues through Sunday, October 31. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. all days except Sunday, which is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students, and you can start reserving them now by calling 417-863-9491 or by stopping by the Gillioz Theatre box office.

If you caught any of the 2010 Emmy Awards you likely saw two shows dominate the proceedings: The Fox musical dramedy Glee and AMC’s hip hit drama Mad Men, centering around the lives of employees at an advertising agency in the early ’60s. Believe it or not, the latter program could give one SGFer the chance to appear in a walk-on role in the near future, and you can help make it happen.

Banana Republic is currently sponsoring the Mad Men Casting Call contest, in which people can register, upload an appropriately period-looking photo (as long as it meets with the contest’s official rules) and be voted on for a spot on an upcoming episode of the show. Local actress Sarah Jenkins, whom you can see onstage locally during The Skinny Improv‘s Mainstage Show and in numerous independent films, is a contestant for that opportunity, and you still have a chance to send your fellow SGFer on to the next round between now and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, September 17 when voting ends. You can go to the voting page by clicking here.

You can remove the word “annual” from the third annual Springfield Little Film Festival. The fest, in which local directors submit a variety of short films and offer up contests such as last year’s competition for local bands to become films’ soundtracks, has been moved from the fall 2010 date declared at the time of our preview vid post to a provisional listing of February 2011, according to the event’s newly relaunched website, meaning there will be no 2010 edition. The site remains only a splash page at the moment, promising more concrete info when it becomes available, but it’s a little sad to know we’ll all have to wait that much longer.

We just received the official announcement from the Gillioz Theatre that executive director Jeff Jenkins will be stepping down and Michael Owens (currently the Director of Operations) will be taking his place.

Official announcement:

Executive Director Jeff Jenkins announced he will be resigning from his position at the Gillioz Theatre effective immediately. Jeff has been with the theatre since November of 2009 and has made significant strides to help re-brand the historic theatre as a premier arts destination in downtown Springfield. While Mr. Jenkins has been at the helm, local favorites such at Ozark Mountain Dare Devils, and nationally known acts such as Blues Traveler, Dar Williams and Switchfoot (performing Friday, August 20) have been booked to perform at the Gillioz. Jeff will be focusing his time on The Skinny Improv and other personal projects.

David Roling, President of the Gillioz Board stated, “The past several years have demanded a business operating model for the Theatre that is responsive to the communities thirst for entertainment and the arts. Jeff has helped to build a platform that continues to distinguish the Theatre as one that delivers the variety and quality expected of this remarkable and unique Ozark gem. The Board and I are enthusiastic and confident in the professionalism and leadership of Michael Owens as the Theatre’s Director as we enter the Theatre’s fall schedule of programming and beyond. While the Board continues to embrace challenges associated with the operating debt associated with the Theatre’s renovation, our management and operating team has achieved continued progress in identifying entertainment that is responsive in terms of much needed revenue for the Theatre while achieving operational efficiencies. With this trend, the future of the Theatre is indeed very promising. ”

Michael Owens, Director of Operations, will assume the role of managing the theatre. Michael is a graduate of MSU’s Entertainment Management program and comes from an entertainment and venue management background, including experience with the global concert promotion company, Live Nation.

Dr. Philip Rothschild, Gillioz Board member and professor of Entertainment Management at MSU, stated, “We’ll miss Jeff Jenkins. He has been an asset to the Springfield community. I am confident Michael Owens will step into this leadership role, and serve the Gillioz and Springfield area well.  We expect great things to come from Michael’s direction.”

Jeff Jenkins continues his work with The Skinny Improv and various theatre productions including the Springfield Shakespeare Project.

Jerry Van Dyke will star in the SGF production of The Sunshine Boys.

Jerry Van Dyke was nominated for four different Emmy’s as Best Supporting Actor in the late 80s and 90s for his role as Luther Van Dam in the popular series Coach. In November, he’ll star in the local production of The Sunshine Boys at the Gillioz Theatre.

Van Dyke and local theatre producer Jeff Jenkins, of Skinny Improv, are looking to fill out the cast and are holding auditions at Gillioz on Sunday (August 22) at 2 p.m.

Van Dyke will play the part of Willie Clark. The roles of Al and Ben have been filled but he will be looking for all other parts, including:

• Willie’s Nurse: African American Woman in her 40s or 50′s
• Sketch Nurse: Buxom, Attractive woman
• Sketch Patient: Male
• Eddie: Assitant Televsion Director

For more information contact by email: info@theskinnyimprov.com

Auditionees will do cold readings from the script.

The Cripple of Inishmaan makes its SGF debut at the Vandivort Center Theatre on September 3. It is a riotous comedy set in the 1930s Irish town of Inishmaan. The town gets word that a Hollywood director is coming to a nearby island to film a movie and gossip/excitement stirs hi jinx. The production is directed by Springfield Contemporary Theatre’s Richard Dines and features several local actors.

Performances

September 3, 4, 9-11, 16-18
Showtimes are each evening at 7:30 p.m. with just one matinee on Sunday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets

Opening weekend, September 3-4, all seats $14.
Following weekends: $18 Adult, $16 Senior (55 and over) & Student.
Student Rush Tickets $10 (if seats are available) 30 minutes before each performance with I.D. Military and School Faculty members half price on Thursdays.

For tickets call (417) 831-8001 or (888) 452-0930.

Springfield-Drury Civic Orchestra

Under the direction of Dr. Christopher Koch, the Springfield-Drury Civic Orchestra performs three concerts annually.  The group includes a mix of professionals (educators and performers), advanced high school and college students, and “dedicated enthusiasts”. SDCO is looking for new members for the upcoming 2010-11 season. All string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players are invited to audition. The orchestra normally rehearses on Tuesday or Thursday nights on Drury campus. Contact Koch by email -ckoch@drury.edu – or by phone at (417) 873-7298.

SDCO 2010-11 Scheduled Performances:

Petruschka by Igor Stravinsky, November 14 at Central High School

Rhenish by Robert Schumann, February 17 at Stone Chapel, Drury

Pastoral by Ludwig van Beethoven, April 1 at Clara Thompson Hall, Drury

Did somebody say beer garden? Two words: Hell yes. Your new first stop of First Friday Art Walk starts at 5:30 p.m. (the official start of FFAW is still 6 p.m.). The garden is hosted by Queen City Sertoma with beer, brats, and a hot dog wagon. Proceeds benefit Boys and Girls Club. It’s a busy night with two new spots joining the walk.

Galleries

* Canvas (315 South Ave) – Inaugural FFAW show presents Open for Business by various local artists with music by Postmodern Minute.

* Red Door Studios (313 Park Central East, Suite 201) – Another debut, Red Door is comprised of three photography companies in a combined studio. Live entertainment paired with food and wine sounds like a winner.

* Abundant Life Covenant Church (157 Park Central Square) – Four exhibits continue including Chris Wood’s series For Everything There is a Season.

* Farmers Gastropub (431 S. Jefferson, Suite 160) – The bistro is converted into a replica of Place du Tertre (Montmartre, Paris), with artists working live at their easels accompanied by French music and food.

Artists/Exhibits

* Art Factory 417′s Art-a-thon at LemonDrop (416 W Commercial St) – Chad Thomas, Justin Gault and H.E. Croan worked overnight on July 17-18, with the public stopping in to check it out. Head to LemonDrop to see the final products.

* Virginia Trammell at Good Girl Art (325 E. Walnut, Suite 101) – Trammell works in ceramics and her On the Inside collection demonstrates a microscopic look at the body and cells.

Other notes

* College galleries closed: Drury Pool Art Center Gallery, MSU Brick City Gallery, MSU International Center, MSU Student Exhibition Center and OTC Fine Art Gallery will reopen for the September Art Walk.

* In case you forgot, tonight Sertoma has a …

Beer Garden!

Tonight's Laughing Stock with Merr is the 6th monthly installment

The first Tuesday of every month the Outland is transformed into a comedy club and the mic gets hijacked by SGF comic Merr. Tonight’s August edition of Laughing Stock with Merr will feature around 15 stand-up comics in a pseudo open mic format. The majority of the time goes to trained (mostly self-trained) comedians who are working out new material, but newbies can get in on the act too. Get there early and get your name on the list to try your hand. The show begins at 10 p.m., with a $3 cover.

Tonight’s confirmed comedian list:

Mark Auvil
Matt Barnes
Ginny Bell
Angel Canizalez
Doug Driesel Jr.
Brice Johnson
Tim Messersmith
Sarah Osten
Seamus Pennington
Tyler Snodgrass,
Dan Willey
Old Man Willy

Press Release: For the serious student who aspires to pursue a career in theatre, the SLT Education program functions as a formal training ground, a springboard and a home base. SLT now hosts seven auditioned training groups/performance ensembles: Y.E.S. Troupe (high school students), Junior Varsity Y.E.S. Troupe (high school students), Youth Players (middle school students), Showstoppers (Middle School students), Young Artists (elementary students), Landers Kids (elementary students) and Troupers In Training (elementary students).

Audition schedule:

Monday, July 26, 4:30 p.m.

2nd-5th grade students are invited to audition for SLT Troupers In Training, Landers Kids, and Young Artists. They are asked to prepare a one-minute vocal selection and a monologue (short cutting from a play or story book). They will be led through creative movement/dance and improvisational exercises at the audition.

Tuesday, July 27, 4:30 p.m.

6th- 8th grade years of school and in High School for Junior Varsity and Varsity Y.E.S. Troupe. In addition each student should prepare the following:

-1 minute vocal selection, bring sheet music. A piano player will be provided. Broadway music preferred.
-1 letter of reference from a teacher
-A 500 word essay explaining your interest in the arts.
-A recent photograph.
-A one minute monologue
-Wear clothes and shoes that will allow you to move freely. If you have dance shoes of any kind, please bring them.

Wednesday, July 28, 4:30 p.m.

9th- 12th grade years of school and in High School for Junior Varsity and Varsity Y.E.S. Troupe. In addition each student should prepare the following:

-1 minute vocal selection, bring sheet music. A piano player will be provided. Broadway music preferred.
-1 letter of reference from a teacher
-A 500 word essay explaining your interest in the arts.
-A recent photograph.
-A one minute monologue
-Wear clothes and shoes that will allow you to move freely. If you have dance shoes of any kind, please bring them.

Find out more from Springfield Little Theatre online.

Operations of Vandivort Center will not be effected by the pending foreclosure the building, despite “misreported news”, according to managing artistic director Richard Dines. “Ultimately, what this means for us is that we might be getting a new landlord in the immediate future. Likely, this change will only effect behind-the-scenes building issues that impact (executive producer) Lou Schaeffer and myself on a daily or weekly basis.”

Building owner AGB, LLC and the note-holding bank are handling the issue, as Vandivort staff awaits further development. So don’t fear, fans. No productions will be impacted and Song of Singapore will open July 30.

As we are spending our season restructuring and building our own organization for the future, we continue to remind our patrons and friends the most important thing you can do is attend and support local arts organizations. The richness and diversity of our community thrives on the vibrant and active arts community we are all working to build. – Dines

Letter from Richard Dines

The father of the “Here’s Your Sign …” redneck jokes is making his way to the Ozarks. Bill Engvall, who gathered popularity on the hit comedy series Blue Collar Comedy and even scored his own show on TBS – cleverly titled The Bill Engvall Show, has added his name to the growing list of entertainers making early appearances at Drury’s O’Reilly Family Event Center. Engvall will bring his hillbilly stand-up set to SGF on Thursday, Nov. 18 presented by Nottingham Productions. Josh Wolf is set to open.

We had the opportunity recently to sit in on a preview screening of Unknown Films‘ newest short project. This… Is the Orange Line is an evocative black-and-white look at Chicago’s famous “L” metro system and a day in its life, all cut to sync with Sir Edward Elgar‘s “Cello Concerto in E Minor Op. 85,” which director Nathan Maulorico, to even his surprise, received permission from the composer to use. Maulorico tells us he plans to submit the short in this year’s third annual Springfield Little Film Festival, which is coming up in the fall. No further details have been officially announced yet, but if it’s anything like last year’s festival you can expect a strong crop of local filmmakers making a variety of movies (last year included separate competitions for short films and silent films), as well as contests such as last year’s “Hardly Silent” category, where local musicians competed to score a handful of finished local films. All of that is speculation for the time being, though, so let’s concentrate on the present and available. Here are two trailers for This… Is the Orange Line, which you can likely see on the Moxie’s big screen later this fall. Enjoy:

We’ve been warning you, and letting you know that Winter’s Bone is finally going to be up for mass public consumption.

Now it’s time to eat.

The film that captured best film and screenplay at the Sundance Film Festival, and has received legions of positive reviews is making its Springfield theater debut Friday at Campbell 16. The catch? The movie that was exclusively filmed in Stone and Christian counties with many local actors and was also based on Daniel Woodrell’s local novel of the same title, will only be in theaters up until July 1. You can purchase tickets from Wehrenberg’s site here.

As for tonight, TAGsgf.com’s Chris DeRosier and I are heading to tonight’s pre-screening Campbell 16. If you still need some more convincing to see the flick, we will have more behind-the-scenes coverage of the event, including a fresh post-movie Q&A with staff and crew.

If you haven’t heard much about the movie and are yet to make up your mind, or you can’t get enough of the film, enjoy the following barrage of media coverage.

Of course, we’ll start with ours:

• Click here to read TAGsgf.com’s official review by Allen Vaughan.
• Listen to the audio of the post-screening Q&A with cast, crew and the audience.
• Watch our video Q&A with actress Lauren Sweetser.
• Watch video of two bands that have music in Winter’s Bone.

Now, for the rest

• Click here for the film’s official website.
• RottenTomatoes.com has a clearinghouse of reviews. (Scroll down to the bottom for the reviews)
• Winter’s Bone — The IMdB page
• A link to a copy of the Winter’s Bone novel

The official trailer

Here’s a simple math exercise:

Free + beautiful weather + movies = Summer fun

If you’re looking to mix sundown summer weather with free entertainment, the Movies at Founders Park series is back beginning Friday, July 9. The free movie series runs on Fridays and Saturdays from July 9 to Aug. 28, in Founders Park at 330 E. Water Street. All movies begin at dusk.

The cost is free with tickets obtained at the Chesterfield and Doling Family Centers, Mediacom Ice Park, the Busch Municipal Building and Mediacom Offices. Admission without a free ticket is $5. Children 5 and under are always free.

The 2010 schedule:

July 9 – “Wizard of Oz” (NR)
July 10 – “Dear John” (PG-13)
July 16 – “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (PG)
July 17 – “Julie and Julia” (PG-13)
July 23 – “Planet 51” (PG)
July 24 – “Star Trek” (PG-13)
July 30 – “Monsters vs. Aliens” (PG)
July 31 – “Sherlock Holmes” (PG-13)
August 6 – “Astro Boy” (PG)
August 7 – “The Blind Side” (PG-13)
August 13 – “Fame” (PG)
August 14 – “Invictus” (PG-13)
August 20 – “UP” (PG)
August 21 – “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (PG-13)
August 27 – “Princess and the Frog” (G)
August 28 – “Casablanca” (NR)

Not sure what to look for at tonight’s First Friday Art Walk? Here’s a quick look at some highlights to serve as a guide.

Don’t miss

Galleries and Exhibits

* Art Transforms Downtown at Monarch Art Factory – Randy Bacon Photography, Figment Art Gallery and Missouri State unveil the permanent exhibit on Main Street. That’s not all. Look at work by Parker Asay, Cindy Dobson, Shawn McLaughlin and Randy Bacon (including a new video). Toss in a live DJ and free face painting.

* Urban Art at LemonDrop – With live art and hip hop setting the scene, check out the use of spray paint, stencils, acrylic by Francois Lariviere, Nicholas Tarr, Houston Ussery, and Zac Swanson.

Artists

Nicholas Tarr

* Nicholas Tarr at One80One and LemonDrop – Tarr works in all media and will be busy with work displayed at both locations. Have you seen the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital? It’s a slice of his handiwork.

* Shaun B at Global Fayre – Shaun B, author of The Paranormal Cookbook, is a local paranormal investigator. He will be signing copies of the book, which dances around the line of science and science fiction.

* Clarissa French at Fitzwilly’s – From plants to the seasons, French captures fresh shots of the natural, with a cool antique shop as the backdrop.

Of note

* Pet Stroll on C-Street – Bring your pet along for the C-Street portion of your Art Walk

* Drury’s Pool Art Center, OTC’s Fine Art Exhibition and MSU’s Brick City are closed

Winter’s Bone is coming home for the first time.

The 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning film, shot in the Ozarks, will screen at 8 p.m. in SGF at Missouri State’s Plaster Student Union, giving a sneak peek to 450 people before being released to theaters in June. Depending on your perception of good or bad news, the event is sold out, but don’t worry, TAGsgf.com will have thorough coverage that will get you ready for the June 18 unveiling at Campbell 16.

But, back to tonight. Two local musical groups who are featured in the film, Marideth Sisco’s band and White River Music Company, will play at 7 p.m. The film will screen at 8 p.m. Afterward, there will be a short interview and Q&A session with the film director, Debora Granik.

As for the plot, here is a summation.  Winter’s Bone follows Ree Daniels, a teenage Ozark Mountain girl, as she tries to keep her family together. After her meth cooking father puts the family home up as collateral and disappears, Ree travels across the roughest part of the country into life threatening situations to find him and keep the bail-bondsman from taking their home and putting her, her younger siblings, and mentally-ill mom out in the bone cold winter.

Here is the Winter’s Bone IMDB page and here is the trailer:

The Secret of Kells was a surprise addition to the Oscars list of Best Animated Feature, but should not have come as such a shock. From the same producers who hit a home run with Triplets of Belleville!, The Secret of Kells is a blend of Celtic mythology, magic and visually stunning color. It will open in SGF at the Moxie on May 28.

Kells took Audience Awards from film festivals in Annecy and Edinburgh, and made the Academy Award list.

The Secret of Kells

The Moxie

The DruryTheatre double feature runs through this weekend only.

The Drury Theatre double feature of Tom & Jerry (Rick Cleveland) and Killer Joe (Tracy Letts) opened last night at Wilhoit Theatre and set the bar high for the run of the shows. “It was a pretty spectacular opening night,” DU Theatre Department chair and Killer Joe director Robert Westenberg said. “There were a couple minor glitches, but that’s going to be at every opening.”

Westenberg described the killer-themed one-act thrillers as “David Mamet-meets-Quentin Tarantino-meets-Sam Shepard“, an incredible trio to be sure. The comparison doesn’t exactly evoke thoughts of sunshine and rainbows on stage. The two plays are edgy, violent, sexual and contain language Westenberg called “extraordinarily strong.” Needless to say, this double isn’t for the whole family.

For non-students, it costs the same as a 3D feature at Hollywood Theater and it’s in real 3D. Imagine that!

Student Drew Nungesser directs Tom & Jerry after being selected from a class to do so.

Show times
April 29-30 – 8 p.m., May 1 – 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Tickets
(Contact the Box Office at 873-7255, M-F 1-5 p.m.)
G.A. – $10, Seniors – $5, non-Drury students – $5, Drury staff & students – $2

These guys aren't making the stop, but The Second City will take over Gillioz on May 3.

Purchase tickets here.

There are more than nine performers confirmed for the first-ever Laughing Stock with Merr at the Outland on the first Tuesday of every month. According to the monthly event’s host, Mark Archambeault (Comedian Merr), there has been a great early response from SGF’s funny people and this week’s acts range from music to standup with a handful of improv and sketch groups in the mix, as well. “There’s a little bit of everything,” Archambeault said. Laughing Stock is hoped to serve as a bit of a forum where comedians can work on timing or try out new material. The goal is to get more people involved and ultimately build the local comedy scene. As time allows, anybody who walks in will be able to test material. “Get there early and find Merr … won’t be too hard to find,” he said, then chuckled. “The very first one – history in the making.”

Robert E Smith (photo from News-Leader archive)

Robert E Smith’s art tells stories that never lose interest. Much how people in SGF never lost interest in Smith. He died Saturday (Feb. 13) night in a bout with pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure at 82.

While Smith’s work is some of the most recognizable and visible art in the city, some still may not have the name and paint connected. If that’s you, here are my three favorite places to become familiar:

Part of a mural by Robert E Smith downtown.

1. Campbell and Walnut – This mural covers the east-facing exterior wall of Fresh Gallery and makes me glad to miss this stoplight.

2. Good Girl Art – A three-ring binder contains the words of Smith, describing some of his work and the creative process. Coupled with a variant display of his work, it’s a must-see destination.

3. Jefferson and Park Central East – On the wall facing the MSU parking lot (across from the Gillioz), making it the most noticeable lot in downtown SGF.

More press:
* Robert E. Smith
* News-Leader
* KSPR
* KY3

Vote for Springfield Little Theatre to win 50k from Pepsi Refresh Project

This is how the SLT campaign proposes the money would be used, but says the funds would mostly aid the $500,000 in production costs.

$ 2000 Lighting & Sound Needs
$ 4000 Marketing
$ 12000 Set Construction
$ 12000 Costumes Construction
$ 20000 Royalties

Visit SLT on the Pepsi Refresh Project to vote. You can vote for 10 things every day, so bookmark it and hit it as frequently as possible.

I'll Fly Away by Holly Elkins - Elkins' collection is opening tonight during the year's first Art Walk

Kick off 2010 downtown as the year opens with First Friday Art Walk. Here’s what you should look for tonight.

Galleries:
Fresh – Holly Elkins highlights three featured artists of the nearly 25 new collections at Fresh Gallery. Along with Fonda Golding and Hue Parnell, Elkins, who works mostly in acrylics and water colors said there are new artists working in different mediums, “who will bring ‘fresh’ blood into the gallery.” (Look for a feature on Elkins very soon, but for now, check out her website.)

Springfield Hot Glass Studio – Terry and Gabe Bloodworth will be crafting the Missouri Art Awards at the always-popular Artwalk stop.

Artists:
Andrea Land at Good Girl Art – Land, a professor at Missouri State, presents her In My Room photography collection with environmental portraits and autobiographical images.

Jessica Letterman at Gillioz Theatre – Letterman is also a photographer, focusing on nature and architecture.

Of note:
You might notice fewer active galleries tonight, such as Hawthorn which is closed for New Year’s Day, but there’s still plenty to go out and enjoy!

Nothin' like some hot apple cider with your daytime Art Walk.

To Do – Author Karen Schneider shares new children’s book “Hay Day” at Fresh; free personalized, hand-made ornaments by Jesse Cox at Good Girl; learn about the didgeridoo with Scott Thomas at Global Fayre from 4-5; and, of course, Springfield Hot Glass they’ll be cookin’ up some hand-blown ornaments.

On sale – Springfield Pottery, Fitzwilly’s, Chic Chick

December's First Friday Art Walk will feature carolers from Pattonville High School

With carolers strolling about downtown, December’s First Friday Art Walk will unsurprisingly have a holiday feel. Pattonville High School’s girls chamber choir will provide the tunes, while student exhibitions and an ornament party highlight the action. As always, the entire arts district will be buzzing, here are three galleries and three artists you shouldn’t miss.

Galleries:
Fresh – Watercolor specialist Karen Schneider and painter/sketch artist Karla Breeding Trammell are featured at the always diverse Fresh Gallery at Walnut and Campbell.

MSU Art & Design – A collection of Missouri State artists working toward their Masters of Fine Arts will be on display in a variety of mediums.

Hot Glass Studio – The seventh edition of the blown glass gallery’s ornament party will make the studio a hot destination on Friday. Artists will be blowing mini ornaments, Venetian-style ornaments as well as tree toppers right in front of your eyes.

Artists:
Bam Martin (of Trash Angels) at Bodhi Salon – Martin, of local fame from bar band blues rock outfit Trash Angels, gained traction in the Dallas art world with works focused in acrylics and oils. A collection of work will be on display at Bodhi which he calls perfection in imperfection.

Todd Lowery at Drury’s Pool Art Center – Lowery, a Drury faculty member since 1994, has been featured in galleries worldwide and presents “Into the Pyre”, a collection driven by Greek culture after taking a sabbatical in Greece.

Santiago Jim Delgadillo at the Gillioz – “The Renaissance meets Warhol” artist crosses pop culture with religious icons will be on display at Springfield’s historic downtown theater.

Other tidbits:
Randy Bacon will open a new series “REEL LIVES” at his gallery (600 W College), featuring work from his trip with Convoy of Hope; Obelisk Home features functional art of Isaac Karner; Inveno Health hosts popular local artist Stephanie Cramer; Good Girl Art brings back the popular cartoony art of Christopher Mostyn; Stevia Bonebrake at DB Design.

So, go out and enjoy the art. And the people. And the drinks. And the newfound parties on the square. Then, with your second (and third winds), stop by Nathan P Murphy’s for Lifeline or check out Black Box Revue’s third birthday party.