Fall is a peculiar time for a lot of us. While homework builds up, our service industry jobs get busier. The days get cold, all the leaves die and we realize we have little money for Christmas presents and no special someone to buy them for again this year. It's a yearly reminder that life must end, but like the leaves, we have a Spring to look forward to with its rejuvenation - death to life.
The Surge, located on 1204 S. Wall in Joplin, has been in business since April 21, 2007, but before that, it was absolute chaos.
Spookstock. Schwagstock. The names are familiar to many and alien to many more, though the unfortunate "stock" ending is a dead giveaway to most. There's a place in Salem, Mo., called Camp Zoe, owned by a Grateful Dead cover band - The Schwag. To me, naming yourself after cheap, undesirable pot says, "don't listen to our music," but apparently thousands of hippies young and old liked what they heard and kept coming back.
"Hi, I'm Erv Langan and I'm with Keltoi Vineyard and Winery out here north of Joplin and we're having a little wine tasting." 1.Stir it around Swivel your glass gently, moving the wine around inside. Tilting the glass can make it easier to see how the color changes.
Joplin has some decent places to dine, but in order to really feel fancy, a connoisseur needs to go to some big city and shell out a fat Franklin or two. At least, that is how it used to be.
Formed when Trevor Smith and Josh Schmidt began playing together in 2001, Ebb & Flow has been a common sight ever since in the Joplin/Carthage music scene. The band added drummer Korey Batson and bassist Rick Curry in 2005, and has continued to play around the Midwest.
Since pizza is a staple to nearly every college students diet these three slices should fit right in. Hopefully trying something a little different on a pizza will help make staying in the 417 for the holidays just a little easier to cope with.
While all four of these venues offer a wide range of music this December, these four shows stand out and have the approval from some of the most experienced music listeners in the area.
For the masses, Youtube may be enough to keep them entertained, but for those who wish to venture out of the safety of the norm, here is a list of Web sites that receive The Weekender's approval.
For one year, local earthquake metal act All Kills Aside has been crafting its sound to perfection.
The effort has paid off.
Lacuna Coil's performances at 2007's Waken and Loudpark festivals are fully documented on their new DVD, Visual Karma [Body, Mind and Soul].
Like My Bloody Valentine's seminal 1991 album "Loveless," The Sea and Cake's new release "Car Alarm" sports a pink cover, albeit with a tamer design.
When Nickleback front man Chad Kroeger told Playboy that he wouldn't record unless he was given more money, the music world rejoiced. Then either the band or the record company caved, and on Nov. 18, Dark Horse was produced and distributed nationwide. Have pity on the people's ears, Mr.
In Baxter Springs, Kansas, 66 Skate rink is helping the reemergence of the underground sport of roller derby. Over the last year, the MoKan Roller Girlz have been learning the sport and competing with competitors in Tulsa, Springfield and River Valley.
J-Town Sports Bar is one of the many sports bars in Joplin, Mo. It is located on 2502 S. Main Street.
It closed down in the fall of 2007, but reopened in May 20, 2008 after it was purchased by its new owners George and Pam Bone of Pineville, Mo.