Edwardsville Scene » Featured

Bin 51 Grand Opening Brings Wine, Cheese and Style

Editor — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:26:06 +0000

by Andrew Doty

Filling one of the recently constructed storefronts on South Buchanan Street near Global Brew is an exciting, new wine shop.Bin 51 is the brainchild of Edwardsville entrepreneurs Walter Osika and Brian Kuchta. With a warm, comforting aesthetic, the store immediately welcomes visitors to peruse its extensive selection of drinks from choice locations worldwide. Kuchta’s discerning palate offers customers a comprehensive catalogue of suggestions to accompany any occasion. Wines, liquors, beers, meats, artisan cheeses, and accessories are all available—and intelligently arranged—on the gorgeous, restored, hardwood pine shelves (from Missouri’s Elmwood Reclaimed Timber) inside.

For the timid consumer, Bin 51 offers regular tastings (weekly, when possible) and opens wine and liquor for sampling every Saturday, all day, beginning at noon. Kuchta and Osika are dedicated to making wine accessible to the average person and have a driving focus on the community. Classes, private events, tastings, and music nights are only the beginnings of Bin 51’s efforts to reach out to the Edwardsville area and make accessible what can often be an intimidating and cliqued niche in the world of beverages.

Customers are welcome to enjoy any of the store’s selections at one of the many comfortable table seats or at a stool at the bar. The shop is modeled after a high-end restaurant and adapted for a retail space, where the owners and staff always stand ready with advice and suggestions for anyone who needs a guiding hand to find what they’re looking for. Many wines in the store are readily affordable on any budget, but those looking to indulge in a more extravagant glass will certainly not be disappointed with the options.

Bin 51 is one of many new, exciting things in Edwardsville and promises not to disappoint. With a top-shelf selection rivaled only by warehouse liquor stores and an atmosphere that encourages conversation, laughter, and comfort, visitors will find themselves spending hours relaxing with friends in what is sure to be one of the city’s most enjoyable hotspots.

Check out Bin 51 at 200 South Buchanan Street—directly across the street from the city park at the Edwardsville Public Library—and be sure to meet friendly owners Osika and Kuchta at the store’s official grand opening on Saturday, January 21 at 6 pm, featuring hors d’oeuvres from Grace Manor and a bountiful selection of drinks!

Please help us spread the word on this great new place by sharing on Facebook and Twitter!

A Series of Wonderful Events at the Wildey

Editor — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:37:10 +0000

Jesse Gernigin will be presenting his show ‘A Series of Wonderful Events’ this Saturday September 3rd at the Wildey theater. The show starts at 7:00 and runs to 8:45 p.m, tickets are twelve dollars and can be purchased at the box office out front of the Wildey starting at 6:30 on September 3rd. Jesse has been a full time performer since he graduated college and his show ‘A Series of Wonderful Events’ is his first fully produced show.
Jesse promises that, “A Series of Wonderful Event’s will be unlike any show you have seen before.” I ask him why, “The show merges different mediums of media. I use music, images, ideas and if possible video to create a full entertainment experience.” I ask him what the difference will be between ‘A Series of Wonderful Events’ and another magic show like David Copperfield’s. He laughs, “Well for one

Jesse Gernigin. Bolla Photography photo.

thing my show is just me. I have no assistants. But my show is unlike other magic shows because my show was created around a premise. Most magicians just put tricks one after another and focus too much on fooling the audience. I know how to fool audiences so I wanted to do something more. So I wrote an entire show around the premise that I can bend and effect people’s perceptions and choices. And the entire show, the magic, the humor, everything reflects that premise.” I found the idea of exploring perception through magic interesting. I asked him what influenced him to choose perception over other large ideas like randomness, luck or conciousness. “I found that perception was the easiest to relate too. We all perceive the world in our own private way. So perception is the largest privately held and publicly shared human experience. I liked that idea and it is what drew me to the premise.” I was struck by the clarity of Jesse’s thinking but I wondered if he did the same magic other magician’s do or if he created his own magic.”I create my own magic.” He said. “I wanted the show to be entirely mine. I wanted it to be a unique experience that you would remember.” But Jesse goes on to make an interesting point, “A lot of the things magician’s do the same tricks because there are only so many magical things you can do. You can vanish something, you can make things teleport and change places, you can make someone forget something, you can destroy something and put it back together, etc. So even though I do an entirely original act the themes of the magic are the same. Things vanish, things change place, etc.” I mention he seems very artistic along with intelligent and I ask if he sees these reoccuring themes in magic as a handicap.
“Yes and no. Yes because there are things you can never do in a show. You could never actually hurt someone to heal them. The audience wouldn’t like that just as much as they wouldn’t like me making ghosts appear and doing as I say. Real magic, as far as the audience is concerned, is off limits. But at the same time I don’t find these themes restrictive because they all have so much room to explore within them. Sure I may make something vanish, but how did I do it? Where does it go? Did I vanish it or hide it, and if I did hide it would I reveal where it was, and if I did would it be any less amazing if you knew where it was when it shouldn’t have been able to get there?”
I thank Jesse for his time but before he goes he offers to do something for me, “That I do in my show live every night.” He asks for the loan of a key and a ring. I retrieve his request and hand them over. “Ready?” He asks balancing one on top of the other. I nod. He clicks his fingers and the ring falls off the key and I realize that the two have linked together. “How the hell!” I cry and he laughs. I tug to make sure they are joined together. They are. Jesse tells me to re-balance the key and the ring. I do. He tells me to lift the ring slowly, I do. The ring melts right off the key, right in front of my eyes. He never touched them, I stare. “That,” he says, “Is a part of A Series of Wonderful Events.” And it will be again on Saturday night September 3rd at the Wildey theater starting at 7:00 p.m. Make sure to get your tickets and i’ll see you there!

New Year’s Eve 2010 in Edwardsville

Muireann — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:46:23 +0000

So, what are you doing for New Year’s Eve? Well, there’s plenty to keep you occupied in Edwardsville if you plan on seeing out 2010 locally. There is a charity benefit, plenty of live music, a mechanical bull and even a hypnosis show on offer. There are also spiritual events for those of you looking for something low key. Don’t worry, those of you who want to dance your cares away are also catered for in the end of year mayhem.

Here is a list of New Year’s Eve events in Edwardsville:

Local favorite Mike Harper plays The Stagger Inn’s early show. Be there at 5 pm.

Chigaco rockers, Luster, play The Stagger’s late show. Turn up around 9.30 pm.

If you fancy ringing in 2011 with a smile on your face check out veteran comedian Charlie Weiner’s New Year’s Eve show at Comedy etc II. A midnight champagne toast is included with entry.

Or….. for something completely different stop by Comedy etc II’s early bird event with The Tony Z Hypnosis show. Be there around 5.30 pm.

Have you even seen in the new year from on top of a mechanical bull? Well, why not do it this year at Wild Country Nightclub’s New Year’s Eve Party. Champagne and a midnight balloon drop are all part of the fun.

There will also be some dancing and live music at Bubby & Sissy’s T.G.I.F end of year party.

You could also have a good time for a charitable cause at the 8th Annual Glen-Ed Last Night Celebration which will take place at YMCA’s Meyer Center from 7 to 11 pm. This benefit for local charities is organized by The Eden United Church of Christ and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Are you looking for a spiritual event to help you see out 2010. Then you might want to take the mile and a half drive of 1.7 million lights to follow The Way of Lights at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Please feel free to let us know if your event has not been included. Happy New Year to all our readers.

Edwardsville’s Outspoken Bike Shop

Editor — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:40:25 +0000

by Jesse Gernigin

The great thing about communities like Edwardsville is that there are so many cool things hidden around town. Granted there may not be enough to warrant a series of Secret Spot articles I write for St. Louis Scene, but there are some worth bragging about.

Edwardsville's bike trails may not look like this for a few months, but now's the time to prepare.

Today I want to brag about my bike guy. Yeah I am a bike guy, and no I do not wear spandex! My bike guy is none other than Paul Brazier. Most of you who bike probably know him. Paul is a funny and technically talented guy (I’d like to say he is a bike whisperer…but that is a bit much) whose hands are at home on any bike.

The reason his business is such a secret spot is that it is situated in the back garage next to his house and unless you happen to drive down the street while he is working and no cars are in the driveway you would never know he was there. But he is and he does great work! Paul has been working on bike’s for years, “I put myself through college doing it.” He explains.

But when I asked him why he does not work with one of the bigger groups or stores in town he explains he likes doing business by appointment only. “I want to spend time with my family and not get bogged down by bike work.”

But don’t let him fool you, Paul does a lot of work in his shop and would love to have your bike in and although he does general maintence he says, “My expertise lies in an extensive knowledge of older bikes along with all the new technology, also wheel building and maintenance, and fixed gear conversions.”

But the main reason I love Paul’s little shop (and it is little, it is housed in a garage where a cavacalade of instruments, bikes and the like hang from the walls) is because it revolves around relationships. At Paul’s you aren’t handing your bike off to the back of a shop where only God knows what goes on. Instead you are handing it to a guy you know, who in turn knows you. So if you need bike work or are interested in getting started contact him at one of these three spots! Till next time gang.

You can check out Paul’s shop at www.outspokenbicyclerepair.com.

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Christmas 2010 in Edwardsville

Muireann — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:47:20 +0000

Ho Ho Ho! Oh, go on. Even for Scrooges, there’s something to enjoy this Christmas in Edwardsville. We’ve found something for the young and er..young at heart, serious music heads and those unashamed Christmas lovers who like nothing better than a good old carol too.

Here’s what’s on store in Edwardsville for the Christmas Holidays:

For the young.

Don’t miss the annual visit to Santa’s House in City Park. Santa will be meeting and greeting every Saturday from 1-4 pm and Wednesday from 5.30-8.30pm until December 23rd. You can even take a Polaroid keepsake for $3. Entry is free. Now you have no excuse to take the kids.

Tired of cooking? Then, let the kids take over. Just remember to send them to the Kids Cooking Class at Eckert’s Farm first. They will learn seven delicious recipes that might be just the holiday hit you’ve been looking for. Classes take place from December 22 to 29 from 10 am until midday.

If you haven’t done it already, there’s still time. Take the little ones to pick out this year’s Christmas Tree. A great spot to do it is at Prairie Pine’s Christmas Tree Farm open Monday to Saturday from 10 am until dusk and Sunday from 1 to 4 pm.

Is there anything more seasonal than a holiday story time? Find out for yourself on December 22 at Glen Carbon Library when the Family Holiday Story Time takes place at 6.30 pm.

It’s always goos to remind the little ones that Christmas isn’t just about gifts and shopping sprees. There are many Christmas services in Edwardsville this year, but a candlelight ceremony is always a favorite with the kids. The 1st Baptist Church of Maryville is offering two candlelit ceremonies this year on December 24 at 5 and 7 pm.

For the young at heart

Don’t forget your music fix for the holidays. Dubtronics will be playing a set at The Stagger Inn on December 23. Be there around 9.30 pm.

King of the open session, Butch Moore, will kick off Christmas Eve proceedings at The Stagger on December 24. Be there around 5 pm.

If you fancy taking off while the rest of them are snoozing after the christmas turkey, check out The Heaters at The Stagger Inn on December 25 at 9.30 pm.

Pat Liston will play some traditional and, possibly holiday, favorites at Cleo’s on December 26. Be there at 6 pm.

If you fancy something more traditional for the holidays check out the Christmas carols at Center Grove Presbyterian Church on December 19 from 6 to 8 pm.

Ok, thanks for checking out our Christmas calendar! If you enjoyed it, feel free to use the many Twitter and FaceBook share buttons you’ll find on this page to spread the word. Also, if you didn’t find your Christmas event here, or would like to add some info, feel free to email us or drop us a line in comments.

Edwardsville Music Calendar For December 2010

Muireann — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 06:42:47 +0000

Don’t go ringing in the new year just yet. Circulate. Socialize. Enjoy your music in Edwardsville throughout December.

Whether you’re into soul, blues, dance or choral sounds, there’s something for you this month.

Here’s a look at what’s on offer, musically speaking, this December in Edwardsville.

Wednesday, December 8

Put Mo’ Pleasure into your life when Morris Pleasure takes to the stage at Laurie’s Place.

Thursday, December 9

Local acoustic stars Matt Meyer & Craig K take over The Stagger Inn. They will be playing from their new album called Truth.

How tall is too tall? Find out at Laurie’s Place when DJ Too Tall takes to the decks.

Friday, December 10

Something highbrow does us all good from time to time. Check out The Great Rivers Choral Society and Alton Landing Jazz Quartet at Edwardsville City Park’s Winter Concert Series at the Lewis & Clark College/N.O. Nelson Complex.

Rather make a Rukus? Check out the band of the same name at Laurie’s Place.

Treat yourself to a live blues/jazz experience. Marcel Strong plays The Stagger Inn.

(Calendar continues after video)

Saturday, December 11

It’s a jungle out there. See what we mean when Californian acoustic rockers Hobo Jungle play Laurie’s Place.

The name alone is sure to draw a crowd. Troubadours of Divine Bliss play The Stagger.

Monday, December 13

Hill Williams will entertain you at Laurie’s Place front bar.

Thursday, December 16

Watch you back at The Stagger Inn. Kentucky Knife Fight is coming to town. If you’re new to the site, don’t worry, we’re talking about Edwardsville’s local alternative country favorites.

(See The Knife Fight below. Calendar continues after video)

Friday, December 17

Those Mow Yer Own Lawn Blues are here again. Don Starwalt takes to the stage at The Stagger Inn.

What, I was John? No, it’s Ivas John and he plays his unique brand of blues at The Stagger.

Are you anxious, nervous, perhaps? Well, you’re in the right place if you come to Laurie’s Place. The Edge will be taking to the stage.

Saturday, December 18

The Crowd will overcome you tonight at Laurie’s Place. Yes, that’s the band we’re talking about.

There’s no mule like a trophy mule. Well, Corey Saathoff thinks so. He joins them on stage at The Stagger Inn.

(See Corey play below. Article continues after video)

Wednesday, December 22

If you’ve missed Mo’ Pleasure at Laurie’s Place earlier this month. Now, you have another chance to catch him.

Thursday, December 23

For something facts-paced, check out Dubtronics at The Stagger Inn.

Friday, December 24

Check out our upcoming Christmas Calendar for info on what’s happening on this date.

Saturday, December 25

Check out our upcoming Christmas calendar for info on what’s happening on this date.

Thursday, December 30

If you’re up for some serious blues, check out The Soulard Blues band at The Stagger.

(See what we mean below. Calendar continues after video)

Friday, December 31

Check out our upcoming New Years calendar for info on what’s happening on this date.

Edwardsville Babes Grow Beyond the Bar

Editor — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 23:02:29 +0000

by Paul Peters

One of the greatest things in the world is seeing an idea take off.

Amanda Brase, who founded Bar Babes back in February of 2010, has watched her group steadily grow from a few women meeting at local bars for drinks and fun, to at least 200 active members, with more than 30 showing up at each event.

Initially, she says, the idea was really supposed to be humorous, a sort of spoof on another group she’d belonged to that invited local women to meet once a month and eat at nice restaurants.

“It was like a humorous version of a dinner club I had been in,” she says. “I never imagined it would grow into this. Now we are a group of women in the community that are ready to give back and do all types of things. It’s grown into way more than what I started with.”

The Babes have gone beyond the bar. In August they did a progressive dinner in downtown Edwardsville, hitting local establishments such as Fond. In September, they kept it humorous and fun, with a “redneck scavenger hunt.” This month they did a “haunted tour” of the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, and stayed for some murder mystery dinner theater afterward.

“It was hilarious, we had a fantastic time,” Amanda says of the Lemp Mansion.

For a while now, Amanda says the Bar Babes have been searching for a charitable cause to get behind and donate some of their time to. Last month, a group of the Babes participated in the 5th annual walk for Multiple Sclerosis in Prairietown, after being invited by the organizer.

And, she says, they are on the look out for another charity event they might be able to get involved with.

“We’re in the planning stages of doing some charitable work in the community,” she says. “There’s some big things that we want to do, that are going to take some time to plan. We’re saving those for next year. We’re hoping to do a food drive in December.”

As Amanda has noted in the past, the Bar Babes events, despite what the name suggests, aren’t just about drinking. She has noted that many of the members don’t actually drink alcohol, and that their monthly events are more than just a party. Drinking and driving is not tolerated by the group, and they work hard to make sure everyone has a ride.

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At the events, friends are made, old friends are found, business women get connected, and a lot more happens at their meetings.

“We have a lot of moms, so when we all get together, we all talk about our issues and problems and great things we have going on with our kids,” she says. “We talk a lot of mom stuff. There’s been some networking, some realtors have been able to get some deals done, and some people have been able to find jobs.”

Mostly though, she says it’s been about friendships.

“I have found some friends for life. I’ve met some really wonderful women that I probably would never have met without this group.”

All of this has led Amanda to the conclusion that she may need to change the name of her group, that has grown beyond its original humorous idea. She is considering call them just BABES.

“As it is evolving, I certainly don’t want to get the wrong idea about our group, about what we are and who we are,” she says. “We’re big hearted, educated women from all walks of life that do all kinds of things”

BABES, Amanda says, will stand for “Building Amity, Belonging and Encouraging Sociability.”

“It’s about encouraging people go get out and learn more about their community and be a part of it. I’m trying to build an atomsphere where we can not only give back to our community but have a little fun in the process,” Amanda says.

“It’s been an amazing journey, and it just keeps getting more fun.”

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Review of Erato in Edwardsville

Editor — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:17:22 +0000

by Jesse Gernigin

Technical precision is a dangerous knife with which to cut. On one hand a mastery of many techniques and the ability to apply them is often needed for success in one’s field. On the other hand you don’t want these skills to be apparent, or noticed. You must work hard to make it seem that you are not working hard.

It is an old adage, but a true one. I mention this at the start of my review because I want it noted that Johnathon Olson, Erato’s head chef, served me some of the most technically proficient food I have eaten. It sounds odd, almost like an insult, but it is not. I have had some of my best meals in Edwardsville at Erato.

Let’s just get this out of the way: I do not enjoy beef. There, I said it, don’t shoot (and please, dear reader, keep reading). To me beef has little flavor, is often over priced and almost to the dime is radically under prepared and over pushed. I ate beef twice at Erato, and I loved it. The first meal I had was a dry aged tenderloin tartare. It was served with a rim of darkened asparagus stalks cut to height and delicately placed about the meat. The meat itself was the way tartare is meant to be served, rich, concise and densely delicious. Oftentimes chefs intersperse things into tartare to alleviate the fact that they use lesser quality beef, Jonathan did not and the result was superb.

The extensive wine and beer collection at Erato in Edwardsville.

The second beef dish was served simply with green beans, potatoes, and cooked rare. I loved it. A tight, well rounded buttery sauce filled out the flavors between bites of meat and vegetable and the green bean’s crispness gave the dish a balanced texture. This alone is enough to warrant a good review in my opinion, but I will continue.

Alongside the beef plates I also had a wonderful bass dish that sat wonderfully in my mouth as it did on the plate. I also helped myself to a ravioli dish that was stuffed with short rib cooked tender enough to remain in form on the fork but flash flood your mouth with a wonderful balance of pasta, short rib, and sauce when bitten into.

The smaller plates rang true as well. You might find yourself tempted to make a meal out of them. My favorite amongst them was the oysters. They were served simply on a bed of salt and with little garnish to support them save Jonathon’s expert eye for quality oysters (and trust me those eyes saw the flavor there and brought it forth). There was also an excellent nettle and gnocchi plate where the nettle’s unique flavor was cleverly rounded out with the gnocchi’s smooth texture, rewarding your taste buds if eaten slowly.

The cheese selection is simple but well balanced and when ordered served simply with walnuts, honey and crustinis made at Edwardsville’s 222 Bakery.

The desserts were well done, whether it was an olive oil ice cream over rhubarb sauce matched with a semolina cookie or some hot doughnuts fresh from the kitchen (beignets perhaps, didn’t think to ask) with a sweet sauce for dipping.

Overall I highly and completely recomend Erato for a nice dinner for two, or if you just happen to want an amazing meal!

Check out Jesse’s earlier review of Erato’s bar. If you enjoyed this story, please use the FaceBook and Twitter buttons up top or down below to help spread the word!

Changes at 222 Bakery in Edwardsville

Editor — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:52:30 +0000

by Jesse Gernigin

Attention Edwardsville! 222 Bakery is about to go through some changes.

Ownership has been completely handed off to Matt Heren, as Debbie Sultan has decided to further pursue her career in nuclear chemistry. I would like to wish her all the best and say that she made me feel welcome during all the time I have spent getting stuff done at the bakery.

In her absence, Matt plans to make some changes, and I am going to report on what will be happening over the next couple of weeks to give people a chance to anticipate things, and anticipate them you should, because they’ll be pretty awesome.

For starters, the bakery will be doing breakfast burritos, and while I have only got a chance to sample one of three burritos thus far, I loved it. Normally I am not a breakfast burrito guy, but this was pretty filling, with some great chorzio. The other two sound good, but I haven’t got a chance to get in there early enough to try them.

During the weekends Matt plans to do a fuller breakfast menu that will offer burritos, potatoes and, what I am most excited about, bacon waffles! Go ahead, go back, read that again. Drool. I’ll wait.

Matt will also be working with Kevin Williams of Farmhaus, a place I’ll be reviewing shortly for StLouisScene.net, to “beef” up the bakery’s sandwich selection. I am told that they are working on roasting their own beef and making their own corned beef, both of which I look forward to.

The bakery will close from July 5th to the 12th, and when it reopens, it will have new hours. Monday through Friday it will close at 5 pm instead of 8 pm, but it will now be open on Sundays. They will still open at six in the morning except for Saturday and Sunday when they will open at seven and close at two.

Well Edwardsville, you got the info, so all I can really say is, see you there!

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Editor — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:55:58 +0000

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