Edwardsville Scene

Trivia Night at Laurie’s

Paul Peters — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:00:00 +0000

Laurie’s in Edwardsville is now holding “Tenacious Trivia” every Tuesday night from 7 to 8:45 pm. Contestants can play by themselves or on a team. And, unlike in life outside of the bar, there will be prizes for both winners and losers.

Tuesday Taco Trivia at the American Legion

Paul Peters — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:00:00 +0000

Enjoy a taste of Mexico at Knights of Columbus on Tuesdays.

Edwardsville, test your taco knowledge at the American Legion on Taco Trivia Tuesdays and enjoy 50 cent tacos and Margarita Specials with the free contest, starting at 7 PM.

Wine & Beer tasting at the Childrens museum

Teauna — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:30:00 +0000

Celebrate with the Edwardsville Children's museum.

Edwardsville Children’s museum is hosting an event to celebrate having so many guests walk through thier door. Help support the musuem and grab a beer or a glass of wine. Laurie Hoffman is the honory host for the wine and beer celebration. The edwardsville museum had their 70,000th guest visit The Children’s Museum!

Wine, Beer, Food, Door Prizes Saturday, March 6, 2010 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. At The Children’s Museum 722 Holyoake Road, Edwardsville

Tickets available at Crushed Grapes, 1500 Troy Road, Edwardsville or The Children’s Museum (618) 692-2094 $20 per adult

Edwardsville Art Center Exhibit: Ironworks

Editor — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:00:14 +0000

Edwardsville, Illinois- Check out the newest exhibit at the Edwardsville Arts Center, IronWorks. There’s a free opening reception Friday, March 5th from 7-9 pm. Talk to artist Greg Harris, walk the beam while having your picture taken, eat & drink & admire his amazing work!

Luster plays Edwardsville

Editor — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:45:33 +0000

by Ryan Balfanz

Edwardsville, Illinois- Luster, an Elmhurst, Illinois band that plays The Stagger Inn on February 27, at 10 pm, has been polishing their sound since at least 2000. Even to this day their lineup is slightly volatile, and their live performances evoke strong reactions reactions from their audience.

It was a cold January night when Luster happened to find themselves playing at Stagger Inn last, during open-mic night. The group, who themselves are admittedly hard to pigeon hole into just one genre, made their way onto the stage by happenstance and left with a horde of new fans.

They really rocked the crowd that night. (Story continues below video).

By the time they had finished their set people were suffocating them, trying to get a word or two in with the band. A just about broke or nearly broke college student was more than happy to shell out 10 bucks to take Luster home with them. I, too, was eager to go home with something fresh to listen to.

After most of the newly-minted Luster fans chatted with the band, I got a few words in with Jeremy Mederich, lead vocals & bassist, and Robbie Senti who dabbles in keyboards, guitars and vocals, who I had the pleasure of sharing bottles of Stag with. A few weeks later we were able to meet at Sacred Grounds, as they were passing through town between gigs.

Robbie, as just mentioned, is somewhat of a jack of all trades. As it turns out, they all are multi-facetted and multi-talented musicians. For a time, the members of Luster were frequently seen switching instruments during live performances, says Bryan, the drummer who is also Jeremy’s brother.

Jonathan Brubaker, guitars and backing vocals, agrees that Luster is still settling into their groove. He also pointed out that Luster is somewhat of twisted system when is comes to their family tree of members. Not only are Jeremy and Bryan brothers, the two along with Jonathan referred to Robbie as their incestual grandchild because he was originally just a fan.

The Luster lineup has been in flux over the past decade. Jeremy and Bryan were around in the beginning, but with a different bassist and drummer. Former drummer Luke left the band back in 2005 after Jonathan joined near the end of 2004. Luke’s departure left the band cycling through various drummers for awhile. Eventually Bryan swtiched from playing guitar to banging on the toms and crashing the symbols, and still does to this day.

Between 2006 and 2009 Robbie started to fill in on bass when needed, but he wasn’t officially a member of the band. Also around that time Jeremy started to focus more on bass guitar, while still maintaing his role as lead vocalist. Somewhat oddly, Robbie began to play more keys, but so did Jonathan and Bryan.

After much hullabaloo, Luster finally solidified their lineup in 2009. Bryan, who is a natural drummer, easily filled that role. Jeremy now picks of his bass and leaves the guitar to Jonathan. Around that time Robbie became and official member of the band, rounding out their ‘final lineup,’ as Jeremy calls it.

Luster may have seen a lot of change of the last decade, but one thing is certain, they all agree that it was for the best. Now that they have settled into their current incarnation it’s obvious that there are only great things to come.

Luster is constantly touring and growing their fan-base. If you were unlucky enough to miss their first show, clear your calendar now because they are sure to blow you away just as they did back in January. Oh, and by the way, bring 10 bucks because I’m sure you’ll want a copy of their album, Run from Dogs.

Get more info on Luster.

SIUE Theater Presents: Dog Sees God

Teauna — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:30:00 +0000

Dog Sees God – Confession of a Teenage Blockhead is presented by SIUE theater department. The SIUE theater department should be applauded for not being afraid to take risks. Royal’s Dog Sees God – Confession of a Teenage Blockhead, created a controversy regarding artists and their rights to freedom of speech.

Dog Sees God; Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead

Due to language and adult situations, this play is not recommended for children under 16. Interesting play, good actors and you will not be disappointed. Admission: Adults $10 Seniors & Children under 16 $8 Dunham Hall Theater, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL 62025 (618)650-2774 Feb. 24, 2010 – Feb. 28, 2010

Live DJ at Big Daddy’s

Paul Peters — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:30:47 +0000

Get your groove on with a live DJ at Big Daddy's.

Get down to some great music with a live DJ at Big Daddy’s. The dance spot in town if you want that club feel. SIUE students should pack this place and really get the party pumpin. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Raymond Yaeger with Christina Yocca

Teauna — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:00:00 +0000

The Edwardsville Art Center is showing with Raymond Yeager with Christina Yocca. The two artists complement eachother Yaeger’s beautiful paintings based on tree branches making marks against the sky complement the branches in Yocca’s work. Making a stunning exhibition.

Yocca is known for transforming earth, fibers and branches into mysterious vessels and sensual objects.

Yeager and Yocca complement eachother at the Edwardsville Art Center.

During the last couple of years, the main focus of Yaeger’s work has been concerned with the formal investigation of perception, exploring that moment between seeing and comprehending.

Opening reception January 15, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Exhibit runs January 15 – February 26, 2010 Free and open to the Public.

Review of Edwardsville’s 222 Artisan Bakery

Editor — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:22:31 +0000

by Jesse Gernigin

I waited to write this review. Edwardsville’s 222 Artisan Bakery had expanded their hours and I wanted to give myself enough time to experience the shop in the expanded hours.

The 222 Artisan Bakery in Edwardsville has expanded hours and great food and coffee.

This is not the first time they have expanded their hours though. Way back when 222 first opened they had toyed with staying open later, they were not happy with the results then and scaled their hours back. Thankfully I can say this is not the case now. 222, which used to be open till 3 p.m. on weekdays is now open till eight and serves as a wonderful refuge from winter nights.

With the expansion 222 has decided to offer a wonderful and reasonable lunch special which includes a sandwich of your choice (I’m always torn between the Matt and the Caroline, deciding between moist tuna salad or a hearty roast beef is always difficult) a drink of your choosing (as in any drink whether it be a cup of coffee, soda, tea, or a pristine iced caramel latte) a bag of Billy Goat potato chips and a cookie. All of this for a reasonable $8.75.

222 still has the classic half sandwich and soup deal (and the soups change daily although White Chili is a welcome reoccurrence about twice a week) so fret not there. And on Fridays 222 still serves the best pizzas in town, and when I say best pizza I am not joking. Their pizzas are baked in their ovens, allowing them to come out with the perfect texture mix of crunchy and chewy to match the simple yet precise toppings they have. There are two meat options and one vegetarian, I suggest coming with friends as to try them all. Word to the wise, come early Friday if you want a pizza, I have yet to show up for a pizza Friday where they have not sold out before three.

But perhaps a meal isn’t what you want, and that’s fine. 222 bakes their bread and pastries fresh every day. So whether you need a hearty flaky loaf to take home to the family or a sweet tooth fix, 222 has your back. And for those late in the day folk 222 has a happy hour deal. If you come in after 6 p.m. all pastries are two dollars. If you think you’d like a loaf of bread my advice is come before noon if you can. The bakery usually sells out their bread three days a week, and although I have yet to see a pattern to the days that loaves sell out or a reason why all I can tell you is that the days they do sell out they do so before noon.

Then there’s the coffee. 222 has the best coffee in town, with a selection that stretches both sides of the flavor continuum to appeal to all palates, disinterested to discerning. What is really cool (in my opinion) is that Matt roasts all of his beans right here in Edwardsville. Matt’s hard work is well rewarded as both Companion Bakery in the Central West End and the well known St. Louis pizzeria Pi use his roasts exclusively in their establishments.

But honestly, in my eyes, that is to be expected. Simply said, the hard and honest work put into 222 should serve as the guidebook and measuring stick on which all businesses in Edwardsville should be judged. So come get a cup of coffee, a pastry, a sandwich, a pizza, whatever, just come, come and meet your expectations, and find them well met.

Fit Fest

Leesa — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:00:28 +0000

Trying to keep your New Year’s Resolution? Come check out Fit Fest: Health, Wellness, and Fitness Expo at the SIUe Student Fitness Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 24th. Their will be several area businesses in attendance, along with a blood drive, Free fitness testing, a cooking demonstration, and a free 10 minute chair massage! Need more information? Click here.