Comings and Goings

An edgy new downtown theater, Eddie Gumucio signs a distribution deal, one more week for Sexy & Single nominations

 

More Artsiness Headed Downtown

Missouri State student Jared Lee is spearheading an ambitious new theatre project downtown: Springfield 2nd Stage, which he says will feature cutting edge shows, “very PG-13 and R-rated shows,” occasional sketch comedy and poetry slams and other highbrow fare. Lee, the Art Director, says 2nd Stage will also have a full bar (beer and mixed drinks) local artists on display in the lobby, and is planning to be an official member of First Friday Art Walk. The theatre’s building at 440 S. Campell Ave. (next door to Jack Ball Architects) is owned by Todd Turoci, “the man behind the curtain,” according to Lee.

At press time, the plan was for Springfield 2nd Stage to hold an open house during October’s Art Walk (October 5), with its first production, Too Much Light Makes a Baby Go Blind, beginning October 11. Sketch comedy and poetry events should start in mid-October. The comedy, Lee says, will not compete with The Skinny Improv because it will be only once every two weeks, and will be decidedly more rowdy. “There’s nothing that we do that is going to be exactly squeaky clean. I think we’re going to develop a reputation as the bad boy theatre, pretty much.”

For more on Springfield 2nd Stage, go to 2ndstage.com (under construction), or contact Lee at mjaredlee@hotmail.com or 417-327-3450.

TV Fans May Hear More Gumucio

Former Mychyksaseal frontman and Springfield music scene regular Eddie Gumucio recently signed a distribution contract with Hollywood-based A&R Select. While not a record deal per se, Gumucio says the company will seek to place songs from his 2005 album, When There You Were, on TV soundtracks, commercials, movies—wherever they see a fit. This comes as Eddie is recording a new album. We’ll stay in touch with Eddie and let you know the first time he makes it on The O.C. What? The O.C. got canceled? Eddie’s too good for that schlock anyway.

Bailey’s Creates Buzz

Much conversation at September’s (rainy) Art Walk was devoted to Bailey’s American Grille (319 W. Walnut St., 417-865-1304), a new American–style diner recently opened in the old Rasta Grill spot at the corner of Campbell Avenue and Walnut Street. The manager is Dave Willey, the former bar manager at Maria’s. The crowds seemed to take to it right away—we’re particularly keen on the outdoor bar/patio area, which could end up battling for “Best Patio” honors with Riad, Trolley’s and Big Whiskey’s.

Sexy & Single Noms Due Sept. 21

You have just more than a week to submit your friends’ names (and photos) for consideration in our second annual Sexy & Single issue. All e-mails are due in our inbox at gosexyandsingle@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 21.

It’s Time for GOnection, Sports Fans

Thanks to those silly five-Thursday months, it feels like it’s been forever since our last GOnection, but on September 20 we’ll get back into the social-networking groove with September’s GOnection at Classic’s Sports, the ultra-awesome sports bar and pub connected to the Clarion Hotel (3333 S. Glenstone Ave,. 417-883-5232). It’s a nice way to celebrate the start of football season—Chiefs fans in particular should enjoy drowning their sorrows in a frosty mug of something hoppy. GOnection is free, and begins at 5:30 p.m. See springfieldgo.com for more information.

Hot Tip of the Day

Beginning Monday, September 17, the spirit of our weekend Set List blog post is going daily with the launch of the GO Hot Tip of the Day. Just log on to springfieldgo.com every morning to find the single most GO-worthy event, CD release, concert or news announcement of the day. It’ll be right there at the top of the website, so you don’t even have to work that hard to find it. If you think your event is a GO Hot Tip of the Day, submit it on our online calendar.