Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau

Submitted by Keith Enloe
If you love movies…watching movies…reviewing movies…talking about movies – then here’s a great thing to do in Jefferson City. The AfterHours Film Society is hosting Friday Night Classics 2010, the second Friday of every month at the Missouri River Regional Library. George Dillard has been facilitating the Jefferson City event for about 10 years and says it’s become very popular. “It’s like a book group with one enormous difference,” explains Dillard. “Reading is done in solitude, but we experience the movie together and remain together [for discussion] afterward. It has a huge impact.” Dillard has been a librarian all his adult life and has been involved with everything from poetry readings to book clubs and author presentations, but finds these movie nights the most rewarding public events he’s ever hosted. 

All movies are free and open to the public.  Library doors open at 6:30 pm, with the movie starting approximately 7 pm. Group dialogue following the viewing goes as long as discussion warrants.   Upcoming events include: March 12: The Matrix (1999), directed by A. & L. Wachowski , April 9: Young Frankenstein (1974), directed by Mel Brooks , and May 14: Bell Book & Candle (1958), directed by Richard Quine, with Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. For more information and a schedule of future events, visit www.mrrl.org . You can also get additional details from George’s blog: Reader’ Eye.hppt://www.mrrl.org/readerseye/

Live Jefferson City theater events in March:

Scene One Theatre presents the Greek tragedy, Antigone, March 5,6,11,12 & 13. Call 573-681-9199 for tickets.

Capital City Players offer a dinner theatre production of the comedy, Red, White and Tuna. For tickets call 573-681-9012, or visit www.capitalcityplayers.com for additional information. 

Submitted by Michael Honeywell
There’s an island in Jefferson City?  You betcha!  It’s smack dab in the Missouri River, just north of the Capitol Building.  It’s called Adrian’s Island.   

As it turns out, the island is actually a 35-acre peninsula.  While it may be short on sides, with only three, it is long on potential especially for those with a vision for Jefferson City’s future.  Many believe the island holds one of the key ingredients to Jefferson City tourism and economic development: riverfront access. The theory goes: if we can create a city where people want to live, a place with lots of things to do, the investors will come. 

Recently, the city council approved Adrian's Island for redevelopment.  What’s planned? There’s an access tunnel, a mile-long park with hiking trails, park benches, fishing access, and a connection to the city’s greenway trail for bicyclists and pedestrians.  What a boost for Jefferson City tourism. 

Watching these events take shape in the coming months will be exciting. Imagine development taking place on the river in Jefferson City, I mean even the staunchest opponents have to be a little curious. The question is, will this inspire other projects? If the idea is to reconnect the river to the city, and we’re starting at the river, where do we go from here? Up, of course. Stay tuned.

Submitted by Keith Enloe
One year ago, Jefferson City arts staple, Capital Arts found a new home in Jefferson City's historic Washington Park building, which had been recently renovated by the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department. The building not only provides administrative, meeting and classroom space for the organization, but also serves as a beautiful art gallery. During the month of February, the Capital Arts Gallery is presenting an exhibit titled, By Men, For Men, About Men, a collection of works by over thirty local, male artists. The Jefferson City Arts display showcases a variety of artistic disciplines including photography, oils, acrylics, pen & ink and even some sculpture in both wood and copper.

Local artist, Essex Garner, features a stunning series of pencil drawings completed as illustrations for a book his wife wrote. Garner (pictured right) stated that his wife, a second-grade teacher, wanted to write a children’s book about President Barack Obama, so he agreed to provide the artwork. Asked why he chose pencil for his medium, he replied, “Drawing got me into commercial art in the first place…my pencil drawing.”  One particular image, The Push, portrays a young Obama, dressed in casual clothes, as a student at Harvard – years before he entered political life. When asked about the title of the piece, Garner explains that “the push” refers to that time in a young man’s life when “push comes to shove” and he must make the decision to put on a business suit and step into adulthood. 

The By Men, For Men, About Men exhibit is currently on display at the Capital Arts Gallery, 1203 Missouri Blvd, and will run now through March 4^th. Gallery hours are 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday thru Thursday, and 1pm – 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.capitalarts.org for more information about this display and other Jefferson City arts.

Submitted by Colleen Foster
Some nights, nothing beats a meal of hot wings at a Jefferson City restaurant.  Jefferson City has some notable bars and restaurants that serve wings. However, if you are looking for tried-and-true wings, Mortimer Kegley's is a sure bet.  It's a great Jefferson City restaurant on High Street in the heart of downtown. When you put your order in, you'll get to choose which type of dipping sauce you want and what type of sauce you want on the wing.  If you're like me, you'll want to request yours to be extra crispy.  Kegley's, a staple to Jefferson City night life, has been using the same recipe for years.  They have perfected the art of 'hot-wing-ology.'  The crowds on Tuesday evenings, when wings are at a special price, can attest to their deliciousness.  So, the next time you have a hankering for hot wings, stop by Kegley's after work or for a night out and order a dozen of Jefferson City's most delectable hot wings!

Submitted by Keith Enloe

If you think January is a slow month for the Jefferson City Theaters and Jefferson City Arts, you're mistaken.  Two of our local community theaters are presenting shows that are sure to please, and each has something new to offer patrons.

Scene One Theatre - a "Black-Box" performing arts venue - will present the local premier of a new play, Intelligent Life, by Lauren Dusek Albonico (shown in the photo).  The playwright is a native Missourian who grew up in St. Louis and will actually be in attendance at the opening night performance.  She is an award-winning playwright who holds a degree in drama from Washington University. Lauren has worked professionally as an actor, director and designer in her hometown of St. Louis as well as Chicago and, most recently, Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is an exciting first for local performers who will get the opportunity to visit with the playwright during a Q & A reception following the show. Audience members are invited to participate and refreshments will be served. Show dates are Jan 15, 16, 21, 22, 23.  Tickets are $10 each, and only $5 on Thursday the 21st. Reserve tickets by calling (573) 681-9199.  Scene One Theatre is located at 121 East High Street, below Carrie's Hallmark, in Downtown Jefferson City. Visit www.sceneonetheatre.com for more information. Seating is limited so be sure to reserve your seat.

The local dinner theatre, Capital City Players, also opens a new show this month. The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, will run January 14-17, and 21-24. This is the Central Missouri premiere of the award-winning Broadway musical comedy about six quirky adolescents competing in a middle school county spelling bee and the three quirky adults who oversee the competition. Tickets for dinner and the show are $30 and can be ordered by calling 573-681-9012. Shows are performed at Shikles Auditorium, 1200 Linden Drive. Additional information can be found at www.capitalcityplayers.com. 

Check the Arts blog each month for updates on the latest Arts News in and around Jefferson City.
 

Submitted by Colleen Foster
Bored already with the treadmill?  Are the barbells gathering dust?  Or, maybe going out at night has you worried, because of your 'diet?'  Well, consider dancing!  Jefferson City has at least seven (7) dance venues for night life entertainment (a.k.a exercise!).   And, don't worry, whether you look like a dancing chicken or a suave groove artist, you are bound to have a blast and meet up with fellow Jefferson Citians who like to bust to move!

Dancing is a fun, fat-burning activity that will keep you motivated with your exercise regime, and at the same time, introduce you to some of the coolest places in Jefferson City! 

On Missouri Boulevard, Spectator's and TG's Lounge have dance floors to accommodate even the wildest and craziest dancers.  A hop, skip and a jump away from the Boulevard is Capital Ritz, which offers classes and more structured environment for dancers of all ages. 
Jefferson City night life is alive and well in the heart of downtown, where you can shake your tail feathers on the second floor at Bones.  When the weather is nice, their huge outdoor deck gets transformed to a dance floor, because the bands rock. Next door to Bones, Mike's Corner Pocket has a nice indoor stage towards the High Street entrance.  If the band playing rocks a beat, you will fit right in with your dance moves.  On the east side, JC's most recent new bar, The Mission (pictured to the right), definitely welcomes movers and shakers.  The minute you walk in, your foot automatically starts tapping to the music playing on their awesome sound system.  Prison Brews, a couple doors away features occasional live entertainment, and when the music jams, you'll find diner's dancing outside their booth.

So, what are you waiting for?  Make plans now to start grooving to Jefferson City night life!

Submitted by Colleen Foster
Getting cabin fever with all this cold weather?  Or, are you looking for different things to do in Jefferson City?  Well, get out of the house and try your skill (and luck) at playing free Texas Hold'em Poker at Spectator's Bar & Grill on Missouri Boulevard.  Spectator's has been hosting free poker sessions for over four years.  They have the felt tables, chips, cards and room to accommodate multiple tables.  In fact, the other night, they had enough players for three tables! It's free to play and no registration is required.  Players are helpful and someone will guide you if you don't know how to play.  Everyone is friendly, and while the game can get competitive at times, everyone who plays realizes it's just free poker. 

For Jefferson City night life searchers, Spectator's free Texas Hold'em poker games are a dream come true.  You can play poker four nights a week, Sunday through Wednesday, with a 7pm and 9pm session to choose from. And, on Saturday, you can play a 12pm or 3pm sessions. This schedule offers you the flexibility of coming out after you worked a hard day or need a break after the kids have gone to bed.  Plus, you won't miss out on your favorite TV shows, since Spec's has numerous TVs.  Oh, and don't forget to ask about the monthly tournament, where you have the opportunity to win prizes for first, second and third place...if you're lucky enough!

 
While poker is a big draw in its own right, Spectators also has a full service bar and mouth-watering menu, numerous pool tables and Keno, a Missouri Lottery game.  On certain nights, there are specials, so be sure to inquire with your server or bartender.  Next time you want to spice up your night life or feel like looking for new activities in Jefferson City, consider playing a poker game.  As they say, shuffle up and deal!

Submitted by Michael J. Honeywell 

I love the Capitol tour; it's a great piece of Jefferson City history. In fact, I make it a point to take my family for a visit every year. My favorite part is the stop in the House Lounge. It features an amazing mural by Thomas Hart Benton. It is called A Social History of Missouri. 

The mural is one of Benton’s most famous. It features vivid scenes of the Civil War, early St. Louis and Kansas City, the legend of Jessie James and a story of murder about Frankie and Johnny. 

After doing a little research, I discovered that Benton was paid $16,000 by the Missouri Legislature to paint this mural in the Missouri State Capital. It has recently been valued at more than $10 million.  

This makes me wonder: If the mural was ever sold, how would they move this piece of history out of Jefferson City?

Jefferson City dining and Jefferson City's Missouri State Penitentiary are currently being featured on AAA's web site. Prison Brews, one of the great Jefferson City restaurants, is a local microbrewery perfect for visitors and residents alike. Delicious food and great beer! The Missouri State Penitentiary, built in 1836 and decommissioned in 2004, is just a couple blocks away from Prison Brews and is one of the most popular Jefferson City attractions and tourist places in Missouri. Guided tours are offered for $12 per person. See the links below to get the full story!
Prison Brews: http://www.ouraaa.com/traveler/mid/2009/11/wReviews.html

Missouri State Penitentiary: http://www.ouraaa.com/traveler/mid/2009/09/wLock.html