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President & Editor May Event Calendar
Jesse Witham
Managing Director 08
Dylan Collins Drink of the Month
Art Director
Ryan Strong 10
Downtown Beat Gets to Know
Director of Sales Account Executives
Ray Cook Rebekah Hay
Lacey Collins 12
The Downtown Loft Scene
Contributing Writers Photography
Ken Morrow Eyeworks Photography
Jason Monroe ClubMugs.com 19
YourPictureGuy.com The Place To Be
Copy Editor
Todd Gummerman
20
Downtown Theaters
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Downtown Beat Magazine Top 5 Bars
509 West Olive – Suite 207
417-225-8822 24
downtownbeat@gmail.com The Business Beat
www.downtownbeat.com
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Party Pics
Downtown Beat is a monthly publication that is available free of charge and distribut-
ed to over 200 locations in Springfield. The content of this magazine is property of the
respective authors and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.
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MAY EVENT
01 ............................................................................... Pride Classic Concert / Juanita K. Hammons Hall
02 ........................................................ Ozarks Regional Air Guitar Championship / The Outland / 9pm
03 ...............................................................................................................................................................
04 ............................................................. First Friday Artwalk / Downtown Art Galleries / 6pm-10pm
.................................................. Ryan Strong & Jeremy Larson @ BluSkies - Monarch Art Factory / 7pm
05 ................................................................................................................ Artsfest 2007 / Walnut Street
06 ...............................................................................................................................................................
07 ................................................................................ College Night @ Big Whiskey’s / 9pm-Midnight
08 ...............................................................................................................................................................
09 ................................................................. The Umbrellas and Abracadabra’s @ The Belmonte / 8pm
10 .................................................................................................... College Night @ ICON / 9pm-Close
11 ...................................................................................... Ozark Mountain Daredevils / Gillioz Theatre
12 ............................................................................. 2007 May Ball / Historical Vandivort Centre / 7pm
13 ...............................................................................................................................................................
14 ...............................................................................................................................................................
15 ...............................................................................................................................................................
16 ...............................................................................................................................................................
17 ........................................................................................ Snowball Effect / The Skinny Improv / 8pm
18 ....................................................................... 7th Annual Wine Auction & Gala / Newberry Building
19 ...................................................................................................... Painting Exhibition On The Square
20 ...............................................................................................................................................................
21 ........................................................................................................ DJ Lush @ Harpo’s / 10pm-Close
22 ...............................................................................................................................................................
23 ...............................................................................................................................................................
24 .................................................................................................... College Night @ ICON / 9pm-Close
25 ...............................................................................................................................................................
26 .......................................................................................... The Ten Spot / The Skinny Improv / 10pm
27 ...............................................................................................................................................................
28 ................................................................................ College Night @ Big Whiskey’s / 9pm-Midnight
29 ...............................................................................................................................................................
30 ...............................................................................................................................................................
31 ...............................................................................................................................................................
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S
o who are you guys, and what exactly Yes, we rent the lighting, but nothing is automated.
do you do? We have to control each lighting effect from the DJ
booth and change it manually throughout the night.
We are Absolutely Fresh USA… The
United States branch of the Dutch house What do you think of the downtown music scene
music promotional company. We throw events, par- in Springfield? What are some things that could
ties, and DJ at local nightclubs. make it better?
How and when did you get started? The music scene is definitely growing in Spring-
field. We like to see new talent coming through here
We actually met at a poker table in Albuquerque, and we are doing our part by bringing in DJ talent
NM. Tyler had lost everything to me while operat- from other cities and even other countries. We
ing under the alias “Tex Memphis,” and the rest is would really like to see bigger events being thrown
history… downtown.
Explain the appeal of house/electronic music, What about downtown nightlife in general?
and why you’ve chosen to promote this genre… What else would you like to see?
House music is very fun and energetic. We have We would like to see the nightlife crowd recognize
always liked it and have realized the potential by the bands and DJ’s as artists, and not just juke-
traveling around Europe and central Mexico. The boxes.
music is easy to dance to and easy to anticipate, so
there is never any confusion on the dance floor. Thanks for your time guys, it’s been great! Last
question… What does someone have to do if
So where do you DJ at during the week and they want to book Absolutely Fresh for an event
where can we go to find out about your big of their own?
events?
Well, first of all you have to know that we showcase
We DJ every Wednesday night at The Boogie, and a very Dutch, very dirty style of house music. That
in the near future we will also be at Tonic Ul- is what we play at all of our events and that is what
tralounge every weekend. All of our special events we have to most fun doing. When we have fun, so
can be found on absolutelyfresh.com. does our audience! We can be reached through
email at info@absolutelyfresh.com.
We’ve been to a couple Absolutely Fresh parties
in the past… The lighting and sound is always Don’t forget to check out Absolutely Fresh every
amazing! Do you set that up yourselves also? Wednesday night at The Boogie in downtown
Springfield!
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L
oft apartments and new businesses are pop- districts of Springfield were approved for federal and
ping up in buildings that have long been va- state financial participation in the form of reduced
cant all over downtown and on Commercial interest loans and tax incentives for historic preser-
Street. City leaders have long talked about vation of certain buildings and neighborhoods. This
and planned for an urban revitalization infusion of investment capital and financial incen-
and historical preservation of the two districts. It is
unfolding before our very eyes, and Springfield area
residents should be proud. Most cities of similar size Rental rates for loft apart-
and resources only talk about such things. They may ments in downtown Spring-
make some meager progress, but our community’s
leaders are getting it done with style and vitality. field range anywhere from
$500 to $2,000 per month...
City Councilwoman Mary Collette recently stated
in a telephone interview that the entire council is in-
tensely aware that getting people to move into these tives has energized and facilitated a rapid expansion
neighborhoods to live is critical. Whether you speak of the loft market as well as commercial activity
to the Urban Districts Alliance, the Watershed Com- downtown and on Commercial Street. Correspond-
mittee of the Ozarks or one of the many proprietors ingly, the city government has committed substantial
of downtown businesses, you will know that there is resources to the efforts. According to Rusty Worley,
a deep commitment to the residential revitalization Executive Director of the Urban Districts Alliance,
of downtown and Commercial Street. the real key to the financial success story was the
state tax credits for historic preservation authorized
and administered by the Missouri Department of
Natural Resources.
The Loft Lifestyle
In July of 2006, Matt Miller Companies LLC en-
Living within walking distance of restaurants, night- tered the Springfield loft market when they opened
clubs, art galleries, ballparks and other recreational Founders Park Lofts at 331 East Water Street. The
facilities is critical to attracting a new demographic formation of Miller’s Blue Block Lofts company
to the urban lifestyle. The loft movement came to marked the first large-scale commercial real estate
Springfield in the mid-1990s when downtown loft developer to take an ownership stake in the Spring-
pioneer Scott Murray renovated 318-320 Park Cen- field loft scene. It also brought the first major loft
tral West into loft conversions. His brother, Jason building with a true industrial style to the consum-
Murray, completed his first loft-building project in ers. Miller bills Founders Park Lofts as the hippest
2001, after acquiring his first downtown commercial lofts in Springfield. Each apartment is very unique,
building in 2000 to accommodate his import/export and the location is spectacular.
business, Artifacts, Ltd. In the mid-1990s, the urban
Tell us a little bit about some projects you are cur- Thanks Michelle. You’ve given us some great insight!
rently working on… We are really looking forward to seeing your new
projects completed. It sounds like you are helping the
I am working with several developers downtown revitalization of downtown Springfield in a very posi-
who are looking at developing new buildings as well tive way!
as renovating old. One building on South Avenue
will have eight high-end condos for sale by summer.
Another project will be a new building with starting
prices in the $140s-150M range. I am also working
Tuesday
Trolley’s - Domestic and Beer Bucket deals til’
midnight
Wednesday
Ernie Biggs – Mug Night and Coors Light special
Thursday
Icon Nightclub - Coors Light special and cheap
wells all night long
Friday
The Boogie – Insane Pint Specials
Harpo’s – High Life Pitchers
Cheap
Saturday
Drink The Boogie - Domestic bottles and well specials
Spots
7 Days Sunday
Springfield Brewing Company - Pizza & Pitcher or
of the Wings & Pitcher
Week! We can’t give the exact prices on these amaz-
ing drink specials, but trust us, they are definitely
worth checking out... We wouldn’t steer you
wrong when it comes to cheap booze!
Films Food
Second run movies, and favorite flicks with Many great food choices from candy to
widespread appeal. taquitos, and over 22 varieties of beer.
Seating Price
A very relaxed atmosphere featuring comfy $5 admission, $1-$4 for food/drinks, and
couches, bean bags, and tables with chairs. beer specials throughout the schedule.
They’re also adding a row of 100 year old
theater seats! Hours
Friday and Saturday showings at 7:30pm &
Screen 10pm.
120” main projection screen, two 50” flat
screens, and a 42” flat screen at the bar.
Food
The Cinebar offers a wide selection of wine,
soda, locally made snacks, and beer from
The bottom line... both theaters are very unique in their own way, and offer an excellent
movie-going experience. The Moxie definitely caters to independent and foreign film lovers,
while the Dive In Theatre offers mainstream favorites such as Talladega Nights, Snatch, and
Animal House. Be sure to catch a flick at both places and see for yourself why these two
venues are such a great asset to our downtown culture!
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This Chicago style dueling piano bar is a favorite among downtowners of all ages. Thursday
is usually a college crowd featuring a DJ and dance music. Saturday draws a slightly older
crowd and is the definitely the best night to see the dueling piano show. Get there early if
you want to find a table!
Springfield’s only Vegas-style nightclub is extremely popular for dancing or just being seen.
Icon features a VIP lounge upstairs, weekly drink specials, and two nightly performances by
The Cadence Drum Show. The doors open at 9pm and the place is usually packed wall to
wall by 11:30.
With over different 30 beers on tap, this English style pub is perfect for hardcore beer drink-
ers. The bartenders are excellent and will most likely call you by name by the third or fourth
time you come in. The food is pretty good too, so be sure to make Patton Alley a regular
stop.
The Red Room Lounge is a great place to meet friends for a drink anytime of the day. The
relaxing, low-light atmosphere makes for an excellent date location as well. They also offer
a $3 half-pound burger and fries special every weekday from 4pm-6pm.
There is no better place downtown for college students than this South Street favorite. The
Boogie features the high-energy house music of Absolutely Fresh, and some of the cheapest
drinks in town. Be sure to ask the bartender for a “Boogie Bowl” and share it with a couple
friends!