Where music and art meet

Peg MacDougall's Edward Bernard Gallery seems like something of an outsider in the local arts scene -- at least in terms of geography.

Peg's gallery isn't clustered at the epicenter of the local art offerings that happen each First Friday. The place isn't on Main Street, Water Street or Spanish Street.

Instead, Peg's gallery sits far removed from the cozy confines of downtown. There's no way one could walk from downtown to the EB gallery, unless of course you want to be tired, and probably have missed the remainder of the First Friday receptions when you get there.

By car, though, the EB gallery is just a few short minutes away from the rest of the galleries. And it's worth the drive.

As for the reasons, where to begin? You might start with the excellent, primarily glass, artwork, much of it abstract, that you can't find anywhere else in Cape Girardeau.

Personally, I'm young and not too terribly rich, so I just don't have the money to afford some of the amazing pieces at the EB Gallery, but with a little more disposable income, I could easily see myself dropping more than a few bills on some EB merch.

Want another reason? How about the atmosphere?

For starters, Peg and her husband Paul (owner of Cape's REAL record store, P-Mac) are really cool, hospitable people. They'll treat you to food and drink and welcome you like, I know it's cliche, but like you're family.

But there's another reason to visit the EB Gallery, if you're like me, anyway.

Every month, the EB Gallery is not only a place to showcase the visual arts on First Friday, it's a place to showcase the musical talents we have right here in Cape Girardeau.

Take tonight, for instance. The gallery will be displaying the beautiful abstract paintings of Caroline Thompson, a Southeast Missouri artist by way of Boulder, Colo. This work might inspire you, but Peg is offering a little something extra to pique that inspiration just a little bit more. Liesl Schoenberger, arguably one of the best musicians Cape has ever produced, will be in house to play some fiddle tunes while you enjoy your browsing.

For those of you who don't know Liesl, she's studied with some of the most prestigious teachers, and she's played at Carnegie Hall. Liesl is classically trained, but she has a real love for fiddling. She's put out several bluegrass albums, and during holidays and summer breaks you can find her jamming out with the Mike Renick Band during their regular gigs at downtown bars.

But this isn't the first time Peg and Co. have brought in musical talent to supplement their First Friday receptions. A few months back the EB hosted what might be one of the best bands in Cape Girardeau right now, the experimental, jazz-rock trio Fill. I didn't get a chance to attend myself, but I heard Fill did a quieter, toned-down version of their music that went over very well.

But I don't want to sound like the EB is the only gallery that features live music on First Fridays. Linda Bohnsack's Garden Gallery has been known to do so as well, hosting people like the quirky singer/songwriter Doug Rees.

Cape's burgeoning art culture has a lot going for it, and a lot of talented artists making visual and performing arts, music and films. Personally, having a little live music with my visual art only enhances the experience. Nothing gets my mental juices going like live music -- being a musician myself I guess my brain is just wired that way. Sure, visual art can be inspiring on its own, but something about music just helps bring what I'm seeing into context. Synergy in art only serves to inspire more.

I'm sure some people don't feel the same way. They'd probably rather have some quiet so their thoughts can focus solely on the visuals at hand. That's understandable.

But I'd like to see the different artistic disciplines in Cape Girardeau come together a little bit more. Sure, they team up every once in a while for things like ArtsCape, but the young rockers I typically listen to really don't seem to join up with the visual arts crowd often, except in rare cases like Fill's EB performance. Maybe there's some personality conflict there.

In my thinking, a group like the Modest Living Artists -- one that creates work that's often controversial and outside the mainstream -- would be perfect to pair up with some anti-establishment rockers, and maybe create a combined music/art show. Maybe they could bring the local indie filmmakers into the fold and show some short films.

Meanwhile, maybe a gallery like the arts council could enlist the help of a string quartet for a special art and music extravaganza. It wouldn't even have to be on First Friday. Such things have taken place in the past, with the arts council sponsoring concerts as part of its events. But a little more couldn't hurt.

Anything that will bring together the talents of local artists of all stripes can only be a good thing, right?

Contact Arts & Leisure editor Matt Sanders at 335-6611, extension 182