2006: A year in review

Nothing is ever static in arts and entertainment. Boundaries are pushed every day. People enter the scene, they leave the scene. They have big ideas, some of them pan out, some don't.

This year started off with a bang in Cape Girardeau, with the filming of scenes for the big-budget Hollywood movie "Killshot." But that was only the beginning of what would be yet another year of big events, another year of change, another year of growth in the local arts community.

Here are the top arts and entertainment stories of 2006, as selected by the Southeast Missourian. While you may find order in them, their ranking isn't a measure of their importance or impact. We'll leave that up to you, the reader.

1. 'Killshot' fever

The buzz over "Killshot" started well before 2006 knocked on our door, but it wasn't until right after the new year that things really got crazy. We knew as early as August 2005 that the cast and crew of the Quentin Tarantino/Weinstein brothers-produced movie would be coming to Cape Girardeau, originally for three days of shooting.

As the end of the year approached, the details became more clear, and in the end movie makers were in town for nearly a week. In that time they pumped more than $700,000 into the local economy, and provided several hours of entertainment for curious spectators (some of whom even had their pictures taken with the stars).

The filming also provided several hours of work for the many extras and production assistants chosen from the local population to help out with "Killshot."

Almost as big has been the anticipation of when the film will actually hit the big screen. Originally "Killshot" was slated for an Oct. 20 release. Now it will be sometime next year, as yet undetermined, when Cape Girardeau will get to see itself on the big screen. And still we wait.

2. Concert for Sahara

Who knew that when a Cape Girardeau girl was diagnosed with brain-stem cancer, it would attract national attention?

Rick Springfield probably did.

The pop star who made his name starring on "General Hospital" and singing "Jessie's Girl" used his fame for a good cause this year when he turned Sahara Aldridge into a national celebrity among his fans.

Sahara, 12, was diagnosed this summer with brain-stem cancer. Springfield had met her when she was 5 years old, when she rushed the stage at one of his shows while Sahara's mother, Amy, a Springfield superfan looked on. The friendship lasted, and when Springfield heard about Sahara's affliction, he posted her story online and encouraged his fans to give monetary and spiritual support to the family. He also agreed to perform a concert in her hometown, with the proceeds benefiting the Aldridge family to pay for expensive treatments and travel.

The show finally happened Dec. 8. Springfield fans and Sahara supporters came from all over the United States to help, and about $60,000 was raised to help the family.

3. Wall of Fame redux

After the completion of the "Mississippi River Tales" floodwall mural and its dedication last year, it didn't take long for the River Heritage Mural Association to embark on its next project -- a reworking of the 10-year-old "Missouri Wall of Fame" floodwall mural in Cape Girardeau's downtown.

Association president Tim Blattner unveiled plans for the project in February, with Chicago artist and "Mississippi River Tales" chief painter Thomas Melvin once again in the lead. Using the same basic design created 10 years earlier by Margaret Dement, Melvin and his crew (including locals like Craig Thomas) got started painting in August and finished up the project in mid-October.

The red brick sidewalk has been extended in front of the "Wall of Fame," and the next improvement will be readerboards to interpret the images of famous people with Missouri ties. A dedication is expected in the late spring of 2007.

4. Trans-Siberian Orchestra's triumphant return, traffic nightmare

It's official: the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has become a new holiday tradition in Cape Girardeau.

The group's third straight year of making the Show Me Center a stop on its tour saw the biggest crowd yet for a TSO show, and the biggest sound, according to some listeners. And with that big crowd came a big nightmare -- traffic.

This year 5,500 people turned out to see the Christmas-rock-orchestra, and many of them were caught in traffic for several minutes prior to the show. Authorities were split on the cause -- the venue said it was a fender bender on Sprigg Street near the entrance, but city police disagreed. Despite the traffic, TSO turned in what may have been its best performance yet in Cape Girardeau.

5. Dr. Chapman's last hurrah

The visual arts in Cape Girar?deau owe a lot to Dr. Jean Chapman. For years he's been a key patron of the local arts, not to mention that he founded the Visual Arts Cooperative or that he's one really good artist.

So it was with sadness that the local art community viewed what will likely be Chapman's last solo exhibition in September. For a month, Chapman's work filled up the galleries of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri -- two- and three-dimensional pieces that spanned much of his career as an artist. Some were made after he suffered a stroke in 2002, some before. But what shone through was the man, his love of art and his drive to keep producing after that stroke threatened to hold his artistic abilities ineffective.

But Chapman will still be around when the local arts groups need his advice, we hope for a long time to come.

6. Show Me Center sellout, almost

The Show Me Center was so close to its first sellout crowd in two years in 2006, but didn't quite make it.

When Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood came to town Oct. 20, they played to just more than 5,000 people. That's less than showed up for TSO, but in the weeks leading up to the concert, Show Me Center staff thought they were seeing what might become the first sellout show since Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts in 2003.

The sellout didn't happen, but the concert did produce about 5,000 happy fans with rousing performances by the two megastars.

7. Year of the "Idol"

Carrie Underwood played the Show Me Center after she won "American Idol." Bo Bice and Josh Gracin didn't have quite the same luck.

Bice and Gracin, two "Idol" contestants who didn't make the final cut, did perform in Cape Girardeau this year, though. The two brought some young blood to a SEMO District Fair that often features more legendary artists who appeal to an older crowd.

However, it should be noted they followed Ronnie Milsap in the fair's grandstand entertainment schedule. Organizers called the fresher line up a success.

8. Romeo, Romeo, put your pants on, Romeo

Who knew "Romeo and Juliet" could ruffle so many feathers? Apparently not the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance.

When the university rolled out its adaptation of the classic Shakespeare tragedy in April, it did so with bravado. Romeo's buddies were obsessed with sex, and not afraid to show it.

The Montague boys' obsession offended more than one school administrator, teacher and community member. Some schools canceled shows, while others defended the play as faithful to the original text. As for the controversy, let's just say "Romeo and Juliet" was a rather successful college play.

9. Meet Bob Cerchio

The coming year will see the opening of the River Campus, and a string of new touring arts companies that will visit Cape Girardeau. And the man in charge of booking them is Robert Cerchio.

Cerchio held the same job at Southern Illinois University's Shryock Auditorium for years before coming to the River Campus. Three touring acts are already confirmed for the coming season: the Shaolin Warriors on Oct. 31, the American Indian Dance Theatre on Nov. 3 and the St. Petersburg Ballet's version of "Swan Lake" on Jan. 13, 2008. And Cerchio has more up his sleeve -- as the season approaches he'll announce more touring companies.

10. Skid Row rocks the Hushpuppy

On most nights the primary attraction at the Hushpuppy is its nude dancing women. But the poles went cold one night in November as the club temporarily remade itself as a concert venue, hosting Skid Row and locals Drivin' Rain.

The sound was great, the venue was large, but the club owner was hoping for about 800 people. About 150 showed. The Hushpuppy may not host any more concerts.

11. Tunes at Twilight keeps on climbing

Tunes at Twilight continued to establish itself as an entertainment destination in 2006.

This year the summer concert series held at the Common Pleas Courthouse gazebo on Friday evenings once again broke its own records for attendance, with crowds an estimated 25 percent larger than 2005's record-breaking numbers. The series opener Brother Henry set the single-concert attendance record with nearly 600 people. And organizers are already preparing for another record season in 2007.

12. Bruce Zimmerman records a disc, finally

Bruce Zimmerman is known by local music lovers as one of the seminal members of the Cape Girardeau music scene. He was playing shows here before most bars even hosted bands.

But it wasn't until this year when the blues-rock patriarch finally put out a disc of his music, called "Guitar on the Brain." The project was two years in the making, and was finally released this summer to the joy of the throngs who attend his regular stints at Port Cape Girardeau.

Zimmerman says another CD featuring his Water Street Band is in the works. How long it will take, he's not sure.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182