Sunday live entertainment is a bed of roses at Rose Bed Inn

~ The Rose Bed Inn's Summer Sunday Series will feature a range of arts from jazz to piano rock to poetry.

Eldon Nattier and James Coley used to be only in the bed and breakfast business, until the Rose Bed Inn co-owners noticed something missing in Cape Girardeau on Sundays.

"On Sunday afternoon there's really not much in the way of live entertainment going on," Coley said.

In response the pair started the Summer Sunday Series in the Rose Bed Inn garden, featuring an eclectic array of entertainment from jazz to piano rock to poetry. To supplement the entertainment, the pair offers a different menu of food each week.

The talent featured is from the region, the atmosphere relaxed -- no loud music or heavy partying, Coley and Nattier said. Coley and Nattier see their series as a diversion from the typical live entertainment offerings available in Cape Girardeau.

"There's a need, and we're filling it," said Coley.

The first show happened Sunday, when Pat Schwent's Saxy Jazz opened the series. Coley said the turnout for the first concert was great, and he expects the crowds to keep coming.

This Sunday the series will feature C.J. Harris, a pianist who started his career at the age of 18 and has played with Jerry Lee Lewis and Kris Kristofferson. Harris describes his style as a blend of alternative, country and rock, heavily inspired by Lewis' high-octane piano attack.

"The styling of my albums are pretty much just me and the piano," said Harris, who's now living in Sikeston, Mo., and pursuing a career in music. "I don't like to overdo my music these days, so I'm going along the lines of vocal and piano."

The following week the series will feature poetry by award-winning poets living in the local area. The featured poet is Joy Rubi, past winner of the Library of Poetry's Editor's Choice Award and several other awards from Poetry.com. Rubi will be joined by other award-winning poets Timothy Chism and Evan Joseph.

Featured performers for future series haven't been confirmed yet.

For more information on the Summer Sunday Series, call the Rose Bed Inn at 332-7673.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182