Who says there's not a music scene?

Anyone who's lived in the 16 Blocks for any amount of time remembers or has heard of South Main Cafe and Baylee's and the golden time of the music scene in the 1990s. Dylan Locke was booking great shows, Barger Street had festivals, and there was a happening basement/house scene. What happened?

One thing that's happened is there's more shows happening on a regular basis today than ever. The weekend of this magazine's release is bustling with live music at Awful Arthur's, Champ's, Attitude's, Top of the Stairs, the Cellar, the Nuthouse, the Doghouse, Cabo, and the Rivermill. There will be over 100 musicians bringing it to the people of the 16 Blocks over the course of 3 days. New venues such as Gillie's are kicking off their "Late Night Stage" this weekend and have shows booked through late May. She-Sha Lounge hosts regular shows too, and their dance parties have become quite the event. Last fall the Lyric's Gogol Bordello was the best show the theatre's had in a couple of years. Our "March Marathon of Music" release party features 10 acts of music playing over 12 hours. With this many performers and venues, I'd say the scene is healthy and invigorated. But the big question remains: is the audience?

For those who do go to shows, I hope this issue gives recognition where it is due. For those who don't go to many shows, I hope this issue encourages you to perk up your ears and listen to what's going on around you. If you're younger, do you want to look back on your younger days with memories of pool and karaoke? If your older, do you want to look back to memories of Prairie Home Companion and television. Experiencing and sharing live music with an audience is one of life's true pleasures, and one that you don't get from an i-pod.

With construction and plans for more performing arts spaces for Shultz and Henderson lawns, as well as a downtown scene that flourishes in the restaurant/ bar/entertainment markets, local owners and development planners have invested themselves in music. It's up to us to show them a return, to show the bands they have our support, and to show visitors why we're more than just a college town.

Hart Fowler
Editor in Chief
16 Blocks Magazine