US Beware - I am on my way:-)

Subject: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 May 08 - 08:06 AM

Setting off May 24. Flying into St Louis via a quick change at Chicago. Stopping with relatives on the Illinois/Missouri Borders. Only set piece is that some time over the hols we will be making a few day trip to Memphis, Tennassee. Coming back to the UK June 7.

Been to St Louis before and enjoyed a micro brewery and eatery with live jazz on the Quayside. Been to Chicago and loved it. Driven to St Louis from there. We are actualy stopping just outside Edwardsville in Illinois and quite close to Alton. Found a couple of good bars there and enjoyed some free music at farmers markets and a festival in Alton.

Intend looking up a bit more music if I can this time but the other 3 involved are not as involved in folk as me so it is by no means a quest of any sort. So, big question, apart from Graceland and Beale Street any must sees? Or must hears?

Cheers and See y'all.

Dave

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: GUEST,Fantasma
Date: 07 May 08 - 08:15 AM

While I have never been there myself, I have heard the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal is worth a visit.

Can't get much more American than Twain.

And my favorite Illinois state park is in the general area--Mississippi Palisades State Park. Of course, I haven't been there in decades, so it could well have been loved to death by now.

And Galena, Illinois used to be quaint and not very touristy, but that's probably gone done the tubes by now. "Progress" and all that.

My sister was once a huge Elvis fan, so enjoyed Graceland. I don't know if it is worshipped more by the cult folk or the kitcsch folk. Does that matter to you?

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Ernest
Date: 07 May 08 - 01:31 PM

Look here:

Music Shop - with info about events

or here:

McGurks pub

Never been to this places, but got them recommended by friends who have been there/ played there.

Have a nice trip!

Ernest

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: ClaireBear
Date: 07 May 08 - 03:04 PM

If you have time, inclination and ability (not sure about UK availability), check out Alton Brown's "Feasting on Asphalt: the River Run" DVDs or the related book, out later this month.

Alton is a food journalist who took a motorcycle road trip up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, LA to St Paul, MN, including many of the places named above. He points out culinary singularities along the way, plus a bit of sociology and sightseeing.

His site is here.

Enjoy your trip!

Claire

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 07 May 08 - 03:19 PM

Enjpy yourself, Dave.

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 07 May 08 - 03:42 PM

If you have a day or two to stop in Mountain View, Arkansas you might visit the Ozark Folk Center, a State Park where you can find music that had its roots in Scots-Irish culture that predominated here several generations back. Open Wednesday through Saturday. Check it out at ozarkfolkcenter.com

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Wesley S
Date: 07 May 08 - 04:21 PM

Memphis Women and Fried Chicken

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: GUEST,Joseph de Culver City
Date: 07 May 08 - 05:56 PM

Check out this young blues player (Ron Franklin) if you can catch him in Memphis. Have a good ol' time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHDt66toxAM

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=117006865

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 May 08 - 06:03 PM

Went to Mountain View last time, Arkie - Great music, good place, nice people. Shame about the booze laws:-(

Keep 'em coming folks.

:D

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 May 08 - 05:54 PM

freresh

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 08 - 03:30 AM

McGurks pub looks good, Ernest. I don't think my cousin will take much convincing:-) Thanks everyone else as well - I'll keep you posted as to what I have managed.

Any more for any more?

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: banjoman
Date: 14 May 08 - 06:43 AM

Hanibal Missouri is well worth a visit - dont miss the caves.

For a really good feed, try Lamberts -The home of thrown rolls - nr St. Loius.
Was there last Christmas and had enough to feed a family of six for a week served up on just my plate.
Enjoy the trip

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: GUEST,Envious
Date: 14 May 08 - 11:40 AM

If I could get over I'd try to see Chuck Berry,I understand he has a club in St.Louis.

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 14 May 08 - 11:47 AM

Yes, he plays a regular gig at Blueberry Hill - I missed it by one day last time I was in town. I've just checked their site and he's actually on today, May 14th, then his next one isn't until June 11, so Dave will also miss him. Tough luck, Dave.

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 15 May 08 - 11:20 AM

I'm not from St. Louis,but if nobody from there responds with expert knowledge, then I suggest another source of information for you:

www.stlouisfolkdance.org

If St Louis is like Kansas City, then it's like pulling teeth to get information on traditional music from the usual sources such as newspapers and magazines.

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 May 08 - 11:42 AM

Getting better all the time:-) Thanks guys.

What about stuff in Memphis - Or wil that be obvious when I get there?

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 15 May 08 - 12:04 PM

Skip Memphis and go to Sam A Baker State Park in Missouri. I was there several years ago. Hummingbirds flew to feeders at the park HQ, and a rare and wonderful pileated woodpecker flew frequently over the tents. There were lovely butterflies at the wildflowers, and a crystal clear stream flowed over pink and gray pebbles. When we waded, minnow zipped up to see if our feet were good to eat, then zipped away. (If possible, avoid going on a weekend.)

Or you could go to the Cahokia Mounds and learn about ancient Americans.

Or you could go up to Hannibal. It's delightful. If you haven't read Huckleberry Finn, read it first.

Or you could go to Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee, where Spanish moss hangs on the cypresses and some people have seen 125 kinds of bird in one day. You might want to borrow a boat for that jaunt.

By the way, I wonder if the people who have mentioned Mountain View Arkansas have checked the mileage from there to STL. I believe it's pretty far.

As for Memphis, I hear that Graceland is depressing, full of sagging furniture. I've been to Memphis (not in detail) and I believe a trip there would mean a lot of time on the interstate just to find - another city much like the one you just left.

I wish to be fair, so I will say that it is perfectly possible that the restrooms in Tennessee are nicer than when I was last there.

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: MissouriMud
Date: 15 May 08 - 12:42 PM

Welcome to St Louis!
Unfortunately the May 24-26 weekend is a holiday weekend (Memorial Day) so a lot of people are gone and many of the primary folk locales here in St Louis are not doing their normal thing.   That being said there is a big festival being put on in Cuivre River State Park (near Troy MIssouri) about an hour north of ST Louis by Childgrove(our traditional dance group) which will involve 3 days of traditional dance (mainly square and contra dance) to live traditional music with some side jamming and workshops - but mostly instrumental dance/string band style.   If you are interested check the website at Childgrove.org and hit the button for "kimmswick". A lot of the areas best traditional musicians will be up there for at least part of it.   Unfortunately I am going to be pretty much out of pocket all weekend so I am not available.

If you are in the area during the following week and weekend there are other options I can fill you in on.

Some decent though not exhaustive places to look for music are:

The Down Yonder Calendar on the KDHX radio station web (88.1 fm)site
http://www.kdhx.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1862&Itemid=268

The Riverfront Times Music Calendar   www.riverfronttimes.com

The Folkfire calendar on WWW.folkfire.org

And Dancing Donna's calendar - http://www.dancindonna.com/calendar.html

McGurks is always fun for Irish music but I can't tell what they have planned for that weekend.

Have Fun! Memphis is a healthy 4.5 hour drive and Mountain View Arkansas is well over that.   Cahokia Mounds is interesting and close by, Chuck Berry is usually sold out, the Arch is cool, the Budweiser tour has free beer at the end, (if you prefer microbrews try Schlafly.com), There are a couple of good museums and a decent zoo and a good formal garden. Hannibal is 90 minutes north

Bring your rain coat - we have been having unusually wet and cool weather

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 May 08 - 02:49 PM

If you go back to Arkansas, you should try to take in the McSpadden Dulcimer Shop in Mountain View. McSpadden Dulcimers Lynn and Mary Catherine are always happy to meet folks and show them around.

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 May 08 - 05:52 PM

Been to Cahokia - I'm afraid ancient isn't the word compared to Stonehenge and Avebury - but thanks for the info. Hummingbirds abound on cousins property - lovely things. Will check out the national park if I can though. Going to Memphis for Beale Street rather than Graceland although I would be daft to miss the opportunity! Thanks Crazy Little Woman.

Didn't go to McSpaddens when I was in Mountain View but will if I get the chance - looks wonderful.

The place I did see dulcimers and lots of other instruments, including some wonderful pentatonic xylophones, was Eureka Spings, Arkansas. Fabulous place. Full of bikers!

Found out something intersting at the end of the Budweiser tour. You are only allowed 2 cans or bottles but if you wear a hat, then take it off, or reverse your jacket or disguise yourself some other way the barman is happy to serve you more:-) It's all to do with being recorded on CCTV.

Eeeeeh - This is great. I am remembering more and more of my last couple of visits! Joes stone crab and the Webber Grill in Chicago are fabulous as well.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 May 08 - 12:12 PM

Well, that's it. You can't put me off:-) 11am BST tomorrow I will be on my way. British Midland permitting.

Get the beer out of the fridge and pur some tea:-)

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 08 - 01:33 PM

Just saw this. Have fun and check in when you can!

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 11:19 AM

Just back. Saw -

Hannibal but not for long coz, oddly enough, it was cold and wet:-( Nice place though.

Amana Settlements. Worth it just for the family style food:-)

Springfield. Abe Lincoln Museum is a gem. Bought a tin whistle from a souvenier shop attached to Abe's office - The first I have ever bought from such a place that was actualy playable!

Lamberts - Great food and good atmosphere - Agree about the portion sizes. No wonder ol' man Lambert died young.

Tunica - Just outside Memphis. Stopped at one of the casino hotels. Fabulous value for money as long as you don't gamble!

Memphis, Beale Street, riverfront, trolleys. Could have stopped a week there but the two days we had were great. Dunno if I would like when 20,000+ descend over the weekend. Cold beer and soul food in BB Kings. Beer and blues in the Rum Boogie cafe. Great gumbo and soul in the Kings Palace. Big Ass beers and outside entertainment were my favourites though.

McGurks in St Louis. Didn't catch the live music - was too early and left when the tornado siren sounded! Corned beef and cabbage was good but someone needs to tell them that Irish fish and chips does not comprise of fish goujons and crisps!

Wonderful time all round and thanks again for the advice.

Cheers

Dave.

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Severn
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 11:30 AM

I thought it was only the Brits who had 'weather'!

During these first four days of our visit we have had violent storms and temperatures of nearly 100degrees more usually associated with August!

Many, many thanks to the good folks of the Maryland/Washington DC area for their hospitality and singing; today we 'go West' :)

p.s. Love those great blue herons!

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Emma B
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 11:32 AM

ooops!
- that wasn't Severn - that was me

Subject: RE: US Beware - I am on my way:-)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 12:49 PM

Oh yea - fantastic thunderstorms for about 4 nights running. Sat on the back porch watching until someone started chucking buckets of water at us. At least that is what it felt like!

:D