City of Roses Music Festival 2003

OFF! recommends you stop by the store and pick up a box of Q-Tips. Then take them home and (product warning be damned) clean out your ears. September marks the eighth annual City of Roses Music Festival, and we don't want you missing out due to icky wax buildup.

The festival, which will take place September 26 and 27, will once again be held on a main stage on the river and in several downtown music venues (though most years the party ends up spilling outside into the parking lots and onto the sidewalk.) Venues hosting bands include Port Cape, Jeremiah's, Buckner Brewing Co., Broussard's, Breakaway's, Our House, Mollie's, The Bel Air Grill, and The Pour House. Accoustic music and singles acts will be featured at the Court House Gazebo on Lorimier, and for the first time a heavy metal venue will be set up in a tent in the downtown parking lot.

The festivities kick off Friday night on the main stage with the opening ceremony at 8, followed by, among others, the Southeast Missouri State Jazz Band, Acme Blues and Mid Life Crisis. Meanwhile, Metalfest will be taking place at the tent venue. Bands like Frog Sweat, Emaciation, Tribal Dust and Drivin Rain will perform under the canvas. The gazebo will also be up and running.

On Saturday the music resumes at noon, upstairs inside Port Cape. There several local up-and-coming bands will battle it out in (what else?) The Battle of the Bands. Outside on the main stage at 2 KBSI will be holding the finals for their Regional Idol search, the winner of which will travel to an actual taping of American Idol.

Saturday night is the big event, a night that will see a five-time Grammy winner, Golden Globe winner and Academy Award winner take the stage. Early '80s star Christopher Cross (not to be confused with has been hip hoppers Kris Kross) will perform around 7:30.

Cross is known for his mellow rock hits like1980's "Sailing" (which was later remade by *NSYNC) and "Arthur's Theme," for which he won his Ocsar. Opening for Cross will be Dead Musician's Society, and following him will be Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp. Both bands hail from Southern Illinois.

Tickets for City of Roses can be purchased in advance from Schnuck's for $10, or armbands can be bought at the gate for $12. Performances at the gazebo are free. For more information on the event, contact Doc Cain at Port Cape, 334-0954.