'Gone Girl' leads pack in area's biggest entertainment moments

Before bidding adieu to 2014, let's take a moment to savor this year's biggest happenings in arts and entertainment.

10. Chubby Checker -- Isle Casino Cape Girardeau's Jester's Jam series featured the one and only Chubby Checker. In the 1960s, his hit single "The Twist" and the accompanying dance kicked off a national phenomenon. "It's a lovely area, Cape Girardeau," he said shortly before arriving. "And we're going to tear it down."

9. "Nunsense" -- Arguably the standout production from this year's River Campus theater schedule, "Nunsense" tells the story of a group of nuns who find themselves in a pickle -- and does it hilariously. The June show starring opera singer and vocal instructor Judith Farris shined as part of the River Campus' first Summer Arts Festival.

8. Craft Beer Festival -- Hundreds of locals quenched their hankering for hop juice at the Community Counseling Center Foundation's third -- and most successful to date -- annual Craft Beer Festival. Jerry Ford and his band provided the polka, and 33 breweries provided the beer.

7. Grand Funk Railroad -- The most impressive performance from the SEMO District Fair stage came from "The American Band," Grand Funk Railroad. Hundreds of fans of all ages grooved to hits such as "Locomotion" and "Closer to Home/I'm Your Captain."

Ticket holders arrive to Cape West 14 Cine in Cape Girardeau for the premiere of "Gone Girl" on Oct. 2. (LAURA SIMON)

6. Corvette Caravan -- Corvette collectors from all over the country made a pit stop in Cape as part of the 2014 Corvette Caravan. Hundreds of local residents lined Broadway to watch the procession.

5. Cannonball Run -- The parade of antique motorcycles en route to Washington state featured riders and bikes from all over the world.

4. Sculptures on Broadway -- Cape's first public outdoor art exhibition sponsored by the Public Art Committee of Cape Girardeau featured seven sculptures that now adorn Broadway Street.

3. River Campus Arts Festival -- The inaugural event featured dance, music, magic and theater, as well as hands-on arts and crafts for families.

2. Jake Owen -- When his Days of Gold tour came to Cape, Jake Owen's electrifying performance at the Show Me Center was enough to knock the sequin-studded cowgirl boots off every squealing fan in the building.

1. "Gone Girl" -- Was there ever any doubt that "Gone Girl" would be the unrivaled spectacle of the year? The film, which boasted A-list actors and direction from Hollywood heavyweight David Fincher, handed Cape Girardeau and many of its residents quite a bit more than fifteen minutes of fame as it turned out to be one of 2014's biggest blockbuster hits. And who could forget the decadent red carpet treatment rolled out by Cape West 14 Cine when the movie finally premiered in October? Nobody could -- because everyone was talking about it.

tgraef@semissourian.com

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