Bands on Broadway

Imagine it ... a music venue in Cape Girardeau resembling The Pageant or The Blue Note. Phil Brinson, owner of Buckner Brewing Co., has not only imagined it, but is about to turn this dream into a reality.

Brinson, while warning that his plans are very "liquid" at the moment, says that the Broadway Theatre (not to be confused with the Esquire, which he also owns) is the target of the project.

"I kind of thought about the idea 10 years ago, when I purchased the Esquire," said Brinson. "I think that having this type of place, where people can be entertained without having to go all the way to St. Louis, would be supported in Cape."

Brinson emphasizes this would not be just another bar, however, but more of a venue for anyone.

"I think there are more than enough places to drink around town," said Brinson. "I want a nice, clean venue that can draw in all kinds of shows. I like seeing things that draw in everyone from 21 to 61, not just a lot of 27- and 28 year-olds crammed together in the same place."

And those who ache for national acts, get ready.

"I'm very interested in trying to catch bigger name bands as they travel through," said Brinson. "I think we could do that; we are right between St. Louis and Memphis, and if we had a nice setup I can see us getting some bands that never get a chance to play here because there just isn't anywhere besides the Show Me Center for them."

Several in the local music community have already heard rumors about the project, and most are already excited.

"It is exactly what this town and scene needs," said Wes Ables of Fill. "The people of Cape, I believe, anyway, want more regional, popular acts to play close to home, and it will also allow local bands to get a chance to open for regional acts. It simply sounds fantastic."

"This is beyond fantastic," said Kris Baranovic of Minus the Star. "A place that can bring in touring acts can help all of us and add to the overall culture of the area. I think Cape would do well with such a venue, and so would our local acts, simply because we would all have the opportunity for more exposure, and Cape would have the opportunity to get out and see a wider variety of national touring acts than the Show Me Center provides."

However Brinson also points out that he envisions the theatre not just as a music venue, but a building the community can use.

"I would like to make this a place for people like Southeast Missouri State to use if they need a place for the Jazz Ensemble, for example," said Brinson. "This will not be a dirty, dark, smoke-filled area like Mississippi Nights."