CAPE MUSIC FESTIVAL WILL RETURN

The City of Roses Festival will return in August with some variations on a theme that worked surprisingly well during last year's maiden event.

"With the turnout last year we had no choice but to do it again," said Bill Shivelbine, the committee's president.

"We're taking everything that worked and doing it better," says Brad Graham, entertainment chairman of the festival's planning committee.

The committee held a kick off and sponsor appreciation party Friday at the River City Yacht Club. The entertainment -- from Robert and Chadie Fruehwald's flute and harp duet to gut bucket blues -- was in line with the festival's goal -- showcasing the diversity of the region's musical talent.

Rock 'n' roll, blues, alternative, jazz, classical, gospel, American Indian and other types of music will be presented at an event organizers say will be as multi-cultural as possible.

"We are celebrating the culture of the river region in music," says Fara McSpadden, secretary-treasurer of the nonprofit association that sponsors the festival.

The first festival, held during a chilly weekend last October, was a learning experience, the organizers say. The first night's walk-around, which offered mostly local bands playing at downtown night spots, was enormously successful. Patrons bought a wrist band that admitted them to downtown clubs offering entertainment by about 30 different bands and individuals.

The crowd roaming the downtown streets was so big it was impossible to get into some of the clubs.

The second day of the festival, in which "name" entertainers and bands from Memphis and St. Louis performed on stages erected on a downtown parking lot, was less of a triumph.

"Big artists cost a lot of money but they're not a big draw," says Shivelbine. "People wanted local entertainment."

Recognizing that cold weather was partly to blame for the small turnout, the organizers have moved the festival back to Aug. 27-29.

And while they still plan to bring in a few bands with wider acclaim, this year the local groups that play in the clubs during the walk-around will also get their shot on the main stage the following day.

During last year's walk-around, long lines of people stood in front of the clubs waiting to see popular groups like Papa Aborigine.

"Now everybody can see them," said Shivelbine, who says the festival will provide "the biggest stage Cape Girardeau has ever seen."

Arts and crafts also may be included in the festival, McSpadden says, along with different kinds of dancing.

A separate stage may be set aside just for people who are underage, she said. "We want the festival to be for everybody."

The first night of the festival will be devoted to an awards banquet and jam session.

Last year, the festival primarily was organized by three people. This year, many more are involved.

Others on the planning committee are: Eric Dahl, public relations; Dave Hutson, grounds and facilities; Autumn McSpadden-Naeter, sponsorship; Al Bisher, festival co-chairman; and Don Ganim, awards nominations.

The festival's website is under construction. Information soon can be obtained at festival.clas.net