Get ready to groove

DISPATCHES FROM REBEL BASE ONE

Matt Sanders, editor of OFF Magazine, enjoys playing with toy dinosaurs and bathing in tomato juice.

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So we all know August is a slow month in the arts and entertainment world of Southeast Missouri.

Sure, there are the regular musical events at the local wineries, and there's the return of the students to Southeast Missouri State University. Other than that, things are pretty much dead.

Not September, though. As the cool fall weather approaches, outdoor events and festivals really start to gear up. This September two of the biggest entertainment events in Southeast Missouri come around early in the month: the River City Music Festival (you probably know it as the City of Roses), Sept. 7 and 8, and the SEMO District Fair, Sept. 8-15.

You know, few things in life are better than being outside on a cool fall night, right after you've survived the oppressive Southeast Missouri summer, and listening to some good music.

Now you might be asking where you'll find this good music. In the past there's been a lot of criticism about the quality of the City of Roses, but this year we at OFF are thinking you're going to see the best festival you've seen in quite some time. There are a couple of reasons we're thinking that: this year's festival seems to have drawn more support (like from corporate sponsors and from Cape's city government) than in the past few years, and while the amount of acts at the festival has shrunk, it looks like we're going to see some real, quality stuff.

Touring acts like Kimberley Dahme -- a big Tunes at Twilight hit -- Peter Karp and the country duo Jackson Greenfield (featuring Jackson native John Ramey) are really going to help beef up this festival, supplemented by the talents of a multitude of the best local music acts. For Drivin' Rain fans, this might be your first chance to see the re-formed group in the wake of Tommy DeWolf's passing -- they'll take the stage with new guitarists Alvin Oliveria and Jason Depro. We've included a full schedule, along with an interview from one-half of the reunited Tone Def All-Stars, on page 14.

And don't forget the fair, and the county fair powerhouse REO Speedwagon. We know you've been clamoring to see these guys for months. We jumped at the chance to have a phone conversation with singer and principal songwriter Kevin Cronin, which you can read on page 10. We also talked to country singer Pat Green, a guy who's gone from playing sold out shows of college and Texas audiences to touring with Kenny Chesney. That's on page 6.

September is on the way, and we've got your guide to the month's entertainment right here. So without further delay, here's OFF.