Wanna hear free music? Find out how to catch the River City Music Festival without buying a ticket

Though I didn't go, I heard a lot of chatter about the music festival in Cape Girardeau last year. I gotta admit, I was impressed that Cape HAD a music festival.

Then I heard about the rain. And heard more about the rain. And when I asked around recently about this year's music festival, I heard about the rain.

Last year the Southeast Missouri weather came to sour the day. Rain showers forced the outside stages to shut down and organizers had to scramble to get everyone on a stage inside. Some bands played at Port Cape and some bands just decided not to play. That was the first time it had rained on the River City Music Festival in recent — or distant — memory.

This year organizers have stepped up the weather plan to kick Mother Nature in her face if she frowns on festival weekend, which is Sept. 26 and27. There are four planned stages so far: two outside and two inside with tentative options for more inside music. So if the rains come, the schedule will be adjusted and crowds can head inside to continue the fun. Problem solved.

Prices for single day and weekend passes are still being worked out, but I'll let you in on a secret: You don't have to pay if you call Shauna Anderson at 270-2862w for all the details. I'll give you a hint: It starts with a v and rhymes with shmolunteer.

Mary Ramsey, head of the festival, said they need about 140 volunteers for a smooth operation. They can squeeze by with fewer, but that's the ideal number. You can help them and help yourself. Volunteers get free admission for the weekend, cheap merch and the pleasure of a civic contribution.

I always just assumed the weekend was a music festival for festival's sake. After all, does music have to happen for a reason? No, but this one does — education.

The River City Music Festival raises money for the William L. Shivelbine-Eddie Keys Musicians Scholarship, awarded to a music student enrolling at Southeast Missouri State University. While the scholarship is their big thing, the City of Roses Music Heritage Association is also trying to vamp up its support of local schools through grant programs.

A few dozen bands have already been scheduled for the festival — Fill, the Level, Improv of 7 Dying Men, Mike Renick and many more, including some regional touring acts. Doesn't that sound like fun?

It's not like the music association is knocking on your door asking for handouts. It's trying to entertain you (for cheap if past ticket prices indicate anything) and help some little musicians at the same time.