Vox Magazine

11.10.16 / FREE EVERY THURSDAY

TREE TIME

Get to the root of CoMo’s latest green initiative PAGE 4

Finding confidence and community by embracing the sensuality of pole dance PAGE 6

PLAY DEAD

A look inside the anatomy of Corpse! PAGE 16

IN THIS ISSUE ONLINE

FEATURE

A look inside the world of pole dancing offers new perspective about how claiming one’s sexiness can instill confidence. MU student and pole dancer Cameron Evans shares her journey to self acceptance. PAGE 6

NEWS & INSIGHT

The more you grow: Columbia could get a whole lot greener. Learn how The Really Big Tree Project has the potential to improve the city’s stormwater drainage system and downtown CoMo’s vibrancy. PAGE 4

MUSIC

‘Tis the season for fall and winter tunes with recommendations from four of Columbia’s music experts. Don’t worry if serene songs don’t strike the right chord — we have songs to match different moods. PAGE 14

The Love Train Project, made up of 9-year-old Emma and 11-year-old Olivia Burney and professional musician Rocket Kirchner, met while working at a soup kitchen. Now they are making music and a difference in the lives of local families with children fighting cancer. PAGE 15

ARTS & BOOKS

The Columbia Entertainment Company’s Corpse! focuses on solving a murder mystery. The brain, heart and hands of this theatrical production make this play possible. PAGE 16

Q&A

Dan Meers started his mascot career at MU but is now the Kansas City Chiefs’ KC Wolf. Meers shares how his roles as the fighting symbols for sports teams have made him the true master of disguise. PAGE 17

COVER DESIGN: MARGARET COOPER

COVER PHOTO: ERIN BORMETT

VOX STAFF

MAKING IT REIGN

Netflix’s original drama The Crown opens the gates of Buckingham Palace and what it means to be a British monarch post-WWII. The plot follows a newly anointed Queen Elizabeth II in London in 1952. This just might be your new Downton Abbey

THE WOMAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND

See why it would be a tragedy to miss out on Antigone. This Sophocles play follows the story of a woman struggling to decide between honoring her dead brother and remaining loyal to her country.

A NIGHT WITH AJJ

American folk-punk band AJJ, formerly known as, Andrew Jackson Jihad, is coming to Rose Music Hall on Friday. Learn about the band known for its deep lyrics about serious themes, including humanity, religion, politics and poverty.

EDITOR’S LETTER

CHRISTINE JACKSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 37 | PUBLISHED BY THE COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN

I expected to wake up in a different world Wednesday. I expected the oft-repeated notion that women can do anything to finally be confirmed by our country’s first Madam President.

That did not happen. Instead, the country chose a man who repeatedly has made his feelings about women abundantly clear. He feels he can openly judge us, degrade us for our choices and brag about treating us like objects.

In a world where these sort of actions are deemed acceptable, at least by half of voters, we need women who can confidently overcome those attitudes. The staff of this magazine includes many such women. Cameron Evans is another.

This week’s feature (Page 6) is Evans’ story of finding self-confidence in a world often judged by people who don’t understand it, or don’t care to: the world of pole dancing.

Many pole dancers explain pole by touting its artistic or athletic attributes, but Evans chooses to stick with the most obvious feature of pole dancing — it’s sexy, and it makes her feel good. She doesn’t feel the need to apologize, and she shouldn’t have to. It’s OK to be unapologetically confident in the face of judgment. It’s more than OK. It’s needed.

Confident women can do amazing things. Someday, one will be president. But today is not that day. For now, we’ll have to settle for changing minds and attitudes about all that women can be. With confidence and competence on our side, there is no end to that list.

Editor: Christine Jackson Deputy Editor: Dan Roe Managing Editor: Madison Fleck Creative Director: Ben Kothe Digital

Editor: Abby Holman Art Directors: Madalyne Bird, Elizabeth Sawey Photo Editor: Mary Hilleren Online Editor: Lea Konczal Multimedia Editor: Mitchel Summers News & Insight Editors: John Bat, Katelyn Lunders The Scene Editors: Kelsie Schrader, Jessica Sherwin, Brooke Vaughan Music Editors: Marlee Ellison, Meredith McGrath Arts & Books Editors: Katie Akin, Luria Freeman Contributing Writers: Bobby Ceresia, Corin Cesaric, Mitchell Forde, Max Havey, Kelsey Hurwitz, Lis Joyce, Rick Morgan, Rachel Phillips, Karlee Renkoski, Stephanie Sandoval, Alex Schiffer, Tyler Schneider, Guimel Sibingo, Mike Tish, Carolina Vargas, Catherine Wendlandt, Taylor Ysteboe Editorial Director: Heather

Editor: Jennifer Rowe Digital Director: Sara Shipley Hiles Writing Coach: John Fennell Office Manager: Kim Townlain

As MU marks the one-year anniversary of the Concerned Student 1950 campus protests, Jonathan Butler’s hunger strike and administrative resignations, some changes have transpired for the university — both positive and negative. Here are five:

State funding for the University of Missouri System was cut by $7.6 million in March.

Freshman enrollment dropped by 1,412 for the 2016 fall semester.

MU announced an initiative in September to increase faculty of color from 6.4 percent to 13.6 percent by 2017.

MU suspended Delta Upsilon fraternity after multiple members yelled racist and sexist remarks at all of LBC homecoming committee on Sept. 27.

Mun Choi was appointed as the University of Missouri System’s 24th president on Nov. 2.

Written by: John Bat, Luria Freeman, Meredith McGrath

FOX FLEXES NEW TV RECORD

Fox renewed The Simpsons for two more seasons, which will make it (at its 669th episode) the longest running sitcom ever. The spot was previously held by Gunsmoke, which aired from 1955 to 1975.

The Simpsons began in 1989. Reportedly, a “D’oh!” was heard from Gunsmoke creator Charles Marquis Warren’s grave.

Decision 2016 in Review

who got it right?

According to CBS News, these three unofficial pollsters predicted Trump to win.

1. A mystical monkey named Geda

2. Retail chain Spirit Halloween’s mask index survey

3. American University history professor Allan Lichtman

sea of red

On top of Trump’s victory, the GOP ran the tables. Here’s the current balance of power:

U.S. Senate GOP held by 4 seats

U.S. House GOP held by 46 seats

Governors 15 Democrats 33 Republicans

Moving, eh?

Would-be American expats crashed Canada’s immigration website. digital election

Top five Merriam Webster searches Fascism, Bigot, Nerve-racking, Socialism, Deplorable

In crisis Concerned Twitter users shared suicide prevention hotlines in response to the results.

A NOVEL IDEA, MY DEAR WATSON

Looking for a new book and some adventure? Emma Watson has been hiding books in the London Underground for commuters to find. Join Watson and book hunters of the world by searching for hidden books on bookcrossing.com, or try out Vox’s library scavenger hunt.

FIND A BOOK TO READ...

à With a red binding à With a main character who shares your initials à With the longest title you can find à With an animal on the cover à By a Missouri author

The roots of reinvention

The Really Big Tree Project is planting a seed in downtown Columbia BY MAYA

MCDOWELL

In Columbia’s ever-growing downtown District, gray buildings continually sprout up to meet the demand for more housing in convenient locations.

These tall, seemingly unending construction projects are the new norm for Columbia residents. Imagine, though, if among the brick-and-mortar structures reflective of a growing city, natural towers of green lined the streets. Last spring, Columbia Stormwater Utility and Columbia Parks and Recreation planted the seed for a project to bring trees — really big trees — to downtown Columbia.

HOW WILL THE TREE PROJECT AID URBAN FORESTRY?

The Really Big Tree Project, with funding from the Downtown Community Improvement District, aims to plant trees downtown using a pavement system called Silva Cell.

Silva Cell, from DeepRoot Green Infrastructure, is designed to support large trees and manage stormwater runoff in urban settings. Mike Heimos, the city’s stormwater educator and project director says when it rains, “all of that water, and whatever it comes in contact with, washes into a stormwater system and onto a local creek or stream.” Water that enters the stormwater drainage system is neither treated in Columbia, nor anywhere in the world, Heimos says. That’s where the Silva Cell comes in.

HOW SILVA CELL TECHNOLOGY WORKS

WHAT’S UP WITH SILVA CELL TECHNOLOGY?

Silva Cell allows the roots of a tree to grow beneath pavement in lightly compacted soil, ensuring the roots receive enough water for the tree to reach its full potential. The system includes a porous pavement that allows water runoff from the sidewalk or street slowly to seep through during rainfall. Heimos says the Silva Cell acts as an “underground Brita water filter,” absorbing, filtering and removing pollutants as the stormwater runoff moves down the system. This cleaner water enters a small pipe that leads to the stormwater drainage system.

The new system is conducive to the type of tree growth the current planter boxes cannot accommodate.

The largest planters downtown now have a soil volume of 96 cubic feet — 8 feet long by 4 feet wide with a soil depth of approximately 3 feet, says Tom Wellman, an engineer with the project. Though aesthetically appealing, the current trees downtown are “tree coffins.” Heimos says are so tightly compacted with soil it makes getting water to the roots difficult. The new planter holds approximately 600 cubic feet of soil, Wellman says.

Mike Heimos, CoMo’s stormwater educator, refers to the current downtown planters as “tree coffins” because they do not allow the roots of the trees to grow to their capacity, which stunts the overall height of the trees.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WILD TREE AND A CITY TREE?

A tree in a park, backyard or forest has significantly more soil available to it than one in a city, says David Dittmer, a forester for Columbia Parks and Recreation. In its natural environment, a tree also has more nutrient availability from decomposing forest matter such as sticks and leaves. Trees downtown face another challenge: vandalism. “We have a huge problem with trees getting broken, tipped over, ripped apart, run over ... it’s frustrating,” Dittmer says. “It takes a lot of time to get these trees established, and it’s an expense.”

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BIG TREES?

Phillip Rodbell, an urban forester for USDA Urban Forest Service, says the benefits of trees downtown are three-fold. “We call it the triple bottom line,” Rodbell says. “They support a local ecology, local economy and local social well-being.” Aside from improving water quality, trees remove toxins from the air, lower temperatures, provide shade, reduce heating costs in the summer and add curb appeal to buildings.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE FIRST “REALLY BIG” TREE BE PLANTED?

The first tree, a relative of the American sycamore called a London plane tree,

will be planted on the corner of Tenth Street and Broadway in late November or early December. It is best to wait for the tree to be dormant for the season before it gets plucked out of the ground from the nursery, Dittmer says. This helps reduce the effects of transplant shock. The first tree likely will be around 7 years old and between 8 and 12 feet tall when it is planted, Dittmer says. As the tree works to grow its roots in the new location, it will be a few years before the tree sees much above-ground growth. “When a tree is transplanted, the first year it kind of sleeps, the second year it creeps and the third year it leaps,” Dittmer says.

Planting a tree under the concrete sidewalk presents a slew of challenges— finding a way to go under the pavement without damaging the sidewalk, locating a drain pipe, avoiding existing water and gas lines. The first Silva Cell installation was completed in just nine days at the end of last July.

HOW MUCH DOES THE PROJECT COST?

The Downtown Community Improvement District contributed $20,000 for the project, says Katie Essing, executive director for the downtown CID. The cost stands at $36,000 so far, Wellman says, and includes the rehabilitation of infrastructure. “In our stormwater utility, we view having the opportunity to work on some infrastructure while we have things torn up for the planter as one of the benefits of the planter project,” Wellman says.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR TREES DOWNTOWN?

Heimos hopes that after the first tree is planted, the project will acquire more funding from the city in the stormwater utility fund to replace other planter boxes downtown. “Can you imagine if you come back here in 20 years and all the way down Broadway there were 30to 40-foot trees on each corner. How beautiful that would look?” His hope is that the really big tree planted at Tenth Street and Broadway will serve as an educational tool for the community and a catalyst for more green downtown.

A POLE DANCER’S JOURNEY:

SPINNING TOWARD SELF-ACCEPTANCE

As I steady my stance and clutch the riding crop, I remind myself to take deep breaths. No, I’m not about to compete in an equestrian dressage event. I’m waiting behind a stage curtain, dressed in 7-inch black patent leather lace-up ankle boots, a leather corset and bottoms, dark red MAC lipstick — coincidentally named “Sin” —and a burgundy satin button-up shirt tied in a loose knot so that when the time comes, I can easily take it off. I count the beats in my head and prepare to walk on stage in character as a dominatrix for a fetish routine at a pole dance show at The Blue Note.

A few hours earlier, I had rushed out of class so I could make it home with enough time to get ready before arriving at the venue at 5 p.m. for spacing, when we walk through routines.

I grabbed my duffel bag and started filling it with everything I needed: makeup, fake eyelashes, high heels, a flat iron, a water bottle, baby wipes, sequin bikinis and garters, perfume and a protein bar.

“Hey, do you have pasties?” I texted Maria Huebert, one of the women in the same performance as me. She and I were performing “Dissolved Girl” by Massive Attack and “Do You” by Curtis Clacey.

“Yeah, I purposely brought you some,” she texted back.

With one hand I texted back, “You’re the best!” With the other, I grabbed my duffel.

Heading into the venue and down the stairs to the green room, I overheard the other women’s anxious conversations as they prepared to get half-naked in front of a crowd of hundreds.

“Does anyone have scissors or eyelash glue?” Nicole Futch asked.

“I have both, hold on one second,” I replied before even setting down my bag.

“Does anyone have tape,” Leah Franklin asked, referring to Topstick, a men’s toupee tape used among pole dancers to help make sure none of our “lady bits” pop out.

The green room seems big when you first walk into it, but add 20 women and their bags; scatter some high heels and grip aids on the floor; cover the tables with posters to be autographed, bottles of Jack and Tito’s, a fruit and veggie tray, Hershey’s Kisses and cookies, and suddenly the room feels like a closet.

The combination of metal music streaming from someone’s cell phone, the stomping of heels on the hardwood floor above our heads and the yelling as performers were called to run their numbers made it hard to tell who was saying what.

“Tear Away!” Leah yelled.

The women who were in the piece rushed up the stairs to the stage, struggling not to trip over the other women who were changing into costumes or putting on makeup. From below, we could hear everything: the stomping, the clacking of heels and, during the upcoming show, the audience’s applause, which helped us determine whether the performer fell (God forbid) or landed their split drop.

As I waited to be called for spacing, I separated my outfits by act. One routine was a dominatrix-inspired fetish performance to “Dissolved Girl.” I was the dominatrix. The other was a stripper-esque number to “Do You” featuring play money, twerking, G-strings and pasties. Both acts were part of Vertical Desires II, a show co-produced by Leah Franklin and Jordan Mazur, which required auditions

and featured performers from across the country.

I was far from the best pole dancer in the show, but I was confident. Butterflies aside, the stage is my happy place.

When I spaced my routine a few hours before, I stared out at the empty room from the stage. I took a mental image, knowing that the next time I would be up here, I would be looking into a crowd.

For me, pole isn’t just about learning tricks or getting a workout. It’s not just something that is edgy for women and okay for them to do because it’s an art form or a workout, as many blog posts and articles proclaim.

In 2014, a Daily Herald article described North American Pole Dance Championships, a pole convention and competition I attend each year, as an event that would attract “moms looking to shed some baby weight,” among others. The Chicago newspaper used interviews to show the sport and artistic sides of pole

dance, while ignoring the sexy side.

Another post, on BlogHer, a blogging site, makes the statement in bold that “Pole dancing is a fitness exercise and is not limited to the act of ‘stripping’ at gentlemen’s clubs,” under a meme showing a photo of a woman on a pole and text reading “Boys: this doesn’t mean I’m a stripper. But it does mean I’m stronger than you.” The message is clear: Pole dancing as fitness is legitimate; strippers or women who dance sexy are not.

Pole dancing is artistic and athletic, but I’m tired of people pushing aside the obvious. It’s also sexy, and that’s okay.

When the sexy side of pole is ignored, there’s a message being imposed that pole dancing is fine if it’s for fitness, not because it’s fine for them to be comfortable with their bodies and sexuality.

Pole has taught me to express myself by finding my own style of dance. I don’t have to make excuses or apologize for expressing my emotions.

I can get up on stage and perform in a stripper-style routine in which I untie my bikini top and throw it to the side of the stage without worrying or caring if the audience thinks I’m being “too

“I LOVE THAT THERE’S ALWAYS SO MANY DIFFERENT SIDES OF IT... THAT THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT YOU CAN DO.”

—JORDAN MAZUR, OWNER, MUSE POLE FITNESS

sexy.” When I’m angry, I can dance fast and furiously, slamming my heels against the floor and spinning until I’m dizzy to Marilyn Manson’s “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).”

Whether I’m performing in a show or freestyling in the studio, you’ll usually see me in my favorite chrome stiletto heels or lace-up patent leather boots. I’ve worn the chrome and leather off the tips of both heels, the way ballerinas break down their pointe shoes from constant use.

You can also find me wearing one of my many pairs of booty shorts. Bad Kitty, the Nike of pole workout apparel, manufactures magic in the form of its Brazil shorts, which make your butt look fantastic and the surrounding flesh nonexistent.

Each woman in the studio has a different style and her favorite moves. Mine are pirouettes around the pole, Juliette spins and faints. I like to mix pretty, flowy movements with twerking, air walks, Supermans, shoulder mount pops and other crowd-pleasers. But, my real forte is floorwork — cat pounces, leg splays, hip circles, crawls and heel clacks. My way of dancing has always been sexy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t dip into other styles.

“I love that there’s always so many different sides of it…that there’s always something different you can do,” says Jordan Mazur, the owner of Muse Pole Fitness. “If you start to feel a little bit burnt out on something, there’s a completely different approach that you can take, a different style you can do.”

Pole is whatever you make it. It can be artistic, athletic, sensual or any combination.

A woman pole dancing for fun and leisure is no more or less valid than a woman doing it to earn an income. Regardless, women shouldn’t have to justify their reasons for pole dancing. It means something different to everyone who does it.

Pole teaches me to embrace myself, my own style and my body. It allows me to feel free from how I am supposed to act in the cultural narrative of womanhood. It allows me to wear sparkly bikinis, leg tie wraps, 7-inch heels and booty shorts in a studio full of women who tell me my outfits look great. It allows me to show parts of myself that women are taught to hide. It allows me to be my authentic self. It taught me that I’m allowed to take up space and don’t need to apologize for it.

In school, I’m a journalism student pursuing an emphasis in magazine design and a minor in women’s and gender studies. Outside of school, I’m a pole dancer who performs in shows and travels to different cities to watch pole competitions.

I rush home from campus to get ready on the two or three days per week I go to pole class. I drop my bags, grab a pair of shorts, a sports bra or bikini-style top and my water bottle. I inhale whatever food is readily available. I’ve started to keep a pair of heels in my car, along with knee pads, leg warmers and any other extras that I might forget when I’m in a hurry.

The studio is inconspicuous, tucked away behind a Gerbes grocery store on the south side of Columbia in a row of “for lease” commercial spaces. It’s the only pole studio in town. Since my first class over three years ago, it has become my home.

The inside of the studio is dark. Wallpaper covers the windows and room-divider screens block the view through the glass door, separating the studio space from the entryway.

I’m greeted by the familiar faces of friends. We didn’t know each other before we started pole. We became acquainted through classes and bonded at performances, conventions and competitions. The studio is not just a place to take classes; it’s a place of support.

We catch up with one another while we pull out yoga mats and stagger ourselves throughout the room to warm up. Leah plugs her phone into a jack connected to the stereo system in the corner. As she debates what music

For both

Leah Franklin, the choreographer, had everyone in the fetish routines wear boots. Boots and heels allow dancers to incorporate heel clacks and moves where they drag their weight on the tips of their platforms.

to play, we share the ups and downs of our days and talk about upcoming performances and competitions.

Warmups begin with neck rolls. We then put our hands behind our backs and hold them together. As we bend forward and stretch our backs and shoulders, Leah says, “Bend your knees … drop your arms … grab your elbows, and let your body hang as you swing from side to side … slowly roll it up.”

The room is lit by paper globe lanterns placed on the floor along the wall. With each stretch and breath, I de-stress and separate myself from life outside of pole. Whatever was going on earlier in my day, I put aside for the one or two hours that I’m in class.

After warmups, we put our yoga mats away and move to the poles for strength training. I stand on one side of the pole and grab onto it as I lift my feet off the ground and up toward my chest to lift my body weight.

Leah scans her notes of what she has planned for us

1100s

Some say early Chinese circus performances inspired modern pole. However, it was done with clothing and women were not allowed to perform.

1100s

The Indian sport of Mallakhamb, similar to gymnastics and yoga, used a wooden pole or rope and also excluded women.

to work on today while we finish up strength training and then apply grip aids, chalky or tacky substances that help our bodies stick to the pole.“Okay friends, so today we’re going to start by working on some reverse grab spins,” she announces.

We start a lot of classes with spins or combos before moving on to more difficult strength or contortion tricks. The material depends on the class, and today, I’m taking a mixed levels class, which is a little bit of everything.

Leah demonstrates the spin, starting with her body to the side and one arm grabbing the pole above her head. She takes a couple of steps and kicks her outside leg across and over her body to an open “V” straddle while grabbing the pole, now behind her, with her other hand.

We start practicing the spin as Leah walks around the room. She watches and corrects each of us on what we’re doing wrong. Once everyone has got it, or has had enough, we move on.

From its beginnings in clubs, pole dancing has become a hobby and form of self expression for many. As pole has evolved, so have the cultural attitudes and contexts surrounding it.

1980s

Dancers utilized poles that supported tents in traveling circuses during the Great Depression. They incorporated elements of burlesque into performances.

Pole dancing became common in gentlemen’s clubs as a form of entertainment.

1996

1920s 2009

Demi Moore plays an exotic dancer in Striptease, creating an iconic image of pole dancers in cinema.

Retailer Bad Kitty manufactures the first “pole wear” and creates a prominent pole blog named after the brand.

Learning new tricks requires practice and building off old tricks. With Russian lay backs for example, I have yet to point my top foot. I’m scared because it seems like that foot is the only thing keeping me from falling on my head. Sometimes all it takes to get a new trick or perfect an old one is getting over a mental block, which is far from simple.

There are plenty of days I leave class without any new tricks, but that’s okay. That’s not all pole is about for me.

Pole has taught me to embrace and reclaim my sexuality and to reject the notion that pole dancing and the inherent beauty of women’s bodies should exist for the male gaze.

At Vertical Desires II, I looked out into the crowd to meet the eyes of women who overwhelmingly occupied the first rows.

When the show was over, I learned that there were almost 350 people in the audience.

Kathleen Van Roekel, a student and teacher at Muse, came to the show with her husband’s fishing buddy and his wife, whom she knew from church.

“I told his wife about it one day, and she was really curious, so they both came with no clue what to expect,” Van Roekel says. “She was amazed. He was impressed, and (it was) not at all what he thought it was going to be, though he said he really didn’t know what he expected.”

Van Roekel says the wife now takes the Cougar class she teaches at Muse, a mixed pole class geared toward women over the age of 30.

Lindsay Browning, a student at Muse, says she thought the crowd was evenly split between men and women.“I

saw a lot of couples, both hetero and same-sex,” she says. “My husband and I loved the show, and we are both in our forties. I also saw several college students.”

Maria Huebert, a dancer in the show, had several male friends attend. Some of them had never seen a pole show before, but they all loved it. “None of them were creepy or inappropriate,” she says. “Most of them raved about the athleticism it required. I also had a female coworker attend, and she said that she felt empowered and impressed.”

It’s okay for women to dance and express our sexuality for ourselves and others while admiring each other’s feats of strength and flexibility.

This confused me at first. All of the dancers were so nice to me. After my first freestyle, a couple of them came up to me and told me what a great job I had done. I couldn’t tell if they were being sincere. I wasn’t used to it. But as I went to more classes, I started to understand. Telling someone else that they did great doesn’t take away from my own greatness. We can be ourselves without fear of judgment, encourage each other, or just tell each other, “Hey, your butt looks great in those shorts.”

The pole studio and the pole community are places of support for women, regardless of how their bodies, dance styles or motives for pole dancing differ.

“I try to structure somewhere where people feel comfortable and accepted because when I started pole, that’s how I felt,” Jordan says. She found support in the pole community after her father died.“I had personal drama going on in my life that everybody does when they’re 19,” she says. “It was the one place where I felt like I could let everything go and not be judged.”

When you spend multiple days each week pushing each other to do better while half naked, you end up becoming pretty close.

At the end of each class, we split up into two groups and freestyle to a song someone picks. Regardless of what I did or didn’t accomplish in class, this is my time to feel confident in my movement. I might not be familiar with the song, but it doesn’t matter. I pay attention only to the beat and how I feel. I put it all out there. I toss my hair, drop into the splits, suspend my body weight in the air with two hands and clack the hollow plastic platforms of my heels together. The dancers watching from the side cheer for me and the others. When we nail something they yell “Yesssss” or “Get it!” When the song ends, I’m out of breath. I take my heels off, sit down and cheer for the next group of dancers.

Class isn’t magic, though. I don’t go to class and automatically feel great about myself every day. Some days I’m tired, I feel bad about myself, I’m stressed with

2010

Felix Cane performs in Cirque du Soleil’s adult-themed show Zumanity, presenting an artistic pole act to a mainstream audience in Las Vegas.

Trade magazines such as Pole Spin emerge, followed by Vertical Art and Fitness in 2011.

The first World Pole Sports championship takes place in London. “Pour it Up” music video features Nicole “ThePole” Williams and draws attention to pole celebrities.

Videos of pole acts from international TV show Got Talent go viral. Emma Haslam’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent received over 48 million views and shattered body and size stereotypes in relation to someone’s ability to pole.

The documentary, Off the Floor, is released, highlighting the rise in contemporary pole dance performances. 2017 World Pole Championships will be held in the Netherlands in July.

“POLE IS INGRAINED IN MY LIFE. IT IS A CONSTANT REMINDER

TO

ACCEPT MYSELF, AND IT’S SOMETHING I NEED.”

—

CAMERON

EVANS

deadlines, or I’ve been too busy to make it to classes, and now I’m struggling to do tricks that were once easy for me.

The other day was one of those days. I was feeling discouraged during freestyle. I stopped for a minute, thinking of what to do next and more or less waiting for the song to be over. Leah was watching and told me to keep going in a somewhat encouraging and instructional tone. I did.

It’s common for that to happen — for other dancers to tell you to keep going, to call out, “It’s okay, you’ve got this!” when you trip up, or to ask if you want a spot so they can literally be there to catch you if you fall.

When I’m upset or down, sometimes all I want to do is to come home, put on some heels, pick a good song and dance out what I’m feeling. Think Footloose, only with a pole. When I’m stressed or too busy to attend pole classes, having a pole set up at home is how I get my “fix.”

Over the summer, I moved into a tiny brick bungalow that doesn’t have enough room for a pole to be installed.

Though it might sound ridiculous, that has been really hard for me. It has made me realize that when I graduate this spring, I need to factor pole into my plans.

Pole is ingrained in my life. It is a constant reminder for me to love and accept myself. It’s something that I need.

Like a lot of women, I have always struggled with bodyimage issues. I was the chubby kid. I loved Oreos, Cheetos, orange juice and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and I hated gym class. I took ballet, modern and jazz classes growing up. I loved to dance, but I quit and switched to softball and swimming when I realized my body didn’t fit the standards of the dance community.

I was too big, and I needed to make myself smaller. Girls, I learned, shouldn’t take up space. We should never be “too much” of anything. I started dieting before I had even entered middle school. It became a chronic problem as I tried so hard but struggled to achieve a goal weight and size that I felt I wouldn’t have to apologize for.

When I started pole in 2013 in college, I gained muscle. I became strong, and I was proud of it. I learned to appreciate my body for what it can do rather than how it looks, but I was stuck. I didn’t know how to share my newfound source of happiness with people.

I became friends with dancers from the studio on Facebook and saw them post photos of the new poses they were learning. I wanted to tell the world, but I was scared of how people would react.

I saw a post from the International Pole Sports Federation, which promotes pole as an athletic sport. The post was about a step the organization had made toward getting pole recognized as an official sport by the Olympic

committee. Like many Olympic sports, especially gymnastics, pole routines require strength, agility, flexibility, endurance and creativity to make a routine.

“Finally! Something to legitimize this,” I thought. As a step a lot of polers refer to as “coming out of your pole closet,” I shared the post and said something along the lines of “because pole is finally being recognized as a sport.”

But I was disappointed in myself. Because it’s being recognized as a sport? How about because it’s something I love doing? I shouldn’t have to justify it or explain why I do it.

A couple of weeks later, I posted a photo from pole class after I learned my first inverted pose, a Gemini, with the caption “learning something new,” and the hashtags #fitness and #workout. I was proud, but I was still torn. I was starting to share this part of myself, but it was an edited version.

I began to realize that distancing pole from exotic dancers doesn’t help reduce the stigma but rather contributes to the stigma surrounding sex work and the oppression of women’s sexual expression.

I started sharing more of my pole journey as I became friends with more dancers within the pole community. On visits home, my parents noticed I was becoming more fit. I was happier and healthier, both physically and mentally. I felt good about my body, and it showed. Eventually I decided to tell them about pole. I was worried about what their reaction would be, but they were supportive. They knew it made me happy.

My mom drove six hours from the Chicago suburbs where I was raised to visit and watch me perform in my first pole showcase in Columbia during spring 2015. She and other parents, friends and family of the dancers at the studio made up the majority of the audience. I was terrified to perform, and even though my bottoms nearly came off and I stumbled through parts of my

routine, my mom kept telling me I did great. She said she was impressed and surprised by how many different styles there were. In a weird way, it reminded me of when I was a kid and she attended my dance recitals.

A lot of polers say they black out when they perform, which is something I can attest to. I remember the moments before I go on stage when I’m reminding myself to take deep breaths. I recall completing the final move of my routine and hearing the audience erupt in applause. But I remembered only a few seconds of my routine, such as the moment my foot hit the platform around the pole and I wondered if everyone heard; when my shorts slipped and I worried I was flashing the audience; or when I feared that I would mess up a trick but found myself doing it better than I had in rehearsals.

I get stressed preparing for shows, often due in part to the struggle to balance school with finding time to rehearse. I worry about what might go wrong. What if I don’t point my toes? What if my facing is off? What if I don’t get enough spin on the pole? What if my facial expressions are strange? What if I miss a beat of the song? What if I’m so nervous that I choke and forget my routine? What if I have a costume malfunction?

All of these things have happened to me to some extent, but no matter what, I finish the routine. When it’s over, I look at the audience, panting and feeling my body pulsate with adrenaline. As I listen to their applause, I regain awareness and realize what I just did.

I danced in front of a crowd of people to a song I had worked hours to choreograph and rehearse, wearing less than some people dare to wear on a beach. I communicated my emotions in the way that I danced and held poses that emphasized certain lyrics. I allowed myself to express my sexuality and channeled more confidence than I knew I possessed. By putting myself in a position of vulnerability, I came out strong.

To dance on a pole can mean many things to many people. With many genres to choose from, this burgeoning form of expression is as diverse as the women, men and children that enjoy it.

The artistic category puts a larger emphasis on dancing and a smaller emphasis on tricks, unlike pole sport. Routines in this category are often themed. Dancers tell a story and focus on the music and choreography. They will often incorporate their experience with other forms of dance such as ballet, jazz and contemporary into their routine. It is also common for dancers to use props.

Pole erotic or stripper-style involves sensual movements and the combination of tricks and dancing. This style might include removing clothing but almost always includes heels. Heels allow dancers to do certain moves, such as heel clacks and slides. Dancers often wear sexier clothing. Pole athletes and dancers are never fully clothed due to the need for skin to grip the pole, which is necessary for nearly all tricks.

This category of pole is usually performed without heels, because going barefoot allows for a wider variety of tricks. Pole sport is often geared toward competitions in which athletes are judged on their completion of contortion and strength moves, along with other technical aspects. Another reason heels are left out is the push by some, such as the International Pole Sports Federation, to take the sexy out of pole and get it approved as an Olympic sport.

Chill tracks for a wintry mood

Four CoMo music enthusiasts help you groove into fall and winter BY

The shift to colder weather was slow, but fall is upon us, and winter will soon follow. At least you can control your atmosphere by tuning in to fresh music: While some like to embrace the chill with soft acoustics and slightly angsty lyrics, not everyone shares that sentiment. Fair-weather fans who want to rail against the falling leaves and

SAM BEZJAK MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST AND MUSIC ENTHUSIAST

When Bezjak dons his black Sennheiser over-ear headphones, he’s representative of the many music enthusiasts roaming MU’s campus. He’s also a musician and plays the drums, guitar, bass and keyboard. To stay updated on upcoming releases and music reviews, Bezjak frequents websites such as Pitchfork, The Needle Drop and DeadEndHipHop.

“I definitely enjoy listening to more folksy and stripped-back music during the colder months,” he says. For that particular sound, Bezjak recommends Ruminations by Conor Oberst, who is also the lead vocalist for Bright Eyes. The album dropped on Oct. 14. It has acoustic guitar and harmonica lines that make you want to spend a crisp afternoon kicking up leaves and strolling through an apple orchard. Bezjak likes that it’s uncomplicated but still has a rich composition. He also recommends Preoccupations’ self-titled Preoccupations, a post-punk album with a chilly and distant sound. This one’s for more somber, end-of-theyear reflection.

Angel Olsen My Woman

KYLE COOK CO-OWNER OF HITT RECORDS

“For everyone who lives in the Midwest, the winter is kind of a trying time,” Cook says.

He’s enthusiastic at the start of the season, but the weather can turn to doldrums after too long. For those times, he’ll throw on some Brazilian psychedelic or calypso-influenced jazz — music that “makes your listening and your head space a little warmer.”

Cook is also a fan of Angel Olsen, who released My Woman in early September — the album sold more quickly at Hitt Records than Taylor Swift’s 1989. Cook also recommends NxWorries, a rhythm and blues-funk duo led by artists Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge.

If the cold overwhelms, Cook suggests succumbing to the gloom with Elliott Smith or Grouper, a trippy musician from Oregon whose “astralfolk” style sounds like it’s coming from the other room.

(Cook’s disclaimer: Know yourself and how much existentialism you can handle before you sit down alone and listen to Grouper.)

ANNA SUTTERER

snow might throw on genres or groups with an ironic feel, such as reggae or Westcoast pop group The Mowgli’s. Local music experts Sam Bezjak, Kyle Cook, Emily Holtzman and Nick Soha have suggestions for matching the frigid air or changing the mood, no matter what genre of music you’re into.

Solange Knowles A Seat at the Table

EMILY HOLTZMAN TALENT BUYER AT

CAFE BERLIN

Holtzman generally likes to shift her music toward easy listening for the end of the year.

“I’m someone who listens to an album I like over and over again, so it’ll become linked to whatever I’m feeling at that time or whatever I’m doing,” she says.

When Holtzman pulls on a parka and boots for cold commutes in downtown Columbia, she goes for singer-songwriter Angel Olsen’s folksy warble or New Order, an ’80s English rock band she describes as “not so somber but still sort of dark.”

Holtzman says she’s also transitioning to a more pop, synth and ’70s-influenced funk phase. She’s been loving Solange Knowles’ A Seat at the Table, a retro-inspired album that features the artist’s jazzy voice layered over piano riffs.

As a talent buyer for Cafe Berlin, Holtzman keeps an eye on artists coming through Columbia. She’s been into the laid-back guitar tunes of Ultimate Painting, an indie band reminiscent of The Shins. They’ll play at Cafe Berlin on Dec. 1.

The Beach Boys Pet Sounds

Soha’s favorite weather condition is sunny with a light breeze. When the snow falls outside Vinyl Renaissance, Soha puts on The Beach Boys to both puzzle his customers and lift his mood.

“For me, music isn’t a seasonal thing,” he says. “A lot of my listening is on emotion.”

Soha’s musical base camp lies in the land of folk rock and alternative country. He’s a longtime fan of Wilco, who came out with new album, Schmilco, in September. It features nostalgic lyrics and soft guitar picking.

Soha looks forward to Metallica’s new album, Hardwired… to Self-Destruct, which drops Nov. 18. He’s also enjoyed recent synth-pop revivals and electronic pieces such as Bon Iver’s atmospheric 22, A Million Ultimately, it’ll take the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s A Charlie Brown Christmas to whisk him into the holiday season.

“That’s probably, in my opinion, one of the greatest Christmas records of all time,” Soha says. “It’s kind of sentimental. Once I hear that, I know it’s that time of year.”

Charity powers The Love Train

Local musician pairs with young artists to record a CD and raise money for kids fighting cancer BY

June 25, 2016 will go down in history, at least for the Burney girls. That day, they sang their first gig at Kiwanis Park with musician Rocket Kirchner, who paid them for their performance.

At ages 9 and 11, Emma and Olivia Burney are already recording artists. Along with Kirchner, the girls recorded Childmaze, an eight-track album themed around children going through the maze of life.

The girls met Kirchner while volunteering at a soup kitchen. He heard them singing Christmas carols and realized just how talented they were. He tells the girls he’s not working with them just because they are his friends. “I’m working with you guys because, for some reason, a 9-yearold and 11-year-old together, you’re the best at what you do,” he says.

cd release party : Nov. 15, Ugly Mugg, 6:30 p.m. get the album / donate : getonthelovetrain.com find them on facebook : The Love Train Project youtube : BGs Sing

RACHEL PHILLIPS

Love Train Project and give out Love Train Packages, which include items such as gift certificates and handmade cards to children fighting cancer. They take donations in exchange for the CD and have already raised more than $1,000.

After the trio’s first performance at the University of Missouri Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the group decided to support the cause of helping children with cancer. The girls’ mother, April Burney, encourages them: “Our mom has always motivated us to help out more,” Olivia says. “We all decided that it was a great cause to donate the money instead of getting it back.”

The trio isn’t just musicians. They’re philanthropists, too. Instead of making money off Childmaze, they founded The

They describe Childmaze as bluesy, folksy, pop and spoken word. Although it’s a record about children, Kirchner emphasizes that it’s not just for children. “It’s a rebellion against the tension and the hate out there,” he says.

The girls were a part of the process from the beginning. In order to write the

song “Wishing Wells,” which explores fantasy elements of childhood, Kirchner interviewed Emma to get her perspective about the J. R. R. Tolkien characters she loves, which are included in the piece.

Then, the girls and their mom helped with what Kirchner says is the most challenging part — arranging the songs to get them just right. They finalized how the music would sound, tweaked

lyrics and determined who would sing each part. The group spent two days recording.

Olivia and Emma have also gained confidence and are more comfortable in front of a crowd — they mime and dance along with the music. “I still am probably the nervous one of all of us,” Emma says. April chimes in, “You can’t tell it.”

The anatomy of Corpse!

Innovative individuals bring Columbia Entertainment Company’s latest production to life

BY TYLER SCHNEIDER PHOTOS BY KATELYN METZGER

Corpse!, the latest theatrical production from Columbia Entertainment Company, takes place in 1936 London and features a murder plot involving twin brothers, both played by lead actor Brannen Vincent. This comedy thriller is a “whodunit” full of plot twists that will keep you on your toes.

The play premiered this past Thursday and has shows scheduled through Nov. 20. Every theatrical production has many parts that make it work; Vox broke down Corpse! piece by piece.

brain

Tim Thomas

Director Tim Thomas is responsible for selecting actors, overseeing rehearsals and making sure the play is performed well by his cast. It can be a taxing job, but after months of fine tuning the performance, the cast has finally hit the stage.

A radio personality during the day with both 101.5 KPLA and Z104.1, Thomas channels his easygoing on-air persona in his theater work. He says he tries to maintain a friendly and calm atmosphere in the theater and welcomes input from his actors during the process of making the script come to life.

“I want to give them the opportunity to make decisions for themselves and defend their choices,” Thomas says. “I may have a vision for the show, but that doesn’t mean a good idea can’t come from everybody.”

He points out that his actors had few issues with sharpening up their dialect skills, though they have to speak with English and Irish accents onstage.

Thomas also speaks highly of his technical directors, who have “built the stage from scratch” over the past few months. Because of the efforts of his cast and crew, he can do his job as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

heart

Brannen Vincent

In Corpse!, lead actor Brannen Vincent plays twin brothers Evelyn and Rupert Farrant, each with his own distinct motivations and personality. In the play, Evelyn, an out of work actor, harbors a great deal of jealousy for his more successful brother, Rupert, and makes arrangements for an accomplice to kill him.

This is Vincent’s first lead role, and he faces the challenge of having to flawlessly shift his onstage demeanor to convey the differences between the two

characters. It is the nature of this role that makes Vincent the heart and soul of this performance, and the success of the play as a whole will rest largely on his shoulders.

“I have to play two characters who are connected so deeply and have such brute emotions against each other,” Vincent says, adding that Corpse! is, “probably the hardest show I’ve ever done.”

Vincent is no stranger to the stage, however. He acted in his first play, The Wizard of Oz, when he was 7 years old, coincidentally at the theatre where Corpse! is performed. He describes his current role as a homecoming of sorts and looks forward to bringing his passion to the stage once more.

hands

Technical directors

John Adams and Ryan DeLeon, the tech director and the assistant tech director of Corpse!, respectively, are the hands of the operation.

Their job is to plan, construct and paint the set based on their

interpretation of the script. This can be taxing, and they’ve spent the last five weekends working on the set from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adams says they’ve used 21 sheets of plywood and more than 30 two-by-fours, in addition to whatever was left from the previous show. Adams has worked with CEC since 1994 and worked on a another production of Corpse! 19 years ago as the assistant tech director. His father was a carpenter, and it was through him that Adams first became interested in woodwork. He is now a veteran of the stage, but his current assistant, Ryan DeLeon, hasn’t gotten lost in the shuffle.

Corpse!

Columbia Entertainment Company 1800 Nelwood Tonight–Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; Nov. 17–19, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 20, 2 p.m.; 474-3699, cecthetre.org

“I feel like I’ve always wanted to be a handy person, whether it’s building furniture or even just being handy enough to fix your house,” DeLeon says. “This is a good place to get your feet wet with that kind of stuff.” When the curtain opens, these two will be sitting in the audience, but their handiwork will be a defining factor in how each performance unfolds. “The set guys don’t get a curtain call, but that’s okay if they don’t,” Adams says. “I don’t want one.” DeLeon laughs and adds, “I’m not that pretty.”

Former Truman the Tiger DAN MEERS is making a career out of mascoting and motivating Missourians from St. Louis to Kansas City

Dan Meers, 49, introduces himself as someone else, which makes sense. He’s lived two identities for more than two decades. Meers, an MU grad, has traveled all over the world as the Kansas City Chiefs’ mascot, KC Wolf, since 1990, one year after the team created the character.

Meers’ travels as KC Wolf have included Hong Kong, Japan and Germany and last summer brought him to Haiti, where he helped paint an orphanage. Throughout Missouri, he gives speeches with his KC Wolf head off. He tells children to say no to drugs, and he speaks to adults about the power of positivity. He acquired the attitude after a failed stunt left him with a list of injuries so long that a doctor told him he was lucky to be alive.

“I thought a whole lot about how I was living my life,” he says. “Take life for granted — I was guilty of that. I think we’re all guilty of that at times.” During those speeches, he’s Dan Meers — just in a wolf costume from the neck down.

“People love Dan Meers, almost more than they love KC Wolf,” says Andrew Johnson, who used to be one of Meers’ substitutes when scheduled appearances overlapped. “He wants to be a character with character,” Johnson says.

In 1987 and 1989, Meers won the National Collegiate Mascot Competition as MU’s Truman. What began as a way to stay involved with sports as a student has turned into the only career Meers has known.

How did you get started as a mascot? One day, I was reading the school newspaper, The Maneater, and this little article said Mizzou was going to have tryouts for Truman the Tiger. For four years, I ran around as Truman the Tiger. When I graduated from college, I graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism. I got another degree in communications, so I double majored. And then, I also had my mascot resume. I got my first job working for the St. Louis Cardinals.

When did you know you wanted to do this as a profession?

When I started working for the Cardinals — and they actually gave you a paycheck to mascot — I’m like, “Hey, I’m getting paid to have fun. This ain’t half bad right here. I’m kind of liking that.” Then, when I got this offer with the Chiefs, my dad said, “You ought to try it for a couple of years. Have a good time. You could always get a real job later.” I started to work for the Chiefs, and every year, the number of appearances I did grew. Next thing you know, I’d been doing it for probably 10 years. At that point, I decided I just might try to turn this into a career.

What is it like living as both KC Wolf and Dan? That’s what I love about the job. I can take my head off and go from being a celebrity to just Dan. When I’m in costume, everybody recognizes me.

When I’m out of costume, I can walk around. I love the fact that at the end of the day, I can take my costume off, go to Wal-Mart and nobody knows who I am.

What do you like about making so many appearances around the state?

I was born and raised in Missouri. I have done appearances all over this state. I’ve just been to all corners of it. I’ve been to so many little towns and parades and festivals and school visits and church visits. You name it. I just love the people I get to meet. There are so many great folks all over this state. If you’re a mascot, you better be a people person because you’re surrounded by them constantly.

How many more years do you think you could do this?

I have people ask me that all the time. I tell them they keep making ibuprofen, so I think I’m OK. I’m 49. I turn 50 in January. I still love what I do. I work really hard to stay in shape. That’s the part of the job people don’t see. I don’t know how many years I’ve got left in this body, but I’m feeling good today, so I’m going to go out and have fun again.

— AARON REISS PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN MEERS

THE TO-DO LIST this week in Columbia

ARTS & CULTURE

Craft Day: Card Making

Although the weather might persuade you otherwise, it’s almost time to start thinking about the holidays. Take advantage of the free crafting supplies, and make a holiday card for someone special. Friday, 9:30–11 a.m., Daniel Boone Regional Library, Free, 443-3161

Give a Gift of Art

This unjuried art exhibition will have work from local artists of all kinds. Peruse 120 pieces, all for sale, in this unthemed show. Friday, 11:30 a.m., Columbia Art League, Free, 443-8838

Harry Potter Party

In anticipation of the premiere of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on Nov. 17, a Harry Potter celebration is in order. There will be wand making and wizard trivia for clever muggles. Registration is required, so make sure to sign up if you are interested in taking a trip to the wizarding world. Friday, 2–3:30 p.m., Daniel Boone Regional Library, Free, 443-3161

Ad Hoc Film Series: Last Days of Pompeii

Join the Museum of Art and Archaeology for its film screening series, this time with 1935’s Last Days of Pompeii. Venture back in time to Italy, just before Mount Vesuvius’ eruption, with Ernest B. Schoedsack and

Merian C. Cooper before they went on to create the iconic film King Kong. Friday, 5 p.m., Museum of Art and Archaeology, Free, 882-3591

Murder Mystery Gala

PACE Youth Theatre puts on an improvised, interactive production that allows diners to be a part of the show. Enjoy a three-course meal catered by The Tiger Hotel, and test out your detective skills at the same time. Friday, 6:30 p.m., The Tiger Hotel, $50, individual; $95, couple; $235 half table (five guests); $465 full table (10 guests); $65, at the door but seating is limited, 443-0541

Art Unleashed 2016

Enjoy an evening for animal lovers. Cuisine and spirits from local restaurants will be served while you bid on original pet-themed artwork of varied mediums in a silent and live auction. Proceeds from this event help The Spay Neuter Project, a low-cost spay neuter clinic, keep their services affordable to all they serve in mid-Missouri. Friday, 7–10 p.m., Hampton Inn & Suites, $20, 424-7357

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Visit the world of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this beloved musical. Good grief, this will be a fun show. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30 p.m., The Little Theatre at Central Methodist UniversityFayette, $8, 660-248-6238

CIVIC

Why We Need the Humanities

You can’t spell humanities without humans, and this lunchtime talk addresses why humans need the humanities. Donald Drakeman, research professor in the University of Notre Dame’s Constitutional Studies program, will talk about the humanities role in political and economic well-being. Today, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Memorial Union’s Stotler Lounge, Free, 8 82-3330

Medal of Honor Recipient: Kyle White

Kyle White received a Medal of Honor for his service in Afghanistan in 2009. Now, he shares stories from on and off the battlefield with this stop in Columbia. Today, 7–9 p.m., Jesse Auditorium, Free, 882-3621

Mizzou After Dark: Spa Night

Relax, sit back and de-stress with fellow Columbia residents at Memorial Student Union. Enjoy neck rubs, massage chairs, manicures, haircuts and more. Children 17 and under are not permitted at this event. Friday, 7–10 p.m., Memorial Union’s Stotler Lounge, Free for students, $5 for public, 884-0729

FOOD & DRINK

Brewery Night Live

Join Bur Oak Brewing Company for its

fourth edition of Brewery Night Live featuring craft beer, local food and live music. This version of BNL features The Social Animals, hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, and now based out of Nashville. There will be door prizes, giveaways, beer-flavored bratwurst and exclusive beer on tap from Bur Oak and St. Louis guest brewery Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. Friday, 5–10 p.m., Bur Oak Brewing Company, $5, 276-8009

Friends of Rocheport Chili/Ham and Bean Dinner and Bake Sale

This menu includes chili, ham and beans, hot dogs, cornbread, Amish pies and carrot cake. The Friends of Rocheport will also sell tomato relish and Friends of Rocheport T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Rocheport Fire Station, $8 for adults; $4 for children, friendsofrocheport.org

Mystery Meal with Mom

Join fellow mothers and their children for an evening of cooking, mystery and fun. The group will cook one main dish together, and then each group will be given random, secret ingredients to make their own main course. The evening will end on a sweet note by preparing your own dessert, as well. Saturday, 4–6:15 p.m., Dimensions in Wood, Inc., $55 mother/child pairing, 268-2248

Sparkling for SOMO

This event is a girls night out with

a bath bomb workshop, giveaways, drinks and treats. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Missouri Central Area. Wednesday, 6–10 p.m., VFW Post 280, $10, 256-6367

MUSIC

Gabe Meyer

One half of Columbia’s beloved stomp-rock band, The Flood Brothers, is set to perform a stripped-down acoustic show for the patrons of Broadway Brewery. Grab a drink, sit back and listen to the music. Tonight, 8:30 p.m., Broadway Brewery, Free, 443-5054

NE-HI with Homebody

Chicago’s NE-HI, a four-piece rock band, has been on the rise as of late and touring the U.S. with bands such as Twin Peaks. Listen to their latest single “Buried on the Moon” before they take the stage with Denver’s Homebody, which released EP, Better Use of Leisure Time, this month. Tonight, 9 p.m., Cafe Berlin, $10, 441-0400

AJJ with Diners and Chris Farren

This Phoenix folk-punk staple is known for its expressive lyricism. It’ll be promoting its newest release, The Bible 2, and a recent name change from “Andrew Jackson Jihad.” Friday, 8:30 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $13 in advance; $15 day of, 874-1944

The Cherry Pistols: ‘80s Mix Tape

If you’re not into classic rock tributes, try The Cherry Pistols, a tribute band straight

outta the ‘80s. The Blue Note will even screen old MTV music videos during set breaks. Friday, 8:30 p.m., The Blue Note, $5, 874-1944

Free happy hour featuring Molly Gene One Whoaman Band

If you’re looking for a bit of live music to start your evening off right, head out to this free show by Molly Gene’s “One Whoaman” Band for some foot-stomping goodness. Donations are encouraged. Saturday, 5 p.m., Rose Music Hall, Free, 874-1944

The Hooten Hallers with Matt Woods and Paul Weber & The Scrappers

Get your gears set for a truly local show. This CoMo favorite engages audiences with folk, blues, rock and Americana influences. On stage they’ll be joined by local honkytonk band Paul Weber & The Scrappers. Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $8, 874-1944

Nobunny with Wet Ones and It’s Me Ross

Embrace all that is out there and wild with Nobunny, the stage persona of musician Justin Champlin. Champlin performs upbeat rock while wearing a rabbit mask and as little clothing as possible. Saturday, 9 p.m., Cafe Berlin, $10, 441-0400

*NSYNC vs. Backstreet Boys with DJ Requiem

We don’t have to say “Bye, Bye, Bye” to the

Any Mizzou Student Can Live On Campus!

Pick your favorite suitemates or roommate and move into your favorite space together! Not into the roommate thing? Live in a Single!

Choose from: Suites with Living Rooms, Double or Single Suites, Single or Double rooms

Studying abroad or have an internship for the Spring 2018 semester? Graduating in December 2017? No worries! We can just do a semester for academic reasons!

Financial aid coming in late? MU can wait. A landlord won’t. It’s much more convenient than commuting. There are no sublet situations, deposits or utilities, and it’s a short walk to class. Everything’s included: Dining plan, laundry, cable, all utilities, WiFi, and screaming-fast Ethernet

Priority sign-up opens Nov 16 at 7 a.m.!

Priority Room Selection from Dec. 5 to Dec. 16 No risk sign up! Cancel up until April 1 with no penalty.

boy bands of the ‘90s. If you find yourself saying “I Want It That Way,” hit up The Blue Note for a “Larger Than Life” dance party. Saturday, 9 p.m., The Blue Note, $5, 874-1944

SPORTS

Missouri Women’s Basketball vs. Abilene Christian University

Gear up with your black and gold, and watch the women’s basketball team take on Abilene Christian University. Friday, 7 p.m., Mizzou Arena, $5, 882-6501

Missouri Football vs. Vanderbilt

Catch the Missouri vs. Vanderbilt match up before the season ends. It might not be the Tigers’ best season yet, but there could be a rally for the second-to -last home game. Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Faurot Field, $25–$75, 882-6501

SCREEN

Almost Christmas (PG-13)

Walter (Danny Glover) is newly widowed and asks his family to join him for the first Christmas since his wife died. But having a sister-in-law, four adult children and their spouses and kids all under one roof leads to chaos. F, R RUNTIME = 1:52

Arrival (PG-13)

Earth has been invaded by aliens. Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a linguist, and Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), a theoretical

physicist, must find a way to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors to determine if they pose a threat to humanity. F, R RUNTIME = 1:56

Gimme Danger (R)

This documentary features the legendary American rock band The Stooges and its frontman Iggy Pop. It explores the group’s impact on the music in the late ‘60s and the lasting influence on today’s musical landscape. RT RUNTIME = 1:48

Still playing

A Man Called Ove (PG-13) RT

The Accountant (R) R

Boo! A Madea Halloween (PG-13) F, R

Certain Women (R) RT

Doctor Strange (PG-13) F, R

Hacksaw Ridge (R) F

The Handmaiden (NR) RT

Inferno (PG-13) F, R

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (PG-13) F, R

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (PG-13) R

Ouija: Origin of Evil (PG-13) F, R

Storks (PG) R

Trolls (PG) F, R

Theaters

F = Forum RT = Ragtag

R = Regal = Available in 3-D

November 18-19 7:00pm November 20 3:00pm

Proceeds go to Turning Point and Room at the Inn �irsf Christian Church

Corner of10th � ?Vafnut, Cofum6ia MO

$10 Suggested Donation Tickets available at the door or online at https://www.everyeventgives/event/streetstories/all