Vol.2, No.13, April 17, 2026
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People. Places. Things To Do. |
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Springfield’s arts scene really shows its range this week, from Carnegie Hall to a poetry open mic. I am constantly surprised at the smorgasbord of talent in this area. The Springfield Youth Symphony Brass Quintet is heading to New York City for a major performance. They stopped by the Arts News studio at KSMU ahead of the trip to play a few songs, which I get to share with you here in The Green Room. We also celebrate National Poetry Month with local poet Sadie Carter, whose work and presence are helping fuel a growing, grassroots poetry scene right here in the Ozarks.
And friends, as KSMU’s spring pledge drive comes to a close, I want to thank everyone who called in or made an online pledge. It warms my heart to see our listeners take ownership of this long-running and trusted institution. If you haven’t made your investment in your public radio yet, there’s still time to step up and support the work you hear every week. Local arts coverage like this only happens because of you. We love you.
P.S. I encourage you to take a moment and check out our Spring Pledge drive anthem performed by some very talented staff. Just click on the social media icons below. And while you are there give us a like and a follow!
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| Jimmy Rea
Host, Arts News
KSMU 91.1 - FM
Ozarks Public Broadcasting
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The Green Room is sponsored by Springfield Community Garden
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So, fun fact (okay, not that fun): federal funding for public media got the axe last year. That means that everything you love from KSMU and The Green Room - the stories, the arts coverage, the sense of place - depends on listeners and readers like you more than ever before. If you can, chip in with a monthly gift to help keep this community-powered storytelling going strong. 💪
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SYS Brass Quintet perform in the Arts News studio. Photo Credit: Jimmy Rea
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Ahead of its trip to New York City to perform in the coveted Carnegie Hall, the ensemble stopped by KSMU to showcase a few tunes, and I spoke with Director and Conductor Carla Wootton about some of the pieces and how people can get involved...read more.
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Sadie recites a poem on-stage. Photo Credit: Show-Me Poetry
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April is National Poetry Month, and we have a slate of local poets to help us celebrate. This week, we talk with Sadie Carter about her introduction to poetry and local poetry events, and we hear a couple of poems from her original collection...read more.
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Arts News on KSMU is your long-standing source for what's happening in the Ozarks arts scene spotlighting local creators, performances, and cultural events every week. Tune in Fridays at 10 a.m. on 91.1-FM or stream at KSMU.org
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👉Got a story, event, or artist I should know about? Share your arts and music tips with The Green Room, and help us shine a spotlight on the creative pulse of the Ozarks! You can email them to me at JRea@MissouriState.edu.
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Sponsored by Sothern Plumbing
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🎶Friends don't leave friends out of the music and arts scene - they share all the local arts and music happenings. Just forward this email to friends!
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Rock is not dead, you just got old.
And that’s ok.
I don’t want to make too broad an assumption about you, dear reader, but if you’re on the other side of, say, 35, you may think that “the scene has changed.” Good news! You are correct! Even better news: it is still very much alive. It’s just...different.
And that’s ok.
In a review re-posted by KSMU’s own Joe Livingston (host of The Roundabout) about a show his son’s band (German Suplex) played the other day in Brooklyn (New York), the author lamented, “There’s no more DIY spaces in New York, unless you’re in your 20’s.”
Now, I am not a New York resident. I certainly can’t speak to demographics, real estate, the nature of the local scene/scenes, etc., but even with all this personal ignorance I simply wanted to scream.
I have experienced a version of this view locally for YEARS. Certainly, once I was on the other side of 35. The author of the aforementioned piece very much outs themselves being, if not ultimately “old,” (define as you will) definitely not being in their 20’s. And that’s the thing, live music, art, theatre, entertainment, etc., at the core level is almost exclusively the purview of those who don’t necessarily have their “career” job yet (if that still exists), or a spouse, a mortgage, a kid and such.
You have to have a certain amount of freedom to your time and responsibilities to fully engage in such things, not just as purveyors, but patrons! I used to spend a LOT of late nights watching a lot of bands and I genuinely don’t have the luxury of such time anymore, in no small part because, as an old(er) man, I get so sleepy!
And that’s ok.
It’s ok for two reasons:
1. Those things are still happening out there, just maybe not in the places, spaces, and ways that you once knew.
2. If you want, they are still very much available.
As a local musician, and a host of a local music program, I do not go to NEARLY enough shows. I try. I do! But I have responsibilities. To my partner, my home, my job, myself (I get so sleepy!) and those can prevent me from doing so.
And that’s ok.
But, as I said in this space just a few weeks ago, you don’t need to go to all the shows. Just one. Pick one. Go. Then, go to another. And another. That’s how you keep yourself plugged in. That’s how you help keep the scene alive. It’s all still happening. Don’t worry. Support. Participate. Be a part of it all. Just don’t fret. It’s still there. You just got old.
And that’s ok.
We’ll see you next week.
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Local Radar with Ran Cummings is a weekly music and conversation radio show on KSMU featuring bands and performances from in and around the Ozarks every Friday night at 9:00 p.m. on 91.1 - FM or stream at KSMU.org.
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Studio Live with Melissa Rea and Jess Balisle airs on the 2nd Friday of every month at noon. Tune in at 91.1-FM or stream at KSMU.org for an hour of live music and conversation with talented local artists. Later that evening, experience the music in person at a FREE live performance from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Springfield Brewing Company.
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| May 8: Little Jones
June 12: The Sideburns
July 10: Jin J. X
August 14: Patti Steel
November 13: Pomfret
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In the mood to stay in? Queue up one of these videos handpicked by our staff at Ozarks Public Broadcasting, perfect for a night in when you're skipping the scene but still craving culture.
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These favorites from KSMU and OPT are just the beginning—there’s a whole world of storytelling, music, documentaries, and local gems waiting on you to dive in and discover at your local public broadcasting station.
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Was this email sent to you by a friend? If you'd love fresh takes, local gems, and behind-the-scenes artsy goodness in your inbox every week subscribe to The Green Room.
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📰The Green Room is made possible by readers like YOU! Donate to keep the arts coming. 🤸
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❤️Huge thanks to Catherine M. and Jacob S. for their generous tips last week to The Green Room. We appreciate you!
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The Green Room is a production of Ozarks Public Broadcasting. For more information about our programs and services please visit our website.
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Mailing Address:
901 South National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897
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Ozarks Public Television 417-836-3500
KSMU Radio 417-836-5878
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