Vol.1, No.10, October 10, 2025
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People. Places. Things To Do. |
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| | Hello friends, and thanks for joining me in The Green Room.
It is Fall Pledge week here at our public radio station, KSMU, and the studios have been buzzing with volunteers and a sense of pride and commitment as we move forward without federal funding.
The support has been incredible, and I urge you to join in this movement, because we may be defunded, but we are not defeated. This is truly community supported radio, and we thank you for being part of this important event.
Fall is the time for theater, a time to get dressed up and visit beautiful spaces. We are lucky in Springfield to have such spaces, and our neighboring communities do as well. The more I dig into the arts scene in the Ozarks, the more magic and whimsy I discover.
Many times, these spaces are very old, shall we say, historic, and that just adds to the personality and charm. Like the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson, Missouri, which has changed ownership so many times it can feel like an orphan, lost and alone until it finds a forever family to preserve and nurture it.
The Branson Regional Arts Council has done just that, and inside these rock walls and wooden rafters is a space to create, to celebrate and to honor the craft of theater and the years gone by. You can almost hear whispers from past performers in your ear and feel a tap on your shoulder from the muse that keeps theater alive and well in the Ozarks.
Grab some popcorn, because the house lights are flashing. That means it’s showtime. Welcome to The Green Room.
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| Jimmy Rea
Host, Arts News
KSMU 91.1 - FM
Ozarks Public Broadcasting
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The Green Room Arts News Letter is presented by
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Cast and crew of “Shrek The Musical". Photo credit: Branson Regional Arts Council
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Actors of all ages bring the DreamWorks favorite to life with song and dance. We talk with the director for a sneak peek ahead of opening night...read more.
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Amanda Snead (co-director) and wardrobe staff working on costumes. Photo credit: Mosaic Arts Collective
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Twenty years after its Broadway debut, Mosaic Arts Collective stages the musical in a once segregated theater with a large cast and a community-driven mission...read more.
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Indie pop singer/songwriter Matteson Gregory uses music to advocate for mental health awareness and education. With her own personal experiences and a touch of '90s inspiration, she aims to make others feel included and makes sure her listeners know they're not alone...read more.
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Matteson Gregory will be performing today at noon on KSMU's Studio Live. Tune in at 91.1-FM or stream online at KSMU.org. Catch her again tonight at Studio Live Social Hour, a free in-person event 6-8 p.m. at BrewCo in downtown Springfield.
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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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The arts in the Ozarks depend on community support to stay strong and that starts with all of us! With your support we're keeping local stories, music, and creativity alive right here at home. Consider leaving a tip! ⬇️
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Seth Darby was in my office today and he told me not to write an article about him.
As I am a truly stubborn man, his fate was now sealed.
Sorry, Seth.
Seth is a truly talented individual. A multi-instrumentalist who has been featured on both Arts News and Studio Live before, he plays a range of roles in a variety of outfits. Like, literally, not just different bands, different “outfits.” My favorite outfit? A Western suit.
After years on the road trying to make a living as a working musician, taking whatever gigs were available, Seth discovered he had a unique talent: a voice perfectly suited to the genre known as “Western Swing.” A consequent combination of country and jazz, Western Swing originally emerged from Texas and Oklahoma in the 1920s and ’30s. It is noted for its rich orchestration, it’s prominent use of steel guitar, and…that voice.
Many of the most revered Western Swing artists were possessed of a rich baritone that has a dreamy, transporting sound. Seth has that in spades. While playing with cover bands in West Texas, he discovered his knack for exactly this thing and was struck with the notion that maybe he should make an album of his own. We’re all lucky he did. The band is simply called “Seth Darby and The Lonesome Express,” and it is one of my favorite local recordings of the last few years.
I could write more, but I literally can’t. Besides, the music (and Seth’s voice) says it better than I ever could. So give the eponymous song a swing, and 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 the 2nd Friday of every month on KSMU. Tune in at 12 p.m. for an hour of live music and conversation with talented artists. Later that evening, experience the music in person at a FREE performance from 6–8 p.m. at Springfield Brewing Company.
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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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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: A Weekly Arts News Letter.
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The Green Room: A Weekly Arts News Letter 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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