Vol.2, No.5, February 6, 2026
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People. Places. Things To Do. |
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| | Welcome back, friends.
I’m on vacation this week, skiing in the Rocky Mountains, but you’re still welcome here in The Green Room as we turn our attention to storytelling and song. I’m pulling an interview from the archives and sharing a timely reminder for local songwriters.
Back in November 2025, I sat down with New York Times bestselling author Cullen Bunn to talk about his horror novel, Bones of Our Stars, Blood of Our World. Bunn reflects on a lifelong pull toward writing, from early homemade comics to a career that now spans novels, comics, and genre fiction.
We also take a look at a familiar opportunity for musicians. The NPR Tiny Desk Contest is now open for 2026, inviting unsigned artists to submit an original song for a chance to perform behind one of public radio’s most recognizable desks.
Even from the peaks of Colorado, my heart is still with the arts here in the Ozarks.
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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 Gardens
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Cullen Bunn on the set of his webcast. Photo Credit: Cullen Bunn
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New York Times bestselling author Cullen Bunn joined Arts News to talk about his latest horror novel, Bones of Our Stars, Blood of Our World. The Springfield-based writer reflects on his early start telling stories, his path from homemade comics to published work, and what continues to draw him to horror and speculative fiction...read more.
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Roxie & the Moon King film their Tiny Desk entry. Photo Credit: Roxie & the Moon King.
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The 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Contest is now open, inviting unsigned musicians to submit an original song for a chance to perform a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR headquarters. The annual competition has become a launching pad for emerging artists nationwide, with entries accepted through early February...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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It’s always a bold move to be the first person on the dance floor.
It’s an even bolder move to open a dance floor.
Over the last 20 years as Commercial Street has built back as one of the best enclaves in Springfield for local shops, restaurants, and music, we have had the fortune to see several excellent venues rise up and stick around, but only one can be first.
In 2009, the music scene downtown was thriving with at least half a dozen serious venues and even more in the way of smaller rooms and clubs. The dance floor was good.
A bold move then? Put your dance floor somewhere else.
Opening (re-opening, in this case) a bar/venue on Commercial Street at that time was certainly a risk. There was no built-in foot traffic. The only two proper venues to have existed on that stretch, The Buffalo Bar and the prior iteration of Lindberg’s, had been closed since the mid-80’s and mid-90’s respectively. The thing Commercial was perhaps most known for was The Missouri Hotel, which had operated as a proper homeless shelter for almost 25 years.
But, like an uncle at a wedding that just wants to “get this party started,” Eric Weiler and Ryan Dock took over the long languishing Lindberg’s and managed to manufacture a lynchpin location ultimately essential to the entire resurgence of C-Street. The opening night (I am old, I was there) typified what the room would become known for: live music, friendly faces, and a VERY full dance floor.
With shows almost every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, along with intermittent weekday performances, you’re quite likely to find something you’d like to listen to almost anytime week to week (They also have an excellent kitchen and, IMHO, the best fries in town). This Saturday night is no exception: journalist/musician Ed Masley will be in town using local favorites Nicolas Cagematch as his backing band for the evening, along with support from The Constant Distractions and Thee Fine Lines. So, take a listen to Jody by Nicolas Cagematch, think about hitting the dance floor yourself, 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 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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| February 13: Joe Dillstrom
March 13: Pomfret
April 10: The Shandies
May 8: Little Jones
June 12: The Sideburns
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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 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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| Telephone:
Ozarks Public Television 417-836-3500
KSMU Radio 417-836-5878
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