As far as cinema is concerned, 2008 has been lackluster at best.
That was until “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr. as the metal-clad superhero, came along last week grossing more than $100 million in its opening weekend, kicking the summer movie season off with a bang.
“More importantly, this has been the first really good quality mass film that’s been out there,” says Bob Shultz, KQ2 movie critic.

After driving back to Kentucky last weekend, I realized that the price of gas will quickly lead me to overcome my fear of needles. I hear plasma can make you a quick buck. Now that I’m back, I am happy to report that with the exception of driving an hour south for a few events, the people of St. Joe can stay put and get a good show one way or another.
To hear an interesting bi-lingual blend of indie rock, power pop and Latin music, I suggest you go to see Making Movies when they perform with Oddbender at 10 p.m. tonight at The Rendezvous. Cover is $3. Then again, if you want to hear some hard-lived-but-danceable blues and a few kickin’ guitar licks, check out Fast Johnny Ricker when he plays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. tonight at Magoon’s. Cover is $6.

Mary Davis is trying to give back in plenty of ways. Whether it’s her numerous art projects, her self-published book “Bartering with God” (available at Lulu.com) or the self-made tokens she sells, she aims to give back to the community with her talent.

What's up for May 9, 2008

This weekend, it’s all about family.
Not only will families be encouraged to come out to participate in the Apple Blossom Festival, but the event itself will have a family focus.
Sure, the Apple Blossom Parade, St. Joe’s oldest parade, will have the usual attractions. The Shriners will be there, along with the antique automobiles, decorated cars, horses and walking units. And don’t worry kids, there’s still plenty of candy that will be tossed out on the popular parade route towards downtown.
But this year’s theme, “A Tribute to St. Joe Families: The Heart of Our City,” will give the estimated 90 parade floats the opportunity to honor prominent St. Joseph families of past and present while giving others a chance to celebrate their own.
“It can be family activities, St. Joe families... they can be creative with it,” says Michelle Wolfe, executive director for the Apple Blossom Festival.

When people think of barbershop music, they may conjure up images old-timey and classic. The Voices of America would like you to go ahead and get that image out of your head.
“There’s certainly misconceptions about barbershop, thinking it’s four guys in straw hats singing songs,” says Scott Johnson, vice president of marketing and P.R. and a Voices of America bass singer.

On the scene: Stuff to do (besides seeing ‘Iron Man’)

Robert Downey Jr. says it himself: “I’m just not the hero type, clearly.”
Actually, he says it as billionaire arms dealer Tony Stark, the alter ego of the title character in the new comic-to-screen blockbuster “Iron Man.” But the fact that Downey Jr. doesn’t fit the Hollywood archetype of a superhero is one of many reasons why “Iron Man” is easily one of the best comic book movies of the decade.
Downey Jr. brings his usual crackling electricity and humor to the role of Stark and gets the film off the ground from the opening frames.

What's up for May 2

The year 1908 was when the Ford Motor Company introduced the world to the Model T. But in St. Joseph, 1908 was the year that something musical also got rolling.
For 100 years, the Saint Joseph Symphony orchestra has been bringing classical music to St. Joseph, and this Saturday, April 26, it will celebrate the occasion with the orchestra’s Centennial Celebration at the Missouri Theater.
The symphony put on its first-ever concert on May 5, 1908 at the Tootle Theatre. Throughout its long history, the group mainly performed as a community orchestra, but it gained professional status in the mid-1980s.
While it’s not possible to talk to those original symphony members from 1908, in recent years, the positive changes have been obvious.