Tonight at The Wedge - ME!

I spin at my old bar tonight. Should be fun. Come on down.

How Brick Thieves Operate

This video is third-hand. I was reading over Michael Allen's Ecology of Abscence blog, and he posted the following video which originally appeared on PubDef.org. It features St. Louis Alderman Sam Moore (D-4th) explaining how brick thieves do their dirty work.



This is fascinating stuff. Especially if there is an insider in the department that's aiding these thieves.

Spring in Heman Park

Spivey Lock Down

Reported by the EUE314 Blog today:

http://ueu314.blogspot.com/

Looks like the days of the Spivey and its infiltrators may be numbered.

Here's some Spivey history, compliments of Eco-Absence.

Some photography of the Spivey, compliments of Flickr.

Obama likes our Pi

So President Obama recently had the owners of St. Louis restaurant Pi come to The White House to cater a party with their signature deep dish pizza. (Link- St. Louis Business Journal)

This place is just down the street from me, and while I can't say that I like everything I've tried there, about 95% of what I've had has been killer. Pi makes a deep dish crust that is coated with cornmeal, and it really gives it a great flavor. Thos in Chicago aren't too happy with our new president's choice of deep-dish, but you know what? If we can be known for pizza other than Imo's (nothing against the provel and cracker delight), then right on.

Congrats to the locals.

Why doesn't BND support reuse?

I saw this editorial in the Belleville News Democrat yesterday: http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/715304.html.

In the article, the paper advocates the demolition of the old Gateway Hospital building in East St. Louis. This building has been an eyesore for quite sometime, but it probably still could be saved. The building would require a massive rehabilitation and solid investment. The newer section could stand to be demolished, but the original structure should be saved. The newer section really doesn't do justice to the original building. The original has an Art Deco look to it that is really quite classic.

But the editorial also advocates the demolition of the Spivey Building and the Majestic Theater. This bother me. Although I have not personally investigated, I believe that its still possible to save these buildings and rehab them for reuse. It bothers me that the BND would take this position. Why would they not advocate investment in the buildings and the reuse of them? East St. Louis is in dire need of help, and a project like the rehabilitation of Collinsville Avenue would yield new jobs and spur economic growth in dying city. It may be a lofty goal, but rather than simply turning the buildings into vacant lots, why not try to make use of the space and bring some life back to this blighted city?

The paper is a servant to the community, and not getting behind reuse of historically important buildings in any of the towns that it serves is simply irresponsible in my opinion. But then again, I wouldn't really expect more from the BND. I've been pretty much opposed the majority of their editorial position over the last fifteen years or so. But then again I'm one of those lame ass bleeding heart lib-ruls.

Back to the blog

So, I recently got laid off from my job. It was a mixed blessing, really. The job was too stressful and I logged too many hours for the amount of money I was being paid.

Not only did it eat my whole existence, but it made updating this blog a real challenge.

Now that I have some free time, I hope to actually add to this on occasion. I haven't been out to photograph in about three months, and my feet are gettin' itchy.

Also, if you happen to know of any place that is hiring a server/bartender/promotions/booking person, please let me know. Cheers.

Shoegazing

This Week @ The Wedge

The Wedge is excited about the upcoming week. We have quite a few events going on that's going to offer something for everyone.

• On Monday, we have double the fun. Tenacious Trivia happens downstairs from 9pm to 11pm. Its free, and you could win fantastic prizes, courtesy of The Wedge. Upstairs in The Iggy Ziggy Room, we have The Matthew Leach Band with special guest Sarrow Muse. Doors open at 7pm for the 8pm show. Admission is $6/$9. 18+

• On Wednesday we have Pat Boone's Farm with Stars Are Bullets and other special guests. Admission is $8/$11. Doors open at 8pm for a 9pm show. 18+

• On Thursday, we play host to the legendary South City open mic night, Chippewa Chapel Traveling Guitar Circle. This week's host is Deanna Bosse. Chippewa Chapel has been named Best Open Mic night by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and features a wide variety of musicians from all over St. Louis and beyond. With rowdy, off-color sign-alongs and a loose atmosphere, Chippewa Chapel is always a good time. You never know who's going to show up. Artists are encouraged to sign up for a slot. Doors open at 7pm for the 8pm show. Admission is free. This show is 21+

• On Friday, The Wedge is proud to present Cassie Morgan's CD Release Party for her new EP Pine So Sweet. Cassie's special guest this evening will be local favorites Maid*Rite. Admission is $5. Doors open at 7:30pm for the 8pm show. This show is 18+ THIS EVENT IS SMOKE FREE.

• On Saturday, we have St. Louis' burlesque queen, Lola van Ella presenting her newest creation: Lola van Ella's Screw You Burly-Q. A monthly punk rock burlesque show that will feature some of St. Louis' hottest bands and most lovely burlesque entertainers. This week's band is the hard-rocking Left Arm, and the burlesque performers include Siren, Foxy LeFeline, Sturdy Gurlesque, Lola van Ella and the one and only Gravity Plays Favorites. Admission is $12 and the show is 21+ Doors open at 8pm for the 9pm show.

The Wedge is also open downstairs all week long, and there's never a cover charge for the lower level. Our menu is served until 10pm Sunday through Thursday, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Our full menu is available in the Iggy Ziggy Room, too. And The Wedge boasts an impressive line up of pizzas, calzones, salads, soups, sandwiches, appetizers and daily specials.

To find out more about the Wedge, including our full menu and calendar listings, visit http://www.thewedgebar.com, or become friends with us on MySpace at http://myspace.com/thewedgestl.

The Wedge Grand Opening II: Electric Boogaloo

The Wedge Is Open

AT A GLANCE:
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- Grand Opening Party set for Saturday, November 29
- Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week with a menu created by Chef Blake Brokaw
- All food is made from scratch using fresh ingredients
- Lunch specials and carry-out available
- The music venue- The Iggy Ziggy Room- is now open and hosting bands and performances
- DJs, Trivia and other special events to be hosted in the main bar/dining room area
=========================================================================
Contact: Tyson Blanquart – info@thewedgebar.com

The Wedge – Pizza/Drinks/Music – 442 Bates St., St. Louis, MO 63111
314-351-1200 – http://www.thewedgebar.com – http://myspace.com/thewedgestl

St. Louis, MO – The long awaited opening of The Wedge has finally come. Adding to the recent neighborhood revival started by Iron Barley, The Wedge − recently renovated − opened its doors on Monday, October 21 and hosted its first concert on Wednesday, October 23.

The Wedge is St. Louis' newest hot spot for good food, good drinks and good music. Located one block West of I-55 at the intersection of Bates, Virginia and Compton Streets, The Wedge takes its name from the triangular piece of land on which it sits. Even more apropos, The Wedge now serves up pizza. But not just pizza. The menu also includes calzones, salads, appetizers and soups with more to come.

Consulting Chef Blake Brokaw has designed a menu of Italian fare that is certain to please the palate. Everything coming out of the kitchen is made from scratch using fresh ingredients. The pizza dough, sauces, salsicca, meatballs, dressings and soup are prepared right in the kitchen and cooked to perfection.

The Wedge's lunch specials will be served up daily, and weekly dinner specials will also supplement the menu. The Wedge opens for lunch at 11:00am seven days a week. Dinner is served until 10:00pm Sunday through Thursday and until 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday.

The bar itself is open until 1:30am Monday through Saturday, and 12 midnight on Sunday. Happy Hour runs from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Monday through Friday with daily drink specials. The Wedge has assembled a strong staff of servers and bartenders, and many familiar faces will be on hand to serve up the food and to sling drinks.

But one of the most exciting aspects of the new Wedge is the renovation of the second floor. The upstairs has been transformed into St. Louis' newest music venue, The Iggy Ziggy Room. With an intimate feel and a top notch sound and light system, the space will host a bevy of local and touring bands. Additionally, the room will host The NonProphet Theater Company and their critically acclaimed sketch comedy show The Militant Propaganda Bingo Machine on the fourth Friday of every month, as well as St. Louis Burlesque Queen Lola van Ella and her punk rock Burly-Q showcase on the second Saturday of every month. Weekly, The Wedge will be bringing Chippewa Chapel to the stage starting on Thursday, November 6. And downstairs in the main bar and dining room, Tenacious Trivia will take place every Monday night beginning at 9:00pm.

The Wedge will host its Grand Opening party on Saturday, November 29. There will be some surprises in store upstairs, and a DJ spinning downstairs. Admission for the entertainment will be free, and samples of favorite menu items will be available.
The main intent of The Wedge is to give St. Louis rockers a place to call home, as well as offering South City residents a local tavern to wander into for lunch or kick back at the end of the working day. A destination venue with a local feel, and most importantly, a place where everyone is welcome to come and have a good time.

The Wedge – Pizza/Drinks/Music
442 Bates Street
St. Louis, MO 63111
314-351-1200
http://www.thewedgebar.com
http://myspace.com/thewedgebar