🎉🎶 Music on the Square is Back! 🎶🎉

We’re thrilled to announce that Music on the Square in Nevada, Missouri, will be back again this year! This marks our 13th year, with a brief pause for the year we took off due to COVID. We’re confident that this will be our best year yet!

This year, our events will be held on the first Saturday of the month from May through September, joining the 1st Saturday on the Square Initiative, with the first one being Saturday, May 4th.

Here’s the first event’s electrifying lineup:

• 9:30 AM: Gather at the Flagpole as we come together to Pray for the Nation. 🙏🇺🇸

• 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Brace yourselves for First Saturday on the Square! Local businesses are rolling out exclusive deals—the perfect chance to explore and support our community.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Join us at the Statue of Joel Stone on the Square for Brooke Austen’s soulful melodies. She’ll set the tone for an epic day!

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Head over to the Museum (Library Basement) and let Joe Willis’s acoustic tunes enchant you. Joe Willis has something special in store. Join him for a themed musical performance called “Sentimental Journey: Remembering the Good Times on the Square”. It’s a trip down memory lane you won’t want to miss! 🎶✨

• 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The grand finale awaits! Gather on the south lawn of the courthouse for Classic Music On Square featuring the incomparable Paula Newman and Friends. 🎵🌟

But that’s not all! 🌟 Throughout the summer, we’re bringing you more musical spectaculars. Expect different performers, diverse genres, and a celebration of community spirit.

We can’t wait to see you there! Let’s make this year the best one yet! Follow for updates at www.Facebook.com/MusicOnSquare 🎉🎶

🎶 Weekend Music Extravaganza in Nevada, Missouri! 🎶

 

Friday Vibes at Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant

Get ready, music enthusiasts! This weekend promises to be a melodic delight as Nevada, Missouri, comes alive with captivating performances. Let’s dive into the musical highlights:

1. Kristen Kelly: A Country Sensation

📅 Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, 7:00 PM

📍 Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant

🎟️ Free Admission

Kristen Kelly, the Texas-born country music sensation, is gracing the stage at Casa Azteca. Her debut single, “Ex-Old Man,” took the airwaves by storm, and her self-titled EP garnered critical acclaim. With a back-to-basics sound, Kristen’s soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics resonate with audiences across the nation. Don’t miss her solo acoustic show—it’s an intimate experience for the good people of Nevada, Missouri.

2. Taylor Deraynged Rocks Cottey College

📅 Friday, April 5, 7:30 PM

📍 Haidee and Allan Wild Center for the Arts Auditorium, Cottey College

🎟️ $7 (Seniors and Students) | $10 (General Admission)

If heavy metal is your jam, buckle up! Taylor Deraynged is about to blow the roof off Cottey College. Led by the powerhouse vocals of Taylor Jordan, this rock band knows how to ignite the stage. Joined by seasoned professionals on guitar, bass, and drums, they’ll make your heart pound. Get ready for an electrifying performance that’ll leave you craving more.

3. The Last Wild Buffalo: Newgrass Magic

📅 Friday, April 5, 9:00 PM

📍 CCL Terrace, Cottey College

🎟️ Free Admission

As the night deepens, head to Cottey’s CCL Terrace for a free performance by The Last Wild Buffalo. This dynamic “newgrass” band hails from Alaska, blending folk, bluegrass, and punk influences. Their unique sound, reminiscent of The Avett Brothers and The Lumineers, promises an unforgettable evening. Fun fact: The band has local ties—Jon and Katie Celaya’s son and Mary Ann Philips’ grandson are part of this musical adventure.

So mark your calendars, gather your friends, and immerse yourself in the magic of live music. Whether you’re tapping your toes to country tunes or headbanging to rock anthems, this weekend in Nevada, Missouri, is all about the rhythm!

Remember, music brings us together, and these artists are here to make your heart sing. See you there! 🎵🎤🎸

Taikoza: The Thunderous Voice of Tradition

 

Taikoza, a unique Taiko group, is a powerful embodiment of the ancient art of Japanese drumming. The name “Taikoza” translates to “big drums,” and that’s exactly what this group brings to the stage - big drums, powerful rhythms, and an electrifying energy that fills the room.

The Magic of Taikoza

Taikoza is not just about the drums. The group also incorporates the magical sounds of bamboo flutes, known as Shakuhachi and Fue, into their performances. These traditional Japanese instruments add a melodic layer to the thunderous beats of the Taiko drums, creating a musical experience that is both thrilling and deeply moving.

A Unique Experience

A Taikoza performance is more than just a concert - it’s an experience. The thunderous voice of the 150 lb. Taiko drums gives life to both traditional and new compositions. The raw energy that Taikoza brings will make you rediscover Taiko and energize your senses. It’s a truly life-changing experience.

Join Us for Taikoza

Experience the thunderous rhythms of the ancestral Japanese Taiko drums and the magical sounds of the bamboo flutes at Cottey College in the Center for the Arts Building. Cottey College is located at 1000 W. Austin Blvd. in Nevada, Missouri. Hear the 150 lb. Taiko drums give a thunderous voice to traditional and new compositions. Roughly translated, Taiko means big drums-and that’s exactly what Taikoza brings: big drums, powerful rhythms, and electrifying and room-thumping energy.

Tickets can be bought at the door and are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors (62 and above) and youth (17 and under). Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the powerful rhythms and electrifying energy of Taikoza.

Tune in to Lunch With Doug

For more articles and information like this, tune in to our audio radio-style podcast, “Lunch With Doug”. This podcast is made possible by Dangerous Doug Harper’s Music Exurbia Project. This month, we are grateful for the generous sponsorship from Hairy Frog Grafix, Nevada Tobacco and Convenience, Karen McNair the Friendly Neighborhood Nutritionist, Impact Graphics, and Jon’s Barbershop. Listen to “Lunch With Doug” for a deeper dive into a variety of topics. Don’t miss out!

Visit www.lunchwithdoug.com to find the podcast episodes or find them at your favorite podcast platform such as Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, Pandora, and many more.

Reflecting on the Significance of March

 As the first buds of spring begin to bloom, I find myself reflecting on the significance of March in my life. It’s a month that has always held a special place in my heart, though it took me years to fully understand why.

Growing up, I was always a bit of a rebel, preferring to start new ventures in the fall rather than the spring. My father would often chide me for this, insisting that spring was the time for new beginnings. I never really understood his words until much later in life, when I began to see the patterns that had been woven into the fabric of my existence.

In college, a simple question about my heritage led me on a journey of self-discovery. I learned that I am mostly Irish, with a touch of Native American and Dutch/Scottish ancestry. This revelation helped me understand my deep connection to the Celtic traditions that are so richly celebrated in March.

St. Patrick’s Day, with its vibrant green hues, leprechauns, and shamrocks, is a celebration of my Irish heritage. It’s a day when I feel a deep connection to my roots, a day when I honor the legacy of my ancestors.

March is also a month of personal joy and celebration. Both of my children, Rylee and Colton, were born in this month. Their birthdays are a reminder of the love and happiness they have brought into my life.

My creative journey, too, has been deeply intertwined with March. My band’s first gig, the release of several of my albums, and even the start of my podcast, Lunch With Doug, all happened in March. It’s as if the universe conspired to align my creative awakening with the arrival of spring.

But March is not just about personal milestones. It’s a month that holds global significance. The “Ides of March,” known as a deadline for settling debts in the Roman calendar, is also remembered as the day Julius Caesar was assassinated. March babies are blessed with two birthstones, aquamarine and bloodstone, symbolizing courage. The daffodil, a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, is the birth flower for March. The World Meteorological Day on March 23rd marks the start of meteorological spring in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Vernal Equinox heralds the arrival of astronomical spring.

March also holds religious significance. Some theories suggest that Jesus Christ might have been born in the spring, possibly in March. Furthermore, March sometimes hosts the holy celebration of Easter, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The roots of Easter lie in ancient celebrations related to the spring equinox, symbolizing the triumph of life over death and the importance of fertility. In modern times, Easter has become associated with celebrations emphasizing springtime and new life.

As I look back, I realize that March has been a silent companion on my journey, a backdrop to the unfolding story of my life. It’s a month that has given me much to celebrate and much to ponder. So, here’s to March, a month of new beginnings, of celebration, and of reflection.

Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter Rylee, and soon, to my son Colton. And to everyone else, may you find your own reasons to celebrate and cherish the month of March.

Next year, I plan to embrace March with even more enthusiasm. But for now, I’ll leave you with this thought: Every month, every moment is a new beginning. Embrace it, celebrate it, and most importantly, make it count. 🍀

The Importance of the Historic Jefferson Highway to Nevada, Missouri

A group gathered at the historic location of the once tourist camp on Jefferson Highway located on the 200 block of East Walnut in Nevada, Missouri. Photo by: Tim Bradshaw

By: Doug Harper

The Jefferson Highway, named after President Thomas Jefferson, is a significant part of the history and development of Nevada, Missouri. This highway, which was part of the National Auto Trail system, was built in the 1910s. It was marketed as the “Palm to Pine Highway”, referring to the differing trees one would find at either end of the route.

A Route of Historical Significance

The Jefferson Highway Association came into existence in 1915, and the initial routing was conceived between Winnipeg and New Orleans by 1916. The highway was an important thoroughfare for travelers heading north or south throughout the central United States and Canada. The term “highway” meant something very different a hundred years ago than it does today. A highway was an improved road, meaning anything from dirt to macadam to (in very rare cases) paving.

Significantly, the Jefferson Highway was the first international north-south highway. The novelty of a north-south highway in a continent known for westward trails wasn’t lost on its founders.

Impact on Nevada, Missouri

The Jefferson Highway has had a profound impact on Nevada, Missouri. As a part of the Interstate Trail Association, the highway route was a direct route between Fort Des Moines and Fort Leavenworth, making it a practical military road for the transportation of troops. It was also a valuable aid in developing the resources of the counties traversed, a better means of social and business communication, and a lasting benefit to the communities through which it passes.

Moreover, Nevada, Missouri was an important intersection at the Atlantic Pacific Highway, which was the first east-west national highway. This intersection made Nevada a crucial junction for travelers and contributed significantly to its growth and development.

In the early to mid-1920s, the route of the Jefferson Highway was changed to Osage Boulevard. This change brought new establishments onto the route, further enhancing its importance to the city.

The Highway Today

Today, significant sections of the original Jefferson Highway remain unpaved. However, the original Jefferson Highway doesn’t exist in all areas, having been replaced or bypassed by Interstate highways. On the other hand, the original JH became the basis for parts of the U.S. Highway System established in 1926.

Historical Sights and Places on the Historic Route in Nevada, Missouri

• Camp Clark: This site has a rich history dating back to World War II. It served as a prisoner-of-war camp housing German and Italian prisoners. Today, it serves as a training facility for the Missouri National Guard.

• Nevada Inn: A beautiful motel located on the section of Austin Blvd. that was once Jefferson Highway. It offers comfortable rooms and is in proximity to local attractions.

• Casa Azteca: Historically, Casa Azteca was not just a restaurant, but also a tavern and inn. Today, it is a popular Mexican restaurant located at 903 E Subway Blvd, Nevada, MO 64772. It offers a variety of delicious dishes and has options for takeout and dine-in.

• Historic Gas Station Building on Subway Blvd: This former Skelly station housed the Headline Design hair salon in 2010. In 2008, the building was in use as a sandwich shop and convenience store known as the Subway Chalet.

• White Grill: Located at 200 N Commercial St, Nevada, MO 64772, this popular burger restaurant offers a variety of delicious burgers and other dishes.

• Historic Tourist Camp across from Precision Coffee Co on Walnut: This was a place where travelers could camp. It was built by the Norman Company and could accommodate up to 50 cars. Today, Precision Coffee Company is a popular spot located at 224 E Walnut St, Nevada, MO 64772.

• Historic Town Square: The town square in Nevada, Missouri, has a rich history and several buildings dating from pre-Civil War times.

• County Courthouse: The Vernon County Courthouse is located at 100 W. Cherry St, Nevada, MO 64772. It’s one of the oldest courthouses in America.

• Jefferson Lines Bus Station Building (now CDL): After the route change to Osage Boulevard, the Jefferson Lines bus station building, now known as CDL, was added to the route.

• Eddie’s Auto: This establishment, located at 220 N Osage Blvd, Nevada, MO 64772, was a gas station during the time of the Jefferson Highway. Today, it is known as Eddie’s Auto and offers auto repair services.

In conclusion, the historic Jefferson Highway is not just a road that passes through Nevada, Missouri. It is a symbol of the city’s rich history and its role in the development of the central United States. It continues to be a testament to the progress and growth of Nevada, Missouri, and the entire region it traverses.

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