A Music Issue

This week's issue is heavy on music and Cape G.

"Wait a minute... this sounds like rock and/or roll!"

-Reverend Lovejoy, the Simpsons

Day Tripping - The Underberg House Concerts,
Cape Girardeau, MO

This week's day trip is less of a day trip and more of an evening experience.

Attempt at an Explanation

Touring musicians often have gaps between gigs. They're faced with questions like where do you play and where do you stay while crossing the country, going from show A to show B?

That's where generous people like the Underberg's come in. Larry and Jean Underberg have been opening their home to rock and blues musicians for the last 26 years, giving them a place to stay AND PLAY in Cape G before the next leg of their trip.

And if you're asking, "Well, why should I care, Caitlan?" Because not only do they open their home to musicians...they open their home to you, the community, to go sit on their sofas and kitchen chairs, and watch melt-your-face-amazing bands.

I have looked into it, and it is not a covert operation to harvest organs for the black market.

The Kelli Baker Band at the Underberg House, August 2026

The Need-to-knows

Where to get the info: When the Underberg's have a show lined up, they post it on their Facebook page - Underberg House Concerts, and it's usually shared to Facebook groups like CapeGThePlaceToB and SEMO Activities and Events.
Getting "tickets": Space is limited. You'll need to call and reserve your seat. The phone number is 573-270-1009.
Cost: There's no entrance fee. It's totally donation based, so take some cash! All cash goes straight to the musicians. The Underberg's are in it for the love of music. WEIRD, I KNOW. I take a lot of comfort in knowing there are people out there motivated by passion instead of cash. If you'd like some tipping guidance, $20 is a pretty typical donation for the band.
Vibe: It's not a party scene. If you are a chill adult who enjoys music, and you would like to share a tune-filled experience with about 20 other chill adults who enjoy music, this is for you. But it's not an uppity scene either. I was worried I was headed for some kind of mansion with white carpets where you have to take your shoes off and pretend to understand tennis. But nope. It's a very lovely, but normal, home with down-to-earth folks who are still not harvesting your organs.
Concessions: This is a home, so there is no bar or line cook. You can bring in food and something to drink, though.
Crossing the threshold: When you first pull up, it feels really weird walking up to someone's home in a residential neighborhood and knocking on their door, "Excuse me, ma'am, is this the concert house?". I circled the house three times and thought about going home before getting over the weirdness and knocking anyway. It was worth the reward.
Bonus benefit: This relaxed and intimate environment makes it easy to meet the band. Local musicians, this is a great way to meet touring musicians and pick their brain about going on the road.

Upcoming Shows

There are only two shows left in the season:

Friday, September 4 - The Kurt Allen Band - A full band rock/blues show
Friday, September 11 - LoJo Russo - a solo acoustic act.

Call and book a seat!

House Concerts Have Caught On

The Underberg's aren't the only ones inviting touring musicians and local listeners into their homes. Follow Cape G Rocks for their house concert announcements, too.

And if you would like to host your own house concert, Shawn Wood from Cape G Rocks will help you set it up. You can contact her here.

SIGHTING: Funny how some of our more common birdies in the area are among the most drop-dead gorgeous. BEHOLD! Cyanocitta cristata.

TRAVEL RADIO: Marble Hill, Missouri (2-minute listen), in partnership with KRCU Public Radio.

REVEALING MY SOURCES: When preparing the Events section, I always check Scout Hall's events page. There's gold in them thar hills.

TRAVEL VIDEO SHORT: The Greenway Trail, Paducah, KY

ANNOUNCEMENT 1: The Yule Log Cabin has opened back up for the season! Who's up for Christmas in September? At least you'll beat the crowds.

ANNOUNCEMENT 2: The Red Cedar Challenge is back! Each year, for the entire month of September, Giant City State Park gives away a patch to those who complete an interesting outdoor challenge: walk the 12 miles of the rugged Red Cedar Trail and complete puzzles along the way. The miles can be spread out over multiple days.

Made Around Here - Map My Gig

This week, we have a creative local spotlight: music promoter and Cape G Rocks Founder, Shawn Wood.

After taking a vibe coding class, this Cape Girardeau native got to work solving a problem she saw over and over: musicians struggled filling the dead days between shows.

So, she created an app: Map My Gig.

Map My Gig helps anyone on tour determine the optimal route and book shows along it. Shawn is helping independent artists (musicians, comedians, speakers, authors, and anyone on the road), make more money by booking more gigs.

How genius is that? I can't wait to see her on the Missouri Wall of Fame. Tell all your musician friends looking to book more shows. Tell all your investor friends who want in on a cool thing.

Map My Gig is not a sponsor. I just have a great eye for cool people and cool stuff to share with cool readers.

Want to share an upcoming event with 2,300+ Southeast Missourians looking for things to do? Read more about how to add an event to Backroad Weekly's 'This Weekend's Happenings'.

This Weekend’s Happenings

Fri, Sept 04

Mix Tape Music Bingo at the Riverhouse, Scott City, MO - "Come and have some fun with your friends and listen to some great tunes for prizes. Registration required. Free and all supplies are provided." 6:30-8:30pm

Tunes at Twilight, Cape Girardeau, MO - Live tunes at scenic Ivers Square in downtown Cape-y G. Free to attend. 6:30pm

Labor Day Sale at Midwest Kayak, Cape Girardeau, MO - Like to fish and don't want a big ol' boat? Want to get into those hard-to-reach spots where a big ol' boat won't get you? Or maybe you're looking to make your love affair with the Ozark Riverways more official. It's a great time to buy kayaks. Get $150-$300 off kayaks and 15% off everything else in the store! He also has backpacking gear.

First Friday with the Arts, Cape Girardeau, MO - If you're going to be out running around downtown Cape, checking out First Friday happenings, might as well kick it all off at the Arts Council.

Underground Jazz: Conspiracy Deliracy, Cape Girardeau, MO - "The brainchild of bassist and composer Andrew Binder, Conspiracy Deliracy features original compositions crossed between modern jazz, pop music icons, and conspiracy theories. The music is tongue-in-cheek commentary on the delusional era of misinformation, sensitively interpreted by some of the Midwest’s top jazz musicians." That whole description is such a ride that I just decided to copy/paste it.

Underberg House Concerts, Cape Girardeau, MO - Check out the Kurt Allen Band - A full band rock/blues show.

Tribute to Jimmy Buffet, Jackson, MO - Free show, all the hits, food & drink vendors, clean bathrooms (they know the way to your hearts), family & pet friendly, your lawn chairs & coolers are welcome. Get there early to grab the perfect spot.

Benton Neighbor Days, Benton, MO - STAY CALM! Small town fair season has begun!!!!

Labor Day Art Walk, Piedmont, MO - While you're out on the water at Clearwater Lake this Labor Day weekend, take a walk around town and see what the local artists have been up to.

Trash Blast, Thebes, IL - The Shawnee National Forest Service, Friends of the Shawnee, and Illinois Extension are partnering to host annual fall Trash Blasts to pick up litter and keep the Shawnee beautiful! This weekend will be at Bean Ridge in Alexander County. 1pm to 3pm.

Off the Rails Concert Series, Carbondale, IL - Downtown Carbondale offers five nights of free live music from August through October 2026. 6-9pm

Wicked Paducah, Paducah, KY - A red light district, moonshiners, unsolved murders, and shady characters. Learn all about the city's unsavory past on this walking tour. 16+, $13, 7pm.

Sat, Sept 05

Benton Neighbor Days, Benton, MO - Carnival rides, food, entertainment, and grade-a people watching.

Downtown Cruise-in Car Show, Perryville, MO - "Whether you’re showing off a ride or just love admiring vintage vehicles, the Cruise-In is the perfect way to spend a Saturday night downtown." 5-8pm. I bet they love a good Jeremy Clarkson impersonation.

Downtown Farmers' Market, Sikeston, MO - "Every Saturday until October 24 from 7:30am to sellout (usually around 11am or earlier)."

Labor Day Weekend at Fort D Historic Site, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Visit with local reenactors as they interpret the Civil War in Cape Girardeau. Visitors can get a glimpse of life during the 1860’s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, admission is free."

Cape Riverfront Market, Cape Girardeau, MO - "A wide variety of vendors selling hot breakfast & lunch foods, farm-fresh produce, meats & cheeses, baked goods, jams, honey, flowers & plants, arts & crafts, and natural wellness products locally grown, handmade, and homemade." All set to the tunes of live music. 8am-12pm.

Cathedral Cave Off-trail Tour, Leasburg, MO - Go beyond the traditional cave tour. Go no-rails and no-trails on a wild caving excursion hosted by Missouri State Parks. Led by an experienced guide. You'll climb, crawl, and get muddy. $75. Must register. 10am. Saturday, Sept 5

Cathedral Cave Night Tours, Leasburg, MO - Take a guided hike along a trail under the stars before stepping into the cavern into a new "night". $15. Saturday, Sept 5.

Remarkable Reptiles, Makanda, IL - Join a forester and reptile enthusiast as he shares fascinating snake facts and shows off some slithery friends.

Mum & Market Day at the Patch, Marion, IL - The fall festivals are already starting, too! Browse jumbo home-grown mums, 40+ local vendors, food trucks, a corn maze, carriage rides, goat feeding, and live music. $5 per car. 9am-4pm

Grand Rivers Arts & Crafts Festival, Grand Rivers, KY - It's Kentucky's largest arts and crafts festival! Only about a 2-hour drive from Cape Girardeau, MO.

Sun, Sept 06

Labor Day Weekend at Fort D Historic Site, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Visit with local reenactors as they interpret the Civil War in Cape Girardeau."

Grand Rivers Arts & Crafts Festival, Grand Rivers, KY - 115+ vendors, food trucks, and live music.

Mon, Sept 07
Happy Labor Day! aka bonus adventure day

Labor Day Weekend at Fort D Historic Site, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Visitors can get a glimpse of soldier life during the 1860’s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, admission is free."

Grand Rivers Arts & Crafts Festival, Grand Rivers, KY - Kentucky's largest arts and crafts festival is waving you across the river.

Plan Ahead - The Fun You Can't Improvise

Archery for Beginners, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn the basics of shooting a compound bow. Get the rundown on mechanics and safety and then start practicing your aim! 5-6:30pm. Tuesday, Sept 8.

Auditions for the Haunted Hall of Horror, Cape Girardeau, MO - Earn some extra cash in October while scaring the crap out of people. Go audition to work at a haunted house! Sept 8 & 9

Rocky Ledges Fun Run, Makanda, IL - 5K/10K run/walk on the trails. Open to all ages, abilities, and skills. Hosted by SIU's Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. Saturday, Sept 12

Birds & Brew, Puxico, MO - Grab some coffee and hit the trail for a guided birdwatching tour along the boardwalk trail at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. 7-10am. One mile. Binoculars available. No experience required. Saturday, Sept 12

Intro to Wild Caving, Perryville, MO - Last chance this year!!! Learn the basics of caving and explore a real, wild cave with expert guides. These sessions only run a handful of times each year and spots are limited. No experience necessary. No squeezing through tight spaces necessary. Info session Thursday, September 17. Cave exploration Saturday, September 19.

Harvest Moon Paddle, Ullin, IL - Paddle through an ancient cypress-tupelo swamp under the harvest moon. One of Southern Illinois' most unique guided tours, and it only comes around about once a month. Saturday, September 26.

City of Roses 5k & Half Marathon, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Run along a paved trail through residential Cape and into the county. Wind around paved roads, past farms, tree-filled woods, and beautiful homes." Sunday, September 27.

Historic & Primitive Skills: Making a Longbow, Cape Girardeau, MO - Use hand tools to make your own hickory longbow. 15 years and older. Woodworking skills recommended. You'll need upper arm strength. Oct 1, 2, and 3.

Tour de Cape, Cape Girardeau, MO - A charity ride that takes off from downtown Cape Girardeau, MO with 15, 30, and 60-mile routes. Saturday, October 3rd.

Devil's Toll Race, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park - A 13-mile event "across one of the most scenic & rugged landscapes Missouri's Ozark Trail has to offer" with a hike option and a run option. Proceeds benefit the Ozark Trail Association. Saturday, October 3rd.

Mississippi River Overnight Adventure, Cape Girardeau, MO - "A relaxed overnight adventure down the Mighty Mississippi River, including a stay on the beautiful grounds of The Riverhouse Winery!" October 3-4.

For each event, you’ll find more info at the link.
*Because these events are upcoming, they have not been vetted. Party at your own discretion.

"Have you been?"

Sometimes on social media, when I post pictures or videos of a place, someone will comment, "Have you been?"

The answer is yes. Yes, I have. The pictures and videos are mine...from when I went.

Believe it or not, there are not a lot of free, open-source stock images of Southeast Missouri on Canva.

Besides, vetting destinations before I recommend them is kind of the whole point. Sometimes, I'll get a recommendation from a sponsor or readers, but I'll always make that clear.

*Events have not been vetted. I'd need a time machine and 10 employees.

WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: SINKHOLE

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