Springfield’s musical meals

These four eateries will fill your belly and your ears.

This story is not written without a pang of sadness: A year ago, we would have included Nick, Ruell and Ned the Band and their weekly McSalty’s gigs on this list. Alas, the group no longer plays for pizza-eaters, and so we move on. Fortunately, we have four other favorite joints that can get our toes tapping.

Nanta drum show at Mijuri

Every Friday and Saturday, Mijuri Sushi and Rythm’s extra-friendly sushi chefs break out the sticks and bang them on myriad drums—some of them behind the counter, others hanging above their heads from the ceiling. Executive chef Leo Park’s crew lets loose with four or five minutes of rhythmic bliss every 15 minutes or so, ensuring all weekend diners get a chance to watch, and they’ll play for diners’ birthdays, too. It’s all part of the happening weekend nightlife at one of our favorite new sushi joints. 2710 S. Campbell Ave., 417-889-9593

The Cast Party Open-Mic Night at Nonna’s Italian-American Café

When Tim Caldwell and Martin Almarez took over ownership of Nonna’s almost a year ago, they began looking for a way to improve the restaurant’s Sunday night crowd (who downtown isn’t). Welcome to The Cast Party, which features special guests (on April 29 it’s Samantha Barboza) and downtown theatre regulars singing show tunes and classical type stuff from 6–8 p.m. Employees say it can get pretty busy, so get there early or make a reservation. 306 South Ave., 417-831-1222

Jimmy Guy and Howard Gayles at Easy’s

If different is what you want, the musical offerings at Easy’s are just as original as the menu options. Jimmy Guy plays blues covers and Zydeco (a version of Creole funk) on Fridays, while Howard entertains the room with softer, romantic covers and soul music on Saturday. Both singers begin at 6:30 p.m. and play straight through until 9:30 or 10 p.m. 1710 S. Glenstone Ave., 417-881-3939

Rock Creek at Gailey’s

Here’s something novel: music with your breakfast! Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe will not only cure your hangover with tasty hash browns on the weekend, but soothe you with acoustic cover songs, too. On Sunday, Rock Creek—a two-man group featuring Drew Holt and Dennis Longwell on guitar, harp (for real!) and mandolin—is a mainstay. We always thought coffee goes down better with a string version of “Over the Rainbow.” Rock Creek’s hours differ from week to week, staffers say, but if you’re there between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., you should catch the show. 220 E. Walnut St., 417-866-5500