Comings and Goings

The Moxie is Moving

Just in from Moxie Cinema owners Dan and Nicole Chilton, Moxie Cinema is tentatively planning to celebrate its third anniversary, this September, in its new home in Wilhoit Plaza. The larger space will allow for multiple movie houses (which means more films), a full-on lobby, more beverage options, like tap beer, and larger restrooms, in addition to flat-out better projection equipment. We’ll keep you posted on the move as details emerge.

Theatre Announcements: Part II

Springfield Little Theatre and The 2nd Stage weren’t the only ones to announce their 2008-09 lineups in recent weeks: Vandivort Center Theatre is also making plans for a ground-breaking season. You can see the full schedule at vctheatre.com. Here are two shows that caught our eye:

• And the Little Dog Laughed: Rick Dines returns to Springfield to direct this farcical story that lampoons America’s obsession with celebrity and pop culture. The preview warns of PARTIAL NUDITY, SEXUAL CONTENT and SIDE SPLITTING LAUGHTER! Super! Scheduled for spring 2009.

• Assassins: Directed by Gretchen Teague, this Sondheim musical focuses on nine historical figures who attempted (or succeeded in) the assassination of a U.S. president. Assassins was a 2004 Tony Award winner. No date given.

Football, Football

Apparently, football is the new black in the Springfield sporting scene: Two different teams are preparing to start their 2008 seasons, one of them familiar, one of them brand new. Here’s the kicker:

• The Springfield Wolf Pack returns for its second season at Jordan Valley Ice Park. The team’s first game is April 19 against the Kansas Koyotes in Topeka. The next week they’re home against the Missouri Minutemen. Last year the team had a rough start before finishing strong, but the season showed that—if they can get the right team name in the endzone—JVIP makes a pretty convincing football venue.

• The Springfield Lightning are an outdoor team (they’ll usually play behind the Baptist Temple church at 2655 N. Grant Ave.), part of the Central Plains Football League. CPFL teams are made up of eight players on both sides of the ball, playing with Arena rules. If you like your football more grass-stained than JVIP can provide, check out the Lightning at their first home game on March 22 against the Mid-Missouri Outlaws. Tickets are $6, or $25 for a season pass (six games).

Know Any Beautiful Women?

Our older sister is at it again: 417 Magazine is finding the 10 Most Beautiful Women of southwest Missouri. Through April 7 at 5 p.m., 417mag.com is accepting nominations for this honor. Do you know someone with smokin’-hot looks? Just as importantly (if not more so), does she have inner beauty: compassion, intelligence and respect for fellow human beings? Yes? Then nominate her! Fill out our questionnaire at 417mag.com and upload three recent photos. 417 editors will pick a group of finalists; from there, the readers of 417mag.com will decide the 10 Most Beautiful Women in an online poll. We’ll showcase the results in the September ’08 issue and at 417mag.com.

Shameless Plugs

And don’t forget our March 20 GOnection event. This month we’re caffienating the proceedings a bit at Kaldi’s Coffeehouse in Battlefield Marketplace. Come by for a chat and a cup ‘o joe—but don’t think this isn’t a happy hour. Kaldi’s will be supplying some fine adult beverages as well.

• Only nine days remain to vote for the 2008 GO Music Awards. Eight categories are up for grabs based on vote from fans: Go to springfieldgo.com to cast your ballot if you haven’t already. Then make plans to attend Rock’n Ribs on Saturday, April 19, where we’ll announce the winners (plus you’ll hear our five Best Band finalists).