In its 34th year, the Historic Avenue Theatre in beautiful downtown West Plains is pleased to announce several free shows for Music Festival visitors on June 7-8.
West Plains Story Tour
Noon June 7 and 8
The theatre will show the film of the “West Plains Story Tour,” an “Ozarks Deep: Story Trail” film brought to you by the West Plains Council of the Arts. You will be able to explore the significant and historical places of the Ozarks while sitting in a comfortable theatre seat. You will see the people of this unique area as they share their stories, photos, memories, and conversations of a time that needs to be remembered.
Avenue Schedule 2024
Friday June 7
12:00 Story Tour of West Plains film
2:00 Lin Waterhouse – WP Dance Hall Explosion
4:00 Danette House – Language of the Ozarks
7:00 Old Time Variety Show
Saturday June 8
12:00 Story Tour of West Plains film
2:00 Lin Waterhouse – WP Dance Hall Explosion
4:00 Danette House- How West Plains started
5:00 Lin and Danette -WP Explosion/Civil War in the Ozarks
“The West Plains Dance Hall Explosion” by Lin Waterhouse: author, researcher, writer, speaker – Friday the 7th at 2 pm, and Saturday the 8th at 2 pm.
“Virtually an earthly hell.” That was the description from a witness to the firestorm that destroyed the 100 Block of East Main Street in the south-central Missouri town of West Plains on April 13, 1928. The conflagration followed a massive explosion, heard 20 miles away.
That evening, sixty people had gathered on a cold, rainy Friday the Thirteenth to socialize and dance to the popular tunes of the time. Most were young, the sons and daughters of the most prominent citizens of West Plains and surrounding towns. That night, 39 people died and more than 20 others were injured in the horrific disaster that changed the lives of their family and friends and the future of their communities forever.
Lin Waterhouse has written the factual account of the explosion and its aftermath in her book “The West Plains Dance Hall Explosion”. In her video-assisted talk at the Avenue Theater, she speaks of the disaster, its victims, and the possible causes of the still-unexplained explosion.
“Ozarks-Speak” by Danette House, Traditional Ozarks Storyteller – Friday the 7th at 4 pm.
Prepare for a fast moving, interactive program where you will be quizzed, tested, and entertained by “Ozarks-Speak,” the unique language and culture of the Ozarks of South Missouri and North Arkansas. From the early Scots-Irish settlers to the present-day community, we’ll dig into the evolution of the Ozark dialect.
Dive into the intriguing world of unusual words such as “donnick, jillikins, and lairipin.” Explore unique place names such as “Hog Danger, Seed Tick, and Yankee Doodle.” This is your gateway to understanding and perhaps recalling some “old saws” (sayings) that have sprung up and passed down through generations. We’ll talk about the very common sayings like “I’m obliged,” the unusual “jeet?” and the downright odd “drunker than Cooter Brown.” Through engaging discussion, you may even find that you still have a few in your vocabulary.
Whether you are a native Ozarks speaker, history buff, or simply curious about this distinctive corner of America, “Ozarks-Speak” promises to leave you with a profound appreciation for the linguistic treasures hidden within this remarkable region.
The History of West Plains, Missouri by Danette House, Traditional Ozarks Storyteller – Saturday the 8th at 4 pm.
We’ll start by looking at the original residents of the area, the Osage Indian Tribe. Established by the Josiah Howell family in 1839, the town of West Plains was officially named in 1858. Initially, it grew to a population of 300 by 1860. However, by 1865, the town was gone.
The Civil War, spanning from 1861 to 1864, deeply divided the community. Guerrilla warfare tactics led to the town being burned down, leaving nothing but rubble. As the former residents returned to rebuild in 1865, they found themselves under martial law, struggling to reconcile with former enemies and move past old grievances.
Despite these hardships, the town experienced a resurgence in the 1880s, sparked by the construction of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad. This development put West Plains prominently on the map, with its population doubling and tripling in a short period. The era saw the emergence of numerous businesses, and the Downtown Square began to take shape around the Howell County Courthouse. Many of these historic buildings still stand today.
This presentation seeks to weave together the narratives that demonstrate the town’s resilience and enduring spirit. Through stories of both triumph and tragedy, we’ll celebrate the lasting legacy of those who have made West Plains their home.
“The Civil War in Howell and Ozark Counties” by Danette House, Traditional Ozarks Storyteller AND “The West Plains Dance Hall Explosion” by Lin Waterhouse: author, researcher, writer, speaker –
Saturday the 8th from 5 pm to 6:30pm. (Rated PG due to subject matter)
In the American Civil War, “brother against brother” is an often-used title, describing the predicament faced by Ozarkers who had to choose between the pull of family kinship and loyalty and their strongly held political and moral beliefs. In this true story, the narrator tells of her three generations of Hawkins ancestors who settled in Missouri in 1838.
The founder of the clan, Benjamin Hawkins, had four grandsons who grew up together at Hawkins Ridge. Strong bonds of kinship were formed between B.F., Calvin, William, and Washington (Wash) Hawkins. However, in 1861 these ties would be broken. Two chose to become Confederate guerilla fighters or bushwhackers. They rode the countryside destroying the lives of pro-Union neighbors that they knew. One joined the Union Army, and another just disappeared. Add fiery Union Captain William Monks and his obsession with finding and killing the Hawkins “traitors” to the mix and it makes for a gripping tale of camaraderie, animosity, and the enduring legacy of those who grappled with love and hatred amidst the chaos of war.
“Virtually an earthly hell.” That was the description from a witness to the firestorm that destroyed the 100 Block of East Main Street in the south-central Missouri town of West Plains on April 13, 1928. The conflagration followed a massive explosion, heard 20 miles away.
That evening, sixty people had gathered on a cold, rainy Friday the Thirteenth to socialize and dance to the popular tunes of the time. Most were young, the sons and daughters of the most prominent citizens of West Plains and surrounding towns. That night, 39 people died and more than 20 others were injured in the horrific disaster that changed the lives of their family and friends and the future of their communities forever.
Lin Waterhouse has written the factual account of the explosion and its aftermath in her book “The West Plains Dance Hall Explosion.” In her video-assisted talk at the Avenue Theater, she speaks of the disaster, its victims, and the possible causes of the still-unexplained explosion
