From the sex lives of flowers, to the appetites of leaves, Rob Ferrett and Veronica Rueckert’s guest discusses the secret and often wild world of plants. Rob and Veronica also learn about an effort to tie public funding for Milwaukee parks and recreation spaces to funding for a new arena for the Bucks, and in Curious Wisconsin, hear about a barn that’s becoming known as a hot, local music venue.
Featured in this Show
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How An Old Barn Became Spring Green's Hottest Music Venue
Maybe it’s fitting that a barn would turn out to be one of the hippest music venues in Wisconsin.
The Sh*tty Barn, located in Spring Green, Wis., has established a reputation for great music and a unique atmosphere, but it almost didn’t turn out that way, said founder Chris Staples. He said he purchased the barn with the intention of starting a brewery, but his plans were put on hold due to a bad economy.
“We were sitting on property and a building that was being unused and unfulfilled,” Staples said. “We started to do some art and music events there, and couldn’t help but note that it sounded great, and people liked being there.”
And so the Sh*tty Barn was born. Shows take place on Wednesday nights, with occasional performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.Staples said he didn’t have to put any work into improving the acoustics of the barn, as the sound was perfect as-is.
“It’s absolutely a happy accident of that space,” he said.
Staples said what sets the Barn apart from other musical venues is the way it brings the artist and audience together. With no stage in the barn, it brings the two sides together and allows for more intimate interaction. He pointed out that some artists are skeptical at first, especially considering the name of the venue, but ultimately are won over.
“When artists arrive and play, and have a very receptive and attentive audience, it really makes a difference for them,” he said.
The musical styles tend to run the gamut at the Sh*tty Barn, Staples said.
“Stylistically, we’re kinda all over the map,” Staples said.
When booking bands, there’s one big criteria for Staples: He has to like the music.
“We have to be really interested in what an artist is doing to want to spend our Wednesday with them,” he said.
The barn shoots for a mix of about one-third local artists, one-third national touring artists, and one-third regional artists.
Since opening, Staples said response to the barn has been largely welcoming, and he’s developed a good relationship with the town of Spring Green, which is emerging as a destination for the arts in southwestern Wisconsin. The 2014 season is just getting underway, with shows lasting until October.
A full list of upcoming shows can be found at the Sh*tty Barn’s website.
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Secrets Of The Plant World
As we begin the growing season, our guests take us on a tour of the secret world of plants, from the sex lives of flowers, to the appetites of leaves.
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Funding For New Bucks Arena Should Also Fund Milwaukee County Parks
With public funding for a new arena should come funding for parks and recreation spaces in Milwaukee County. That’s according to the group Common Ground, who says if the Bucks get a nice place to play, so should our kids.
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The Sh*tty Barn Sessions
What happens when you fix up a dilapidated barn in Spring Green and transform it into a thriving music venue? We’ll find out when we talk to the founder of The Sh*tty Barn. And although we can’t say the venue’s name on the air, the music it houses is making waves all over the Midwest.
Episode Credits
- Rob Ferrett Host
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Chris Malina Producer
- Galen Druke Producer
- Chris Staples Guest
- Ruth Kassinger Guest
- Jennifer O'Hear Guest
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