Homes Away from Home
by: Stacey Hajdik

We are not in Kansas anymore, folks. There are a great many innovative minds flocking to the not-so-small-anymore-town of Huntsville. Every where you look a glimpse of progress can be noticed. From the improvements on campus and tattoo shop anniversary parties, to the trendy clothing boutiques on the square, Huntsville seems to be developing in a number of exciting ways. Old hang outs are getting face lifts while new businesses are popping up all over town that are catering to the diferering needs of an ever widening population.

With its current residential make up of college students, professors, doctors, architects, musicians, prison guards, parents, children, teachers, artists, I could go on, it’s also home to a consistently friendly community of business owners striving to surpass its patrons’ entertainment expectations. If you’re looking to get out of the apartment a little more often, meet some new people, and have enough money for groceries, check out some of these updated old favorites.

The Stardust Room

With it’s almost Cheers like atmosphere, the regulars come back again and again to Stardust on the square for its excellent service, full bar and draft beer. There you can find home to a wide range of ages and outlooks. Luci Zuniga, general manager and relative to several other staff members as well as the owner, commented on how exciting the transformation of Huntsville has been in just the short year and a half she’s been working at Stardust.

Open mic and karaoke has been shelved so that energy can be put forth into serving large dinner parties with the occasional live band. “You have to do what’s right for you”, Luci remarked, and they plan to concentrate on celebrations as well as renovating the interior, including the floor and walls. Also featured is a hand-picked, regularly updated music selection in the jukebox including both classic jams as well as fresh, less known musicians.

Doc’s Place Saloon

Although it shares a wall, Doc’s is not part of Americas Best Value Inn. It’s a really great open space with a stage in the left hand corner getting a lot of use. The owner just began hosting open mic night two weeks ago on Wednesday nights. Show starts around 8:30 or 9:00 and Bryan, the head bartender for the past three years, calls random, surprise drink specials every so often, some lasting a thrilling half hour. His call. Doc’s features some form of live music almost every night of the week: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, karaoke. Wednesday, open mic. Tues, they have live band performances.

Lizard’s

If you’re looking to let people in on the fact that your voice sounds amazing when you sing the song you wrote last week, be at Lizard’s, Tuesday night at 9 pm. Open mic has taken on a new look with its newest host, captured in just one word: Cowboy. As you would guess, he leans toward the country and western genre, but all styles are encouraged and appreciated in the upstairs lounge.

Ray Nepveux, head bartender and former host of open mic, looks forward to the crowd on Tuesday nights. There are four or five regulars that get up and perform every week, as well as those who appear every so often and then fade away for while. Ray himself participates, playing guitar; the blues and classic rock. The stage is open until close at 2 am if people are willing and every talent is accepted, from stand up comedy and covering songs, to spoken word. It’s centered in the lounge area upstairs, packed with lush couches and candles. A really intimate setting, one where you’ll find people listening intently on the floor. Another upside to open mic, the bartender knows you’re nervous; 2$ wells from 9-11.