Lupus, Missouri, population twenty nine, is a small river town off the banks of the Missouri River. If you’re ever to visit this town, it’s not likely that you’ll forget it. The houses are built sky-high on stilts for protection from the river bottom floods. The dogs run free and the rumbling from the train tracks isn’t an uncommon sound. There’s one thing about Lupus that you couldn’t see just by taking a quick three minute tour through the entire town. There’s a spirit that is the essence of this small river town, a spirit that anyone can feel after visiting one of the annual concerts held in the “Lupus General Store” every October.

            It’s referred to as the “Lupus Store Concert Series”. The Lupus Store was at one time one of the few businesses there, but no longer is a store, but a safe haven for folk musicians. Matt Fockler, a traveling gypsy from South Dakota, floated down the river, happened upon Lupus and automatically knew there was something special. He made friends with everyone he met, and invited some of his musical acquaintances out. That was the beginning of the series.

            There are so many things that add to the ambience of the concerts. The instant you walk into this old, rustic building, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The old cash register still sits on the counter and contains aged coins from the early 1900’s. Items that were never sold still sit on the old, dusty shelf, and the prices on an old coca cola board still hang on the wall. The soft, calm lighting from the dimly lit candles and Christmas lights strung up year round add a peaceful feeling to the room. The sweet smell of the burning incense fills the room and relaxes your nerves. The heat from the old woodstove omits warmth throughout the room, which makes you want to curl up closer in the aged and worn antique chairs. Then of course, there’s the musician, who adds the finishing touches to the evening. You begin to forget about your daily dilemmas and become lost in the melodies that fill your ears with delight. You hear stories of travels, love, family, and life. The thing about folk music is that it captures your attention by telling a story that is so easy to relate to. I have yet to visit one of these concerts that do not have an amazing musician. They feel what Lupus is all about, and immediately are welcomed into the community.

The audience is an eclectic group of locals from around the Lupus area. There are the regulars who are there each night, in the same seat, anticipating the concerts’ start. There’s Doug Elley and Meredith Ludwig, who run and organize the concerts. Doug and Meredith own the store and graciously open it up to the public for such a celebration. After talking to Meredith, Doug’s Girlfriend, you’ll walk away smiling, because of her optimistic and beautiful personality. Doris Brizendine is an 82 year old woman who’s lived in Lupus more than half her life. She’s always got a few songs to share in the “after concert song circle”, and is usually one of the very last people to be able to tear themselves away from the store. Alongside Doris is her son and daughter who are often collecting the money at the front door, and bringing extra life to the party. Lee Ruth is a legend songwriter and guitar teacher and can usually be seen somewhere near the front. Lee’s an easy character to pick out with his long graying red beard that goes half way down his torso. Aside from the regulars, there’s always someone new, who you’re able to chat with during the long intermissions. During which, you can mingle in the crowd, while bowls of freshly popped popcorn from the antique popper, is being passed around the room.

After the performance, all the local musicians, or even ones who haven’t picked up a guitar for years, sit in a close circle sharing some of their favorite songs. Each song is different in its own way, and usually brings a tear to at least one person in the room. After a long night of relaxation, fun and socializing, it’s about 1:00 or 2:00 AM, and Doris is packing up her guitar to walk home. Lee’s putting up his mandolin, banjo and guitar into his van to make his trip home, and I’m dreading getting out of my warmed seat and driving home through the cold, brisk air. Everyone begins to wonder where the time has gone, we say our goodbyes, and walk out the door, already awaiting next week’s concert.

            Words are very hard to even begin to describe the amazing things that happen in the Lupus Store. You have to experience it for yourself to feel the spirit that brings everyone back to Lupus each fall.