☕️ Suck it up, Daylight-Saving-Time-Blamer

Good Morning, Joplin. If you’re feeling a little off today, you’re not alone. Daylight Saving Time kicked in over the weekend, which means we all lost an hour of sleep and gained the annual debate about whether the whole thing should exist in the first place.

Some people say the extra evening sunlight is worth it. Others say they’ll need three days and a gallon of coffee to recover.

Either way, the week is officially underway—and as always, there’s plenty happening around town.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• The circus

• A new StoryWalk

• Easter Bunny photos

• Wild horse adoptions

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who’s been blaming Daylight Saving Time for being late, tired, hungry, and slightly emotionally unstable.

🎭 Alice @ Wonderland Comes to Joplin Little Theatre

March 12–14 | 7:30 PM
March 15 | 2:30 PM
Joplin Little Theatre | 3009 W 1st St, Joplin

What happens when a 21st-century Alice falls down the rabbit hole? Joplin Little Theatre’s Alice @ Wonderland delivers a fast, funny modern twist on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. This playful retelling keeps all your favorite characters—the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, and Queen of Hearts—while giving Alice a distinctly modern edge… including a cell phone in hand.

Perfect for all ages, this imaginative production blends classic storytelling with contemporary humor for a whimsical night at the theatre.

🎟️ Tickets available at the JLT box office or online.

🎭 Talley’s Folly Comes to the MSSU Stage

The Missouri Southern State University theatre department will present Talley’s Folly, the Pulitzer Prize–winning romantic drama by Lanford Wilson, with performances March 12–14 at the Bud Walton Black Box Theatre on the MSSU campus. Set in a Victorian boathouse in 1944 Missouri, the story follows a determined accountant who unexpectedly finds love and connection with Sally Talley in a heartfelt tale of honesty, humor, and hope.

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for seniors and MSSU staff, and $8 for students and children, while MSSU students can attend for free. Showtimes include evening performances at 7:30 PM on March 12 and 13, with a 2:00 PM matinee on March 14. Click here for more information and tickets.

🎪 Tarzan Zerbini Circus

The Tarzan Zerbini Circus is returning to the Joplin area March 12–15 with multiple performances at Cardinal Plaza in Webb City (1899 S. Madison St.). The traveling circus will bring a lineup of performers from across North America, featuring elephants and horses, aerialists, flying trapeze artists, Mongolian acrobats, clowns, and a high-energy motorcycle stunt team.

Shows are hosted by ringmaster Joseph Bauer, and tickets are now on sale with general admission starting at $25, VIP seating options available, and children ages three and under admitted free when seated on an adult’s lap. Organizers say the event promises a classic circus experience packed with family-friendly entertainment.

📚 New StoryWalk Celebration Plan at Leonard Park

Families across the Joplin area are invited to celebrate the unveiling of a new story at the Leonard Park StoryWalk on Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 AM. Hosted by One Joplin, the free event will feature crafts, interactive family activities, photo opportunities with Freeman’s Freddie the Fox, and complimentary children’s books. Community resources from Joplin Parents as Teachers will also be available for families.

The StoryWalk will highlight the book Petey Perfectpants by Kelley Donner, a playful story about individuality and confidence. Presented in partnership with Freeman Health System, Ozark Center, and Joplin Parks and Recreation, the Leonard Park StoryWalk places pages of a children’s book along a park path, encouraging families to read together while enjoying the outdoors. The event is free and open to the public.

🐰 Easter Bunny Photos Return to Northpark Mall

Spring is in the air, and families can once again visit the Easter Bunny at Northpark Mall. Easter Bunny photo sessions will run March 14 through April 4, giving families plenty of opportunities to capture a festive spring memory.

The experience features a themed “Easter Bunny’s Garden” photo set designed for family keepsakes. Reservations are encouraged to secure a time slot, though walk-ins will also be welcome throughout the season.

Click here to reserve your spot.

🐎 Wild Horse Adoption Event at Civil War Arena

The Bureau of Land Management will host a Wild Horse and Burro adoption event March 12–14 at the Civil War Arena in Carthage (11838 Civil War Ave). The event will feature a limited number of horses and burros gathered from western rangelands and made available for adoption through the agency’s placement program.

Attendees will have opportunities to view the animals, participate in competitive bidding, and adopt available horses and burros on a first-come, first-served basis. BLM staff will be on site to answer questions and assist with adoption applications, and prospective adopters are encouraged to apply in advance through the Wild Horses Online portal.

Tuesday: 🌡️ 66 | 80 ⛈️ 35%

Wednesday: 🌡️ 43 | 68 ⛈️ 75%

Thursday: 🌡️ 36 | 60 ☀️ 

Recap:

🏀 Men’s Basketball (18-13) at MIAA Championship Tournament in KC
Saturday 3/7 vs Rogers State | L 72-70

🏀 Women’s Basketball (20-10)
Friday 3/6 vs #5 Northwest Missouri | L 60-45

⚾️ Baseball (9-10)
Friday 3/6 at Northwest Missouri State University | L 8-2
Saturday 3/7 at Northwest Missouri State University | L 9-3
Sunday 3/8 at Northwest Missouri State University | L 4-3

🥎 Softball (21-3)
Saturday 3/7 at HOME vs Minnesota State University | W 7-1, W 9-1

👟Men’s & Women’s Track & Field 
Friday 3/6 - Saturday 3/7 at Harding University | Recap

Upcoming:

⚾️ Baseball (9-10)
Friday 3/13 at HOME vs Washburn University | 3:00 PM
Saturday 3/14 at HOME vs Washburn University | 1:00 PM
Sunday 3/15 at HOME vs Washburn University | 1:00 PM

🥎 Softball (21-3) at Teri Mathis-Zenner MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament
Friday 3/13 vs St. Cloud State University | 3:00 PM
Friday 3/13 vs St. Cloud State University | 5:00 PM
Saturday 3/14 vs University of Sioux Falls (SD) | 1:00 PM
Saturday 3/14 vs University of Sioux Falls (SD) | 3:00 PM

Tuesday

🎬 Academy Award Winners Trivia at Royale Cinema Lounge: Roll out the red carpet and test your movie knowledge with a trivia night focused on recent Oscar-winning films. Bring your friends and see how well you remember Hollywood’s biggest award winners.

🧠 Trivia Night at Tropicana Bar & Grill: Gather your team for free live trivia every Tuesday at 7:00 PM with gift card prizes on the line for the top teams. Enjoy drinks, friendly competition, and a lively pub quiz atmosphere while testing your knowledge across a mix of fun categories.

Wednesday

🎶 Milligan University Concert Choir and Heritage: Experience an inspiring evening of choral music at Park Plaza Christian Church as Milligan University’s Concert Choir and a cappella ensemble Heritage present Shelter in a Time of Storm. The program features sacred classics, spirituals, and contemporary worship pieces celebrating faith, hope, and God’s provision through life’s storms.

📺 2000’s Disney Channel Trivia: Take a trip back to the golden era of Disney Channel with a fun trivia night at B&B Theatres Joplin 7 & B-Roll Bowling. It’s free to play, open to all ages, and packed with nostalgic questions plus prizes for the top teams.

Thursday

🧠 Trivia Night at Flag City Brewing: Grab your friends and test your knowledge with a lively trivia night covering current events, music, history, pop culture, and more. Compete through rounds like crosswords, matching, and picture clues before wagering it all in the final round for a chance to win prizes.

Friday

🕵️ Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: Step into the Roaring Twenties at Twin Hills Golf & Country Club for Death of a Gangster, an interactive mafia-themed murder mystery dinner where secrets, mobsters, and wedding drama collide. Enjoy dinner and a live show while mingling with suspects and unraveling the mystery—1920s attire encouraged for full Gatsby-era flair.

🎨 Studio 55: Open Studio: Adults ages 55+ are invited to enjoy a relaxed creative session at Spiva Center for the Arts, offering dedicated studio time to work on personal projects in a welcoming, social environment. Participants can bring their own materials or use Spiva’s supplies while connecting with fellow artists and exploring new ideas.

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