MU students love the typical lunch at Chipotle and seeing the dollar movie at Memorial Student Union. Yet trying new things and college coincide better than Justin Timberlake and an award for anything cool.

Luckily, the North Village Arts District — a region of downtown Columbia that lies in between Ninth Street and College Avenue, and Rogers and Walnut streets — includes numerous exotic spots that should earn students’ attention.

A small chunk of the city, the district offers a glance at the artistic talents and spectacles our town includes. Whether your interests are music, movies or simply hanging out with friends, there is a place in district for you. MOVE investigated a few great locations that deserve your time:

**Mojo’s**
Although everyone on campus _should_ be familiar with this club, it remains somewhat under students’ radar. A seemingly typical dive-bar, Mojo’s has a unique atmosphere that brings in a blend of fantastic music acts. Mojo’s creates a truly intimate experience for both fans and performers, with easy access to front row spots and the surrounding effect of people who genuinely love live music. Between LA punk revivalists FIDLAR, dream-pop innovators Youth Lagoon and indie kings Portugal. The Man, Mojo’s will be hosting an array of great acts in the coming weeks.

**Ragtag Cinema**
Ragtag Cinema is a quaint, nonprofit establishment that works toward promoting independent films by showing new gems and older classics. With the luxury of comfortable couches and chairs, the viewing experience is magnificent at Ragtag. There is plenty of room inside and on its patio for dining and relaxing after your film. In addition, the theater runs an annual four-day documentary film festival, the True/False Film Fest, which has gained critical acclaim from film industry resources such as Indiewire. Tied in with the outstanding location, Ragtag Cinema is one classy spot worth investing your time.

**Ernie’s Café & Steak House**
This classic diner has the hometown feel out-of-towners might need to suppress homesickness. Established in 1934, Ernie’s is Columbia’s oldest full-service restaurant and was voted “Best of Columbia” in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 by Columbia Magazine. Sentimental steak sandwiches, superb service and the inviting diner environment: What more do you need in a restaurant? Stop by Ernie’s for the lunch experience Plaza 900 lacks.

**Missouri Contemporary Ballet**
Not only is Missouri Contemporary Ballet the only professional dance company in Columbia, but it also strives to generate a love for dance. The organization offers classes for anyone, while having nine professional ballerinas who train in its studio. It offers Lecture Demonstrations, in which audiences watch a piece from the company’s showcase and engage in a question and answer session. Missouri Contemporary Ballet is a major element to Columbia’s artistic culture and is worth dance-lovers’ attention.