June 2008 Events

Sun June 1
1:30 – 9:30 pm
Taste of Clayton
Shaw Park

Sun June 1
1 - 6pm
Belas Artes presents Art from the East
Workshops & Performances (Free and open to public)
Include: Calligraphy Workshop, Lion Dance Performance, Ikebana Flower Arrangement Workshop, Origami Workshop, Philippine Traditional Folk Dance Performance, Japanese Drumming Performance
1854 Russell, 63104

Sun June 1
Make Tracks for the Zoo 23rd Annual Run/Walk

Wed June 4
5 pm
Whitaker Jazz Festival Begins
Missouri Botanical Garden
Cohen Ampitheatre
Featuring the incomparable Erin Bode , Jazz-pop vocalist and local favorite.
Picnicking is allowed on these nights, so concertgoers are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic suppers to enjoy. Food and drink may also be purchased. The Children’s Garden is free on Whitaker Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.


Wed Fri June 4 – Fri June 6
Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers
Our 2008 Build has kicked-off and we are in need of individual construction volunteers to help us ensure we meet our required number of volunteers during our Phase 1 blitz. We are trying to recruit approximately 80-88 volunteers for Wed, June 4th; Thurs, June 5th & Fri, June 6th. This is an OPEN PLEA, which means you do not have to attend Orientation prior to volunteering!

Thu June 5
6:30 pm
Connect With... Beer & Wine Tasting Event
Cabanne House in Forest Park
Cost: $ 5

Fri June 6 – Sun June 8
Central West End Art Fair and Taste


Fri June 6 – Sat June 7
Wonders of Wildlife at Forest Park
W.O.W National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School teaches participants how to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation activities while practicing personal safety and outdoor responsibility. Classes include Archery, Camping, Fishing, Shooting Sports, Outdoor Skills, Rock Climbing, Nature Arts & Photography, Geocaching, and Outdoor Survival Skills.
Overnight Camping is available, too.

Fri June 6 – Sat June 7
St. Louis MicroFest at Forest Park, Upper Muny Parking Lot
Be sure to visit Ray Hill’s Booth and the VIP Bier Garten sponsored by Ray Hill.
VIP Tickets are an additional $10. Visit the web site for info and base ticket prices.
Proceeds benefit Lift For Life Gym.

Fri June 7
ULYP Gala




Thu June 12 – Sun June 15
30th Annual Superman Celebration of Metropolis, Illinois
Celebrating the 70th Birthday of the Man of Steel.

Fri June 13 – Sat June14
The French Heritage Festival of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
One of the nation's most Distinctive Cities

Tues June 17
5:30 -8:30 pm
After-work Social
Hosted by Candidate for 63rd District State Representative, Tishaura O. Jones
Sol Lounge, 4142 Lindell Blvd.
Minimum suggested donation - $50.

Wed June 18
6 – 8 pm
Wine Tasting with the Young Friends of the Missouri Botanical Gardens
Butterfly House (Chesterfield)

Thu June 19

Party on the Boulevard (across from Galleria)

Music/food

$10 donation

Sat June 21
12 – 3pm
Ray Hill’s Beer Tasting
Provisions Gourmet Market
11615 Olive (Creve Couer)

Sat June 21
Soulard Earth Festival
10am to 6pm
Soulard Park (next to the Soulard Farmers Market).
The day includes the Green Light Bicycle Tour which will weave throughout Soulard every 2 hours, Performances by Earth Driven Artists including the St. Louis Slam Poetry Team and others. There will be informational booths about living earth friendly, a Junior Recycling Activity Tent, and the Living Lot (an interactive chalk art exhibit). The attached poster shows the event in more detail.
This event is being produced by Word In Motion, Bicycle Brand Blank Books, 1860 Saloon, Nadine's Gin Joint with additional funding from the Regional Arts Commission.

Sat June 21
Chocolate Fondue Party
9 pm - 3 am
Simply Fondue - 1629 Locust (Downtown St. Louis)
Neo-Soul, R &B, Chocolate Fondue, Chocolate Martini Specials
$10 General Admission
Presented by SinglesVibe

Sun June 22
1 - 2:30 pm
St. Louis Science Center
Explore and learn about Asia on a trip of music and fun with Belas Artes and the Osuwa Taiko Group

Sun June 22
4 pm
"Landscape in Song" Soloist Opera Performance by Miss Marlissa Hudson - Lyric Coloratura Soprano
Union Memorial Church
1141 Belt Avenue, 63112

Mon June 23
Authors @ Your Library presents Kimberla Lawson Roby
7 pm
Julia Davis Branch Library (corner of Newstead & Natural Bridge)

Tues June 24

6 - 8 pm

After-work Social Hour & African American Leadership Drive

The Charmaine Chapman Society of the United Way of Greater St. Louis

Bentley St. Louis

Tues June 24
6 - 8 pm
Cocktails for a Cause
333 Westport Plaza
$10 Donation to benefit the Missouri Baptist Medical Center's Cancer Center
Complimentary cocktails and Miller Beer provided with donation.


Thu June 26

6 - 9pm

Young Professionals Elimanting Poverty Happy Hour

Presented by CAASTLC

Westport Plaza

$10 donation

Thu June 26
7:30pm
Evening with Japanese Melody "Shinobué"
Violin and Harp by the Watanabe Duo followed by Food and Sake Tasting
Belas Artes Multicultural Center & Art Gallery
1854 Russell 63104
Cost: $35
RSVP (314-772-2787)

Sat June 28
12 – 6pm
1st Annual Beer & Brats Festival of Westport to Benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Be sure to visit Ray Hill’s Booth.

Sat June 28
2 - 6 pm
Metropolis Pool Party
(The Condos not the organization, I got confused myself)
Waterman & Clara - CWE
RSVP to PoolParty2008@alivemag.com

Sat June 28 - Sun June 29
11 am - 8 pm (both days)
St. Louis Pride Fest -- The Midwest's Largest Celebration of the diversity of LGBT community
Tower Grove Park (Grand & Arsenal)
Concerts, Parades, Vendors
free

Ongoing Events - ALL MONTH

Comedy on Parade with Bill Chot – The Improv Trick
Mondays in June
7:30 pm
Mad Art Gallery

Twilight Tuesdays at the Missouri History Museum
Tuesdays in June
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Whitaker Jazz Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens at the Cohen Amphitheater
Wednesdays in June
Free admission after 5 p.m.
All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
Picnicking is allowed on these nights, so concertgoers are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic suppers to enjoy. Food and drink may also be purchased. The Children’s Garden is free on Whitaker Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.



Grooveback Wednesdays
Free admission
Posh (in the Central West End)
Doors open at 7 pm
$3 Martinis until 9 pm, then Needles Spins

Whitaker Urban Evenings Series
Thursdays in June
7 - 9:30 pm
beginning June 19
Free family Concerts
St. Louis Place Park (corner of St. Louis Ave and Rauschenbach in Old North St. Louis)

St. Louis Zoo Presents the US Cellular Jungle Boogie Concert Series
Fridays in June
5:00 – 7:00 pm
"Cha-cha" with the cheetahs, "salsa" with the sea lions or "two-step" with the tigers at Jungle Boogie, the Zoo's Friday Night concert series for the whole family.
Central Plaza
Free admission, Free Parking

Dinoroarus Exhibit at the St. Louis Zoo
Open April 18 through September 1, 2008
Step back in time to see roaring, spitting, moving dinosaurs in this one-of-a-kind walk-through exhibit. Admission is $1.50 for Zoo Friends members and $3 for non-members. Children under two are free.

Niki Exhibit - Colorful, Playful Mosaic Sculptures by Niki De Saint Phalle at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Open April 27 - October 31, 2008
Visit the Garden for Free on Wednesday Morning

Stuff You've Missed Out on - June 2008 - updated

Okay the word is out. GrooveBack Wednesdays at Posh are What's up. I didn't make it, but I heard it was All the Way Live. It was a blast and that I shouldn't miss going the Grooveback Wednesday with DJ Needles ever again. It's free, the drinks are luscious, and the music was right on time.

And the Wine & Beer Tasting sponsored by Connect With... was fabulous. There were well over 100 of St. Louis' most gregarious young professionals. For $5, you could enjoy as many bottles of Schlafly and Ray Hills as you wanted. And Twin Oaks Winery (of Farmington, MO) & Stone Hill Winery (of Hermann, MO) were pouring the entire evening. You really missed out. Plus, a big save by Scott Lapp of River City Professionals. He donated cases of beer from his personal reserve for the event.

Don't miss out on the next Wine Tasting Event sponsored by the Young Friends of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Young Friends’ Wine Tasting

June 18, 2008

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House (near Faust Park in Chesterfield, MO)

6 to 8 p.m.
Sample the best vintages of Mount Pleasant Winery with other young professionals in the beautiful backdrop of the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.
Cost: $20 ($15 for Garden Members)

Ticket price includes appetizers, live music, and a commemorative wine glass.

Space is limited! Reserve your spot today!For more information about this event or Young Friends of the Garden, contact Andrea Sykes or call (314) 577-9432.

I didn't make it, so please, someone leave a comment about how great the event was.

The Urban League Young Professionals Renaisance Gala was fabulous. The house was packed. We had a BALL!!

Late Breaker --I learned about a social networking event sponsored by the RBC. It was simply beautiful. The pool balcony of the Four Seasons...Sorry no pictures available. If anyone wants to offer some pics, please forward them. I'm still learning about the RBC - Regional Business Council, but what I've gleaned, it's a great organization that attracts and retains young professionals in the region. Check them out.

I hope you're not still missing out on all of this GREAT Stuff.

In Memorium Lee "The Rose Man" Nixon

The Rose Man has passed away. Seems he was caught in the middle of gunfire at 3 am this morning at the Soft Touch on the East side. (Yes, you read that right). The Rose Man seemed to be everywhere, all the time. He was a nightclub regular - at all the loca clubs - he sold long-stemmed roses for a modest price. His business was located at the corner of Kingshighway and MLK. Read the developing story from STLToday.com Nightclub fixture the Rose Man silenced by weekend violence.

Rest in Peace.

Organization Spotlight -- River City Professionals

I'm still not exactly sure how I discovered this organization. The best of my pieced together memory tells me that my friend DC forwarded an email about an upcoming event they were hosting and I've been linked in every since.

I attended my first River City Professionals, whew, was it back in 2005...or 2006...2005 it was. I attended the Happy Hour at the Missouri Botanical Garden and I was impressed. I RSVPed for the event and I had a pre-printed self-adhesive name tag waiting for me. WOW!!! I liked that. I met lots of people -- everyone was friendly.

So here is how RCP works.
1. Membership is FREE. You sign up with your email and you get a monthly notice about an upcoming happy hour.
2. The Happy Hours are always on the 3rd Tuesday of the month -- also free -- and the location changes each month
3. Each event features a spotlight on a special vent, organization, charity, or guest. So it's always fresh and novel.
4. People are friendly, especially Scott Lap the founder. Now, if you have no idea who Scott is, you're a wall flower. Scott is The Man About Town in St. Louis. And he's amazingly gracious and generous. Do you need to advertise an event or get the word out about something fabulous, fun, or worthy happening in St. Louis. Just let Scott know and he'll help you get the word out.
5. They host an extensive St. Louis Events calendar and a Blog about local happenings. I feign at being competition for them.

So, check out RCP and maybe I'll see you at an upcoming event. In fact the June RCP Happy Hour is tomorrow (June 17) at the ever-so-nice-but-doesn't-have-enough-exits Mandarin, with special guest Mr. Mike McMillan.