Clydesdale Camera Day--May 1

On the first Saturday of every month from 11am to 1pm you can have your picture taken with an Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale. If you've never seen one of these gentle giants in person be prepared to be amazed. They are huge and beautiful!

The picture area will be set up in the parking lot of the brewery, close to the entrance for tours. For more information, see the Anheuser-Busch website or call 314-577-2626.

Herb Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden--May 1

Don't miss Herb Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden, presented by the Garden Gate Shop and the St. Louis Herb Society. Herbs are perfect for growing in small spaces like apartments and balconies, so if you've been looking to grow something this would be a great place to start!

Choose from a wide selection of potted fresh herbs, including new and hard-to-find varieties. The society’s popular cookbook, periodicals and curry powder will also be available. Herb Society members will give demonstrations and guidance on selecting, planting, growing and using herbs. The show will run from 9am to 5pm in the Orthwein Floral Display Hall. Entry to the herb show is included with Garden admission, which is free on Saturday before noon for city and county residents.

St Louis Storytelling Festival--Apr 28-May 1

There's more than I could ever begin to list happening at the annual St Louis Storytelling Festival! The Storytelling Festival has been around for 30 years(!) and this year starts Wednesday, April 28, and continues through Saturday, May 1.

There are so many events that I can't even list the schedule, but know that there will be stories for adults, ghost stories, stories for the deaf, storytelling concerts and spiritual storytelling.

For the complete schedule, see the St Louis Storytelling Festival website. For more information, call 314-516-6590.

Genesis Jazz Project Concert--Apr 27

I'm a big fan of jazz so I'm excited to be able to present this concert at the Touhill Performing Arts Center!

Presented by the UMSL Department of Music, the Genesis Jazz Project will be performing some of the great standards of concert jazz. Both the Big Band and the smaller Combos will be performing. Admission is free and the concert starts at 7:30pm.

St Louis Symphony Community Concert--April 25

Join the St Louis Symphony in celebrating the career of conductor Robert Ray with a concert on Sunday evening at 6pm. West Side Missionary Baptist Church (4675 Page Blvd) will host the concert featuring Roland Carter as the guest conductor and the Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus.

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the IN UNISON Chorus and to commemorate the final concert under the baton of Robert Ray, who is retiring at the end of this season, the 2009-10 ensemble will be joined by former members of the chorus in performing Dr. Ray's "Gospel Mass."

For more information see the SLSO Community Calendar or call 314-286-4432.

Earth Day Festival in Forest Park--April 25

Don't miss this year's Earth Day festival in Forest Park! There is something for everyone--lots to do and and even more to see! Activities will take place from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, April 25, on the Muny grounds in Forest Park.

Check out the educational exhibits and hands-on activities, three stages of music and entertainment, an Earth Day Cafe with local and earth-friendly foods (available for purchase) and an All-Species Parade (dress as your favorite species and join in the fun!).

For more information, see the St Louis Earth Day website or call 314-961-5838.

Mid-America Regional Lily Society--April 17

Lilies are one of my favorite flowers and I'm always blown away by how many different types there actually are. If you like lilies, don't miss the Mid America Regional Lily Society Sale at the Missouri Botanical Garden this Saturday. Admission to the sale is included with Garden admission which is free until noon for St Louis City and County residents.

New cultivars and old favorites are sold by the area’s top growers, who will be on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. The Lily sale will be held in the Orthwein Floral Display Hall inside the Ridgway Visitor Center from 9am to 5pm. I should confess that I'm not so much a buyer as a looker! :)

For more information check out the Botanical Garden website or the Mid America Regional Lily Society website.

Healthy Kids Day--April 17

Local YMCAs will be hosting Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 17, from 10am to 2pm. All events will take place at local YMCAs with the exception of the O'Fallon, St. Charles, and Tri-County branches which will host activities in the center court of Mid-Rivers Mall.

Healthy Kids Day will feature games for the whole family and some healthy snacks too! Take on your kids with a Wii Fit competition, watch STEPS dance performances, and bounce out the winter blahs with a bounce house. In addition, there will be aquatic relay races and games and a hit, pitch, and run activity. This is a great way to get moving this spring! Each branch is hosting its own set of activities so to find out exactly what will be available be sure to call your local branch or visit your branch website.

Also, join the YMCA that day and receive 100% off of the joining fee! (Monthly membership fees will still apply.)

For more information, see the YMCA website or call your local YMCA.

SLSO On Stage at Powell--April 7

On April 7 at 7pm join the members of the St Louis Symphony Orchestra as they explore Music of the Middle East, from Israel to Kurdistan. Several guest musicians will be performing with the Symphony.

From the St Louis Symphony website:

"The popular On Stage at Powell series gives audiences a musician’s eye-view of this fabulous hall, and provides an intimate setting for both informative discussions and incredible music-making. Bring your curiosity and your questions as you sit on Powell Hall’s stage with the members of the Saint Louis Symphony as they perform with guests from the music community. Bring all your senses to enjoy this unique musical experience. On Stage at Powell is free and begins at 7 PM."

For more information see the St Louis Symphony Community Events page or call 314-286-4432.

St Louis Symphony Chamber Concert--Apr 6

On Tuesday evenings you can catch selected musicians from the St Louis Symphony Orchestra performing at the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park. Seating is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis and all concerts begin at 7pm.

This Tuesday, April 6, will feature Susan Slaughter on trumpet and will feature music for brass quintet.

For more information see the SLSO Community Events page or call 314-286-4432.

Missouri Botanical Garden Children's Garden Opening--April 3

Celebrate spring with the re-opening of the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden! This Saturday, April 3, kids can participate in a variety of activities at the Children's Garden. Activities start at 9am and go all day, but be sure to get in before noon if you want free admission (St Louis City and County residents).

Here's a brief schedule of events:

9am-noon: Make a corn husk doll at the Osage Camp.

9am-3pm: Get some cheek art from our popular volunteer face painters.

9am-4pm: Make your own Children’s Garden to remind you of your special day. Create seed packets to start your own garden from the ground up.

10am-noon & 1pm-3pm: Look for Finn strolling the Garden.

10am-2pm: Back by popular demand, watch as chainsaw artist, Joe Bathon, creates wood works right before your eyes. Discover the Power of Pollination in the Children’s Garden’s very own pollination garden. Become a tree detective and uncover what’s so neat about trees.

10am-3pm: Visit the Nature Explore Classroom and pot a plant to take home.

11am-noon: Hear about the life of Sacagawea, a courageous Shoshone woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on the Corps of Discovery. Listen as storyteller Dianne Moran recounts the fascinating story of her amazing life and adventures.

Noon-3pm: Listen and dance to live folk music performed by the Ryan Spearman Trio.

For more information visit the Children's Garden website or call 314-577-5100.