Rose Society and Rock Garden Society shows--May 29

The Botanic Garden is hopping this time of year and there are two more shows that you might be interested in.


The Rose Society of Greater St. Louis show and sale will be held in the Orthwein Floral Display Hall in the Ridgway Visitor Center on Saturday from noon to 5pm. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Remember to go before noon if you want free admission to the Garden!

For those of you with a little less green in your garden, the Gateway Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society sale is also this Saturday. The show will be held in the Beaumont Room in the Ridgway Visitor Center from 9am to 5pm. New cultivars and old favorites are sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization.

Shakespeare Festival St Louis--May 28-June 20

I look forward to the Shakespeare Festival every year. Even though my kids are really too little to get Shakespeare, they have a great time at the plays (especially watching the jugglers before the play!) just being outside. It's even better that it's free! In addition to the play, the Green Show which starts at 6:30pm has lots of activities and games for kids and adults to participate in.
In celebration of its 10th Anniversary, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis brings Hamlet, the pinnacle of Shakespeare’s canon, to Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. St. Louisan and Kevin Kline Award winner Jim Butz plays the title role of the doomed young prince with a stellar cast of 18 actors, two thirds of whom are from St. Louis.

Each year the Festival produces professional Shakespeare theatre in Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park free to the public, and year-round Education Programs. The Festival’s 10th Anniversary 2010 production, Hamlet, runs May 28 through June 20, nightly except Tuesdays and June 5 (preview shows will be May 26 and 27).

For more information about the Festival and its Education Programs, visit the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis website or call 314.531.9800.

Horticultural Society and Bonsai Society Shows--May 22

The Missouri Botanic Garden is hosting two shows this Saturday which cover quite a bit of ground! Both shows run from 9am to noon in the Ridgway Visitor Center and admission to the shows is included with Garden admission (remember to go before noon to get free entry to the Garden!).

St. Louis Horticultural Society sale. New cultivars and old favorites are sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization in the Orthwein Floral Display Hall.


Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis show and sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization in the Beaumont Room.

Greater St Louis Iris Society Show--May 8

The Missouri Botanic Garden will be hosting the Greater St. Louis Iris Society show this Saturday. New cultivars and old favorites are shown by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. The show will be held in the Orthwein Floral Display Hall at the Ridgway Visitor Center. The show runs from noon to 5pm but if you want free admission to the Garden you will need to go before noon. Entry to the show is included with Garden admission.

Twilight Under the Train Shed--May 7

You know summer's getting close when all of the free movies start up again. Union Station is first out with their Twilight Under the Train Shed series. Movies are the first Friday of every month and start at twilight (around 8-8:30pm) on the Lake Stage.

May 7: Rocky Horror Picture Show
June 4: Hoosiers
July 2: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
August 6: Back to the Future
Sept 3: Top Gun

For more information visit the Twilight Under the Train Shed website or call 314-421-6655.

Meramec Symphonic and Jazz Bands Concert--May 2

If you like music, head to Meramec Community College for the Symphonic Band and Jazz Band spring concert. You will be amazed at the quality of musicianship from these bands, and their conductor is incredible!

From their press release:

Symphonic Band and Jazz Band Spring Concert
with special guest Mehlville High School Band
Sunday, May 2nd, 3pm
Meramec Theatre

The Meramec Symphonic Band and Jazz Band will perform their Spring Concert on Sunday, May 2nd at 3:00pm in the Meramec Theatre. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

The Meramec Jazz Band will begin the concert with big band favorites by Nestico, Bernstein and Menza including "Maria" and "Groove Blues". The MJB, directed by Bob Boedges, is a professional-level ensemble and features many of the bandmembers as soloists.

The Mehlville High School Band, under the direction of Tony Brown will perform two works by Gary Gackstatter, "Bridget Cruise" and "Battle of the Washita" in addition to works by Tichelli.

The Meramec Symphonic Band, under the direction of Gary Gackstatter will conclude the concert with performances of music by Sousa, Ives and Maslanka in addition to the premiere of "Here Be Dragons", a new work by conductor Gackstatter.

Also on the program will be performances by the Meramec Trombones and the Symphonic Band Percussion Ensemble.