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.

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.

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.

COCA Pre-Ballet--Dec 6

Kids ages 3-6 will explore classical ballet through this fun and free introduction at COCA. Tutus are welcome!

The workshop will be held from 3-4pm.

For more information or to register, email freeat3@cocastl.org. For registration, include the names, addresses and birth dates of those attending.

COCA Beginner Rhythm Tap Jam--Nov 15

Kids ages 6-12 will explore basic tap steps, vocabulary, tempo, and musicality. Students will learn the fundamentals of rhythm through imaginative rhythm games and patterns. Tap shoes provided (pending shoe size) by COCA.

The workshop will be held from 3-4pm.

For more information or to register, email freeat3@cocastl.org. For registration, include the names, addresses and birth dates of those attending.

3rd Annual Dancing in the Street--Sept 26

Come on out to the 3rd annual Dancing in the Street, held in the Grand Center Arts and Entertainment district! This amazing event features four outdoor stages with more than 50 dance companies and 700 dancers of all ages performing from 1-9pm. If you like dance, you don't want to miss this!

Special appearances include nationally acclaimed artists Duo Adamo with their awe-inspiring aerial ballet and street performances from Bill Shannon, the 'Crutch Master'. In addition, you can learn the latest Hannah Montana dance (the "Hoedown Throwdown") with Radio Disney's Dance Team and get live performances and instruction on the music and dance of Michael Jackson.

A full schedule and map are available on the Dancing in the Street website or for more information call 314-533-1884.

Rhapsody in Bloom--Sept 26

Enjoy light classical music and contemporary dance performances from 10am to 3pm this Saturday at Rhapsody in Bloom! Presented by Classic99 KFUO-FM and the Missouri Botanical Garden, Rhapsody in Bloom features may of St Louis' finest musical and dance groups.

Performance Schedule:

Ridgway Center - 2nd Floor
10am Laclede Quartet
11am Bella Corda
Noon The St. Louis Gateway Singers
1pm Five Winds Woodwind Quintet
2pm Saint Louis Symphony Ensemble

Spink Miles Sculpture Garden
10am St Louis Academy of Dance, Pazazz Performers
11am Alexandra Ballet
Noon St Louis Academy of Dance, Pazazz Performers
1pm Alexandra Ballet

For more information, see the Rhapsody in Bloom website.

Greek Festival--Sept 25-27

If you were out of town over Labor Day and missed one Greek festival, you're in luck because there's another one this weekend!

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church will be hosting Greek Fest this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at their church in Town and Country. The festival runs from 11am to 9pm every day and promises to be packed with loads of fun activities and entertainment. There will be live Greek music and dancing, church tours, a movie about the history of Greece, and a kids' activity area. There will also be food available for purchase (my mouth is already watering for some amazing Greek pastries!) and vendors selling authentic Greek imports.

The church is easily accessible from I-270 and Highway 64/40.

Kirkwood's Greentree Festival--Sept 18-20

As I mentioned a while back, this month is truly the month of festivals!

There will be lots of activities for the whole family at this weekend's Greentree Festival in Kirkwood. This annual community festival boasts a parade, booths, dance and music (including a whole tent devoted to Missouri fiddlers!), arts and crafts, a classic car show, a sailboat regatta, a folklife area devoted to life in the 1700-1800's, and a kids' area on Saturday and Sunday.

The parade will be held on Saturday at 10am and covers a parade route stretching 1.7 miles. The route begins at Kirkwood High School, travels east on Essex to Kirkwood Road, then south on Kirkwood Road to Argonne, and then west on Argonne, finishing at the Kirkwood Community Center.

The festival will be held in Kirkwood Park at the intersection of Adams Ave. and Geyer Rd. The festival will be open from 5-10pm on Friday, 8:30am-7pm on Saturday, and 10am-5pm on Sunday.

For more information check the website or call 314-822-5855.

St Louis Strassenfest--Sept 18-20

Head west to Chesterfield for St Louis Strassenfest! This annual event celebrates the tradition of German Gemutlichkeit. Entertainment includes continuous German music on two separate stages, carnival rides, game booths, authentic German food, arts and crafts booths featuring artists, painters, RAKU pottery and much more. There will also be a children’s village with petting zoo, storytellers and jugglers.

The opening ceremony will be Friday night at 7pm on the Glockenspiel Stage. Following that will be lots of entertainment from various German musicians and dancers.

On Saturday, activities and entertainment start at noon and last until 11pm. Sunday's activities and entertainment start at noon but will end at 6pm.

The festival will be held in Central Park in Chesterfield behind Chesterfield Mall.

For more information call 636-225-1730 or visit the Strassenfest website.

Urban Health Fair and Market--Sept 12

On Saturday from 11am to 5pm, Lafayette Square will be hosting the 3rd annual Urban Health Fair and Market. Over 35 local holistic vendors will be present. You can experience complimentary massage, acupuncture, nervous system scans, fitness tests, and more. In addition, vendors will be selling botanical based soaps, skin care products and nutritional supplements. Learn about green options for home restoration and cleaning. You can even try out a free yoga (11am), total body pump (noon), tai chi (1pm), or zumba (2pm) class.

While you're there, enjoy music by Jane Godfrey (11am) and The Funky Butt Brass Band (1pm) and dance by Los Flamencos (3pm). Savor local and seasonal food provided by Sqwires, heart healty wines from Vino Vitae and locally brewed beer by Square One Brewery!

There will also be a Healthy Pet Market sponsored by Four Muddy Paws where you can learn more about healthy nutrition options for your pet along with free samples to try.

Children's activities include My Healthy Body, a scavenger hunt, face painting by Lyndsey Scott (may not be free), Healthy Living & Anatomy color pages, search-a-word, connect the dots , riddle pages, The Healthy Food card game, design your own “Green Grocery” bags, “What’s That Sound?” Bingo Game, and a “Build-A-Boy!” game.

For more information, call 314-762-0669.

Polish festival--Sept 11-12

It is apparently the month for festivals!

Explore your Polish heritage at the Polish festival held Saturday and Sunday at the Polish Falcons Gardens (2013 St. Louis Avenue). There will be authentic Polish food and pastries as well as music and games. A Polka band will provide music Friday and Saturday night from 6:30-10:30pm (which means you're sure to see some great dancing!).

The festival is open for lunch on Friday from 11am-1pm and then dinner will be served from 4-7:30pm. Lunch/dinner will be served on Saturday from noon to 7pm. I don't have any information on the cost of the meals but I assume there is a charge for food.

Hispanic Festival--Sept 11-13

This weekend is also the annual Hispanic Festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Soldier's Memorial Park downtown (Market and 14th). There will be live Latino bands, a Cardinals kids' corner, folkloric performers, and arts and crafts as well as food and drink available for purchase.

The schedule is packed but be sure to check out the many dance performances, the magician, and several incredible singers. Kids' activities will include face painting, games, and arts and crafts. Note that Friday night is a music night (from 4-10pm) and the only vendors that will be open for purchases are the beer vendors. Events run from 10am to 10pm on Saturday and from 10:30am to 7pm on Sunday.

Schlafly's Art Outside--Sept 11-13

In addition to the St Louis Art Fair taking place this weekend, Schlafly Bottleworks will be hosting their annual Art Outside alternative art fair. Local artists will be showcasing their works and entertainment (including puppet shows!) will be provided each day. On Sunday you can even participate in yoga and meditations--beginners are welcome.

As a side note, I happen to know one of the artists exhibiting at Art Outside this weekend. Be sure to check out Gary Gackstatter's amazing pen and ink drawings if you stop by the art fair! He's a phenomenal artist and musician and a really great guy. He is also on the music faculty at Meramec Community College and is an amazing conductor.

Events run from 5-10pm on Friday, 10am-10pm on Saturday, and noon-4pm on Sunday.

For more information call 314-241-2337 or visit the Art Outside website.

16th Annual St Louis Art Fair--Sept 11-13

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday you can visit one of the best fine art fairs in the U.S. (according to the Art Fair Source Book and the Harris List) right here in downtown Clayton. At the 16th annual Saint Louis Art Fair, visual artists from across the nation will exhibit an unprecedented selection of the highest quality, original works of art. Three stages of entertainment, educational hands-on activities for children and adults, culinary treats from St. Louis’ finest restaurants and much more.

Events will run from 5-10pm on Friday, 10am-10pm on Saturday, and 11am-4pm on Sunday.

For more information call 314-863-0278 or visit the St Louis Art Fair website.

St. Nicholas Greek Festival--Sept 5-7

Labor Day weekend is host to a number of activities, including the annual St. Nicholas Greek Festival held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on the corner of Kingshighway and Forest Park Blvd. This incredible festival features Greek folk dancers and musicians on two different stages, authentic Greek food and pastries (for purchase), and items imported from Greece for sale.

The festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 9pm and Monday from 11am to 8pm. Performances start at 1:15pm each day and end at 8pm. Parking is free in the BJC garage on Laclede, but you can also park in Forest Park and walk across Kingshighway.

For questions please call 314-361-6924.

Festival of Nations--Aug 29 and 30

Each August, our region’s largest multi-cultural international festival kicks off in Tower Grove Park as the Festival of Nations. More than 50 ethnic troupes offer a colorful kaleidoscope of ethnic dance, music, and fun. Free admission with food and gifts galore available for purchase--tour Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and more without leaving St. Louis!

Three different stages will provide entertainment in the form of ethnic song and dance (see the schedule of performers here). The Culture Corner will feature artists ranging from lacemaking to tinworking to sugar skulls. For dancers, check out the Village Green where performers will show off their Flamenco, belly dance, and hula skills. Events will run from 10am to 7pm on Saturday and from 10am to 6pm on Sunday.

The Festival of Nations is located in the southeast corner of Tower Grove Park, close to the intersection of Arsenal and Grand. A free shuttle will be running throughout Tower Grove so you can park in the park or on the surrounding streets. While it's a lot of fun to wander through the Festival (who knows? You might find yourself in the middle of an interactive dance lesson!), if you're looking for something specific be sure to check out the Festival map.

For more information, call 314-773-9090 or visit the International Institute website.

11th Annual LOT Music Festival--Aug 29

The LOT outdoor music festival is a treasured St. Louis tradition that started 11 years ago with one person’s dream of hanging out in a St. Louis parking lot, listening to live local bands and drinking beer. In the past 11 years the LOT has developed into something much more than that original dream. This free outdoor music festival has always been about bringing people together; this year the LOT is about engaging people of all backgrounds with fun outdoor activities, a musician garage sale, and artist exhibitions. Attendees will also recieve a coupon book from local businesses that feature discounts and deals in the St. Louis area. This event is free to attend plus you get awesome local deals!

The festivities start at 2pm for a Royale happy hour, mini craft fair, live art project, dunk tank, outdoor games and much more exciting afternoon activities. Food will be available to purchase. Bands start at 5 pm and go until the wee hours of the morning.

Bands to be featured include The Blind Eyes, Hazard to Ya Booty, The Dock Ellis Band, Soulard Blues Band, Jon Hardy and the Public, The Hibernauts, LucaBrasi, and The 75's.

All events are held in the parking lot of the Schlafly taproom downtown (Locust and 21st St).