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.

Greater St Louis Daffodil Society Show--March 27

If you want to see spring, visit the Greater St Louis Daffodil Society Show on March 27! The Missouri Botanical Garden will be hosting the show from 9am to 5pm in the Beaumont Room at the Ridgway Visitor Center (St Louis City and County residents receive free admission to the Garden until noon on Saturday). Top growers in the area will share new cultivars as well as old favorites and will be available to share plant care advice. In addition, the Society will be hosting a photography contest for amateurs, professionals and youth. Check out their website for more information.

Daffodils are one of the true signs of spring to me and this is sure to brighten away those winter blues!

For more information, visit the Greater St Louis Daffodil Society website.

Note: The show is being held both Saturday and Sunday, but admission is only free on Saturday until noon for St Louis City and County residents so I have only listed this as a Saturday event.

Horticultural Therapy Awareness Day--March 20

The Missouri Botanical Garden will be sponsoring Horticultural Therapy Awareness Day to introduce visitors to the numerous physical and mental benefits that plants and gardening provide. From 10am to 3pm on Saturday, March 20, visitors can explore a demonstration healing garden, stop by stations to experience different plants and how they can impact various senses, pot a sensory plant to take home, make an arrangement of cut flowers, and watch demonstrations of ergonomic gardening tools.

All activities will be held inside the upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center and are included with visitor admission, which is free for St Louis City and County residents until noon on Saturday (so go early!).

For more information, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden website or call 314-577-9400.

Dogtown St. Patrick's Day Parade--March 17

If you're looking for a slightly more unique way to celebrate St Patrick's Day, show up at Tamm and Oakland Avenue this Wednesday, March 17! Dogtown celebrates their very own St Patrick's Day with a parade sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The parade starts at 11:30am and will travel south to Lloyd Avenue. Participating groups include marching bands, family clans, floats, and more!

For more information visit the parade website or call 314-645-5809.

SLSO On Stage at Powell--March 17

On March 17 at 7pm join the members of the St Louis Symphony Orchestra and composer Barbara Harbach as they celebrate Women's History Month and the influence of women in music.

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.

Lowe's Build and Grow--March 13

This Saturday kids can make a free tabletop basketball game at Lowe's from 10-11am. Each participant will receive a free apron, safety goggles, a project patch, and a certificate of completion for the project. To sign up, visit Lowe's Build and Grow website.

St. Patrick's Day Parade--March 13

The 41st annual St Patrick's Day parade will take place in downtown St Louis this Saturday, March 13! The parade starts at noon at 18th and Market Streets and will head east to Broadway and Market Streets. The parade will include over 120 units including marching bands, balloons, floats, and clowns. This is one parade you will not want to miss!

For more information on the parade route or other aspects of the St Patrick's Day celebration, visit the parade website.