St. Louis Storytelling Festival--Apr 29-May 2

The Sparks Keep Flying: Igniting the Fire of Imagination

For the 30th year, the St. Louis Storytelling Festival is bringing renowned artists to the region, encouraging creativity, and providing learning opportunities for people of all ages. Storytellers will be at more than 40 locations around the metropolitan area and in St. Charles from 10am-2pm on each day. In addition, there are special events like a Deaf storytelling program held in the evenings.

All events are FREE and open to the public, but be sure you check out the schedule--there's a lot going on!

St Louis Earth Day Festival--Apr 26

Every year, St. Louis Earth Day stages what has become the oldest and largest Earth Day celebration in the Midwest on the forth Sunday of April in historic Forest Park. This premier event draws more than 25,000 attendees and 250 vendors through common interests in environmental education, celebration, and stewardship.

Educational Exhibitors present demonstrations and hands-on activities; Vendors showcase everything from cutting-edge technological innovations to ideas that focus on conventional wisdom and simplicity; Non-profit organizations advocate for and educate about their issues; Non-stop entertainment is provided by performances on two stages as well as those strolling through the crowds; Healthy and delicious foods are served by local restaurants: Everywhere, the spirit of celebration is in the air!

I can't even begin to list all of the many activities that will be going on here (including activities for the kids), so be sure you check out the website. I guarantee there is something for everyone here!

Party for the Planet--Apr 26

Sunday, April 26, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, you can party like the animals at the St Louis Zoo's Party for the Planet!

Pick up a map at either Zoo entrance and head for the Earth Day stations and activities throughout the Zoo.

Activities & Kids' Stuff
South Gate: Show your festive side by making an Earth Day party hat. Write a "wish" for the planet on a candle, and stick it to the Earth Day cake. Choose an animal card, and then go visit your animal at its home in the Zoo.

The Living World: Learn about the dexterity of gorillas with "Thumbs up for opposable thumbs!" Try your hand at various activities without the use of your thumbs. Also, don't miss the "Build and Grow" clinics brought to you by Lowe's® in the Lower Rotunda.


Entertainment
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Schnuck Family Plaza
The Bob Case band will perform its fun and interactive environment- and animal-related songs to celebrate Party for the Planet.

Keeper Chats & Enrichment Activities
11 a.m. -- cheetah at River's Edge
11:30 a.m. -- elephant at River's Edge
12 noon -- American burying beetle at Insectarium
12:30 p.m. -- gorilla at Fragile Forest
1 p.m. -- horned guan at Bird House
1:30 p.m. -- Somali wild ass at Red Rocks
2 p.m. -- lemur at Primate House
2:30 p.m. -- hellbender at Herpetarium

Admission to the Zoo and Earth Day activities is free. Admission to the Children's Zoo is $4/person but is free the first hour the zoo is open (from 9am-10am). Children under 2 are free. The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

National Park Service Jr Ranger Day--Apr 25

Join the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site for "National Park Service Junior Ranger Day" on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Kids ages 5 through 14 can come explore activities from -
George Washington Carver National Monument
Wilson's Creed National Battlefield
Mammoth Cave national Park
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Earn Special Junior Ranger badges, patches and certificates! Get sworn in as an official Junior Ranger! All kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Road, 63123. For more information, please call 842-3298, x245.

American Indian Education Day--Mar 29

Learn about Indian customs, beliefs, dress, programs, art and crafts.

Location: Cahokia Mounds Historic Site
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For more information call: (618) 346-5160
Website: http://www.cahokiamounds.com/

Spring Equinox Sunrise Observance--Mar 22

Learn about the discovery, form and function of this ancient post-circle sun calendar. Meet at the reconstructed Woodhenge, West of the Interpretive Center on Collinsville Road.

Date: 3/22/2009
Location: Cahokia Mounds Historic Site
Time: 6:45 a.m. - 7:15 a.m.
For more information call: (618) 346-5160
Website: www.cahokiamounds.com

From the Garden Live--Mar 22

On select Sundays, CLASSIC99 will broadcast from the Missouri Botanical Garden in the Shoenberg Auditorium. From the Garden - LIVE!® will feature a wide range of classical, popular and jazz pieces. Performers are recruited from prominent St. Louis musical groups, the Saint Louis Symphony and visiting national and international artists.
All concerts start at 12:00pm - Noon.

Tickets are complimentary and can be picked up this week at Dave Mungenast Lexus (13750 Manchester Rd. Manchester, MO 63011, 314-822-7681), Manor Grove (711 South Kirkwood Road Kirkwood, MO 63122, 314-965-0864), and Plaza Frontenac (The Concierge Desk at Center Court). According to Classic99, there will be no charge for admission to the Garden if you have a ticket for the concert.

This Sunday features the Practicing Physicians, where St. Louis’ area physicians share their talent and love of music.

Delta Dental Mardi Gras--Feb 22

Come on out for the last weekend of the free Delta Dental Winter Zoo at the St Louis Zoo! This weekend is the Delta Dental Mardi Gras celebration with fun for the whole family with live entertainment, games, and more. All of the excitement takes place in The Living World and around the Zoo. Plus, you can watch the penguins parade around the Zoo at 1:30pm!

The Zoo-style party is complete with mask-making, beads, face painting and grand finale parade:
--The Delta Dental Stage Show will be held at 12:30 in The Living World's Anheuser-Busch Theater, and children will be given a free gift bag to take home with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a coloring sheet and a mirror decal to remind them to brush every day.
--Dance to live music by Bob Case and His Wild Accusations
--Create your own unique mask of sequins, glitter and feathers in the Mardi Gras tradition.
--Mardi Gras beads for everyone!
--At 3:00, join in the parade around the Zoo led by the Zoo's costumed penguin and Delta Dental costumed characters "Tooth Wizard" and "P.A.N.D.A."

In addition, you can enter the parade float contest and turn your child's wagon or stroller into a Mardi Gras parade float! Prizes will be awarded in three categories:
--Best penguin float
--Best float made from recycled materials
--Best in Mardi Gras style
Register your float on Sunday before the parade at 3 p.m. Registration is free. Check out the parade float rules here.

Delta Dental Winter Zoo--Feb 15 and 22

The free Delta Dental Winter Zoo at the St Louis Zoo is fun for the whole family with live entertainment, games, and more. All of the excitement takes place in The Living World and around the Zoo. Plus, you can watch the penguins parade around the Zoo every Sunday at 1:30pm!

The Delta Dental Stage Show will be held at 12:30 and 2:30 pm in The Living World's Anheuser-Busch Theater, and children will be given a free gift bag to take home with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a coloring sheet and a mirror decal to remind them to brush every day.

Delta Dental Winter Zoo--Feb 8, 15, and 22

The free Delta Dental Winter Zoo at the St Louis Zoo is fun for the whole family with live entertainment, games, and more. All of the excitement takes place in The Living World and around the Zoo. Plus, you can watch the penguins parade around the Zoo every Sunday at 1:30pm!

The Delta Dental Stage Show will be held at 12:30 pm in The Living World's Anheuser-Busch Theater, and children will be given a free gift bag to take home with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a coloring sheet and a mirror decal to remind them to brush every day.