I hope that you are doing well.
August is one of my favorite months of the year, it is my birthday month, and also the month where we first get a glimpse of fall. It is also host to one of my top three festivals in St. Louis, The Festival of Nations! My goal was to have something for you to do every day of the month in August. I did it, but fortunately, helping our clients achieve their real estate goals caused me to not get this out in time for you to take advantage of the first couple of days events in St. Louis. There is plenty of month left to enjoy, and I have an eclectic blend of events for you to enjoy and make it a great month, I hope to see you at some of them.
Also, I started posting a weekly update on facebook, which highlights a few things going on over the weekend. Some are in this letter, and some are not. If you happen to see it, I hope that you enjoy it.
Have a great month!
August 1st - 9th
Start off the month of August with the must-seeGhost Town Blues Band, who have been gaining notoriety among blues festivals nationwide. The show starts on Wednesday at 7:30 pm atThe Stage at KDHX.
On Wednesday, theMissouri Botanical Gardens premiere theirFlora Borealis experience beginning at dusk. Take the journey through the gardens as they are transformed with lights, sounds, and images for a truly stunning experience. Check out the biergarten while you are there for snacks and drinks! The Missouri Botanical Garden will be hosting this event until the 26th, so plan your trip now.
If you love the feeling of going to the register with a great deal, check out theExtreme Couponing event at theMaryland Heights Centre on Wednesday at 6:00 pm. You will be able to learn helpful hints to saving money while shopping using coupons from the newspaper. TLC Extreme Couponing All-Star Jen Morris will be hosting and sharing her advice, so it is sure to be a great time!
If you are looking for a showstopper, head down tothe Muny on Thursday to see the musical,Gypsy. Momma Rose has ambition and will do whatever she has to for her daughters’ triumph on the stage, but she can’t fight back her own desire for success. This musical is revered by many, so don’t miss your chance to see the show!
Check outBirding Basics with Forest Park Forever on Thursday, where they will be discussing the marvel of owls, including their adaptations, anatomy, and behavior. The discussion will take place at theDennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center starting at 5:00pm. I am sure it will be a hoot!
St. Louis Children’s Hospital hostFit Kid: Free Kid every first Friday of the month atThe Magic House. This month’s event is Home Run Health with the Cardinals starting at 4:00 pm! Kids 12 and under who complete a fitness challenge upon arrival will get free admission! Reservations are required, so plan your trip now.
For a fun Friday date night, sign up forDancing in the Commons - Tango at the Public Media Commons. This adults only experience will teach you the basic steps to tango, then you will have the dance floor open to practice the rest of the night! This class is free, but be sure to register!
Don’t miss your chance to seeLogic perform at theHollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Friday for his Bobby Tarantino vs Everybody tour. He will take the stage at 7:00pm along with NF and Kyle for what should be an incredible show.
The Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter is returning to Eureka, MO on Saturday to host this year’sLupus WolfRide Charity Cycling Event. You will start and finish atLions Park, where there will also be the annual Route 66 BBQ Blast. There will also be fun attractions such as the car show, food tents, live bands, and free outdoor movies. This event raises money for research and spreads awareness and public support for Americans who suffer from lupus. Come have some fun for a great cause.
The Red Shoe Society is hosting their6th Annual Washers Tournament on Saturday atShaw Park. The Red Shoe Society is the young professionals groups for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis who seek to engage other young professionals to participate in their charitable aspirations while spreading awareness for the RMHC STL. Join them for a game of washers to learn more about their work.
Stop byBallpark Village forFamily Fun Day on Saturday. Kids can meet Fredbird, play on huge bounce houses, experience carnival rides, get their face painted, and more! Admission is free, but some activities will require a $10 all-access wristband and those proceeds benefit the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Any day with Fredbird has to be amazing!
If you’re a fan of the classic, Whose Line Is It Anyway, check outComedySportz taking the stage atSugar Cubed on Saturday. Two teams will battle for points and laughs and you choose the winner! This show is suitable for everyone, so pick up tickets for a night of comedy competition.
Spend Sunday brunch on the Mississippi river for theSunday Brunch Cruise at the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. You’ll be treated to scenic view of the St. Louis skyline while enjoying the catered brunch buffet. There will also be live music, making this experience unforgettable. Reservations are required, so grab them while you can!
On Monday,Charlie Puth will be playing a show at theHollywood Casino Amphitheatre while on hisVoicenotes Tour. Special guest Hailee Steinfeld will also be performing, so this show will surely be impressive.
Every Tuesday at theCivic Park Bandstand, you can find live music and events. This time around will be a country music experience, theOrr & Rolens Band will be performing. Admission and parking are free! There are also food trucks/concessions available from local favorites such as Chris’ Smokehouse, Luigi & Raffaele Boccardi’s, Rendezvous Cafe and Wine Bar, and Show-Me Donuts. Sound like a great way to spend a summer night, so check it out!
If all the summer fun has you feeling a little frazzled, check out theSummer Yoga Series on Wednesday atBallpark Village. Learn some new yoga poses and relax with yoga experts. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, the session will help you loosen up and feel at ease.
Ballpark Village is hosting theirCheers for Charity event on Thursday that will be benefiting the Humane Society of Missouri. A $10 donation will give you an all-inclusive package for the first hour of the event, and specials for the remainder of the event. Bring your pups along for a fun night at Paws & Pints.
August 10th-16th
Stop by theMagic House on Friday for their monthlyGrooving in the Garden event. Families can come and hear Tommy Holloran’s Guerrilla Swing Band play while enjoying samples from Andy’s Frozen Custard. If you want cool dessert and even cooler jams, be sure to plan your trip!
Returning for its 3rd year,Blues at the Arch is a great St. Louis opportunity to hear a great concert this summer. Get toGateway Arch National Park on Friday, August 10th to hear Keesha Pratt perform at 6:00 pm andMarquise Knox at 7:30 pm.
For all you science lovers out there, visit theSciFest: Bright Ideas Expo on Saturday at theSaint Louis Science Center where you can meet St. Louis locals who lead the way in innovation and inventiveness. There will be so much to see in how science and art can stand together.
Grab your kids and conquer your fears of snakes and spiders by learning alongside Serengeti Steve and his variety of animal friends. The Magic House is opening its doors toSquirmy, Slimy, Scaly, Slithery Creatures Kids Love on Saturday to give visitors an up close and personal experience with reptiles, arthropods and birds of prey. Audience participation is encouraged!
The Magic House has even more to offer with itsVisiting Artist Series. On Sunday, August 12th, you can unite with Catherine W. Ndegwa and learn about the art of African Storytelling. Ndegwa grew up in Kenya and wants to educate children about the culture, art, and history of her country.
The Summer Concert Series at Faust Park has another great show to offer on Sunday. Butch Wax and The Hollywoods will be performing! The oldies group was recently voted the #1 Band in Missouri and strives to bring good times and great classics to the St. Louis crowds. You will hear the hits from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and also be treated with concessions from populars stops like the Stackhouse, Wayno’s, Kona Ice, and many more.
If adventure is calling you, try outBig Muddy Adventures on Monday at the St. Louis Riverfront to venture down the Mississippi on a canoe with experts guiding you along the way. Begin your journey at thePort of St. Louis, continue under bridges with a stop on Mosenthein Island for an exploring session, and you will finish at the Arch! No experience is required for the endeavour and all gear is provided.
Mamma Mia, here we go again! The pop-music extravaganza,Momma Mia, returns to St. Louis on Tuesday at theRobert G. Reim Theatre for laughs, love, and dance parties! If you are a dancing queen you will want to take a chance on this fun show.
If the week is dragging and you need a little relaxation to make it to Friday, take a break atOlivia on the Hill with theirWine Down Wednesdays. From 5:00pm to 10:00pm you can enjoy a drink on the pergola-covered courtyard with food provided by Catering St. Louis Events.
TheField House Museum is hosting an exhibit on Thursday about America’s favorite sport, baseball. AtLet’s Play Ball: Games of America’s Favorite Pastime, you will get to see different card games, board games, and more from all generations. It is an event the whole family can enjoy and will leaving you with a home-run feeling.
August 17th-23rd
Calling all St. Louisans! TheSt. Louis World’s Fare Heritage Festival is atForest Park starting Friday for festivities that celebrate the St. Louis community via music, art, history, and more! The event includes live music, famous St. Louis eats, art displays, and much more! Backyard Games will bring fan favorites like cornhole and giant jenga. There is Kid’s Island where little ones can hula hoop and get their face painted. There will also be the Paint Louis Graffiti Wall! There is something for everyone here, so plan to stop by!
Great for a fun friday night with the family, stop byGrant’s Farm for theirFood Trucks at the Farm summer event. You will find live music and great food from St. Louis’ best food trucks. During their extended hours, you can still enjoy the favorites at Grant’s Farm such as their goat feedings and camel rides.
Support the ALS by participating in the8th Annual Kimmswick 5k Run on Saturday, where you will journey through historic Kimmswick by the Mississippi. Hosted by theBlue Owl Restaurant and Bakery, this run will take you through the Anheuser Estate and Windsor Harbor Bridge. Stick around to enjoy music, shopping, prizes and more.
On Saturday, theFabulous Fox theater will host theSoul Funk Fest event where you can see artists such as Cameo, Doug E. Fresh, Love Jones and is hosted by comedian Darius Bradford. Catch the Martin L Mathews Awards Program, named in honor of the organization’s Co-Founder Martin Luther Mathews, before the benefit concert for the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club.
Hit upMilo’s on the Hill on Saturday for their6th Annual Summerfest hosted by theYoung Friends of the St. Louis Arc for a bocce tournament, delicious food, raffles, and prizes. All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the St. Louis Arc’s mission to provide help to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Rod Stewart will be performing at theHollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Sunday with special guest, Cyndi Lauper. Grab your tickets so you don’t miss out on the show!
Don’t miss the final days of the40th Annual YMCA Book Fair held atGreensfelder Recreation Center inQueeny Park on Monday. The Book Fair will support the Gateway Region YMCA’s mission to strengthen communities.
Kids can stop in and spend time with some very good pups! On Tuesday, between 6:30 and 7:30 at theSix Mile Regional Library District in the Niedringhaus Building, kids K-8 can practice their reading skills by reading to a dog from C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs. The dogs get to practice their good behavior and kids can gain their confidence in reading in a fun environment. It will definitely a pawsome time.
Learn some sweet moves atTin Roof forShake and Shout Wednesdays where you can enjoy free swing dancing lessons, followed by a vibrant swing dance party with live music by The Ambassadors of Swing! They sound pretty official, so stop by and shake it out.
Hosting its15th Annual Golf Tournament, theKwame Foundation invites you to take part at theNorman K. Probstein Golf Course at Forest Park on Thursday. Proceeds from this tournament will go towards funding college scholarships for students who may not attend college due to financial burden.
August 24th-30th
Stop by the Outdoor Summer Movie Series andFood Truck Frolic on Friday, hosted bySt. Charles Community College, to watch the Incredibles movie on the big screen while enjoying the summer air and food from 15 of the best food trucks in St. Louis!
On Saturday, one of my favorite festivals of the year, theFestival of Nations is coming toTower Grove Park to create a celebration of cultures from all around the world. You will have the opportunity to taste treats from over 40 ethnic food booths, learn dances from different regions of the world, learn about and create arts and crafts, and visit the international bazaar where you will find special gifts from across the world.
Grab your favorite four-legged friend and stop byPetapalooza this Sunday at the Purina Event Center atPurina Farms in Gray Summit. Owner and pup can participate in fun activities and obstacles, there will be demonstrations and contests, and for owners, you can enjoy the family area where you will find food trucks and bounce houses. Don’t forget to grab your pet a delicious treat from the marketplace. If you don’t have a pet and need one for all the fun, there will be over 20 local adoption agencies onsite to help you find your furry friend.
TheSoulard Blues Band will be lighting up the stage on Monday at theBroadway Oyster Bar starting at 9:00 pm. This award winning band will bring their superbly balanced songs that will have you fading into the city’s rich blues history.
Acoustik Element will be performing at theJefferson County Library - Northwest on Tuesday. The band is a latin-inspired guitar duo who are locals of High Ridge and they are best known for reinventing popular songs by artists such as The Beatles, Santana, The Eagles, and more while also staying true to Latin and Jazz standards.
Your Wednesday must-stop event should be to seeExpressions of the Blues, Portraits on Tin Tile by Carol Boss which is exhibiting at theNational Blues Museum. Carol Boss shares her portraits of blues, R&B, soul, and gospel artists whose music and stories inspire. Her goal is to give the viewer an understanding of the artist portrayed through the brush strokes, color, and expression.
On Thursday,We Banjo 3 will be performing at theDuck Room at Blueberry Hill and will delight you with innovative Americana blended with traditional sounds that they call “Celtgrass”. The fusion of styles from this Galway group features banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin that will certainly make for an outstanding show.
Start off your Labor Day weekend with a stop at the101st Annual St. Louis Greek Festival on Friday atSt. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in the Central West End. Experience Greece through food, live music by Christos Sarantakis, folk dances by the St. Nicholas Greek Dancers, and a visit to the gift shop where you can find unique items imported from Athens.
Yes, another great month in St. Louis! Please don't hesitate to let me know if there is anything that I can do for you.
All the best. -Nate
