Whatever Works is Woody Allen’s 40^th directorial effort.  The script was written over 30 years ago, an intended vehicle for the late, great Zero Mostel.  When Mostel died unexpectedly in 1977 at the age of 62, Allen shelved the project.  Then, in an effort to begin production before the start of last year’s writers strike, Allen resurrected and retooled the languishing script.  The movie proves to be something of a return to form for Allen.  Had the script been produced when it was written, it would have appeared around the time of films like Annie Hall and Manhattan, two of his greatest (if not his two greatest) films.  While certainly not as strong as either of those, it’s easily his funniest film since the similarly themed Mighty Aphrodite. 

Thanks for showing up again for more Toast! Have a seat and enjoy learning how the stars managed to entertain us this week:

Thank you MLB All-Star game for bringing an array of great events to St. Louis this month.

From July 1-15 Play Ball 2009: A Visual Retrospective of Baseball will be at the downtown Crowne Plaza Hotel.  This exhibit is, in the simplest description, art for charities.  Live paintings, shows, and auctions will all be hosted over several days to raise money for charities such as the ALS Association, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.

The entire event is based around the artist Malcolm Farley. He has been called “America’s Artist” and has a love for painting “America’s game.” He is the perfect artist for the baseball crazy city of St. Louis and the baseball-frenzied atmosphere that will be taking over with the arrival of the All Star game.

Fair St. Louis is a star-spangled celebration not to be missed. With all of the different Fourth of July events happening throughout the area this weekend, Fair St. Louis provides the best in music, food, vendors and kids entertainment. The fair runs for two days, opening at 6 p.m. on July 3 and 11 a.m. on July 4.

This year the main stage’s big draws are two big bands and one small duo.  The Counting Crows will start the weekend and play July 3 at 8:00 p.m. The band is known for such hits at “Mrs. Jones” and “Actually in Love”. On July 4 the afternoon will start with a performance by Nat and Alex Wolff, two young entertainers best known for their hit Nickelodeon series The Naked Brothers Band. July Fourth’s music performances will be brought to a close by Train who will take to the stage at 8:00 p.m. Train is a rock band that has sold over 4 million albums and is best known for songs such as “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” and  “When I Look To The Sky”. Other local artists such as Magnolia Summer, The Feed, The Incurables, Green River Ordinance, and Jon Hardy and the Public will be occupying the stage between the main acts.

You won't find walls or fences, admission fees or do not touch signs, because at Citygarden you are always free. Free to play. Free to explore. Free to feel inspired.

This is the motto of the newly opened Citygarden.  In April of 2008 construction on the garden began. Yesterday, June 30, 2009, after 14 months of work, Citygarden was opened. St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay had the honor of cutting the ribbon and signaling the garden’s control room to turn on of all three of the garden’s fountains. 

“This new garden is immediately taking its place among the great cultural attractions of St. Louis for residents and visitors alike,” Slay said. “It’s dazzling, and its complete openness in the heart of downtown makes it unique in the country.”