With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to Christmas.  There are all sorts of cool things to do around town that are “Christmas-y”.  And don't let my jaded personality fool you, I love Christmas time.  I'll tear up at just about any Jimmy Stewart movie simply from residual warmth created in It's A Wonderful Life.

Here’s a sampling of things to do this Christmas season:

Radio City Christmas Spectacular at The Fox: (December 11-28) The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the world famous Radio City Rockettes is an unparalleled Christmas show featuring the Rockettes’ signature eye high kicks and precision choreography in multiple show stopping numbers, including the legendary “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and “New York at Christmas,” a dynamic holiday celebration.  Families will be delighted and touched as teddy bears dance, reindeer fly and the true meaning of Christmas comes to life in the awe-inspiring “Living Nativity.”  This show has dazzled and inspired more than 65 million people for more than 75 years.  Now The Christmas Spectacular makes a triumphant return to St. Louis where the Rockettes first kicked to life in 1925 as the “Missouri Rockets” before moving to New York’s Radio City Music Hall.  Tickets available through www.metrotix.com.

A Wonderful Life at The Family Arena: (December 12-14.)  Frank Capra's iconic film has been brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award winner Joe Raposo. The story of George Bailey and his wonderful life in Bedford Falls remains a timeless fable of dreams, disillusionment and the power of love. An uplifting chronicle of the extraordinary lives of ordinary folk, A Wonderful Life exhilarates the mind and heart as it celebrates the innate goodness in us all.  Tickets available through www.metrotix.com.

Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park: (November 26-January 4) The 23rd annual Winter Wonderland presented by St. Louis County Parks ... slowly meanders one mile through more than a million twinkling holiday lights fashioned into more than 30 display areas of favorite characters and festive scenes as well as a canopy of lights glistening throughout 75 ACRES of forest in Tilles Park in St. Louis County.  Closed on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2008) and New Years Eve (December 31, 2008).  Winter Wonderland is open for vehicular traffic and carriage rides Sunday thru Friday from 5:30pm – 9:30pm.  Saturdays are closed to vehicular traffic and reserved for carriage rides only.

Santa’s Magical Kingdom: (November 21-January 5) Santa’s Magical Kingdom is where reindeer soar overhead, elves frolic in their village in the trees, and millions of lights dazzle your senses. Visit with Santa in his workshop at Kringle’s General Store. Ride the Santa Express Train or take an Old Fashioned Holiday Wagon through the Kingdom for a fun filled adventure the entire family will enjoy.  Tickets available at the entrance.

Way Of Lights at Our Lady Of The Snows: Drive through 1 1/2 miles of breathtaking displays of over one million lights which focuses on the birth of Christ.  Through sparkling lights, electro-art sculptures and creative displays, the Shrine celebrates the birth of our Savior.  This one is free though they would really appreciate a donation on your way out.  So share the love, it’s Christmas time.

Oh, and I guess you could go to church.  But who celebrates Christmas at church?  Sheesh!

For those unaware, MST3K created what is now referred to as “movie riffing”.  It’s the act of watching a movie while simultaneously making fun of it.  Sure, we’ve been doing that for years.  But they found a way to get paid to do it; therefore, they’re better at it than we are. 

Cinematic Titanic will be appearing live at The Family Arena this Saturday.  And the one question that has been keeping area geeks awake at night since the show was announced (and I count myself among them) is: What movie will they be riffing?  Well, we finally have an answer.  Joel Hodgson finally revealed the title in a blog post this morning.  And the winner is…

Santa Claus Conquers The Martians.  Yes, the classic film that introduced the world to the multi-talented Pia Zadora.  MST3K aficionados may recall that this movie has already been riffed upon.  Well fear not.  Here’s what Joel had to say:

This edition has completely different riffs from our MST3K version and also features several bonus minutes of the original movie that weren’t featured in the MST version. We thought it would be a cool experiment to see what revisiting a movie after all these years would produce. Not to brag, but it’s likely to be the riff-jam of the year!

So there you have it.  Joel Hodgson has personally declared it the “riff-jam of the year”.  (You can read the whole announcement here.)  Trust me, the geek-o-sphere has reached DEFCON 4 levels of jealously over the fact that St. Louis gets to experience Cinematic Titanic’s first ever re-riffing of an MST3K movie.  It’s truly a ballsy move.  Other MST3K alums have engaged in post-MST3K riffing.  But none have ever had the intestinal fortitude to revisit past glory quite so directly. 

Since the Cinematic Titanic version of Santa Claus Conquers The Martians hasn’t been released on DVD yet, click [tab:video] to see a free sample of their most recent release: Legacy Of Blood.

Also, they just announced Dave (Gruber) Allen as “Todd Carlin -Warm-up Artist” will be opening the show.  Gruber's credits include guest appearances on "Mr. Show with Bob and David," "Freaks and Geeks," "NewsRadio," "Tenacious D," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Real Time with Bill Maher," "Frasier," "King of the Hill" and "The Gilmore Girls."  He is probably best known from his Comedy Central shows “Higgins Boys and Gruber” and most recently “The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show” on which he played The Naked Trucker. 

With our newly expanded knowledge of hops and barley brews, we are primed to attend this Saturday's Bar Bounce to benefit Angel's Arms. Crawlers register online prior to the event and meet at noon at the South Broadway Athletic Club. The bounce ends at 9pm at the same location. You need to gather a minimum of eight booze-kin to form a team to troll the streets of Soulard in matching t-shirts with you. It's kind of like the Biggest Loser - but with beer in place of treadmills and wristbands instead of heart monitors - which makes it way better.

This is the third year the Junior Board of Angel's Arms has hosted the Bar Bounce and 100% of the proceeds go to the organization. It is a opportunity to check some great Soulard bars while supporting a charity devoted to improving the lives of local families and children. ToastedRav.com and Bonneville Radio are sponsors of this year's Bar Bounce, and we hope you will be able to bounce out to support the cause, too!

This isn't your grandma's craft show. The third annual event will offer wares from 120 vendors pooling in from across the country with their urban, punky, and even pretty one-of-a-kind creations. Personal favorites from the 2008 vendor list include locals Cranky Yellow (Independent publishers of art, music, and literature), Glitter Fly (Uses recycled materials to create gorgeous garments for the gals), and Jart (Wood works from the heart).

On Saturday, the first 100 people to present a vendor purchase to the Strange Folk info table will receive a Strange Folk re-usable tote filled with crafty goodness. So, get there early and prepare to shop! Visit Strange Folk's website for more information, including maps to the location, vendor details, and lists of activites and music at the event.

Oh, and don't forget to stop by tent #267 and say hello! I will be there selling goodies from my shop, TwIsTeD.

By using Missouri's highways as a gallery, Art the Vote hopes to encourage voter registration in the upcoming elections. It is a nonpartisan, arts-driven effort to engage, register and mobilize young voters and the creative community in the political process prior to the November 2008 election.

The winner of the vote was Karen Kay whose design will be seen early September through early November along Missouri's Highways. Click here to find out where. Art the Vote received 10,000 votes on their website, and 8 artists were chosen to unveil their work at the Grand Center this Friday, September 5th. 

Art the Vote is an initiative of the Missouri Billboard Project, a political organization registered with the I.R.S. and organized to encourage likely and potential voters to vote by supporting creation of art that draws attention to public policy issues.

Visit ArttheVote.com to see all the designs, artist biographies, and much more. AND Remember to VOTE...your future depends on it.

At the entrance to the The Guild, Mo & Dawn invited guests to the campus with smooth Jazz and intriguing vocals. Also on the front lawn, an oil painter moved to the music as he applied colors to his canvas. Hosts prompted for drinks and snacks as people buzzed their way into the huge mansion.

If you have never been to the St. Louis Artists Guild, I highly recommend going for an event or one of their many galleries or exhibitions. The Guild, established in 1886, is nationally recognized for it's reputation in the Midwest. Click here for more information on the history of the Guild.

Scattered among three floors of galleries were hidden treasures of the Marked Surfaces Exhibition. On the first level, the Mad Art Exhibition colored the walls with artists building colors on canvass' through out the rooms. Walking upstairs to the second floor, rooms were filled with sculptures, and artful objects and the Skin Deep Exhibit featuring the art of Asian paint tattooing. Circling up the staircase further led guests to the third floor, a big room that held a large crowd taking in the music from the live DJ.

Outside, there was an RFT model decked from head to toe in RFT print and body paint. On the other side of the patio were drummers, dancers, and flame jugglers to add to the spectrum of artistic expression.

This was a tremendous event and I thoroughly enjoyed attending. At every turn there was something interesting going on, and atmosphere was great. I hope that this event returns again next year, as it will be one I add to my annual calendar.

Also, Visit the Artist's Guild soon as the Mad Art Exhibit and others will be closing September 6th so hurry! Upcoming galleries include Emerging Artists and Express Yourself Exhibitions opening September 14th.

He is looking for art in all media and styles. Don't limit your thinking to just pumpkins and black cats. Jack is open to anything that's dark, moody, surreal, goth, weird, strange, bizarre, unusual, darkly humorous, or fitting in any way for a Halloween show.

Jack's Halloween Art Show and Party is a one night event. In addition to fantastic art, there will be food, entertainment and a cash bar. Come in costume. It is a Halloween party after all. 

Saturday, October 18, 2008. 7pm-1am
Admission is only $2.00.
Koken Art Factory, 2500 Ohio Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104

Important Dates:
Oct. 1 - Submission deadline
Oct. 5 - Acceptance notification
Oct. 12 - Art drop-off at Koken, 12-5pm
Oct. 13 - Art drop-off at Koken, 5-9pm
Oct. 18 - Show and Party! 7pm-1am
Oct. 19 - Art pick-up, 12-5pm
Oct. 20 - Final art pick-up, 5-7pm

If you are interested in submitting your art, please click here to read submission instructions. Jack is a stickler for details and you don't want to make him mad, trust me! He also recommends that you read over the Waiver Form, the Drop-off rules and the Show Description on the website so there are no surprises. You can also email Jack with questions at jacksartshow@gmail.com

The 79th Washington Town & Country Fair is underway, but continues through late Sunday, August 10th.

Musical artists such as Terri Clark, ACM award winner Tracy Lawrence and Huey Lewis and the News will all be playing the Main Stage Friday and Saturday night. Check here for the main stage music schedule. 

Family activities include the Purina Farms Petting Zoo, the Talent Show, lots of contests like turtle races, a hula hoop contest and of course, the bubble gum blowing competition. Birds of Prey and Great Cat Adventures allow the opportunity for kids (and adults) to get up close and personal with nature's creatures including Bengal & Siberian Tigers, Lions, Cougar and Panther.

Children age 5 and under are free, as is parking.

The 154th Annual St. Clair County Fair is also underway at Belle Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. You can partake tonight from 5pm until midnight and again Saturday from 2pm until midnight. Click here or call 618.233.0052 for more information.

Where can you find punk baby, monster plush and pet gear all in one place?

On August 9, the St. Louis Craft Mafia will offer up an eclectic mix of handmade goods and artwork at CraftaNostra. Here, Craft Mafia members will silently lash out against the commercialized corporate world of strip malls and cookie cutter gifts by showing their love of DIY goods. Twenty-five plus St. Louis Craft Mafia members will feature their work, including jewelry, plush, original artwork, clothing, women's accessories, sassy household items, baby gear and pet collars, all in a handmade paradise at CooperElla Café & Boutique. While DJ Rabbitt spins great tracks the entire evening, enjoy sandwiches, desserts and drinks at the Café while you browse the handmade goodness by some the most creative artists and crafters in town.

WHAT: CraftaNostra Craft Show

WHEN: Saturday, August 9 from 7pm to 11pm
Free and open to the public

WHERE: CooperElla Café & Boutique
2743 Sutton (just south of Manchester)
Maplewood, MO 63143
(314) 769-9180

Next week is Downtown Restaurant Week in St. Louis; It’s a seven-day celebration of our fair city’s finest eateries (though Uncle Bill’s opted out this year,) and a delicious way to give back to the community through optional diner donations to Operation Food Search. There’s no complexity to how this thing works, just visit this site, choose from one of 24 restaurants, and select your grub from menus customized for this event. Aren’t you excited? Us commonfolk no longer have to dine and dash to enjoy a good meal…the guard dogs at Carmine’s make it so hard to do so anyway (the bite wounds are healing nicely, thanks.)

The Exhibition runs from August 14th, 2008 through September 7th, 2008, but artwork considerations need to be submitted by 7pm Saturday, August 2nd.

They are seeking to represent 30 artists in their Contemporary Art Gallery, exhibiting with their 14 resident artists.

Here are the submission guidelines:

1. Submission is FREE - but must be received by 7pm Saturday, August 2nd.

2. Each artist may submit up to three original works for consideration.

3. Artwork should respond to the exhibition title: "This One's for you...." a juried exhibition of local artists celebrating the role of Anheuser Busch in the history of St Louis.

4. They are looking for all forms of art, styles and points of view.

5. 2D work should be no larger than 4ft x 4ft in total. Must be framed and ready for hanging.

6. Sculpture should be no taller than 6ft and must have a stand or be displayable on a 10" deep windowsill.

7. All artwork for consideration must be submitted via JPEG/JPG image.

8. An accompanying e-mail must include title/ media/measurements, contact e-mail address, and phone number.

9. File size for each work cannot exceed 500kb, JPEG Files should be named as such: Artists Name_Name of Piece_Dimensions.jpg (John Smith_Artwork1_16x20.jpg)

Send e-mail and JPEG/JPG(s) to:
jury@soulardartmarket.com

All submissions are to be received no later than August 2nd, 2008, by 7pm CST for consideration.

Accepted artists will be contacted by August 3rd and promotional postcards will be available for collection from the gallery.

Accepted artists must submit an operational costs fee of $30, however, there will be no commission; artists will retain 100% of sales.

For more info visit www.soulardartmarket.com

e-mail: info@soulardartmarket.com
Soulard Art Market & Contemporary Art Gallery (314-258-4299)

This may seem like an archaic suggestion in a world where the internet is king, and everything can be done with the click of a mouse, but I have my reasons.

Scalpers, and, more notably, scalping agencies, are using the system to buy up all the tickets and line their pockets. The fan who just wants to see a game or concert is the one being screwed.

My example is the Mizzou-Illinois football game at the Edward Jones Dome. At 10:00 this morning, tickets were to go on sale at Ticketmaster.com. I was ready. I hit refresh just as the clock struck ten, and the screen flipped over to buying mode....and the game was already sold out. They said to keep trying. I did. They said to lower the number of tickets I was requesting. I did. (From 4 to 2) Still nothing.

Then suddenly, a ray of hope! I could go on Ticketmaster's Ticket Exchange to get some tix. That's where people who've already bought tickets can turn around and sell them. Amazingly tickets that were $35 at 10:00 were now $168 at 10:10. The same thing had happened at StubHub.com, where thousands of tickets instantly became available at inflated prices.

How does this happen? Every scalping agency invests in a bank of high speed computers which automatically flood the system when tickets go on sale. As a regular person, unless you have "win the lotto" type luck, you don't have a chance.

This is why I say, go back to the old way. It may be totally inefficient, and I'm sure the scalpers will send people out to stand in line. But at least the die hard fan has a shot at getting there first. Plus, if they put a limit on the tickets you can buy, the scalpers will have to pay their lackies a small fortune to get the same number of tickets.

If this sounds like sour grapes, so be it. I am a little pissed. If Missouri wants scalping to be legal, that's fine. But we need to find a way to level the playing field. Otherwise Ticket Brokers are going to set the prices, and only the wealthiest of fans will be in the stands. That's garbage!

Friday, July 18

6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Open

6:00 p.m. Steel Train on the Budweiser Main Stage

8:00 p.m. O.A.R. on the Budweiser Main Stage

9:15 p.m. (approx.) US Bank/Enterprise Rent-A-Car Fireworks

Fireworks for LIVE OFF the Levee will be at Soldier's Memorial, not on the Mississippi River.

AmerenUE/Schnucks K-Town Kids Zone (relocated to 14th street between Pine and Market. It was on 15th)

Free kids entertainment from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Try out a new instrument at Music for Lifelong Achievement, work with slippery slime from Mad Science of St. Louis, make sunglasses from The Magic House or try out a segway from The Science Center. Test your throwing arm at the NFL Experience from the St. Louis Rams and little ones will enjoy the bounce house.

Appearing on the K-Town Kids Stage July 18^th:

• 6:15 p.m. Laughing Matters

• 7:15 p.m. Fanfare

Saturday, July 19

6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Open

6:00 p.m. Marquise Knox on the Budweiser Main Stage

8:00 p.m. WAR on the Budweiser Main Stage

9:15 p.m. (approx.) US Bank/Enterprise Rent-A-Car Fireworks

AmerenUE/Schnucks K-Town Kids Zone (relocated to 14th street between Pine and Market. It was on 15th)

Free kids entertainment from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Appearing on the K-Town Kids Stage July 19^th:

• 6:15 p.m. Sherry Norfolk - storyteller

• 7:15 p.m. Circus Harmony Performers

The Sauce Café
Enjoy fine dining on the Soldier's Memorial Plaza at 13^th and Chestnut. Saturday night Portabella Restaurant and Catering will host The Sauce Café, serving a three-course prix fixe meal designed especially for LIVE OFF the Levee. Dinner is $30 per person, not including tax, gratuity and beverage.

There are two seatings: 6 to 7:45 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and are accepted online at www.CelebrateStLouis.org. Walk-ins are accommodated only if space is available.

The Sauce Café Menu for Saturday, July 19^th from

Portabella Restaurant and Catering:

1^st Course:

Local heirloom tomato salad with basil vinaigrette.

2^nd Course:

Beef tenderloin spedini with porcini mushroom risotto.

3^rd Course:

Strawberry shortcake with vanilla bean cream and fresh strawberries

Friday, July 11

6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Open

6:00 p.m. Umphrey's McGee and Sound Tribe Sector 9 on the Budweiser Main Stage

9:15 p.m. (approx.) US Bank/Enterprise Rent-A-Car Fireworks

Fireworks for LIVE OFF the Levee will be at Soldier's Memorial, not on the Mississippi River.

AmerenUE/Schnucks K-Town Kids Zone
Free kids entertainment from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Try out a new instrument at Music for Lifelong Achievement, work with slippery slime from Mad Science of St. Louis, make sunglasses from The Magic House or try out a segway from The Science Center. Test your throwing arm at the NFL Experience from the St. Louis Rams and little ones will enjoy the bounce house.

Appearing on the K-Town Kids Stage July 11^th:

6:15 p.m. Farshid Soltanshahi & Sandy Weltman - music

7:15 p.m. Snowflakey Lady from the City Museum (storyteller and snowflake maker)

Saturday, July 12

6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Open

6:00 p.m. Borderline on the Budweiser Main Stage

8:00 p.m. Lonestar on the Budweiser Main Stage

9:15 p.m. (approx.) US Bank/Enterprise Rent-A-Car Fireworks

AmerenUE/Schnucks K-Town Kids Zone

Free kids entertainment from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Appearing on the K-Town Kids Stage July 12^th:

6:15 p.m. Bobby Norfolk - storyteller

7:15 p.m. Snowflakey Lady from the City Museum (storyteller and snowflake maker)

The Sauce Café
Enjoy fine dining on the Soldier's Memorial Plaza at 13^th and Chestnut. Saturday night Highway 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen will host The Sauce Café, serving a three-course meal designed especially for LIVE OFF the Levee. Dinner is $30 per person, not including tax, gratuity and beverage.

There are two seatings: 6 to 7:45 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and are accepted online at www.CelebrateStLouis.org. Walk-ins are accommodated only if space is available.

The Sauce Café Menu for Saturday, July 12^th from

Highway 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen:

1^st Course:

Hot crab dip on pita chips - Sweet crab claw meat blended with cream cheese, almonds & spices topped with cheddar cheese.

2^nd Course:

BBQ Sampler - Slow smoke pulled pork, St. Louis Style Ribs and chicken lightly glazed in our house made barbecue sauce. Served with homemade Cole Slaw and Cream Corn Soufflé.

3^rd Course:

Praline and Cream - A scoop of Webster's own Serendipity's vanilla ice cream served with a homemade pecan praline and topped with cinnamon caramel sauce. A praline is a southern candy made with heavy cream, vanilla, brown sugar and pecan halves.