Daniel Schwen, via Wikimedia Commons
Happy 2012, St. Louis! Here's how to keep busy for the last little homestretch of 2011...
Thursday, December 29
The Movie Music of John Williams
Conductor David Robertson is joined by the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the St. Louis Children's Choirs as the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra wraps up 2011 with excerpts from the scores of Close Encounters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Harry Potter movies, and Star Wars. $35-$75. Performances December 29 and 30, both at 7 p.m. Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand, 314-286-4126, stlsymphony.org.
Meet Me in St. Louis at The Historic Wildey Theatre
The beautiful old Wildey is the perfect place to indulge in some nostalgia with a screening of the Judy Garland clasic, Meet Me in St. Louis. $6-$8. Times: 6:30 & 9:30 p.m. 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, Ill. 618-307-2053, wildeytheatre.com.
Friday, December 30
Songs of Africa Ensemble Kwanzaa Concert
African Musical Arts presents the Songs of Africa Ensemble, performing music from Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria and South Africa. The concert is meant to be entertaining as well as educational; the performers also invite the audience to stand up, sing along and move with the music. $10, $5 students. Time: 7 p.m. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6800 Washington, 314-652-6800, africaarts.org.
Winter Wobbleland
Jumpin' Jupiter is usually a dueling piano bar, but tonight they host DJ CMount, At0m1x, MilesTone, JWire and Technoloj, spinning drum 'n' bass, jungle, house, funk, dubstep and chillstep till 1 a.m.. $10, +$3 minors. Music starts at 8 p.m. Jumpin Jupiter!, 7376 Manchester, djcmount.com.
Saturday, December 31
Luminary Center for the Arts' Space Invaders-themed NYE
If you have little kids, your choice is going to definitely be First Night St. Louis. If you are looking for adult parties, there's plenty to choose from, including this video-game inspired bash, which includes music from 18andCounting, Space Invaders on the big screen, a photo booth, games, appetizers, beer from Schlafly and Urban Chestnut, wine, mixed drinks, and of course champagne at midnight. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door; price includes two drink tickets. 4900 Reber, 314-773-1533, theluminaryarts.com.
A Speakesy New Year's Eve
Dress up as your favorite flapper, gun moll, robber baron or rum runner and you may win a prize. The party also includes an open bar, appetizers, champagne toast at midnight, plus a burlesque show, DJ and a photo booth. $75. Time: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Mad Art Gallery, 2727 12th tickets sold online only, madartnye2011.eventbrite.com.
Speakersincode.com's Free NYE Concert at Off Broadway
If you prefer Speakers in Code (the blog) to Speakeasies, note that they are pulling togther a super extravaganza concert of St. Louis talent tonight, with performances by The Blind Eyes Kentucky Knife Fight, Dino's House Band, Cassie Morgan, Beth Bombara and more. Not only is the music top-notch, the price is right. Music starts at 8 p.m. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp, 314-773-3363, offbroadwaystl.com.
The Beggar's Carnivale New Year's Eve Ball
More retro fun at the Casa Loma. with the burlesque and vaudeville performers of Beggar's Carnivale, with music by Seattle's Armitage Shanks. Includes a champagne toast at midnight, followed by a breakfast buffet. $59, tickets at Brown Paper Tickets. Time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m. 3354 Iowa, beggarscarnivale.com.
Sunday, January 1
Snowball Series New Year’s Day Run
The Missouri Running Company's third race in its 2011-2012 Snowball Series offers you the chance to jog off a few of those extra holiday calories in a 5k or 10k race. Registration is $30, and if you register by Wednesday, you are guaranteed a long-sleeved race T-shirt. The race kicks off at MRC's U. City store, 606 North and South Road. For more information, call 314-727-4786, or visit morunco.com.
