David McClister
Son Volt
Open Highway Music Festival | August 2–6
It's a bit under the radar, and the tickets are super affordable. We predict that situation might not hold for long because, jeez, just look at this year's lineup: Josh Ritter and Early James, who kick off the fest on Wednesday night; Diarrhea Planet, St. Louis' own Smidley (featuring members of Foxing), and Joan of Dark on Thursday; JD McPherson, Patrick Sweany, and the Loot Rock Gang on Friday; Foxygen, Twin Peaks, Sleepy Kitty, and Essential Knots on Saturday; and Son Volt, Nikki Lane, Sleepy Rubies, and the Vondrukes on Sunday. $15–$40. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp, offbroadwaystl.com.
Golden Gems’ One-Year Anniversary Party & Market | August 4
SLM's August issue featured sisters Amanda Helman and Susan Logsdon of Golden Gems. Check out their "playfully offensive" Etsy shop, and then see their goods in person at the shop's one-year anniversary celebration. Helmand and Logsdon will be joined by Living Collective, Lady Von Black Curiosities, Westminster Press, Lonesome Traveler, West Park Creative, and Pretty Bad Co. You can also customize your own banner, pick up a hand-sewn Westminster press patch, eat sweets, and sample beer and bourbon. Shopping online is practical, but this sounds like more fun, non? Free. 7–11 p.m., Empire Hall, 3407 California, facebook.com.
PixelPop Festival | August 4–6
It's no secret (at least if you're paying attention) that St. Louis is turning into a center for gaming entrepreneurs—not just video games, but analog tabletop games, too. So it makes sense that PixelPop, our homegrown game development conference, is attracting attendees and presenters from all over the country (and in its fourth year, no less!). This weekend's festivities include pre- and post-fest parties; a screening of the doc Dev Diary, which tells the story of how Crashlands saved one of its inventors' lives; lots and lots of exhibitors; presentations on game soundtracks, making games, game narratives, teaching games; and a keynote address by Rebeckah Salesman, founder and CEO of indie game label Finji. $15, $20. Busch Student Center, Saint Louis University, 20 N. Grand, pixelpopfestival.com.
The 'Burbs Music and Art Festival | August 5
This weekend's very first 'Burbs Fest is mainly a celebration of electronica and dance music—Barely Alive, Virtual Riot, Dubloadz, Blaqout, Boss Mode B2B, Roll Bro, Nightchaser, and DJ Alexis Tucci—but there are rock acts on the bill, too—The Weeks, The Schwag, Vita and the Woolf, Looprat, Bruiser Queen, and Pat Sajak Assassins. Local arts organizations and counter-culturalists—Gateway Burners, Gateway Kite Club, Shipla Rao, Erector Set, and Community Mandala—will also keep things lively. $20, $25. 2 p.m. Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans, chesterfieldamphitheater.com.
Moonlight Ramble | August 5
The "World's Original Nighttime Bike Ride" (not to mention the longest-running) has happened every summer for the past 54 years. At a minute before midnight, riders of all sorts—kids, college students, even people who were there for the Rambles in the 1960s—don commemorative glow-in-the-dark Midnight Ramble T-shirts (or their own homemade glow-in-the-dark apparel) and ride through St. Louis under the light of the moon. The "ramble" part is accurate, too; this is a slow-paced, leisurely ride that's good for bikers of all fitness levels. The night includes pre- and post-ride attractions, including live music and a post-ride party in which cyclists will be awarded prizes for Best Costume and Best Bike Décor. Proceeds benefit Kingdom House and hosteling organization HI-USA. $10 kids, $25 adults, $50 VIP registration. Downtown St. Louis, corner of 8th and Cerre, moonlightramble.com.
Check out SLM's top five family-friendly events for this weekend, as well as coverage of other major happenings, including A Chorus Line at The Muny, the Blues at the Arch concert series, Paperdolls' Warehouse Sale, StreetsFest Beale Street Concert Series in St. Charles, and more. For additional options, visit SLM's calendar.
