Photograph by Wendi Fitzgerald
It will be a big weekend in St. Louis. Besides Cardinals games, there's Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day brunch and other mom-centric festivities, the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration, Mayfest in Kirkwood, the St. Louis Microfest Beer Festival... And that's just the beginning. Here are five other must-hit events.
May 5 | Bayou Maharaja With Al Holliday and Ethan Leinwand
I've got some blues that contain old soul, with new wrinkles. Those are the words of legendary New Orleans pianist James Booker, who wore gold stars on his eyepatch, played NOLA jazz/blues inflected with Rachmaninoff, and gave the world a sound it's not heard before or since. Bayou Maharaja tells the story of this underrated genius (and you can watch the trailer here). The screening is emceed by musician Al Holliday, with performances by local ragtime-jazz pianist Ethan Leinwand. $7. 7:30 p.m. The Stage at KDHX, 3524 Washington.
May 6–8 | Laumeier Art Fair
Some of us go to brunch to celebrate Mother's Day; others mark the occasion by attending Laumeier's annual art fair, where you'll find work from 150 juried artists, including sculptors, painters, and fiber artists making handmade clothing. (This event is also part of our Top 10 Things to Do This May, which you can find here.) $10 Friday, $5 Saturday, free Sunday. 12580 Rott.
May 6 & 7 | First Friday Artwalk / Old North St. Louis House & Community Tour / Spring Fling in the City
Things will be hopping in Old North this weekend. On Friday, the neighborhood hosts its monthly First Friday Art Walk, where you can browse new shows at UrbArts, La Mancha, Fourteenth Street Gallery, and the Old North Restoration Group office, which will host a photo exhibit by the creators of the Humans of St. Louis project. Then, on Saturday, take the annual home and garden tour, which will be extra lively thanks to an open-air vintage market on 14th Street. $10, $15 day of tour; vintage fair is free. Exhibit on view at Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, 2700 N. 14th. Old North, 14th and St. Louis.
May 7 | Royale Kentucky Derby Party
The first thing you need to know: There's a mandatory dress code. Ties for guys, hats for ladies—and that doesn't mean a blues ball cap, for either gender. You'll want to pull your best fedora or cartwheel out of its box anyway; there's a prize for best hat and best overall style. And there's fun to be had even if you don't care for horse-racing. The Gaslight Squares play till 8 p.m., and the bar will be serving up mint juleps and other cocktails. $12. Starts at 2 p.m. The Royale, 3132 S. Kingshighway.
May 8 | Denise Thimes Mother's Day Concert
If you're still hungry after Mother's Day brunch—or if you want to save your appetite—you can dine, buffet-style, in the terrace lobby before the concert. (The event announcement promises it will be "lavish.") Then, at 5:30 p.m., St. Louis' own Denise Thimes will deliver what's sure to be a tour de force show, along with L.A. pianist Tamir Hendelman, saxophonist Tom Braxton (who's flying in from Dallas), and comedienne Monique Marvez. $25–$45, $40 pre-show buffet. 5:30 p.m. Blanche M Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University, University of St. Louis–Missouri Campus.
