Image courtesy of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race
This September, our list of the top 10 events in town is all about fairs and festivals. Whether you're celebrating art, hot-air balloons, Japanese culture, local flavors, or Blueberry Hill, there's a reason to get out almost every weekend this month. Here's our list of the top 10 things not to miss from the SLM calendar (in chronological order):
1. September 1 & 2: Big Muddy Blues Festival
The city’s annual blues festival features 30 local and national blues acts playing 20 hours of music on three stages near the waterfront on Laclede’s Landing. $10–$85. Times: 1–11 p.m. Laclede’s Landing, bigmuddybluesfestival.com.
2. September 1, 2, & 3: Japanese Festival
This fest celebrates the culture of Japan in the Japanese Garden with taiko drumming, Bon Odori festival dancing, martial arts, and candlelight walks. $15, $10 seniors, $5 children and garden members. Times: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat & Sun, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577-5100, mobot.org/events/japanesefestival.
3. September 7, 8 & 9: Saint Louis Art Fair
Each September, downtown Clayton transforms into a veritable outdoor art gallery, with white tents dotting the streets during the Saint Louis Art Fair. The range of mediums is impressive: ceramics, digital, photography, jewelry, printmaking, sculpture… And if you need a break, there’s no shortage of food and drink. Free. Times: 5–10 p.m. Fri, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun. Downtown Clayton, 314-863-0278, culturalfestivals.com.
4. September 8: Blueberry Hill’s 40th Anniversary Bash
Celebrate Blueberry Hill turning 40 at this party, which includes contests and prizes. Free. Time: 8 p.m. Blueberry Hill, 6504 Delmar, 314-727-2277, blueberryhill.com/events/duck. For tickets, call 800-745-3000. Ages 21-plus.
5. September 11: Jason Mraz
The name of Jason Mraz’s latest series of shows—“Tour Is a Four-Letter Word”—is a nod to his latest album, Love Is a Four-Letter Word, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in April. After getting his start by playing in San Diego coffee shops, Mraz has won two Grammy Awards and become a household name. $23–$59.50. Time: 7:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 14141 Riverport, 314-298-9944, livenation.com.
6. September 14 & 15: The Great Forest Park Balloon Race
Over time, humans have used basset hounds, hawks, and even ferrets to help catch rabbits. But hot-air balloons? It’s part of the norm at The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, when dozens of “hound” balloons give chase to the Energizer Bunny Hot Hare Balloon, that 166-foot-tall bunny behemoth—an impressive catch for any hunter. And don’t miss the Balloon Glow the night before. Free. Times: 7 p.m. Fri, 12 p.m. Sat. Central Field, Forest Park, greatforestparkballoonrace.com.
7. September 21: Music of Ray Charles
When Ellis Hall performs Music of Ray Charles with the St. Louis Symphony, you can bet it will be a memorable show. The blind musician once worked with Charles himself. Now, he plays the hits—“Hit the Road Jack,” “I Got a Woman,” “What’d I Say”—with the backing of the full orchestra. $35–$65. Time: 7:30 p.m. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand, 314-533-2500, stlsymphony.org.
8. September 21–30: The Black Rep’s No Child
The Black Rep reprises the show that it put on last spring to rave reviews. Written by Nilaja Sun, this one-woman show, is about a drama teacher who works with “academically and emotionally challenged youth” from some of New York City’s toughest schools. Call for prices and times. Edison Theatre, Mallinckrodt Center, Washington University, 6645 Forsyth, 314-935-6543, edison.wustl.edu.
9. September 28, 29 & 30: Taste of St. Louis
A moving feast of 45 restaurants lines Market Street during Taste of St. Louis. But beyond the bite-size dishes, there’s a healthy serving of entertainment, including a Chef Battle Royale, live music, an art-and-wine walk, and a new, ticketed Grand Tasting Event, with chef demos, exclusive tastings, and more. Free. Times: 4–11 p.m. Fri, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun. Soldiers Memorial, Tucker Boulevard and Market Street, 314-534-2100 x22, tastestl.com.
10. September 29: Dancing in the Street
Close to a thousand dancers from 80 dance companies will gather for a show-stopping festival featuring tap, ballet, jazz, and clog dancing. This year also features a break-dancing showcase led by Nick Gates, founder of Hip Hop Foundation Fanatics and a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance. There will also be a step-dance showcase with the award-winning Gentlemen of Vision. Free. Times: 1–8 p.m., 2:15 p.m. hip-hop showcase, 4:15 p.m. step-dance showcase, 6:30–8 p.m. open dance. Grand Center, Grand Boulevard between Delmar and Lindell boulevards, 314-289-1517, grandcenter.org.
By Rosalind Early and Nancy McMullen
