Photograph courtesy of Fair St. Louis
Summer is in full-swing and it looks like we're in for a really hot one this year (and we're not just talking about the temperature)! Round out your July calendar with highly anticipated events ranging from Fair St. Louis to Carondolet Bastille Day to hot summer concerts and more. Here's our list of the top 10 things not to miss from the SLM calendar (in chronological order):
1. July 4–21: Fair St. Louis and Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts
Beyond the air show and fireworks, the music’s the thing at Fair Saint Louis. Among this year’s acts under the Gateway Arch: Heart (July 4), Third Eye Blind (July 6), and Dierks Bentley (July 7). Then the hits keep coming with the Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts at Soldiers Memorial, with Neon Trees (July 13), Michael Franti & Spearhead (July 14), The Offspring (July 20), and Nelly (July 21). Free. For times and other details, visit fairsaintlouis.org.
2. July 11: Dave Matthews Band
Since Dave Matthews Band played Busch Stadium in 2008, a lot’s changed. Longtime saxophonist LeRoi Moore died several months after the concert, the band released the album Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King in 2009, and there are plans to release a new album this year. $40.50–$75. Time: 7 p.m. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 14141 Riverport, 314-298-9944, livenation.com.
3. July 12: St. Louis Magazine's A-List Party
Join St. Louis Magazine and Cadillac as we celebrate 10 years of St. Louis' finest with this stylish street soiree! Enjoy an open bar and sample savory cuisine from the city's best restaurants! Rub shoulders with a hip, fashionable crowd as you dance under the star-filled sky to live performances by That 80s Band, Joe Dirt, and DJ Greasy. Sip on cocktails from Tanqueray, Ketel One Vodka, Johnnie Walker, and Budweiser Select. This party is full of surprises and is a glittering celebration of the city we love! Tickets are $35 for general admission if purchased by July 2, $75 for VIP. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 314-918-3033 or click HERE.
4. July 13: Let Them Eat Art
Maplewood celebrates Bastille Day with a theme that’s just as French, but less savage than the guillotine: art. The city describes this event as “Mardi Gras meets the Christmas Tree Walk.” This year, the organizers have scheduled live music, live art demonstrations, hoop-dance performances, belly dancing, and more. Free. Time: 6–11 p.m. Downtown Maplewood, 7300 Manchester, 314-646-3607, cityofmaplewood.com.
5. July 14: Fionna Apple
You likely know Fiona Apple for her hits “Criminal” and “Fast as You Can” (or possibly for dating HBO’s Bored to Death creator/novelist Jonathan Ames). Since receiving a Grammy at age 19, Apple’s continued to crank out soulful alt-rock ballads. Her latest album, slated for release last month, is The Idler Wheel… $35–$75. Time: 7:30 p.m. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market, 800-745-3000, peabodyoperahouse.com.
6. July 14-31: Classic French Film Festival
Cinema St. Louis and the Webster Film Series present 12 classic French films, including a new print of Children of Paradise, the 1945 film by Michael Carné about a woman loved by four different men, and Jean-Luc Godard’s satirical Week End, about the end of civilization. $10, $8 students. Winifred Moore Auditorium, Webster University, 470 E. Lockwood, 314-289-4150, cinemastlouis.org.
7. July 23: Tenacious D
Jack Black and Kyle Gass blend comedy and catchy hooks to form Tenacious D. The band’s self-titled debut and 2006 movie garnered the duo a cult-like following; their latest is Rize of the Fenix, featuring Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl on drums. $39.50–$44.50. Time: 8 p.m. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar, 314-726-6161, thepageant.com.
8. July 23–28: St. Louis Tap Festival
This festival brings stars of the tap world to St. Louis, including Bob Scheerer, Robert L. Reed, and Claudia Rahardjanoto. Learn to be a tap master through the many classes and workshops all week. Times: 8 a.m.–7:45 p.m. Mon–Fri, 8–10:45 a.m. Sat. Tap Jam (July 25). Watch legendary tap dancers improvise. Free. Time: 8 p.m. Workshops and Tap Jam are at Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel, 7730 Bonhomme, 314-863-0400, tapheritage.org. All That Tap XXI (July 28). Catch the masters in an all-out performance. $35. Time: 7 p.m. Event held at Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UM–St. Louis, 1 University, 314-516-4100, touhill.org.
9. July 27: Steve Harvey
Stand-up comedian Steve Harvey may be best known for starring in The Steve Harvey Show and hosting Family Feud, but he was also one of the original Kings of Comedy on the tour that featured Cedric the Entertainer, Bernie Mac, and D.L. Hughley. With Junior. $46.50–$50.50. Time: 8 p.m. Chaifetz Arena, Saint Louis University, 1 S. Compton, 314-977-5000, thechaifetzarena.com.
10. July 31: Seal
So he shares a stage name with a pinniped and is probably best known for a hit from the soundtrack to Batman Forever. But the man’s sold more than 20 million albums and recorded music for more than two decades. He comes to St. Louis with Macy Gray on his Soul 2 tour. $40–$65. Time: 8 p.m. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, 314-534-1111, fabulousfox.com.
By Rosalind Early and Nancy McMullen
