Flowers, Food & FREE entertainment, could an evening get much better? Missouri Botanical Gardens doesn’t think so, that’s why they’ve orchestrated the Whitaker Music Festival through out July & August. Depending on which specified date on their calendar (*see their website for more details), you could get in free between 9am-5pm or your entry may be free after 5pm. Want to try some local brisket sandwiches? Bring some cash, as food is available for purchase on site. Strapped for cash or looking for a cheap, but still romantic, date? Pack a picnic and bring a cooler – you’re allowed to bring in food after certain times.  The entertainment varies depending on the date, for example, on July 29th the entertainment is provided by Ralph Butler, but the quality is sure to never lack.

Another round of "free" concerts is comin up under the arch this July 17th, with a nice variety in the lineup.  Though last years location had to be moved a couple blocks due to the floods, this year it's expected to be back at the Riverfront. 

The main shows are scheduled to start around 8pm on the Budweiser stage, with a local band heading off at around 6pm, each Friday and Saturday from July 17th through August 1st.   Here's the lineup:

Schlafly is known for its great beer and for its two hotspots here in St. Louis: The Tap Room (down town) and The Bottleworks (Maplewood).  Each brewpub serves great food, excellent in quality, taste and price, and each brewpub offers private parties and events.  This spring and summer, head to the Schlafly Bottleworks for some fun events and some tasty beer. 

The best thing about Soulard, other than the Mardi-Gras parade, is the Farmer's Market. Cheap, healthy, fresh, and plentiful, who could ask for more? As a frequent shopper, I advise that you go on the last two weekends of the month as it does not appear to be as busy as the beginning of the month.

If you were to look up the term "hipster" in a dictionary, the definition might include a map of South Grand, the hipster's primary habitat. Located in South St. Louis City, on Grand south of Arsenal, lies the area locals commonly refer to as "South Grand". Although somewhat fairly stereotyped as an entertainment district teeming with Mopeds, indie/mod/punk kids, kinkiness, cooler than thou clubs, dirty bathrooms, art school drop-outs and extreme liberals, South Grand is so much more than that one-dimensional image.

Generic cereal without milk for breakfast, Ramen noodles for lunch and hot dog surprise, yet again, for dinner: it's official, you're broke. Even if your financial situation hasn't hit "Ramen noodle-status", you probably want to be conservative with your cash in this dire economy. You may be a bit depressed over your bank account, but you can't afford to go out and cheer yourself up, so you spiral into a deeper funk; a seemingly vicious circle. Well, never fear! St. Louis and the surrounding counties are chock full of free and very cheap things to do for fun. Most native St. Louisans, and even most visitors, know about free entertainment staples such as the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center and the St. Louis Art Museum, but our fair city has much more gratis to give.

Taking place between February 1, 2009 - February 28, 2009 is Black History Heritage Month at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, a month-long event that is well worth checking out firsthand.

Amy Grant and Vince Gill want to help spread the holiday cheer this Christmas season, and they are arriving just in time, December 19th at the Scottrade Center.

As a kid and even still, I enjoy a good festive evening car ride of “Christmas light gawking.” Its nice to know that others share my same seasonal urge, which has influenced a variety of light displays over the greater St. Louis area. Two of the most popular (outside of church hosted events) light spectacles are in Jelly Stone Park (Eureka) and Tilles Park (St. Louis).

Still trying to think of something to do this New Years Eve? If so, you may be interested in heading over to Dantes Nightclub, located in the heart of St. Louis.

If you want something that offers a little bit of everything, the upcoming Kaleidoscope event in St. Louis will be perfect for you.

 This New Years Eve, why not spend your night in Grand Center for First St. Louis and have one of the best nights of your life, partying with friends and family while ringing in the new year.

This is much more than a grand party, it is an artful event that will satisfy even the most particular tastes. 

Mmm..beer....

One of my newer favorite dinner hang outs is Schlafly Bottleworks in South County. I'm not much a beer drinker most nights, but I love the Hefeweizen and the Pilsner. If you are not a huge beer guzzler, try the Hefeweizen; if you are a Miller kind of guy/gal, go for the Pilsner. The drink glasses are large, filling and satisfying. The prices aren't bad either! If you like pizzas, you can order your own style mini pizza - and  bison, goat cheese and bbq are options! I personally like the BLT with olive oil instead of globs of mayo.  The servers are nice, the food comes up quick! Never a complaint from me. If you are looking for more of an intimate setting, go to the Schlafly Tap Room. It has a larger area for pool or darts and has 2 bars as opposed to the Bottlework's single bar. However, the menu at the Tap Room varies from that of Bottleworks. You cannot order the BLT or mini pizza at the Tap Room. My two favorite dinners a the Tap Room are the Corned Beef Sandwich and the Beer Battered Cod & Fries. Again, never a disappointment at this location either. Their food is always fresh and tasty!