Westport Plaza’s Party in the Plaza

Unless you just returned from a monastary (or a nunery) somewhere on the remote countryside, you’re probably already familiar with St. Louis’s hottest afterwork wind down event, Westport Plaza’s Party in the Plaza.

If you did in fact just arrive and you need the low-down, Party in the Plaza is like an after work street party that goes down on the third Thursday of every month.   People are able to walk freely around the village with food and drinks while listening to two great live bands between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  They’ve been going strong for several month now this season.

Including this week, there are three events left in the 2010 series.  Here are the musical lineups…

Thursday, July 15: FatPocket, Dave and Greg Show Band
Thursday, August 19: King Pin and Boone Project Duo
Thurday, September 16: SLAM and Rich Mahagony

It’s really a nice event to go to after work.  Pretty much all of the establishments in the Plaza take part, including Casa Gallardo, IceKitchen, Pujols 5, Trainwreck Saloon and Westport Pizza Co.  For more info, call 314.576.7100 or “like” the event’s Facebook page.  Westport Plaza is not too far from Westmont at Chesterfield if you’re leaving from home.

(Photo Credit: Westport Plaza)

Are you ready for the hunt?

How would you like to be a part of the biggest scavenger hunt to ever hit St. Louis?  Not only can you be a part of it, but you can help out a great cause in doing so.  On Saturday, July 24, a special events company called City Hunts will be holding one of their increaingly popular city-wide hunts to benefit The Sherwood Forrest Camp for economically disadvantaged children.

Here’s kinda how it works: on the day of the event, different hunt teams meet up at 10:30 a.m. at the Sons of Rest Shelter in Tower Grove Park.  They will then have 3-hours to obtain as many items on the given list as possible.  The cost of the hunt is $22 per person, however the winning team will walk away with $100.00, 1st place medals and City Hunts T’s!  To boot, there will also be a “post-hunt” party sponsored by Natural Light beer.

Sound like fun?  Check out their website for more info and to register.  They also have their own Facebook group for you to join and stay in the loop for events.

(Photo Credit: City Hunts)

LIVE on the Levee

One of the obvious advantages of living in a major city, such as St. Louis, is that there is always something to do.  There are always different types of events, from sports events, to professional events, to cultural events.  There are always tons of great restaurants to eat at, no matter what your flavor may be (or what you’d like to try.  And there are always great artists coming to your city to perform.

Next weekend, after wrapping up Fair St. Louis 2010, the Riverfront will pick up the LIVE on the Levee concert series - a free summer festival featuring live music, U. S. Bank fireworks, AmerenUE/Schnucks K-Town Kids Zone and other activities.  The concerts run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and each night culminates with a huge fireworks display.  Check out the upcoming performers to see if there is someone you’d like to check out…

• July 9: Common (opening act: DJ Needles)
• July 10: Slightly Stoopid (opening act: Fundamental Elements)
• July 17: Clint Black (opening act: The Johnny Henry Band)

John Legend, B-52’s and fireworks for the Fourth!

Fourth of July without fireworks is like ham without cheese, cereal without milk, ice cream with hot fudge – you get the idea.  It’s just un-American.  With that being said, I’m here to make sure that you know where to go this weekend to celebrate the 234th birthday of our great country!  Luckily, there is a really great, free concert going on in St. Louis this wekend at the Riverfront. 

• On Saturday, July 3, R&B crooner John Legend will be in town to perform on the Budweiser Main Stage for the Fair St. Louis Festival at the St. Louis Riverfront.  His show starts at 8:00 p.m.  Earlier in the day, there will be a two hour airshow for all to watch, as well as Kids Zone and other activities.
• On Sunday, July 4, legendary band the B-52’s take the stage at 8:00 p.m., as well as tween act Jordan Pruitt who will perform at 1:00 p.m.  Again, the day will be filled with air shows and activities for all.

And the best part (for me at least) is that each evening concludes with the star-spangled US Bank fireworks display at approximately 9:15 p.m.  Hope you can make it!

Shiver…it’s cold in there!

Imagine standing (or sitting) for 30 minutes in a 15 degree freezer at the back of a club drinking vodka & crans (my personal fave vodka drink).  That’s the experience that new downtown St. Louis hot-spot is offering for a mere 20 bucks (that includes usage of a parka and gloves if you need it).

Shiver Vodka Bar & Champagne Lounge (1130 Washington Avenue, 314.241.3900) is the name of the place, and the freezer, it’s called an ice lounge.  Apparently they are all the rage in Las Vegas.  Owner Brad Jurevas, formerly associated with previous downtown nightspots, such as Home and Buca, wanted to bring something unique to the area.  “We were looking for something on Washington Avenue that didn’t exist,” he stated.  “Everybody loves it because it’s something different to try.”

So if you enjoy a good vodka drink as much as the next guy (or girl).  Grab your crew and check it out.  But grab a bite to eat before you get there.  They’re currently not serving food but plan to start offereing “comfort-food” themed appetizers and bar food in about a month or so.

St. Louis kicks off World Cup with movie and viewing party

St. Louis kicks off 2010 World Cup celebrations on tomorrow (Friday) with Cinema in the Plaza.   The movie ‘The Game of their Lives’, which was shot in St. Louis, will be shown at the Old Post Office Plaza at 9 pm.  Admission is free.  

On Saturday, make plans to attend the World Cup Viewing Party for the historic battle between Team USA and England.   Bring your lawn chairs and watch the game on the 9’x15’ jumbotron screen from noon until 4pm.  There will be food and drink specials from local eateries as well as prizes!

If you can’t make it out, the game will air live on ABC at 1:30 pm.  For more information check with www.downtownstl.org.

Best places to discover St. Louis area tacos

 We all have standards when it comes to what makes a good taco.  Some of us enjoy getting local flavors by visiting a taco truck while others prefer a more modern, eclectic interpretation of the taco.  Whatever your desire, several St. Louis restaurants top the list of best locations to satisfy that taco craving. 

• Tortillarilla – Try the chorizo and potato taco at this locally owned restaurant in the West End.
• Kota – Seasoned fish tacos with the cilantro cream sauce is excellent when you prefer a contemporary taco. It’s near the Fox Theatre.
• Mi Tierra – Authentic food from the kitchen at the Mi Tierra Mercado.  Each taco gets a sprinkling of fresh cilantro.  Try the avocado salsa for some extra spice.
• La Vallesana – This authentic shop is located on Cherokee St. and offers traditional tacos with excellent flavor.
• Tequila – They have the ambiance to match the food; spicy and flavorful.

Has anyone out there in Westmont been to any of these spots?  Which do you prefer?

Pay-What-You-Can Cafe

Have you heard about the new Panera Bread project that recently opened up in Clayton?  What a novel idea!  Get this…there will be no charge for anything on the menu.  The store will exist as a non-profit and will rely primarily on donations that the stores patrons give for the meals that they get.

According to an AP/Mercury News report, “Panera will expand the model around the country within months. It all depends on whether customers will abide by the motto that hangs above the deli counter: ‘Take what you need, leave your fair share.’”

The restaurant is operating under that name St. Louis Bread Co. Cares — the chain’s former name and one it still uses in its hometown.

Panera is using its nonprofit foundation to support the restaurant and any future locations. The foundation will pay the new restaurant’s bills, including staff salaries, rent and food costs. At the end of each month, the foundation will tally donations to see if they cover food costs. The Panera parent company won’t bear losses if the experiment fails.

What do you think, Westmont?  Will this initiative work?  I think most people are genuinely honest and won’t take advantage of the system.  In this time of economic uncertainty, its refreshing to see companies try new business models that aren’t profit driven and that don’t take advantage of the consumer.

Chess anyone?

Of all the things that St. Louis could be “known” for, I had no idea that chess was even on the list.  But it is…and the city’s reputation as a chess epicenter is growing.  Withe the United States Chess Championship kicking off this weekend at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis, 2010 marks the second year in a row that St. Louis has hosted the renown tournament. Reining National champion Hikaru Nakamura has even moved to St. Louis.

For those of you here at Westmont that are chess enthusiasts, the club, located at 4657 Maryland Avenue (St. Louis, MO 63108) is brand new and was built through the financial support of Rex A. Sinquefield, a very wealthy local businessman. Sinquefield, a conservative activist and chess expert himself, has even put up the $173,000 prize fund for the championship.

Chess, for me, is one of the most beautiful games ever (next to poker).  So much subtle strategy is involved.  It’s an easy game to learn, but a hard game to master.  If you’re interested, the games during the tournament will be carried live online.  Check it out!

Do you know what a chimera is?

I consider myself to have a decent education, however I’ve never come across the word “chimera” until reading this movie preview review.  Apparently it’s some sort of human-like monster made up of different parts.  Still no clue, watch this trailer for Splice, set to hit the screen June 4, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

When two young geneticists begin splicing human DNA with that of various animals to develop a new species, they gain instant fame. As their egos inflate and their project takes on new meaning, they begin to ignore society’s rules… along with the law. In doing so, they create a beautiful mutant named “Dren,” who also happens to be a deadly human-chimera. (Yahoo.com)

Need movie times?  I got you.

Showtimes

AMC Chesterfield 14, Wehrenberg Chesterfield Galaxy 14. AMC Creve Coeur 12

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