Let Them Eat Art in Maplewood has been growing bigger and bigger every year. This year is the 7th Annual event and let me tell you, it’s worth attending! It’s this Friday, July 13th from 6-11pm.

What it is: A self-guided tour through historic downtown Maplewood (on Manchester) where you will see live art demonstrations from a variety of artists: from photography to sculptures welded from metal to one-of-a-kind drawings to paintings to handmade clothing and more.  And those are just the main event. Other performance artists will be on hand providing you with entertainment as you walk the streets of Maplewood: from Exotic Rhythms belly dancers to St. Louis Hoop Club hoop dancers to The Folk School’s fiddling fiddlers and more. You will be overwhelmed with art…and you will love it!

The Food and Drinks: The restaurants of Maplewood will be serving up tasty cuisines, delicious cocktails and wine and chocolate tastings. Here are some of the great restaurants and what you can expect to try from them:

Acero Ristorante: A tasting menu and Italian wines

Water Street Cafe: A Blackberry Tequila Sorbet Push-Pop

Kakao Chocolate:…obviously heavenly chocolate

Foundation Grounds: Organic Treats and Chilled Basil or Lavender Lemonade

The Crow’s Nest: “Metrosexuals” tacos and cocktails

The Post Sports Bar: Pizza and cocktails

Tiffany’s Original Diner: Milkshakes

Stone Spiral: The French Poodle handmade raspberry sodas

Maya Cafe: Pan-Latin fare, the Maplewoody and award winning margaritas

The Wood: Hamburgers and pizza

Vom Fass: French wines, liqueurs and…a Green Absinthe Fairy

Las Palmas: Specialty margaritas

Boogaloo: Sangria and tapas

Home Wine Kitchen: Craft beers, homemade ice cream and wine

Saint Louis Cellars: Wine tastings from 5-7pm

Schlafly Bottleworks: An assortments of freshly brewed beers

In addition to delicious food and drinks, many of these restaurants will be hosting artists and/or performers along with many other venues such as: Jumpin’ Jupiter, Studio X, Black Cat Theatre, Maplewood Chamber of Commerce, Roots, Bouffant Daddy, Gisele’s and more. Check out the list to find who will be where and what time.

The Contest: The Schlafly corporation is sponsoring a Dog Costume Contest with celebrity judges: George Mahe of St. Louis Magazine, Chad Garrison of RFT, Jennifer Dulin Wiley of Alive and Darin Slyman of The Vital Voice. Starting at 7pm, the contestants will parade their pets through the streets of downtown Maplewood. You won’t want to miss this! Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

• Best dog + person ensemble
• Best Route 66 theme
• Best in the Spirit of Let Them Eat Art
• People’s Choice
• Best Overall

The Music: Along with the artists who will be located inside different venues, there will also be a main stage performance at 6pm from The Powerplay Band, a 5-8 piece dance band with high energy. They combine many different and popular styles of music to create a fun and energetic atmosphere, with an emphasis on Disco, Jazz, Motown, and R&B.

Activities: What? There’s more? Yes, you can enjoy Tarot card readings and Henna painting at the new Mystic Valley Book & Gift Store at 3212 Laclede Station Rd. Plus, surprise your kids with face painting, clowns, mad science, and a fire shooting ice cream truck!

It’s St. Louis festival overload described as a Christmas Tree Walk meets Mardi Gras and it’s fun for all ages!

 

Additional info: Admission to this event is free but not all food and drinks are free. 

 

Brought to you by Mills Properties

Photos courtesy of cityofmaplewood