The St. Louis Weekend Events Guide for Thursday, April 21st through Sunday, April 24th, 2016.

Downtown

National Park Week at the Old Courthouse: The National Park Service celebrates its 100th year of service during National Park Week with free activities at the Old Courthouse and tram rides for a fee to the top of the Gateway Arch. Children are invited to learn about the National Park Service with interactive programs that commemorate the nation’s expansion and the diversity of its people. April 23 and 24 from 12-4pm, Jefferson National Parks Association hosts a special book signing of The Wonder of It All: 100 Stories from the National Park Service. April 23 and 24 at 2pm, visitors can become the judge, lawyers, defendant, plaintiff and other courtroom characters in a re-enactment of the Henry Chouteau v. City of St. Louis trial, a key case that challenged the ownership of the Old Courthouse. April 24th at 12pm, join Park Rangers in celebrating the National Park Service’s 100th birthday year with a slice of birthday cake.

Date: April 16-24
Time: varies
Place: Old Courthouse & Gateway Arch

80s Night at the Moon: It doesn’t matter which 80s trend was your favorite because we’ll be rocking them all in April for 80s Night! That’s right, we want all your popped collars, big hair, and neon for our 80s Night. Practice your Thriller and warm up your voice to belt out “Let’s Dance” because 80s Night is coming at full force. With prizes, drink specials, and all the 80s music you can dance to; this is one beginning of the year party that you can’t miss. Drink specials include $3 Bud Lights, $5 Long Islands, $22 Adios Mofo Buckets. The night will include free admission, drink specials, prizes and a costume contest.

Date: Friday, April 22
Time: 7pm
Place: Howl at the Moon – 601 Clark

Rally On Clark: An outdoor music festival on Ballpark Village’s Busch II Infield. Don’t miss world-class entertainment by six artists including DJ D Wonka, DJ Patdown, DJ Frizzy, DJ Chris Brown, DJ Dev, DJ Deception, and Goony on the Drums. Also featuring St. Louis food trucks, bounce house fun, nitrogen blast and beach balls creating a party experience unlike any other. Tickets are $30 and include access to Busch II Infield, Bud Light draft, one food voucher, and additional drink specials during the event.

Date: Saturday, April 23
Time: 12-5pm
Place: Busch Infield, Ballpark Village

Bill Maher Live Tour: Comedian and political talk show host of Real Time with Bill Maher, Bill will be bringing his live tour to St. Louis. His combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 33 Emmy nominations. He has also written 5 best selling books and 3 of his ten stand-up specials for HBO have been nominated for Emmy awards. See Bill Maher live this Sunday. Tickets start at $32.

Date: Sunday, April 24
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Peabody Opera House – 1400 Market St

Central

Shakespeare Festival’s Shake 38: A community-wide marathon celebration of Shakespeare’s 38 plays. Since the first year, SHAKE 38 has grown from a 38-hour performance by 200 artists to a five-day event attracting over 1,500 artists from across the region and dozens of diverse community partners. Only one rule exists for participants: Make the play happen any way you see fit. The result is a dazzling array of events across the St. Louis area, designed for a variety of audiences to enjoy. The featured event is a one man play called Cry Havoc taking place on Saturday, April 23 at 2pm at the Central St. Louis Public Library. All performances are free and open to the public.

Date: April 19-23
Time: varying times throughout the weekend
Place: St.Louis Zoo, Left Bank Books, RAC, & More

23rd Annual Dining Out For Life: An international event that has raised over $4.27 million nationally to provide vital services to people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2015, the St. Louis community raised almost $250,000 to help Saint Louis Effort for AIDS provide education on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and comprehensive support services for those affected by the disease. Dine out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, cocktails, etc at any of the participating Dining Out For Life© restaurants for one day only, and 25-50% of your check will be donated to support the work of Saint Louis Effort for AIDS.

Date: April 21
Time: participating restaurant hours
Place: participating restaurants

Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival: The University of Missouri-St. Louis, in association with the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center and Jazz St. Louis bring you the 2016 Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival. This year’s guest artists include the UMSL Jazz Ensemble, the John Pizzarelli Quartet and the M.F. All Star Band “Celebrating the Music of Maynard Ferguson”, featuring Wayne Bergeron, Frank Green, Steve Wiest, Denis DiBlasio, Stockton Helbing and others. Tickets ar e$35 each night of $60 for both nights.

Date: April 22 & 23
Time: 8pm
Place: A-B Performance Hall – 1 University Blvd

Poptropolis: A unique art and cocktail event featuring local seasoned and emerging Pop/Urban/Whimsical artists, “Pop” inspired cocktails, mind blowing décor from Kaboony Creationz, LJ Lighting, Gringo Jones Imports, Vodka Bacon Studios and Wendell Phillips ‘Phil’ Berwick, 80s and 90s Pop and New Wave from DJ Mark Lewis, Orb people, AcroYoga demos, and over-the-top ornate whimsical atmospherics! The event is open to the public and will be a visual candy event with gumption and class you do not want to miss. Advanced Tickets $10, $15 (at door). Free Goose Island product upon entry.

Date: Saturday, April 23
Time: 6pm
Place: Koken Art Factory – 2500 Ohio Ave

Swap-O-Rama-Rama: A community clothing swap and DIY upcycling event. Bring at least one bag of your unwanted (but clean!) clothes to contribute, then dive in and find some new-to-you treasures. Take them home as is, or head to our sewing room where volunteers will help you alter or completely transform your new duds (sewing notions provided). Also, in honor of our Little Black Dress exhibit, this year will feature a special LBD rack. There will also be a Swapper Appreciation Giveway! All day long enter to win over 30 black and new dresses generously donated from retailers throughout St. Louis.

Date: April 23
Time: 12-4pm
Place: MO History Museum

Earth Day Festival: A day full of fun, positive experiences of celebration and connection, providing a gateway to sustainability as a way of life. Learn about sustainable products and services offered by local businesses and organizations, meet area non-profits that share Earth Day values, catch local musical acts and performance art, participate in a number of hands-on educational activities, and enjoy diverse cuisine featuring local, organic, vegetarian, and vegan options. The 2016 Festival will include special features, like yoga classes all day for both adults and children, a rock climbing wall, a pet adoption area, and new STEM activities presented by SCOPE. Event entry is free, pets are allowed.

Date: Sunday, April 24
Time: 10am-6pm
Place: Forest Park – Muny Grounds

Best Buddies Friendship Walk: A 5K Fun Run or 1-mile walk to benefit Best Buddies International – the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Come join the warm-up and pre-celebration at 8:30am and participate in the 5K or 1-mile walk. Afterwards there will be a friendship walk celebration with a DJ, cartoonist, stilt performers, giveaways, and more.

Date: Sunday, April 24
Time: 8:30am warm-up, 9am-5K
Place: Creve Coeur Park-Tremayne Shelter, 13725 Marine

Illinois

Downtown Diva Night: Ladies night out – you will receive the Diva Gear for the month and a passport to guide your evening. You choose your adventure! Stop at 7 downtown businesses, spend some time, say hello, and get your passport stamped. Completed passports are returned at 8 p.m. for the after party and Grand Prize drawing to be held. Bring a friend or two and enjoy an evening out! The cost is just $5 per Diva. This month’s theme is April Flowers/Cardinals. Starts is at Eckert’s Florist and ends at Pitcher’s Sports Bar.

Date: Thursday, April 21
Time: 5-8pm
Place: Downtown Belleville

Belleville Ale Fest: The 4th annual festival will feature unique beers from craft breweries around the country and food from 4204 Main Street Brewing Co. Live music from the Rat Rod Kings will accompany the craft beer and culinary celebration. The goal of the Belleville Ale Fest is to showcase American craft beer while supporting the Belleville Business Community. Proceeds from the 2016 Belleville Ale Fest will benefit The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $25 and include: entry into ale fest with 15 sampling tickets and a commemorative glass.

Date: Saturday, April 23
Time: 1-5pm
Place: 4204 Main St Brewing Co

St. Louis Antique Festival: The Midwest’s Finest Antique Event with 90+ dealer spaces in 30,000+ square feet of comfortable indoor space with free parking. Items for sale on display include: Dresden, Meissen, porcelain, jewelry, Nippon, knives, Orientalia, art glass, art pottery, bronzes, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, paintings, furniture, silver, china, country store, quilts, clocks, French Cameo glass, lamps, photographs, Civil War, coins, dolls, toys, signs, sports, advertising, glassware, prints, statuary, majolica, old west memorabilia, tools, musical instruments, linens, collectibles and more. Many of the dealers are Associated Antiques Dealers of America members. Adult admission is $6 and good for both days. Refreshments are available for purchase at the in-house restaurant.

Date: April 23
Time: Sat: 10-5, Sun: 10-4
Place: Belle Clair Fairgrounds – 200 S Belt East

Mills Properties