What's happening

Concerts

John Waite -- 8 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, Argosy Casino Music Hall, 1 Piasa St., Alton. $20. (800) 711-4263.

Poco -- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Morris University Center, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Country rock performer. $27, $13 for SIUE students. artsandissues.com or 650-5194.

Dances

Potluck Dinner/Dance -- 6-9 p.m. Friday, Collinsville Senior Citizens Center, 420 E. Main St., Collinsville. $4 admission. 344-7787.

Highland Dance -- 8-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Lindendale Park Ballroom, Highland. Music by Gene Maynard Band. 654-9753.

Germantown Dance -- 2-6 p.m. Sunday, American Legion, 1105 W. Sycamore St., Germantown. Music by Renditions. Sponsored by Diesen Winkler Post 325. 523-4526 or 523-4540.

Polka Dance -- 3-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Polish Hall, 826 Greenwood St., Madison. $6 per person. Music by Trio Freddi. Food available for purchase. Sponsored by St. Louis Metro Polka Club. 462-5828.

Staunton Ballroom Dance -- 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Crystal Ballroom, Staunton. Music by The Dick Elliot Orchestra. 635-3506.

Events

Great Godfrey Maze -- 6-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m.-dusk Sunday, through Oct. 31, Robert E. Glazebrook Community Park, 1401 Stamper Lane, Godfrey. Admission fees. Two mazes in a 7-acre cornfield. 466-1483.

Living Well Expo -- 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Illinois 13 and 159, Belleville. Free admission. Sponsored by Regions Bank, Memorial Hospital, PSOP and St. Clair County Older Adults Services, Inc. Health screenings, exhibitors, entertainment, attendance prizes, demonstrations and lectures. Flu shots by VNA ($25 fee) and pneumonia shots ($45 fee).

Drive-in Movie -- dusk Friday, Red Bud campus, Southwestern Illinois College, 500 W. South Fourth St., Red Bud. Movie is "Up." Free. Refreshments available for nominal fee. 282-6682, ext. 8113.

Gateway Home Show -- 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Admission is free. Features manufacturers, retailers and service providers. www.acshomeshow.com.

Autumn Artwalk -- 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, downtown Greenville. Music, crafting demonstrations, "creature comforts" exhibit by Jennifer Angus of Wisconsin, sculptor Adam Long of St. Charles, Mo., clown Clownvis Presley. Student and amateur film festival at 7 p.m. today at the Globe Theater.

Belleville Oktoberfest -- 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, downtown Belleville. (See story and schedule on pages C1 and C11.)

Movies in the Park -- dusk Friday, Maryville Library parking lot, 8 Schiber Court, Maryville. Movie is "Pink Panther" with Peter Sellers. Free. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, bug spray.

Haunted Hayrides -- 7-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Oct. 31, Eckert's Millstadt Fun Farm, 2719 Eckert Orchard Lane, Millstadt. $8 per person includes admission, $3 additional rides. Entertainment, petting farm, rides, attractions, festival food. 233-0513.

St. Clare Oktoberfest -- Friday-Saturday, parish grounds, 1411 Cross St., O'Fallon. Friday: Bavarian biergarten from 7 to 11 p.m. in the gym, music by Trio Freddi ($10). Saturday: 5K beginning and ending at St. Clare Church. Registratin from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m., 5K run at 8:30 a.m., kids fun run follows immediately. $20, $10 for fun run. Both days feature kinderplatz, raffles, beer tent, basket raffles, silent auction, gaming, German-style dinner, festival foods.

Nashville Fall Festival --Friday-Saturday, Nashville. Craft booths, food. Food booths open at 10 a.m. Entertainment features a pet parade at 10 a.m. Saturday with a 9 a.m. registration. Guitar Hero competition, tumbling, bingo. Tony Waters DJ Service and Bumpin' Uglies on Friday and Ray Stankowski and the Polka Connection Band and One-Night Stan on Saturday. Church service Sunday. Sponsored by Nashville Chamber of Commerce.

"A Touch of Elvis" -- 8 p.m. Saturday, American Legion, 509 Henry St., Prairie du Rocher. Features Ron Furr. $15 per person. Doors open at 7 p.m. 284-9509.

Fall Festival -- 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Caseyville United Methodist Church, 119 W. Lincoln, Caseyville. Petting zoo, jump house, face painting, games, crafts. Sponsored by Miriam Meeting.

Family Fair -- 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Fairview Heights Masons No. 504, 9950 St. Clair Ave., Fairview Heights. Features American Red Cross disaster information, smoke ouse presented by Scott Air Force Base, attendance prizes.

Critterfest -- noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Centennial Pavilion, Wilson Park, Granite City. Sponsored by Granite City APA. Celebration of animals. Raffles, micro chipping by the GCAPA, door prizes, food, duck pond, volunteer booth, 50/50 drawing, vendor booths, shelter animals, demonstrations by Granite City police and fire departments, blessing of the animals, music from the cast of "Bye Bye Birdie." Face paintng, horses and animals presented by Gateway Stables. Proceeds benefit the GCAPA animals.

Open Hunter/Jumper and Dressage Horse Show -- Saturday, Highland Saddle Club Equestrian Center, 12128 Ellis Road, Highland. Classes for horses and ponies, junior riders and adults. Concession stand. Free admission. 654-3401 or www.highlandsaddleclub.com.

"Rushing for a Cure" Relay -- 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Marissa City Park, Marissa. Sponsored by Doris Rushing of Marissa. Mini relay. Kicks off with cancer survivors walking the initial lap. Silent auction, luminaries, food available for purchase. Luminary ceremony after dusk. 779-9818 or 295-2503.

St. Martin of Tours Oktoberfest -- 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, St. Martin of Tours Lutheran Church, 1190 N. 6th St., Mascoutah. German food, car show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., bounce house from 1 to 5 p.m., martial arts demonstration at 1 p.m., polka mass at 6 p.m. 566-7063.

Alton Block Party -- 4-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Third Street, downtown Alton. Music by Bone Daddy and the Shakers, food. 465-6676.

Riverjam '09 -- 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Alton Amphitheater, Riverfront Park, Alton. Free pre-concert party features up and coming bands, food. Ticketed concert event from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring BarlowGirl and Superchick with guests VOTA. $10. 251-9790.

Annual Fly-In -- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, St. Louis Regional Airport, 8 Terminal Drive, East Alton. Fly-in, car and tractor show. Display of planes and cars. Free flights offered for children ages 8 to 17 by Young Eagles EAA Chapter 864. Free admission, parking. Open house at Illinois 111 and 140, Bethalto. 259-2531.

Benefit for Jason Mines -- Saturday, American Legion, Evansville. Silent auctions, live auction at 7 p.m., food available, outside music, washer tournament at 2 p.m., raffles, 50/50 drawing. Benefits the Jason Mines family. He was diagnosed with astrocytoma, brain cancer. He lost his job as an engineer. Wife Roxy was on bed rest for six months of her pregnancy. Call Gina, 559-2839, to make a donation or for information.

Tribute to Elvis -- 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Knights of Columbus, Illinois 159, Maryville. Features Steve Brandes and the Easy Street Band. Opening act is Perfect Image. $16 advance, $20 at the door. 344-703 for tickets. Cash bar and Paco's Mexican food available for purchase from 5 to 8:30 p.m. 50/50 drawing. Portion of the proceeds donated to the Special Olympicws. 830-1707.

Melvin J. Fisher Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk --8 a.m. Saturday, Valmeyer. Annual Hills and Hollows in memory of Melvin J. Fisher, who died of cancer in 2004. Volunteer for 30 years at the Valmeyer Volunteer Fire Department and other organizations. www.hilsandhollows.org. Proceeds benefit Valmeyer Active Firemen's Association and the Backstoppers Inc. (402) 598-9178.

Night at the Movies --8 p.m. Saturday, Oak Hill Church, 7864 N. Illinois St., Caseyville. Free. Snacks provided.

Traditional Music Festival -- 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Fort Kaskaskia State Historic site, near Chester. Sponsored by Save Illinois History. 19 musical acts. Cafters, food vendors. $10 per vehicle. Emcee and musical coordinator is George Portz. Features bluegrass, Cajun, country, gospel and Irish music, country-style clogging.

Living History Festival -- Saturday-Sunday, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. Spans the years 1700 to 1840. Demonstrations and sales by traditional artisans. Singing and dancing groups, fife and drum corps and bagpipers. Variety of foods for sale. Held on the soccer field of the college. Also Lewis and Clark Trading Post with vendors on the Hatheway parking lot and inside the River Bend Arena. $5 adults, $2 children five to 12. Proceeds benefit Heritage Days and the Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation. www.altonheritagedays.org or www.lc.edu/tradingpost.

National Alpaca Farm Days -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Odelia Farms, 8349 Old Lebanon Troy Road, Troy. Free demonstrations on fiber spinning, felting and knitting. Alpaca yarns and other products available. Refreshments. 667-0226.

Strange Folk Festival -- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Community Park, O'Fallon. Features 125 Indie artists and crafters, music, authors, demonstrations, food. www.strangefolkfestival.com.

Motorcycle Parts Extravaganza -- 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Illinois 13 and 159, Belleville. $7 admission. $10 admission from 7 to 10 a.m. Children under 12 free with paid adult. Over 300 booths.

Benefit Poker Run --Sunday, Main Street, Waterloo. Sponsored by the Relay for Life team Live. Laugh. Love. $5 per hand. Stops in Lenzburg, Schuline, Renault and Fountain. Last bike in at 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit American Cancer Society.

Old Timer's Fast-Pitch Reunion and Softball Game -- 2 p.m. Sunday, South Side Park, Belleville. Food, drinks, raffle, silent auction, attendance prizes, visit by Fredbird and Izzy the Grizzly. Free admission, donations accepted. Proceeds from raffle and silent auction benefit Hospice of Southern Illinois. 222-5905 or (800) 233-1708.

All Things Chocolate -- 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Hidden Lake Winery, 10580 Wellen Road, Aviston. $20. Wine tasting, snacks, chocolate. Music by Acoustic Feedback. Silent auction from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., oral auction at 4 p.m. Proceeds benefit keeping older adults safe and independent in their own homes.

Classic Auto Show -- 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Belleville/Swansea Lodge 1221, Swansea. Registration from 8 a.m. to noon. Trophies at 4 p.m. No entries after noon. Show vehicles are before 1984.

Exhibits

2009 Photography Exhibit -- through Oct. 17, Village of Elsah Museum, 26 LaSalle, Elsah. Theme: "Discovering Elsah." Open from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

Art Exhibits -- through Nov. 30, Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Features works by local artist Richard Keating, a retired professor from the department of Biological Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

"The Colored Pencil" -- through Oct 24, Schmidt Art Center, Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Works of art created with the colored pencil.

"Ubjects II" -- through Oct. 24, Schmidt Art Center, Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Unique objects that speak about life in southwestern Illinois.

"Eighty Moods of Maya Angelou" -- through Oct. 31, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Exhibit focuses on the poet, educator, performer and author Maya Angelou.

Food

Belleville Barbecue -- 3-7 p.m. today, Turkey Hill Grange, Illinois 15 and Green Mount Road, Belleville. Carryouts or eat in. Sponsored by Turkey Hill Grange.

Aviston Fish and Chicken Fry -- 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Eat in or carry out. 228-7311.

Collinsville Fish Fry -- 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus Hall, Illinois 157, Collinsville. Eat in or carry out.

Edwardsville Fish Fry -- 4:30-8 p.m. Friday, Edwardsville Gun Club, Route 143/Staunton Road, Edwardsville. Eat in or carry out. 656-2875.

Fairview Heights Fish Fry -- 4-8 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, Fairview Heights. Homemade desserts. Sponsored by Walton's. 632-5222.

Highland Fish Fry -- 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Eat in or carry out. 654-6367.

Maryville Fish Fry -- 4-8 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus, 2822 N. Center St., Maryville. Carryouts available.

Mascoutah Fish Fry --4-8p .m. Friday, VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan, Mascoutah. Eat in or carryout available.

Millstadt Fish Fry -- 4-8 p.m. Friday, Millstadt VFW Post 7980, Illinois 158 and Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Carryouts available. Sponsored by VFW Post 7980. 476-1180.

New Athens Fish Fry --4-7:30 p.m. Friday, St. Agatha's, 205 S. Market, New Athens. Carryouts available.

O'Fallon Fish Fry -- 4-8 p.m. Friday, O'Fallon Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. Highway 50, O'Fallon. Sponsored by the KC and Ladies Auxiliary. 632-6229.

O'Fallon Fish Fry -- 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sgt. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805, 221 W. First St., O'Fallon. Eat in or carry out. Desserts by Moose Ladies Auxiliary. Sponsored by VFW Post 805 and Auxiliary. 624-2651.

Okawville Fish Fry -- 5-8 p.m. Friday, American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Sponsored by American Legion Post. Eat in or carryout. 243-6545.

Scott VFW Fish Fry -- 4:30-8 p.m., Post 4183, Belleville. Take out orders: 746-9801.

Shiloh Fish Fry -- 5-8 p.m. Friday, Shiloh Eagles, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Eat in or carry out. 624-5412.

Smithton Fat Daddy's Fish Fry -- 4-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, American Legion, 102 N. Main, Smithton. Also barbecue on Saturday and fried chicken on Sunday. Two sides with dinners. 235-4112.

Swansea Fish Stand -- 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 301 Service St., Swansea. 222-7171.

Troy VFW Fish Fry -- 4-8 p.m. Friday, VFW Hall, 123 W. Market St., Troy. Eat in or carryout. 667-8387.

Barbecue -- 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Schnucks parking lot, Granite City. $7 plate, $5 sandwich. Sponsored by Granite City Warrior Hockey team. 560-8195 for deliveries or six or more.

Barbecue/Bake Sale -- 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, front of Tom's Market, Freeburg. Sponsored by family and friends of Rhonda (Neuwirth) Monroe. Sheila, 977-9378.

Wood-Smoked Barbecue -- 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Southvivew parking lot, O'Fallon. sponsored by O'Fallon/Fairview Heights Lions Club. Funds raised go to support Lions projects in the local area.

Turtle Soup -- 10 a.m. Saturday, 800 S. 6th St., Belleville. $10 per gallon. Sponsored by South Side Improvement Association. 233-9380.

Chicken Dinner --11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, St. Teresa of Avila Church, 18021 Marydale Road, Carlyle. Carryouts available.

Wurstmarkt and Country Store --11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, St. John United Church of Christ, 301 S. Market St., New Athens. $8 adults, $4 children, under three free. All you can eat. Country store from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and during wurstmarkt on Sunday.

Chicken Dinner -- 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Salem United Church of Christ, Alhambra. Carryouts available. Sponsored by Hitz Home Auxiliary. $8 adults, $4 children six and under. Proceeds benefit Hitz Home Auxiliary and Hitz Home. 488-2355.

Millstadt Fish Fry -- 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Millstadt VFW Post 7980, Illinois 158 and Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Sponsored by VFW Post 7980. Carryouts available.

Games

Cribbage -- 6:30 p.m. today, VFW Post 4183, 1516 Old State Route 158, Belleville (south of Belleville gate at Scott Air Force Base). $10 entry fee. Nine games, nine opponents. Sponsored by Len Wahlig Cribbage Club. Phil, 288-7910 or Sandy, (636) 295-5359.

Bunko Party -- today, Father Freund Parish Center, Millstadt. Benefits Millstadt Senior Center. Desserts, drinks, prizes. $7. 476-1542 or 476-3166.

Euchre Tournament -- 7 p.m. Friday, St. Joseph New Parish Center, Freeburg. $5 per person. No partner needed. Sponsored by St. Joseph of Freeburg Men's Club. 539-5493.

Washer Tournament -- 2 p.m. Sunday, Smithton Turners, corner of WEst Fisher and North Julia St., Smithton. Registration at 1 p.m. $10 per person Sponsored by the Turners. 277-9690.

Card Party -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, VFW Post Home, 620 E. Donaphon, Mascoutah. White elephant sale. Dinner at 6 p.m. Table, attendance awards. $2.50 donation. Sponsored by the VFW Post 7682.

Markets

Swansea Farmers Market -- 3-7 p.m. today, Melvin Price Park, Swansea. Held rain or shine. Fruits, vegetables, honey, jellies, baked goods, meat products, crafts. Vendor appreciation month. Senior coupons sign-up.

Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market -- 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, parking lot at Henry Street and Landmarks Boulevard, Alton. Fresh produce, artwork.

Farmers Market -- 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Silver Creek Mill, 602 S. Jefferson St., Mascoutah. Organic and specialty growers of produce, gourmet coffee bar, live music.

Parking Lot Sale -- 7 a.m. Saturday, Hope Church, 200 Dapron Drive, Belleville. Clothing for men, women and children, shoes, comforters. Held indoors in case of rain. Sponsored by Outreach/MOPS.

Craft/Yard Sale -- 7 a.m.-noon Saturday, Holy Family Parish grounds, 116 Church St., Cahokia. Variety of vendors.

On Stage

"Annie" -- through Saturday, Alton Little Theater, 2450 N. Henry St., Alton. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m.

"The Producers" -- 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday and Oct. 1-3, 2 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 4, Looking Glass Playhouse, 301 W. St. Louis St., Lebanon. $10 admission, $8.50 seniors ages 60 and older. Presented by Looking Glass Playhouse. 537-4962.

Caseyville Talent Show -- 11 a.m. Saturday, Caseyville Village Park, Caseyville. No entry fee. Concession stand. Sponsored by the Caseyville Chamber of Commerce.

Coalescence Dance Company -- 7 p.m. Saturday, Bellevue Park, Belleville. Concert, "The Space Between Us," features original choreography by members of the company. Free, but $5 suggested donation. Bring chair or blanket. Modern-based performance group.

"The Butler Did It" Mystery/Comedy Dinner -- 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Turkey Hill Grange, Illinois 15 and Green Mount Road, Belleville. Dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday and Satuarday and a matinee with dinner at 12:30 p.m. $16 audlts, $8 children 5 to 12. $10 for adults and $5 for children for theater only. 235-8237 or 235-3310.

Tribute to the Country Music Legends Show -- 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Miners Theater, 204 W. Main St., Collinsville. $10 at the door. 792-3335 or mpenn44243@aol.com. Features Willie Luster from New Mexico as Hank Williams Sr., Mary McDonald of Oklahoma as Kitty Wells, Stan Gelsthorpe of Iowa as Ernest Tubb, Maggie Penn of Illinois as Loretta Lynn, Taylor Borders of Collinsville as Patsy Montana, Patricia Gregory of Oklahoma as Minnie Pearl.

Shoots

Trap League -- 6 p.m. today, Highland Pistol and Rifle Club, east of the intersection of Bellm and Iberg roads, Highland. 654-3980.

Trap League -- 7 p.m. today, Edwardsville Gun Club, Edwardsville. 656-2875.

Trap Shooting -- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mascoutah Sportsmans Club, 1535 N. County Road, Mascoutah.

Trivia

Edwardsville -- 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Fundraiser to benefit the Center. Tables of eight, $120. $15 per person. Popcorn refreshments available for purchase. Contests. Cash prizes to top two teams. Sponsored by Sarah Alfini of Edwardsville Nursing & Rehab, Dan Heaman of Meridian Villagea nd Candice Arana of Southern Illinois Hospice. 656-0300 or info@mainstcc.org.

Shiloh -- 7 p.m. Saturday, Klucker Hall, 14 Park Drive, Shiloh. Sponsored by Belleville Community Development Corp. Benefitt he Advanced Construction Program through Belleville Township High School District 201. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $80 per team of eight. Six to eight players. Theme is "Movies of the 80s." Cash prizes, 50/50, heads or tails. Bring own food, drink. Adult beverages permitted. 741-0814 or info@bellevillecdc.org.

PLEASE NOTE: We cannot take items by telephone.

The deadline for Local Events is noon Monday. Forms are available in our lobby. Send items to: Local Events, c/o Lifestyle, 120 S. Illinois St., P.O. Box 427, Belleville, Ill. 62222-0427. E-mail to whatshappening@bnd.com. Fax to: 236-9773. For information, call 239-2547.