Looking for an event to ring in the New Year? Southwest IL calendar lists some options
Noon Thursday, Dec. 30, is the deadline to appear in next week’s What’s Happening. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Due to the large number of submissions, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear in the week before the event date. For the week’s full list of events, visit bnd.com.
Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Lifestyle, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.
Events
▪ New Year’s Eve with the Big Boss Blues Band — 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Dec. 31. VENUE on Main, 202 W. Main St., Belleville. Join us New Years Eve with the Big Boss Blues Band, guaranteed to bring in the New Year with a great time. Ticket includes the band, champagne toast and light snacks. You may bring your own food. Our full bar will be open. facebook.com/events/427307052375559
▪ 2nd annual Belleville Winter Ball featuring Old Salt Union — 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31. Lincoln Theatre, 103 E. Main St., Belleville. Celebrate the end of 2021 as we move into a new year with high hopes, happiness and inspiration. We’ll begin the night with an opening set by none other than our own Jesse Farrar. Then stick around for two sets from Old Salt Union as we approach midnight. Champagne toast to be provided. For tickets and information: lincolntheatre-belleville.com
▪ River-to-River Trail Society Hike — 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1. Sentry Bluff Trail at Bell Smith Springs, Pope County. This hike is free and open to the public. Hikers should meet at the main parking lot at Bell Smith Springs at 10 a.m., warmly dressed in layers and wearing boots or other appropriate footwear. Hiking sticks are strongly recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please. For information or directions, call 618-926-3250.
▪ 2022 Testicle Festival — 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, Jan. 1. TR’s Place, 4901 Concordia Road, Belleville. The annual event of frying testicles and bringing in the new year on a great note. Event includes the testicle toss, frozen ball challenge, food truck, live music, prizes and more. A shuttle service starts at noon at Bennie’s Pizza Pub in downtown Belleville and will run until 8 p.m. The shuttle circles for pick-up and drop-off every 30 minutes between Bennie’s, Crehan’s and AJ’s (formerly Jfferson’s). facebook.com/events/251563707069636
▪ Winterfest in Kiener Plaza — Noon to 8 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 2. Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis. Enjoy ice skating, holiday lights and music, festive beverages and food, cozy igloos and sweet s’mores. Then, ring in the New Year with the entire family at Winterfest New Year’s Eve Neon Nights Celebration on Friday, Dec. 31 from 4 – 8 p.m. Neon Nights will feature DJ MaKossa, face painters, a balloon artist, a skating “Wild Lights” juggler, fire dancers, photo ops, giveaways and fireworks at 8 p.m. archpark.org/events/winterfest-2021
▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4. Anderson Hospital, 6800 State Route 162, Maryville. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.
▪ Green Door Art Gallery: ‘The Places We’ll Go’ — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays starting Wednesday, Jan. 5. Green Door Art Gallery, 21 N. Gore, Old Webster Groves, Missouri. A celebration of the freedom of travel, featuring abstract photograph by Tricia Coyle, watercolors by Ruth and Herndon Snider, travel photography by Greg Matchick, and silver and stone jewelry by Joe Bova Conti. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Artworks in the exhibit will be available for sale. The exhibit runs through Saturday, Feb. 26. 314-202-4071 or greendoorartgallery.com.
Games
▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 6 p.m. Thursdays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.
▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Bingo — 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2. St. John UCC, 2901 Nameoki Road, Granite City. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. For those aged 50 and over or disabled. Cost: $1 to play and $1 for four cards. Bring your own snacks and drinks. Masks recommended. 618-444-6771.
Theater/Concerts
▪ New Year’s Eve Celebration — 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Music Director Stéphane Denève and your SLSO ring in 2022 at the New Year’s Eve Celebration with a matinee concert. Enjoy musical favorites like George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris,” dazzling pianist Michelle Cann, and many more delightful surprises—like the world premiere of Missouri composer Stefan Freund’s “Voyageur Fantasy” with Roger Kaza, SLSO Principal Horn. Bring family and friends together for this musical celebration, and start 2022 with meaningful musical memories. slso.org
▪ Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ in Concert — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Retired balloon salesman Carl prepares to fly away with thousands of balloons to a world of his childhood dreams, and is joined by an eager 8-year-old Russell. The duo finds themselves on a journey filled with danger, excitement, and friendship. Enjoy the film live with the SLSO performing the score of the Disney Pixar favorite. Let this experience float you away. slso.org
▪ Annie Sauerburger: Brick by Brick — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ The Owen Ragland Trio featuring Mars Sinclair — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ Philharmonic Society of Belleville Coffee Concert — 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7. Belleville Philharmonic Society, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville. Featuring international concert pianist Christina Harnisch. Free admission; donations accepted. Refreshments provided by Grimm & Gorly. 618-334-4086.
Clubs & Support Groups
▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Online via Zoom. The PAL group provides education, support and hope to family members and loved ones of someone who has an addiction of substance use disorder. If you would like to join the teleconference, please call/text 618-567-6095 or email craigloddeke@yahoo.com. palgroup.org
▪ Bible Study Fellowship — 9:30-11 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. St. Matthew Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. Morning class includes classes for newborn through Pre-K. We will be studying the gospel of Matthew through April. 618-520-8357 or 618-593-4104.
▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6. Online via Zoom. In “The Google Earth of the Last Century: Fire Insurance Maps,” Daniel Lilienkamp, Reference Specialist from the History and Genealogy Department of the St. Louis County Library, uses case studies to show how to solve research problems with fire insurance maps. The lecture is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/SCCGS.
Reservations Required
▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging: Memoirs — 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays starting Jan. 4. Online via Zoom. We all have a life story to tell. Join these free classes and write your story to share with your loved ones. Call 618-234-4410, ext. 7044 to register.
▪ Yoga Gold — 10-11 a.m. Thursdays starting Jan. 6. Nichols Center, 515 E. D St., Belleville. Certified Instructor Jessica Pollock resumes her 60-minute class which offers traditional yoga poses (sitting and standing) and breath work. Sitting in a chair instead of using a yoga mat is an option. Cost: $5 per class. To register, call 618-234-4410, ext. 7044.
▪ Adult Zumba w/ Aimee — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, Youth Room, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Join us for an evening workout with our very own Zumba Fitness instructor. Come in comfortable exercise clothing and bring a water bottle. Space is limited and masks will be required. Requires Registration. glencarbonlibrary.org.
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 9:00 AM.