19 fish fries, 17 other events and things to do on this week’s metro-east calendar
Noon Thursday, April 7, 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 number of submissions received, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear 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
▪ Lewis and Clark Community College 17th annual Student Art Exhibition Opening Reception — 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 8. Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. Reception for the juried exhibit includes awarding of prizes to participating student artists. The exhibit typically features more than 100 submissions, many of which will be available to purchase. The event is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays throughout the exhibition, which ends April 25. lc.edu/program/AFAart
▪ Tower Grove Park Beer and Cocktail Garden — 4-8 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through October. Ruins Pond, Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Drive, St. Louis. Enjoy a variety of seasonal and classic Schlafly beer, four seasonally rotating cocktails from STL Barkeep, food truck fare, live music, yoga and yard games. Free to attend. A portion of the beer and cocktail proceeds will benefit Tower Grove Park. schlafly.com
▪ Seed St. Louis: Perennials for the Garden & Orchard — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, April 7. Online via Zoom. Learn about our favorite perennial fruit and nut producing trees, shrubs, vines, and cane fruit. Dean Gunderson, Director of Education here at Seed St. Louis, will also discuss some of the best perennial vegetables and herbs that you can grow in your garden or in the mulch rings around your orchard plants. facebook.com/events/487332892942075
▪ ‘Earth Works’ Exhibition Opening — 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 8. Cecille R. Hunt Gallery, Visual Arts Studio, 8342 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, Missouri. Showcasing work by Kim Anderson, Abbey Hepner, Cristina Molina, John Ruppert, Molly Segal and Janaina Tschäpe. Exhibit open through May 13. facebook.com/events/675944463726560
▪ Saint Louis Zoo Job Fair — 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9. Saint Louis Zoo, The Living World, North Entrance, One Government Drive, St. Louis. Job fair for those interested in part-time work at the Zoo. In addition to spring, summer and fall employees, seeking applicants who have immediate availability. No registration needed. Dress is business casual. 314-646-4816 or stlzoo.org/employment.
▪ Keep Belleville Beautiful — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9. Belleville. The BASIC Initiative, in partnership with the City of Belleville, will host this city-wide litter pick up event. This project not only cleans up the city, but it helps educate everyone on the importance of not littering, of working together, and of giving back. The first 250 participants to sign-up will receive a free T-shirt. Volunteers may register at basicbelleville.org.
▪ Metals & Electronics Recycle Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9. Public Parking Lot, 227 W. Main St., Collinsville. Accepting office equipment, vehicles, electronics, batteries, appliances, machinery. Fees for TV/Monitor, CRT. No paper, glass, plastic, wood, cardboard or tires. 618-344-7232.
▪ Celestial Moon + Tarot Soundbath by SVOUND — 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway, Alton. The moon plays such a beautiful role for our planet and our lives. Using the moon cycle is a powerful way to help us guage things in our lives as change constantly swirls around us. The tarot cards messages will provide intuitive ways that we can explore broader perspectives and understandings in our life. Sound vibration will promote a state of relaxation, ease and openness. Tickets are $40 in advance or at the door. jacobyartscenter.org
▪ Job Fair — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel, 212 N. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis. The Chase is seeking to fill more than 30 positions including room attendants, cooks, stewards, servers and more. Representatives from each department will be on-site to conduct interviews and potentially hire candidates on the spot. The job fairs are free to attend and open to the public. Applicants should bring a copy of their resume to the event. For more information about the open positions and to apply, visit: sonesta.com/careers.
▪ Visiting Writers Series: Lesley Brower — 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. Lifelong Learning Center, Kaskaskia College, 27210 College Road, Centralia. Lesley Brower is a poet and Assistant Professor of English at Kaskaskia College. Her work has appeared in The Missouri Review, Arkansas Review, Deep South, and The Emerson Review. Her first book, Salt Lick Prayer, a collection of poems exploring the complexities and contradictions of family history, spiritual tradition, and connection with the natural world, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2017. Free and open to the public. 618-545-3241.
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.
▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Mahjong — 12:30 p.m. Fridays. 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Mahjong is a game usually played by four people with 144 tiles that are drawn and discarded until one player secures the winning hand. Join our group and play this popular tile game. 618-234-4410, ext. 7034 or ext. 7044.
▪ Euchre — 7 p.m. Friday, April 8. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Partner night. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. Questions call 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.
▪ Rock & Roll Bingo Fundraiser — 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Swansea Improvement Hall, 216 Service St., Swansea. Cost: $25 per packet of cards, 12 games. Proceeds benefit the IL Dyehards Softball Team in their quest to participate in the Senior Olympics in May.
▪ The Polish American War Veterans Club Ham Shoot — Noon Sunday, April 10. The Polish American War Veterans Club, 2180 N. 81st St., Caseyville. Shooting for Miller Bone-In-Hams, various meat prizes and money. Raffles and wheel spin prizes also available. Includes 12-gauge, 16-gauge and 20-gauge shotguns only. 618-398-5040.
Theater/Concerts
▪ HeartLand Music — 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ New World Symphony — 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8; 8 p.m. Saturday, April 9; and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. A musical adventure begins with Stephanie Childress at the helm of Jean Sibelius’ “En Saga.” Pianist Awadagin Pratt returns to Powell Hall for the first time in 20 years to give the SLSO premiere of Jessie Montgomery’s Piano Concerto. And Antonín Dvořák breathed in the spirit of America to create his Symphony “From the New World.” slso.org
▪ George Portz’s 43rd annual O’Fallon KC Fiddle Contest & Bluegrass Show — 5 p.m. Saturday, April 9. O’Fallon KC Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. One of America’s famous contests. Harmonica champ Eric Thompson, Thunder & Lightning Cloggers, George Portz & His Friends of Bluegrass. Cost: $7 adults, $3.50 children 11 and under. georgeportzbluegrass.com
▪ 2 Pedros: An Evening of Yacht Rock — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ The Trophy Mules — 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, 115 E. Clay St., Collinsville. Corey Saathoff and Josh Kean acoustic. https://fb.me/e/30NFKRkt1
▪ The Lady J Huston Show Sunday Afternoon Dance — 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ Saint Louis Chamber Chorus: Tchaikovsky’s Vigil and Ukrainian Chants — 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10. St. Stanislaus Kostka Polish Catholic Church, 1413 N. 20th St., St. Louis. The landmark setting of the “All-Night Vigil” (op. 52) by Tchaikovsky is punctuated with Ukrainian chants and motets from Craig Courtney and Dobrinka Tabakova. chamberchorus.org
▪ Matthew West: ‘The Brand New Tour’ Spring 2022 — 7 p.m. Sunday, April 10. First Baptist Church O’Fallon, 1111 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon. Matthew West’s The Brand New Tour 2022 with special guests Jordan Feliz and Hannah Kerr. The tour will span 34 cities as audiences experience the excitement and energy of West’s post-pandemic return to the stage. Tickets start at $25. 855-484-1991 or platformtickets.com.
Clubs & Support Groups
▪ Optimist Club of Belleville — 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7. Silver Creek Saloon and Grill, 2520 Mascoutah Ave., Belleville. New Optimists welcome. Free complimentary appetizers.
▪ PFLAG Edwardsville — 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7. Rainbow House on Main, 808 N. Main St., Edwardsville. We offer support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ people and their allies. Contact Amy for more information, 618-977-5078 or pflagedwardsville@outlook.com.
▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7. Online via Zoom. Program: “Our Role in the 1950 Census.” FamilySearch and the National Genealogical Society have a unique crowdsourcing project to make the 1950 U.S. census easier for everyone to search and discover their family connections. This meeting summarizes the project to bring 150 million records of the individuals on the census’ tens of thousands of digital images to be available online and freely searchable, and the role individuals and societies will play. Open to the public; space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events.
▪ Junior Service Club of Belleville: Passport to Belleville — 4-10 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Downtown Belleville. Join the Junior Service Club of St. Clair County for a night of eats, drinks, prizes and fun as we support and show appreciation to Downtown Belleville restaurants. We will also be collecting donations for four of the service agencies we support. Tickets and info: juniorserviceclub.org/bestofjsc.
▪ St. Clair Woman’s Club — 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 12. Bellecourt Manor, 225 E. A St., Belleville. A Day of Recollection will be held by Father Grogan with Mass to follow. Members are asked to bring baby items for a Baby Shower for those in need. Luncheon to follow.
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) ‘Family to Family’ Course — 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays starting April 12. Online via Zoom. A free eight-week educational course for family members and other caregivers of individuals who have a mental illness. Includes evidenced-based information about mental illnesses, treatment options, community resources, coping skills and much more. Registration is required. Email kellyjefferson@charter.net for more information and/or to have your name put on a waitlist.
▪ 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. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. palgroup.org
▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.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.
▪ Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of St. Clair County Scholarships — Application deadline is Friday, April 15. Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded. One scholarship will go to a graduating high school senior and one to an already enrolled college student and a resident of St. Clair County. For an application or information, please contact your school counselor or Captain Samantha Nolan Jones at 618-235-7378 x 106 or Samantha.Nolanjones@uscsalvationarmy.org.
Food
▪ O’Fallon K of C Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod with side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229.
▪ Swansea Fish Stand – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Saturday: fried chicken. Open for carryout, call-in and dine-in orders. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/swanseafishstand
▪ Prairie DuPont American Legion Post 485 Fish Fry — Noon to 8 p.m. (or while supplies last) Fridays through April 15. Prairie DuPont American Legion Post 485, 200 S. 5th St., Dupo. Cod, catfish or crab cake plates, fish sandwiches, shrimp scampi, sides. facebook.com/DupoAmLegion
▪ Collinsville American Legion Fish Fry — 3-7:45 p.m. Fridays. Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Curbside delivery and dine-in. Cash or check only. Place a curbside order by calling 618-345-2508. facebook.com/legionpst365
▪ St. Mary’s Fish Fry — 4-6:30 p.m. Fridays through April 15. St. Mary’s Church, 1706 W. Main St., Belleville. Freshly prepared fish and choice of sides. Drive-thru only. Cash, credit/debit or check accepted. Enter the campus via 17th Street, order when you arrive and your take-home feast will be hot-and-ready when you drive around to the food preparation area.
▪ Maryville MPH Church Knights of Columbus Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 8. Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Parish Center, 200 N. Lange, Maryville. Two pieces of cod, fries or onion rings, two hush puppies, cole slaw and a drink for $11. One piece of cod, fries or onion rings, 2 hush puppies, cole slaw and drink for $7. facebook.com/MotherofPerpetualHelpMaryville
▪ St. Elizabeth Church Fish Fry - 4-7 p.m. Fridays during Lent. St. Elizabeth Church, 2300 Pontoon Road, Granite City. Cod, pollock, shrimp. facebook.com/St-Elizabeth-Granite-City-Famous-Fish-Fry-139319583206514
▪ St. Joseph Church Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 8. St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 6 N. Alton S.t, Freeburg. Fried cod loins (plate, sandwich or pound), baked cod, shrimp, green beans, fries, homemade slaw, stewed tomatoes, mac and cheese. Orders taken in person or by calling 618-539-4720. Sponsored by the Support Committee.
▪ Highland Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Fish, chicken, shrimp, sides. Carryout and limited indoor dining. Masks required for customers going through the serving line. No call-in orders. facebook.com/vfwpost5694
▪ St. Henry Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays through April 15. Msgr. Voss Parish, 5303 W. Main St., Belleville. Fried cod, baked salmon, fried shrimp, cole slaw, French fries, onion rings, mac n’ cheese, hush puppies, spaghetti, soup, desserts. Cash or credit cards accepted. Dine in and carryout. 618-233-2423.
▪ Firefighters Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays through April 15. Ellis Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 501 Eggemeyer Plaza, Ellis Grove. Buffalo fish, catfish, cod, shrimp, baked beans, fries, cole slaw, onion rings, hush puppies, potato salad, fried pickles. Cost: $13 adults, $2 kids 5-10, under 5 free. Dine in or carryout. 618-859-3473.
▪ Millstadt Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Eat in or carryout. Call ahead for carryout. 618-476-1180.
▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com
▪ Glen Carbon American Legion Post 435 Fish Fry — 4:30-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 435, 190 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Limited menu of dinners and sandwiches, catfish, cod, Alaskan white fish and chicken strips, slaw and fries. Dinners: $11, sandwiches: $8, sides: $2.50 each. Curbside/Carryout service. 618-288-7119.
▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Shiloh Eagles 545, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and sides. Full menu. Dine-in or carryout available. For carryout, call 618-624-5412. facebook.com/shiloheagles545
▪ Noon Lions Lenten Fish Fry — 5-7:30 p.m. Fridays through April 15. Mascoutah Noon Lions, 200 E. Main St., Mascoutah. Fish sandwich, six-piece shrimp, fish by the pound, plates with choice of two sides: fries, slaw, spaghetti, hugh puppies, green beans. facebook.com/MascoutahNoonLions
▪ Mascoutah Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays through April 15. Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Call 618-566-2288 to order.
▪ Quail Club Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays through April 15. Quail Club, 8303 Concordia Church Road, Belleville. Cod cut-ups, walleye, shrimp, burgers. Sides and desserts available. Carryout available. No phone orders.
▪ Smithton Turner Hall Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays through April 15. Smithton Turner Hall, 115 N. Julia St., Smithton. Dine in and carryout. Carryout orders can be called in at 618-277-9690. facebook.com/smithton.turnerhall
▪ Albers Legion Chicken Dinner — 4:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10. American Legion Post 1026, 600 N. Bertha St., Albers. Menu: half a chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, slaw, bread and butter, coffee, tea, dessert. Cost: $12 adults, $5 kids 5-12, under 5 eat free. Bingo players eat for $10. 618-248-5505.
Reservations Required
▪ AARP Tax Aide — 9 a.m. to noon by appointment Friday, April 8. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St. Glen Carbon. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provides free tax preparation assistance to anyone. IRS-certified volunteers make filing taxes easy for you. There is no fee, no sales pitch for other services, and AARP membership is not required. Call 618-288-1212 to schedule an appointment during library hours. glencarbonlibrary.org
▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.
▪ Beginner Knitting Group with Greta — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, April 9 & 23. Online via Zoom. Experience how easy it can be learning to knit through our structured, interactive, social knitting group. Perfect for true beginners or those looking for an easy refresh project. Different intermediate skills will be introduced on a project by project basis. Set up as a two-day class. Requires Registration. glencarbonlibrary.org
▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Exercise Class — 10:45-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Tracie Renschen, who has a Masters in Kinesiology, (the study of mechanics of body movement) leads this exercise class to focus on strengthening the various muscles of the body, helping with balance and arthritis. Cost: $3 per class. 618-234-4410, ext. 7034 or ext. 7044.
▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. Online via Zoom. Classes are suitable for those newer to yoga or those wanting a basic flow class. This class introduces traditional yoga postures, teaches you how to breathe, and helps you feel more comfortable in the yoga practice. Instructed by Anne Hughes. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.
▪ Adult Zumba w/ Aimee — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, April 14. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 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. Face masks required. Requires registration; space is limited. glencarbonlibrary.org.
▪ 2022 Superhero Challenge — 8 a.m. Sunday, April 10. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Join us as McKendree Sport Management students support Illinois Center for Autism, a nonprofit organization that helps folks with Autism Spectrum Disorder live their best lives. Run or walk a 5K or 10K. A virtual option is available April 8-10. mcksportmgmt.com
Worth the Drive
▪ River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Piney Creek Ravine Natural Area — 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9. Meet at intersection of Illinois 4 and Illinois 151 in Ava. Hike led by Bob Mulcahy and is about 5 miles. This hike is free and open to the public. Hikes are intended for people in good health who have done some hiking in the past. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. All hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please. 708-471-7500.