Searching for an event to attend this weekend? Metro-east calendar is your guide
Noon Thursday, April 21, 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
▪ American Red Cross Blood Drive — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 21. Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus, Varsity Gym, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. To donate you must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old. If you are 16 years old and wish to donate in Illinois, you need a permission form signed by your parent or guardian. New donors should bring proper identification, such as a driver’s license or a state ID. Individuals are encouraged to set an appointment time, but walk-ins are welcome. 618-235-2700, ext. 5561.
▪ SWIC Plant Sale — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 21; Friday, April 22; and Saturday, April 23. Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. The sale will be held in the greenhouse, located on the southeast corner of campus behind the baseball fields. The SWIC Horticulture program is selling reasonably priced water and vegetable plants, tropicals, perennials, annuals and herbs grown by SWIC students over the winter. Cash or check only. Face masks and social distancing recommended. 618-235-2700, ext. 5135 or kurt.range@swic.edu.
▪ Buck-A-Bag Sale — 9-11 a.m. Friday, April 22. Freeburg Food and Clothing Bank, 1050 N. State St., Freeburg. Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing available. Includes toys, shoes, books and miscellaneous items. 618-539-5070.
▪ Chapel Sign Dedication Ceremony — 9 a.m. Friday, April 22. Sister Thea Bowman Chapel, 8213 Church Lane, East St. Louis. Mass begins at 9 a.m. with dedication to immediately follow. Enjoy the celebration of Mass and learn more about the history of the church with St. Philip’s Alumni. facebook.com/theabowmanschool
▪ Community E-waste Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23. Lewis and Clark Community College, parking lot at Godfrey Road and Tolle Lane (across from the Dairy Queen), Godfrey. Recycle anything with a cord, anything metal. Accepting servers, switches, PC towers, printers, other technical equipment; landline phones, cable boxes, cell phones, wireless modems, servers, audio and video equipment, cables, holiday lights, home electronics, printers, additional telecommunication items, lead acid batteries. All types of televisions, along with computer monitors, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators will be accepted with a charge (from $5-$35 depending on size and type). 618-468-2782.
▪ Peace in the Prairie — 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 22. World’s Fair Pavilion, First Park, 1904 Concourse Drive, St. Louis. This event will present Saint Louis Story Stitchers as well as host vendors from local businesses and non-profit organizations who will bring information and resources about prairies and native plants, accessing and enjoying the outdoors, healing from trauma, and gun violence prevention. There will also be performances that are in conversation with these subjects. The event is free for all ages and open to the public. Free tickets are available on Eventbrite. The film will also be screened online Saturday, April 23, through Saturday, April 30, at storystitchers.org.
▪ Green Door Art Gallery: ‘The Nature of Things’ Reception — 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 22. Green Door Art Gallery, 21 N. Gore, Webster Groves, Missouri. Meet and mingle with guest and resident artists of “The Nature of Things,” art inspired by the natural world. Artwork in the exhibit is available for purchase through April 30. Art from the gallery’s 35 resident artists in all media will also be exhibited and for sale. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 314-202-4071 or greendoorartgallery.com.
▪ Watershed Nature Center Earth Day Celebration — 8 a.m. Saturday, April 23. Watershed Nature Center, 1591 Tower Ave., Edwardsville. Festivities begin with the BJC HealthCare Run Wild! 5K & Fun Run, followed by the Native Plant Sale and Pollinator Discovery Day activities at 10 a.m. Featuring Edwardsville businesses like Goshen Coffee, Recess Brewing, Sneaky’s Burger Truck and much more. watershednaturecenter.org
▪ Kidmania — 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 23. Edwardsville High School, 6161 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville. The Junior Service Club of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon’s annual consignment sale includes local vendors selling reasonably priced baby gear/furniture, infant through tween and maternity clothing. VIP early access (8 a.m. entry) is available for $20 per ticket. General admission is $5 per person. Children 12 and under are free. edglenjuniorservice.org
▪ Document Shred Event — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23. Granite City High School, 3101 Madison Ave., Granite City. Examples of documents with personally identifiable information that should be safely discarded include bank statements, outdated medical records, tax returns, utility bills, junk mail, credit card applications and receipts. No electronics will be accepted at this event. 618-251-9840.
▪ Empire 13 Earth Day Environmental Justice 89 Block Action Clean Up — 9 a.m. Saturday, April 23. Community Life Resource Center, 1764 State St., East St. Louis. The Action Goal: To have all the trach off State Street, leaving it trash free for the first time in decades. 618-304-2107 or 618-482-6600, ext. 1601.
▪ Mascoutah Historical Society presents ‘Family Heirloom Recipes from the Illinois State Fair’ — 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Espenschied Chapel, 317 N. County Road, Mascoutah. Catherine Lambrecht will present the program as part of Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Bureau. Free and open to the public.
▪ Heritage Hall Dedication — 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 24. St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 W. B St., Belleville. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m., a reception and a display of photos and artifacts from the church throughout the years. 618-233-3303.
▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Beginner Line Dancing — 12:15-1:45 p.m. Mondays. The Nichols Center, 515 E. D St., Belleville. 618-234-4410, ext. 7034 or ext. 7044.
▪ Saint Louis Visionary Awards — 6 p.m. Monday, April 25. The Sun Theater, 3625 Grandel Square, St. Louis. Celebrating the numerous contributions and achievements of women who work in or support the arts in the greater st. Louis region. Hosted by Cheree Berry and Dr. Eva Frazer. For tickets and info: vizawards.org.
▪ Electronics Recycling Event — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 26. McKendree University, Lot D parking lot, Lebanon. Household appliances and anything with a plug will be accepted, as well as computer parts, cell phones and metal items such as lawnmowers, weed trimmers, motors, washers, dryers and metal office furniture. Please note that cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions, CRT computer monitors, console televisions, projection televisions and plasma TVs will be charged 50 cents per pound and will be weighed onsite. This is a transportation fee since the televisions must be shipped for recycling.
▪ Friends of Art SIUE All Silent Auction — 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, through Friday, April 29, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Art West Gallery, 75 S. Circle Drive, Edwardsville. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26. Free admission. Bid virtually, using our email, friendsofart.SIUE@yahoo.com, or on the Friends of Art SIUE Facebook site, where images of all the artwork are available for preview. Some Cash & Carry items will be available. All funds benefit the SIUE Art & Design program, through student scholarships and the Visiting Artist Program. SIUE FOA is a nonprofit group, under the auspices of the SIUE Foundation.
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 22. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.
▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Pickleball — 9:30-11 a.m. Mondays and 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays. Nichols Center, 515 E. D St., Belleville. Pickleball is the latest trend for seniors and has been described as a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong. 618-234-4410, ext. 7034 or 7044.
▪ Damiansville PTO Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Friday, April 29. Damiansville Elementary School Gymnasium, 101 E. Main St., Damiansville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Includes silent auction, table decorating contest (theme: sports), prizes for top two teams. BYO snacks and drinks. Cost: $100 per table of eight to 10 players. 217-962-1919 or 618-973-6909.
Theater/Concerts
▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony — 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Conductor Kirill Karabits brings a flourish of light and exuberance for his SLSO debut. Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto casts the SLSO’s Allegra Lilly as mystic, virtuoso, and dancer. Azerbaijani composer Franghiz Ali-Zadeh’s “Nagillar” flickers with the energy of a tale well told. Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 was written during wartime, but leaves us optimistic for humanity’s future. 314-534-1700 or slso.org.
▪ Saint Louis Philharmonic Orchestra: Helen Kim, A Violin and Life Celebration — 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22. Skip Viragh Center; Chaminade, 425 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis. stlphilharmonic.org
▪ Redeyes — 10 p.m. Friday, April 22. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets are $20. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ St. Louis Bach Festival: Young Artist Showcase — 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, 11645 Benham Road, St. Louis. The performance includes a wide selection of music from operatic and oratorio repertoire. Attendance is free, advanced registration is strongly recommended due to limited capacity. bachsociety.org
▪ The Trophy Mules — 4-7 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Alpha Brewing, 4310 Fyler Ave., St. Louis. Corey Saathoff and Josh Kean acoustic. https://fb.me/e/2dnSXJ5uT
▪ Amy Speace — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ Family Concert: SoundLab Live — 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Doors open at 2 p.m. Participate in a musical scavenger hunt featuring musicians of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and get your picture taken on the green screen conducting the SLSO. Step into the SoundLab with your SLSO to hear and see music through soundwaves, discover how sound travels great distances, and explore how our favorite tunes keep us connected featuring music from Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven. 314-534-1700 or slso.org.
▪ Billy Gilman: In Concert — 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $25. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ Voices of Spring - Masterworks Children’s Chorus — 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24. St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St., O’Fallon. The concert will feature music of many styles, in many languages: German art songs by Mozart and Schubert, selections from the French opera repertory, spirituals, Jewish folk music, and vocal jazz – even the Muppets. 618-791-7122 or singmasterworks.org.
▪ Brian Owens: Complete Gamer – Celebrating Bob Gibson — 7 p.m. Monday, April 25. The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Complete Gamer is a celebration of Cardinals legend and baseball hall of fame pitcher, Bob Gibson. This multi-media experience features original music performed by Brian Owens and musicians of Life Creative Group, a creative arts company dedicated to sharing the talent and stories of the St. Louis Region on a global level. 618-537-6863 or mckendree.edu/the_hett.
▪ Micaela Diamond - from The Cher Show on Broadway: I Got Me Babe — 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ The Sheldon presents Mark Sparks, flute, with Peter Henderson, piano — 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 27. (Rescheduled from Feb. 2). The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Recently retired St. Louis Symphony principal flute Mark Sparks performs Bohuslav Martinu’s first Sonata for flute and piano, and Robert Schumann’s Sonata in A Minor, originally for violin and piano, arranged by Sparks for flute and piano. Other works include Richard Strauss’ “Romanze,” Franz Doppler’s “Rondo” for Two Flutes and Piano, and a new work by Mizzou composer Robyne Sieh for flute and piano, performed by Peter Henderson and Isabella Saldaña, a student of Sparks’ from O’Fallon, Illinois and a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. For tickets and information: thesheldon.org.
▪ Nellie McKay — 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ Abe Partridge with Special Guest Ale-ex Huck & The Happy Campers — 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com
▪ An Evening of Jazz — 6 p.m. Friday, April 29. Kaskaskia College Student Center, 27210 College Road, Centralia. The evening starts with a social hour followed by an Italian-themed dinner, drinks, and dessert. A cash bar will be available, and KC Faculty will perform during the dinner hour. After dinner, the KC Jazz Band and KC Blues will present a special performance in the Jane Knight Auditorium. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at kaskaskia.edu/jazz.
▪ Master Class Evening with Christine Brewer — 7 p.m. Friday, April 29. St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 W. B St., Belleville. The free event, part of a weekend concert residency with Christine Brewer, will feature performances by principal singers of the Masterworks Chorale. Brewer will offer critiques and reflections on the performances, which will include music from Bizet’s Carmen, Mozart’s Magic Flute, and other selections from opera and oratorio. The public is invited to this illuminating and exciting musical event. singmasterworks.org
Clubs & Support Groups
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) — 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Online via Zoom. Virtual support meetings for family members and other caregivers of individuals with mental illness. A Zoom meeting may also be in-person. Registration is required in order to receive the link or location for these meetings. For more information or to register, contact Pat Rudloff at silverlining6@charter.net.
▪ Gift of Voice Winners’ Circle Peer Support — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Eden Church, 903 N. Second St., Edwardsville. This peer-led support group for people who have been in jail/prison and addresses the needs of those working on confronting life’s struggles, including mental health and legal challenges. The group offers safe, positive and relaxed space to share support, encouragement and success with others in similar circumstances. office@giftofvoice.com
▪ Parkinson’s Disease Discovery Group — 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 26. Sullivan Conference Room, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. This group provides the opportunity to learn and share helpful information, support each other in dealing with Parkinson’s disease-related issues, and to connect with others who can relate to your experience. Registration is not necessary to attend. Masking (non-cloth) is still required in health care facilities. For more information or questions, please call 618-651-2720. stjosephshighland.org
▪ 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
▪ Wellness Recovery Action Planning — 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Edwardsville (address shared when you RSVP). Recover from difficult life circumstances and learn the skills necessary to accomplish your goals. Feel better again and live a normal life. To register: office@giftofvoice.com.
▪ Belleville Community Band — 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Belleville Philharmonic Hall, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville. Currently seeking new members, particularly woodwinds, percussion and tuba. Visit the Belleville Community Band Facebook page for more info.
Food
▪ Illinois Center for Autism DQ Fundraiser — 3-10 p.m. Thursday, April 21. Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, 3260 Nameoki Road, Granite City. Drive-thru only. Cash donation jar will be present at the drive-thru window. For each combo, chicken strip basket and blizzard purchased, $1 will be donated. For each cake sold, $3 donated. Mention the fundraiser when placing an order.
▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229 or facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239
▪ 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
▪ Edwardsville Masonic Lodge Breakfast — 8-11 a.m. Saturday, April 23. Edwardsville Masonic Lodge, 90 Kriege Farm Road, Glen Carbon. Serving biscuits & gravy with scrambled eggs. Eat in or carryout. Recommended donation: $5. Collecting canned goods/non-perishable food items for the food pantry. Benefits Glen-Ed Pantry. facebook.com/edwardsvillemasons
▪ Floraville Community Grange Whole Hog Spring Wurstmarkt — 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24. 4165 Floraville Road, Waterloo (six miles south of Millstadt, one mile north of Paderborn). Drive-thru carryout. Sausage dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, sauerkraut, green beans, applesauce. Cost: $13. Additional items: 16-oz. Ham hocks $2 and extra sausage links, three for $5.
Reservations Required
▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23. 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.
▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Zumba Gold — 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Swansea Moose, 2425 Illinois St., Swansea. Class led by Mary Rose Grant. Cost: $5 per class. 618-234-4410, ext. 7034 to register.
▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27. 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 28. 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
▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Fraud Prevention — 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, May 4. 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Seniors have increasingly become the target of scammers. Suzanne Phegley, Fraud investigator for FCB Banks and Chairperson for the St. Clair County Elder Justice Council will discuss scams and how to spot them, skimming and what to look for and how to spot telephone fraud. Registered attendees eligible for attendance prizes. Reservations required. Call 618-234-4410 ext. 7044 to reserve your spot.
Worth the Drive
▪ Ecole du Soldat (School of the Soldier) — Noon to 4 p.m. Friday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23, and 9-11 a.m. Sunday, April 24. The Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center, 66 South Main Street, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Featuring artisans and craftspeople of the colonial era demonstrating their crafts. This will be a fully packed weekend of lectures, children’s activities, and camaraderie with plenty of things to do and things to see. facebook.com/events/676865553362663
▪ Celebrating Audubon’s Legacy — 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 22; 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 23; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 24. Ste. Genevieve Art Center and Art Museum, 310 Merchant St., Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Celebrate the legacy of the town’s most famous artist, John James Audubon, renowned artist and ornithologist. Includes an original musical performance, an exhibit of birdhouses, a naturalist-led bird walk and other activities. facebook.com/events/474625524159411
▪ River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Bulge Hole Ecological Area in Johnson County — 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23. Meet at Shawnee National Forest Office on Highway 45 in Vienna. Hike led by noted Illinois botanist Chris Benda. 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. 217-417-4145.
This story was originally published April 20, 2022 at 7:00 AM.