Want to know what events are happening this weekend? Metro-east calendar is your guide

Noon Thursday, May 19, 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.

Featured Event

▪ Chinese Culture Days at Missouri Botanical Garden — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. This annual celebration features a Grand Parade with a 70-foot dancing dragon, authentic regional cuisine, t’ai chi, martial arts, and acrobatic performances. Special tours in the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden (the Chinese Garden) focus on the symbolism of many plant species and architectural details. Immerse yourself in awe-inspiring Chinese cultural performances, music, art and history while enjoying authentic cuisine. For tickets and info: missouribotanicalgarden.org

Events

▪ Container Gardening: Fruits, Vegetables & Microgreens — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, May 19. Online via Zoom. Learn about what type of soil to use, lighting needs, and what types of fruits and vegetables do best in containers. Dean Gunderson, Director of Education here at Seed St. Louis, will also cover how to grow your own microgreens in containers. For registration info: facebook.com/events/319593633623556.

▪ Spring Book Sale — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 20. Charles Gravius Memorial Library, 202 E. Silver St., Marine. Choose from a large selection of books. All books are 25 cents each or a plastic bag of books for $2. The library will furnish plastic bags; shopping bags not permitted.

▪ Madison County Transit 2022 Trail Summit — 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 20. Leclaire Room, Lewis & Clark N.O. Nelson Campus, 600 Troy Road, Edwardsville. We will bring together thought leaders from across the country to speak on cultivating bike and pedestrian culture and leveraging trail infrastructure for community development. Free to attend. Space is limited, so register in advance at https://bit.ly/3Phk3rF.

▪ Millstadt Township Farmers Market — 3-6 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW Event Center, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Featuring everything: local plants, fruit, coffee, produce, flowers, honey, eggs, baked goods, jellies/jams and flea market items. No vendor fees. 618-476-3037.

▪ Sacred Heart Church Women’s Club Spring Rummage Sale — 3-8 p.m. Friday, May 20. Sacred Heart Church Parish Hall, 123 S. 3rd St., Dupo. Admission: One (unexpired) canned good for Dukare Food Pantry. sacredheartchurchdupo.org

▪ Saint Louis Astronomical Society: ‘Multi-Messenger Astronomy For the Amateur’ — 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 20. Online via Zoom. An illustrated presentation by George Silvis of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) will be featured. The event, cosponsored by NASA’s Missouri Space Grant Consortium, is open to the public free of charge. Zoom access information is posted at slasonline.org.

▪ Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 21. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted during the sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Masks required.

▪ Metals & Electronics Recycle Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 21. St. Clair Township Building, 107 Service St., Swansea. Accepting office equipment, vehicles, electronics, batteries, appliances, machinery. Fees for TV/Monitor, CRT. No paper, glass, plastic, wood, cardboard or tires. 618-344-7232 or powerrecycling.com.

▪ 13th annual Pumpers and Pistons Truck Show — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21. The National Museum of Transportation, 2933 Barrett Station Road, St. Louis. From first responders and rescue dogs to antique firetrucks and a painting competition, we’ll have something for everyone. Regular Museum admission required. tnmot.org/museum-events

▪ Millpond Maifest — Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 21, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 22. Millpond Brewing & Incubator, 308 E. Washington St., Millstadt. Featuring the release of a new light lager at noon on Saturday. The weekend includes food, live music and, of course, beer. facebook.com/millpondbrewing

▪ Book Signing Event with Captain Lynn Rippelmeyer — 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22. History Museum of Monroe County, 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo. Captain Lynn Rippelmeyer, the first woman to pilot the Boeing 747, will sign and read from her book “Life Takes Wings.” The book will be available for purchase for $20.

▪ Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar with State Rep. Katie Stuart — 1-2 p.m. Monday, May 23. Collinsville Memorial Library, 408 W. Main St., Collinsville. Learn to protect yourself from scams and understand new financial rules and regulations to help protect your hard-earned savings. 618-365-6650.

▪ Riverfront Park & Broadway Corridor Tree Planting — 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 25. Riverfront Park, Alton. Join NGRREC, the Three Rivers Project Sierra Club and more in planting trees at the Riverfront Park and Broadway Corridor. Volunteers will be meeting at Riverfront Park, near the playground area. After that planting is complete, the group will move to the Broadway Corridor. Follow NGRREC on Facebook for day-of planting updates. Register at https://conta.cc/3Kr6Qso to ensure the proper equipment is available.

▪ DraftKings at Casino Queen Job Fair — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 25. DraftKings at Casino Queen, 200 S. Front St., East St. Louis. Prospective team members are welcome to apply for and interview for a variety of open positions. Open interviews will be held in the Imperial Hall Ballroom. For more information or to fill out an application: draftkingsatcasinoqueen.com/careers.

▪ A Conversation on COVID and Mental Health — 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25. Facebook Live. Please join the East St. Louis Amumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Healthy Lifestyles Committee for a virtual conversation on COVID-19 and Mental Health. Melissa Stalets, of the Illinois Department Public Health, Chronic Disease Assistant Division Chief will lead the discussion. https://bit.ly/3wy7L5F

▪ Author Visit: Bill Clevlen — 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26. Case-Halstead Library, 550 6th St., Carlyle. Author Bill Clevlen will share stories about writing his new book “The Ultimate American Music Bucket List” and sign copies of the book for those who attend. 618-594-5210.

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, May 20. 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. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Indigo Girls — 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 20. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Join iconic duo Indigo Girls for one night only with your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Singer-songwriter-guitarists Amy Ray and Emily Saliers will wow you with songs from their storied career. 314-534-1700 or slso.org.

▪ Picnics on the Plaza: Kevin Buckley — 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 20. The Sheldon’s Steward Family Plaza, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. These casual, outdoor concerts will feature live music by some of St. Louis’ best musicians in the elegant setting of the plaza, while guests enjoy a boxed picnic dinner and drinks at assigned tables of two to four people. Advance registration required. thesheldon.org

▪ Golden Anniversaries Film Discussion: ‘Cabaret’ — 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21. St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive St., St. Louis. A musical adaptation of writer Christopher Isherwood’s semi-autobiographical “The Berlin Stories” and “I Am a Camera,” John Kander and Fred Ebb’s “Cabaret” was memorably brought to the screen by choreographer-director Bob Fosse (“Lenny,” “All That Jazz”). Intro and discussion by Calvin Wilson, theater and dance critic and former film and jazz critic. cinemastlouis.org/golden-anniversaries

▪ Heartland Community Chorus Pops Concert: ‘Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song’ — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Highland Elementary School, 1600 Lindenthal Ave., Highland. There’s something for everyone in this popular concert — Jazz standards, Pop classics, Broadway tunes. Tickets are $15 (age 16 and under are free) and are available at the door, from Chorus members and heartlandcommunitychorus.org.

▪ Sam Revilla In Concert — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Enjoy an evening of music and laughter as Sam sings his beloved Broadway tunes accompanied by the incomparable Larry Pry. Featuring songs from “La Cage Aux Folles,” “Kinky Boots,” “Dreamgirls,” “The Color Purple,” “The Lion King” and many more. Also performing songs by Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Chris Stapleton, Adele and Aerosmith. With surprise special guests you don’t want to miss. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Madeleine Peyroux — 8 p.m. Sunday, May 21. The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Much like songbird Edith Piaf, Madeleine Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Just like the “little sparrow,” Peyroux befriended the city’s street musicians and made its Latin quarter her first performing stage. Years later, Peyroux would cite iconic Piaf as an influence on her music and record a rendition of the classic “La Vie En Rose,” soulfully capturing the tune’s romanticism and melancholy. thesheldon.org

▪ Golden Anniversaries Film Discussion: ‘Solaris’ — 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 23. Online event. Find streaming options on JustWatch. Join the free discussion through Eventive. Ground control has been receiving mysterious transmissions from the three remaining residents of the Solaris space station. When cosmonaut and psychologist Kris Kelvin is dispatched to investigate, he experiences the same strange phenomena that afflict the Solaris crew, sending him on a voyage into the darkest recesses of his consciousness. Intro and discussion by Robert Garrick, attorney, former contributor to the davekehr.com film blog, and contributor to Cinema St. Louis’ The Lens film blog. cinemastlouis.org/golden-anniversaries

▪ Bob Case: Tribute to Bob Dylan on His 81st Birthday — 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. In celebration of Bob Dylan’s 81st birthday, Bob Case will play an evening of Dylan’s songs with his band and also as a soloist. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Music in the Park Summer Concert Series: Waterloo German Band — 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25. Klucker Hall (Upstairs), 14 Park Drive, Shiloh. Free parking. Sponsored by Village of Shiloh.

▪ Janis Ian: Celebrating Our Years Together - Final Tour with Special Guest Livingston Taylor — 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 25. The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Known for her passionate songwriting, Janis Ian brings her trademark folk style to the stage, combining insightful lyrics and tender vocals with the powerful social commentary that has pervaded her music since her debut in the 1960s. thesheldon.org

Food

▪ 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

▪ Boy Scout Troop 30 Bar-B-Que — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Rural Family Medicine parking lot, 251 Marketplace Drive, #1, Freeburg. Pork steaks and brats, plates and sandwiches, homemade potato salad, slaw, green beans and pork-n-beans.

▪ St. Louis County Greekfest — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 27, through Sunday, May 29; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 30. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 1755 Des Peres Road, Town and Country, Missouri. Customers can choose from a variety of plated dinners, appetizers and desserts. Expect traditional favorites, including Dolmades, Baklava, Spanakopita, Gyros, Souvlaki, Kataifi and more. Ordering begins May 23 online at stlgreekfest.com.

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.

▪ Parkinson’s Disease Discovery Group — 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, May 24. 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

▪ 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

Reservations Required

▪ Granite City Seniors Social Club ‘Back on the Farm’ Event — 1 p.m. Sunday, June 5. Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Doors open at noon. Event includes a catered meal, Country Cooking with Marge Comedy Show, Kate Garrison and the Dandy Dancers, Barnyard Bazaar, performance and dancing, prizes and raffle. Cost: $13 members, $15 non-members. Tickets are limited. 618-444-6771, 618-797-6749 or 618-877-4373.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 3-7 p.m. Thursday, May 26. VFW 1699/American Legion Hall 485, 200 S. 5th St. Dupo. Masks and appointments required. 800-747-5401 or bloodcenter.org/group, group code 11334.

▪ St. Clair County Transit Summer Riding Program — Wednesday, June 1 through Monday, Aug. 15. MetroBikeLink System. The St. Clair County Transit District is encouraging people of all ages to register now for its annual Summer Riding Program, so they are ready to hits the trails when the program gets underway on June 1. The program allows participants to track miles and earn prizes as they bike, walk, wheel, run, skate or skip along the MetroBikeLink System, which boasts 14 miles of continuous trails and bike paths adjacent to the MetroLink alignment in Southwestern Illinois. Mileage tracking begins June 1. Register: scctd.org.

▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging - Coffee, Cars & Conversation — 10 a.m. Monday, June 6. Gateway Classic Cars, 1237 Central Park Drive, #1, O’Fallon. What was your first car or the one you dreamed of owning? Join us at Gateway Classic Cars where we will learn about all the classic cars they have to see. Refreshments provided. Reservations required. Call 618-234-4410, ext.7044 or 7034 to save a spot.

Worth the Drive

▪ Ste. Genevieve Farmers Market – 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays. KC Hall grounds, 600 Market St., Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Locally produced vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey, canned goods, vinegars, jams, jellies and freshly baked goods. facebook.com/SteGenevieveFarmersMarket