This Week

Highlights from the RFT's "Calendar"
Wednesday/25
Guns 'N Hoses, the annual St. Louis Metro Budweiser Boxing Showdown between the St. Louis police and fire departments, benefiting the St. Louis Backstoppers, is held at Kiel Center. (see Sports)

Journey -- sadly, without Steve Perry -- returns to the stage, performing their vintage rock hits at the Fox Theatre. (see Concerts)

Thursday/26
It's time once again to line Market Street on a chilly Thanksgiving morning to watch favorite cartoon balloons float by to the sounds of local marching bands. The Mid-America Holiday Parade, with more than 150 entrants, including the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, begins at 8:30 a.m. at Broadway & Spruce and ends up right by Union Station. (see Special Events)

For those of us far from home, too lazy to cook for ourselves, or just looking for a little fellowship and good conversation, the Ethical Society is issuing an Open Invitation to Thanksgiving Dinner. Bring your favorite dish to share with four others and make it a holiday to remember. (see Special Events)

Work off those holiday calories before they arrive! The city of Chesterfield's 10th annual Gobble Wobble, a four-mile run/walk benefiting the Friends for Chesterfield Parks and Teen Challenge of St. Louis, is held, rain or shine, first thing in the morning. (see Sports)

Fugazi performs tonight at the Galaxy, in the ever-booming, ever-growing Washington Avenue loft district. (see Concerts)

Friday/27
The House Band performs at the newly remodeled St. Louis Brewery and Tap Room. (see Concerts)

Dance St. Louis hosts three Sugar Plum Parties, introductions for children to the Nutcracker ballet, with storytelling, dancing and refreshments, in the Famous-Barr Court of the St. Louis Galleria. (see Special Events)

A Statue Dedication of sculptor Tony Rosenthal's "Hobo" is held at the corner of Euclid and McPherson in the Central West End. (see Special Events)

The RFT's Person-to-Person hosts the 1998-99 Singles Night at the Symphony Kickoff, with a happy hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. and followed by a concert by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and John McDaniel of The Rosie O'Donnell Show. The event is at Powell Symphony Hall. Tickets may be purchased through the symphony box office, but mention the event and get half off the regular prices. (see Concerts and Special Events)

Saturday/28
Reverend Horton Heat and the Amazing Crowns return to Mississippi Nights, but it's a late-afternoon/early-evening show, so don't show up at 9 p.m. expecting to see them. (see Concerts)

The Craft Alliance Center for the Visual Arts hosts its Student/Faculty Holiday Craft Sale, featuring a wide variety of functional and sculptural items created from glass, clay and metal. It's one of the signs that the holiday-shopping season has really begun. (see Special Events)

Larry Krone performs Love Can Build a Bridge, in conjunction with his visual-art exhibit, at the Forum for Contemporary Art. (see Performing Arts)

Richard Hayman conducts Pops at Powell concerts, featuring the ever-charming and entrancing vocalist Lou Rawls, tonight and tomorrow at Powell Symphony Hall. (see Concerts)

The St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League play the Washington Capitals at Kiel Center. (see Sports)

The Hitmen of Comedy Tour, starring D.C. Curry, Arnez J. and host Shucky Ducky with special guest Sheryl Underwood, is held at the Fox Theatre. (see Performing Arts)

Sunday/29
A Women's Celebration, a refuge and day of relaxation for women, with hair consultations, facial makeovers and instruction on aromatherapy, color therapy and more, is held at Everything Has a Story, and it's free, free, free. (see Special Events)

The St. Louis Rams of the National Football League play the Atlanta Falcons in the Trans World Dome at America's Center -- could we please, please, please win this one? (see Sports)

Rook to queen's bishop eight! What the hell are they talking about? Find out at the finals of the 1998 United States Class Chess Championships, held at the Renaissance St. Louis Hotel. Ask someone what the "counter" is to Young's famous "Knighty-Knight" offense. (see Special Events and Sports)

Monday/30
"God bless us -- every one." (Sniff.) Lindenwood University Theatre presents A Christmas Carol on the campus in St. Charles. (see Performing Arts)

The AIDS Interfaith Network of St. Louis hosts the 1998 World AIDS Day Interfaith Service, honoring organizations committed to the prevention of HIV infection in young adults, at St. Francis Xavier Church. (see Special Events)

Tuesday/1
The Meramec African-American History and Culture Committee presents a Kwanzaa Celebration in the student center on the campus of St. Louis Community College-Meramec. (see Special Events)

The St. Louis Art Museum hosts its annual Lighting of the Art Museum Holiday Tree in the museum's Grigg Gallery. (see Special Events)

The St. Louis Effort for AIDS hosts Dining Out for Life, an event in which diners may choose to eat at any of 104 area restaurants, cafes and bars, which will donate 20 percent of the evening's sales to EFA. (see Special Events)

Wednesday/2
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, running up to the New Year, at the Loretto-Hilton Theatre. (see Performing Arts)

A couple of our favorite local writers, Joe Pollack and Ann Lemons Pollack, read from and sign their book Beyond Toasted Ravioli: A Tour of St. Louis Restaurants at one of our favorite local bookstores, Left Bank Books. (see Literary Events)