Beat Happenings

If I only had some grain: When the Tin Man wanted a heart, he called on the Wizard of Oz. So when the Tin Can Tavern wants a party, they're calling on the Wizards of Jaws. Competitive eaters county-wide are invited to Tin Can Tavern's (3157 Morganford Avenue; 314-865-3003) first-anniversary party on Saturday, March 25, for (among other things) a corn-dog-eating contest. Or, if you'd prefer to receive some art, they're also having a Tin Can Beer Koozie decorating contest. The whole wonderfully weird celebration is set to the sweet sounds of rock-pop band Tiny Cows. Indeed, all you have to do is clink your beer steins together three times, and you'll feel right at (no place but) home.

Pop crunchy treats: It's a well-known fact that when you add milk to Rice Krispies, the puffs sing snap, crackle and pop. A lesser-known fact is that when you add DJ Leon Lamont to a Pageant show, it becomes crunchy, cool and pop. The Pageant (6161 Delmar Boulevard; 314-726-6161) hosts the Crunchy Cool Pop Show featuring the Dean Evans Band (love-lorn power-pop), Maxtone Four (irresistible opti-pop), My 2 Planets (folk-funk pop with vocals reminiscent of Glen Phillips) and 12 Oz. Prophets (throwback rock/pop) with special guest DJ Leon Lamont. The show crackles at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, for only $5. It's part of a nutritious pop fest!

Blues Clues: Hey everybody! Are you ready to help Blues figure out how to benefit a cause? Get out your handy-dandy notebook! Okay, the first clue is on the Internet: STLBlues.net. The second clue is in a human-resources department: a benefit! The third clue is in Willard Scott's check-book: Make-A-Wish Foundation. Hmm...what could it be? Blues, you got it! The clues mean STLBlues.net is having a benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation! Yes! On Sunday, March 26, from 4 to 10:30 p.m., local jazz artists perform at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups (700 South Broadway; 314-436-5222) for the fourth annual STLBlues Benefit Concert. A $10 cover goes directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro St. Louis.