Olé, Olé the Fifth of May!

Cinco de Mayo, the day that Mexicans celebrate their victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, means that and so much more in St. Louis -- and we’re not just talking about tequila shots and sombrero silliness (not that there’s anything wrong with either). In fact, to honor this special day, our French-named city (ironic, no?) offers no fewer than five big celebrations. There are bikinis and more at the Loco Mambo Fiesta benefit block party at the Atomic Cowboy (4140 Manchester Avenue; 314-775-0775 or www.atomic-cowboy.com), and White Zen wine and sangria out at Mount Pleasant Winery (5634 High Street, Augusta; 800-467-9463 or www.mountpleasant.com). And we’ve got music, too, with the Phins (a Jimmy Buffett tribute band) at the season’s first Alton Block Party (on Third Street, between State and Piasa streets, Alton, Illinois; 800-258-6645 or www.visitalton.com) and Javier Mendoza (pictured) at Finale Music & Dining (8025 Bonhomme Avenue, Clayton; 314-863-8631 or www.finale-stl.com). Plus, our own mini-Mexico on Cherokee Street (between Oregon and Iowa avenues) rocks an all-day street fest with authentic foods and four bands, including El Caribe Tropical and Tamborazo Mixteco (www.cincodemayostl.com). Cinco de Mayo, indeed! Maybe we could change the city’s name to San LuĂ­s -- at least for the day.
Sat., May 5