Are you ready to say goodbye to summer, to go back to school or the daily work grind -- without even a taste of vacation again until the holidays? You could take one more lazy float down the Meramec, give the Tornado at Six Flags a final gratifying whirl or get to work on that summer project you swore you'd finish before Labor Day (just how long does it take to complete a giant rubber-band ball, anyway?). Or you could see the summer out in style at the Final Fling from 6 to 10 p.m. at Station Plaza (100 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood). This free family concert features children's performer Babaloo (until 7 p.m.), and Magic House games and activities keep the kiddos entertained while the adults soak up some Velvet (pictured), starting at 7 p.m. BYO chairs, but food and drinks are available for purchase, including those mandatory end-of-summer burgers provided by Johnny Rockets. So forget the giant rubber-band ball, and visit www.thechamber.us or call 314-821-4161 for more information on a memorable summer farewell. And bring some school supplies: Reach Our Children is accepting donations to help underprivileged families get back to school.--Amy Helms
Join Motley's Crew
Byron Motley at Borders
FRI 8/26
Despite his best efforts, Rod Stewart has not been able to kill the Great American Songbook. He's wounded it badly, but not mortally. Byron Motley repairs much of the damage with his Jazz & Cocktails, a collection of standards that demonstrates Motley's genuine love for the music. Citing Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis as influences, Motley colors his interpretations of the classics with his own flair without bludgeoning the melody or beauty out of the songs. It's the difference between being a vocal stylist and being a singer just cashing in, and it makes all the difference in the world. Motley performs a free show at 8 p.m. at Borders Books & Music in Sunset Hills (10990 Sunset Hills Plaza, Sunset Hills; 314-909-0300).--Paul Friswold
Free Pops!
A concert at the YMCA
SAT 8/27
Where do Jesus, dinosaurs and the symphony meet? At the YMCA, obviously. Don't get too scandalized -- the cause for all this commotion is none other than an evening of pops music at the West County Family YMCA (16464 Burkhardt Place, Chesterfield; 636-532-3100). It seems that "pops" is a species of symphonic music -- with a twist. According to Kathy Nix of the Y, pops is "not your classic Beethoven program." In this case the YMCA Community Orchestra's "Pops Goes to the Y: An Evening of Pops" program involves songs from Jesus Christ Superstar, Jurassic Park and Gershwin, as conducted by Rick Holmes of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. (The Village People will be absent from the lineup, for better or worse.) Also, it's worth noting that the West County Y is the only YMCA in the nation with its own symphony orchestra, and that the pops are played for free beginning at 7:30 p.m.--Christine Whitney
Chin Deep
THUR 8/25
Quick! Run to Left Bank Books (399 North Euclid Avenue; 314-367-6731), and buy a copy of Bruce Campbell's Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way! You'll get a special ticket that gets you into the 5:30 p.m. Bruce Campbell lecture/seminar at the Tivoli Theatre (6350 Delmar Boulevard, University City). That ticket also gets your book signed, and that's the only thing he'll sign (i.e., no chins). Then clear out by 9 p.m., unless you want to spend the $8 for a ticket to see Bruce's new flick, The Man with the Screaming Brain. Yeah, you've come this far -- you'll spend the $8. For more on the man, the chin and the film, see "Schticking and Screaming." -- Paul Friswold