Classics Meet the Cults

Euclid Records (601 East Lockwood Avenue) moved into its new home in Webster Groves last year, and living near the Webster University Film Series' Moore Auditorium has rubbed off: The record store is showing movies in-store every weeknight in November (except Thanksgiving). The films are all music-related, of course, but varied and esoteric enough to cater to all tastes -- something you'd expect from an independent record shop. Here are some of the highlights: Tom Waits' classic Big Time screens Thursday, November 4; Beatnik Night on Monday, November 8, features The Subterraneans and The Beat Generation; New Wave Night screens Urgh! A Music War on November 11; and This Is Spinal Tap (pictured) and A Mighty Wind play on November 22. Plus the series offers The Last Waltz on November 17, some Neil Young stuff on November 12, Rock & Roll High School on November 29 (Punk Rock Night), Beatles rarities on November 10, and Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser and Let's Get Lost on November 19.

And that's not even half of it. The best thing about a cult film series like this one is that it serves the greater purpose of uniting freaks who want to watch Frank Zappa's 200 Motels in a record store.

Check www.euclidrecords.com or call 314-961-8978 for more information. Movies are free and run from 6 to 9 p.m. -- Mark Dischinger

Head West to China
Chinese artists at Chesterfield Arts

This week's hot spot for the international art world is, uh, Chesterfield. Art Saint Louis and Chesterfield Arts co-present the creative vision of the Far East at Chesterfield Arts (444 Chesterfield Center, Suite 130; 636-519-1955) in the group show Chinese Artists in Academia. This exhibit of painting, printmaking and other media features work created by fifteen Chinese artists who also teach at American universities. The opening reception is 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, November 5, and there's a free gallery talk hosted by the show's curator, Lampo Leong (assistant professor of art at Mizzou), and a few of the artists at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 6. So take this chance to appreciate Chinese arts other than the martial kind practiced by Jet Li and Chow Yun-Fat, and make the trip to Chesterfield. -- Jedidiah Ayres

Shamed into Shopping
And buying Saks of clothes

You say it every November: "This year I am not shopping on December 24 for gifts (and gift bags). I will buy only meaningful gifts, not generic (and easy) gift certificates." And then we all know what happens next -- it's Christmas Eve, two hours before the family dinner, and you've bought nothing. Shame on you! The Arts and Education Council (www.keeparthappening.org) wants to make your life easier this year. Come by Saks Fifth Avenue (1 Plaza Frontenac; 314-567-9200) Thursday, November 4, for a $50 fundraising evening of 10 percent-off shopping and free food from Monarch (event begins at 6:30 p.m.; call 314-535-3600, extension 109, for reservations and tickets). And if Saks isn't your speed, buy a $50 "St. Louis on Sale" card to use for a 20-percent discount at 200 local retail shops and restaurants between Friday, November 5, and November 14. Helping the arts and getting a jump start? A merry time indeed. -- Alison Sieloff

Fashion In-vest-ment

You heard it here first: Leather vests are the new poncho. So make your own stylish wardrobe addition from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Tandy Leather Company (141 Concord Plaza; 314-842-2540) on Saturday, November 6, and November 13. Not only are these vest-making classes cool, they're also free (but materials aren't). Now ask yourself which accoutrement makes more sense: having your arms free in the straightforward vest or the ponch-oh-so-silly? Yeah, that's what we thought, too. -- Alison Sieloff