All right, all right. We know there are tons of great events that you're looking forward to this week, and we realize you're so excited about the Saint Louis Art Fair (see page 30) that you just can't wait to get there! But the fest doesn't start until Friday, September 9! What are you going to do until then? You're going to get ahold of yourself and go to the Gateway Gallery (7921 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton; 314-503-3880) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a free Saint Louis Art Fair preview party. There, you have the opportunity to see work that'll be offered at the fair by artists like Anita Salvador and Vic Mastis while you celebrate the gallery's first anniversary -- with the artists themselves! Considering that refreshments will be served, this is definitely a win-win situation for you.
Thursday, September 8
If you're as excited as we are about the St. Louis Fringe Festival (see page 32) and can't wait for it to start, get thee to Laughs on the Landing (801 North Second Street; 314-241-5233) for the official kickoff show starring the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Touring Company at 8 and 10 p.m. Famous for the ahead-of-its-time, eponymous Comedy Central program of the mid-'90s and for cast-member appearances on Conan O'Brien's show (Amy Poehler, pre-Saturday Night Live, for example), the UCBTTC brings a surreal edge to the art of improv. Tickets for each show are $12; visit www.stlfringe.com for more information on the UCBTTC's performance at the Fringe Fest.
Friday, September 9
Tonight, sometime between the hours of 7 p.m. and midnight, a pizza war may break out, and don't say we didn't warn you. ArtDimensions, the nonprofit created by artists for artists, presents The September Show, a new exhibit that features works by more than twenty local artists in all kinds of media -- and no, pizza isn't one of them; the artwork here isn't the potential problem. What may spark controversy is the fact that ArtD has invited both Joanie's Pizzeria and Vito's to serve their delish Italian pies at the show's opening. Will there be room for two fantastic pizza places under one roof, especially since the Hot Dog Factory, Moxy and Cookies by Design are also offering treats? We shall see. Ground zero for tonight's showdown is ArtDimensions' Centre Gallery, located on the third floor of St. Louis Centre (above the mall entrance at Seventh Street and Washington Avenue). Visit www.artdimensions.org for more information.
Saturday, September 10
If you like going to the art openings but are never sure what to do with yourself when the reception is over, head to Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts (3151 Cherokee Street; 314-772-3628) for the opening of the group show The Unknowns. From 7 to 9 p.m., you can enjoy the art of Mike Cook, Dan McKenzie, Mario Viele and Dana Smith, and then when the Fort closes up, walk down the street to Radio Cherokee (3227 Cherokee Street) and see some of the artists playing in their individual bands (McKenzie plays bass with A Floating City, Viele plays guitar for the Sex Robots, and both bands share the bill with A Fir-Ju Well). Doors open at 9 p.m. at Radio Cherokee, and admission is $5; admission is free at the Fort Gondo portion of the evening. After the musical half of the night, you're on your own. Need a suggestion? OK, um, how about...impromptu make-out session? That's always a sweet end to a night on the town.
Sunday, September 11
In the tricky business of relationships, it's widely accepted that sleeping with your best friend's husband is a bad move (husbands were not polled in this survey). Kira Hollis slept with her friend Alice's husband, and when Alice discovered the truth, Kira bolted. Now, three years later, Kira discovers her ex-paramour Tom on her doorstep. Alice is dead, and Tom wants to renew his and Kira's relationship. Show of hands: Is this a good idea? David Hare's drama Skylight explores the answer to that question. After Midnight presents Skylight at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with 7 p.m. performances on Sunday (September 8 through 18), at HH Studio (2500 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood; 314-487-5305 for reservations). Tickets are $15.
NOTE: All performances of After Midnight's production of Skylight were cancelled after this issue went to press; we regret any inconvenience. Please call After Midnight at 314-487-5305 for more information on the rescheduling of this event.
Monday, September 12
The story of Mr. Night (or, as he likes to call it, "Apocalypse 4000") is a simple one. Born in a Norwegian cave to the race of frost giants twelve centuries past, Mr. Night typed his first word at the tender age of three days (the word was "Blashyrkh"). Thus began a long career of sleep, whining and winter-storm creation, with occasional forays into male modeling. But to really enjoy the story, you must hear him tell it. Lucky you, Mr. Night has already made an appointment to record his story (on CD, no less) at the StoryCorps MobileBooth at the Missouri History Museum (Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue). This project seeks to capture America's oral history in 40-minute bursts, as regular people interview one another about their lives and the proceedings are digitally recorded. At the end of the session, you leave with a CD of your story, and, with your permission, another CD is sent to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Make the required appointment by calling 800-850-4406 or online at www.storycorps.net. The MobileBooth remains at the museum through September 26, and a $10 donation is requested for the recording process.
Tuesday, September 13
The Saint Louis Zoo (www.stlzoo.org) in Forest Park ain't just for lookin' at animals anymore! No siree! Starting tonight and continuing almost once a month through March, the zoo is hosting the Saint Louis Zoo Friends Speaker Series for you to practice your listening skills. These lectures -- which cover topics like "Meet the Beetles: Saving the American Burying Beetle" and "Keepers of Eden: Madagascar Fauna Group" -- begin at the Living World at 7:30 p.m. and cost $3 to $8. Tonight's talk, "Enrichment for the Animals," will definitely be some enrichment for your ears. Reservations are requested, so call 314-768-5450 and prepare to get your listen on.
