OK, so calling these posts the "ten" best shows in St. Louis each weekend is a bit of a stretch. Admittedly, we like to include as many shows as possible and inevitably end up linking back to all sorts of preview coverage from earlier in the week. Please excuse the following obsessive, excessive hyperlinks, but know that we do it for you. There's way too much going on and it always pains us to play favorites. Remember to suggest shows for our weekly show posts anytime by submitting them online, or simply leave a comment under the post so everyone knows what's going on. This week's recommendations await after the jump.
Friday (December 6):
Bach: Christmas Oratorio @ Powell Symphony Hall 8 p.m. | $39-$109 The St. Louis Symphony kicks off the holiday season with three cantatas from Bach's classic composition. ICYMI, here's a list of the ten best holiday shows to see in St. Louis this season. (MS)
Between the Rivers: Farewell Show w/ The 45, River City Sound, I Have A Bomb, This Is Our Dance @ Pop's Nightclub 7 p.m. | $3-$7 I think it is funny that the final show of a band called "Between the Rivers," which I assume is referring to the Missouri and Mississippi waterways, is actually taking place at Pop's and therefore not between any rivers at all. That's some straight up Alanis Morissette- certified irony right there. In any case, the band is catchy as all hell and this is its final stand. Only $3, too! (DH)
Instant Panorama w/ Marble, Hylidae, Cadmium Feels, DJ Ghost Ice @ Barbarella 10 p.m. | free The late night experimental series, Instant Panorama, returns for round two with a new breed of St. Louis electronic music. DJ Ghost Ice spins between and after sets. (MS)
Philipalooza 2013: A Concert to Fight Lou Gehrig's Disease w/ Street Fighting Band, Aaron Kamm & The One Drops, Funky Butt Brass Band, Speakeasy, Bockman, The Hatrick, Mom's Kitchen, Old Salt Union, The Scandaleros, Lightning Bottle Band, Snarky Gargoyles + many more @ Old Rock House 6 p.m. | $10-$18 This two-day event runs over into Saturday, December 7, featuring more than a dozen acts performing for a good cause -- a portion of the proceeds will benefit the St. Louis regional chapter of the ALS Association as will a silent auction and raffle. Check out the official listing for a rundown of who's playing when. (MS)
Also on Friday, check out the Pat Martino Trio for a second evening of performances, and go see the Defeated County as it celebrates one full year of being a band with a good cause: a special raffle for the evening and portion of CD sales benefit musicians without health insurance as well as Play it Forward STL, an organization that collects and fixes used instruments and donates them to underprivileged children.
Saturday (December 7):
Adam WarRock w/ 3 of 5, Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship, Tribe One @ Star Clipper 6:30 p.m. | free Adam WarRock plays self-proclaimed "nerdcore," high energy hip hop with geeked out themes. Check out some tracks on Bandcamp and head to Star Clipper to catch him smack dab in the middle of his comic book store tour. (MS)
Also on Saturday, the Bottle Rockets visit Off Broadway, Band Lotto takes over the Mad Magician, African Alert's 25th Anniversary hits 2720 Cherokee and the Quiet Concert series kicks off at Lemp Arts Center. Click on the links for extensive coverage on each of event.
