Not totally satisfied with your weekend itinerary? Never fear, Go! is here! This regular feature highlights everything from rock shows to art openings, from delicious dishes to hidden-gem hangouts. And make sure to click over to the weekend concert calendar.
Friday, 5/16
Holy Sheets: Just when you thought bed sheets, buttons and shirts were created to be worn and washed, Joe Havel goes and chisels laundry items into fine art. By choosing familiar images from his own life, the Houston-based artist creates sculptures of these everyday objects and shows us that seemingly meaningless artifacts possess beauty as well. Admire Havel’s recent work, on display at William Shearburn Gallery (4735 McPherson Avenue; 314-367-8020) through June 21. Or you meet the artist in person at a 6-8 p.m. free opening reception tonight. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Everybody Dance Now!: The last time you thought you could dance, you ended up pulling something you didn’t even know existed. But when encouragement comes from a drag queen or a go-go dancer, it might make the next step that much easier. U Can Dance!! at The Complex (3515 Chouteau Avenue; 314-772-2645), “the original drag and dance extravaganza,” welcomes all 18-and -up movers and shakers. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show begins at 11. For $10, you’ll get to watch DJ Charlie-Buttons, Siren, Madison Elise, Krista Versace, Dayonna Hilton and many more favorites get their groove on while you get yours on, too.
Flesh Marks the Spot: Wanna see some sweet tats that have real meaning? Sorry, no butterflies or Looney Tunes’ characters allowed. Paul Friswold points you in the right direction to the Sailor’s Grave Tattoo Art Show.
Saturday, 5/15
Chip In: A charitable poker tournament is definitely a safe gamble. Even if you lose big, you’re still giving to a worthy cause. Stratford Bar & Grill (800 South Highway Drive, Fenton; 636-343-5757) will host just that at 1 p.m. inside the Gazebo room. Pay $25 at the door ($20 for advanced tickets before May 17) to play poker and enjoy a buffet, draft beer and house drinks. Half of the proceeds will go to Make-A-Wish Foundation, while the rest will be dolled out to the top three poker champions. For more information, call 314-383-5300. Must be 21 years or older to attend.
Contemporary Love: The family can only appreciate the Zoo’s poo-tossing monkeys and Ted Drewes’ snaking lines so many times. Free Family Day at the Contemporary offers a stellar alternative: Allow the kids to develop an appreciation for modern art. From 1 to 4 p.m., gather at Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (3750 Washington Boulevard; 314-535-4660) for music, painting, sidewalk drawing, potato printing and collage making. In addition, you receive an opportunity to glean inspiration from the sculptures and paintings of two working artists, John Armleder and Oliver Mosset. Admission is free.
Friendly Competition: Polish your washers and ready your aim for the Pitching for Kids Washers Tournament. Alison Sieloff shares the fundraiser details with you here.
Sunday, 4/27
After-Hours Charity: Ever hear of a fundraiser beginning at 6 a.m.? Neither have we. The Breakfast Club at Throttle (720 North 1st Street; 314-241-1000) hosts its usual sunrise dance ritual of way-after-hours fun, but this time the club is with cause -- raising money for a recent stroke survivor who is only 26 years old. DJ Jeff Hopkins and DC create the beats as you arrive, a bit bleary-eyed for this four-hour get-together. Show up dressed in pink and receive $5 off the $10 admission (bar industry members always receive $5 off with proper check stub or ID). And keep in mind, your early morning partying will be doing some good this time.
Tour de House: It’s fun to spend an afternoon pretending to be house hunting with no budget. That’s what home tours are really for -- to give you a glimpse of a history and a neighborhood in which you can only dream of living. Glide through the mansions of Kingsbury Place during the Central West End Association's 2008 House and Garden Tour. Listed in the National Historic Registry, Kingsbury Place is a private street full of St. Louis history and breathtaking architecture. Saturday and Sunday tours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $20, $18 in advance (before May 17) and $16 for groups (minimum of 15) and can be picked up at the registration booth (Kingsbury Place and Union Boulevard). There will be a complimentary shuttle running to and from the house tour. For more information, call 314-367-2220.
Culture Shock and Awe: Give your mind the adventure its been waiting patiently for all week at The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Chinese Culture Days. Click here, and Mark Dischinger will give you the scoop.
