Ten Things to Do Under $10 This Weekend

After a quick four-day work-week, the weekend's here again. If you spent too much over the last three-day weekend, know that a night at the theater is probably out. So are wine-tastings and fund-raisers. But there are always local concerts (complete concert calendar is here!), free art gallery openings and at least one food-centric street fair going on this weekend. So it's not all bad! Here are ten cheap things going on around St. Louis.

Fairmount Park's Party at the Park (Friday)
OK, I'll get this out there in the open. This Friday night event is not less than $10. It's $11. But before you misers continue scrolling, read this: The doors at this Metro East horse track open at 6 p.m. (happy hour) and between then and the 7:30 post-time, you can gorge on a buffet (really, it's toasted ravioli, wings, etc.) and take in the drink specials. Hopefully, you'll win a few bucks on the ponies and make your money back. And I should probably mention that classic rock cover band Ben Wah Bob is playing before the race. One look at their list of cover songs should have you sold.

Loop Underground at the Pageant (Friday)
Jason & The Beast, Iron Fist Dillusion, Reigning Heir, The 12-6 Movement and Inappropriate Behavior are set to perform at this $5 Friday night hip hop show. Let Christan Schaeffer give you the details.


Jerald Ieans: Waves and Rococo (Friday)
The Hoffman LaChance Contemporary (2713 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood) hosts the opening night reception -- Friday -- for Jerald Ieans newest show. As Paul Friswold writes in our Calendar section, "Each painting seduces you to come closer and see the depths that lurk where the curves overlap and then separate again."  The gallery opening is free. Read more about this opening.

Tony Manero at Webster's Moore Auditorium (Friday)
Avoid the cineplex on Friday night and instead head to Webster University, which is showing Tony Manero, a 2008 Chilean film, set in 1978, about a man in his 50s who is madly obsessed with Saturday Night Fever. But please, let Paul Friswold fill you in with the rest of the plot teasers of this interesting film. Tickets are $5 to $6, and the movie shows at the university's Moore Auditorium (470 E. Lockwood Avenue, 314-968-7487.)

Taste of Maplewood (Saturday)
Maplewood boasts a variety of eateries and bars, from cozy diners to fine dining restaurants. On Saturday, the annual Taste of Maplewood, a free street fair on Sutton Boulevard south of Manchester, gets underway at 2 p.m., and as Ms. Day points out, "guests will be able to munch on little bites from a variety of Maplewoodian establishments." To find out which restaurants are participating and to get the details on this outdoor party, go to our calendar section. There will also be music in the air performed by Dawn Weber (pictured) and others.

The Monads at Off Broadway (Saturday)
St. Louis band the Monands, known for its bluegrassy punk rocking, play on Saturday night in the familiar confines of Off Broadway, for a paltry, very bluegrass price of $8. Let music writer Roy Kasten give you the rest of the details about this show.

Ghostbusters (Saturday)
For free, you can watch this classic 1984 sci-fi comedy on Saturday night, outdoors in the Central West End. Just show up at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church (map here). All movies start at dusk, and like past years, the outdoor movies are sponsored by St. Louis' Frontyard Features.

Bunnygrunt at Schlafly Tap Room (Saturday)
Also on Saturday, RFT Lifetime Achievement nominees Bunnygrunt take to the stage at the Schlafly Tap Room (2100 Locust Street, 314-241-2337), along with 33 on the Needle and Paul Staples and the Fire. It's Free.

Free Candy: The Return (Sunday)
The talk show-like performance at Hartford Coffee Company (3974 Hartford Avenue, 314-771-JAVA) returns Sunday night. And like its name, there will again be free candy chucked into the "studio audience" -- that's you! Free Candy was a talk show that never appeared on TV or the radio, and was hosted by Amanda Doyle and Julie Smillie. The show went away for a while, for various reasons, but is back on Sunday night. For more information about this witty, wonderful event, go to our calendar page.

New Music Circle: River of Voices (Sunday)
Held at Laumeier Sculpture Park, this interactive event is a great way to cap off the weekend. Let Alison Sieloff explain how it works: "The audience members will be asked to tune their boom boxes to one of four FM frequencies that will be used for the concert, and then those radios will collectively create a dynamic and mobile sound system for the piece, one that relies on each participant. This evening of unique music begins at 5 p.m. and is free. And note: If you threw out your old stereo when you bought an iPod, you can purchase a suitable radio at the door for $20." For more details, click here.