1860's Hardshell Café Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue with live music by Steve Pecaro on Sat., Jan. 28, and River City Blues (2-6 p.m.) & Jimmy Lee (7:30-11:30 p.m.) Sun., Jan. 29; live music by Jimmy Lee, Tony Campanella and the River City Blues on Sat., Feb. 5; live music by Billy Barnett on Tue., Feb. 8. 1860's Hard Shell Cafe & Bar, 1860 S 9th St, St. Louis, 314-231-1860.
Bastille Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Bastille Cobalt Grill, 1027 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, 314-664-4408.
Beggin' Strips Krewe of Barkus Parade: Register your dog (starting at 10 a.m.) to march in the Krewe of Barkus Pet Parade; costumes, both human and canine, are strongly encouraged. Sun., Jan. 30, 1-2 p.m., free (donations given to Open Door Animal Sanctuary), www.mardigrasinc.com. Clementine's, 2001 Menard St, St. Louis.
The Benevolent Society Ball: Live music by the Smash Band. Sat., Jan. 29, 7 p.m., call for prices. South Broadway Athletic Club, 2301 S 7th St, St. Louis, 314-647-3207.
Big Daddy's Mardi Gras: DJ Jesse Plan on Sat., Jan. 29; DJ Jesse Plan and DJ Brian Graves on Sat., Feb. 5; DJ Jesse Plan on Tue., Feb. 8. Sat., Jan. 29; Sat., Feb. 5; Tue., Feb. 8. Big Daddy's, 10th St & Sidney St, St. Louis, 314-771-3066.
Broadway Oyster Bar Mardi Gras: Live music by Brian Curran (6-9 p.m.) and Jake's Leg (10 p.m.-2 a.m.) on Sat., Jan. 29; live music by Rich McDonough (3-7 p.m.) on Sun., Jan. 30; live music by Chickenfoot Gumbo (1-4 p.m.), Dash Rip Rock (5-8 p.m.) and Gumbohead (9 p.m.-1 a.m.) on Sat., Feb. 5; live music by Big Bamou (9 p.m.-1 a.m.) on Tue., Feb. 8. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811, www.broadwayoysterbar.com.
Bud Light Party Tent and Corporate Village: After parking in a free lot, party in the heated Bud Light Party tent, enjoy an all-you-can-eat Cajun-Creole buffet, drinks, a private bank of Port-a-Potties, bottomless vats of beads and live music. Sat., Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., $75, www.mardigrasinc.com. Pontiac Square Park, Ann Ave and 8th St, St. Louis.
Carson's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue with live music by Wild Bill and the Willies on Sat., Jan. 29; live music by Big Bill and the Broncos on Sun., Jan. 30; live music by the Facts of Life on Sat., Feb. 5, and Tue., Feb. 8. Carson's, 1712 S 9th St, St. Louis, 314-436-2707.
Cat's Meow Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue; double-elimnation Washer Tournament ($15/two-person team) on Sat., Jan. 29. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Cat's Meow, 2600 S 11th St, St. Louis, 314-776-8617.
Charter Communications Mardi Gras Grand Parade: This year's theme is "Broadway on Broadway," and the parade travels from Broadway and Chouteau Ave to the heart of Soulard; cast members of Les Misérables serve as grand marshalls. Sat., Feb. 5, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free, www.mardigrasinc.com.
Clementine's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Clementine's, 2001 Menard St, St. Louis.
Drink/Dance With Your Dog Day: Dogs get in free for a cash bar, food and music by The Mighty Big Band. Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., $5 cover for people. Y.E.H.S. Preservation Hall, 1921 S 9th St, St. Louis.
Gladstone's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue; live music by Delicious Fishes (3-6 p.m.) and S.O.L (7-10 p.m.) on Sat., Feb. 5; live music by Billy Ingel & Michelle Isam (7-10 p.m.) on Tue., Feb. 8. Gladstone's, 1800 S 10th St, St. Louis, 314-231-6339.
Great Grizzly Bear Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue, with live music by Chill Factor at 9:30 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 28, and Sat., Jan. 29; Buffalo Bob at 9:30 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 4. Fri., Jan. 28, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Great Grizzly Bear, 1027 Geyer Ave, St. Louis, 314-231-0444.
Griffins' Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Griffins, 728 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, 314-436-7705.
Hammerstone's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue, live music by One Kindred Soul (3-7 p.m.) and Fairchild (9 p.m.-1 a.m.) on Sat., Jan. 29; live music by Voo Doo Blues (4-8 p.m.) and Erik Brooks (8:30-11:30 p.m.) on Sun., Jan. 30; chicken wing eating contest ($10 entry fee) on Wed., Feb. 2; outside DJ all day Sat., Feb. 5. Hammerstone's, 2028 S 9th, St. Louis, 314-773-5565, www.hammerstones.net.
Headache Ball: Live music and a cash bar, sponsored by the Landmarks Association and Metropolis St. Louis. Fri., Jan. 28, 8 p.m., $15-$20, www.mardigrasinc.com. Y.E.H.S. Preservation Hall, 1921 S 9th St, St. Louis.
Joanie's Pizzeria Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue with sit and spin karaoke (3-9 p.m.) on Sat., Jan. 29; stupid pet tricks competition following the Barkus Parade and live music by Hudson & the Hoodoo Cats (7-11 p.m.) on Sun., Jan. 30; live music by Patti & the Hitmen (2 p.m.-close) on Sat., Feb. 5; live music by Hudson & the Hoodoo Cats (8 p.m.-midnight) on Tue., Feb. 8. Joanie's Pizzeria, 2101 Menard St, St. Louis, 314-865-1994.
John D. McGurk's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. John D. McGurk's Irish Pub, 1200 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, 314-776-8309, www.mcgurks.com.
Johnny's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Johnny's Restaurant & Bar, 1017 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, 314-865-0493.
Lagniappe's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Lagniappe's, 2501 S 9th St, St. Louis, 314-771-2090, www.lanyaps.com.
Mardi Gras at Soulard's: Live broadcast by 101 FM The River all day. Sat., Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Soulard's Restaurant & Bar, 1731 S 7th St, St. Louis, 314-241-7956, www.soulards.com.
Mardi Gras Live at Carniege Café: Live music by the Rest of Us band on Sat., Feb. 5; $2 Fat Tuesday customer appreciation event on Tue., Feb. 8. Carnegie Café, 1705 S 7th St, St. Louis, 314-436-9106.
Mardi Gras: Made in China: David Redmond's film about bringing together the Chinese factory workers who make Mardi Gras beads with the revellers who enjoy Mardi Gras beads. Sat., Feb. 5, 7 p.m., $4-$9. Community Arts and Media Project, 3026 Cherokee St, St. Louis, 314-773-1985.
Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball Masquerade: Anheuser-Busch presents this charitable, black-tie affair hosted by Mayor Slay. Fri., Feb. 4, 6 p.m.-midnight, $100-$4500, www.mardigrasfoundation.org. St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market St, St. Louis, 314-622-3000.
Molly's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue; party in the heated courtyard with hot live DJs on Sat., Feb. 5. Molly's, 816 Geyer Ave, St. Louis, 314-436-0921.
Mystic Knights of the Purple Haze Ball: Costumes encouraged for this ball, with music by the Gamble Brothers Band; admission covers beer, wine, soda and Mardi Gras favors. Fri., Feb. 4, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., $26.50-$30. Casa Loma Ballroom, 3354 Iowa Ave, St. Louis, 314-664-8000.
Nadine's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue with live music by Dee Dee & the Dinos (3-7 p.m.) and karaoke (8 p.m.-midnight) on Sat., Jan. 29; live band (3-7 p.m.) and karaoke (7-11 p.m.) on Sun., Jan. 30; live music by Dee Dee & the Dinos (3-6 p.m.) and live band (6-9:30 p.m.) on Sat., Feb. 5; karaoke 6-10 p.m. on Tue., Feb. 8. Nadine's Gin Joint and Café, 1921 S 12th St, St. Louis, 314-436-3045.
Naughti Gras: Body art, beads and beats courtesy of DJ Cypher and Curt Becker. Sat., Feb. 5, 9 p.m., call for prices. Velvet, 1301 Washington Ave, St. Louis, 314-241-8178, www.velvetvibes.com.
Norton's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue; "Norton's Night in New Orleans" five-course beer tasting dinner ($40 ticket) on Thu., Feb. 3. Sat., Jan. 29; Sun., Jan. 30; Thu., Feb. 3. Norton's, 808 Geyer Ave, St. Louis, 314-436-0828.
PETsMART Wiener Dog Derby: Register your dachshund to race in one of three divisions (Cocktail Wienie, Ballpark Frank or Hot Dog); portion of the proceeds donated to Dachshund Rescue Foundation. Sun., Jan. 30, 2 p.m., $10 per entrant, www.mardigrasinc.com. Soulard Market Park, Soulard Pl & Lafayette Ave, St. Louis.
Saints and Sinners Ball: "Garden of Eden"-themed party to benefit the AIDS Foundation of St. Louis, with cash bar and working jail cells. Sat., Jan. 29, 8:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m., $25-$30, www.aidstl.org. Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S 12th St, St. Louis, 314-771-8230, www.madart.com.
The Schlafly Krewe of Brew Tent: Party with the Schlafly Krewe in their heated tent, stocked with fresh beer and live music daily; The Bottle Rockets headline on Sat., Jan. 29; dogs welcome on Sat., Jan. 30, as the Lucky Dog Band plays. Jan. 28-29, 5 p.m.-midnight; Sun., Jan. 30, 1-5 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 5, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., $5, www.schlafly.com. Soulard Market Park, Soulard Pl & Lafayette Ave, St. Louis.
The Shanti's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue with live music by Pik 'n' Lick'n' (4-7 p.m.) on Sat., Jan. 29; crawfish boil (5-9 p.m.) on Wed., Feb. 2; live music by The Schwag on Sat., Feb. 5; live music by Heather Barth on Tue., Feb. 8. The Shanti, 825 Allen, St. Louis, 314-241-4772.
Smiley's Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Smiley's, 9th St & Barton St., St. Louis.
Soulard Coffee Garden Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Soulard Coffee Garden, 910 Geyer Ave, St. Louis, 314-241-1464.
Soulard's Restaurant Mardi Gras: Taste of Soulard venue. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15. Soulard's Restaurant & Bar, 1731 S 7th St, St. Louis, 314-241-7956, www.soulards.com.
Southern Comfort Taste of Soulard: Purchase a book of seven Taste tickets to sample signature dishes from participating Soulard eateries. Sat., Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15, call 314-771-5110 for info, www.mardigrasinc.com.
Spaghetti Wrestling: Purchase advance tickets at Joanie's Pizzeria. Wed., Feb. 2, 5 p.m. South Broadway Athletic Club, 2301 S 7th St, St. Louis, 314-647-3207.
Subterranean Ball: Sponsored by the Soulard Social Aid & Pleasure Club Mystic Krewe of Kosmic Debris, this year's theme is "Ziegfeld Follies," with food, cash bar and live music by Chicken Foot Gumbo. Fri., Feb. 4, 7 p.m., $18-$20, call 314-762-0246 for info, www.mardigrasinc.com. South Broadway Athletic Club, 2301 S 7th St, St. Louis, 314-647-3207.
Voodoo Party: Free beads all night. Thu., Jan. 27, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., www.mardigrasinc.com. Bastille Cobalt Grill, 1027 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, 314-664-4408.
