You know you've made it as an author when bookstores have to develop contingency plans to accommodate large crowds for your readings -- and you're touring behind the same book as last year. David Sedaris, This American Life commentator and one-time department-store elf, returns to Left Bank Books (399 North Euclid Avenue; 314-367-6731 or www.left-bank.com) at 7 p.m. to read from his collection of essays Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. If you desire to have Sedaris write his name in this book, you must purchase a $14.95 copy from Left Bank -- it's the only way to acquire the line ticket you need to stand in the autograph line. But if you desire only to hear Sedaris' wry tales of his strange-yet-loving family, you need no such ticket. A sound system will broadcast Sedaris' reading outside of the store, so you can re-create the David Sedaris radio-listening experience on the sidewalks of the Central West End. -- Paul Friswold
Bring Your Father
Celebrate Freedom
SUN 6/19
Though your calendar may show only one holiday this Sunday (love you, Daddy), there's another significant event that deserves attention: Sunday marks the 140th anniversary of Juneteenth, the day all of America's slaves were set free. Bring Dad and his new tie to the Missouri History Museum (Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue; 314-746-4599 or www.mohistory.org) to commemorate this truly momentous occasion. Festivities start at 2 p.m., and the East St. Louis Community Performance Ensemble provides the drumming and West African dance. Dad will like all that; plus, the celebration is free, which will really impress him. -- Amy Helms
Now Is the Time
Surely you've been someplace where you've seen people swing dancing (we know, someone needs to tell them that mini-revival is over). But don't they usually look like they're having so much fun? So much fun, in fact, that it seems that perhaps these dancers live out their entire lives as if it's still cool to call people "greasers." And like they maybe own only old-time appliances (à la Disney World's Carousel of Progress) and possibly drive a boat-size car with wings. If you'd like to live the dream and have some old-school fun for yourself, be an audience member this weekend at Finale Music & Dining (8025 Bonhomme Avenue, Clayton; 314-863-8631 or www.finale-stl.com). Check out the Las Vegas-style Wild, Cool and Swingin' band on Friday, June 17, and on Saturday, June 18, get hip to "The Sinatra Songbook," expertly sung by Tom Heitman (pictured). Tickets for the twice-nightly shows (at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.) cost $10 to $20 and can be purchased non-old-school at www.ticketmaster.com. -- Alison Sieloff
