If you are looking for something to do tonight, you might want to head over to Grand Center for their First Friday's event where you will find all of the Art Galleries free and open to the public. While you are there, check out the First Friday DJ Spin @ KDHX where you can bring your own records or borrow some of theirs to keep the party moving! Also, Ptah Williams will be blessing the keyboard at the Dark Room . 

For a different flavor on Friday, a Bosnian film series complete with thrilling spy action, Walter Defends Sarajevo is showing at Saint Louis University. The event, produced in conjunction with Fontbonne University and University of Missouri-St. Louis , includes Bosnian food and a discussion following the film. Free, registration required. They had me at "Bosnian food!"

Lou Dog , a Sublime tribute band will be on stage tonight at The Broadway Oyster Bar , if I get bounced out of my poker game early, you may find me there. By the way, What I got is my go-to karaoke song. I'm sorry for those of you that have witnessed that.

Mardi Gras Noir is jumping off at Blank Space tonight. This alternative and inclusive space to kick off Mardi Gras weekend in St. Louis encourages you, but doesn't require Mardi Gras masks, beads & parasols as you bounce to the music of Makeda Kravitz , along with DJ Reminisce and more!

Did you know that St. Louis has the 2nd largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country? Tomorrow, aka, Saturday, the Bud Light Grand Parade hits the streets of Soulard in a Mardi Gras season celebration: “40 Years of Magic, Music, and Memories”. The day will be filled with floats, costumes, beads, smiles, and much more!

Also on Saturday, you may find me and the girls at the inaugural Cherokee Creole Carnivale! It is a family friendly event complete with face painting, bonfire, live entertainment, amazing creole food, drinks, people and a great time!

On Saturday night, you can enjoy the Funky Butt Brass Band and The Voodoo Player at the grand opening of the new BBQ join downtown, The Midwestern. and of course there are all kinds of other Mardi Gras activities all over St. Louis well into the wee hours. You might check out Molly's or 1860's in Soulard for a good time.

Of course there are all kinds of other Mardi Gras activities all over St. Louis well into the wee hours. You might check out Molly's in Soulard or 1860's Saloon for a good time.

For a different flavor on Saturday night, The St. Louis Science Center is hosting their Omnimax Dinner Series , this month is Cuba Culture & Cuisine . It is sure to be a great time!

On Sunday, you can enjoy the eagerly anticipated, long-awaited first peek into spring after a long, cold winter. Art in Bloom at the Saint Louis Art Museum reveals the magical moment. Be sure to take in this spectacular show as designers create amazing floral arrangements that uniquely interpret works in the museum’s collections. It is all weekend long!

March 4-10

Good concerts in great venues make an awesome start to the week. On Monday, although country music is not my thing, the Broadway Oyster Bar features Johnathan Braddy / Garth Brooks After-Party Although I won't be there, I might be down for The Sheldon as they host the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis .

The music plays on this Tuesday the 5th -- the blues -- with a learning curve. The National Blues Museum . Adult Education at the BHM - Harmonica: Big Sound in a Small Package offers insight into this spunky little instrument. Who doesn’t enjoy the lively sounds of the harmonica? Here’s your chance to learn about it!

You will want to be at The Pageant on Tuesday when the Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum band Switchfoot: The Native Tongue Tour with Special Guest Colony House turns it all the way up.

On Thursday the Great Decisions Lecture: Refugees and Global Migration at the Ethical Society will be an eye-opening and informative conversation about one of the most critical international issues of our time.

On Saturday, at the Missouri Botanical Garden , you can go behind the science with botanists during the Science and Sustainability Open House!

Artscope presents Wall Ball at Third Degree Glass Factory on Saturday the 9th. At this kaleidoscopic annual event, visitors observe over 30 St. Louis artists create their work live, then place bids on their favorite pieces. Proceeds benefit art programs for St. Louis children.

March 11-17

Tuesday offers several musical performances in different locations around town: two concerts at The Sheldon : The Wee Heavies and Paul Bonn and the Bluesmen ; then John Mellencamp at Stifel Theatre ; and The Aces at Blueberry Hill . All great reasons to get out and enjoy the St. Louis music scene!

This was off my radar until I saw her on CBS Sunday Morning recently, now I'm looking forward to Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at The Fabulous Fox from Tuesday the 12th through Sunday 17th. With a repertoire of time-honored songs, memorable lyrics, and masterful piano playing, this show is sure to please.

Did you know that Food & Wine magazine recently named St. Louis the 5th best place to eat in the country for 2019? Well, now is your chance to check out fifty, yes 50, St. Louis Area Restaurants showcase their savory wares at the The Great Taste hosted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and sponsored by Texas de Brazil and Missouri Beef Council . The event will be at the Saint Louis Science Center on Wednesday the 13th. Make your way over there to sample some tasty treats.

Beware the ides of March! Yes, on Friday the 15th, on Cherokee Street , you can celebrate the death of tyranny with some excellent beer, food and company. A feast awaits you at Earthbound Beer as you enjoy Italian grilled cheeses, brut and cassis cocktails and the fatally delicious SIDES OF MARCH. Bring your togas but leave your daggers at home!

Also on Friday, at Techartista , you can meet Josh Rowan at the opening reception of BORDERLANDS , which is a collection of photos taken along Rowan’s two-part ten-week journey through Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Northern Mexico during a tumultuous time between the two sides.

The 50th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade fills the streets of downtown St. Louis on Saturday the 16th. Activities included are a run, dinner, brunch, and mass. Luck O’ The Irish to you!

Also, the AOH St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place in Dogtown!

Also on Saturday, at The Mad Art Gallery in Downtown St. Louis welcomes Tenacious Eats as they present a screening of Pulp Fiction , celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the films release! You'll enjoy live music and a cash bar and multiple rounds of film and music trivia for tons of prizes!

The exhibition Current Profile at Craft Alliance highlights artists whose work comprises unusual studies in portraiture. And really, these portraits are like none you’ve ever seen! By the way, Craft Alliance offers classes, so sign up and let your own creative juices flow.

March 18-24

Listen and learn the ins and outs of contracts and negotiations o n Monday at Anatomy of a Contract at The Stage at KDHX . Because most of us deal with contracts at one time or another, when buying a home or considering a job, for example, the information will definitely be useful.

Delmar Hall , as we know, is one of the go-to spots in St. Louis to hear the best in today’s music. There will be no disappointments on Tuesday the 19th when mewithoutYou - Tigers Jaw plays what might be a rock, or possibly punk, for sure unclassifiable, yet dramatic and eclectic mix.

March 20th is the first day of Spring, and you can kick it off with the Wednesday Night Jazz Crawl in Grand Center!

Starting on Thursday, and running all weekend long, the 7th Annual St. Louis Folk and Roots Festival kicks off at the the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. It is St. Louis' premier folk festival presented featuring musicians spanning the many styles that comprise Folk Music, The music includes players performing old-time, bluegrass, country, blues and more!

On Friday, join the high energy 90's cover party band The Mixtapes at Westport Social in Maryland Heights .

On stage for three days, the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th in Florissant , the Alpha Players present My Three Angels , a clever story about three convicts who find themselves helping a family in need, and in so doing help themselves as well.

Did you know that the daffodil is the birth flower for March? While you’re sure to get a glimpse of these cheery blossoms outside on the grounds of the Missouri Botanical Garden , another show of spectacular beauty can be found indoors at the annual Orchid Show . Hundreds of varieties of this exquisite flower from around the world are on display through Sunday the 24th.

On Saturday and Sunday, head over to The Schlafly Tap Room for the annual Schlafly Oyster & Stout Festival where you will find beer, shuckers and over 80,000 oysters from both coasts. 20 professional shuckers with live music as their backdrop and a selection fifteen-plus stouts on tap!

Also through Sunday, Panoramas of the City at Missouri History Museum in Forest Park reveals, in more than 50 photographs, what St. Louis was like in the first half of the 20th century in the civic arena and also in the lives of ordinary people who made this city what it is today. Nostalgic reminders of why we appreciate our great town!

March 25-31