Beggar’s Carnivale
It’s finally that time of month again! Join the ever growing Beggar’s Carnivale for burlesque shenanigans, impressive feats of contortionism and vaudeville slapstick. Their ever growing selection of pre-show vendors gets better every month. Since they’ve nearly overgrown their existing space, make sure to show up at least an hour early if you want to buy tickets on the spot. You’re safer pre-ordering online.
Contamination
Call me old school, but I really think they should capitalize the first T in Contamination. Despite my fannish spelling quibbles, Contamination appears to be a horror con at Westport with ample media guests ranging from Tony Todd (my favorite one time guest on every science fiction show from 1990 to the present) to Vincentenial logo artist Joel Robinson to porn star Veronica Hart. It’s pretty camptastic, but still has plenty of potential to be a good time.
PrideFest
You’ll see all kinds of freak flags flying at Pride Fest this weekend. Head to Tower Grove Park on Sunday to enjoy the parade, check out the vendors, and feel totally comfortable rocking anything from a Star Trek bathrobe to a Jayne hat. One of the great things about Pride Parades is they’re one of the most geek friendly environments you’ll find outside an actual science fiction convention.
Jam for Joplin
Homes don’t rebuild themselves just because a tragedy is no longer front page news. The good folks at Jam for Joplin organized one heck of a concert this Sunday night. In addition to two stages of live music with over 20 bands, you can find bellydancer Ami Amore mingling in the crowd and two of our very favorite pirates manning a booth to promote the upcoming St. Louis Pirate Festival. Ladies, drop some cash in their tricorns, sit in their laps, and ask if that’s a pegleg or if they’re just happy to see you. This is a good time for a good cause.
Tuesday Night Steampunk Social at Lola’s
This is one of the most needlessly hidden events in all of St. Louis fandom. That’s possibly because it starts between 9-10 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month. I certainly haven’t made as many of them as I would like. DJ Sean Gaston and assorted other friends spin steamy tunes at Lola’s Absinthe Bar. Costumes aren’t required, but really, isn’t life more fun when you have an excuse to dress up? Throw on some goggles and a vest and stop by for a late weeknight of anachronistic funtimes.
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Weekday Love for Arch Reactor
I want to share a little love for Arch Reactor. They host a bevy of cool events on weekdays, recently including a “Hack Something” night, a summer solstice pot luck, and, because they’re both cool and inclusive, sign language lessons. (Protip: Nothing is more awesome than earplugs and sign language at a crazily loud concert.) If you like building things you owe it to yourself to join forces with these rather awesome guys. I guarantee their toys are cooler than yours.