O’Fallon Around Town - May 4 edition
Noon Friday, May 5 is the deadline to appear in next week’s “Around Town” listing. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Submissions will be edited and appear in the week before the event date.
Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: O’Fallon Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.
Thursday, May 4
▪ Empty the Shelters Adoption Event — Through May 15 at multiple area shelters. BISSELL Pet Foundation is helping homeless pets go from shelter kennels to the couches of loving homes by sponsoring reduced adoption fees of $50 or less during its Spring National “Empty the Shelters” adoption event. From May 1-15, BISSELL Pet Foundation is teaming up with Dogtopia to host our largest “Empty the Shelters” event yet, with more than 350 participating shelters in 45 states, including St. Clair County Animal Adoption Center in Belleville and Partners For Pets in Troy. To see the full list of participating locations, visit bissellpetfoundation.org.
▪ Twilight Thursdays Concert Series: Whitney Houston Anthology — 6-8 p.m. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis. Start the Twilight Thursdays season with a tribute to “The Voice,” with vocals performed by Cheryl Brown. In 1985 Whitney Houston had her first Top 10 single, “Saving All My Love.” Six Grammy awards and nearly 40 years later, she is remembered as one of the greatest of all time. Bring family, friends, food and blankets/lawn chairs, and revel in the music as the sun sets. The area’s best food trucks will be on hand. Concert-goers are invited to park on the lot at the Loop Trolley facility located at 5875 Delmar Ave. mohistory.org/twilight-thursdays
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: Family Support Group — 7-8:30 p.m. Online via Zoom. The Family Support Meetings are for family members, significant others, and/or friends of persons with a mental health condition. First Thursday of every month. Facilitators will vary. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.
▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Online via Zoom. Program: “Exploring Croatian Genealogy and Investigating Your Croatian Roots.” St. Clair County native Michelle Petroff discusses research in Eastern Europe, particularly her ancestral homeland Croatia, including history and language barriers, work-arounds and resources she used in researching family who immigrated from both Croatia and Macedonia. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information: stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.
☆Shoe Collection Drive Fundraiser — Through Saturday, May 6. Papa Wally’s Produce, 138 Seibert Road, Shiloh. Fundraising for 4 Paws for Ability Autism Assistance Dog for 22-month-old Tucker. How to help: Donate new or gently worn shoes (mens, womens, or kids—no cleats, please) at Papa Wally’s Produce. Pick up can be arranged for group donations. The goal is to collect 100 bags of shoes to raise funds to help cover fees for a service dog for Tucker. For more info: facebook.com/4paws4tucker.
Thursday, May 4 thru Wednesday, May 10
▪ 16th annual QFest St. Louis — May 4-10. Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis. QFest St. Louis uses the art of contemporary gay cinema to spotlight the lives of LGBTQ people and to celebrate queer culture. The event will excite, entertain, and enlighten audiences of all identities. This year marks the 16th anniversary of QFest. The fest, which largely features films that would not otherwise screen in St. Louis, is presented by Cinema St. Louis (CSL), organizers of the St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF). This year’s QFest features 26 films from 9 countries (Brazil, Canada, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Morocco, Spain, U.K., and U.S.), including eight narrative features, two documentary features, 15 narrative shorts, and one documentary short. For more info and the full schedule, visit cinemastlouis.org/qfest.
Friday, May 5
▪ Tri Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Doors open at 9 a.m. Book donations accepted during the sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.
▪ O’Fallon K of C Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239
▪ KC Club and Event Center Fish Fry — 3-7 p.m. 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Catfish plates, cod plates, barbecue chicken, fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, baked beans, potato salad. Dine in or carryout and drink specials. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis
▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Shiloh Eagles 545, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and sides. Full menu. Dine-in or carryout available. For carryout, call 618-624-5412. facebook.com/shiloheagles545
Friday, May 5 & Saturday, May 6
▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: ‘The Damnation of Faust’ — 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. We’ve all had Hector Berlioz’s experience with a good book. “I couldn’t put it down. I read it at meals, in the street.” Berlioz was so intrigued by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s book that he transformed it into a concert opera, “The Damnation of Faust.” It is among Stéphane Denève’s favorite works, and he brings a dream cast of vocalists to tell its story of love, death, and the devil. slso.org
Saturday, May 6
▪ O’Fallon Garden Club Plant Sale — 8:30 a.m. to noon. AgeSmart Community Resources parking lot, 801 W. State St., O’Fallon. Perennials, annuals, herbs, veggies, and shrubs donated by the club’s members will be available. A “garden shop” will feature custom planted containers, statues, birdbaths, and other garden-related items. Proceeds from the sale support the O’Fallon Community Garden, located at the intersection of State and Smiley streets in O’Fallon. This garden features a large vegetable garden; all produce from the garden is donated to the O’Fallon Food Pantry. The Community Garden also includes diverse flower beds, an herb garden, ornamental trees, a fountain and benches.
▪ Garden Club of Lebanon Plant Sale — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lebanon May Market, St. Louis Street, Lebanon. The 2,500+ greenhouse grown seedlings have been up-potted by the members. Available are annual flowers, herbs and vegetables, along with house plants. Donations are appreciated to support community projects. Shop early for best selection.
Sunday, May 7
▪ Powell Hall Playlist — 3 p.m. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Doors open at 2 p.m. for pre-concert activities. Participate in a musical scavenger hunt featuring the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and more. It’s those special pieces of music that, much like a time machine, spark our memories and transport us into the past. We each have a unique soundtrack that underscores our lives. In this concert, we’ll travel through some of our favorite Powell Hall memories with music from “The Sound of Music,” “The Nutcracker,” and Beethoven’s famous Fifth Symphony. Powell Hall Playlist will inspire you to share your own playlist with your family. slso.org
Wednesday, May 10
▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org.
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group — 6:30-8 p.m. Online via Zoom. Free peer-to-peer support group for adults with a mental health condition working towards recovery. Every Wednesday. Open the Zoom app and enter 3914844542. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.
▪ Music in the Park: Short Mist — 7 p.m. Klucker Hall, Shiloh Community Park, 1 Park Drive, Shiloh. Bring a cooler, snacks and a lawn chair. Free parking. 618-632-1022, ext. 119.
Wednesday, May 10 thru Friday, June 2
▪ Chamber Project Saint Louis: American Women in the Arts Festival — Various times and locations in St. Louis. In collaboration with the Saint Louis Art Museum and St. Louis County Library, the American Women in the Arts Festival offers a unique array of events celebrating the creativity of American women. Chamber Project St. Louis brings their 15th season to a close with a festival celebrating several of the main pillars of their work; collaboration, innovative events and lifting up women in the arts. In collaboration with the Saint Louis Art Museum and St. Louis County Library, the American Women in the Arts Festival offers a unique array of events celebrating the creativity of American women. From an interactive rehearsal, to a curator-led tours of the Saint Louis Art Museum and finally a narrated concert, this Festival offers many ways to enrich your spring with interesting stories, stunning art and beautiful music. For the festival schedule: chamberprojectstl.org.
Other area happenings
▪ O’Fallon Township Senior Committee — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18. Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Dinner and entertainment. Cost: $3. O’Fallon Township residents only. Reservation deadline: Friday, May 12.
▪ HSHS St. Elizabeth’s 2023 Injury Free Running Clinic — 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 22. McKendree Metro Rec Plex, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Outpatient Therapy Clinic, 209 Rec Plex Drive, O’Fallon. This free clinic educates current runners and those wishing to start on how to run safely and improve performance. Space is limited. To register, visit hshs.org/StElizabeths/Events or call 618-624-3668.
▪ O’Fallon Volunteer Fire Company 24th annual Spring Golf Classic — 11 a.m. Friday, June 2. Tamarack Country Club, 800 Tamarack Lane, Shiloh. The 18-hole, four-person scramble starts promptly at 11 a.m. Registration fee: $100 per person or $400 per team, includes green fees and cart, refreshments, lunch at the turn, dinner after the tournament. Cash prizes to top teams in each flight, longest drive competition, closest to the pin, hole-in-one prize. For info: 618-624-4515 or kwhite@ofallon.org.
