Kyle Beltran as Usnavi & the Company of the National Tour of IN THE HEIGHTS © Joan Marcus 2009

IN THE HEIGHTS, winner of four 2008 Tony Awards® and the 2008 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album is playing in St. Louis at the Fox Theatre through Sunday November 22.

This show tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York's Washington Heights neighborhood - a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It's a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

I saw the show on Wednesday. There's a guy who comes out at the beginning with a boom box so I thought maybe it was set in the 80s. It became clear very shortly thereafter that was not the case. The music, the dress and the dance are all current. This is set in present day Washington Heights, a Latin Community in NYC's Brooklyn.

The lead male character raps- very reminiscent of Eminem. He sounds like him, and his music tells his story. He's from the Dominican Republic and is longing to go back. Running a convenience store turned out not to be the dream he envisioned.

Everyone in the community works hard to make ends meet and it is clear this is a community on the brink of change.

The music and dance are fantastic. It took me a while to figure out the moral to the story but then it all came together for me. Home and family is really what's important.

For more information, performance times or ticket prices visit www.fabulousfox.com.

The Nurses For Newborns Junior Board is comprised of young professionals in their 20's and 30's. They were founded by a group of young professionals over five years ago and have over 40 members.

Their purpose is to first and foremost be advocates for Nurses for Newborns Foundation, and secondly to help raise funds to further their mission.

They have hosted wine tastings, golf tournaments, trivia nights, texas hold'em poker tournaments, holiday food drives and have gotten private grants from their employers. They are very interested in hosting a kick ball tournament in the spring/summer, and would like to work with other Young Professional groups.

They are looking for new members and It's a great way to have fun for a great cause.
If you are interested in learning more about it or joining the junior board, contact Victoria Stanley at 314-544-3433 ext. 325 or email her at victoria.stanley@nfnf.org.

The Nurses For Newborns Foundation website can be found by clicking here.

To read about my Connect With...Spotlight of the Week mission, check out this blog entry.

Don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter, just click here! You'll receive my 3 most recent posts in your inbox every Wednesday which will always include my weekly calendar!

Regardless, my calendar is always posted by Wednesday.... and let's be honest, most of the best events are late week /weekend right?

Whatever you decide to do with yourself...have a great week!!!

18th annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival. This festival annually features the St. Louis premieres of more than 250 films from nearly 40 countries. SLIFF prides itself on identifying up-and-coming filmmakers, but the fest also offers high-profile films that garner Oscar nominations.

Thursday November 12:

Saint Louis Crisis Nursery's Young Professionals Board presents "Party with a Purpose" Networking & Cocktails at Bar Napoli - 7754 Forsyth Blvd. in Clayton. 5:30p.m. - 9p.m. $40 ticket includes 2 drinks, $60 for open bar.

Saturday November 14:

Steven Wright performance at the Touhill at 8 p.m. Stand-up Comedy.

In the Vineyard 2009 Event from 7:30-10:30 PM at Plaza Frontenac. This event offers tastings of more than 90 wines from around the world paired with food from a dozen of St. Louis' top chefs.

I love to travel. And whenever I have the time (and funds), I keep finding myself in the Caribbean. This trip was to St. Thomas in the USVI and while there, my group took a boat out for a couple days and island hopped in the BVI (British Virgin Islands).

The draw of the islands, their beautiful beaches and that crystal clear water have quite a hold on me. Plus I love being under the water, whether diving or just snorkeling. There's a whole other world down there. I thought I'd share a few pics with you. Enjoy!

Young Friends Of Jazz St. Louis is a group of men and women in their 20s, 30s and 40s dedicated to developing new and diverse audiences through promoting live jazz and supporting jazz education.

For more info or if you're ready to join, contact Regan Tadrus at regan@jazzstl.org or call 314-289-4030. You can also check out their Young Friends of Jazz St. Louis Facebook page. It's $35 to join and included in that you get free tickets to four performances at Jazz At The Bistro (plus more!).

On Wednesday, Nov. 18th, they will be hosting a happy hour event for current and prospective members where information on YFJSL will be shared. The happy hour is at 7:00 PM at Jazz At The Bistro, 3536 Washington Avenue. There will be light appetizers, wine and beer. Anyone who attends will get to stay, free of charge, for the 8:30 PM performance by Christian McBride.

To read about my Connect With...Spotlight of the Week mission, check out this blog entry.

Don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter, just click here! You'll receive my 3 most recent posts in your inbox every Wednesday which will always include my weekly calendar!

Cheap Thrills-The Riverfront Times Best Of St. Louis Party. 7-11pm at the City Museum 701 N 15th Street, St. Louis. FREE! RSVP in advance by e-mailing rsvp@riverfronttimes.com.

Friday November 6:

CUREiosity 7PM-1AM at Lumen-2201 Locust St., St. Louis. This event benefits Siteman Cancer Center and features food stations, open bar, DJ, interactive performers and complimentary valet. $100 or $40 for 10p-1am afterparty (open bar & desserts).

Night at The Moulin: Moulin Rouge at Moulin and Vin de Set, 2107 Chouteau Ave., from 6PM to 9PM. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, wine tastings and live jazz. Guests are encouraged to wear red attire. $35.00 in advance at brownpapertickets.com or $45 at the door. Proceeds support Caring For Kids.

Saturday November 7:

EarthDance hosting Pesto Festo 2, it's annual fundraiser. The event will feature food, live music, cooking demonstrations, and art. At the Savoy Theater in downtown Ferguson-119 S. Florissant Rd. Tickets start at $25.

Don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter, just click here! You'll receive my 3 most recent posts in your inbox every Wednesday which will always include my weekly calendar!

The Rep Set is the Young Friends Organization of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. A dynamic social group for young professionals, Rep Setters enjoy a great evening at the theatre together, along with other special events and opportunities.

Join The Rep Set throughout the 2009-2010 season for Mainstage Saturday Nights! Choose your own series with three or more plays, for the special Rep Set price of $30 per show, and receive great subscriber benefits in addition to great seats. Go online to create your own package at www.repstl.org/repset.

Or, you may choose to attend individual Rep Set performances. To receive the special Rep Set price ($30 per show), you must have a Rep Set membership promotion code. Call the Box Office at (314) 968-4925 for more details.

Join us for our next exciting Rep Set Night at the theatre!

Saturday, October 31, 9:00 pm
A Halloween Treat with The Rep Set: It's not just a "whodunit", it's a "whodunwhat". We'll sell you the whole seat, but you'll probably only be sitting on the edge of it all night!

"Sleuth is propelled by its language, which is quick, clever, incisive and gradually revealing. It's a grand evening for anyone who loves a good mystery, and a very good looking one at that." -- Harry Hamm, KMOX-AM

"Shaffer's witty script...offers up steady stream of delicious and sharply barbed dialogue to enjoy. The Rep's current production is a dazzling show that engages the viewer from start to finish." -- Chris Gibson, broadwayworld.com

For more information about packages or tickets, call the Box Office at (314) 968-4925 or go online at www.repstl.org/repset

The Darkness Haunted House. Ranked among the best haunted houses in the country. 1525 South 8th Street in Soulard.

Thursday & Friday October 29-30:

Great Godfrey Haunted Corn Maze, haunted with ghosts and goblins of the Renaissance. Dusk - 10pm, $6. 1401 Stamper Lane Godfrey, IL

Friday October 30:

Stache Bash 2009 from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. at The Roberts Orpheum Theater - 416 North 9th St. $29. This tribute to Mustached American people raises money for Challenger Baseball. Your ticket includes live entertainment and an open bar of beer. Wine and cocktails extra.

Halloween Party at Westport Plaza. Live music and costume contest. 8pm-10pm.

Friday - Sunday (10/30-11/1):

RED'S CORN MAZE MASSACRE...try to find your way through this 12 ACRE MAZE while being chased by the demonic Farmer Red and his murderous family. 8004 Twin Rivers road Eureka, Missouri 63025.

Saturday October 31:

23rd Annual Lemp Mansion Halloween Party, 3322 Demenil Place in St. Louis. 8pm - 12:30am, $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Live music, a four hour open bar, food all night and a best costume contest. Reservations are required.

Central West End Adult Costume Party, 2 Maryland Plaza from 8:00 pm - Midnight. The Party is Free, the Costume Contest is $20. Celebrity judges in an American Idol format will entertain till midnight.

Pepper Goes Hollywood Halloween Party, 9pm-3am. $500 prize for the best movie or TV character costume. Music by DJ Big D. 2005 Locust Street.

Halloween Costume Contest at Mollys in Soulard, 815 Geyer Ave.

Cocktails for a Cause at Mango (1101 Lucas Avenue) from 6-8pm. Your $10 donation will get you complimentary drinks.

Thursday October 22:

The 9th annual Twilight Hayride Pub Crawl from 7 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Costume contest at 7 p.m. held on the parking lot at 9th and Geyer, along with live music . Beginning at 7:30 p.m. horse drawn hayrides will wander through the Soulard neighborhood allowing riders to get on and off at over 15 Soulard restaurants and pubs. Each pub will offer special treats, drink specials, free prizes and live music. $10 ticket can be purchased at any participating establishment.

Friday October 23:

Morton's in Clayton is hosting a Cookbook Reception and Tasting to benefit St. Louis Area Foodbank. $39 per person Includes drinks and appetizers. Event runs from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Morton's-7822 Bonhomme Ave. in Clayton. To make your reservation, contact Gina Sparks at 314-725-4008 or gina_sparks@mortons.com

Saturday October 24:

8th Annual Pumpkin Run in Chesterfield. Over 1500 this year planning to run either the 5K or 10K course. I hear the After Party really brings in the crowds.

Great Pumpkin Carve and Glow from 3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Eclipse Restaurant - 6177 Delmar Blvd. Pumpkins and basic carving with decorating materials will be provided or you can drop your carved pumpkin off for judging. There will be prizes awarded in multiple categories and complimentary hot cider. The Lighting, judging and after glow party to follow will be held on the Moonrise Hotel's Rooftop Terrace Bar.

Sunday October 25:

Top Chefs All-American Throw Down: Search for St. Louis' best burger. Enjoy samples from each chef, drinks and entertainment. Noon - 4pm outside of the Metropolis DeBaliviere Show Room (5501 Pershing Avenue), in the Central West End. $10 in advance; $15 at the door.

American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k/3.1 Mile charity walk. Registration at 1 pm, Event at 2 pm. Tower Grove Park in St. Louis between Kingshighway Blvd. and Grand Ave. just south of the Missouri Botanical Garden

The Young Literati of the St. Louis Public Library Foundation is a group of young professionals ages 20s - 40s. They enhance the life and vitality of the Library by supporting its programs and building relationships with others who share a passion for the Library's work.

Young Literati Chair, Matt Nagel introducing the Library's new PAWS for Reading Program

The Young Literati are looking for individuals who have the vision and drive to help us support and advocate the St. Louis Public Library. Cost to become a member is $40 per person, $65 per couple. As a member you will receive special Young Literati benefits including a SLPLF Tote Bag, 10 -15% off all purchases at Left Bank Books, St. Louis Originals Rewards Card with 150-point balance for $10 off your next visit to any participating Restaurant, reserved seating for guest authors at the Library and Invitations to Young Literati and SLPLFoundation events.

2009 Young Literati Steering Committee

This year's fall fundraising bash, Stranger Than Fiction, is on November 14th. Partygoers are encouraged to dress as one of their favorite literary characters, or to wear an accessory that pays homage to a favorite character or writer. Backstage tours of Central Library will be given at the party with is from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1301 Olive St. in downtown. Young Literati members ticket price is $50, non-members $75 which will benefit the much anticipated modernization and renewal of the downtown Central Library which gets underway next year.

To read about my Connect With...Spotlight of the Week mission, check out this blog entry.

Don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter, just click here! You'll receive my 3 most recent posts in your inbox every Wednesday which will always include my weekly calendar!

Fuel Happy Hour @ 6:00 PM. Anthonino's Taverna - 2225 Macklind Avenue on The Hill.

Wednesday October 14:

Project Runway star, Jillian Lewis hosts Bakers Project:Design! See the top 6 Bakers Project:Design! online designer search finalists compete. VIP reception 6pm at HoteLumière with complimentary drinks and appetizers, live dj. Doors 7pm at Lumière Place Casino & Hotels. After party, 10pm at Sleek Steakhouse in the Casino. WEEK-LONG FASHION WEEK VIP PASS ($125) or single event tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com

Thursday October 15:

BAKERS PRESENTS CURRENT. Four of St. Louis' top boutiques present a sneak peek of Fall's most sought after designer collections. VIP reception 6pm at HoteLumière with complimentary drinks and appetizers, live dj. Doors 7pm at Lumière Place Casino & Hotels. After party, 10pm at Sleek Steakhouse in the Casino. WEEK-LONG FASHION WEEK VIP PASS ($125) or single event tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com

Friday October 16:

STL CRAFT MAFIA PRESENTS INDIE UNDERGROUND. Meet Fashion Week designers, shop sample sales, trunk shows, jewelry designers and indie artists all under one roof at Lumière Place. 11am - 5pm, no tickets required.

Fest Of Ale. Enjoy appetizers, beer, and live music under the stars with the Young Friends of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 6 to 10 p.m. $15 for members, $30 for non-members.

Birthday blowout bash at Third Degree Glass Factory from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. at 5200 Delmar Blvd. See artist teams pull hot glass, glowing glass wrapped around a gourd and glassblowers create pumpkins. Appetizers provided, cash bar, live music. Free.

DIYSTYLE PRESENTS LAUNCH, a runway show featuring their own DIYStyle collection, and four young designers showing their fashion collections for the very first time. 1pm at Lumière Place Casino & Hotels. WEEK-LONG FASHION WEEK VIP PASS ($125) or single event tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com

BAKERS PRESENTS EMERGE Hot off London Fashion Week, Bolongaro Trevor returns to Saint Louis Fashion Week for the U.S. debut of their Spring 2010 Collection alongside a full-throttle, high-velocity showing by high-end streetwear brand, TRIM and NY-based, indie-music-scene darlings, Love Brigade. VIP reception 6pm at HoteLumière with complimentary drinks and appetizers, live dj. Doors 7pm at Lumière Place Casino & Hotels. After party, 10pm at Sleek Steakhouse in the Casino. WEEK-LONG FASHION WEEK VIP PASS ($125) or single event tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com

Saturday October 17:

STL CRAFT MAFIA PRESENTS INDIE UNDERGROUND. Meet Fashion Week designers, shop sample sales, trunk shows, jewelry designers and indie artists all under one roof at Lumière Place. 11am - 5pm, no tickets required.

FGI PRESENTS EVOLVE. St. Louis' Rising Star designers show their latest collections. Luncheon: 11:00am - HoteLumiere Ballroom. Runway Shows: 1pm. WEEK-LONG FASHION WEEK VIP PASS ($125) or single event tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com

Art St. Louis-HOPS Art. 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Art Saint Louis Gallery - 555 Washington Avenue; Ste. 150. Enjoy art and mingle with regional artists while sampling beverages and appetizers from your favorite local establishments.

BAKERS PRESENTS SURFACE The Midwest runway debut of Nice Collective along with menswear line Wrath Arcane and avant garde knitwear label, Skif. VIP reception 6pm at HoteLumière with complimentary drinks and appetizers, live dj. Doors 7pm at Lumière Place Casino & Hotels. After party, 10pm at Sleek Steakhouse in the Casino. WEEK-LONG FASHION WEEK VIP PASS ($125) or single event tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com

Fuel Winery Excursion to Ste. Genevieve County wineries. 10:30am-7pm.

Blues City Deli Streetfest. 11:30am-5:30pm. Food and live entertainment.

St. Louis Bloggers Guild free day long workshop from 9a to 4p at Shock City Music Works -2200 Gravois. Workshops on blogging, social media, privacy and intellectual property, and promoting a blog.

Don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter, just click here! You'll receive my 3 most recent posts in your inbox every Wednesday which will always include my weekly calendar!

The Garden offers many events and activities for young adults, including the Whitaker Music Festival, Best of Missouri Market, Japanese Festival, special evening programming, and educational classes that feature a variety of topics including cooking, wine tasting and gardening. There are also events specifically for Young Friends, including the 2nd Annual Fest-of-Ale on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Fest-of-Ale is sponsored by Anheuser-Busch and will feature specialty fall beers and fall themed appetizers. There will be live music by The Dusty Bottoms playing a unique mix of classic rock, American Folk, and vintage country music. Advance registration is required and reservations can be made by clicking here.

Tickets are $15 for Garden Members and $30 for non-members. Join or renew on-site and have your ticket cost deducted from the price of membership (limit 2 people per membership) and be entered to win a $75 gift certificate to the Container Store.

If you are interested in learning more, or joining the group, check out their website or e-mail young_friends@mobot.org .

To read about my Connect With...Spotlight of the Week mission, check out this blog entry.

Don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter, just click here! You'll receive my 3 most recent posts in your inbox every Wednesday which will always include my weekly calendar!

Missouri History Museum's Twilight Tuesdays featuring Boogie Chyld. 6:30-8:30pm on the Front Lawn.

Wednesday October 7:

Connect With...St. Louis Happy Hour. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Hotel Indigo - 4630 Lindell. This event will feature the more than 45 member organziations. Come see how you can get connected! Drink ticket and appetizers provided.

Friday October 9:

Keystone Fall Party. 7-11pm at The Post in Downtown Maplewood (7372 Manchester). Buy your ticket in advance and save!! $24 in advance gets you complimentary beer, house liquor, food AND a great time. Plus all proceeds go to Camp Weloki.

Friday October 9 - Sunday October 11:

Soulard Oktoberfest. Friday 5:00 pm - Midnight , Saturday 11am - Midnight , Sunday 11am - 6:00 pm. Admission into the tents is free, with only a $5 entry fee into the festival.

Saturday October 10:

Stray Rescue Trivia Night - A fun evening with fellow animal lovers. Doors at 6pm, trivia begins at 7pm. American Legion Post 162, 9305 So. Broadway in Lemay, MO 63125.
$20 per person/8 people to a table. Price includes beer, wine, soda. Feel free to bring your own snacks.

Sunday October 11:

Amazing Taste. Your $25 ticket gets you the ability to sample over 250 wines, 100 spirits and 100 beers from all over the world. Enjoy wine/food pairing classes, a grape stomp and a silent auction. Appetizers will be provided. 1-5pm at Lukas Liquor Superstore - 15921 Manchester in Ellisville. All proceeds benefit Angels' Arms.

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I'm a haunted house junkie. I'm not really sure why I like being scared. It's kind of weird. Anyway, I went to the Darkness last night. It's a huge, amazing haunted house in Soulard. I went last year too, but this year they added a bunch of new stuff. I learned a few things about myself last night. When I get scared, I giggle, a lot. After I scream. And I get really sweaty...but I digress.

One of the new things this year is TerrorVisions in 3D. Wow. You get 3D glasses to wear before you go in this section. The best way I can describe it is a haunted circus with crazed clowns and really creepy circus animals. Even the floor was in 3D so at certain places it looked like there were giant holes in the floor. It was all very cool, and substantial.

The Darkness is open nightly from now through Oct 31. For other nights, times and ticket info, check out their website. Have fun!!!