Assuming you wont be at home singing 'Auld Lang Syne' by yourself watching the ball drop on television, it'd be interesting to see where everyone plans to be when ringing in the New Year.

Some go to friends' parties, others hit up bars for some live, local music, while others are out clubbing. While it seems everyone is penny-pinching lately, do your fellow St. Louisans a favor and let us in on your cheap choice for celebrating New Year's this 2009/2010 season.

Calling all classical rock fanatics and Christmas music junkies! Chances are, if that got your attention, you already know about the steamroller coming in this Holiday Season, as they always include St. Louis in their extravagant winter tour. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is claiming to be doing it even better this year than previous years, so this will be a spectacle you will not want to miss, especially with the addition of their brand new songs. Hurry up and clear your calendar as they are only in St. Louis on December 12 and are offering a 3pm show (doors open at 2pm) or an 8pm show (doors open at 7pm) at the Scott Trade Center. Tickets typically sell out, so grab yours now. Tickets may be purchased at ticketmaster.com, the Scott Trade Center box office, or directly through the Trans-Siberian Orchestra directly by going to http://www.trans-siberian.com.

It’s time again for the 3 day long festivities of local music, food, entertainment, vendors, service providers, and artists. The US Bank sponsored Taste of Saint Louis begins October 2nd and carries on through the 4th  at Soldier’s Memorial. Come down town to this seasonal event for some tasty ribs, beer and other local cuisine while watching some of the most entertaining bands in the area compete in the Bud Light Tasty Band Competition. Entry is free, just bring cash for grub, booze, and some to donate to the Taste For Wishes (a partner in the Make-A-Wish foundation). Good food, good entertainment, and good giving - all in 1 place!

Flowers, Food & FREE entertainment, could an evening get much better? Missouri Botanical Gardens doesn’t think so, that’s why they’ve orchestrated the Whitaker Music Festival through out July & August. Depending on which specified date on their calendar (*see their website for more details), you could get in free between 9am-5pm or your entry may be free after 5pm. Want to try some local brisket sandwiches? Bring some cash, as food is available for purchase on site. Strapped for cash or looking for a cheap, but still romantic, date? Pack a picnic and bring a cooler – you’re allowed to bring in food after certain times.  The entertainment varies depending on the date, for example, on July 29th the entertainment is provided by Ralph Butler, but the quality is sure to never lack.

Looking for something to do on the upcoming 3 day weekend? Want some fun in the sun while listening to music and satisfying your hunger cravings all in one? If you answered yes to both questions you need to be downtown this weekend at the Soldier’s Memorial  (on Chestnut Street) for all of your entertainment pleasures.  There will be a variety of ribs and other tasty foods,  local and some out of town vendors, and of course music.

Schlafly is known for its great beer and for its two hotspots here in St. Louis: The Tap Room (down town) and The Bottleworks (Maplewood).  Each brewpub serves great food, excellent in quality, taste and price, and each brewpub offers private parties and events.  This spring and summer, head to the Schlafly Bottleworks for some fun events and some tasty beer. 

The Oddity Faire: A Mutated Mini Fest was just as much as it was anticipated to be:  weird, amusing, interesting and of course - a unique experience.  For those who did not attend the tour stop at our own Pageant right here in St. Louis on March 17, 2009, you missed a crazy night.

Currently Les Claypool is touring for the remainder of this month (majority of this tour was through out this month) and along with him are a variety of other opening bands/groups that also deserve the title of "oddity." In St. Louis, these oddities were:  Secret Chiefs 3, Saul Williams, and Devotchka - 2 of which are good friends of Les Claypool.

Coming soon to the Pageant near you...LES CLAYPOOL! The former Primus band member,  Leslie Edward Claypool will be gracing us St. Louisians with his electrifying sounds and die hard fans.  Be prepared to be blown  away with his strumming, finger-tapping, string slapping technique.

His original sound is worthy of tickets with prices ranging from $50-$100 (even though the Pageant is General Admission).  So far, the cheapest online ticket vendor for this event is http://www.wegoplaces.com/ and the cheapest price over all is $24.99 at the Pageant box office. Grab yours now so you can jam out to Les Claypool's wicked bass sounds on St. Patrick's Day! (His new album also comes out the same day: Of Fungi and Foes)

Coldplay will be rocking Verizon Wireless Amphitheater this July 24th, but if you want to see them, you are gonna have to fork over the big bucks (tickets went on sale today). 

That's right - a LAWN spot starts at $35 (+ fees) and reserved tickets are $79.50 and $97.50 (+ fees)...  Purchase yours at LiveNation.com.  The show starts at 8pm.

Hot Cars, live music, drifting, and drag racing.  Ya dig it?  Brought to you buy Monster Energy Drink, another season of Midnight Madness is coming up east of the river this year at Gateway International Raceway.

Live music, including rock-n-roll and rap performers, is provided by MyRiverFrontRadio.com.   $10 gets you into the party, and for the racers out there, $20 gets you in on the drifting action all night long.  Party starts at 8pm, racing starts at 9pm, and the MADNESS doesn't end until 3am!