The St. Louis Classic

Ah, Schlafly's Art Outside -- is it an art fair, or the city's largest outdoor kibbutz? The annual weekend-long showplace for local artists working in all media always feels like a reunion. You walk the art fair ground with a cold beer in one paw and something tasty in the other, bumping into former neighbors, co-workers, the guy who towed the stalled car out of your driveway; everybody seems to show up at some point. Kids dance in front of the bandstand while you chat with the guy who makes lovely bowls, right next to booth full of handmade stuffed animals. It's weirdly, completely St. Louis at every level. This year's Art Outside takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday (September 6 through 8) at the Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest Boulevard, Maplewood; 314-241-2337 or www.schlafly.com). Admission is free, but you'll end up seeing something you didn't know you needed until it was right in front of you, so bring your wallet.
Sept. 6-8, 2013