Eleven Things To Do This Weekend: October 1-3

By Annie Zaleski Fri., Oct. 1 2010 at 9:15 AM

Categories: Weekend Best Bets

This weekend? Busy. Very, very busy. Check out some of our critic's picks on the RFT's music page -- and read on below for much, much more to do.

Friday:
Taste of St. Louis -- Downtown
There's a little something for everyone at this annual event: Soul-funk (JJ Grey & Mofro), rock (Sister Hazel) and tribute-band (40 Oz. to Freedom, a Sublime homage). Throw in local bands older (Stranded Lads, Murder City Players, New World Spirits) and newer (Fresh Heir, Dogtown Allstars, Lamar Harris, The Takedown) and a blues stage -- all for free! -- and it's a perfect way to spend an early fall weekend. Free. Full schedule here; runs Friday-Sunday.

Benefit for Shagy Kennedy and Family @ Fubar
Community mainstay Shagy Kennedy has been battling cancer, and to help alleviate his medical bills, his pals are gathering for a benefit. Reunion shows from Love Lost But Not Forgotten, Hitlist and the Esoteric, along with sets from The Humanoids, Cardiac Arrest, Machree, Everything Went Black (Kennedy's band) and Fister mark the night -- and that's just for starters. $10 minimum donation. 7 p.m. Non-smoking show.

Flesh Vehicle @ The Firebird
By day, Tom Pappas plays in crunchy power-pop cult heroes Superdrag. At night, though, he fires up the side project Flesh Vehicle, a garage-rock outfit full of fuzzy hooks and vintage 'tude. Kindred spirits Tok and Bruiser Queen open. 9 p.m. $8 to $10.

The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker @ The Gramophone
Live soul and funk doesn't get any better than the inimitable Charles Walker, who's backed by the airight Dynamites. $20. 21-plus. More info.

Shawn Colvin @ The Sheldon
Yes, we all know "Sunny Came Home" -- but folk artist Shawn Colvin has a rich,varied catalog dating back over two decades. She released Live last year. 8 p.m. $35 to $40.

Mike Posner @ the Pageant
The soulful synthfunk phenom (admit it, you can't help but hum along to "Cooler Than Me") headlines a pop-loaded concert lineup, including Stephan Jerzak, 2 AM Club, Far East Movement, Bad Rabbits and XV. 7 p.m. $30.