Ten Best Things to Do in St. Louis This Weekend: May 6-8

St. Louis is nonstop this weekend, with a handful of intriguing touring shows (Tobacco and Ted Leo spring to mind) sharing time with some great local events (Cinco De Mayo and a pair of cool open houses). Tef Poe and Rockwell Knuckles are duking it out at the Gramophone, Charlie Wilson's serenading the mothers, there are free comics at Star Clipper and we honestly don't know how we're going to decide what to do.

Friday

St. Louis Music Festival @ Chaifetz Arena
Charlie Wilson, Fantasia and plenty more make the perfect gift for Mother's Day if your mom is completely awesome.
With Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Eric Benet, and En Vouge. 7:30 p.m.

First Punch Productions Open House @ 3407 South Jefferson
Film production group First Punch is having an open house tonight with a steller music lineup: Adam Hartke, DJ Ben House, 18andCounting, Nee, DJ Thumpasaurus, The Mohawk and SubRosa. Should be pretty rad. RSVP on the First Punch Facebook page. 10:00 p.m.

Tobacco @ Off Broadway
Professional weirdo and Black Moth Super Rainbow frontman Tobacco brings his Maniac Meat Technicolor freak show to Off Broadway. With Beans and Shapers. 8 p.m.

Here We Go Magic @ the Firebird
Here We Go Magic and ArourA (Andrew Whiteman of Apostle of Hustle and his wife Ariel) spearhead a show of true indie originals. With We Are Warm. 9:00 p.m.

Saturday

Free Comic Day @ Star Clipper
Really, we shouldn't have to convince you beyond "Free" anything, but there's more at Star Clipper: live music and superheroes on hand to dole out the aforementioned free comics, and local artists with signing pens at the ready 11:00 a.m. to 10: 00 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo St. Louis @ Cherokee Street
There's plenty of art, music, food, a parade and general good times to go around on Cherokee Street this weekend. With So Many Dynamos, Sleepy Kitty, Grupo Navegante and lots, lots more.

Kentucy Derby Party @ the Royale
The sixth annual Derby party at the Royale promises drinking, food, televised horses and, of course, the finest display of hat-wearing all year2 p.m.

Tef Poe/Rockwell Knuckles Release Party @ the Gramophone
F5 records is putting out a vinyl split single featuring tracks from Rockwell Knuckles and Tef Poe, and to celebrate, they'll be trading songs at the Gramaphone. With DJ Trackstar, Jia Davis, White Out, Rt. Faq and Skipp Coon. 10 p.m.

Sunday

Ted Leo @ Off Broadway
Ted Leo's ability to write a hook remains as unflagging as his punk rock ethos. He's performing solo this time around. With the Blind Eyes and Title Tracks. 9 p.m.

Civil Ape Open House @ Civil Ape Arts
Arts collective Civil Ape is headquartered at 1560 S Broadway; this weekend, they're hosting the community for a fundraiser to benefit the St. Louis Arts Project Conference.With Adult Fur, Jam Out Satie, Nasty Cat Bath, and more. 7 p.m.