OUT 1151--OUTTOWN SALUTATIONS July 5, 2012

HEY OUTTOWNERS......

THE TIME HAS COME......

TO BE TOWNED…ONE LAST TIME……….

YOURS TRULY, Ma'at Atkins will be celebrating his bday July 6. Come hang with me this Friday at Exo Nightclub in Midtown St Louis!  (After 11 p.m.)

HAPPY 7th BDAY OUTTOWN!

OUTTOWNERS, this has been a journey and I have made it to the finish line—and on to the next one. After seven years of posting, I have decided to depart from the weekly regimen of  the blog and thought it would be fitting to end OUTTOWN exactly the way I began it—with one long paragraph and the very first picture  posted from the very first one on July 5, 2005 (PICTURED YOURS TRULY with actress Dawnn Lewis at the Joe Torry Celebrity Basketball Challenge held at one of the hotels in downtown St Louis--the venue slips me). Throughout the years, OUTTOWN has traveled within the St Louis area as well as beyond  (Los Angeles, Chicago) taking pics and covering special celebrity events, concerts, red carpet premieres, private events, fashion shows, my own events, promoters events, rallies, parades, and everyday happenings. I have also chronicled news stories that had a  Midwest point of view based on people who were born, raised, lived, and traveled in the STL/Midwest area. After more than 1,100 blog entries, and hundreds of thousands of pics uploaded and taken, I must say that OUTTOWN has been one of the pillar blogsites in the Midwest that has influenced many news and photo bloggers especially in the STL area (and survived many of the ones that came after OUTTOWN). It has been nominated for awards, been scorned, criticized, and called to the lions den  for  “going too far”, but as I always say, “You’re not doing your job unless your pissing someone off.” LOL  I created OUTTOWN because of a necessity to continue my journalism  career after my freelance gig at  the now defunct West End Word ended in 2005. Also, to continue the countless contacts I accumulated in my career prior to my writing with the newspaper. For those who wonder still, what does OUTTOWN mean? Well, it stands for many things: Its short for Out On The Town, Out of Town, and, my fave, a play on singer Prince’s song, “Uptown.” (A few even wondered if it meant OUT as in “OUT” LOL)  In the early walking steps of the blog (which was called The Haps On the Town) it was more of a journal entry with no pics (regular pics started more in 2006)and many proofing issues, but as ego says, “even my errors were correct.” LOL  But after honing it, building it with many ideas that stuck and faded and branding it, I managed to create blog that was informative, entertaining, funny and truthful and making sure that people who didn’t have a voice or outlet to be spotlighted be given light. Every week, it received on average 1,000 hits a week from stats with its peak at over 6,000 hits a week when I covered the fashions at one of Nelly’s Black and White Ball and KMJM personality Tammie Holland in 2009 (who I made one of the best dressed) gave my blog a shout out over the air and caused massive drive to my blog (Much love Tammie!). And speaking of population, my blog is read not only in the United States but also in Europe and some parts of Africa based on the stat sheets. I’ve also become a fixture with many STL event promoters and visiting promoters who relied on my blog to get the word out of their event  and cover them for the blog. Although I have many “closet “ readers than commenters, I felt that the blog was a confluence  and influence within people’s reading time especially if  I wrote something that was controversial or posted a  pic that was questionable (You better believe I was either inboxed, texted or voice mailed about it. LOL.) But in the journalism/media game, that is a compliment, LOL. Yet, the challenge always was, how long can I keep the blog going? Or, in my words, “How long will I have my ‘nuff?” I think it started in 2011 as  people mostly associated   me as  being a well dressed picture guy at events and/or a blogger who take pics. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the perks are   great being able to get access to events to take pics, but before I posted blogs yet alone became journalist I was a poet. For those who remember, back in the mid 1990s and early 2000s I was a fixture on the STL poetry open mic scene, even created a slam called Wordwar with the late attorney poet Sheryl Johnson at the now defunct Hatshepsut Art Gallery on 12^th and Tucker in downtown St Louis. I also wrote, directed and stage managed stageplays that I began in the late 1990s. I have been nominated for a Regional Emmy Award for my journalism.  Additionally, I have dabbled in event producing, one in particular that  is dear to me, Mista Couture, a mens style contest that gives those a platform that is void in the STL fashion community. So, I decided this year that it was time to regroup and refocus on other aspects of my talents and rebrand myself.. It was also becoming very challenging to continue the weekly grind pace of attending events and chronicle the entertainment news and posting every Tuesday and Thursday ir any day close to those deadline days. So on January 1, I decided this year would be the last for OUTTOWN and end it on the 7^th year of its existence (July 5) with the number 7 is the number of completion coming full circle, pun intended.  I want to now venture into more features on movers and shakers in the Midwest as well as across the country and reviews on fashion, theater and concerts and entertainment commentary. Thus, my new blog OUTSTAGN starting Thursday, July 12 which will be more of a at random blog than a deadlined blog. I will still  have the OUTTOWN  faves still posted on Thursdays such as PROMOCIALITES, WORDZ TO THE WHYZ,  BLIND DISHZ and EVENTZ  but all the newsy stuff will be no longer posted which was burning me out finding news stories from the ILLI MO (Illinois/.Missouri) perspective. I am very excited about this newest venture and hope that you continue being an OUTTOWNER because without your support there would not have been a completion. So, with that said, I would like to end this saying thank you for being loyal and supportive reading what I had to post these seven years. Trust me, it hasn’t been easy, It has been many times when I wanted to quit, or postpone the blog because of life’s issues but I kept tunneled in the mission to inform the community—the OUTTOWNERS. It’s refreshing and rejuvenating when people say, “ I still read your blog.” It tells me that my work is relevant in the community and if you know St Louis, that is not an easy thing to do! From this experience, I have grown as a writer and a person knowing my strengths, my limits and my possibilities.. But as the late poet James Baldwin said, “Writing is like shitting bricks,” and I will add that even after it’s written you may not get relief ! LOL

Until next week my new OUTSTAGRS!

On Thursday, July 12, OUTTOWN will spinoff to a new blog called OUTSTAGN, giving a stage (or platform) to mover and shakers in the arts and entertainment in the STL area (and “out of town”) by ways of interviews and features. It also will focus on recaps and reviews of fashion and style as seen at red carpeted, regular club events, and fashion shows. Lastly, in our theme of stages, we will review live theater, and concerts.

It will be compiled at random.

And don’t worry, we will still have the OUTTOWN faves such as BLIND DISHZ, BLIND PICZ, PROMOCIALITES, BDAZEs and EVENTZ that will likely post every Thursday as UPSTAGE BITZ, but  the weekly compilations of top stories in the Midwest will be eliminated.

If you are a singer, actor, event producer, painter, sculptor, fashion designer, poet, film director, or businessman  or if you know anyone who's the aforementioned, and you  or that person would like to be featured on OUTSTAGN send us a email to maatspear@yahoo.com!

Check out our contestants for the 4th  MISTA COUTURE STYLE CONTEST,and vote your choice of who you think should win! Go to http://maatology.blogspot.com/2012/07/meet-first-round-contestants-for-4th.html

 If your interested in being a contestant or escort, email manfashionshow@yahoo.com before July 1, 2012 for details!

Celebrate Saint Louis Summer Concerts

Friday, July 13 10:00a

at Soldiers Memorial Park, St Louis, MO

The Summer Concerts provide free national musical entertainment.

50,000 attendees expected.

** Estimated start time -- Please confirm **

 Event Website

The 2012 Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts, presented by the Fair Saint Louis Foundation, will bring the party home with live concerts in the heart of downtown St. Louis. Join us for two weekends of FREE entertainment — LIVE FROM SOLDIERS MEMORIAL. This July’s line-up that will rock St. Louis includes:

NEON TREES

Friday, July 13

Double-platinum smash single “Animal” propelled Neon Trees into fame in 2010, and ever since the band has been making fun, yet lyrically profound, music. Lead vocalist and keyboardist Tyler Glenn came together with the other three members of the band eight years ago in Provo, Utah, where they still call home. They’re set to rock the Budweiser Main Stage and kick off the Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts at Soldiers’ Memorial on Friday, July 13 at 9 p.m.

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD

Saturday, July 14

Michael Franti first formed the group Spearhead in the mid 90s, merging his positive and socially conscious attitude with his love for music to create roots and reggae tracks with powerful themes. Their most recent endeavor is the uplifting “The Sound of Sunshine,” released in 2010 and reaffirming Franti’s talent for connecting with fans. Michael Franti and Spearhead will do just that on the Budweiser Main Stage at Soldiers’ Memorial on Saturday, July 14 at 9 p.m.

Opening for Michael Franti at 8 p.m. is Erin McCarley.

THE OFFSPRING

Friday, July 20

The Offspring continue to receive broad-based acclaim from alternative and album rock fans. Hits including “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)” and “Hit That,” as well as several tours have secured their place as a top punk rock band. Their latest single, “Days Go By,” was released this year and is the precursor of their next album of the same name, set for release in late June. The Offspring will rock the Budweiser Main Stage at Soldiers Memorial on Friday, July 20 at 9 p.m.

NELLY

Saturday, July 21

Hometown hero Cornell “Nelly” Haynes is a figure familiar to many St. Louisans– and to the world. The metro area and University City native is the second highest selling hip hop artist of all time, and since his groundbreaking debut album Country Grammar he has received three Grammys and three American Music Awards, with four number one albums and five number one singles hitting the charts. Beyond music, Nelly has also showcased his acting ability in blockbuster “The Longest Yard,” owns two clothing companies, his own record label, and operates two charity nonprofits. Nelly will return to his roots on Saturday, July 21 at Soldiers Memorial at 8 p.m.

Nelly is also partnering with Fair Saint Louis to give local unsigned bands the chance to perform on the Budweiser Main Stage on July 4, 6, or 7. A grand prize winner will receive 10 hours of recording time at Vatterott College ex’treme Institute by Nelly­- St. Louis. Check out more details and info on how to submit your music video here!

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Ledisi will perform July 13 at the Pageant.

Eric Benet is also on the bill.

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Rock singer Fiona Apple heads to the Peabody Opera House July 14.

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The Summer Music Festival starring Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Patti LaBelle is July 15 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Also on the bill are the O'Jays, Babyface and Tank.

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Rock group O.A.R. will perform at the Fox Theatre. July 19.

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Singer Lenny Williams is at the Ambassador . July 21.

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The Indigo Girls will perform July 21 at the Pageant.

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Javier Mendoza's CD release party for his "Vida, Trabajo, Amor" project is July 24 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

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Grammy Award winning rock group Train performs at the Peabody Opera House July 29.

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Comedian/radio personality/game show host Steve Harvey will perform at Chaifetz Arena on July 27.

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 Grammy Award nominated rapper/singer Nicki Minaj will perform at the Peabody Opera House July 31.

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Zac Brown Band will perform Aug. 1 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

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Comedian Tracy Morgan from "30 Rock" returns to St. Louis with a concert Aug. 3 at Lumiere Place Casino for two

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Diamond Rio and Jo Dee Messina are joining forces for a Vatterott College benefit taking place Aug. 4 at the Pageant.

Erin Bode is also on the bill.

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House Party Tour 2012 featuring Whodini is at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Ambassador.

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Summerland 2012 with Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit and Marcy Playground is at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Family Arena.

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Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators is at the Pageant with a concert at 8 p.m. Aug. 8.

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Wanda Jackson will perform. Aug. 11 at Blueberry Hill's Duck Room.

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 The Smooth Jazz Cruise presents David Sanborn and Brian Culbertson,  Aug. 23 at the Pageant.

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Grammy Award winning country singer Lyle Lovett will perform Aug. 25 at the Peabody Opera House.

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Phish will perform at the Chaifetz Arena Aug 28

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BLIND PICZ. What location is this in  the St Louis area?

BLIND DISHZ. Which STL star couple was recently spotted gettin their work out on at Golds Gym in Florrisant?

HINT 1. He is a veteran event promoter that holds a monthly contest at a club in Midtown St Louis

HINT 2. His promotions company name's initials  spell out something "influential"

HINT 3. He has the same last name as an old school comedian who starred in movies with Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker and Kevin Hart.

HINT 4. His lady shares the same name as an "ATL" singer who started her career in the mid 1990s and who was signed under Queen Latifah.

PRO-MO-CIAL-ITES (July 1-7) Which STL mover and shakers got it in this week on the promotions of their events and being on the scene?

Ashley Salazaar. This model/MMA fighter beauty is on a mission these days. She recently won Miss June Social for Playboy Magazine and was on promotions blitz promoitng her new title on local radio stations such as 105.7 The Point . The Notice Me Award winner is also traveling to NYC this Saturday to do a photo shoot for Spicy Magazine. She is also in another competition to be in Playboy South Africa and is seeking people to vote for her (SEE NEW ONGOING BITZ BELOW) 

Mocha Latte. The Queen of Promotions is back at it again this week .  Coming off of being scene at the Jagged Edge concert at the Ambassador, the Notice Me Award winner hosted a Pre 4^th of July Party at The Loft, \two weekly events on Wednesday in succession of each other—Sound Bar’s Happy Hour  then sWine N Dine Wednesday at The Inspot Dessert Lounge (SEE NEW ONGOING BITZ), her monthly Thursday poetry showcase Got Lyrics at Inspot and her popular mainstay Select Saturdays at The Loft.

Wop Wop.  This event promoter has done many concerts with some of todays national hip-hop acts co promoting with Jonathan Burns of JB.  On Thursdays he puts on Free Thursdays at Lavish, Burns’ venue and this Friday, his promotions team, Wop Wop Wow Promotions,  promotes on their own with rapper Juvenille with a free concert at The Ambassador. It is also his bday weekend.

Rcb MC and Vega. This new jack duo is doing double duty in the club and mixtape scene. Rcb Mc is currently promoting his new mixtape “Bachelor Party: with DJ Noize and this Friday he hosts a first Friday at Exo Nightclub (and where YOURS TRULY will host a bday party) . This Friday, Vega will be celebrating his bday with a Miami Vice Theme. And Saturday, Rcb, and his business partner Vega will hold down Swagger Saturdays at the Inspot.

Why wasnt a surprise that Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise split? Why do people say its hot outside when its summer time? Why are people makin it a big deal with singer Frank Ocean came out?


AT THE BET AWARDS. Why were there so many uncensored versions of rap songs being performed? Why was Rick Ross lip synching? Why was Souljah Boy crying uncontrollably during the Whitney tribute? Why did it look like Brandy was angry when she sang during the Whitney Tribute? Why did Kevin Hart win for Best Actor? Why did it seem as though host Samuel L Jackson didnt want to be there? Why did it look like Kim Kardashian was so out of place sitting with Kanye? Why didnt Yolanda sing a lead part in the gospel segemnt with Sunday Best acts Amber Bullock, Ylanla Crawley and Jessica Reedy? And why wasnt Drake or Rihanna there? Why was the Donna Summer tribute so short with Chante Moore? And why did it seem as though BET gave Jay Z, Beyonce and Kanye more screen time while they were in the audience than the people who were on stage?

HAPPY STL CANCERians BDAZES (July 1-July 7) Comedian Arvin Mitchell (PICTURED), TV personality Gilberto Pinella, music producer James Glasco, activist Erise Williams, dee-jay Sir Thurl, fashion designer Shan Keith, media producer Patrick Gallagher, promoters Wop Wop and  Ashley Puryear and YOURS TRULY, Ma’at Atkins

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Rapper Juvenile performs for free July 6 at the Ambassador.

Doors are at 8 p.m. KB Snacks is sponsoring the concert, which is also a Wop Wop Wow Birthday Bash.

For more information call 314-532-1755 or 314-367-2757.

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Murphy Lee LIVE AT Plush Saint Louis JULY 7TH
 CLEAR 10 VODKA PRESENTS: Murphy Lee Live and Unplugged at PLUSH 3224 Locust. Doors Open at 9pm | special invite only VIP tasting at 8pm
Tickets $10 in Avd | $15 door | $20 VIP | Bottle Service $77

This event will sell out. Come join DELUX Magazine and Murphy Lee for one of the most anticipated show since Home Nightclub where we did over 1700 in numbers... dont believe me?

http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=nba3YgVxmRA

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CICKTAILS N COUTURE FASHION SHOW

COCKTAILS

DATE: July 8th,2012 LOCATION: Desserts on the Boulevard 3949 Lindell Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63108 ATTIRE: Semi-Formal TICKETS: Advanced $25 Door $30 PURCHASE: Tickets can be bought at Desserts on the Boulevard • Primary Fundraiser for TNM Media Corp. • Its function is to sponsor two scholarships (Arts & Entertainment Types) • Function for the 2012 Cocktails & Couture Fashion Show is to showcase Talent! https://www.facebook.com/pages/TNM/143972078999929 For other inquiries write on the event page or email jeree_jetadore@yahoo.com

NEW ONGOING BITZ

AUDITION BITZ

You can to win a trip to New York City, an appearance on BET’s “106 & Park” for “Sparkle Singing Challenge,”

The St. Louis audition is July 14 at the NASCAR SpeedPark in St. Louis Mills.

Registration is at noon July 14, followed by the contest from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Amateur singers between the ages of 13-40 should sing a 60-second a capella version of either “Celebrate” or “Something He Can Feel.”

Clips from the songs, official rules and more information about the contest, can be found at www.myspace.com/sparkle.

Email sparklesingingchallengeSTL@gmail.com pre-register or call 314-266-1100 for any questions or additional info.

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Spoonful of Honey Season 2 Auditions at Regional Arts Commission 11 am to 5 p.m.

WIFETIME CHARACTER BREAKDOWN.

Breakdown

Wille - Early 30's. An earnest, hard working young man, faithful to his wife of 10 years. Fed up with his unadventuresome life, he joins a Pan-African organization and decides that he wants to take a "Second Wife", in the tradition of his African ancestors.

Irma - Early 30's. Willie's materialstic wife. A childless housewife, who pay for not taking an interest in her husband's outside activities.

Kweli - 30's. The clever, supremely chauvinistic founder of the Center for Black Enlightenment, he has three wives and believes all men should practice polygamy.

Nwanyeruwa - 20. A naive, softly manipulative young girl, very much involved with the Center and other fads, who wants to become Willie's second wife.

Clytie - Irma's mother. A divorcee in her 50's, she's having the time of her life, but she slows down long enough to help her daughter save her marriage.

Emile - A handsome French West Indian, every woman's dream man, he has a special fondness for Irma.

Amina - 30's. Kweli's practical first wife. 

Mbili - 25. Kweli's militaristic second wife.

Jua - 20. Kweli's youngest and pregnant third wife.

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HELP BITZ 

Hello friends / fans do not forget to vote every day for the beautiful Ashley Salazar to be in Playboy South Africahttp://www.facebook.com/playboysouthafrica?sk=app_332484066805691

only enters the site and search their name Ashley Salazar and click on the arrow. Thank you

CLUB/;NIGHTLIFE BITZ

FUNNY FIRST SUNDAY with Arvin Mitchell  at BlueBerry Hill

TICKETS $10 ADVANCE $15 AT THE DOOR ADVANCE CALL

(314)599-0705 Princeton Dew

Doors Open @7:00 Showtime 8:00

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ALL OUT, EnCrowd, Klosed Circle, & Next Level Presents...

$1 Wednesdays @ THE AMBASSADOR(9800 Halls Ferry Rd.)!

Snapbacks & Tattoos Party!

$1 Admission For Everybody ALL NIGHT!

$1 Long Islands, $1 Martinis, & $1 Blue MFs 'Til 10pm!

$1 Pool Tables!

Doors Open At 9pm!

Hosted by T-Rell!

Co-Hosted by Killa Cam!

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Close To Famous & StarPower Marketing Present:

The PROFESSIONAL -Summer Kickoff-

+Tony "T-Luv" Davis Gentleman's Birthday Celebration

Thursday 6.28.12 @ SoHo Restaurant + Lounge (4229 Manchester)

PROFESSIONAL; a person who is expert at his or her work

Thursday June 28, 2012 at SoHo Lounge  on Manchester in the Grove Come mingle with some of the Industries Best at The Official Celebrity Summer Kickoff Event! The Gentleman's Birthday Celebration for The Professional Business Man Tony "T-Luv" Davis will be filled with VIP's so you dont want to miss this!

Gentlemen Jack *INVITE ONLY* VIP Dinner & Cocktails @ 7pm

General Admission @ 9pm

DJ JoPrima | Style Code Enforced

VIP/BOTTLE SERVICE: 314.761.7834 or closetofamous@yahoo.com

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 Ghetto Blastic presents

POLY RHYTHM NATION the newest, hippest, musically progressive-est Thursday weekly for you and yours to stop thru and groove...meet Nappy DJ Needles along with guest DJs and musicians every Thursday night at The Delmar Lounge in the U. City Loop for a weekly jam session that moves your mind, body and soul!

Beginning Thursday June 28

The Delmar Lounge

6235 Delmar

NO COVER!!

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Wop wop Wow presents Free Thursdays at Lavish

Rapper Rcb Mc hosts  every first Friday  at Exo and he has just released his first a mixtape Bachelor Party. He will have a CD release party at Inspot this Saturday ( SEE EVENTZ BELOW)

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The second installment of Lola's "Made You Look" series, featuring Full Crate & Mar with DJ Needles . every last Friday

At LOLA 500 N 14th St. St.Louis, MO | www.welovelola.com

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Learn More About The Social: www.welovethesocial.com 

at this weekly happy hour celebration, The Social toasts to the most influential people in St.Louis, MO including local politicians, business leaders, filmmakers, artists and designers. This event takes place at Lola, one of the most see-and-be-seen venues in St.Louis | Every Friday

Shift58 + BFreeStlouis + Crown Royal + Heineken presents:

w. The Social {St.Louis} Happy Hour Series + New Connections

w. Every Friday | 5PM-8PM |

w. at Lola: 500 N 14th Street St.Louis, MO 63102

Business Professional + Summer Upscale {Requested}

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The House Party Series Featuring BJ The DJ w/special guest DJ AJ, Stress Free Fridays, Aunyae Heart and The Black Rose Band. At The Colliseum 2619 Washngtin Ave. Everybody Free til 8pm. $10 admission after 8pm.

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MUSIC BITZ

ADD: RCB MC released his new mixtape "Bachelor Party". To download it go to http://midwestmixtapes.com/2012/bachelor-party/

FOR MORE ONGOING BITZ GO TO

 http://maatology.blogspot.com/2010/03/ongoing-bitz-april-week-one.html

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