July is a great month to visit the Missouri Botanical Garden. Admission is free on July 4, in honor of Independence Day, and on July 24, the anniversary of founder Henry Shaw's birthday. And, there's also the Whitaker Music Festival, a series of free concerts every Wednesday night until August 13.

This is the 14th year for the music festival, and it's bringing in bigger and better acts every year. Featured performers this year include blues singer Kim Massie and contemporary artist Javier Mendoza. Admission to the Garden is free on Wednesdays after 5 p.m., and the concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner and gather at the Cohen Amphitheater.

Whitaker Music Festival

July 9 - Javier Mendoza
July 16 - Kim Massie
July 23 - Poor People of Paris
July 30 - FolknBluesGrass
August 6 - Laytham and Holmes
August 13 - Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ

For more ideas on what to do in St. Louis without spending money, read my Free Summer Events article.

(Javier Mendoza performs July 9. Photo courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden)

St. Louis has a lot to offer on July 4, but there's only one place where you can be part of an attempt to break a Guinness World Record. Organizers of the Rockin' the Landing celebration on Laclede's Landing need 5,000 people to help break the world record for the largest kazoo ensemble. You don't have to be an experienced kazooist (is there such a thing?) and you don't even need to have your own kazoo. They'll be passing them out at various venues throughout the Landing. The world record attempt is July 4 between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Rockin' the Landing also offers two days of music, including performances from The Well Hungarians, Earl and former American Idol contestant Nikko Smith.

Rockin' the Landing
July 4, noon - 7 p.m.
July 5, 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.

For more ideas on how to celebrate Independence Day in St. Louis, read my 4th of July Events article.

This summer, you can enjoy free movies at many different parks and outdoor locations throughout the St. Louis area. All you need is a blanket or lawn chair, then sit back and enjoy the show. The Frontyard Features movie series runs through the fall. All movies start just after sunset.

Live on the Levee is more than just five weekends of free downtown concerts. You'll want to eat too. But don't resign yourself to eating common fair food. Live on the Levee also offers a unique outdoor dining experience called The Sauce Cafe. Each Saturday night during the festival, a different local restaurant will serve a three-course meal designed to not only please patrons, but also to complement the musical act that night. For example, when the hit country band Lonestar plays on July 12, the Hwy. 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen will be there dishing out southern food favorites.

The menu for each week is below. Read more...