However in the grand scheme of rock and roll music, very few musicians have made the impact St. Louis native Chuck Berry did. Setting a style, sound, and overall stage presence that musicians have been forced to live up to for decades, Chuck Berry has influenced artists from Eric Clapton, U2, the Rolling Stones to even Nelly.

Suffice it to say, upon moving to St. Louis many years ago I was surprised to find out that you can still catch this master of music at work. Yes, Chuck Berry performs monthly at Blueberry Hill on the Delmar Loop in University City.

That’s why if you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, you should check out Chuck’s show in the Blueberry Hill Duck Room on Wednesday, October 12, 2005. Chuck routinely sells out these monthly shows well in advance, so get your tickets early. It’s a fun time- and the Duck Room is a nice intimate setting to see a show in (although get there early or prepare to stand all night).

Details…Music Rooms are 21+ only
Doors are at 8 pm unless otherwise noted. Show starts at 9:30 pm. Advance tickets at Blueberry Hill (no service charge) or through Metrotix outlets and by phone at 314-534-1111, or order online.

Never Been to Blueberry Hill?
It’s at 6504 Delmar Ave in University City (the heart of the Delmar Loop)
FROM HIGHWAY 40 (I-64) - If you are travelling east, get off at McCausland Exit. If you are travelling west, get off at Skinker Exit. Go north on Skinker Blvd. for 1.6 miles to Delmar. Go west on Delmar 3/10 of a mile to Blueberry Hill at 6504.
FROM I-170 - Go east on Delmar for exactly 3 miles to Blueberry Hill.
FROM BIG BEND - Go east on Delmar 3/10 of a mile to Blueberry Hill.

In a previous career I traveled downriver twice a month to the Crescent City of New Orleans. Being an Iowa farm boy where most meals started and ended with a slab of gravy covered meat, I became quite enamored with the very different local cuisine. I would even go so far as to say it was a life changing experience. One of my most memorable trips was when a local took me to a little out of the way diner named Russell’s Marina Grill in the New Orleans West End, known to most as a 3am pancake house. His mission was to introduce me to Red Beans and Rice. I’ve been in love with them ever since. (Heck, I even have a Popeye’s Chicken on speed dial.)

As I was looking for a place to launch the first fine dining review of this blog, it occurred to me it was Monday- Red Beans and Rice day- at one of my favorite little local joints in Rockhill, called The Gumbo Shop.

If you’re looking to impress a date, forget it, the food is served on paper plates with plastic silverware. But if you like good red beans and rice, you’re going to be in love with the Gumbo Shop on Mondays and Thursdays. The order is always overflowing from the plate which has plenty of tasty sausage and properly cooked red beans. I’ve traveled throughout St Louis sampling Red Beans and Rice, and to date this is my favorite place in town to get it.

I have to admit, I’m so enamored with their Red Beans and Rice that I’ve seldom tried anything else on the menu. I have it on good authority, however, that their Po’ Boy Sandwiches are pretty darn good. I have sampled their Gumbo, and to be honest I’d only rate it as average. Also, for a while Kimberly would stop there at closing and bring home diner, but we noticed that since much of their food is cooked in slow cookers by 8pm a few of her meals were scraping the pan and not very good. (Jambalaya mostly).

But overall, it’s a great little joint. There is a daily specials menu, so some items aren't available everyday. Also, for a true taste of the south, they do serve up a lot of catfish, blackened catfish, and frog legs. About the only thing missing from their menu would have to be freshly shucked oysters on the half-shell, Turtle Soup and a frozen daiquiri in a to-go cup. Since the Meramec River doesn’t produce the outstanding oysters that the Gulf does and Missouri doesn’t allow for the drive-up daiquiri to-go stores (which I might add is a crying shame), I can forgive them for two of the three. (and if anyone can point me to some good Turtle Soup in this town I would be much obliged.) Until then, here’s hoping New Orleans’ Acme Oyster and Jax Dax survived the flooding.

Notes:
Meals generally are between $7-10. I’m not 100% positive they take credit cards. Also, on the side of the building they have peppers growing (which is a cute touch). Visit it often, too many Cajun/Creole places don’t survive in St. Louis County (which is a shame).

Gumbo Shop
9501 Manchester Road
Rock Hill, Missouri
Phone- 314-918-8747
Hours: Mon. to Sat.
11 a.m. to 8 p.m

At the same time, the foundation is sponsoring two upcoming events to help raise funds...

WHEN: Monday, September 12, 2005, 7:00pm
WHERE: Pepper Lounge
2005 Locust St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Tel: 314-241-2005

DETAILS: SYNERGY, Alliance Sports, and St. Louis Magazine join Marshall Faulk and friends for the first Monday Night Football game of the season. All net proceeds from the event benefit the American Red Cross and the Marshall Faulk Foundation Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Tickets for the benefit are $30 and include complimentary appetizers and Stoli vodka cocktails during the game. Advance tickets are available via Metrotix.com; based on availability, tickets may also be available at the door.

---------------------------------------------

WHEN: Friday, September 30th, 2005
VIP access 5:30pm; Public 6-10pm. Doors Open 6pm-10pm
WHERE: Mosaic Event Pavilion, St Louis
Corner 11th Street and Washington Avenue.

DETAILS: Mosaic's Food and Wine Rave - HIP to the CITY

Mosaic Restaurant & Sauce Magazine present St. Louis' first ever Food and Wine Rave Friday September 30, 2005. Promising to be the most exciting, entertaining lifestyle, food & wine tasting ever held in downtown St Louis and seen in all the other major cities such as: LA, NYC and MIAMI, it's now the Midwest's turn to make it a true success.

Live music and entertainment will begin outside in the Mosaic Pavillion around 6:30pm. Crafted light and sound systems, paired with beautiful kickback lounge areas will create a warm, comfortable chic atmosphere. Tickets are $20 or $30 for VIP access which allows you into the event earlier and access to the Hip Sips Lounge which for $10 more will grant you: selected ice wines, ports, desserts, live DJ, RED BULL Bar and mingling with several local celebrities.

$10 of all ticket proceeds goes back to the *Marshall Faulk Foundation Katrina Relief Fund. To help provide immediate aid and assistance to the survivors of this devastating disaster, Faulk established the Marshall Faulk Foundation Katrina Relief Fund. All contributions to the Katrina Relief Fund will be used to directly help the citizens of New Orleans by providing essential survival staples such as food, clothing and temporary shelter.

"Reservations for tickets can be made in advance online or by phoning: 314-621-6001.

But, thanks to our new blogging software we are now able to host multiple blogs.

As such, the purpose of the St Louis Living Blog, a.k.a. Channel 2 is to provide a place where we can pass along reviews of local shops, dining or drinking establishments, share our twisted views of local events, and generally just discuss our views about living in the only town whose largest monument is dedicated to all the people who left.

If you want to know more about real estate, you're on the wrong channel!

Enjoy!
Sid