Winter weather is still here and it seems like everyone’s cooped up at home, but you still have plenty of opportunities to get out and get involved with the Dutchtown community in February. Check our calendar or follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with what’s going on in the neighborhood.

Neighborhood Association Meetings

Gravois Park Neighborhood Association

The monthly Gravois Park Neighborhood Meeting is Tuesday, February 13th at 6pm. Gravois Park meets every second Tuesday at the old Jefferson Bank building, 3353 California just north of Cherokee.

Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association

Dutchtown West’s monthly meeting is also Tuesday, February 13th. They meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm at the banquet hall at Grbic.

Marine Villa Neighborhood Association

The monthly Marine Villa Neighborhood Meeting is Monday, February 26th at 7pm. Marine Villa meets on the fourth Monday of every month at Irish Corner Pub. Update: February’s meeting will be at Sister Cities.

Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Association

The quarterly Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Meeting is on Wednesday, February 28th. Mount Pleasant meets at 7pm at the Gretchen Inn at the Feasting Fox.

Dutchtown CID Meetings

As we talked about in our last update, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the Dutchtown Community Improvement District. Committees are forming plans as the Board of Directors gets ready to submit their first budget. Learn more about what the committees and board do, then check out the committee and board meeting dates.

DSCC Events

Plarn Parties

In conjunction with Dutchtown South Community Corporation‘s So Fresh, So Clean, So Creative Southside initiative, local artist Shea Brown will teach you how to crochet using plastic bags to create upcycled yoga mats and poofs. All materials are provided. Come to Thomas Dunn Learning Center for one or both Saturday dates, February 10th or February 24th.

Community Empowerment Committee

DSCC’s Community Empowerment Committee implements the programs of the organization and works to address issues in the neighborhood through their own program ideas. CEC meets Monday, February 26th, 6pm at Thomas Dunn Learning Center. Please note: the meeting date has been changed to Monday instead of Wednesday for February.

Save the Date: A Toast to the Southside

2018 marks 45 years of service from DSCC, and on Friday, March 9th you can join DSCC at the Marquette Field House for A Toast to the Southside, their anniversary celebration! Tickets are on sale now.

Thomas Dunn Learning Center Events

There’s always something going on at Thomas Dunn Learning Center. Visit their website or Facebook page to find listings of open lab and studio times, HiSET (GED) classes, parent education, tax assistance, and more. Below are just a couple of TDLC’s events for February.

Sip-n-Sketch

This month’s Sip ‘n Sketch is on Wednesday, February 14th, and the theme is “Be Your Own Valentine.” Sip ‘n Sketch is a drawing studio for all skill levels. Materials are provided, but feel free to bring your own as well. And also BYOB! Sip ‘n Sketch meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 6–9pm.

Laughter Club

Laughter Club uses laughter as a tool to reduce stress and boost positive vibrations. With techniques from laughter yoga and playful improv you’ll laugh your way to health. All ages are welcome. Join them on Tuesday evenings at 7pm for ROTFL, a hilarious hour of intentional joy. Additionally, Laughter Club hosts a Laughter Lunch on the third Thursday of every month (the 15th in February) from noon–1pm.

Feasting Fox Events

Beer and Wine Dinner and Valentine’s Day Dinner

The Feasting Fox has two special dinners this month: their five-course beer and wine dinner on Friday, February 9th and their special Valentine’s Day dinner on Wednesday the 14th. Both dinners require reservations. Visit the Facebook event pages (February 9th and February 14th) for more information on menus, pricing, and reservations.

South City Sipsters

The South City Sipsters‘ monthly meeting is Thursday, February 15th at 6pm. Join them to sample beers from Sudwerk Brewing and/or an assortment of pinot noirs while enjoying half-price appetizers and beer and wine specials. You can just come to one meeting, or purchase an annual membership and receive special deals throughout the year in addition to the monthly meet-ups. Visit the Facebook event page for more info and to purchase tickets or memberships, or just pay when you get there.

If you have an event you’d like us to share, please contact us through or contact page or by emailing info@dtstl.org. Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and check our calendar often for neighborhood events!

If you’re looking to become more involved in the Dutchtown community this year, one way to start is by attending the committee and board meetings of the recently formed Dutchtown Community Improvement District. You’ll have the opportunity to help craft the mission of the CID and be a part of its growth and success.

The Board of Directors and three committees generally meet monthly. Come to one or more of the meetings below to learn how you can participate.

Beautification and Maintenance Committee

The Beautification and Maintenance Committee meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30pm. Meetings are usually held at the studio of Anthony Duncan in the old Stork Inn building at Virginia and Idaho. The committee will determine how to maintain and improve the physical environment within the CID through enhanced trash services, landscaping, etc.

Marketing and Development Committee

The Marketing and Development Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6pm at Urban Eats Cafe. The committee works to inform and engage stakeholders within the CID and the neighborhood, support economic activity, and attract and retain businesses.

Safety and Security Committee

The Safety and Security Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30pm at the Original Crusoe’s Restaurant. The committee aims to reduce crime and improve the perception of public safety in the neighborhood.

Board of Directors

The Dutchtown CID Board of Directors meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30pm at Urban Eats Cafe. The board further discusses the activities of the committees and votes on various matters. While voting is restricted to board members, all are welcome to attend the meetings and learn more about the CID in general.

Meeting times are subject to change. Check our calendar or the Dutchtown CID Facebook page for the most up-to-date meeting times and locations.

The Empty Bowls Project is an international movement to help end hunger. Guests are invited for a meal of soup and bread, and as a “thank you” for donating to local hunger relief, are gifted a handmade bowl as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in the world. Once again, Urban Eats Cafe is participating in support of St. Anthony’s Food Pantry.

Empty Bowls 2017 kicks off with Sunday brunch service on December 3rd. Hundreds of hand-crafted bowls will be available for donors to choose from and fill with vegan sweet potato and black bean chili or white bean chicken chili.

Come by Urban Eats again on Saturday, December 9th during the Dutchtown Shop Hop and again have a chance to donate, select your handmade bowl, and fill it with a variety of soups. David McBeth, the potter creating the bowls for the project, will be at the cafe creating more.

The Empty Bowls Finale Party is December 20th at the Liermann Loft above Urban Eats, in conjunction with the DT2 Holiday Party. Come by for food, drinks, live music, and pictures with Santa. While the party is free to attend, a donation of $15 or more is suggested, and in return you will receive a bowl and a voucher for soup from Urban Eats. Reservations are required and can be made through Eventbrite.

The Common Sound Festival, produced by Dutchtown South Community Corporation, is coming to Marquette Park this Saturday, September 30th. Join your neighbors and the greater St. Louis community as we celebrate through dance and music the common sound that flows through us all.

The festival, which runs from 1:00—7:00, will feature DJ Whiz, DJ Fonzo, and DJ Needles playing music all day, a variety of free professional dance workshops, live performances from Alma de Mexico and Beyond Measure Dance, and an assortment of food, beer, and craft vendors.

But the main event is at 4:30, when an attempt to break the world record for the longest soul train line! Only 427 people are needed, and you can commit to being there through this form or just show up!

VIP tickets are available and include two beers from sponsor Urban Chestnut Brewing Co., a festival T-shirt, and access to the VIP area inside the newly renovated Marquette Park Field House.

Volunteers are still needed for a few spots if you’d like to help make the inaugural Common Sound Festival a success. We’ll see you there!

Join your neighbors in Dutchtown West on Saturday morning for a neighborhood cleanup! Neighbors will meet at the corner of Spring and Meramec at 11am to spread out and pick up litter for about an hour. There will be gloves, litter grabbers, trash bags, and water available for the participants.

If you’re sure you can make it, please consider RSVP-ing by marking yourself as “going” on the Facebook event page, emailing info@dtstl.org, or sending a message using our contact form. But if you want to just show up that’s okay too.

DutchtownSTL.org would like to help you organize your own neighborhood cleanup too! Visit our cleanup page for a list of upcoming cleanups and to find out how to organize your own. We can help with making flyers and getting the word out. If you have any questions, let us know!