So by now, you probably heard that on Saturday, August 20th, a certain section of Soulard/South City will be alive with not one but two all-day festivals put on by a couple of rad groups of musicians.

This is what I Went to a Show is all about. It’s shaking off Friday night, throwing on a pair of sunglasses and spending a late-summer Saturday with friends and strangers, celebrating live local music and buying art that you like directly from the artists themselves.

At Off Broadway, you’ll find the Big Muddy Records’ Big Summer Picnic, featuring a dozen bands from the label’s roster playing inside and outside along with a 100 lb hog roast by Gooseberries, which will be selling plates of deliciousness. The schedule is posted (and it’s awesome).

At South Broadway Athletic Club, you’ll find The Whiskey War Festival, brainchild of The Maness Brothers that’s still growing even in its 5th year. This is the first time WWF has been in the city — a fine way to exalt this grassroots party that will host a huge lineup of STL bands alongside touring musicians hand-selected by Jake and David Maness. The schedule for this one just went up, too.

Because both the Big Muddy Big Summer Picnic and The Whiskey War Festival are happening on the same day at the same approximate time (all day/night, this Saturday), the organizers of both fests thought it best to team up and help St. Louis music fans experience both events safely for one reasonable price. 

ENTER THE BIG MUDDY RECORDS / WHISKEY WAR PARTY BUS, DRIVEN BY NONE OTHER THAN JOHN “JOHNNY VEGAS” MOYNIHAN AND FEATURING COMPLIMENTARY 4 HANDS BEER.

A ticket on the BMR / WW Party Bus gets you:

• All day entry into both events. 
• Complimentary 4 Hands beer on the bus. 
• Safe transportation back and forth between the shows throughout the day. 
• VIP feelings. 

Admittedly, at first I thought, “Well, $30 plus service fee is a little high for just a bus ride,” until I broke out what it would cost me to attend both shows and take Ubers as the day wears on. To illustrate my point…an illustration:

I’m not an artist, but I know about deals. And this, folks, is a deal. 

I just bought my tickets. Get yours here, and we’ll see you Saturday. Cool stuff like this doesn’t work without you!