Canadian masters of melodramatic synth-pop Stars performed Thursday night at the Pageant. Bell X1 opened the show.

Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett performed to a sold-out crowd on September 24, 2008 at the Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis.

Neko Case performs on September 24, 2008 at The Pageant in St. Louis. Photos by Todd Owyoung.

Selected artists, DJ's and bands who were picked by RFT writers and editors as the best in the Lou. A full list of winners is at riverfronttimes.com/bestof

Just like the rest of us, nunchuck-swinging girl ninjas have to go to the market, city hall, and the courthouse. They also like to go out drinking, see a live show and shop once in a while. An RFT Best Of photo gallery by Jennifer Silverberg.

Detroit's Royce Da 5' 9" performed Monday night at the Gramophone on Manchester with Kid Vishis. Local openers included Rockwell Knuckles, Family Affair, Kenny Knox, Gotta Be Karim and Black Spade, among others.

How much can you (burp) eat? Photos from the sushi-eating contest at Wasabi Festival, held September 21, 2008 on Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis.

St. Louis' second-annual Alleycat: a bike race to dollar stores and liquor stores, with pudding and spray paint as the prizes.

In the Grove Neighborhood, a festival that went all day and night on September 20, 2008 in the St. Louis neighborhood. The Zombie Squad, Alleycat Revue, Nashville's Hey Penny and more all performed outside bars like the Atomic Cowboy and in the street. Photos by Jason Winkeler.

The biannual rock fest hosted by KPNT-FM took place Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Featured are Story of the Year, Apocalyptica and Puddle of Mudd.

Monday Night Mash-Ups drew the bartending industry for their own night at Lush Nightclub on Olive Boulevard in Midtown.

A night in the life of Main Street in St. Charles. Tavern at Water's Edge, R.T. Weiler’s, Baha Rock Club, Rumples Pub.