Road trippin' extras

Less than 2 hours away

Fox Theatre, St. Louis

Want to see a music legend in concert? Or how about two? This week is your chance.

On Monday the Fox Theatre in St. Louis will host a night of legendary musicians when Bob Dylan & His Band take to the stage. Before they do, fans will be treated to an opening performance by none other than Elvis Costello.

Costello will perform solo. Singer/songwriter Amos Lee will perform first.

Tickets are $57.50, $67.50 and $77.50, and are available by calling MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or going to www.metrotix.com.

Meramec State Park, near Sullivan, Mo.

The fall colors aren't really showing yet in Southeast Missouri, but with any hope, things up north are a little more colorful.

Missouri's Department of Natural Resources is banking on some nice color this Saturday, when Meramec State Park opens its doors to the public for a free hike from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The hike is three miles through the river bottoms and glades of the Meramec Mosaic Natural Area.

For more information on the hike call the park at 573-468-6072.

Shryock Auditorium, Carbondale, Ill.

The acrobatic prowess of the Chinese is unquestioned -- they've been at it for centuries.

This Friday locals can get a chance to see that prowess in practice when one of the many Chinese touring acrobat groups -- The Golden Dragon Acrobats -- visits the area, performing at Shryock Auditorium in Carbondale.

The company, from Cangzhou, China, consists of 25 acrobats, and is touring in its 29th year. Expect plenty of unbelievable feats and, of course, some contortionist magic. Tickets are $10, $25 and $30 and are available by calling 866-646-8829 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com/shryock.