Summertime ... and the livin' is busy.

Especially if you're inclined to take in even a fraction of the dozens of concerts, festivals and other activities going on in St. Louis this summer.

GET OUT gets things started on Saturday with its free Birthday Bash at Union Station and Laclede's Landing, featuring Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, the BoDeans, the Spin Doctors and Dick Dale, along with local bands and other events. You can read more about that elsewhere in this issue.

And you really will find something for just about everyone listed in this special section. You know about the biggies--Fair St. Louis, the Strassenfest, Gypsy Caravan, etc.--but don't miss those less-attention-grabbing affairs.

If somehow you've never managed to catch the Compton Heights Concert Band, this is a good summer to begin. The band is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a list of guest artists that includes Buckwheat Zydeco, the Andean band Sukay, the Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra and jazz trumpter Arturo Sandoval--all free.

There are literally hundreds of other free concerts scheduled, and we particularly direct your attention to the several series at Union Station, especially the Riverfront Times' "Rhythm & Roots" concerts, including the likes of Joe Ely, BeauSoleil, the subdudes, Little Milton and Marcia Ball.

And there are lots and lots of events this summer that we didn't have room to include. Check out the GET OUT listings every Thursday to find out about them. If you've got an event you'd like us to include, drop us a line ... or a fax--but remember to get them to us by the Thursday before publication.

GET OUT BIRTHDAY BASH

At Union Station

Saturday, May 25

12:30 p.m.: Sky Bop Fly

2:30 p.m.: Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

4 p.m.: Son of Starchild

5:30 p.m.: Spin Doctors

Etc.: Free. Trish Brown of Channel 4 appears from noon to 2 p.m.; Flora the Elephant appears from 1 to 4 p.m.; Boo the Clown performs at 12:30, 2 and 4:30 p.m.; Midwest Motor Sports SeaDoo demonstrations at 11:45 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Comedy Movement Workshops: balloon workshops for children 4-9 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.; hat-and-cane workshop for children 9-12 at 1:30 p.m. Workshops have limited capacity; register at Circus Flora booth.

At Laclede's Landing

Saturday, May 25

1 p.m.: Oliver Sain (First & Lucas)

2:30 p.m.: Hoodoo Cats (Second & Morgan)

4 p.m.: Dick Dale (First & Lucas)

5:30 p.m.: Great Big Everything (Second & Morgan)

7 p.m.: BoDeans (First & Lucas)

Etc.: Free. St. Louis Arches (acrobats) perform at noon, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

For a more detailed schedule, see page 4.

COMPTON HEIGHTS

CONCERT BAND

20th Anniversary Season

(all concerts at 7:30 p.m.; for sites, see below)

June 23-24: "San Fran's Zany Sax Six," with the Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra.

June 30 & July 1-2: "Sizzlin' Louisiana French Creole Dance Music," with Buckwheat Zydeco.

July 7-8: "Broadway Magic," with Bob Ellison, Mary Sinclair and Bevery Stewart.

July 14-15-16: "Mystical Music of the Andes," with Sukay.

July 21-22: "Classic Movie Scores," with J. Durward Morsch, film c omposer and arranger.

July 28-29-30: "Disney Music World," with James Christensen, conductor.

Aug. 4-5: "The Large & Small of It," with Jan Grippo, piccolo, and Steve Seward, tuba.

Aug. 11-12-13: "Miami Spice," with Arturo Sandoval, trumpet.

Etc.: All concerts are free. Sunday concerts are in Francis Park, Eichelberger and Donovan; Monday concerts are in Tower Grove Park, Grand and Magnolia; Tuesday concerts are in the amphitheater at Jefferson Barracks Park. Information: 776-2227.

Memorial Day Concerts

May 26: City of St. Peters Memorial Day Tribute Concert, St. Peters Amphitheater, 3 p. …