This Friday night, get outside, mingle with neighbors, and support local artists and artisans at Flo Art Collective’s Night Market. Hosted at The Improv Shop, at 3960 Chouteau, the event aims to foster what’s been lacking—or at least seriously challenged and redefined—during the pandemic: community.
“The Night Market was just another idea—how else can we bring people together?” says the collective’s Rachel Roberts of Stovetop Yoga, who will start the evening with a yoga class from 6–7 p.m. “Yoga is self-care, but we don’t just need self-care; we need community care.”
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With that in mind, Flo Art Collective uses both its own South City space and other nontraditional spaces across the city for immersive artistic endeavors. Formed in 2018, the collective aspires to challenge typical concepts of art and dance and to foster holistic, creative lifestyles by building connections—especially during the pandemic.
“As artists, we’re resourceful and constantly adapting to spaces and to changes in our environment,” says director and co-founder Audrey Simes, who’s a musician, singer, choreographer, and artist. “I think we’ve carried that with us through this time, and we will into the future as well. We’re going to keep rolling with the circumstances.”
In that spirit, during the pandemic, the collective has hosted three previous Night Markets, which have grown each time. This Friday, from 7:30–9:30 p.m., visitors can enjoy music from singer-songwriter artist Eldraco Price, food, and art. Vendors include Pete’s Pops, Little Lemon Candles, Confluence Kombucha, Bird of Paradise Jewelry, Laura Blair Studios, Shop Local Foreign, Big Red Moon, Skin and Wicks, and Hollis Leather.
“Our main focus is on having community-focused events,” says Roberts. “We’re working really hard to give space for local to flourish.”
Update: Due to inclement weather, the June 25 event has been moved from the collective’s primary space to The Improv Shop.
