Photograph by Wendi Fitzgerald
1. May 6 & 7 | 21st Annual St. Louis Microfest Beer Festival
We’re quickly becoming a hub for microbreweries, and at the you can sample that local bounty from such breweries as Urban Chestnut, as well as up-and-coming homebrewers. Lower Muny parking lot, Forest Park, stlmicrofest.org.
2. May 6–8 | Art Fair at Laumeier
It features more than 100 high-caliber artists from around the country working in a number of media—and of course, you can’t beat the setting. 12580 Rott, laumeiersculpturepark.org/artfair.
3. May 6–August 14 | Great Rivers Biennal
Now in its 13th year, the Contemporary Art Museum–St. Louis’ Great Rivers Biennial shows off work by rising local midcareer artists. This year, that’s Lyndon Barrois Jr., Nanette Boileau, and Tate Foley. 3750 Washington, camstl.org.
4. May 13–15 | Art on the Square
Every spring, Art on the Square transforms downtown Belleville into an alfresco gallery, with 105 juried artists from all over the world. There’s also food, music, and a children’s art garden. Downtown Belleville, artonthesquare.com.
5. May 20 | St. Louis Symphony: The Music of Michael Jackson
Brent Havens conducts the St. Louis Symphony, accompanied by a live rock band, performs iconic works by Jackson, including early hits from the Jackson 5 and ’80s classics such as “Thriller.” Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand, stlsymphony.org.
6. May 21–June 25 | Opera Theatre of St. Louis: La bohème
Opera Theatre of St. Louis begins its 2016 season with one of the most-performed—and best-loved—operas of all time, Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème. Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar, opera-stl.org.
7. May 26 | Alarm Will Sound
This NYC chamber orchestra has adopted us as its second city. This month, AWS brings us music we’d never get to hear otherwise, including works by Tyondai Braxton, Rashad Becker, and Medeski, Martin & Wood. The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington, thesheldon.org.
8. May 27–29 | Art Outside
Schlafly Art Outside is making a move on the calendar: No longer will it take place the same weekend as the St. Louis Art Festival. But it’s sticking with its original mission statement, featuring affordable art from artists who reside within 100 miles of St. Louis. Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest, schlafly.com.
9. May 27–29 | Spring to Dance
Michael Uthoff has retired from Dance St. Louis, but his brainchild Spring to Dance lives on. Now in its ninth year, the festival features 30 professional dance companies from all over the country, all performing in the span of one weekend. Touhill Performing Arts Center, touhill.org.
10. May 30 | Gypsy Caravan
Those resisting the call of KonMari already have the Gypsy Caravan marked on the calendar—it’s the biggest vintage and antiques market in the Midwest. Even better, the money raised goes to benefit the St. Louis Symphony. Family Arena, St. Charles, stlsymphony.org/gypsycaravan.
