PHOTO BY CHRISTOPH GERIGK, COPYRIGHT FRANK GODDIO/HILTI FOUNDATION
“Statuette of Osiris with golden eyes” Thonis-Heracleion, Egypt; Late Period (664-332 BC); bronze and gold; 10 7/16 x 2 13/16 x 1 11/16 inches; IEASM Excavations (SCA 1267)
The Color Purple | March 20–April 1
Alice Walker’s powerful novel comes to the stage with a score built around traditional ragtime, jazz, and blues. The musical took home a Tony in 2016. "This national touring version is director John Doyle’s own acclaimed 're-imagined' 2013 revival, which took Broadway by storm in 2015," writes DCMetroArts.com. "Doyle takes possession of the novel’s decades-hopping action like a born storyteller. He sets it on a mostly bare stage, Our Town-style, in front of an abstract wall consisting of old shanty timber and stick furniture. That basic backdrop remolds itself in the audience imagination as a poor schoolhouse, a rural church, and the homes and communities of Walker’s vibrant cast of characters." New York Magazine called the show "one of the greatest revivals ever." $25–$80. See website for times. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, fabulousfox.com.
St. Louis Folk and Roots Festival | March 22–24
The Sheldon Concert Hall and KDHX team up every year for this multi-venue music festival, featuring local and national acts. This year’s headliners include Michael Daves, Kaia Kater, and Steve James. The opening-night party is a Murder Ballad Ball, featuring lots of local talent, including Nick Pence, Ryan Koenig, St. Louis Steady Grinders, The Aching Hearts, and TJ Muller. In addition to all of the live music, there will also be workshops for various acoustic instruments and a square dance on Saturday. $10 individual tickets, $60 weekend pass. See website for venues and times, folkandrootsfestival.com.
Denise Thimes | March 23 & 24
St. Louis knows that Thimes is a musical powerhouse, but now the rest of the world is finally catching on. Earlier this month, she performed a series of concerts at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola inside Jazz at Lincoln Center, and she's been wowing audiences in Chicago. This week, she squeezes in some dates at Jazz at the Bistro. $20. 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington, jazzstl.org.
Maplewood Coffee Crawl | March 24
Maplewood pays tribute to everyone’s favorite pick-me-up beverage with an all-day, self-guided tour of the city’s coffeehouses and restaurants. Purchase tickets via EventBrite, and bring them on Saturday to check in at Schalfly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest). Then embark on your own coffee odyssey, with stops at Kaldi’s, Boardwalk Waffles & Ice Cream, La Cosecha, Pie Oh My!, Park Avenue Coffee, Chauvin, and more. (If it rains, the show will go on, but be sure to pack an umbrella.) $11 per session; morning session sold out. 12:30–5 p.m. Downtown Maplewood, cityofmaplewood.com.
Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds | March 25–September 9
Life, and the particulars of how it was lived in the twilight of the pharaohs, is the focus of Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds, which opens Sunday at the Saint Louis Art Museum.The show, which has already astonished audiences in London, Paris, and Zurich, includes such artifacts as jewelry, vessels, cookware, incense burners, and bent ladles that were thrown into the water in offering to the gods. Many of the objects have never been seen outside of Egypt. The real showstoppers, though, are the colossal statues—some more than 17 feet tall—that were carefully excavated from the bottom of the sea over a number of years and will reign over Sculpture Hall for six months. $20, $18 students and seniors, $8 kids, free on Fridays. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue–Sun, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri, closed Mon. Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, slam.org.
Check out SLM's calendar for other happenings, including Blues games, SLM's Food Wine Design, Pines of Rome at Powell Hall, the 13th Annual African Film Festival, the Confluence Trash Bash, Karlovsky & Company's Remembrance, the Art Fair at Queeny Park, Lot 49, and more.
