Photo by Thomas Crone
The Sound of Music | February 2-4
Sure, you know the Julie Andrews film. (In fact, you might’ve seen it a few weeks ago when Powell Hall screened it for free to celebrate the symphony’s 50th year in the space.) It’s the musical’s 50th anniversary as well, and the newly revamped version of this beloved classic is out on the road to celebrate. Don’t worry, though: All those songs you love, the ones you know by heart and will be singing under your breath, are still part of the show. $39–$125. 7:30 p.m. Fri, 2 & 7 p.m. Sat, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, fabulousfox.com.
Wizard World Comic Con | February 2–4
Comic Con always draws loads of celebrities. This year, that includes Bonnie Wright (Harry Potter’s Ginny Weasley), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura from Star Trek), and Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, Stranger Things). Fans also flock to Comic Con to show off their finest cosplay and to check out the latest in gaming and comics, as well as workshops on writing, comics, and more. $9.51–$79.85. 4–9 p.m. Fri, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun. America’s Center, 701 Convention Center, wizardworld.com.
Denève Conducts La Valse | February 3
We're all sad to see St. Louis Symphony music director David Robertson go, but it’s also exciting to welcome Stéphane Denève. This Saturday marks Denève's debut at the podium at Powell Hall. He’s put together a program of French composers, including Poulenc’s Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra; Connesson’s Flammenschrift; and Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, Valses nobles et senitmentales, and La Valse. Pianists Christina and Michelle Naughton make their debuts, playing the Double Piano Concerto. $25–$68. 8 p.m. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand, slso.org.
Orchid Mania | February 3–March 25
Though the forecast on Sunday is a bone-chilling low of 13 degrees, you can still take in the beauty of the Missouri Botanical Garden this weekend, when it kicks off its annual orchid show. This year's theme is "Orchid Mania," which refers to the boom in orchids during the Victorian era, when speculators and explorers threw down huge amounts of money and risked life and limb to acquire some of the earth's most rarefied orchids. $5, plus admission ($12 adults, $6 city residents, free for members and ages 12 and under). 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Orthwein Floral Display Hall, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, missouribotanicalgarden.org.
Beggin' Pet Parade | February 4
St. Louis Mardi Gras has been letting the bon temps roulez since early January, but Soulard really amps up starting this weekend with the popular annual Beggin' Pet Parade and Wiener Dog Derby. Next weekend, don't miss the Grand Parade and nighttime Fat Tuesday Parade. Free. $10 parade registration, $10 derby registration. Parade: registration 10 a.m., procession 1 p.m. Wiener Dog Derby: Registration 10 a.m. at 9th and Lafayette, races at 2 p.m. Soulard. stlmardigras.org.
Check out SLM's calendar for other happenings, including Blues games, the VerbQuake Youth Poetry Slam Festival, Brendan Shaub at Helium, Ordinal Solid: Leslie Mutchler & Jason Urban at Cecile Hunt Gallery, Animated Shorts by Women Artists at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Taste of Soulard, and more.
