Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
American Wresters.
American Wrestlers CD Release | December 15
Music writer Thomas Crone profiled South City's American Wrestlers last summer, right after Fat Possum released the band's self-titled debut and right before the band played LouFest. With its second release, Goodbye Terrible Youth, American Wrestlers is picking up even more momentum: In addition to lots of national music press (including effusive reviews of the record), the band is headed out on a national tour, but not before playing a show at one of our best local venues. Bruiser Queen, Commander Keen, and The Free Years open. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Off Broadway, 3509 Cherokee, offbroadwaystl.com.
El Monstero at The Pageant | December 16 & 17
St. Louis' favorite Pink Floyd supergroup has a tradition of playing holiday shows (and they have several more, booked closer to Christmas and New Year's Eve). As The Pageant notes, "The band spares no expense on production, hiring the best sound, lighting, visual, pyro, wardrobe, set design, and stage management personnel that St. Louis has to offer, as well as the best sound and lighting equipment in town." That's no joke, as SLM discovered when it went backstage to get a behind-the-scenes look at "the Midwest's Monster Truck version of Pink Floyd." $25–$100. 8 p.m. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar, thepageant.com.
Missouri Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker | December 16–18
There's a plethora of Nutcracker performances to see this holiday (more on that here), including this production from Missouri Ballet Theatre, which includes the family-friendly "Sugar Plum Parade," including a story time with Clara; a ballet lesson with Nutcracker characters; a backstage tour; snacks; photo-ops and autographs with dancers; and an almost close-enough-to-touch performance of Tchaikovsky's classic in the confines of the Edison Theatre. $60 includes pre-show events and performance. Sugar Plum Parade, 12:30 p.m., ballet 2 p.m. $40 performance only. 7:30 p.m. Fri & Sat, 2 & 6 p.m Sun. The Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth, edison.wustl.edu.
Rejoice: A Baltic Christmas | December 17
Chamber Chorus of St. Louis’ final concert of the year explores music of the countries bordering the Baltic Sea, including Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and Denmark. Selections include Magnificat by Polish Renaissance composer Zielenski, a recent series of Magnificat antiphons by Estonian composer Arvo Part, carols from Denmark and Finland, Schoenberg’s Peace on Earth, and a commissioned premiere from Latvian composer Eriks Esenvalds. $10–$40. 3 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 315 Graham, chamberchorus.org.
Chanukah: Festival of Lights | December 18
Between Garden Glow, Gardenland Express, the Victorian Display at the Tower Grove House, and a giant tree decorated with “gourdaments,” the Missouri Botanical Garden is becoming a don't-miss stop during the holidays. In addition to the displays, the garden also hosts a number of holiday events, including a Kwaanza observance on December 29. This weekend, it celebrates Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, with traditional Israeli music, folkloric dance, Chanukah gifts in the Garden Gate Shop, and a menorah-lighting ceremony. Free with admission ($8 adults, $4 members, kids under 12 free). Noon–4 p.m. Missouri Botanical Garden Ridgway Visitor Center, 4344 Shaw, missouribotanicalgarden.org.
And don't miss these events happening around the St. Louis area this weekend:
Top 5 Family Events This Weekend
Finding Neverland at The Fox
Tim Warfield's All-Star Jazzy Christmas at Jazz at the Bistro
"50 Years of Blood, Sweat and Cheers—A Tribute to the St. Louis Blues and their Fans" at Central Library
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at the Missouri History Museum
Schnucks Ladue Chanukah Celebration
Bastille at the Peabody Opera House
New Jersey Devils vs. St. Louis Blues
Irvin Lin Signs and Discusses Marbled, Swirled and Layered
Ahzad Bogosian & Daniel Burnett Exhibition and Opening Reception at Duane Reed Gallery
The Nutcracker at the Touhill Performing Arts Center
Melissa Etheridge at River City Casino
The Funky Butt Brass Band Holiday Show at Off Broadway
Goran Ivanovic Trio at Pop's Blue Moon
The SuperSuckers at Old Rock House
