courtesy of Washington University Libraries
HIDDEN GEM
Collect O’ Rama Case
Next time you find yourself on Washington University’s Danforth campus, make a stop at the John M. Olin Library to peruse the Collect O’ Rama case, a space where local collectors can share their passions. The current iteration (on view through August 7), Ideas, Art, and Community: My Zine Collection, includes zines (self-published, non-commercial printworks) gathered by Nicole Rainey, director of development at the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri since the 1990s. Her personal zine collection led her and some friends to host the first St. Louis Small Press Expo in 2014. library.wustl.edu.
READING NOOK
Betty’s Books
The new Webster Groves bookstore specializes in trade comics, graphic novels, manga, and children’s literature. The store’s dedicated to cultivating a fun, welcoming space for readers of all ages to learn about and enjoy graphic books. bettysbooksstl.com.
MUST-SEE TV
The Thing About Pam
Renée Zellweger’s take on the Pam Hupp saga is a twisting tale (and somewhat twisted—with the amount of comedy injected in this true-crime retelling making some viewers uncomfortable). For those who haven’t followed all of the details since Dateline first began reporting on the cases in 2014, and those who simply can’t look away from Hupp’s story, The Thing About Pam is a worthwhile watch. nbc.com/the-thing-about-pam.
courtesy of Gala Porras-Kim and Commonwealth & Council, Los Angeles
EXHIBITION EXPLORATION
Gala Porras-Kim: Correspondences towards the living object
On view through July 24 at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, the exhibition is a contemplation about the lives of objects, the ethics of their collection and display, and who gets to make decisions about them. This first major survey exhibition of Porras-Kim’s works in the Midwest begs viewers to think about the very nature of museums from within CAM’s galleries, and her words and images stick with you. Also worth viewing: Porras-Kim’s artist talk with Amant Foundation artistic director Ruth Estévez and CAM chief curator Wassan Al-Khudhairi. camstl.org.
MASTERCLASS
The Cast of Stick Fly
It’s rare for a cast to fit so seamlessly as an ensemble while also shining individually, but such was the case for The Rep’s production of Lydia R. Diamond’s Stick Fly. Ron Himes kept us on our toes as the family patriarch, who oscillated between careful coolness and intensity with unsettling ease. Brotherly ribbing and drama felt natural and true in the hands of Ricardy Fabre and DeShawn Harold Mitchell, and Amber Reauchean Williams shone bright as Taylor, whose vulnerability and fire provided this play its beating heart. Expertly directed by Chanel Bragg, this powerhouse cast brought the LeVay family and their guests to life with such dimension that we were ready to watch a season’s worth of reality TV about their melodrama. repstl.org.
NEW ADDITION
The Factory
The Chesterfield venue is a cornerstone of The District, with a 60-foot stage and a capacity of 3,000. Since it opened last summer, it has already welcomed such big-name acts as Bleachers, The Roots, and Olivia Rodrigo. thefactorystl.com.
NIGHT OUT
Opera Tastings
Opera Theatre of St. Louis brought back these dinner-and-a-show evenings this spring, and we’re so glad it did. Delicious, innovative bites pair well with the company’s new voices and the chance to explore local venues. For instance, Belleville native Angel Riley, who also took on the role of Papagena in this season’s The Magic Flute, was a particular joy to watch. opera-stl.org.
Taylor Jewell / Invision/AP
2018 Sundance Film Festival - "Beirut" Portrait Session
Jon Hamm poses for a portrait to promote the film, "Beirut", at the Music Lodge during the Sundance Film Festival on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP)
GOOD LUCK CHARM
Jon Hamm
If Jon Hamm ever decides to take a break from acting (and with five projects in production at press time, maybe he could use a vacation), the St. Louis native might consider moonlighting as a sportscaster. When Hamm stopped by the broadcast booth in Anaheim in April, the Blues welcomed him with a quick four goals in the second period.
@postcardsofstl
Run by Emily Hood, Postcards of STL is dedicated to telling St. Louis’ history through vintage postcards. Each postcard tells a relatable story from the past through the art and messages left on these mementos. Nostalgia abounds as she shares notes and sites, such as the Grand Avenue Water Tower and City Hall. instagram.com/postcardsofstl.
courtesy of Nicole Miller
SUBJECT MATTERS
A Sound, a Signal, the Circus
Nicole Miller highlights the Black experience in the United States in A Sound, a Signal, the Circus, her immersive installation of recorded and appropriated sounds and music, accompanied by excerpts of interviews that Miller conducted in St. Louis last year. On view at The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University through July 25, the exhibition features poets, dancers, educators, and teenagers of color, who share their perspectives on politics, philosophy, and creativity. kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu.
BRAVE NEW WORLD
Inhabitant
In his debut novel, which relies heavily on his poetry chops, writer Charles Crittenden brings readers along on both a galaxy-spanning physical journey and a heart-wrenching emotional one. Jettisoned from Earth and forced to find a new world to call home, the Inhabitant wanders, experiencing all the anxiety and fear of one whose place in the world—and beyond—is terrifyingly uncertain. charlescrittenden.com.
MANDATORY VIEWING
The Kinloch Doc
Director Alana Marie’s feature film, an expansion of her 2018 short of the same name, examines Kinloch, a once-thriving municipality that was known as Missouri’s First Black City and is now on the brink of ruin. Marie, who grew up in Kinloch, digs deep into the city’s rich cultural history, exploring how two major political decisions, a city merger and the Lambert airport buyout, sealed Kinloch’s fate. thekinlochdoc.com.
STL SPOTIFY WRAPPED
The St. Louis music scene covers every conceivable genre: R&B, Americana, emo, hyperpop, hip-hop, plus plenty that don’t fit as neatly into one single genre. With that in mind, we take a look back at the local music we’ve had on rotation over the past year.
TOP 5 SONGS
“Matter of Time” MVSTERMIND (FT. JORDAN WARD)
This effortlessly cool hip-hop collab feels at home on any summer playlist.
“Space Junk” BETH BOMBARA
Delightfully spacey Americana-tinged rock from one of our best local singer-songwriters.
“The Ones We Love” LYDIA CAESAR
The swooning R&B grooves are sure to get stuck in your head as you think of the ones you love.
“Mememe” 100 GECS
The rollicking lead single from hyperpop mainstays Laura Les and Dylan Brady is undeniably catchy.
“Magnetic Light” ENEMY AIRSHIP
Experimental, atmospheric indie rock to soundtrack your latest daydreams.
TOP 5 ARTISTS
BRUISER QUEEN
On the band’s latest EP, Play the Welders, Bruiser Queen nails the perfect combo of twisted ’60s garage-rock nostalgia with an endearing riot grrrl snarl.
TONINA
Tonina is back in a big way with the mesmerizing singles “Rubén” and “Serpiente, Pt. 2” off her latest album, Senti, which dropped May 12.
SON VOLT
Even after more than 25 years, alt-country pioneers Son Volt still haven’t lost the magic on their 10th album, Electro Melodier.
FOXING
On the band’s latest album, Draw Down the Moon, Foxing swings for the fences of emo-alternative rock with its most ambitious sounding record yet.
KATARRA
Dig deep and get lost in the lush instrumentation and soulful soundscape of Katarra’s latest single, “Loathe a Rose.”
MOST LISTENED-TO ALBUM
CHUCK BERRY: Live at Blueberry Hill
In celebration of what would have been Berry’s 95th birthday, Dualtone released this rip-roaring set. While his voice had gone a bit by the time these tracks were recorded (he was already in his late 70s at the time), his virtuosity on guitar never falters. Featuring a group of talented musicians that included Berry’s children Ingrid Berry and Charles Berry Jr. on harmonica and guitar and Robert Lohr on piano (just listen to those solos), this is the kind of live record that makes you wish you’d been in the room cheering along with the rest of the crowd. Spring for the vinyl copy in a shade of red that brings to mind Berry’s iconic Gibson ES-355 guitar.
Jerry Tovo
PHOTO EXHIBIT
In the Faces of Patriotism
The homeless veteran population in the United States has been steadily increasing, and that statistics takes on new meaning when looking into the eyes of those veterans. The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum lets viewers do exactly that with this photo exhibit. Through this collection of photos, St. Louis photographer Jerry Tovo hopes to awaken the American conscince to veterans who reside in shelters or on the street. iphf.org/exhibitions/faces_of_patriotism.
FITTING TRIBUTE
Rose River Memorial
As spring brought blossoming flowers, so too did blooms take over Laumeier Sculpture Park’s Aronson Fine Arts Center, where Rose River Memorial, a grassroots community art project honoring lives lost to COVID-19, took shape. Eco-felt roses, each representing a lost friend, loved one, or community member, were created by local Girl Scouts and visitors, resulting in an ever-growing curtain of red roses dedicated to lives lost throughout Missouri. laumeiersculpturepark.org.
LOOK BACK
Mind, Art, Experience: 10 Years of Chess & Culture in Saint Louis
The World Chess Hall of Fame opened in the Central West End in September 2011, across the street from the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. This year, in honor of its 10th anniversary, the hall of fame and museum collected works from across its more than 50 exhibitions. Revisit your favorites, and see incredible art and artifacts that you might have missed, through July 17. worldchesshof.org.
Matt Marcinkowski
MEANINGFUL MEMOIR
Little Brother: Love, Tragedy, and My Search for the Truth
Author and journalist Ben Westhoff’s investigation into the murder of his Big Brothers Big Sisters mentee, Jorell Cleveland, is not only a deeply personal, emotional memoir, but it’s also one of the best examinations of the systemic issues that lead to the deaths of so many young men in North County. benwesthoff.com.
TIKTOKER
Ryan Kelly
The standup comedian is known for his TikTok videos of attending weddings with strangers, explaining how he survived a plane crash, and sharing stories from life as a Disneyland Spider-Man. The St. Louis native recently returned home to film an upcoming special at his alma mater, Westminster Christian Academy. ryankellycomedy.com.
Phillip Hamer
THEATER NEWCOMER
Moonstone Theatre Company
Moonstone was set to debut in summer 2020, but the curtain closed before it ever got a chance to open due to the pandemic. Now, Moonstone has reemerged with a first season that’s already made waves. The inaugural performance, Jake’s Women, was nominated in four categories by the St. Louis Theater Circle, and the second production, Proof, was a masterful iteration of David Auburn’s affecting family drama. moonstonetheatrecompany.com.
CONCERT
Poems, Tales, and Memories
This sweeping symphonic program, presented in memory of the late St. Louis Post-Dispatch critic Sarah Bryan Miller, was a touching tribute. Soloist Sasha Cooke lent her vocal talents to the works of Jake Heggie and Edward Elgar, while Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra music director Gemma New took the podium to conduct the epic and elegant “Scheherazade.” Educators can continue to access this moving program through SLSO’s Digital Concerts until August 31. slso.org.
PLACE TO PICK UP A NEW HOBBY
Craft Alliance
The summer lineup of craft classes run the gamut from acrylic painting to zine making. But perhaps the most exciting development is the addition of a printmaking and paper arts studio, where students can create and learn such processes as intaglio, engraving, monoprint, and screenprinting. craftalliance.org.
TALKING TALKIES
The Lens
This bi-weekly podcast from Cinema St. Louis features critics Joshua Ray, Andrew Wyatt, and Kayla McCulloch, along with occasional guests, discussing an underseen film based around a theme, such as 2021 hidden gems or queer ’90s films. Each episode also brings rousing discussions of new releases and local screening events, with recommendations from each critic. Subscribe to The Lens podcast to keep your finger on the pulse of the St. Louis film scene. cinemastlouis.org/the-lens.
CLASS PROJECT
Outside Literary Magazine
Through its mission to empower high school students as writers, artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs through online and print publishing, Outside Literary Magazine has worked with more than 100 students from St. Louis Public Schools. Last October, the magazine received a $20,000 grant from Mid-America Arts Alliance, allowing the organization to establish a new curriculum focusing on local queer and BIPOC writers from local histories. outsidelitmag.com.
SUMMER FAVES
Zach Dalin
Fair Saint Louis
JULY 2–4
The celebration will be spread across Kiener Plaza and Ballpark Village, with the main stage next to the Old Courthouse. Live music, family-friendly activities, and an esports tourney will round out the festivities before the fireworks. fairsaintlouis.org.
St. Charles Riverfest
JULY 2–4
Head to Frontier Park for live music, great grub, and activities for the whole family. Then find your spot to watch the fireworks set the Missouri River aglow. discoverstcharles.com.
Let Them Eat Art
JULY 8
Maplewood’s take on Bastille Day invites crowds to wander its business district as they enjoy live art demonstrations, live music, and plenty of food and drink. cityofmaplewood.com/LTEA
Grub and Groove
AUGUST 13
This free annual fest in Francis Park showcases some of the city’s best sips and bites along with great local music. Plus, funds raised during the event also benefit the community. grubandgroove.org.
Moonlight Ramble
AUGUST 13
The “original nighttime bike ride” leads thousands through the closed streets of St. Louis. Pedal the path, and then enjoy a street festival, food and drink, and a post-ride party. moonlightramble.com.
Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
AUGUST 18–28
Visit Italy with The Rose Tattoo, catch performances of The St. Louis Neighborhood Plays, take a walking tour of The Hill, see screenings of Williams’ works on film, and enjoy a “La Dolce Vita Pool Party.” twstl.org.
Festival of Nations
AUGUST 27 & 28
Travel the world without leaving Tower Grove Park at the International Institute’s two-day event, featuring live entertainment, food vendors, and activities and performances. festivalofnationsstl.org.
courtesy of Missouri History Museum
HIT PARADE
St. Louis Sound
There is no doubt that St. Louis has produced musical legends throughout the years. Artists Scott Joplin, Chuck Berry, and Nelly are just a few St. Louis icons that are featured in the Missouri History Museum’s St. Louis Sound exhibit. Running until January 22, 2023, the exhibit traces how St. Louis–based musicians have contributed to American popular music, covering well-known hits, deep cuts, and historical context of music originating out of the Gateway City. mohistory.org/exhibits/st-louis-sound.
NEW NEIGHBOR
“Rumors of War”
We’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Kehinde Wiley’s equestrian sculpture “Rumors of War” since news of its acquisition broke in February. Nonprofit DOORWAYS plans to unveil the piece in September at its new headquarters, where the sculpture will stand as a reminder of the neighborhood’s history and, according to Gateway Foundation board member Lisa Melandri, a reminder that “a young, Black, contemporary man can take on this position of heroism, of the grand, monumental protagonist.” doorwayshousing.org.
TRAVELING SHOW
Beyond Van Gogh
At 30,000 square feet, Beyond Van Gogh is the largest immersive experience in the country, and the walk-through exhibition features more than 300 of Van Gogh’s works, including “Sunflowers” and “Café Terrace at Night.” Beyond Van Gogh wrapped up its run in St. Louis May 30 after several extensions, but Beyond Monet will soon take its place near the Saint Louis Galleria. beyondvangogh.com.
Jon Gitchoff
NEW TRADITION
A Christmas Carol
Gorgeous production design, joyful performances, and, above all, holiday fun defined The Rep’s 2021 production of A Christmas Carol, which the theater company has established as a new annual tradition. It can be said that The Rep knows how to keep Christmas well, and we look forward to joining in the happy song again this year. repstl.org.
FRESH OFF THE PRESS
Search Party
Curating art and cultural coverage, Search Party magazine is made by and for locals in St. Louis. Founded in 2021 and backed by the Luminary’s Futures Fund, the artist-led, collaborative print and web publication aims to spotlight underrepresented Black and POC community members and cultural practitioners who contribute to the artistic landscape of St. Louis. searchpartystl.com.
SECOND ACT
The Little Bevo
Originally built in 1924 by a local brewer during Prohibition, The Little Bevo was restored in September by drag queen Janessa Markstone-Mornett Highland after four decades of vacancy. The space is now used for special events. Guests can host weddings and receptions or corporate meetings, rent the bar, see live entertainment, and even spend the night in the loft apartment. thelittlebevo.com.
NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
Arkadin Cinema & Bar
This Bevo microcinema offers some of the finest in offbeat arthouse film screenings. Whether a dog-friendly screening of Best in Show, a selection of ’60s classics, or monthly Drinkolas Cage drinking games, it’s always entertaining. arkadincinema.com.
ACTS OF GENEROSITY
A look back at some of the donations and bequests benefitting our art spaces this year.
This year, individual donors have had a big impact on St. Louis’s thriving arts scene. Longtime St. Louis Post-Dispatch classical music critic Sarah Bryan Miller, herself a trained singer, left a $1 million-plus bequest to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra upon her passing last fall. In the interest of providing impartial coverage, she never donated during her life. The gift supports vocal soloists and choral performances. The Sheldon received its largest individual gift ever last summer, a $3 million bequest from longtime board member Wilfred Konneker and his wife Ann Konneker, who died in 2016 and 2020, respectively. The Konneker Room, a major update to the Sheldon’s 650-person capacity space formerly known as the Louis Spiering Room, opened this spring. Local artist Louetta A. Buechler left a surprise gift of nearly $3 million to be split evenly between three organizations she’d been a member of: Craft Alliance, Laumeier Sculpture Park, and St. Louis Artists’ Guild. The organizations will use the bequest for programming. The Saint Louis Art Museum grew and added nuance and context to its collection with gifts: Ted L. and Maryanne Ellison Simmons donated a collection of 833 works, mostly prints but also drawings, collages, photographs and sculptures, made between 1961-2020 by American artists like Helen Frankenthaler, Jasper Johns, Kiki Smith, and Kara Walker. Emily Rauh Pulitzer promised a donation of 22 works to SLAM—paintings and sculptures by 20th-century European and American heavy hitters like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Constantin Brancusi and more. The 22 works will join the 144 pieces already donated by Pulitzer, her late husband Joseph Pulitzer Jr., and his first wife Louise Vauclain Pulitzer.
