Photograph by Jim Herren
Celebrate the start of summer this June in St. Louis with the first Muny show, a three-day brew festival, a Cirque du Soleil performance, and more. Here's our list of the top 10 things not to miss from the SLM calendar (in chronological order):
1. June 2: StarKid
When A Very Potter Musical hit the Web, it quickly went viral, making college troupe StarKid famous. (It probably helped that Darren Criss, of later Glee fame, was involved in the production.) Now the group performs a revue of its greatest hits and few new songs. With Charlene Kaye & The Brilliant Eyes. $30. Time: 7:30 p.m. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar, 314-726-6161, thepageant.com. $2 minor surcharge. Time: 8 p.m., unless indicated otherwise.
2. June 5: Sting
Gordon Sumner’s skills are almost as flexible as his yoga routine. Beyond Sting’s music gig (i.e., 16 Grammy Awards and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame status), the 60-year-old Brit’s won an Emmy, received multiple Oscar nominations, and worked for years to better human rights. Twenty-five years after Sting branched out from The Police, his versatile career is still going strong. $46.50–$91.50. Time: 8 p.m. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, 314-534-1111, fabulousfox.com.
3. June 6–9: Twangfest
Roots-loving music fans clamor each year when KDHX-FM announces its lineup for Twangfest. After all, the festival’s featured the likes of Neko Case, The Bottle Rockets, and Alejandro Escovedo. Among this year’s artists: St. Louis natives Pokey LaFarge and The South City Three, Chicago’s Kelly Hogan, Cincinnati’s Wussy, and New York-based Langhorne Slim. $15 Fri, $20 Sat, $125 four-day pass. Visit twangfest.com for times and locations.
4. June 7–10: 2012 Visa Championships
See gymnasts compete to go to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in San Jose, Calif. Both junior and senior men and women competitors will perform on alternating days. Times: 1 & 6:30 p.m. Thu & Fri, noon & 6 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Sun. $105–$325. Chaifetz Arena, Saint Louis University, 1 S. Compton, 314-977-5000, thechaifetzarena.com. Time: 8 p.m., unless indicated otherwise.
5. June 15, 16 & 17: St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival
Sample more than 70 beer styles while enjoying great food in an Oktoberfest-like setting. Vendors include Six Row Brewing Company, Ferguson Brewing Company, Charleville Vineyard, and Morgan Street Brewery. There is also a competition for home brewers. This year, the fest moves from its previous home in Forest Park to Ballpark Village downtown. $30 per time slot in advance, $35 day of festival. Times: 5–9 p.m. Fri, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. & 5–9 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun. Ballpark Village, Clark Avenue and Stadium Plaza, 314-576-2798, stlbrewfest.com.
6. June 17: Idina Menzel
Before she played Lea Michele’s mother on FOX’s hit show Glee, Idina Menzel starred in the original stage production of Rent and later won a Tony Award for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked. Now, Menzel performs songs from her new album. $35–$125. Time: 7:30 p.m. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market, 800-745-3000, peabodyoperahouse.com.
7. June 18–24: Thoroughly Modern Millie
The Muny’s season opener, Thoroughly Modern Millie—adapted from the 1967 film starring Julie Andrews—is sure to be memorable. New executive producer Mike Isaacson produced the original show on Broadway, which won multiple Tonys. Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams reprises the lead role, returning to The Muny after a 35-year hiatus. $10–$70. Time: 8:15 p.m. The Muny, 1 Theatre, Forest Park, 314-361-1900 x550, muny.org.
8. June 20–24: Cirque du Soleil Presents Quidam
Featuring some of the world’s best acrobats, musicians, and singers, this show has toured five continents since its debut in 1996. The story is about Zoé, whose parents ignore her, so she imagines the fascinating world of Quidam and learns how to free her soul. $37–$97, $30–$78 children. Time: 7:30 p.m. Wed–Sat, 3:30 p.m. Sat, 1 & 5 p.m. Sun. Chaifetz Arena, Saint Louis University, 1 S. Compton, 314-977-5000, thechaifetzarena.com. Time: 8 p.m., unless indicated otherwise.
9. June 21–25: St. Lou Fringe
St. Louis hosts its first fringe festival featuring uncensored and unjuried works from regional artists, including West End Players Guild, STL Improv Anywhere, The Midnight Company, and Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble. All of the proceeds are returned to the artists. $4 festival entry; individual performance tickets range from free to $12. Call for times. Multiple locations, 314-643-7853, stloufringe.tumblr.com.
10. June 23: Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure
More than 65,000 people regularly participate each year in the Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, helping to raise millions since 1999—and keeping much of that money in St. Louis to fund breast-cancer education and research. This year, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford leads the charge as the event’s honorary chair. For details, call 314-569-3903 or visit komenstlouis.org.
By Rosalind Early and Nancy McMullen
