Photograph courtesy of Touhill Performing Arts Center
Spring is in the air, and with the start of warm weather comes a resurgence of things to see and do in St. Louis. Here's our list of the top 10 things not to miss this month from the SLM calendar (in chronological order):
1. April 16: Repeal of Prohibition Beer Festival
Clink glasses over the repeal of the 18th Amendment while sampling handcrafted beers. Free. Time: noon–5 p.m. Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust, 314-241-2337, schlafly.com.
2. April 17: St. Louis Earth Day Festival
Annual festival includes an “Earth Day Café,” live entertainment, a green bazaar, information booths from local businesses offering eco-friendly services, and exhibits on natural ecosystems and how to modify your lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint and protect wildlife. Free. Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Muny Grounds, Forest Park, 314-961-5838, stlouisearthday.org.
3. April 20–May 15: Black Pearl Sings!
Alberta “Pearl” Johnson, incarcerated in a Texas prison, laments the news that her daughter has gone missing. When Susannah, a visiting ethnomusicologist, overhears her singing and wants to collect her songs, Pearl gets a chance at freedom, as well as a way to find her daughter again. Directed by Andrea Frye. $20–$38. Times: 7 p.m. Wed & Thu, 8 p.m. Fri, 3 & 8 p.m. Sat, 3 p.m. Sun.The Black Rep, Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel, 314-534-3810, theblackrep.org.
4. April 22–24: Sound It Out
Documentary on Sound It Out Records, the last record store in Stockton-on-Tees, a tiny village in Northern England. $6. Time: 7:30 p.m.Webster Film Series, 470 E. Lockwood, 314-968-7487, webster.edu/filmseries.html.
5. April 27–30: Bill Charlap Trio
Charlap, who began playing at age 3, is considered one of the finest jazz pianists in the world, and often performs at the Village Vanguard. Times: 8:30 & 10:15 p.m.Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington, 314-289-4030, jatb.org.
6. April 28–30: FIRST Championship
The Science Center hosts the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship, which will bring science students from around the world to St. Louis. As students’ robots do battle in the Edward Jones Dome, they will be scored for design excellence, competitive play, and sportsmanship. Free. Specific event times at stlouisfirst.org. Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland, 314-289-4400, slsc.org.
7. April 28–30: The Second City: Fair & Unbalanced
Chicago's The Second City, a local favorite, makes its annual appearance with a new show that skewers politicians and celebrities. $32–$36. Time: 8 p.m. Thu & Fri, 5 & 9 p.m. Sat. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University, University of Missouri–St. Louis, 314-516-4949, tohill.org.
8. April 28–May 1: Greater St. Louis Book Fair
Much-anticipated annual used-book sale is way more than just a book sale; it also includes movies, music, and paper ephemera. $10 Thu, free Fri–Sun. Times: 4 p.m.–10 p.m. Thu, 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Fri & Sat, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun. Macy's, West County Center, Lower Level East Parking Garage, 314-993-1995, stlouisbookfair.org.
9. April 30: Colonel Ford
Local “hillbilly music” band’s members include Gary Hunt and Dade Farrar of the Rockhouse Ramblers, John Horton of the Bottle Rockets, Jay Farrar of Son Volt, and former Uncle Tupelo drummer Mike Heidorn. $10. Time: 8 p.m. The Focal Point, 2720 Sutton, 314-781-4200, thefocalpoint.org.
10. April 30: The Aluminum Show
Dancers, acrobats, and puppeteers use aluminum tubing and other humble materials to create a one-of-a-kind theater show. $20–$35. Time: 2 & 8 p.m. Edison Theatre, Forsyth & Wallace, Washington University, 314-935-6543, edison.wustl.edu.
