Edition: Green Dining in STL
Hot Fun in the Wintertime
Author: Bryan S. Audrey
St. Louis has a variety of diversions to beat the winter chill: great museums, wonderful theater, and lots for the kids to do.
Theater
The Fox Theatre (527 N. Grand, 314-534-1111) has a full slate of diverse, irreverent, and entertaining shows to warm up with during the lonely winter. The Drowsy Chaperone runs Oct. 30-Nov. 11, 2007, while the Broadway classic Annie will tread the footlights Nov. 20-25. For classic holiday entertainment, Dickens's A Christmas Carol will haunt the Fox Nov. 29- Dec. 2, and The Joffrey Ballet will perform Nutcracker Dec. 5-9. Wicked will blow in for a 3-week run, Dec. 12-Jan. 6, and Disney's High School Musical will be going steady with audiences Jan. 9-13, 2008. Blast will stomp and pound its way across the stage Jan. 18-20; Jesus Christ Superstar will save souls Feb. 1-3; and rounding out the winter will be Avenue Q, Feb. 12-24.
The Grand Old Dame of St. Louis theatre is The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (130 Edgar Rd., 314-968-4925). The "Rep" has a full dance card for the winter season. Bram Stoker's gothic tale of horror, Dracula, will play Oct. 10-Nov. 4, then Cole Porter's masterwork Kiss Me, Kate will play for a full month, Nov. 28-Dec. 28. The new year opens with the heart warming Tuesdays with Morrie, Jan 2-27, but trouble in the jury room plagues Twelve Angry Men, Feb. 6-Mar. 2. The wonderful bio-play/musical, Ella, about The First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald, enjoys an early spring run Mar. 19-Apr. 13. In addition to the Rep's mainstage productions, the Off-Ramp Series, held at the Grandel Theatre (3610 Grandel Square, 314-968-4925) offers three productions, and the Studio Theatre Series offers cutting-edge productions in a black box-style space within the Loretto-Hilton Center (130 Edgar Rd., 314-968-4925).
Designed by the architectural firm of I.M. Pei, the Touhill Performing Arts Center (UM_St. Louis 314-516-4949) brings the performing arts to the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. While there are over 20 musical events to suit every taste this winter, a few of the highlights included Bernadette Peters, Nov. 10; The Manhattan Transfer, Dec. 12; Chris Botti, Jan. 18-19; and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Feb. 10.
Kid Friendly Spots
The Saint Louis Science Center (5050 Oakland Ave., 314-289-4444) has been named one of the top 5 science centers in the nation. Its Omnimax Theater, the life-sized animated T-Rex and Triceratops, and a giant kaledioscope that you can climb into are just a few of the exhibits for children to enjoy. This will not disappoint, visit with confidence.
Editor's Tip: The gift shops at St. Louis museums make for both memorable shopping trips and unique gift ideas. The Explorestore at the Saint Louis Science Center, and Louisiana Purchase, the Missouri History Museum's gift shop, are favorites. -- B.C.
At The Magic House (516 Kirkwood Rd., 314-822-8900), there are over 100 hands-on exhibits to entertain and educate children of all ages. A real highlight of The Magic House is an electonically charged ball that will, safely, make your hair stand straight out! You can also rocket down a three-story slide. This is the place to make memroies that will last a lifetime.
The City Museum (701 N. 15th St., 314-231-CITY) has striven to make art (and fun) accessible. The museum was designed to be a fully interactive experience and contains an unusual array of salvaged, found, and donated pieces. Often the place is filled with a large number of school groups, however, during the winter months they taper off. The whole place is kid-friendly, and every tunnel, tube, and slide was designed to accommodate a full-grown adult as well.
Museums
The Missouri History Museum (Forest Park, 314-746-4599) is just down the hill from the Art Museum, and well worth the trip. The special exhibit From Kettle to Keg: Brewing in St. Louis, 180901909 will be up and running through January 6, 2008. It chronicles the rise of the brewing industry when the King of Beers was a crown still in dispute. Flight City: St. Louis Takes to the Air is a comprehensive exhibit that examines flying in the region, from the first hot-air ballooning in Forest Park to the rise of McDonnell Douglas and how it impacted St. Louis and the world. The Lindbergh exhibit commemorates the first solo flight across the Atlantic and Charles Lindbergh's rise to global icon.
The Saint Louis Art Museum (Forest Park, 314-721-0072) is the shining jewel in the crown of the St. Louis cultural tiara. Throughout the winter, the museum hosts a Collection Tour, a free guided 45-minute tour of their world-renowned collections of Oceanic, pre-Columbian, and European and American art. Just meet at the information desk at 1:30 p.m. and enjoy. A number of specialty Lectures and Gallery Talks are offered, all free and open to the public. While planning your trip, keep in mind that the museum has a wonderful restaurant, Puck's (named after Wolfgang), that is open for lunch and has a great view of the sculpture garden. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
The Foundry Arts Centre (520 Main St., St. Charles, 636-255-0270) is a converted railroad assembly line that houses a diverse collection of local artist's studios. Artists rent space on the upper level of the Centre, where they create art and display it on the spot. Visitors have the opportunity to stroll by and watch the creative process taking place. All the artists that I spoke to were more than happy to stop and chat about their art. The lower level consists of gallery space and the Baue Children's interactive gallery. This is a true hidden gem and well worth the trip!
Saint Louis Science Center & Planetarium
5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
The Saint Louis Science Center is a hands-on educational paradise that is both fun and free!
Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112
The Missouri History Museum is a thorough look at St. Louis history and culture, from the time it was just a village up until its present day glory.
The Fox Theatre
527 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63103
An exotic, restored venue from the days of the grand movie houses.
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
130 Edgar Rd., St. Louis, MO 63119
One of St. Louis's leading professional theatre companies. The Rep presents musicals, comedies, and dramas, contemporary and classic, on two stages in the Loretto-Hilton Center (Season runs September-April). In addition, they offer three shows at The Grandel Theatre in Grand Center (Season runs September-December).
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63108
The Grandel Theatre is a division of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, bringing great off-beat drama to life in this cozy venue.
Touhill Performing Arts Center
1 University Blvd., University of Missouri - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63121
Located on the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis, this structure, designed by architect I.M. Pei, hosts world-famous performers as well as local favorites.
Magic House Saint Louis Childrens Museum
516 South Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122
Magic House is the St. Louis area Children's Museum dedicated to hands-on exhibitions and interactive learning for both kids and parents.
City Museum
701 N 15th St., St Louis, MO 63103
The City Museum is a zany, fun-filled place where imagination and surprises know no bounds, and inspiration blossoms where inner child and inner artist meet. Baffling architectural attractions are made of salvaged materials—including old chimneys, pieces of bridges, and construction cranes—that were gathered from all over St. Louis. This fun and funky museum invites visitors to explore caves, walk through a life-size whale, be in a circus, zoom down a 3-story slide, or climb through giant slinkies.
St. Louis Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110
Originally constructed as the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1904 World's Fair, the Saint Louis Art Museum's elegant stone exterior has and always will bear the motto “Dedicated to Art and Free to All.”
Foundry Art Centre
520 N. Main Ctr., St. Charles, MO 63301
Feeling creative? Visit the Foundry Art Centre, where the arts, artists, and the public come together to create a unique art experience for all.
Levine Hat Company
1416 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103
Levine Hats has a huge selection of fine quality men's hats, as well as leather jackets, shoes, and other men's accessories.
