Edition: The Arts Take Center Stage
Spotlight on St. Louis
Author: Jennifer R. Rolf
The arts are alive in St. Louis. Our geographic position at the nation's "center stage" makes our city a vital stop for touring companies, artists, and exhibits. When the temperature drops during the fall and winter months, the spotlight shines on St. Louis's thriving cultural scene composed of performers, artists, and musicians at our renowned theaters and concert halls.
Fox Theatre
One of Grand Center's gems, the "Fabulous Fox" (527 N. Grand, 314-534-1111) was refurbished in the 1980s to its current ornate splendor. The Fox's Broadway Series showcases productions straight from New York's most famous avenue. This season's lineup includes "Chicago," "Rent," "Les Misérables," and "Mamma Mia!" The Fox also hosts a number of Dance St. Louis performances that feature some of the world's most talented dancers. Highlights from the upcoming season include the Paul Taylor Dance Company, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes, the Parsons Dance Company, and Les Ballets de Mont-Carlo in "Cinderella."
Powell Symphony Hall
The luxurious Powell Hall (718 N. Grand, 314-533-2500) is home to our world-renowned and critically acclaimed Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Don't miss a "Special Experience" as Andrew Litton conducts Berlioz's Requiem, featuring tenor Gregory Turay and the SLSO Symphony Chorus. Enjoy the sounds of the season at the "Holiday Concert," a festive event conducted by David Amado. Come see SLSO music advisor and conductor Itzhak Perlman make a return appearance and perform in "Calm and Turbulence" - Mozart's "Adagio and Rondos for Violin and Orchestra," and Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 5."
Grandel Theatre
The Saint Louis Black Repertory Company produces energetic shows with the power to warm your soul during the cold winter months. Javon Johnson's "Cryin' Shame" and Bill Harris's "Stories about the Old Days" are featured this season at the Grandel (3610 Grandel Square, 314-534-1834).
The Sheldon Concert Hall
Each year the Sheldon (3648 Washington, 314-533-9900) hosts nationally and internationally acclaimed musical acts. Performances scheduled this winter include the Blind Boys of Alabama, country roots rockers BR549, and straight from New Orleans, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The Sheldon Art Galleries are also on site and feature rotating exhibits of sculpture, architecture, children's art, and more. Through Jan. 29th, a special exhibit explores African art from St. Louis collections; African musical instruments and photographs of African musicians will be on display, as well as photographs of West African architecture.
The Bistro at Grand Center
Patrons can dine at the Bistro (3536 Washington, 314-534-3663) before a performance in Grand Center, or they can stick around for Jazz at the Bistro (314-531-1012) - the best place in town to hear up-and-coming jazz performers, Grammy-winning artists and living jazz legends. Scheduled performers include musician Jeremy Davenport, famed trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, and Brazilian singer Luciana Souza.
St. Louis Film Festival
The 13th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival (314-454-0042) presents local, national, and international full-length feature films, shorts and documentaries. American independent films, world cinema and prize-winning short subjects are emphasized during the 10-day festival. A handful of venues, including the Tivoli Theatre (6350 Delmar) in University City's Loop, show the films and participate in related events. The list of films to be shown and their descriptions can be found at www.cinemastlouis.org.
The Reperatory Theatre of St. Louis
Housed in the Loretto-Hilton Center in scenic Webster Groves, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (130 Edgar Road, 314-968-4925) is St. Louis's premier professional theater company. Come and enjoy a spectacular and intimate performance in a place where you're never more than 20 feet away from the stage. "The Rep's" 2004-2005 Mainstage productions include Shakespeare's classic comedy "Twelfth Night," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," a musical, "Stones in His Pockets, " and "The Retreat from Moscow." The smaller, 125-seat Studio Theatre will feature "A Picasso," and "Frozen," while the Imaginary Theatre Company, which produces Children's theatre, will bring "Heidi" to the Mainstage.
