By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky
Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Hurry to see:
The Best of Missouri Market returns to Missouri Botanical Garden, October 1-3. Buy directly from the makers. www.mobot.org.
Color Within the Lines, an exhibition of works by Robert A. Ketchens, at St. Louis Community College Wildwood’s Gallery of Contemporary Art before October 8.
“Everyone loves to be scared, right?” stated Franki Cambeletta during an interview with me. Cambeletta is the host of the Haunted Garage Horror Film Fest, October 22-24 at the Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle. This scare-fest of horror films includes shorts and full-length features. “They know what results to expect from a horror film. It’s part of the season.” Why in St. Louis, I wondered. Replied Cambeletta, “St. Louis has a lot of local filmmakers, and it’s a scary place, with lots of paranormal history.”
Cambeletta should know: he hosts a podcast, “Haunted Garage,” and, with business partner Jeremy King, restores “haunted transportation.” Wait—what?? “Some cars have a history, y’know. We bring them back to life.” His crew includes master mechanics from GM. “The cars are kept at an undisclosed location. We never allow people to sit in them because…” his voice trailed off. Does anyone else remember the 1983 film Christine???
Which brings us back to the film festival. Cambeletta plans a “scrap yard atmosphere with tires and car parts scattered about. A ’61 Nova with a paranormal history will be there, and we’ll present the Golden Piston Awards after the screenings. We’re going to have fun.” Aspiring filmmakers to learn from experienced horror film directors/producers during Q&A.
But only 97 tickets will be sold, with 25% of the profits to benefit St. Louis Actors Studio, a nonprofit “committed to bringing engaging theatrical experiences to our community…to foster learning and artistic expression.”
Reserve tickets now at www.shiftfilms.net .
Opening on October 1 is Beyond VanGogh: The Immersive Experience. Visitors will walk into/through 300 projected works by the famed artist, with a soundtrack of symphonic music and Vincent’s own writings. More than an exhibition, it’s a totally immersive experience, created by French-Canadian Creative Director Mathieu St-Arnaud and his Montreal team. Located in a pavilion at the Galleria, the experience remains through November 21, Reserve tickets at www.vangoghstlouis.com.
Continue that feeling of “big” art at COCA’s The Millstone Gallery through November 7 in Make It Pop, large-scale portraiture by Jared Minnick. Details at www.cocastl.org.
Check out even more portraiture in The Outwin: American Portraiture Today, at Mildred Lane Kemper Museum on Washington University’s campus, through January 23. These forty-six works were selected from 2600 entries in Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s fifth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu.
Multimedia works explore “the marks and impressions we leave on this planet, physically, emotionally, in society, … our footprint as we walk through our lives” in an exhibition aptly-entitled Footprints. See it at Art Saint Louis, 1223 Pine, through October 21. Details at www.artstlouis.org.
Visualizing Hope: Who is God? Midwest Exhibit runs October 1-November 28 at Gretchen Brigham Gallery, 733 N. Union Blvd. The opening reception on October 2 (1-5 p.m.) includes an address at 2:30 p.m. by Fr. Terrence Dempsey, juror for this exhibition and founder of MOCRA. More info at www.union-avenue.org/agua.
Speaking of MOCRA, the museum on St. Louis University’s campus is now reopened with Tom Kiefer: Pertenencias / Belongings, through December 19. The photographic works document objects that once belonged to migrants, seized and discarded by U.S. Customs and Border Control officials. Kiefer recovered the objects while working as a custodian at the CBP station in Ajo, Arizona. More info at www.slu.edu/mocra.
The Annual Weavers’ Guild Sale returns to First Congregational Church, 10 W. Lockwood in Webster on October 29-30. Shop for fine handwoven works of juried art to treasure, wear, or give as gifts. Details at www.weaversguild.org.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra welcomes Guest Conductor John Storgårds for two concerts, October 15-16, at Powell Hall. Featured are three SLSO premieres by composers Thomas Adès, Joseph Haydn, and Outi Tarkiainen. Tickets start at $15, www.slso.org.
On October 23, SLSO collaborats with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Aoife O’Donovan in a concert on October 23. O’Donovan’s performance will include America, Come, which the singer-songwriter wrote and debuted herself. The piece honors the 101st anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the United States. Reserve a seat at www.slso.org.
The Bach Society of St. Louis opens its 81st season with Fall Concert–Ye Shall Have a Song!, October 17, 3 p.m. at Community Music School of Webster University. Tickets at www.bachsociety.org.
Stages St. Louis presents Jersey Boys at the Ross Family Theatre in Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, through October 24. Oh, what a night! Get tickets at www.stagesstlouis.org .
Metro Theater Company offers in-person and virtual performances of the comedy-drama-adventure Digging Up Dessa, through November 5. Check out specifics at www.metroplays.org.
Here’s an insider tip: Tickets will sell out for Dance St. Louis’ Evening of Ballet Stars 3 on November 6 at the Touhill. To avoid disappointment, order tickets now at www.dancestlouis.org.
As ARTful venues reopen their doors to live performances, many are requesting verification of COVID-19 vaccination (check websites for specifics). Please get vaccinated! That little needle isn’t nearly as scary as COVID.