By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky,
Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Photo Caption: Indiana Woodward of New York City Ballet, An Evening with Ballet Stars 3, by Dance St. Louis.
November leaps into graceful dance at 7:30 p.m. on November 6 with An Evening of Ballet Stars 3. Presented by Dance St. Louis at the Touhill, featured dancers include Adiarys Almeida and Taras Domitro – both born and raised in Cuba and former dancers of the internationally renowned National Ballet of Cuba. International prima ballerina Almeida was also principal dancer with Cincinnati Ballet and Corella Ballet in Spain. She is also a former first soloist of Boston Ballet. Reserve tickets at www.metrotix.com.
Celebrate the works of St. Louis’ beloved artist in the exhibition Mary Engelbreit: Then and Now at Green Door Art Gallery, 21 N. Gore, November 3-December 31. www.greendoorartgallery.com
St. Louis University Museum of Art welcomes the public back with multiple exhibitions:
El Sueno Americano/The American Dream: Photographs by Tom Kiefer runs concurrently with a partnered exhibition of his work at MOCRA on the SLU campus. Both explore the migrant experience at the southern border.
Displaced: Selections from the Permanent Collection examines the visual and political expression of artists who left their countries of origin, for reasons including persecution and war.
In Between Me and the World: Women Artists in the Collection acknowledges the obstacles faced by women in the visual arts, a field in which women have long suffered from a grossly disproportionate representation. Included works span the 19th century through today. All SLUMA exhibitions run through December 31. Details at www. https://www.slu.edu/sluma .
Art St. Louis XXXVII, The Exhibition runs November 6-December 16 in the gallery at 1223 Pine. Works by 56 St. Louis are artists are featured in this exhibition juried by Dana Turkovic, Curator at Laumeier Sculpture Park. Learn more at www.artstlouis.org.
On November 10, gain insight into the making and meanings of Farah Al Qasimi’s photo-based Project Wall exhibition, entitled Everywhere There is Splendor, at Contemporary Art Museum.
The artist shares her thoughts with pre-registered attendees at 6 p.m. at 3750 Washington. Reservations are free but limited; the event will later be posted for online viewing. Visit www.camstl.org for details.
COCA lets its talent shine, cabaret-style, in the Fall Vocal Company Concert, November 19-20, 7 p.m. Be impressed by these fabulous voices in the Staenberg Performance Lab at 6880 Washington Avenue. Tickets on sale at www.cocastl.org.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra offers several performances this month, but of special note is the U.S. premiere of Anna Clyne’s PIVOT, with Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra, and Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, known as “The Great,” all on November 19 and 20. Concerts at Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand, also feature the SLSO debuts of guest conductor David Danzmayr and guest violinist Simone Porter. Tickets start at $15 at www.slso.org . Audiences can attend free Pre-Concert Conversation, 9:30 a.m. Friday and at 7 p.m. Saturday, in the auditorium. The live broadcast airs on November 20, 8 p.m. (90.7 FM KWMU or 107.3 FM) or online at www.stlpublicradio.org/listen.
The Fellowship for Performing Arts presents C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce at the Touhill on November 20, 4 p.m. This mesmerizing fantasy about heaven, hell and the choice between them dazzles with Lewis’ signature wit as the characters take a bus trip from hell to the outskirts of paradise, with challenging decisions (more difficult than imagined!) along the way. Tickets at www.touhill.org .
Ready to kick off the holidays? Opening on November 5, through December 31, Dasher’s Lightshow brings a massive drive-through Christmas display to the POWERplex. A synced music station provides your car radio with musical accompaniment, extra-enjoyable for the whole family! Timed tickets, priced by the carload, are on sale now at www.dasherslightshow.com .
After last year’s stationary walk-through experience during COVID-19 restrictions, The Polar Express resumes real train rides, beginning on November 17. The magic rolls into St. Louis Union Station to present the story of a boy’s search for the meaning of Christmas as made famous in the book and the film. As the Conductor punches passengers’ tickets, dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and cookies—and that’s just part of the onboard entertainment, along with a reading of the story, during the 1-hour trip. Each guest takes home a keepsake sleigh bell, souvenir golden ticket and special memories. In keeping with the storyline in the book, families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride! Experience the magical story of a boy’s search for the meaning of Christmas, through December 30. Tickets at www.stlpolarexpressride.com .