By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Photo Caption: Maos Organ by Barbara Chase-Riboud, at the Pulitzer
September begins with Circus Harmony flying high on September 3 with a free noon performance at St. Louis Public Library Main Branch (downtown). www.circusharmony.org.
But that’s just the start…
As a result of two years’ planning, teaching and collaboration with local schools and organization near the new National Geospatial Agency (GIS), eight banners were selected for exhibition at Contemporary Art Museum. View Learning North St. Louis History Through Design on the museum’s west façade through September 18.
CAM’s fall/winter exhibitions open on September 9. Featured in this 20th year of the Great Rivers Biennial are Yowshien Kuo, Yvonne Osei, and Jon Young, plus Mona Chalabi’s site-specific installation entitled Squeeze, which explores endangered plant and animal species; and a group exhibition of Puerto Rican works called We didn’t ask permission, we just did it…. All run through February 12. www.camstl.org.
The Pulitzer’s fall exhibition, Barbara Chase-Riboud Monumentale: The Bronzes, opens September 16. Sixty sculptures and drawings from 1950’s to present remain on view through February 5 at 3716 Washington. www.pulitzerarts.org.
Green Door Gallery, 21 N. Gore, presents architectural photography by Ken Konchel and mixed media jewelry by Lois Jacobs in Architectural Abstractions. Running concurrently is Retrospective, works by the late Garry McMichael. The exhibitions run September 1-October 29, with a public reception on September 10, 5-8 p.m. www.greendoorartgallery.com.
Metro Theater Company kicks off its 50th anniversary season on September 9 with Bold, Brave, Curious! This play illuminates the power of friendship and empowers young people to examine bias, community, and individual power, through October 16 at the Sun Theatre in Grand Center.
www.metroplays.org.
Music at the Intersection is a music festival celebrating its second year, September 10-11. Headliners are Erykah Badu and Gary Clark, Jr., both R&B icons, joined by international indie group Hiatus Kajyote blues guitarist Buddy Guy, jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, soul-rock band JJ Grey & Mofu, plus St. Louis-bred alternative rock group The Urge. Over 50 groups in all perform on four outdoor stages throughout Grand Center.
The festival tells the story of St. Louis’ musical, cultural and artistic heritage. It celebrates the city’s imprint on the American songbook by musical genres birthed and fostered locally. Tickets are available for either day, or the entire festival at www.musicattheintersection.org.
If that’s not enough, a festival pre-party honoring legendary St. Louis singer, producer and songwriter Angela Winbush is set for September 9, 7:30 p.m. at The Sheldon, 3648 Washington. Separate tickets for this very special event are available at www.thesheldon.org.
Speaking of The Sheldon, St. Louisans know that its educational programs reach tens of thousands of young people each year in the metro area. Accept this invitation from The Friends of The Sheldon to support those efforts while having a fabulous evening at the same time. Invite some friends and dust of those Doc Martens for the first ever “All That Totally ‘90’s Homecoming” in the historic Sheldon Ballroom, 8-11 p.m. on September 16. Hit the dancefloor with ‘90’s tunes, door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, 2 drink tickets and more. www.thesheldon.org.
On September 14-15, The Cabaret Project welcomes powerhouse vocalist Eva Noblezada, Broadway star of Hadestown and Miss Saigon. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at Jazz St. Louis’ Supper Club on Washington. www.thecabaretproject.org.
Arianna String Quartet marks its 30th anniversary season with Transported on September 16. The 7:30 p.m. concert, which includes Mozart’s Quartet in G Major, Reena Esmail’s String Quartet “Ragamala” and Schubert’s Quartet in G Major, hosts a pre-talk at 6:45, at the Touhill. www.touhill.org .
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Stéphane Denève begin the 2022/2023 season with a free community concert on Forest Park’s Art Hill, 7 p.m. on September 14. The annual concert—featuring classical music, film music, patriotic tunes—concludes with a festive fireworks display.
There’s hocus-pocus in Powell Hall, September 23-25, when the Symphony performs the live score as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) plays on the big screen. It’s a performance for the entire family. www.slam.org .
St. Louis Classical Guitar launches its season with a concert by Bokyung Byun, first female ever to win the prestigious Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition. The 7:30 p.m. performance is at Pillsbury Theatre at 560 Music Center (Trinity Avenue), University City. www.stlclassicalguitar.org.