Ready for some springtime-fresh ARTful opportunities???
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky,
Healthy Planet Arts Editor
At MOCRA (Museum of Contemporary Religious Art) on St. Louis University’s campus, Vincente Telles and Brandon Maldonado bring their works together in Cuentos Nuevo Mexicanos. Telles is firmly rooted in the Santero tradition (creating images of saints) while Maldonado describes his own work as “heavily influenced by New Mexican folk art.” The combination merges to form a contemporary tradition. www.Slu.edu/mocra
Through April 15 check Detail/Oriented: The Architectural Photography of Ken Konchel
(Yes, that Ken Kochel: the Associate Director at Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts). See it at International Photography Hall of Fame, 3415 Olive. www.iphf.org
The Green Center celebrates nature in Nancy Thias: Sprung. The exhibition of works on paper and canvas, at 8025 Blackberry Avenue in University City, is on view through April 28.
Have some art-inspired fun (for all ages) at Webster Arts Scavenger Hunt, 3-5 p.m. on April 15. Gather a team, decode written clues to locations along the streets of Webster Groves, and photo-document your discoveries. www.webster-arts.org/webster-arts-scavenger-hunt
Folk-music aficionados, The Sheldon Folk Series presents an evening of songs and stories just for you. Marc Cohn (“Walking in Memphis) & Shawn Colvin (“Sunny Came Home”) are Together Onstage at 8 p.m. April 14, 3648 Washington. www.thesheldon.org
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra knows how to chill at Powell Hall on April 14 with a happy hour and concert Crafted: Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Doors open at 5 p.m. for complementary sampling of local beverages and foods before the 6:30 concert; tickets $30.
Leonard Slatkin returns to Powell for a 10:30 morning performance on April 22 plus a 3 p.m. performance on April 23 in Slatkin Conducts Strauss. Enjoy Kaldi’s Coffee, Eddie’s Donuts, plus shuttle service from Plaza Frontenac. www.slso.org
Make “income-tax-filing-day” a bit more pleasant by attending St. Louis Classical Guitar’s concert by David Russell. The Glasgow, U.K. musician performs in the 560 Music Center in University City at 7:30 p.m. www.stlclasicalguitar.org
Later at the same venue, on April 24, Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents Spring String Fling. The Monday performance at 7:30 p.m. will also be offered virtually on May 2. www.chambermusicstl.org
The Tallis Scholars, a professional British early-music vocal group founded by Peter Phillips, arrive at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell, on April 19 for their performance at 8 p.m. This year marks the group’s 50th anniversary of superb, other-worldly sounds. www.cathedralconcerts.org
The Bach Society offers a Suite, two Concertos and 25 Alleluias at the 2023 Bach Festival’s Bach for Strings on April 22. The 3 p.m. concert, at Salem United Methodist Church, showcases the variety of J.S. Bach favorites, and features soprano Mary Wilson.
Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington, welcomes Darius de Haas for Daydream: Variations on Strayhorn on April 26-27 for 7:30 p.m. performances. With “deep roots in jazz and blues” (–New York Times), this award-winning actor and singer delivers “an intensity and honesty that easily envelops and mesmerizes the listener.” (–Variety).
The Intercultural Music Initiative completes its season on April 30 with the IMI Chamber Players and guest horn player, Amanda Collins. The Sheldon hosts this 7:30 p.m. concert. www.imusici.org
The younger set (and the young-at-heart) will delight in Metro Theater Company’s performance of Go, Dog, Go! In celebration of Metro Theater’s origins as a theater-circus 20 years ago, this play is performed in Grand Center under the circus Big Top tent. Guaranteed fun! www.metroplays.org
The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival announces the return of the Confluence New Play Festival, April 14-16 at the Festival Rehearsal Studio in Grand Center. “The mission from the start of Confluence has always been to foster a culture of playwriting in and around St. Louis that gives new works from the midwest a chance to thrive,” says Tom Ridgely, Producing Artistic Director. “Supporting playwrights is just the start.” Staged readings begin at 7 p.m. and there is an additional free student reading as well. www.stlshakes.org/confluence
April 21-30, Prism Theatre Company brings Doubt: a Parable to the Kranzberg Black Box Theatre in Grand Center. The actions and motivations of each character are scrutinized in this extremely tense and suspenseful play. www.prismtheatrecompany.org
St. Louis Ballet finishes off the month with Swan Lake, performed at the Touhill, on UMSL’s campus, April 28-30 with live orchestral accompaniment by Springfield Symphony
Orchestra. Magical! www.stlouisballet.org