March may “come in like a lamb,” but this month is a whirlwind of ARTful events
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky,
Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Photo Caption: “Shaved Portions,” by Chakaia Booker, at Mildred Lane Kemper Museum
Varsity Art, March 1-18 at Art St. Louis, 1223 Pine, opens the 28th annual exhibition of multimedia works by regional university art students with a 5-7 p.m. reception. www.artstlouis.org .
Spring exhibitions open March 8 in Grand Center, with receptions 6-9 p.m.:
Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington, hosts Delcy Morelos: Interwoven, focused on connections between people and the environment. The Columbian artist uses natural materials (fibers, clay, soil, textiles) for her works, including an immersive sculpture. Simultaneously, On Earth, film and video works by five artists, explores the realities of human/environmental interaction, plus joy, creativity and growth these relationships generate, through August 4. www.pulitzerarts.org .
The Contemporary Art Museum, just next door, opens its exhibition, Paul Chan’s Breathers (reception 7-9 p.m.) through August 11. CAM pops a cork for its 20th Anniversary Gala, April 20, 6-11 p.m. Tickets at www.camstl.org.
The Sheldon Galleries host Studies in Architecture: Works by Wallace Herndon Smith & Paul Young; Jump, Twist or Dive: Evan & Stacey; Beach BBQ: Brian DePauli; Something Stranger than Fruit: Nkosi Wan; More Life: Taylor Marrie—all through May 11. www.thesheldon.org.
At Mildred Lane Kemper Museum, on Washington U’s campus, through July 29, see Robert Irving: Archeology of the Present; Space Mapping: Video Art Series; and Santiago Sierra’s provocative 52 Canvases Exposed to Mexico City’s Air. The disturbing Tragic Depictions: Negative Emotions in the Visual Arts is viewable through July 22. Through April 1, The Body in Pieces is on exhibition, featuring human figural works by Joan Miro, Fernand Leger, Jean Debuffet and others. Outdoors, experience Chakaia Booker’s Shaved Portions through March 31. www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu.
The Green Center, 8025 Blackberry Avenue in University City, hosts Embracing Nature, Uplifting Ourselves, paintings and drawings by Yulia S. Buss, through March 22. www.thegreencenter.org.
March 6-April 27 Green Door Gallery, 21 N. Gore, presents Food for Thought, a multi-media exhibition about, well, food!. The 5-7 p.m. reception is on March 15. www.greendoorgallery.com.
Gateway Fine Artists exhibit The Spring Collection by 10 artists at Gretchen Brigham Gallery, Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 N. Union, through March 31.
Through March 27, see Unfiltered Lens, the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War Through Eyes of photographer Robert J. Ellison, at Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway in Alton. The mostly black-and-white images present a powerful documentation of the era. www.jacobyartscenter.org.
Karlovsky & Company Dance perform March 15-16 at the Grandel Theatre, in a new evening-length work of contemporary dance-theater entitled Storyscapes. The 7:30 p.m. performances reflect on stories told, plus ideas and attitudes shared that shape and impact lives. www.karlovskydance.org.
Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day at Third Degree Glass Factory’s First Friday on March 15. Live music, cash bar/ food, glass demos and high energy set the mood for the evening, 6-9 p.m. with the 1st Annual Stein Grab. Advance-purchase one of only-40 Stein Grab tickets to literally grab your fav blown-glass mug (stein-grabber tickets include complimentary drinks for the evening, too). Stay until 8:30 to watch the creation of a huge glass stein, large enough to hold a keg (you read that correctly). www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com.
The Rep brings August: Osage County to the Loretto-Hilton stage, March 19-April 7. The New York Times called the play, “fiercely funny and bitingly sad.” It’s no secret this beloved institution faced financial issues recently; help make this last show of the season a sell-out. www.repstl.org.
Jazz St. Louis keeps the vibes alive throughout the month with Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Standards, March 6-10; Ally Hany Albrecht Quintet, March 13-14; Jazz St. Louis Big Band (featuring Denise Thimes), March 15-16; Anat Cohen Quartetinho, March 20-24; and Young, Gifted & Black, March 28-30. All at the Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington. www.jazzstl.org.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra accompanies Disney’s Encanto, March 9-10 at Stifel Theater, 1400 Market in 2 p.m. performances (Fun fact: The delightful score was composed by Germaine Franco, first woman to score a Disney animated feature film, with original songs by multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda). Or head to the Touhill on UMSL’s campus when Stephan Deneve conducts Beethoven’s Piano Cycle: Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, March 22-23. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. with a 10:30 a.m. performance on March 22 (Arrive early for Kaldi’s Coffee and Eddie’s Southtown Donuts!).
The Bach Society of St. Louis Chorus and Orchestra perform Bach’s seasonal St. John Passion at First Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood, March 10, 3 p.m. www.bachsociety.org.
St. Louis Classical Guitar brings Beijing Guitar Duo to 560 Music Center for one 7:30 p.m. concert, March 23. www.stlclassicalguitar.org.
Sure to be sold out by the time this goes to press: Dance St. Louis brings Ailey II to the Touhill, March 1-2, marking the 50th anniversary of this company founding by Alvin Ailey. Included in both performances is the cultural treasure, Revelations. Oh, wow!! www.dancestl.org.