Fall has arrived: crisp air, crisp apples, and fresh, crisp ARTS abound
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Artwork shown: Plein Air painting by Julie Wiegand
The month kicks off with the Best of Missouri Market at Missouri Botanical Garden, October 4-6. Carefully chosen artists, food producers, gardening vendors, musicians, vintners, distillers and brewers usher in autumn at this annual, amazing event. (Come see me at Stone Hollow Studio’s booth!) www.mobot.org
Just outside the garden gates, the Historic Shaw Art Fair hosts visual artists from around the country, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., October 5-6. www.shawartfair.org
October 4 is Grand Center’s First Friday. Visit galleries and museums until 9 p.m. Enjoy cocktails, conversation and entertainment throughout the evening. Included is InTRANSIT, a multi-location performance by Karlovsky & Company Dance at 5:30 p.m., culminating with the full company at 6:10 in the Spring Church. www.grandcenter.org/firstfridays
COCA welcomes Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, under the direction of Igal Perry, to its stage at 6880 Washington, October 4-5, 7:30 p.m. This New York company is simply spectacular! www.cocastl.org
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra serves up three performance events at the Touhill this month: Delight young and old on October 5, 4 p.m., with Concert for Kids: Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony. Experience the natural world through music! On October 18-19, 7:30 p.m., SLSO performs Mendelssohn’s Reformation: Onward to Triumph. Celebrate Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin’s birthday on October 25, 10:30 a.m. and October 27, 3 p.m. with deeply personal musical selections. www.slso.org
A short drive in the countryside on October 6 leads to 4588 Lyon School Road in Berger, studio and of noted artist Julie Wiegand. Prairie & Plein Air 2024 includes live music with selected artists painting throughout the 12-acres of trails. Bring a picnic to enjoy this delightful autumn event 10 a.m.-6 p.m. www.juliewiegand.com
Cathedral Concerts brings the hope-filled music of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, performed by The Bach Society of St. Louis, to the beautiful Cathedral Basilica, 4431 Lindell at 7:30 p.m., October 6. Hailing from the United Kingdom, The Sixteen with Harry Christopher arrive October 17 to perform their repertoire of Renaissance, Baroque and modern choral music, 7:30 p.m. www.cathedralconcerts.org
Webster Arts presents Small Works XX, October 1-31, at the Webster Groves Public Library, 301 E. Lockwood. The opening reception begins at 6 p.m., showcasing works just 12 inches or smaller by local artists. Meanwhile through October 25, in the gallery at 2 Summit Avenue, Walk This Way is on view. The juried works explore paths and journeys. www.webster-arts.org
Experience Metamorphosis, a sculptural and sonic installation by Polish artist Monika Weiss at Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, on October 10, 5 p.m. The outdoor work, situated on the Art Hike Trail, emits varying sounds dependent upon the environment, and is dedicated to victims of gender-based violence perpetuated around the world. www.laumeier.org
The Luminary, 2701 Cherokee Street, presents (An) Anthology of the Ocean, a solo exhibition by Chicago-based conceptual artist Soo Shin. This debut presentation, spanning sculpture, drawings and sound, runs October 11-December 14. www.theluminaryarts.com
Through December 15, MOCRA offers Continuum: Figuration & Abstraction. The works displayed blur the distinctions between the figurative and the abstract, presenting the approaches used by artists to convey spiritual and religious experiences. The gallery is located on St. Louis University’s campus. www.slu.edu/mocra
Third Degree Glass knows how to celebrate this season, along with their 22nd Anniversary: On October 18, guests will witness the infamous Death Match (Two teams of artists compete in a glass competition; the loser’s piece will be smashed by flying pumpkins!!). Plus enjoy food, demos, prizes, raffles and more! Running October 1-26 in the gallery is Linksus, blown and sculpted glass pieces by Jeremy Lampe. www.stlglass.com
Also on October 18 is Delish on Delmar, a festival of food, music and art, 5-10 p.m. Experience the exciting growth in the Delmar Makers District! www.delishondelmar.com
Elegance reigns on October 26, 7 p.m., when Ballet 314’s fundraiser explores humankind’s most prevailing fascination: the afterlife. Fall Fete: Angels and Demons includes new performance work by Artistic Director Robert Poe, guest choreographers Kristopher Estes-Brown and William Smith and the professional dance company, plus seasonal hors d’oeuvres and drinks, all at the Touhill. www.ballet314.org
A coming-of-age story when you’re past your prime? That’s The Roommate, October 23-November 17, part of The Rep’s Steve Woolf Studio Series, at the Loretto-Hilton Center’s Emerson Studio Theatre. www.repstl.org
UMSL Fall Music Festival is set for October 28-November 1 with 7:30 p.m. performances of Jazz & Jubilation, Masterworks from Paris, A Journey Through Time with a Song (featuring soprano Christine Brewer), Arianna String Quartet: Goodbye, Hello. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. www.touhill.universitytickets.com