St. Louis Summers Always Filled With Music and Memories
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Art Work: Acrylic painting by Sandy Haynes, at Norton’s Fine Art and Framing.
St. Louis summers conjure up so many special memories: from concerts in the parks with dripping popsicles, to getting dressed up in “summer best” to attend a Muny performance, of singing and playing guitar on a front porch with high school friends to outdoor art fairs and evening garden strolls. Lately, however, the fun of summer has turned frightening as we witness the power of nature during recent storms.
Tornadoes break glass for sure, but not the artistic spirit! Third Degree Glass invites everyone to Delmar between Kingshighway and Union on July 18 for the Second Annual DMD (Delmar Makers District) Block Party, 5-10 p.m. This area and its artisans need support now more than ever, following the damage caused by recent storms. Enjoy live music, the Outdoor Makers Market with 30+artists, free face painting, free kids’ crafts and more. Third Degree Glass hosts an artist reception for William Ortman’s Visceral & Vision: The Art of Organic Illumination (on view through August 31). Plus, enjoy glass demos, raffles, etc. at 5200 Delmar. Craft Alliance holds an artist reception for Alisha Porter’s new exhibition in their gallery at 5080 Delmar, too. Come show some love for St. Louis artists. www.thirddegreeglass.com and www.craftalliance.org
Through July 27, Pulitzer Arts Foundation presents over 100 sculptures, textiles and works on paper by Montserrat-born British artist Veronica Ryan, entitled Unruly Objects. Simultaneously showcased are new drawings by multidisciplinary artist Jess T. Dugan in I’m Right Here With You. See both exhibitions at 3716 Washington. www.pulitzerarts.org
Norton’s Fine Art and Framing, 2025 Big Bend, welcomes Sandy Haynes and her acrylic paintings with an opening reception July 12, 4-6 p.m. Works remain on view through August 23. www.nortonsfineart.com
The Luminary, 2701 Cherokee, hosts its summer exhibition: Mano a Mano, featuring the work of Cecilia Vargas Muñoz and Laura Camila Medina, whose collaborative and responsive relationship began through a mentorship in 2023 in Pitalito, Colombia. Their sculpture, ceramics, painting, and new media remain on view through July 13. www.theluminaryarts.com
COCA doubles-up this month with Rodgers and Hammertein’s Cinderella, July 24-27, followed by Hadestown: Teen Edition, July 25-28. Both performed at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre, 6880 Washington. www.COCAstl.org
Summer in St. Louis means The Muny! The entire family will love Frozen, July 6-14, followed by Evita, July 18-24. Finish off the month with Dear Evan Hansen, opening on July 28. www.muny.org
July 8-August 17, the St. Louis Zoo teams up with St. Louis Shakespeare Festival for a wild new family-friendly play: Romeo & Zooliet, performed nightly (Tuesday-Sunday) in the Zoo! This puppet performance tells the story of the zoo animals’ antics after the zookeepers go home each night. www.stlzoo.org/events
Union Avenue Opera offers an outstanding lineup this month with My Fair Lady (July 5-6) and Josephine/Pagliacci (July 25-26/August 1-2). All performances are accompanied by a full orchestra, at the historic Union Avenue Christian Church. www.unionavenueopera.org
Through March 2026, Missouri Botanical Garden hosts Smelling the Bouquet: Plants & Scents in the Garden at its Sachs Museum. On July 19, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., experience a live dance interpretation performed by Saias: Dance and Scents with Charis Railey and Amara Arts, enhanced by floral fragrances from around the world. Whitaker Music Festival continues outdoors every Wednesday (entry at 5 p.m./performance at 7) throughout July. Bring a blanket or chairs, cooler and a basket of snacks (this is the ONLY time when picnics are allowed in the Garden!). Check out this lineup: July 2-St. Chuck (Indie Pop); July 9- JigJam (Bluegrass/Irish); July 16-Dawn Weber & Good Company (Tribute to StL music); July 22-Tele-Star (Classic Rock); July 30-Karla Harris Quintet (Jazz/Blues). www.mobot.org
Great Rivers Greenway invites everyone to enjoy nature’s beauty at its Sunsets & Snow Cones events, 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 14 (Cliff Cave Park), July 22 (Al Foster/Meramec Greenway), July 31 (St. Vincent’s Greenway). www.greatriversgreenway.org/events
Both The Sheldon and Powell Symphony Hall remain closed for the summer, as they prepare to unveil wonderful renovations to these historic venues in fall. Just announced: world-renowned artist Sheila Hicks has been commissioned to create a monumental, permanent art installation for the Jack C. Taylor Music Center’s new foyer, spanning a soaring 27-foot-high, 13-foot-wide expanse. The work will integrate drapery fabric formerly used in Powell Hall, connecting the venue’s past with its future. Born in Nebraska, Yale-educated, the artist now resides in Paris.