The Summer of ARTful Events
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Image: Window Garden by Carmon Conangelo, at Bruno David Gallery
To Avoid Drowning, Become the Ocean, an installation by Aotearoa (New Zealand) artist Sam Hamilton, opens June 26 at The Luminary, 2701 Cherokee, with a free public reception (rsvp in advance). Installed throughout the gallery, the resulting composition “forms a sustained sonic field that suspends its audience between change and stillness, individualism and collectivism, life and matter.” It remains on view through August 15. www.theluminaryarts.com
Through June 27, Bruno David Gallery hosts Carmon Colangelo: 20-Year Survey, bringing together his paintings and print-based works. Colangelo (b. Toronto, Canada) is dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University. www.brunodavidgallery.com
The Green Center presents Birds of U.City by Josh Hedlund and Dormant Forms by Josiah McElmurry through June 12. The gallery, 8025 Blackberry, is open free of charge, Monday-Friday, 9-4 p.m. www.thegreencenter.org
See the best works of the year at Webster Arts’ Open Theme Annual exhibition, June 19-24, 2 Summit Avenue. Opening reception at 6:30 p.m. www.webster-arts.org
If you’re a cabaret-aficionado, June kicks off with SummerFest 2026 by the Cabaret Project of St. Louis. Hear all the national cabaret greats perform during a week of “song, connection and unforgettable nights,” June 2-6. www.thecabaretproject.org
Jazz St. Louis is always lively but will be especially so on June 10-11 when the Funky Butt Brass Band performs. And the vibe continues June 24-27 with the Rodriguez Brothers MILES 100: A Celebration of Afro-Cuban Jazz. www.jazzstl.org
At the Loretto-Hilton Theatre, Opera St. Louis presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance through June 27. It’s high jinx on the high seas! www.opera-stl.org
The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, on Washington University’s campus, offers many ARTful opportunities throughout the year, from yoga in the galleries to Apparition: MFA thesis exhibition (through July 27). Middle and high school students are invited to experience Art Sings! on June 9. It’s a summer workshop (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) igniting sparks of visual art and music to unlock participants’ creativity and foster cross-disciplinary thinking, led by nationally-recognized composer/teaching artist Neil Ginsberg. On June 10, the workshop presents professional development for educators. Find out more at www.kemperartmuseum@wustl.edu
On June 5, Karlovsky & Company Dance presents In TRANSIT, with 20+ community dancers and musicians performing site-specific works throughout Grand Center. At 6 p.m., start at any location: Park-Like/Pulitzer (3713 Washington); Spring Church (620 N. Spring); Grand Center Arts Plaza (Grand & Grandel Square); The Sheldon Plaza (3648 Washington). Final full ensemble performs at 6:45 in Spring Church. All performances are family-friendly & free. www.karlovskydance.org
Saint Louis Ballet’s ENCORE brings the audience closer than ever to onstage artistry on the Touhill’s Lee Theater stage, June 13-14. Experience a rare perspective on this dynamic program including fresh works as well as “one last chance this season to experience the classic black & white ballet The Four Temperaments by George Balanchine.” www.stlouisballet.org
Through June 21, Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park comes to life with free performances of The Tempest. This St. Louis tradition kicks off summer in high style: bring a picnic or purchase treats on the grounds, then settle in for an evening under the stars with the Bard! Tuesday-Sunday performances begin at 8:15 p.m., with pre-show fun from 6:30 p.m. www.stlshakes.org
The Muny season opens with Hairspray, June 15-21, followed by Shrek, The Musical, June 25-July 2. And that’s just the start of St. Louis outdoor theatre! www.themuny.org
There’s some hot fun planned at Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar, on June 19, 5-10 p.m. when The Big Woo (of Woo Daddies band) & friends back anyone ready to take the stage for Open Mic Night. Unleash your inner vocalist, or maybe just enjoy watching glassblowing demos. www.stlglass.com
Powell Hall presents An Evening with the Punch Brothers for an evening of genre-defying bluegrass, June 24. On June 26, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven X Coldplay (you read that correctly!) when “classical genius meets pop brilliance.” www.slso.org
Head outdoors to experience Begin Again: Wak’a Garden at Laumeier, 12580 Rott Road, by 2026 Visiting Artist Juan William Chávez and Exhibition Series artist Kiersten Torrez. Built from natural materials including logs, branches, mud and rocks, largely recovered from the Park, the work spans 50 feet across, rising to 16 feet at its tallest point. www.laumeier.org
P.S. Happy Father’s Day to St. Louis’ great dads!