St. Louis Area Fine Arts, Crafts & Performing Arts
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Arts Editor
Please note: As scheduling can be unexpectedly altered in response to COVID-19 concerns, kindly verify all listed events at the provided websites.
I’ve been applauding the loudest for the ARTS in our community, for the creative ways to keep us all ARTful and sane during the craziness of COVID-19. “Money’s tight and times are hard” is true but maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a way to support some of these great organizations that have supported us all. Buy a ticket or make a donation… please?
I admit my bias: I LOVE classical guitar music! Beginning on November 21, St. Louis Classical Guitar presents its new, ALL-VIRTUAL Concert Series. The opening concert presents Maharajah Flamenco Trio, 7:30-10:30 p.m. for just $10. The series brings six different performers, through April 24. Reserve tickets at www.stlclassicalguitar.org
ARTscope offers great creative fun for children and its School’s Out program has now moved to the larger Stupp Center in Tower Grove Park, to better allow for social distancing. The first date of the season is November 3. While you are exercising your right to vote, your children can spend their day engaged in creative fun with teaching artists. If you are a poll worker, election official or otherwise engaged in ensuring Election Day goes smoothly, please contact ARTscope so that your child can attend at no cost on Election Day. Call 314-865-0060 or email info@artscoptestl.org.
“All dressed up with nowhere to go?” Well, here’s how to have something to do without being dressed up! On November 6, Stages St. Louis presents its annual Applause! Gala but, this year, you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your home. Enjoy great entertainment plus a “Gala in a Bag,” (delivered to your home), bid on great items, while supporting performing arts. More details at www.stagesstlouis.org/special-event.
On November 14, Dance St. Louis presents An Evening of Ballet Stars 3 at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. To assure social distancing for the 2 and 8 p.m. performances, tickets are limited, so order yours early for this very special event. Details at www.dancestl.org.
Jazz St. Louis revs up the cool with its Season of Stream Vol. 3 virtual concerts. It’s drummer Montez Coleman’s “Groovin on Grover Washington” on November 5, Kendrick Smith’s Double Trio on November 12 and pianist (and more!) Phillip Graves on November 19. Find out more at www.jazzstl.org.
It’s lively at The Sheldon, too. Seven new exhibitions open on November 6: Carlie Trosclair: All Roads Leave/Lead Home; Sarah Frost: Relief; Jenn Everett: New Arrangements; Joshua Newth: Acts, Elements, Objects and Unreason; Melodies from Mozambique; St. Louis, A Musical Gateway: Far East and Oceania; Defining Line: Kit Keith, Sandra Marchewa, Fredrick Stivers. To visit the galleries, simply make a free reservation (limit of 10 people per 15-minute slot) at www.thesheldon.org/events/fallopening and wear your mask.
November 20-21, Christine Brewer (ya know, from the Met in New York!?!) performs “From Grand Tower to Grand Opera” in her first-ever proper cabaret show 8 p.m. at Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle. Find out more about all the upcoming shows there at www.bluestrawberrystl.com.
Qu’Art’s 2nd annual Black Friday Ball and Marketplace is set for November 27, 4-8 p.m., at The Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington. Works by local artists and makers are available, followed by a panel discussion and drag performances. Learn more at www.camstl.org
November 20-January 7, visit The Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles to view PaperWorks VII. The gallery is spacious with safety measures in place so you can peruse the exhibition. More info at www.foundryartcentre.org
Sure, you’ve got a camera on your cell phone. But do you know how to get really great pictures with it? Sign up for “Mastering Mobile Phone Photography” with Jeff Hirsch on November 21 from 9 a.m.-noon, presented by International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. Class info at www.iphf.org/education/mastering-mobile-phone-photography-with-jeff-hirsch.
Art St. Louis XXXVI: The Exhibition opens on November 14, with a reception 5-7 p.m. at 1223 Pine. This annual juried exhibition features new works, in all mediums, by 52 St. Louis regional artists. Find out more at www.artstlouis.org. The show runs through December 17.
Through December 5, see these exhibitions at Bruno David Gallery: Arny Nadler: Firstlings/Sculptures & Works on Paper; Douglass Freed: Mystical Light; Van McElwee: Flag & its Shadow (Media); Patricia Olynyk: (Window on Forsyth) Oculus. Find info on when to visit at www.brunodavidgallery.com.
Green Door Gallery, 21 N. Gore, presents a new visual art show, Signs & Wonders, November 4-December 27. Details at www.greendoorartgallery.com.