November is a busy ARTful month….
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonick, Healthy Planet Arts Editor
ARTWORK: Painting by Alvin Horst, at Norton’s Fine Art Gallery.
The Sheldon, 3648 Washington, reopens galleries after extensive renovations, presenting We Each Hold Stories for its inaugural exhibition, November 7-May 2. Co-curated by Tom Jones of the Ho-Chunk Nation and Paula Lincoln, Sheldon gallery director, this exhibition is a moving, diverse collection of work by 17 contemporary Indigenous American artists. “These artists have their own unique voices, [but] adhere to a shared tradition of storytelling,” said Lincoln. “They explore their individual cultures through personal stories and evoke a powerful sense of history.” www.thesheldon.org
Upstream Theater presents the U.S. premiere of An Orchard for Chekhov, November 7-23, at Marcelle Theater in Grand Center. The play explores emotions and social tensions with affection and humor. www.upstreamtheater.org
On November 8, head to the Grandel, 10 a.m., for JOY! a variety dance performance of professionals plus students of Pack Dance. www.ckdc.org
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra cordially (and proudly!) invites everyone to a free Open House to view the Jack C. Taylor Music Center (Powell Hall) on Saturday, November 8, 2025, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Performances by a variety of ensembles continue until 5:30 p.m., with a special kid-friendly performance by Music Quest, 11-noon. Food trucks on site until 6 p.m. It’s a party! Reserve free tickets at www.slso.org
Experience Disney’s The Lion King with live musical accompaniment by St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, November 15-16. Or maybe Stravinsky’s Fire and Flame, November 21 (10:30 a.m.Coffee Concert)-22. It’s good to be “home” in Grand Center again!
Also on November 8, 5:30-8 p.m., The Green Center, 8025 Blackberry Avenue, celebrates the majestic power of fire as an artform during the Fall Fire Festival . Bring a blanket, a picnic and experience entrancing fire dance by Aalim & Chuvani Bellydance troupes and Sherherazade Drums. www.thegreencenter.org
Or head to Laumeier Sculpture Park’s annual music, art and FUN fall event: Laumeier After Dark, November 8 from 4–10 p.m. 12580 Rott Road. www.laumeiersculpturepark.org
Norton’s Fine Art, 2025 S. Big Bend, hosts Alvin Horst: From Theology to the Subconscious Canvas, November 8-January 10. This artist’s work includes pen and ink, oil, pastel, and pencil compositions that explore often surreal, dreamlike subjects. www.nortonsfineart.com
Webster Arts serves up a busy calendar, starting November 8 with Trivia Night at First Congregational Church on Elm and Lockwood. Get a table and test how smART you are!
The Members Showcase presents the best of 48 members’ works, November 14-26 in the Gallery at 2 Summit Avenue. Opening reception is 6-7:30 p.m. www.webster-arts.org
Stile Antico, a British vocal ensemble specializing in polyphonic music composed prior to the eighteenth century, performs at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell, 7:30 p.m. on November 17. Awesome! www.cathedralconcerts.org
Get front row seats to a fashion/art runway show filled with jaw-dropping glass pieces you’ll want to rock at holiday parties, November 21, 6-10 p.m. at Third Degree Glass, 5200 Delmar. Local shoe-brand Cynthia Richard footwear exhibition November 7-December 27,
pairs with creative, wearable glass accessories. Oo-la-la! www.thirddegreeglass.com
Unique Boutique returns to John Burroughs School, 755 S. Price Road, November 22-23, showcasing fine art and craft by 75+ juried artists. Gifts from Unique Boutique are sure to thrill everyone on your holiday gift list. www.jburroughs.org/our-community/parents-council/unique-boutique
Find the best at Jazz St. Louis every Wednesday through Sunday evening. Beginning with Luciana Souza on November 1, right through November 29 with Jeremy Davenport, music fills the month at 3536 Washington. www.jazzstl.org
Dance St. Louis kicks off its highly anticipated 60th anniversary season with none other than NYC-based American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, November 14-15. Dynamically blending classical and neoclassical works along with contemporary and new works, it’s the perfect start to what promises to be an amazing season of dance. www.dancestlouis.org
Join St. Louis Classical Guitar on November 15 to welcome William Kanengiser & the Eclipse Quartet for a “British Invasion,” at Salem United Methodist Church, with the music of Sting, Led Zeppelin and, of course, the Beatles! www.stlclassicalguitar.org
Karlovsky & Company Dance presents STAGED: New Works in Contemporary and Experimental Dance, 7:30 p.m. November 21-22 at The Grandel. www.karlovskydance.org
Invincible electrifies the stage of the Touhill, 8 p.m. November 22, in a musical tribute to Michael Jackson. Relive every step, note and beat of the King of Pop. www.umsl.edu/touhill/
The Weavers Guild of St. Louis offers handmade textiles and fiber arts during its Holiday Market, at Webster Arts, November 29-December 7. www.weaversguildstl.org