Autumn Arts

September 7: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band

While inducting Starr into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in 2015, Paul McCartney recalled the first time he heard the Fab Four’s drummer play. “I remember the moment, standing there and looking at John [Lennon] and then looking at George [Harrison],” he said. “That was the moment, that was the beginning, really, of The Beatles.” Starr went on to release 19 solo studio albums, including his latest, Give More Love, featuring McCartney on bass and backing vocals. Now, Ringo rolls into town with his All Starr Band. $40–$195. 8 p.m. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, 314-534-1111.

September 18: Taylor Swift

Swifty’s latest, Reputation, was the best-selling album in the U.S. last year. In it, she throws some shade at her exes—“The ties were black, the lies were white”—but  overall, the tone’s romantic, with a late-night intimacy. “Don’t blame me, love made me crazy,” she sings. “If it doesn’t, you ain’t doin’ it right.” This tour’s predicted to be the most lucrative of her career. Camila Cabello and Charli XCX open. $46.50 and up. 7 p.m. The Dome at America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza.

September 26: Kick Out the Jams

On the 50th anniversary of Detroit rock band MC50’s Kick Out the Jams—hailed as one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (despite an initially unfavorable review in the magazine)—guitarist Wayne Kramer comes to town with some special guests, including Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty, King’s X bass player Dug Pinnick, and Zen Guerrilla singer Marcus Durant. $30–$149. 8 p.m. The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester, 314-833-3929.

October 1: Sting and Shaggy

Yes, that Sting and Shaggy. The Police frontman teamed up with the “It Wasn’t Me” singer for an unexpected collaborative reggae album including the hit single “Don’t Make Me Wait.” “When you think about it, it’s not so surprising because we have a common ground in a love of reggae music,” Sting told Billboard. “I think there’s a joy and a sunshine on the record that is really resonating with people.” $104–$164. 8:30 p.m.The Pageant, 6161 Delmar, 314-726-6161.

October 4: Billy Strings

Declaring Strings one of 10 New Country Artists You Need to Know, Rolling Stone described the Nashville-based roots artist’s sound as “the head-banging speed of a thrash metal band channeled through flat-picked guitar and mandolin, with a touch of end-of-the-world psychedelia.” The title track from his freshman LP, Turmoil & Tinfoil, tackles a weighty topic—“missing someone who is standing right in front of you,” as he told American Songwriter—while maintaining irresistible upbeat strumming. $15. 8 p.m. Old Rock House, 1200 S. Seventh, 314-588-0505.

October 5: Lauryn Hill

Twenty years after the release of the enormously successful The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill—the former Fugees star’s only solo studio album, which won five Grammy Awards—Hill is revisiting such hits as “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Everything Is Everything.” Nas, Patoranking, and Shabazz Palaces open. $51.50 and up. 6 p.m. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton,800-745-3000.

October 12 & 13: Joey Alexander  

Several years ago, on 60 Minutes, Anderson Cooper profiled a 12-year-old jazz prodigy from Bali with blue glasses, an infectious smile, and an inexplicable knack for improvising on the piano. “I’ve never heard anyone who can play like him,” said jazz legend Wynton Marsalis. “No one has heard a person who can play like him.” $45 and up. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington, 314-571-6000.

October 20: Jon Batiste

You probably know Batiste as the high-energy leader of the house band on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert or from his role in the HBO series Treme, but don’t let all the fame and fortune fool you. Batiste is the real deal, a Juilliard-grad piano virtuoso who comes from a long line of New Orleans musicians. Fittingly, he’ll perform at The Sheldon just a week after the incomparable Wynton Marsalis, with whom he collaborated last year on The Music of John Lewis. $35–$50. 8 p.m. The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington.

October 30: Elton John

Goodbye, yellow brick road—or, more specifically, life on the road. In January, the Rocket Man announced that he was retiring from touring to spend more time with his children. Fortunately for fans, he’s saying one last farewell—and including a stop in St. Louis. Like his most recent greatest-hits album, Diamonds, the night will be chockfull of hits from a legendary career spanning five decades. $46.50–$221.50. 8 p.m. Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark, 314-231-4445.

November 21: Christina Aguilera

After six seasons as a judge on The Voice, the Grammy winner’s back out on the road for the first time in more than a decade to promote her eighth studio album, Liberation, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200—making it her seventh Top 10 album. $46.50–$156.50. 8 p.m. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market, 314-499-7600.

Changing of the Guard

Stéphane Denève, Music director designate, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

When it was announced that Stéphane Denève would officially succeed St. Louis Symphony Orchestra music director David Robertson in the 2019–2020 season, The New York Times described the Brussels Philharmonic’s music director as a “cheerful, garrulous Frenchman.” Already a familiar face to many St. Louisans, Denève has guest-conducted the orchestra eight times since 2003 (and serves as principal guest conductor for The Philadelphia Orchestra). This season, he’s serving as the symphony’s music director–designate: “As I anticipate our official marriage in ’19–’20, the upcoming SLSO season serves, if you will, as our engagement season.” Fittingly, on November 10 and, 11 he’ll conduct Poem of Ecstasy—a program cele-brating passion, love, and collective joy—featuring Scriabin’s classic and selections from Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde and Berlioz’s Romeo and Juliet.

September 8 & 9: LouFest

UPDATE: On September 5, event organizers called off the Forest Park festival, citing “financial hurdles,” “unfortunately timed media coverage,” and “fickle weather.” Robert Plant, Modest Mouse, The Head and the Heart, Kacey Musgraves, Gary Clark Jr., St. Louis native Michael McDonald, and a slew of local acts were scheduled to perform at the event.

September 7–9: Saint Louis Art Fair

The Clayton art fair draws more than 100 top artists working in ceramics, digital art, sculptures, prints, painting, and more. Free. 5–10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Clayton, 314-863-0278.

November 1–11: St. Louis International Film Festival

Screened in venues all over town, Cinema St. Louis’ annual film fest always delivers a wealth of features, docs, and shorts, including awards contenders and locally made works.

November 4–18: St. Louis Jewish Book Festival

In its 40th year, the annual book festival is one of the nation’s largest. This year’s keynote speaker is Peter Sagal, the witty host of NPR’s Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me! 7 p.m. Nov. 4, $45. 7 p.m. Nov. 10, $30. 7 p.m. Nov. 12, $20. Staenberg Family Complex, 314-432-5700.

September 28–30: Strange Folk Festival

The indie craft show seems to grow larger every year, offering a bounty of makers, bands, and food trucks. 2–7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. Carondelet Park White Wall, 3900 Holly Hills.

October 5–7: Best of Missouri Market

More than 120 makers and food purveyors flock to MoBot to serve up baked goods, handcrafted jewelry, and more. Live music and a kids’ corner add to the fun. Before you leave, check out the nearby Shaw Art Fair. $15 adults, $7 children, $7 members, free for members’ children. Noon–8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 314-577-5100.

November 8–10: Flyover Comedy Festival

The name is firmly tongue-in-cheek—after all, the fest showcases talent in The Grove. Local acts and out-of-towners perform standup, improv, sketch comedy, storytelling, and more.

August 31–September 2: Big Muddy Blues Festival

Blocks east of the National Blues Museum, music legends gather on Laclede’s Landing to celebrate St. Louis’ musical heritage. Free Friday; $15 for one day or $25 for two days. 3 p.m.–midnight. Laclede’s Landing, 314-482-0314.

September 14–16: MOSAICS Fine Art Festival

About 90 artists gather in downtown St. Charles to show their work. Tykes will enjoy the Children’s Village, now overseen by community arts organization Art Unleashed. Free. 4–9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday. North Main, St. Charles, 314-482-5476.

Changing of the Guard

Tom Ridgely, Executive producer, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis

This summer, Tom Ridgely left cutting-edge New York theater company Waterwell after 16 years to join Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, where he discovered that all of the ideas he’d pitched in his interview were already, in many ways, in the works—including In the Works, the festival’s new mini theater festival, being held at the Grandel Theatre this fall. “There’ll be the Midwest premiere of a play called Into the Breeches!, set during World War II, which is all about a director’s wife who puts on an all-woman play after the town’s men ship out for the war. Then there’s a play called A Thousand Natural Shocks that’s inspired by Hamlet, which is the last show I did with Waterwell,” he says. “There’s also a remount of A Most Outrageous Fit of Madness, which was one of the education tour plays, based on A Comedy of Errors. I just have to make sure it goes well and reaches as many people as it can. At the same time, we’ll be thinking about what’s next—what the next season will be, what we want to try, what we want to grow, and what we want to continue to do better.”

September 18–30: Love Never Dies  

Five months after The Phantom of the Opera came to the Fox, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel arrives. The musical takes place in 1907, roughly a decade after the original left off. The Phantom’s since relocated from the Paris Opera House to Coney Island, where he’s opened a new attraction, Phantasma. When Christine Daaé—now married to Raoul and mother to 10-year-old Gustave—accepts an invitation from the park’s mysterious impresario to perform at the new attraction, she encounters the masked man who summoned her. Now on sale as part of the 7-Show Season Ticket Package. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18–22 & 25–29 / 2 p.m. Sept. 22 & 29 / 1 p.m. Sept 23, 27 & 30 / 6:30 p.m. Sept 23. 527 N. Grand, 314-534-1678.

September 5–30: Evita

To open artistic director Steven Woolf’s final season, The Rep stages Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Tony-winning classic about Argentine political leader Eva Perón, whose rise inspired a nation. Forty-four years after Perón’s untimely death, Madonna’s rendition of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” climbed to Billboard’s Top 10—and the musical’s message resonates even today. $29–$102. 7 p.m. Sept. 5 / 8 p.m. Sept. 6 & 7 / 4 p.m. Sept. 8 / 2 p.m. Sept. 9. Repertory Theatre St. Louis. 130 Edgar, 314-968-4925.

October 4–21: Raging Skillet

Zagat called the New York catering company that inspired the business “the wildest thing this side of the Mason Dixon line.” Helmed by chef Rossi, it serves such unexpected fusion dishes as peanut butter–and–bacon sandwiches. The chef’s 2015 memoir, about her rise from a strict Orthodox Jewish family in Jersey to NYC’s “rebel anti-caterer,” inspired playwright Jacques Lamarre’s musical of the same name. Now, in artistic director Edward Coffield’s first season at the helm of the New Jewish Theatre (pg. 94), the play comes to St. Louis. $42–$45. 2 p.m. Sundays / 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays / 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Wool Studio Theater, 2 Millstone Campus, 314-432-5700, jccstl.com.

September 27–October 20: The Zombies of Penzance

Nearly a decade after Seth Grahame-Smith’s parody novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, walkers come to the stage as part of another classic tale. Inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, New Line Theater’s comedy opera shares the story of a retired zombie hunter’s valiant effort to prevent his daughters from marrying the dreaded Zombies of Penzance. $20–$30. 8 p.m. The Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard, 314-773-6526.

November 16–17: Lemp Legends: A Ghost Story

The storied Lemp Mansion has long served as the backdrop for ghost tours, murder mystery theater, and epic Halloween parties. Now, Big Muddy Dance Co. tells the Lemp family’s tale like it’s never been told before, in choreographed vignettes depicting the brewing family’s fortune, tragedy, glory, and mystery. $35. 8 p.m. Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth, 314-935-6543.

September 15: Wewolf: Henry and Edward

Inspired by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Henry and Edward “explores the connection of two bodies forming one soul and the discussion between two entities inside one being.” Choreographers/dancers Rauf Yasit (a.k.a. RubberLegz) and James Gregg of L.A.-based dance collective Wewolf merge hip-hop, threading, break dance, contortion, and contemporary dance to create a visually stunning performance. Now on sale as part of season subscriptions. 2 & 7:30 p.m. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel, 314-534-6622.

September 28–30, October 4–7 & 11–14: Chef

Playwright Sabrina Mahfouz’s gripping play about a head chef–turned–inmate unfolds in a prison kitchen. Portrayed by actress Linda Kennedy, the protagonist explains how her passion for food has helped her overcome adversity all her life. Now on sale as part of season passports. 8 p.m. Thursdays–Saturdays / 7 p.m. first two Sundays / 2 p.m. last Sun. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand, 314-863-4999.

September 5–23: Crowns

“We just know inside that we’re queens,” one woman said in the 2000 book Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats.  “And these are the crowns we wear.” Those women’s stories helped inspire playwright Regina Taylor’s acclaimed gospel musical, which shares 17-year-old Yolanda’s eye-opening lessons from her Grandma Shaw and circle of “hat queens.” $15–$45. Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth, 314-935-6543.

September 28–October 14: The Little Foxes

The title of Lillian Hellman’s 1939 play derives from a Bible verse: “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” Set in Alabama in 1900, the play focuses on a family’s bitter struggle for money and control. Last year, Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon starred in the Broadway revival. Now, St. Louis Actors’ Studio associate artistic director Bobby Miller brings the play to the CWE. $30–$35. 8 p.m. Sept. 28–29, Oct. 4–6, 11–13 / 3 p.m. Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & 14. The Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle, 314-458-2978.

November 2–4: Romeo & Juliet

Sure, you might have caught the classic love story in Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen this summer, but Saint Louis Ballet offers up an entirely different take. Executive director Gen Horiuchi reimagines the Shakespearean story of the Montagues and Capulets as a ballet in three acts. $35–$69. 8 p.m. Nov. 2 & 3 / 2 p.m. Nov. 3 & 4. The Touhill, 1 University, 314-516-4949.

Changing of the Guard

Andrew Jorgensen, General director, Opera Theatre of St. Louis

The tidy exchange could almost be a plot lifted from a comic opera: This summer, Opera Theatre’s Timothy O’ Leary left to head up the Washington National Opera—only to be replaced by Andrew Jorgensen, the interim director of the Washington National Opera. (At the least, it made it for one heck of a smooth transition.) And though Jorgensen doesn’t have roots here, he does have a connection: His boss at his first job out of college was a guy named Bill Guerri, a St. Louisan who cut his opera teeth at the Loretto-Hilton and who talked ebulliently about OTSL. It wasn’t until 2013, though, that Jorgensen saw a production. “I was just completely bowled over by Champion,” he recalls. “It represented everything we should be trying to do in commissioning new work.” He was so impressed, he brought Champion to Washington last year. He sees his role—and that of OTSL—as “constantly exploring and redefining what opera can look like, operas both inside the traditional canon and at the edge with new work, new singers, and all of the other things we can do to keep the art form fresh.”

September 7–December 30: Basquiat Before Basquiat: East 12th Street, 1979–1980

Before his Neoexpressionist paintings were displayed in galleries around the world, before his untimely death of a heroin overdose at age 27, before his paintings fetched a record $110.5 million at auction, Jean-Michel Basquiat was a graffiti artist living with friend Alexis Adler in a cramped New York apartment. Using his paintings and photos, notebooks, and ephemera, this exhibit captures the SAMO artist’s life and inspirations in the East Village shortly before his career skyrocketed. Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington, 314-535-4660.

October 13: Ellie Kemper

The redheaded sweetheart from St. Louis wrote for the likes of McSweeney’s and The Onion before she became synonymous with The Office and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In My Squirrel Days, she dishes “about one pale woman’s journey from Midwestern naïf to Hollywood semi-celebrity,” sharing memorable stories about Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, and, of course, a certain woodland creature. $35–$40. 7 p.m. St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh.

November 15: Susan Orlean

Among Orlean’s claims to fame: Meryl Streep portrayed her in the 2002 film Adaptation, inspired by Orlean’s book The Orchid Thief. A longtime staff writer for The New Yorker, she’s written about Tonya Harding and Rin Tin Tin, small towns and surfers, the life of designer Bill Blass and the world of a 10-year-old boy. Her latest, The Library Book, recounts the most devastating library fire in U.S. history and, along the way, pays homage to an institution devoted to literacy and community. Free. 7 p.m. St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 314-994-3300.

September 27: William Shatner

Younger generations might know the iconic actor as Boston Legal’s Denny Crane or the Priceline pitchman or the guy who inspired Stewie’s dramatic spoken-word rendition of “Rocket Man” on Family Guy—but to most people he’s still the original Captain James T. Kirk. After a screening of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, he’ll share behind-the-scenes stories and field fans’ questions. $49.75–$150. 7:30 p.m. The Touhill, 1 University, 314-516-4949.

November 8: Carol Burnett

“It’s hard to explain how huge The Carol Burnett Show was,” Stephen Colbert said last December while paying homage on the show’s 50th anniversary. “Every Saturday night, people didn’t go out—they stayed in and watched Carol. In fact, when the show ended, in the late ’70s, they had to invent disco just to give people something to do on the weekends.” Fittingly, while in St. Louis, the legendary actress will field audience questions, just as she did on her own show years ago. $65–$175. 7:30 p.m. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market, 314-499-7600.

October 4: Stephen Sondheim

Sondheim’s résumé is flat-out ridiculous. Among his works: West Side Story, Sunday in the Park with George, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Gypsy… And awards? The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 12 Tony Awards, eight Grammy Awards, an Oscar… Now, he adds to that list by becoming the first musical lyricist to receive the Saint Louis Literary Award, presented by the Saint Louis University Library Associates. The Muny’s artistic director, Mike Isaacson, will interview the living legend. Free, though registration required. 7 p.m. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington.

September 21: Sally Field

Years in the making, Field’s new memoir, In Pieces, shares a side of the Oscar-winning actress that she’s never revealed before. “I have this life that no one really knows…or at least I didn’t even know truly,” she told People. “This is incredibly raw and intimate and personal. [The memoir includes] things I never thought I wanted to say out loud.” Nonetheless, the 71-year-old actress will read from her memoir in The Chase’s Khorassan Ballroom during BookFest St. Louis, presented by Left Bank Books and the Central West End. $37–$45. 7 p.m. Khorassan Ballroom, Chase–Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel, 212 N. Kingshighway, 314-367-6731.

October 19–February 10: Kehinde Wiley

The unveiling of the official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in February caused a stir in the art world and beyond. Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley’s vibrant modern works stood out from the traditional portraiture of past presidents. Shortly thereafter, in a twist of fate, CAM hosted Sherald’s first major solo show, proving that the artist’s talents stretched far beyond capturing the First Lady. Now, SLAM is displaying the work of the man handpicked to paint the president’s portrait. Known for creating “large-scale oil paintings of contemporary African American subjects in poses that recall grand traditions of European and American portraiture,” Wiley created 11 original portraits of strangers he met in North St. Louis and Ferguson while visiting last year. Saint Louis Art Museum, Galleries 249 & 250, East Building, 1 Fine Arts.

September 14–February 16: Ruth Asawa: Life’s Work

Five years ago, when Asawa died, at age 87, The New York Times wrote, “Ruth Asawa, an artist who learned to draw in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II and later earned renown weaving wire into intricate, flowing, fanciful abstract sculptures, died on August 6 at her home in San Francisco, where many of her works now dot the cityscape.” The Pulitzer hosts the first major show of Asawa’s work since her death—and the first beyond her native West Coast. Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington, 314-754-1850.

Through September 29: Yvonne Osei: Who Discovers the Discoverer?

The German-born Ghanaian artist has quickly made a name for herself in St. Louis, having recently created a large-scale photo installation at Laumeier. (She was also on our list of Best Dressed honorees last fall.) Her latest exhibit, Who Discovers the Discoverer? explores “the influence of colonialism and Western education on the West African psyche.” And be sure to check out the three concurrent exhibits: works by Justin Henry Miller, Jon Howard Young, and collaborative group E.R.O. Bruno David Gallery, 7513 Forsyth, 314-696-2377.

Changing of the Guard

Lauren Ross, Executive director, Laumeier Sculpture Park

Last August, the St. Louis County sculpture park welcomed Ross from Virginia, where she served as the first curator at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Institute for Contemporary Art, shaping the direction and mission of a new institution. She’s also served as curator of modern and contemporary art at Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum of Art and as curator and director of arts programs for New York’s Friends of the High Line. “Just in the short time since the announcement of my hire, many people have shared with me that they have treasured memories of visiting Laumeier growing up or that their kids attend summer camp there now,” says Ross. “Building on the existing base of that beloved history, we will work to create new programs and events, offering up fresh takes on combining art, nature, and community.”

Music

Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room (6504 Delmar)

• Sales, Sept. 11
• Miniature Tigers, Sept. 21
• Sunflower Bean, Sept. 23
• Idles, Sept. 29
• The Nude Party, Oct. 4
• Blitzen Trapper, Oct. 10
• The Coronas, Oct. 14
• Slothrust, Oct. 19
• Tall Heights, Oct. 23
• Melodime, Oct. 26
• Black Lips, Oct. 31
• Roky Erickson, Nov. 10
• Rozwell Kid, Nov. 13

Cathedral Concerts Chamber Music Series (Various locations)

• Fontbonne University Doerr Chapel, Sept. 18
• Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Maryland Heights, Oct. 5
• St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in South St. Louis City, Oct. 9
• Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Soulard, Oct. 15
• Sts. Joachim and Ann Catholic Church in St. Charles, Oct. 16

Chaifetz Arena (1 S. Compton)

• RBRM, Sept. 16
• Ms. Lauryn Hill, Oct. 5

The Dome at America’s Center (701 Convention Plaza)

• Taylor Swift, Sept. 18

Enterprise Center (1401 Clark)

• Maroon 5, Sept. 13
• Game of Thrones, Oct. 5
• Foo Fighters, Oct. 13
• Twenty One Pilots, Oct. 19
• Fleetwood Mac, Oct. 20
• Elton John, Oct. 30
• Bob Seger, Nov. 30

Firebird (2706 Olive)

• Name it Now EP Release Show, Sept. 9
• Red Fang, Sept. 13
• Jonathan McReynolds, Sept. 21
• The Spill Canvas, Sept. 29
• Local H, Oct. 4
• Alex Clare, Oct. 18
• Black Moth Super Rainbow, Nov. 1

Fox Theater (527 N. Grand)

• Boy George,  Sept. 6
• Ringo Starr, Sept. 7
• Beck, Sept. 16
• Celtic Thunder, Oct. 12
• 4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince, Oct. 14
• Kansas, Oct. 20

Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (14141 Riverport)

• WayBack Pointfest: 311 and The Offspring, Sept. 3
• Kid Rock and Brantley Gilbert, Sept. 7
• Vanilla Ice, Coolio, All-4-One, Sept. 8
• Counting Crows, Sept. 9
• Lady Antebellum w/ Darius Rucker and Russell Dickerson, Sept. 13

Jazz at the Bistro (3536 Washington)

• Al Holliday & The East Side Rhythm Band, Sept. 7 & 8
• The Chick Corea Trio, Sept. 11 & 12
• Harold Lopez-Nussa, Sept. 13
• Brothers Lazaroff w/ Peter Martin, Sept. 14 & 15
• Byron Stripling, Sept. 19–23
• Ann Hampton Callaway & Liz Callaway, Sept. 26 & 27
• Dave Venn Trio w/ Jeanne Trevor, Sept. 28 & 29
• Kenny Barron Trio, Oct. 3–7
• Jim Widner Big Band, Oct. 11
• Joey Alexander, Oct. 12 & 13
• Dr. Lonnie Smith, Oct. 17–21
• Darius De Haas: A Bernstein Thing, Oct. 24 & 25
• John Ellis, Ulysses Owens Jr., Reuben Rogers, Oct. 26 & 27
• Stefon Harris & Blackout, Oct. 31–Nov. 4
• Nicole Henry, Nov. 7 & 8
• Dave Grelle, Nov. 9 & 10
• Jeff Lorber Fusion, Nov. 14–18
• Jeremy Davenport,Nov. 23 & 24
• Christian McBride’s New Jawn, Nov. 28–Dec. 2

Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand)

• STL Opera Collective Presents Three Decembers, Sept. 7 & 8
• Flint Eastwood, Sept. 22
• Duo Klavitarre, Sept. 30
• Steve Brammeier Presents 68: Then & Now, Oct. 4
• Rick Jensen, Oct. 6
• Merry Keller, Oct. 26
• Barb Jungr and John McDaniel, Oct. 27
• Jeanette Harris, Nov. 17

Off Broadway (3509 Lemp)

• Flatland Cavalry, Sept. 8
• Shinyribs, Sept. 9
• Ryley Walker, Sept. 11
• Joshua Hedley, Sept. 12
• Steve’n’Seagulls, Sept. 13
• JD McPherson, and his band Sept. 14
• Saintseneca, Sept. 21
• Never Shout Never, Sept. 23
• Courtney Marie Andrews, Sept. 24
• Diet Cig, Sept. 25
• Matthew Perryman Jones, Sept. 29
• Screaming Females, Sept. 30
• Ray Wylie Hubbard, Oct. 5
• Shane Smith & The Saints, Oct. 6
• Sarah Shook and the
• Disarmers, Oct. 11
• Max Frost, Oct. 20
• Los Straitjackets, Oct. 25
• Jackopierce, Oct. 26 & 27
• Bob Log III, Oct. 30
• Great Lake Swimmers, Nov. 10
• Lucero, Nov. 17 & 18
• The Buttertones, Nov. 25

Old Rock House (1200 S. 7th)

• TWRP, Sept. 4
• Junior Brown, Sept. 6
• Ashes to Stardust: Tribute to David Bowie, Sept. 7
• Greg Laswell, Sept. 11
• Shook Twins, Sept. 12
• Carbon Leaf, Sept. 13
• Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Sept. 14
• Old Salt Union, Sept. 15
• Beats Antique, Sept. 19
• Vinyl Theatre, Sept. 20
• Sam Morrow, Sept. 25
• Parker Millsap, Sept. 26
• Moon Hooch, Sept. 30
• Murder by Death, Oct. 3
• Billy Strings, Oct. 4
• Los Lonely Boys, Oct. 7
• JAUZ, Oct. 9
• Amy Helm, Oct. 11
• Cody Canada & The
• Departed, Oct. 12
• David Cook, Oct. 25
• Orgone, Nov. 2
• El Ten Eleven, Nov. 6
• Tony Lucca, Nov. 7
• The Floozies, Nov. 8
• Tauk, Nov. 13
• Marc Broussard, Nov. 16
• Kasbo, Nov. 20

The Pageant (6161 Delmar)

• Parkway Drive, Sept. 4
• Bullet For My Valentine, Sept. 18
• Chromeo, Sept. 19
• The Record Company, Sept. 20
• Lord Huron, Sept. 12
• Stone Sour, Sept. 22
• blessthefall, Sept. 25
• Shakey Graves, Sept. 30
• Sting & Shaggy, Oct. 1
• Iron & Wine, Oct. 3
• Dark Star Orchestra, Oct. 4
• Goo Goo Dolls, Oct. 5
• Hippo Campus, Oct. 9
• Lil Xan, Oct. 10
• Trampled By Turtles, Oct. 11
• Blue October, Oct. 12
• Thrice, Oct. 13
• Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Oct. 19
• Chief Keef, Oct. 26
• Blues Traveler, Nov. 2
• Ben Rector, Nov. 9
• Walk Off the Earth, Nov. 10
• Tyler Childers, Nov. 14
• Turnpike Troubadours, Nov. 17

Pop’s Nightclub (401 Monsanto, Sauget, Illinois)

• Discrepancies: The Phatbeatz Birthday Bash, Sept. 22
• Steve O’Brien: A Cult Classic Show, Sept. 28
• Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, Sept. 29
• Clutch, Sevendust, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, Oct. 18
• Trivium The Sin and the Sentence World Tour, Oct. 20

Powell Hall (718 N. Grand)

• Concert in Forest Park, Sept. 12
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert, Sept. 14-16
• Enigma Variations, Sept. 22 & 23
• Shostakovich’s 11th, Sept. 28 & 29
• Beethoven’s Pastoral, Oct. 5 & 6
• A Celebration of Muny 100, Oct. 7
• Scheherazade, Oct. 12 & 13
• Lemony Snicket’s The Composer Is Dead, Oct. 14
• Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, Oct. 19-21
• Chris Botti, Oct. 26
• Haydn’s Creation, Oct. 27 & 28
• Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Nov. 2–4
• Poem of Ecstasy, Nov. 10 & 11
• Copland’s Third, Nov. 16 & 17
• Bell Performs Bruch, Nov. 23–25
• Bruckner’s Ninth, Nov. 30–Dec. 1

The Ready Room (4195 Manchester)

• Dead Sara, Sept. 11
• Shonen Knife, Sept. 12
• Gary Numan, Sept. 13
• Mike Krol, Sept. 18
• Emo Nite Tour, Sept. 22
• Kick Out the Jams, Sept. 26
• Start Marking Sense:
• Talking Heads Tribute, Sept. 28
• The Sword, Sept. 29
• Local H, Oct. 4
• Eden, Oct. 19
• Masego , Oct. 29
• Porches & Girlpool, Nov. 1
• Of Montreal, Nov. 15
• WHY? Plays Alopecia, Nov. 21

The Sheldon (3648 Washington)

• Dark Angel: Hidden Treasures in the Lou, Sept. 4
• Gillian Welch, Sept. 13
• iLLPHONiCS with Black Spade, Sept. 14
• SuicideGirls: Blackheart Burlesque, Sept. 19
• The Band of Heathens, Sept. 20
• Chamber Project St. Louis, Sept. 25
• Welcome to Night Vale, Oct. 3
• Susan Werner and Ellis Paul, Oct. 5
• Cornet Chop Suey, Oct. 8 & 9
• Puddles Pity Party, Oct. 10
• Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Oct. 12
• Jon Batiste, Oct. 20
• Julia Bullock, Oct. 24
• Hot Rize, Nov. 2
• Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Nov. 8
• Lila Downs, Nov. 11
• The Feyza Eren Group, Nov. 13 & 14
• Looprat with Mathias and the Pirates, Nov. 16
• Dee Dee Bridgewater & the Memphis Soulphony, Nov. 17

Stifel Theatre (1400 Market)

• Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Sept. 1
• Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Sept. 10
• Brett Eldredge, Oct. 5
• Alice Cooper, Oct. 20
• Christina Aguilera, Nov. 6
• Joe Bonamassa, Nov. 10
• Vince Gill, Nov. 16
• Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Nov. 21

Touhill Performing Arts Center (One University)

• Arianna String Quartet: Visionaries, Sept. 7
• Punch Brothers, Sept. 8
• Chinese Music and Dances, Sept. 22
• Black Violin, Oct. 5
• Alla Voskoboynikova featuring Christine Brewer & Bjorn Ranheim, Oct. 23
• Arianna String Quartet: Death and Transcendence, Nov. 2
• Soweto Gospel Choir, Nov. 10
• The Seamus Egan Project, Nov. 17
• Kenny G, Nov. 30

.ZACK (3224 Locust)

• The Art & Soul Live Exhibit, Sept. 2

Fairs & Festivals

• Big Muddy Blues Festival, Aug. 31–Sept. 2, Laclede’s Landing
• Japanese Festival, Sept. 1–3, Missouri Botanical Garden
• Saint Louis Art Fair, Sept. 7–9, Downtown Clayton
• CommUNITY Arts Festival, Sept. 8, The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Square
• LouFest, Sept. 8 & 9, Forest Park’s Central Fields
• Great Forest Park Balloon Glow & Race, Sept. 14 & 15, Forest Park
• Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival, Sept. 15, Downtown Webster Groves
• Taste of St. Louis, Sept. 14–16, Chesterfield Amphitheater
• BookFest, Sept. 22, Central West End
• JPEK Film Festival, Oct. 1–7, .ZACK, 3224 Locust
• Best of Missouri Market, Oct. 5–7, Missouri Botanical Garden
• Shaw Art Fair, Oct. 6 & 7, Shaw neighborhood
• Highland Arts Council’s Art in the Park, Oct. 12–14, Lindendale Park, Highland, Ill.
• St. Louis International Film Festival, Nov. 1–11
• St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, Nov. 4–18

Performing Arts

Ashleyliane Dance Company, The Grandel (3610 Grandel Square)

• Roots and Rhythm: A Tribute to Jazz, Oct. 20 & 21

The Big Muddy Dance Company, Edison Theatre (6465 Forsyth)

• Lemp Legends: A Ghost Story, Nov. 16 & 17

The Black Rep Edison Theater (6465 Forsyth)

• Crowns, Sept. 5–25

Consuming Kinetics Dance Company, The Marcelle (3310 Samuel Shepard)

• Stasis, Oct. 26–28

Dance St. Louis

• Wewolf, Sept. 15 (Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel)
• An Evening of Ballet Stars, Nov. 11  (Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth)

Dances of India St. Louis

• Skip Viragh Center for the Arts, 425 S. Lindbergh
• The Forgotten Ramayana—the Tale of Urmila, the Sleeping Princess, Nov. 16–18

Edison Theatre (6465 Forsyth)

• T.T.C. Dance: Persistence of Memory, Sept. 26
• The Rocky Horror Show, Oct. 19–28
• Diwali 2018, Nov. 2 & 3
• Kentucky, Nov. 15–18

Insight Theatre Company, Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand)

• Silent Sky, Oct. 19–Nov. 4

JPEK CreativeWorks Theatre, .ZACK (3224 Locust)

• If Only For One Night: Musical Tribute to Patti Labelle, Phyllis Hyman, and More, Oct. 12–14
• Aretha Franklin and Donnie Hathaway Musical Tribute, Nov. 30–Dec. 2

Karlovsky & Company Dance, The Grandel (3610 Grandel Square)

• Playful Pairings: Dance, Beats, Wine, and Treats, Sept. 22

MADCO, Touhill Performing Arts Center, Lee Theater (One University)

• REVIVAL, Sept. 28 & 29

New Jewish Theatre, JCC’s Wool Studio Theater (2 Millstone Campus)

• Raging Skillet, Oct. 4–21

New Line Theatre, Marcelle Theater (3310 Samuel Shepard)

• The Zombies of Penzance, Sept. 27–Oct. 20

The Pageant (6161 Delmar)

• Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Nov. 29

Playhouse at Westport Plaza (635 Westport)

• Hypnotist Richard Barker, Sept. 6-9
• Robert Dubac’s The Book of Moron, Sept. 13-23
• Darin: Bobby’s Biggest Hits Live in Concert, Sept. 26-30
• One Funny Mother, Oct. 3-7
• The Naked Magicians, Oct. 19-21
• Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, Oct. 24-27
• Away in the Basement—A Church Basement Ladies Christmas, Nov. 8-Jan. 6
• Shotspeare, Nov. 15-Dec. 8
• Avenue Q, Jan. 25-Feb. 10, 2019

Rebel and Misfits Productions, Immersive Theatre Project

• Immersive Shakespeare Experience, Oct. 25–Nov. 10

r-S theatrics, Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand)

• Every Brilliant Thing, Nov. 16–Dec. 2
• Cabaret Series, Nov. 9 & 10

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (130 Edgar)

• Evita, Sept. 5–30
• Making a Scene: A St. Louis Theatre Expo, Sept. 29
• A Doll’s House, Part 2, Oct. 10–Nov. 4
• Admissions, Oct. 24–Nov. 11

SLU Theatre, The Grandel (3610 Grandel Square)

• Eurydice, Oct. 11–14

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, The Grandel (3610 Grandel Square)

• In the Works, Oct. 22–Nov. 24

Shooting Star Productions, Visitation Academy (3020 N. Ballas)

• Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, Nov. 15–18

St. Louis Actors’ Studio, Gaslight Theater (360 N. Boyle)

• The Feast, Sept. 22–Oct. 8

Stages St. Louis, The Robert G. Reim Theatre (111 S. Geyer)

• Oklahoma!, Sept. 7–Oct. 7

Stifel Theatre (1400 Market)

• Lord of the Dance, Nov. 4

Tesseract Theatre Company .ZACK (3224 Locust)

• Mama’s Boy by Rob Urbinati, Sept. 21–30

tlt productions .ZACK (3224 Locust)

• VOICES: Sounds of America, Sept. 6–9

Touhill Performing Arts Center (One University)

• Mischief and Mayhem: Japanese Kyōgen Farce, Sept. 15
• Chinese Music and Dances, Sept. 22
• Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Oct. 18–21
• Soweto Gospel Choir, Nov. 10

Theatre Nuevo and ERA Theatre Company

The William A. Kerr Foundation (21 O’Fallon

• whither should I fly, Oct. 25–Nov. 10

Upstream Theater Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand)

• Chef, Sept. 28–Oct. 14

West End Players Guild Union Avenue Christian Church (733 Union)

• This Random World (the myth of serendipity), Sept. 28–Oct. 7
• The Great Seduction, Nov. 9–Nov. 18

Visual Arts

Bruno David Gallery (7513 Forsyth)

• Yvonne Osei: Who Discovers the Discoverer?; Justin Henry: Hustle and Glo; Jon Howard Young: Third Post; E.R.O.: Concrete Tapestry, Aug. 31–Sept. 29
• Ralph Nagel: Being There, Oct. 4–Nov. 17
• Small Is Beautiful: Art as if Artists Mattered, Nov. 30–Jan. 18

COCA’s Millstone Gallery (524 Trinity)

• Figures, Fables & Fiction, Sept. 7–Nov. 4

Contemporary Art Museum (3750 Washington)

• Basquiat Before Basquiat: East 12th Street, 1979–1980, Sept. 7–Dec. 30
• Sanford Biggers, Sept. 7–Dec. 30
• William Downs: Sometimes it hurts, Sept. 7–Dec. 30
• SUPERFLEX: European Union Mayotte, Sept. 7–Dec. 30
• Jennifer West: Emoji Piss Film, Sept. 7–Dec. 30

Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design (6640 Delmar)

• Artists-in-Residence 10 Year Anniversary Exhibition, Aug. 24–Oct. 21

Foundry Art Centre (520 N. Main Center, St. Charles)

• Micro Macro, Aug. 17–Sept. 28
• Out on a Limb, Oct. 5–Dec. 28
• Out of the Woods, Oct. 5–Dec. 28

Laumeier Sculpture Park (12580 Rott)

• David Hutson: Memory & Desire, Sept. 28–Jan. 13

The Luminary (2701 Cherokee)

• Sick Time, Sleepy Time, Crip Time: Against Capitalism’s Temporal Bullying Sept. 21– Nov. 8

Missouri History Museum (5700 Lindell)

• Soldiers Memorial Military Museum’s Grand Reopening Celebration, Nov. 3
• American Heroism in Wartime France, Nov. 7–15

Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (221 N. Grand)

• 25, Sept. 16

Projects+Gallery (4733 McPherson)

• Cry of Victory and Short Walks to Freedom, Oct. 18–Nov. 24
• Jess T. Dugan: To Survive on This Shore, Sept. 6–Oct. 10

Pulitzer Arts Foundation (3716 Washington)

• Ruth Asawa: Life’s Work, Sept. 14–Feb. 26
• Lola Alvarez Bravo: Picturing Mexico, Sept. 14–Feb. 26

Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts

• Kehinde Wiley, Oct. 10–Feb. 10
• Graphic Revolution: American Prints 1960 to Now, Nov. 11–Feb. 3

The Sheldon Art Galleries (3648 Washington)

• Re/Imagining Identity–Zlatko Ćosić, José Guadalupe Garza, and Miriam Ruiz, Priya Kambli and Rachel Youn, Oct. 5–Jan. 26
• St. Louis, A Musical Gateway: Eastern Europe, India and Mexico, Oct. 5–Apr. 13
• The Immigrants: Works by Master Photographers, Oct. 5–Jan. 12
• Growing Up: International Vertical Garden Architecture, Oct. 5–Jan. 19
• Martin Brief: A Brief History of Time, Oct. 5–Jan. 5
• Immigrants in St. Louis and Their Impact on the City by Students of Forsyth School, Oct. 5–Feb. 2

World Chess Hall of Fame (4652 Maryland)

• The Sinquefield Effect, Through Feb. 24
• Featured Chess Sets 2018, Through Dec. 31
• Global Moves: Americans in Chess Olympics, Nov. 10–March 31

Books, Comedy, & Speeches

Family Arena (2002 Arena, St. Charles)

• Jeanne Robertson, Oct. 12

Helium Comedy Club (1151 Saint Louis Galleria)

• DC Curry, Aug. 31–Sept.2
• Brad Williams, Sept. 6–8
• Jay Pharoah, Sept. 13–15
• Steve Hofstetter, Sept. 23
• Donnell Rawlings, Sept. 27–29
• Chad Daniels, Oct. 11–13
• Jess Hilarious, Oct. 24–25

Left Bank Books (399 N. Euclid)

• Craig Johnson, Sept. 12
• Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, and Giovanna Rigano, Sept. 12
• DeRay Mckesson, Sept. 13
• Sally Field, September 21
• Matthew Horace, Sept. 25
• Angela Mitchell, Oct. 18
• Ben Macintyre, Oct. 22
• Joseph Fink, Nov. 17

St. Louis County Library (1640 S. Lindbergh)

• Stephen Fried, Sept. 12
• Reed Farrel Coleman, Sept. 17
• Little Readers Festival, Sept. 22
• Deborah Harkness, Sept. 22
• Esi Edugyan, Sept. 25
• Sandeep Jauhar, Sept. 26
• Nick Bunker, Sept. 27
• Laini Taylor, Oct. 4
• Justin Driver, Oct. 9
• Hampton Sides, Oct. 11
• Ellie Kemper, Oct. 13
• Elliot Ackerman, Oct. 17
• Lou Berney, Oct. 18
• B. A. Shapiro, Oct. 25
• Susan Orlean, Nov. 15

Stifel Theatre (1400 Market)

• Carol Burnett, Nov. 8

Touhill Performing Arts Center (One University)

• William Shatner, Sept. 27
• Eddie Izzard, Sept. 29

Changing of the Guard

Edward Coffield, Artistic Director, New Jewish Theatre

A St. Louis theater mainstay, Coffield stepped into the role of artistic director at New Jewish Theatre in July, replacing Kathleen Sitzer, who retired after 22 years at the helm. Coffield’s been nominated three times for a Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Direction. He’s also served as production manager at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis for 28 years and spent 16 years as associate artistic director at New Jewish Theatre, where he’s already directed more than 15 productions. “NJT has long been my artistic home, and I am so proud of the organization that Kathleen Sitzer has allowed the theater to become,” he says. “I look forward to continue the growth and success of NJT.” His inaugural season kicks off October 3 with Raging Skillet.

Hana Sharif, incoming Artistic Director, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

In late July, after a nationwide search to find the successor to longtime artistic director Steven Woolf, The Rep announced that it had selected Sharif. She has served as a director, playwright, and producer, as well as in leadership roles at Hartford Stage and Arts-Emerson in Boston. She’s currently associate artistic director for Baltimore Center Stage. Sharif fell in love with theater at a young age, and that passion continued as she entered college, where she initially planned to attend law school. She recalled nervously calling her parents during her junior year to tell them she was planning to major in theater. “My mother said my father owed her $10, because apparently they made a bet my freshman year about how long it would take me to figure out that I was an artist,” she said. Sharif now looks forward to joining The Rep: “I hope that together we’ll be able to craft stories and bring forward voices that really reflect the evolution of our society and our city.”