june 9
The Whittaker Jazz Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is celebrating week after week of success, with the concerts attracting gangs of jazz lovers and picnickers alike. The mosquitos haven't been too bad (yet), and this week, trumpet master Jeremy Davenport plays and sings for the adoring crowd; next week, local favorite Denise Thimes takes over. (see Concerts)
thursday
june 10
After having slated The Rocky Horror Show as their June presentation, New Line Theatre had to change their plans, and now they're offering the adult fairytales of Into the Woods, by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. The show features new takes on "Little Red Riding Hood," "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Cinderella" that are more adult than Grimm but less dark than Anne Sexton's Transformations. (see Performing Arts)
friday
june 11
The St. Louis Cardinals, having an up-and-down season against their division and league rivals, cross the aisle this week to play the American League's Detroit Tigers in a three-game series beginning tonight at Busch Stadium. (see Sports)
People may think that opera is only for rich old people who speak with Boston lockjaw, but Opera Theatre of St. Louis is out to set them straight. Joshua's Boots, a new opera written with young people in mind, is a story of black cowboys in the wild, wild West (probably not too much like Will Smith in the upcoming movie, though). The program is a collaborative effort with a director from the St. Louis Black Repertory Company (Ron Himes) and members of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, performed at the Center of Contemporary Arts. (See Performing Arts)
After months of deliberation, proposals and lectures by some amazing architects from around the world, the Forum for Contemporary Art announces the decision of who will design the Forum's new kunsthalle at the Blueprint Bash. The party is blue-themed, featuring blue margaritas and the sounds of Mean Gene and the Blues Machine. As they say in The Lady's Trial, "We can drink till all look blue." (see Special Events)
saturday
june 12
Former Cardinal John Morris signs copies of his book Bullet Bob Comes to Louisville at Barnes and Noble-Crestwood, joined by the author of the book's foreword, Willie McGee. They're just signing the book, though, so if you need a bat or ball signed, head to the ballpark for batting practice. (See Literary Events)
If you missed the several "taste of" events sprinkled around the metropolitan area last week, you're in luck, because this weekend is the Taste of the Central West End and Urban Art Fair -- two days of samples from some of the best restaurants around, surrounded by the works of 40 regional artists. Live music is provided by local bands, including Sky Bop Fly, Swing Set and the Chia Band. (see Special Events)
sunday
june 13
If you never heard the song "Gangster's Paradise," you were out of the country, dead or both. But if that's all you know about Coolio, aside from his arrest record and other alleged misunderstandings with the law, you should open your mind and retread your head. Check him out tonight at Karma, the authentic backdoor club of St. Louis. (see Concerts)
Historyonics Theatre Company performs Through the Eyes of a Child: Coming Home, four stories of life in St. Louis, taken from the childhood memories of four African-Americans who lived in East St. Louis and the Ville, Kinloch and Carr neighborhoods on the Missouri side of the river. The show will be presented just three times at the Missouri History Library and Research Center, and the other two shows aren't until July, so try to see it tonight. (see Performing Arts)
monday
june 14
It's the kind of celebration that fills you with pride and warms the cockles of your heart. The Naturalization and Flag Day Ceremony at the Old Court House features the swearing-in of some 70-odd prospective U.S. citizens, all yearning to breathe free. (see Special Events)
In response to Melinda Roth's April 7 RFT cover story, "Dead Dogs Walking," the Webster Groves restaurant Zinnia hosts a Wine Tasting Dinner benefiting Stray Rescue of Missouri, an all-volunteer organization saving and "re-homing" cast-off and stray dogs in the metropolitan area. (See Special Events)
tuesday
june 15
New Year's Eve and all of its insanity are still almost 200 days away, but it's time to get the craziness started. Korbel Champagne Cellars hosts the Millennium Practice Party in Gateway Plaza today. The event features toasts, contests and a "countdown to noon," where we'll practice crashing our computers and shutting off all the power. Remember, all you looters out there: This is only practice. (see Special Events)
Well, the Frontier League is actually up and running. The River City Rascals begin their second home series with the first of three games against the Springfield (Illinois) Capitols tonight at the T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, Mo. (see Sports)
wednesday
june 16
Because last Friday's concert sold out back in February, the Dave Matthews Band is taking another shot at filling Riverport Amphitheatre tonight -- same prices, same time, brand-new day. (see Concerts)
