South Pacific Arrives at The Fox
Posted on November 9th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
“South Pacific” debuted as a musical in 1949 and was an instant Broadway hit. Now more than 60 years later, the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is still bringing home the hardware.
The revival of “South Pacific,” as produced by Lincoln Center Theater and directed by Bartlett Sher, won seven Tony Awards® in 2008, including Best Music Revival. This reinvigorated version “South Pacific” sweeps into St. Louis with a run Nov. 9-21 at the Fabulous Fox Theater. “South Pacific” is set on a tropical island in World War II and tells the story of two couples whose happiness is threatened by the looming war as well as society’s prejudices. The new show features the largest orchestra of any Broadway touring production, 26, and 34 cast members.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday (there is a 7:30 p.m. performance on Nov. 14 and a 1 p.m. showing on Nov. 18). For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.
Tickets to South Pacific range from $28-$70. Tickets can be purchased at The Fox box office or Metrotix by calling 314-534-1111 or visiting www.metrotix.com.
Tags: St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions, The Fabulous Fox Theatre
The 19th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival Arrives Next Week
Posted on November 7th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
The 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival arrives next week! It begins Thursday, Nov. 11 and will run for 10 days at select venues throughout the St. Louis area. The primary venues this year are the Tivoli Theatre, the Hi-Pointe Theatre, Plaza Frontenac and Webster University. One of the largest such festivals in the Midwest, the St. Louis International Film Festival includes nearly 100 feature films, as well as numerous documentaries and short film programs. Its purpose is to spotlight the best filmmakers in the world, whether these persons are newly emerging artists or decorated directors with long-established reputations.
This year’s festival features films from countries around the globe, including such faraway places as Argentina, Poland and the U.K. There are also numerous events through the 10 days, including a tribute to director George Hickenlooper and a screening of his film Casino Jack at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 11 at the Tivoli, which kicks off the festival. Due to the tragic death of Mr. Hickenlooper last month, the planned cocktail party has been cancelled and a tribute will be held instead starting at 6:30 p.m. All “Casino Jack” ticket holders are invited to attend this event.
For more information on the festival, such as screening times and events, visit http://www.cinemastlouis.org/festival.
Tags: St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions, The Loop
Halloween Entertainment at Powell Hall
Posted on October 25th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
This month the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra shakes it up a bit for Halloween. Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic masterpiece Psycho will come alive at Powell Hall this weekend, as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will perform the score written by Bernard Herrmann live. Ward Stare will conduct the two performances, which are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 & 30. Doors will open at 6 p.m. both evenings for those wearing costumes, and the best Halloween costume will win a prize package from local sponsors and the St. Louis Symphony. Tickets range from $35-$75. For more information, call the box office at 314-534-1700.
For the younger set, Powell Hall is featuring a special 3 p.m. Halloween concert it bills at the
Howl at Powell. Ward Stare will conduct an event which will feature music from the classics such as Back/Stockowski Toccata and Fuge in D-Minor to John Williams music from Jurassic Park. The concert is recommended for children ages 12-5. There will be a costume contest and a prize package for the winner. Tickets for this event are as low as $7 for a child and $11 for an adult ticket. For more information, call the box office at 314-534-1700.
Tags: Family Friendly, St. Louis Culture & Attractions, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions
Kathleen Turner Performs At The Rep
Posted on October 13th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
Actress Kathleen Turner takes the stage at The Rep in a pre-Broadway performance of High, a world-premiere production touching on addiction, redemption and forgiveness.
Turner plays Sister Jamison Connelly, a counselor at Saint Francis, a rehab center for drug addicts run by Father Michael Delpapp, played by Michael Berresse. Nineteen-year-old Cody Randall was arrested and charged with drug possession after police find him in a hotel room with another boy who had just died of a drug overdose. Randall, played by Evan Jonigkeit, faces jail or rehabilitation at the center.
Randall and Conelly, an experienced counselor, do not hit it off, and she wonders if she is capable of helping this boy who may have been responsible for a murder. Through several sessions, though, Randall begins to open up about the evening of his arrest and Connelly starts to believe he will come around and accept help. Or will he? In a provacative performance, we see whether one soul can reach another before it is too late.
High runs from October 13 through November 7 with 28 performances. For a schedule of evening and matinee performances see www.repstl.org. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 314-968-4925.
The Repertory presents High, written by Matthew Lombardo and directed by Rob Ruggiero, at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. The theater is located at 130 Edgar Rd. on the campus of Webster University.
Tags: St. Louis Culture & Attractions, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions
Right Here in River City
Posted on March 4th, 2010 by Erin Callier
No, Harold Hill has not come to town hawking his musical wares. River City Casino, St. Louis’ newest house of gambling and dining pageantry, has set down its anchor in South County. Overlooking the Mississippi River, the River City Casino officially opens its gilded doors to the public as of 2 p.m. today. 
With more than 2,000 slot machines and over 50 table games, this 90,000-square-foot casino is also home to a Jeff Ruby Steakhouse, a requisite all-you-can-eat venture, a comfort-food focused cafe, a burger & beer joint, and the 1904 Beerhouse, a classic pub with 32 beers on tap.
In addition to the casino floor and the quite varied dining options, River City also offers a few nightlife options, most notably Bar Central in the middle of the gaming floor, which stays open nearly 24/7, and Judy’s Velvet Lounge, a plush spot with live music that stays open till 4 a.m., seven days a week.
Owned and operated by Pinnacle Entertainment, the same folks who brought St. Louis the sleek Lumiere Place Casino & Hotel, the opening of River City has been long anticipated and heavily advertised. As the newest of seven casinos in the St. Louis area, River City has a lot of well-established competition, but if it’s anything like Lumiere, this is one house that will most likely win.
P.S. I apologize for the musical theater reference there at the beginning, it just couldn’t be helped.
Tags: Lumiere Place, River City Casino, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Casinos, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions, St. Louis Nightlife
Ice, Ice Carnival
Posted on January 11th, 2010 by Erin Callier
The recent sub-zero wind-chills and inclement weather have resulted in most of us remaining indoors in a sort of ice induced house arrest, but much to everyone’s delight, the weather powers-that-be seem to be predicting a reprieve from this arctic spell. 
We can’t think of any better way to celebrate the expected above freezing temps than the fifth-annual Loop Ice Carnival this Saturday, January 16. Bundle up (hey, it’s still going to be pretty cold) and take to Delmar Boulevard for a carnival like you’ve never experienced.
There will be all the usual, family-friendly carnival accoutrements; a stilt-walker, mime, jugglers, and fire performers, a 18-foot slide between the Pageant and the Moonrise Hotel, a S’more Roast at the Craft Alliance, ice carving demonstrations in the Fitz’s parking lot from noon to 4 p.m., over 30 ice sculptures lining Delmar, and much more.
Starting at 11 a.m., there will also be a Temporary Tattoo Scavenger Hunt, in which participants will strive to collect 15 tattoos at participating stores, then claim their prize at The Pageant. Participating stores will have green circles in their window.
For the of-age kids there will be a Putt Putt Pub Crawl from noon-5 p.m., where aspiring duffers can fit in twelve holes of golf and some adult beverages at various Loop hot spots. Participants can pick up their scorecards and begin at Cicero’s or Halo at The Pageant. Other venues include: Pin-Up Bowl, Pi, Blueberry Hill, Eclipse and more. The Putt Putt Pub Crawl will wrap up at Cicero’s at 6 p.m. with prices and a party. The Loop Website, says that golf attire is optional, but if it were up to us, we’d say encouraged.
For more information on the Loop Ice Carnival and its many festivities, click here.
Tags: 2010 Loop Ice Carnival, Cicero's, Fitz's, Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions, The Loop, The Pageant
Dude Awakening in Chesterfield
Posted on October 7th, 2009 by Erin Callier
Art is often a very personal thing, but “The Awakening,” a newly acquired sculpture which will be officially unveiled this Saturday, October 10th at 11 a.m. in Chesterfield’s Central Park, is very, very public. The impressive five piece cast aluminum sculpture of a man emerging dramatically from the ground spans more than 70 feet in length and roughly 17 feet at its tallest point. Created by American Sculptor J. Seward Johnson, visitors are encouraged to get up close and personal with “The Awakening,” by climbing his scraggly beard or tickling his massive toes.
“The Awakening” in Chesterfield is the second caste of this literally groundbreaking work of art. The original resides on the shores of the Potomac River at National Harbor near Washington D.C.
Unveiling festivities will kick off around 10 a.m. and will come to an end at about 2 p.m. Hands-on activities will include sand sculptures, an Awakening-themed t-shirt contest, and “Make Your Mark” by painting a MetroBus. There will also be live music and food from local restaurants throughout the day.
For photos and more information on ”The Awakening” click here.
Also, while you’re out and about in Chesterfield, keep your eyes peeled for more sculptures by Johnson. As part of the celebration of “The Awakening”, Chesterfield Arts is presenting an interactive exhibit of 20 other Johnson sculptures, which are strategically placed throughout the community.
Tags: Chesterfield Arts, Chesterfield Central Park, J. Seward Johnson, St. Louis Culture, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions, The Awakening
A Weekend of Festivals
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Erin Callier
With all the outdoor festivals and stunning fall weather that has just ushered into St. Louis, this weekend is a social and cultural Sophie’s Choice. People all over St. Louis are asking themselves, “Do I go to the St. Louis Wine Festival in Forest Park and swish, swill and (possibly) stumble my way through the wines of Missouri and beyond or do I crave the culinary and want to schmooze with Top Chefs at the Taste of St. Louis downtown? Shall I strut across the Chain of Rocks Bridge and dig some rhythm & blues at the Route 66 Festival, sing along with the likes of Niel Young and Dave Matthews at Farm Aid, or sample local goodies and stroll the autumnal majesty of the Missouri Botanical Garden at the Best of Missouri Market?
Oh, what to do, what to do? Whatever appetite you seek to satisfy this weekend, Fall is here, the festivals season is at full blast and the age old question, “What should we do, today?” has been replaced by “What shouldn’t we do today?”
And, who says you have choose just one? The festivities continue all weekend long. Why not create your own festival hop? However,we urge you to pace yourself . . . there’s a lot more October to go.
Tags: Best of Missouri Market, Farm Aid, Route 66 Festival, St. Louis Dining, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions, St. Louis Nightlife, St. Louis Wine Festival, Taste of St. Louis
Drink Your Heart Out Napa Valley
Posted on September 28th, 2009 by Erin Callier
Aaahhh . . . it’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing their hues and there’s a slight crispness in the air that can only mean one thing here in the Missouri River Valley . . . tis time to hit the wineries. As summer becomes a distant, humid memory, the small towns outside of St. Louis beckon with their grape-ladden hillsides and stunning vistas.
Half a continent away from the heart of America’s renowned Napa Valley, the state of Missouri is home to a strong wine country that totals nearly 90 wineries, with a large concentration of them just a short, extremely picturesque drive from downtown St. Louis.
Just an hour south of St. Louis, quaint and welcoming St. Genevieve sits in the heart of the Route du Vin, an up-and-coming wine district that consists of six wineries peppered along the winding roads of southeastern Missouri. Click here for a printable map.
Chaumette Vineyard & Winery, one of the most celebrated among the six Route du Vin wineries, boasts bucolic views, an exceptional restaurant, deluxe accommodations, an inviting spa and a diverse range of wines. Truly a quintessential Missouri wine experience.
If you head southwest of St. Louis and wind down the snake-like stretch of Highway 94, you’ll fin Augusta, Missouri, America’s first designated wine district (even older than Napa, itself). Here you’ll have your pick from some of Missouri’s most established and on-the-rise wineries.
Established in 1859, Mount Pleasant is a longtime local favorite. Growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, Mount Pleasant offers tours and majestic views from their peaceful patio.
On your way to Mount Pleasant, take the slightest of detours and sample the vino at Chandler Hill Vineyards in Defiance. As the closest winery to St. Louis, Chandler Hill is quickly gaining speed at “The” winery to visit. With a vineyard in California, as well, Chandler Hill affords visitors a chance to compare Missouri wines to renowned California wines. Hmmm . . . is it 5 o’clock yet?
Tags: Chandler Hill Vineyards, Chaumette Vineyard & Winery, Mount Pleasant, St. Louis Dining, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions
Urban Oasis
Posted on July 31st, 2009 by Erin Callier
They may not soar 630 feet into the Midwestern sky or serve as a gateway to anything, but the two dozen scultpures in downtown St. Louis’ brand spanking new City Garden are certainly giving Mr. Saarinen’s masterpiece a run for its money.
At 10th & Market, in the heart of downtown St. Louis, this privately-funded urban sculpture garden spans two city blocks and, in addition to sculptures like Jime Dine’s welcoming Pinocchio or Laura Ford’s eerily intriguing Bird, the City Garden boasts a sublime new restaurant and water features, in which kids can don their swimsuits and frolick busted-open-fire-hydrant-style.
Free and open to the public this new St. Louis attraction has recently drawn the attention of The New York Times and other national media outlets. If you find yourself downtown or really nowhere near it for that matter, a detour to the City Garden is an absolute necessity. Kids are even allowed, nay, encouraged to climb on many of the works of art. For more information, visit the City Garden Website.
Tags: City Garden, Downtown St. Louis, Family Friendly, Fine Art, On a Budget, Outdoor, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions