FRIDAY
Soulard Blues and Roots Festival
- When: Aug. 28-31
- Where: Big Daddy’s Bar and Grill, 1000 Sidney St.
- How much: $19.58-$42.98
- More info:
The Soulard Blues and Roots Festival returns for the third year. The event celebrates culture, music and arts in St. Louis with four days of live performances from more than 20 different acts. Enjoy sets from the Kasimu Taylor Trio, Rick McDonough and the Rhythm Renegades, the Soulard Blues Band and more. By Jasmine Osby
Paint Louis is taking over the riverfront again this weekend.
‘Death Jam’
- When: 7 p.m. Aug. 29 and 30, 5 p.m. Aug. 31
- Where: The Marcelle, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive
- How much: Pay what you can, suggested donation $25
- More info:
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Soul Siren Playhouse is one of the newer theater companies in St. Louis. It’s last show was “Dutchman†by Amiri Baraka. This time, the company is tackling “Death Jam†an immersive theater experience about a soul journeying between life and death. There will be music, poetry and drama, as well as a post-show dance party (Night 2) and somatic group exercises (opening and closing night). By Rosalind Early
As winter creeps closer, concerts and comedy shows from Aziz Ansari, Kathleen Madigan, John Legend and Modest Mouse keep St. Louis on fire.Â
The O’Jays
- When: 7 p.m. Aug. 29
- Where: The Factory, 17105 N. Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield
- How much: $81.60-$253.10
- More info:
The O’Jays are headed to St. Louis as August comes to an end. The R&B group was originally scheduled to perform back in April as a part of its final tour. However, the date was rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. The crooning trio, which includes Eddie Levert Sr., Walter Williams Sr. and Eric Nolan Grant, brings hits like “Backstabbers,†“For the Love of Money,†and “Use Ta Be My Girl†to the stage in St. Louis one last time. By Jasmine Osby
SATURDAY
Japanese Festival
- When: Aug. 30-Sept. 1
- Where: Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd.
- How much: Free with general admission ($16, $6 St. Louis residents, $4 St. Louis senior residents, free members)
- More info:
MoBot’s annual Japanese Festival is one of the region’s most beloved events. As with all of the region’s other beloved events, lots of food will be offered, this time typical of the cuisine from Japan. But St. Louisans also flock to the festival for the sumo wrestling, the taiko drums, the art, the dance and all the other expressions of Japanese culture. By Daniel Neman
St. Louis Comic Con
- When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 30
- Where: Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Dr., Collinsville
- How much: $12
- More info:
This is the 10th year for this convention of everything comic book. Collinsville’s Gateway Convention Center will be full of comic dealers, toys, artists and special guests including Brennan Mejia, Phillip Andrew, Justin Nimmo and Jeff Balke of Jeff Balke Animation Studios. By Daniel Neman
Natasha Graham, of St. Louis, a cook at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, cuts trays of spanakopita in preparation for the church’s 102nd Annual St. Louis Greek Festival on Aug. 30, 2019. In all, 400 trays of spanakopita were made. Food preparation for the Labor Day weekend event begins in March. The festival runs through Monday, Sept. 2, 2019.
St. Nicholas Greek Festival
- When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 30-31, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 1
- Where: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 4967 Forest Park Ave.
- How much: Free
- More info:
St. Louis loves Greek festivals so much that we have three of them. This one is the last of the summer; a great way to squeeze in more lamb and dolmades. Sponsored by St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, it has Greek food (including pastries) along with Greek beer and wine, plus live music and dancing. If you aren’t Greek Orthodox yourself, don’t forget to take a tour of the church. By Daniel Neman
CWE Jazz and Blues Fest
CWE Jazz and Blues Festival
- When: 1 p.m. Aug. 30
- Where: Euclid Ave.
- How much: Free
- More info:
The second annual CWE Jazz and Blues Festival invites festivalgoers to enjoy live music all afternoon in the heart of the Central West End neighborhood. The free event will include performances from Scooter Brown, the Chris Shepherd Band, the Saint Boogie Brass Band and more. Hosted by Dsmoovee Shabazz, the festival also features local restaurants like Saigon Cafe, Wildflower Saloon, Sushi Koi, and Brasserie by Niche. The festival aims to celebrate and highlight the creative and culinary offerings in the CWE area. By Jasmine Osby
Alton Jazz & Wine Festival
- When: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30
- Where: Alton Amphitheater, 1 Henry St., Alton
- How much: $10, $30 each seat at reserved tables
- More info:
Jazz goes together with wine like popcorn goes with butter. The jazz part of this evening will be a lineup of local favorites: Arvell & Co., Jim Manley and the grassroots favorite, the Red and Black Brass Band. Charcuterie boards will be available; the $60 cost includes a bottle of wine. By Daniel Neman
An exhibit of the art of Anselm Kiefer at the St. Louis Art Museum leads the way.
WEDNESDAY
‘R²¹¾±²õ¾±²Ô’
- When: Sept. 3-21; performance times vary
- Where: Edison Theatre at Washington University, 6465 Forsyth Blvd.
- How much: $21-$50
- More info:
“Raisin in the Sun†gets the musical treatment in “Raisin,†at the Black Rep. It follows the same plot: It’s the 1950s and Mama Lena wants to get a house and move out of the cramped apartment that she shares with her son and his family, but her son has other ideas. Only this time, the story is enhanced with jazz, gospel and pop songs. By Rosalind Early
‘The Cottage’
- When: Sept. 3-28; performance times vary
- Where: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves
- How much: $46-$103
- More info:
“The Cottage†is about a woman who reveals her affair to her husband in an English country cottage. But she also decides to tell her lover’s wife. The hitch? She’s not the only one with a secret. Everything comes to light in this British comedy that will open the season at the Rep. By Rosalind Early
Passengers on a flight from St. Louis to Seattle got an unexpected pick-me-up when jazz saxophonist Dave Koz and bandmates held an impromptu jam session in the aisle while the plane was stuck on the tarmac hundreds of miles from their final destination.
