Entertainment

The Best Things to Do in St. Louis This Weekend: April 25 to 28

Published

1 week ago

April 24, 2024

Thursday 04/25

Backstage Pass Hopefully you’re no stranger to the phenomenal productions that take the Muny stage every summer. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes? This week is your chance to find out as the Civic Pride Foundation asks you to meet them at the Muny for their second annual Explorer Series. Attendees will get a backstage tour while enjoying light refreshments and complimentary drinks. It’ll be the perfect aperitif to the Muny’s seven-show, 106th season kicking off at its stage in Forest Park this June. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Admission is free, but you need to register ahead of time. More info at shorturl.at/dOXZ7.

Friday 04/26

The Foreseeable Future The STL Mystic Fair is coming to Bridgeton. But if you’re a psychic, you already knew that, huh? For the rest of us, we can access their special powers at Machinists’ District 9 Hall (12365 St Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton) from Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28. The fair will offer all manner of mystical entertainment and interventions, including mediums, healers, psychics, herbalists, energy workers, spiritual guides and numerologists. Visitors can opt in to energy healing, have their portrait taken by an aura camera or buy crystals and other mystic paraphernalia. The event also offers hourly workshops, door prizes and more. Tickets to the STL Mystic Fair cost $8 for a daily admission, $15 for a two-day pass and $20 for a weekend pass. Kids age 12 and under get in for free. Visit facebook.com/EmpoweredHealingKC for more information.

Saturday 04/27

Local Girl Makes Good Nikki Glaser kicked off The Good Girl Tour way back in January of 2023, so it’s about damn time she finally brought it to her own city of residence. The pride of Des Peres (and current Central West End resident) may be the funniest woman in comedy today, which is saying something — and her hilariously ribald observations will have you peeing your pants in the glorious environs of the Fabulous Fox (527 North Grand Boulevard) on Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m. You can bet the place is going to be packed and the comedy will be sharp. Tickets are $39.75 to $69.75; find those and more details at fabulousfox.com/events/detail/nikki-glaser.

All’s Fair in Forest Park The Missouri History Museum’s (5700 Lindell Boulevard) interest in St. Louis’ landmark 1904 World’s Fair goes back decades — after all, much as we hate to admit it, the fair may be the biggest thing that will ever happen in this city. But the exhibit that opens on Saturday, April 27, is brand new, a total rethinking of what the fair meant and everything that happened 120 years ago, from the appalling Human Zoo featuring people from the Philippines to the welcome popularization of the ice cream cone. The museum has a full weekend of kickoff activities planned for the new 1904 World’s Fair exhibit, with museum hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday and a host of events in and around it. Enjoy ragtime piano, take a fair-focused walking tour of Forest Park and even partake in a Japanese tea ceremony. The exhibit is free, but you’ll need to register at the front desk for timed tickets, and some activities have limited capacity. See mohistory.org/worlds-fair-opening for all the details.

C’mon, Get Crafty If your tastes run toward the handmade and historical, you’ll want to spend the weekend treasure hunting at the Ninth Annual Sappington House Country Craft Fair, an old-timey festival set to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, at the Sappington House and Barn Restaurant (1015 South Sappington Road; Crestwood). Whether you’re looking for antiques, arts and crafts, books, home decor or jewelry, there’s a vendor for it. There will also be historical demonstrations, live music and a petting zoo, as well as a Young’uns Outpost where kids can participate in crafting. Admission is free and parking will be available at the nearby Crestwood Elementary School and in the overflow lot off Reco Avenue. In case of inclement weather, the fair will be rescheduled for June 22 and 23. Admission is free. Learn more at cityofcrestwood.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=979.

Working Out the Kinks Calling all leatherheads: St. Louis’ Rudis Leather Society is hosting its Third Leather Swap from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Shameless Grounds (3245 Lemp Avenue). Participants are encouraged to bring gently used leather, rubber, pet play, fetish gear or kink equipment to swap with others. All items must be cleaned beforehand, and insertable items are not allowed for reasons that should be fairly obvious. “Passing on old gear is an important leather tradition. It’s a powerful way to build personal connections within the community, discover new gear, and it helps keep it more affordable and accessible,” says Rudis in promotion materials. Participants with numerous items to swap are encouraged to bring their own clothing racks and tables. All trades will be conducted on a one-to-one basis. More info at rudisleather.com.

Sunday 04/28

Blockbuster Night St. Louis’ own Trackstar the DJ has your entire Sunday planned, with a top-notch doubleheader event sure to please all the rap fans and hip-hop heads of the Gateway City. Known for his time as DJ for Killer Mike and Run the Jewels, the talented turntablist is returning to the city that raised him to host yet another Give Up the Goods: Hip Hop Swap Meet at the Golden Record (2720 Cherokee Street). Come for the good vibes and the people-watching, or shop for records, posters, collectibles, vintage gear and more. Then grab yourself a taco down the street and return for some Boiler Room-style performances from Trackstar and Friends. Headlined by Skratch Bastid, whom Trackstar refers to as “one of the greatest hip-hop DJs on planet earth,” the lineup includes acts from local legends Jay-E, Biko fka Needles and Mahf, as well as some surprise guests. With a spacious venue and world-renowned talent, it’s an event you won’t want to miss. The swap goes from noon to 5 p.m., with free entry. Performances begin at 7 p.m., with entry limited to those 18 and up and tickets starting at $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For information and tickets, visit rapfan.com.

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Entertainment

The Inheritance Part 2 Completes a Beautifully Crafted Epic

Published

19 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Natural Bridge

Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance Part 1 & Part 2 is a brilliant exploration of the legacy of AIDS on the lives and communal history of gay men. Last week, Tesseract Theatre Company stunned audiences with the beautifully connected and performed Part 1. This week, Director Stephen Peirick and an exceptional cast complete the story with a truly unforgettable and affecting Part 2, the St. Louis premiere of the heartfelt and moving conclusion.

The play opens with the supporting characters lovingly describing an old farmhouse in upstate New York. The house is owned by Walter, a recently deceased gay man, and was a gift of sorts from his longtime partner Henry. Since Walter’s death, Henry has been spending a lot of time with Eric Glass, and he asks Eric to marry him. Eric, still reeling from the loss of his apartment and a breakup with his fiancé Toby Darling, hesitates at first but later says yes. Unfortunately, a happy ending is not guaranteed as the self-destructive Toby crashes the wedding with Leo, a youthful sex worker who counts Henry among his clients. From this point, Part 2 thoughtfully unravels the relationships and lies, revealing each character’s truth and leading to a conclusion that is deeply affecting, painful and, somehow, resonant with love and hope.

Chris Kernan, as Eric Glass, and Tyson Cole, as Leo, are the center of this complex story, and their bond of friendship, though initially unlikely, is authentically derived and compelling. Both performers fully inhabit their character’s essential humanity and worth. Though they care deeply about each other, Henry and Eric’s relationship remains tenuous and ultimately untenable, particularly as Eric finally finds meaning and purpose in his life at Walter’s house. John Hey deftly moves through Henry’s guarded layers and the wall he’s built around his emotions. Henry eventually finds peace in a lovely coda at the end of the story that’s tender and emotionally cathartic.

Though featured less in Part 2, Gabriel Paul is mesmerizing as he reveals Toby’s confusion and inescapable suffering. Toby’s final scene is a moment of understated trauma that’s tremendously effective and well connected. Jacob Schmidt and Sean Seifert once again remind us of young Walter and Henry’s lasting love, filled with joy and affection, while Margery Handy and Nic Tayborn are heartbreaking as Margaret and the memory of her son Michael. Stephen Henley, Donald Kidd, Alex C. Moore, Kevin O’Brien, and Kelvin Urday complete the talented cast, and each has strong, memorable moments.

In addition to the evocative performances, superb direction from Peirick and excellent stage craft from lighting designer Tony Anselmo and sound designer Jacob Baxley ensure the audience remains fully engrossed in the compelling and realistically intertwined story.

While seeing Part 1 is not required to understand and enjoy Part 2, it is recommended. The two parts seamlessly flow into one another, and seeing the first provides greater understanding and appreciation for the second. The Inheritance is a theatrical triumph that reconciles and expertly integrates an era many would rather ignore or forget with the present state of gay men in America. More than that, it is an important reminder of the legacy and determined resilience of queer people and of their right to live openly and unashamed, to love who they love and to rightfully claim their space in the world.

The Inheritance Part 2 is written by Matthew Lopez and directed by Stephen Peirick. It is presented by Tesseract Theatre Company at the Marcelle (3310 Samuel Shepard Drive) through Sunday, May 5. Showtimes vary. Tickets are $25 or $40 for both parts at tesseracttheatre.com.

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Entertainment

Saint Louis Zoo’s Brand New Baby Zebra Is Ready for Visits

Published

23 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Natural Bridge

Last month, on April 16, the Saint Louis Zoo (1 Government Drive, stlzoo.org) welcomed a female Grevy zebra foal — Roxie.

The adorable foal, who weighed 95.8 pounds at birth, was the first ever animal born at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, a safari park under development in north county.

“This is both a joyful and historic moment for WildCare Park,” said Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park Director Sabarras George in a statement. “We are thrilled to reach this milestone on the path to building a world-class safari park and conservation center here in St. Louis County.”

Gemma, Roxie’s mom, and Presley, her dad, were paired together at the Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for endangered Grevy’s zebras, according to a press release. Seven-year-old Gemma was pregnant with Roxie when she moved from the Zoo to WildCare Park in September 2023. The two currently live in the Kent Family Conservation and Animal Science Center. Presley lives in the Red Rocks area of the zoo with the rest of the zebra herd.

“Gemma is a first-time mom and is doing everything right in caring for her newborn,” said General Curator at WildCare Park Martha Fischer in a statement. “Roxie follows her mom closely, is nursing well and has a lot of energy.”

To visit the sweet new baby, head over to the zoo this weekend. Its hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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Entertainment

The World’s Largest Bounce House Will Be in Sauget Next Weekend

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Natural Bridge

If you associate Sauget solely with strip clubs and heavy industry, prepare to be shook: Next weekend, the East Side town originally christened Monsanto, Illinois, is going to be crawling with kids.The Big Bounce America is setting up at the home of the Gateway Grizzlies, Grizzlies Ballpark Field (2301 Grizzlie Bear Boulevard, Sauget, Illinois), beginning Friday, May 10. Unlike last year’s lengthy residency in the Saint Louis Galleria parking lot, this stay lasts just one weekend, so plan accordingly.Big Bounce America includes seven inflatable attractions, including the self-proclaimed (but presumably verified?) World’s Largest Bounce House, which alone clocks in at 24,000 square feet. There’s also a “deep sea foam party inflatable” called OctoBlast, a 900-foot-long obstacle course, a “sports arena” and what promotional materials call a “space-themed wonderland.” Suffice it to say, that’s a lot of bouncing.Tickets start at $22 for toddlers, $35 for kids and $45 for adults. Full details at thebigbounceamerica.com.Note that hours don’t begin until noon, so by then all the party people should be long gone from Sauget’s usual attractions. Unless they decide to stick around a nice hungover bounce session.
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