The Commonspace > June 2002 > It's All Happening

Tuesdays through Sundays, through June 16
Circus Flora, "Gallop"
Powell Hall south parking lot, Grand Center
$10-25, all ages, 7 p.m. T-F, 2 & 7 p.m. Sa, 1 & 5 p.m. Su, 314-534-1111, www.circusflora.org

Yes, Flora the elephant (the company's namesake) has moved on to the greener pastures of pachyderm retirement — lucky Flora! — but the European-style, one-ring big top she inspired soldiers on, focused now more than ever on wowing the audience with an unforgettable, close-up experience of clowning, acrobatics, dancing horses, a Cosack riding act, the tumbling St. Louis Arches and more. The Flying Wallendas! What more do you need? How about this promise, a quote from John Steinbeck: "Every man, woman and child comes from the circus refreshed and renewed and ready to survive!" Who couldn't use that? (AED)

Through June 16 (except Tuesdays)
Shakespeare Festival: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Art Hill in Forest Park
Free, all ages, green show at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., 314-361-0101, www.shakespearefestival-stlouis.com

Last summer, we finally caught up with the big-league cities and figured, hey, we should have Shakespeare in the park, too! It was a hit, with every performance completely packed. Adults loved the Bard's poetry, kids loved the fire jugglers and ye olde performance artists and everybody loved that it was free. For the second season, the troupe has chosen a comedy, replete with mistaken identities, tomfoolery and all being well that ends well. (In high school, the English teacher on whom we all had mad crushes explained the forest that the four young people wander in as the unknown territory of adolescence, from which they emerge forever changed. We all sighed wistfully.) Last year's production values were top-notch, and this year's play should be, as well. Come early for a good seat. (AED)

Saturday, June 1
Police Auction
Carondelet Park Boathouse
8 a.m., 314-444-5537

Chief Wiggum We don't know nothin' about this, but...Police Auction! Does this not sound straight out of a Simpson's episode? Someone, please, go and tell us what you bought. Cash or checks only, with proper I.D. required. (Note to bad guys: these are the coppers, so don't show up with legit I.D. if they're looking for you.) (AED)

Saturday, June 1
Grand Market
Leon Strauss Park in Grand Center, Grand and Washington
Free, all ages, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., www.stlgrand.com

We said it last month and we'll say it again: what is not to love about this event? On a (surely) beautiful Saturday morning, shake off the workweek and get out for some Vitamin D as you peruse local artwork and crafts, enjoy, perhaps, a tasty grilled portabella sandwich (the writers went through, well, several between us at last month's inaugural event), and just feel the happy/outside/ain't-it-cool-to-have-this-in-St.-Louis groove in this verdant corner space in the heart of Grand Center. For real fun, watch the faces of suburbanites who drop into the city once a year to hustle into the Fox — their jaws drop as they round the corner from the parking lots. (AED)

Saturday, June 1
"The Red Rum Room"
The Kastle, Washington and Compton
$10, 21 & up, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m., www.technoradio.org

The Kastle is the old Midtown Arts Center, located just east of Grand Center in a stylish, Spanish-style church. "Techno Radio" is the name of a KWUR 90.3 FM radio show, broadcasting at 10 watts of power from the Hilltop campus. "The Red Rum Room" is the name of a monthly club night at the venue mentioned above, put on by the producers of the radio show mentioned above. We don't know much about this night, other than "upscale attire" is requested. Here's some extra info: "Scheduled to perform are infamous techno DJ/producers Andrei Morant from Houston, The Punisher AKA Michelle Herrmann from Detroit, and St. Louis favorites Astroboy and Matt French. The Red Rum Room reopens July 6 with techno legends Mike Dearborn and Paul Birken, along with locals Spike Johnson and Adam Louis. Future dates with more incredible talent and magic not to be missed include August 3, and September 7." So there you go. If you're one of our day-one readers, your options tonight have grown by one. (TC)

Saturday, June 1
Russell Gunn with Solucion Latina
The Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave.
$25, 10:30 p.m. (doors at 5:00, opener at 8:00), www.jazzatthebistro.com

A former resident of East St. Louis (he spent part of his childhood on the Eastside), two-time Grammy winner Russell Gunn returns to the area to run through material from his latest, "Ethnomusicology, Vol. 2." Bringing a nine-piece band with him for this tour, Gunn is hailed for a "fearless method of melding jazz and hip-hop with African, Brazilian and Cuban influences into an original and progressive musical melting pot." This show kicks off the "Jammin' It Up! At the Bistro" series, which will broaden the venue's booking policy, from pure jazz to all types of critically acclaimed acts, in multiple genres. (TC)

Tuesday, June 4
Morton Kondracke
Left Bank Books, 399 North Euclid
Free, all ages, 7 p.m., www.left-bank.com

To many Sunday morning policy wonks, Morton Kondracke will forever be known as the just-left-of-center foil for John McLaughlin on "The McLaughlin Group." There'd be the debate, the back-and-forth and the show's host and namesake bellowing "MOR-TON." Since leaving the show, he's joined TV's "The Beltway Boys" and "Roll Call," a D.C. newspaper. He's also written a national bestseller in "Saving Milly: Love, Politics, and Parkinson's Disease," written on his wife's battle with the condition. At Left Bank he'll be reading from the work and singing copies. (TC)

Wednesday, June 5
Cinema in the City: "The Big Circus" & "Flea Circus"
City Museum, Beatnik Bob's Cafe, 15th & Lucas
$4, all ages, 7:30 p.m. (doors, 7 p.m.), www.webster.edu/filmseries.html

In an inspired bit of double billing, this month's installment of Cine in the City brings one acted and one animated film together. The "Big Circus" follows a financially troubled outfit as it clings to life. Stars our own Vincent Price, plus the immortal Peter Lorre. "Flea Circus" is an animated short by Tex Avery, which assures at least a few colorful zingers along the way. (TC)

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, June 6 through 29
Chicago, presented by New Line Theatre
ArtLoft Theatre, 1529 Washington Ave.
$12-15, mature audiences, 8 p.m., 534-1111, www.metrotix.com

New Line Theatre has gained a reputation for bringing edgy and challenging productions to the ArtLoft space; "Chicago" offers great source material, telling the true story of two murderous Chicago women who turned their brutal crimes into celebrity for the vaudeville stage. Leave the easily shocked at home. (AED)

Saturday, June 8
St. Louis Trivia Nite
St. Wenceslaus Church Hall, Lower Level, 3022 Oregon
$10/person, all ages, 7:30 p.m. (doors 7 p.m.), 314-664-1088

This installment of the St. Louis staple, trivia night, is emceed by three-term mayor and current Grand Center CEO Vince Schoemehl, reason enough to sign up. Also, it's an evening of Gateway City-centric questions, so if you're plugged into the city, you can look like a real smarty. Get a team of 8-10 folks together; the admission includes soda and snacks, there's beer and wine for sale, pizzas available for order and cash prizes to the winners. The whole event is a benefit for the Five Church Older Adults Center Building Community Capital Campaign. (AED)

Monday, June 10
Monday Movies: "The Muppet Movie"
Frederick's Music Lounge, 4454 Chippewa
Free, 21 & up, 7 & 10 p.m. showings (doors, 6 p.m.), www.fredericksmusiclounge.com

a frog riding a bicycle If you were a kid when this movie was released, then good vibes may still remain, as Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy and friends run through the usual set of live-action adventures. If you weren't around to catch this old fave in the theater, then consider it a bit of a timepiece, with wide lapels and a touch of innocence. Since "The Muppet Movie," no one has ever watched a frog ride a bicycle in the same way. (TC)

Friday, June 14
Ford Free Friday
Saint Louis Art Museum, Fine Arts Drive in Forest Park
Free, all ages, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., www.slam.org

If it's free, it's for me...and you, too. Come out and enjoy all the art museum has to offer, which is a whole lot. Especially today, when the splashy new exhibit Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi: Father and Daughter Painters in Baroque Italy opens. The Genileschis are enjoying a surge of popularity lately, and their story is a rich and fascinating one, which has recently been the subject of several novels and films. Artemisia, the daughter, moved in circles almost unheard of for a woman of her time, and she and her father both had an extraordinary artistic talent. Did I mention the free part? I can't believe you're still reading this instead of hustling out the door. (AED)

Friday, June 14
The Ambassadors, Tripstar, Mike Apirion
Frederick's Music Lounge, 4454 Chippewa
$4, 21 & up, 9 p.m. (doors, 6 p.m.), www.fredericksmusiclounge.com

We know that you've already devoured our "Day's Work" feature this month, penned by David Simon, who heads up local pop trio The Ambassadors. So, we won't remind you to go back and read that one. Because you already have. And, since you've read the piece, you may as well go ahead and see what all the fuss is about, at the Ambassadors' unofficial home venue of Fred's. Sharing the bill will be Tripstar, a group that recently snared the RFT's best "pop group" award. Rounding out the bill is Mike Apirion, whose most recent group, West of Skye, imploded after just one show. Until he cobbles together a new outfit, a solo date will do just fine. (TC)

Saturday, June 15
St. Louis Skyhawks vs. Dodge City
UM St. Louis Basketball Arena, Mark Twain Center
$5-55, all ages, 7 p.m. (doors, 6 p.m.), www.stlskyhawks.com

St. Louis Skyhawks The Skyhawks are the local outfit in the minor league United States Basketball League, which features players just a couple of years removed from college. And, in their minds, not long removed from the paydays of the NBA. This is pretty fun ball, with the $8 tickets your best bet (the $5 ducats are for UM-St. Louis students only). The team's led by former NBA vet/coach and college analyst Lionel Hollins, and features Justin Love, ex- of SLU's Billikens. If you like basketball, you'll like the brand of ball played here, though you'd be advised to buy a program, since the players fly in and out of the league with some rapidity. (TC)

Saturday and Sunday, June 15 & 16
Pagan Picnic
Tower Grove Park, near Grand and Magnolia
Donation of non-perishable food or personal toiletry item requested, all ages, opening ritual at 11 a.m. Saturday, 314-428-2475, www.cast-stl.org

We can't stress this enough — leave the athames at home! As much fun as there is to be had at the drumming and bardic circle, the retails and food vendors, the workshops, the rituals and the children's activities, the flyers for this year's Pagan Picnic ("May every God-dess bless America!") mentions twice the necessity of leaving athames at home. I don't know what an athame is, and although I could probably find out in two clicks of a mouse, I choose to let the mystery be. Ritual garb, however, is encouraged at this 10th annual picnic presented by the Council for Alternative Spiritual Traditions. (AED)

Sunday, June 16
Juneteenth Celebration
Lee Auditorium at Missouri History Museum
Lindell in Forest Park
Free, all ages, 2 p.m., www.mohistory.org

Juneteenth commemorates the day (June 19) in 1865 when slavery legally ended in the United States, in conjunction with the arrival of federal troops in Texas following the end of the Civil War. (Take that, Texas! We've found 'em to be a little arrogant for our tastes...) The History Museum will host Norman R. Seay, a prominent St. Louis civil rights activist who was a founding member of CORE (the Congress on Racial Equality) here; Seay will deliver remarks at 2, followed by a concert of gospel music, blues and spirituals, sung by Emmy-award winner Charles Glenn. (AED)

Monday, June 17
Hungry Young Poets reading
Duff's Restaurant, 392 Euclid
$3, 7:30 p.m., 314-533-4541

The popular River Styx magazine reading series kicks off again with local emerging poets, including John Ryan, Ellie Desprez, Mama Blue, Garth Greenwell, Chad Parmenter and Lisa Pepper. There's no finer place than the cozy woodsiness of Duff's to enjoy poetry, perhaps a glass of wine, and the music of Josh Kohn and Rebecca Ryan (of Languid and Cobalt Blue fame). Then, come back the third Monday of each month through August to hear more talented poets gathered from local universities, literary organizations, coffee shops and slams. (AED)

Saturday and Sunday, June 22 & 23
PrideFest 2002
Tower Grove Park, Grand and Arsenal
Free, all ages, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., 314-772-8888, www.pridesaintlouis.com

It's June's best party, and you should be there, whether you're gay, lesbian, straight, bi, trans or other: the sheer diversity of folks alone makes me proud to be a St. Louisan. This year's PrideFest features squeaky-voiced headliner Judy Tenuta, along with the wide range of music, entertainment and food/info/vendor booths that pack the park. Bring the dogs, bring the kids, bring a blanket and do unto others as you'd be done to. The Pride Parade, one of Grand's more colorful moments, happens Sunday at 11 a.m. Be proud! (AED)

Friday and Saturday, June 28 & 29
Reel LateMidnight Movies: "Better Off Dead"
Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar
$7.75 ($27 for 5-movie discount card), midnight, 314-862-1100, www.landmarktheatres.com

Nothin' could be finer than to see a late-night flick at the Tivoli, "restored to its 1924 glory," as the recording will tell you. Even better when the flick is the John Cusack teen angst classic (but aren't they all?) "Better Off Dead," which, if you'll recall, involves multiple suicide attempts, embarrassing misunderstandings with a comely foreign exchange student and overbearing parents — hilarity ensures. You'll come out extolling Fraunch fries, Fraunch bread, Fraunch dressing...ah, it makes me snort-laugh just to think about it. (AED)

Saturday, June 29
Lemons to Lemonade fundraiser for Team Sweep Model Citizens Program
Various public parks throughout the city (call for exact locations)
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 314-773-2561

Summer, for me, is all about two beverages: sweet iced tea and tart lemonade. This year will mark the 3rd annual Lemons to Lemonade campaign to sell boatloads of the thirst-quenching stuff while raising extra money for a great cause. Operation Safestreet sponsors the Team Sweep Model Citizens effort, which pairs up young people and adult volunteers to clean up litter and beautify city neighborhoods. The kids get mentors and good examples, the adults get a clean neighborhood and a positive relationship with these kids today: that's an actual win-win, much as I hate the terminology. Team Sweep then offers free recreational, cultural and educational field trips to participating kids, and the money raised from the lemonade blitz will help buy snacks, lunch and other necessities for these outings. Buy a gallon or two from a yellow-shirted volunteer and enjoy it in your nice, clean neighborhood. (AED)