The Commonspace > November 2004 > It's All Happening

A Bounty of Activity
By Amanda E. Doyle and Brian H. Marston

Every Saturday
Urban Knitters
Hartford Coffee Company, 3974 Hartford St.
Free, all ages, noon-3 p.m., amanda@thecommonspace.org

Are you a fan of the textile arts, that satisfying click of needles? Or have you just been wanting to find out more about knitting? This informal weekend gathering of knitwits is a great place to cast on — bring your latest project and knit with us!

Through November 28
Photographs: Anna Kuperberg
Saint Louis Art Museum, Gallery 337, One Fine Arts Drive in Forest Park
Free, all ages, www.slam.org, www.annakuperberg.com

young South St. Louisans Kuperberg's black-and-white photos of kids from South St. Louis are, by turns, charming, depressing, illuminating and poignant: some of the scenes are reminiscent of WPA-era documentation of the poverty of this country's forgotten corners, while others are full of the sheer, giddy joy of childhood. Come take a look and see parts of your own city that you may never have come across.

Monday, November 1
Day of the Dead Beats poetry reading
Dressel's Pub (upstairs), 419 N. Euclid
Free, 7 p.m., noshow@kdhx.org

This annual celebration of the work of the Beat generation has been scaled back a bit this time out (no "Howl," fans) in a nod to tomorrow's election-day festivities/havoc, but organizer Brett Underwood has also added some crowd-pleasing readers to the line-up (how has Bob Putnam never done this before?) and music by Sherman S. Sherman will provide a pleasant interlude between readers. Show up early to get a good seat, close enough that your appreciative snaps can be heard by the performers. Beret optional.

Tuesday, November 2
Election Party: The Final Countdown
Rocket Bar, 2100 Locust
$1, 18+ until midnight / 21+ after, doors at 8 p.m., flyer

Come celebrate or commiserate as the election returns come in. Presented by the League of Independent (Pissed Off) Voters, this throw down features an all-star DJ lineup including Anisto, Trackstar, Espi and a special appearance by Mike the 2600 King, who will be back in town from Minneapolis.

Wednesday, November 3
Movie: "Superfly"
Baden branch of the St. Louis Public Library, 8448 Church Rd.
Free, 5 p.m., 314-388-2400

Part of the SLPL's Blaxploitation Film Festival, "Superfly" was a groundbreaking work when it appeared in 1972, telling the tale of an urban drug dealer (Priest) who decides to stick it to The Man. A sweet soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield makes the experience all the more delightful.

Wednesday, November 3
Movie: "Duck Soup"
Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest
$4, 8 p.m., www.webster.edu/filmseries.html

Round out the film experience today at another cult favorite, the Marx Brothers' political farce "Duck Soup," which takes place in the repressive society of Freedonia. Economic depression, political uncertainty, poking fun at the processes of government and military: what could be more fun on the day after election day? Well, maybe all that and a nice draft beer.

Wednesday, November 10
Concert: 100 Year Anniversary Tribute to Count Basie
Touhill Performing Arts Center at UM-St. Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Rd.
Free, all ages, 314-516-4949, www.touhill.org

Count Basie First, some advice: if you've not been to the marvel of engineering and sound design that is that Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center (or the Tou-PAC, as we're trying to get the kids to call it), you owe it to yourself to check it out at some free event — why not this one? You can even MetroLink your way there quite easily. But beyond just mooching, tonight's show features the UMSL Jazz Ensemble and soloist Byron Stripling, a former member of the actual Basie Band, which will be a special treat. Basie was legendary as the King of Swing, and established vital connections between jazz and the blues that helped popularize the swing movement. Good luck sitting still for this one!

Saturday, November 13
Designs for Dignity Holiday Boutique
Women's Support and Community Services, 2165 Hampton
Free, all ages, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 314-646-7500, ext. 102

One of your best opportunities all year to (a) support local artists and craftspeople (b) thereby supporting the mission of Women's Support to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault and (c) knock off everyone on your holiday gift list. (If you want first crack at the goods, better pony up $25 for the preview party on Friday night; tickets available at the number above). Even the most determined to "just look" will be tempted by the array of handmade jewelry, pet treats, neckties and more; don't forget to check out the Urban Knitters' booth of woven goodies!

Saturday, November 13
Settle the Score 2004: Hip-Hop Dance Competition
A.D. Brown Building, 1136 Washington Ave
$5 for spectators, $10 for competitors, all ages, doors open at noon, competition begins at 3 p.m., flyer, 314-803-8800, jsone@digitronical.com

It's time to find out who's the best in the underground dance scene and put the rivalries to rest. The Commonspace is proud to co-sponsor Settle the Score 2004, a non-violent battle royale presented by Digitronical.

There will be 3-on-3 b-boy (breakdancing) battles ($750 cash prize), 1-on-1 funkstyle (popping) battles ($250 cash prize) and 1-on-1 grudge matches (merchandise prizes). "Fly" D-EX from "The Science" show on KDHX 88.1 FM will host the event, and DJs Trackstar (the man behind the One Dollar Mix), Espi (original breaks and deep funk 45s) and Mark Lewis (soul funk and old-school dusties) will be manning the turntables.

Dancers must register to compete. Registration starts at noon and ends at 2 p.m. (no exceptions). Competitors can also pre-register online at www.digitronical.com/register .

This event is also sponsored by World Class Gymnastics, Just Dancing Studios, 99 Dealers and Studio 7.

Sunday, November 14
Concert: Berlioz "Requiem"
Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand
$12-$99, all ages, 3 p.m., www.slso.org

The SLSO has chosen the sweeping, powerful "Requiem," performed with a full chorus, as a fitting tribute to their late Maestro Hans Vonk, who died earlier this year. His widow, Jessie, will be on hand for the performances, and it's your chance to hear a rarely performed master work. Andrew Litton will conduct.

Monday, November 15
Eid Party
Carpenter Branch of the St. Louis Public Library, 3309 S. Grand
Free, all ages, 6-7 p.m., 314-772-6586

Come learn about the importance of this Islamic holiday of thanksgiving at one of the most internationally minded of the local libraries. Kids of all ages can play games, listen to traditional music and enjoy snacks to mark the Eid holiday.

Sunday, November 21
Free Candy! with Amanda & Julia
Hartford Coffee Company, 3974 Hartford St.
Free, 7 p.m., 314-772-5947, freecandy@readjulia.com, freecandy.net

Weeeee're back! Yes, after a brief hiatus, the candy is just as free as it ever was (to let you down easy from Halloween), and our new home at Hartford Coffee even has a purple guest couch! Just like our old place, to make the transition easy for you, too. So, you know the drill: you come and drink coffee/have dinner/enjoy free candy, and we put on a magical show right before your very eyes that includes scintillating conversation with interesting St. Louisans, butt-kickin' music from the Sugar Daddies and, more likely than not, catty gossip from (and possibly about!) the co-hosts. Don't miss our debut show in the new digs.

Friday, November 26
Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents "It's a Wonderful Life: LIVE!"
Studio Theatre at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar
$10-$15, all ages, 8 and 10 p.m., 314-534-1111, stlshakespeare.org/MONKEY

Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre If you've never seen a Magic Smoking Monkey show, you may not be prepared for the high level of camp employed, and we're almost afraid to see what they've cooked up for this beloved, feel-good chestnut. Like all the company's productions, it's likely to involve some wheeze-laugh-inducing sight gags, bad props and a happy ending. It takes as much talent to put on a good bad show as a good good one, and you'll appreciate a little wink-wink humor (all in good fun) to pull you out of your Tofurky coma.

Monday, November 29
Concert: Vienna Choir Boys
St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, 4431 Lindell Blvd.
$15-$35, all ages, 8 p.m., www.stlcathedralconcerts.org

You may very well have been in the Christmas mood since before Labor Day, if you're on the department stores' marketing schedule, but now that Thanksgiving's been properly celebrated, you can legitimately turn your attentions to the next major holiday. As part of its "Sacred Music in Sacred Spaces" series, the Cathedral welcomes the Vienna Choir Boys in their annual appearance. The holiday concert is a popular one, so make sure to get advance tickets.