FRIDAY
'Somebody in BumF*ck Montana, Loves Me'
- When: 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 8
- Where: Greenfinch Theater and Dive, 2525 South Jefferson Avenue
- How much: $15-$20
- More info:
The coming-of-age play “Somebody in BumF*ck Montana, Loves Me” is about two young adults in rural Montana debating the benefits of staying in their hometown or leaving and trying to change their futures. By Rosalind Early
Claire Coffey as Gillian in “Bell, Book and Candle” at Stray Dog Theatre
'Bell Book and Candle'
- When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday through Dec. 21
- Where: Stray Dog Theatre, 2336 Tennessee Avenue
- How much: $30-$35
- More info:
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If you want a little paranormal in your holiday season look no further than the classic “Bell, Book and Candle” at Stray Dog, about a witch in 1950s New York who has to cast a love spell to thwart a rival. The man she spellbinds is publisher Shep Henderson, and when witch Gillian starts to have feelings for him, too, things get a little complicated. By Rosalind Early
Janet Evra
Janet Evra and Chad LB
- When: 8 p.m. Dec. 6
- Where: The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Avenue
- How much: $20-$30
- More info:
English songbird and bassist Janet Evra is a current artist in residence at the Sheldon. A ӣƵ resident, Evra brings a unique flair to jazz music. She sings in four languages, creating beautiful, memorable songs in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. During quarantine, Evra co-created the ӣƵ Music Box, bringing musicians together virtually to perform on social media. It featured special guests like Grammy Award–winning musician Marcus Miller. Expect to hear songs from Evra’s latest album “Meet Me in Paris,” accompanied by jazz saxophonist Chad LB. By Jasmine Osby
Holiday cruises aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch
SATURDAY
PJs and Pancakes with Santa
- When: 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 and 21
- Where: ӣƵ Riverfront, 50 Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard
- How much: $47, free 2 and under
- More info:
It’s Santa, it’s a Mississippi riverboat and it’s pancakes with strawberry topping and whipped cream, plus you can wear your pajamas while you dine and cruise. Santa will be available for photos, and there will be games and crafts after the meal. The meal, incidentally, also includes turkey sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, hash browns, fresh fruit, and desserts. Reservations required. By Daniel Neman
When the pandemic halted live performances, jazz musicians and married couple Janet Evra and Will Buchanan launched ӣƵ Music Box to bring artists together.
Teen Book Festival
- When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 7
- Where: Clark Family Branch, 1640 South Lindbergh Boulevard, Ladue
- How much: Free
- More info:
Nearly 20 young-adult book authors in all genres will discuss aspects of their work in a number of panel discussions. This year’s line-up includes Aiden Thomas (keynote, author of "Celestial Monsters"), Alexandra Bracken ("The Mirror of Beasts"), Jennifer Lynn Barnes ("Games Untold"), Tiffany Jackson ("Storm: Dawn of a Goddess") and more. The authors' works will be on sale at the event. By Amy Bertrand
It's a chance to try a wide variety of whiskeys to see which ones you like.
Print Bazaar on Cherokee Street
- When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 7
- Where: Cherokee Street Business District (around the 2600-2800 blocks)
- How much: Free
- More info:
If you don’t find a print you like at one booth, try the next one — or the next, or the next. One of the largest print sales in the Midwest, this annual event presents the work of more than 160 local artists selling their work out of more than 30 storefronts. The artists work in every possible print-based medium, including printed fabrics. By Daniel Neman
Who's ready for a rockabilly Christmas?
Magic Chef Mansion Christmas Tour
- When: 4-7 p.m. Dec. 7
- Where: Magic Chef Mansion, 3400 Russell Boulevard
- How much: $25, $10 children 6-12, free under 6
- More info:
The Magic Chef Mansion is one of the grandest old homes in ӣƵ. Touring it is always a magical experience, anyway, but it is especially festive when the house is all decked out for the holidays. You can see how the very wealthy celebrated Christmas when the home was built in 1908, but the tour’s highlight is always the bowling alley. Note: To protect the floors, high-heeled shoes are not permitted inside the house. By Daniel Neman
Rock band the All-American Rejects are headed to the Factory on Dec. 10 with opener Maine.
The Illusionists: 'Magic of the Holidays'
- When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7
- Where: Fox Theater, 527 North Grand Boulevard
- How much: $39.50-$99.50
- More info:
Really celebrate the magic of the holidays at this show featuring some of the world’s top illusionists. By Rosalind Early
Professional Bull Riders
- When: 7:45 p.m. Dec. 7, 1:45 p.m. Dec. 8
- Where: Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Avenue
- How much: $15-$107
- More info:
If you’ve never watched bull riding, perhaps it’s time you tried watching bull riding. A human tries to stay on top of a bull for 8 seconds. The bull tries to get him off his back. The bull usually wins. What you don’t see are the strength, the balance, the timing, the danger, the determination and, sometimes, the luck involved in staying atop more than 1,500 pounds of angry pot roast. By Daniel Neman
As the year nears its end, check out Jasmine Osby's 24 favorite songs released by ӣƵ natives in 2024.
T Dubb O
- When: 9 p.m. Dec. 7
- Where: Sophie’s Artists Lounge, 3333 Washington Avenue, Suite 102
- How much: Free with donation
- More info:
ӣƵ-based rapper T Dubb O is bringing the spirit of giving to Sophie’s Artist Lounge. The Kranzberg Arts Foundation artist in residence is performing live at the “Givebacc Toy Drive,” delivering hip-hop bars to raise money for those in need. Admission is free with the donation of a new toy or gift card. Enjoy sounds by DJ Grindtyme on the ones and twos, as well as a few surprise guest performances. By Jasmine Osby
SUNDAY
Brunch with Santa and Fredbird
- When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 8
- Where: Cardinals Nation, Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Avenue
- How much: $65, $25 children 3-11, free children under 3
- More info:
Santa and Fredbird will be on hand for holiday merriment at this brunch featuring a seafood display, a holiday waffle station, a green-eggs-and-ham station, a hand-carved roast beef station, a kids table (chicken strips, et al.), breakfast options featuring biscuits and sausage gravy, lunch options featuring roasted pork loin and desserts, including holiday figgy pudding, cookies, cupcakes and dessert bars. Reservations will probably be needed. By Daniel Neman
The holiday season is full of choral choncerts. Check out some of these under-the-radar options.
Celtic Woman Christmas Orchestra
- When: 7 p.m. Dec. 8
- Where: Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market Street
- How much: $55-$65
- More info:
The pop-classical vocal quartet Celtic Woman — Mairéad Carlin, Tara MacNeill, Muirgen O’Mahony, and Emma Warren — visits the Stifel Theatre for “Christmas Symphony” with their array of instrumentation including bagpipes, bodhran, tin whistle, bouzouki, and — best of all — Uilleann pipes. By Benjamin Torbert
Derek Hough
MONDAY
Derek Hough
- When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9
- Where: Stifel Theatre
- How much: $25.50-$499
- More info:
Emmy Award–winning dancer and choreographer Derek Hough is bringing “Dance for the Holidays” to the Stifel Theatre. Hough competed on the hit show “Dancing with the Stars” for 17 seasons, and then became a judge in season 29. Along the way, he's won four Emmys and danced with Hollywood stars like Shannon Elizabeth, Jennie Garth and Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls. His work spans across television, theatre and film with Hough making an appearance in movies like “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Rock of Ages.” Hough brings his family friendly show to town this holiday season for an evening of dance, pop hits and Christmas cheer. By Jasmine Osby
WEDNESDAY
Franz Ferdinand
- When: 8 p.m. Dec. 11
- Where: The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard
- How much: $35
- More info:
While most artists are winding down for the holiday season, Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand is revving its engines. The band released its new single “Night or Day” in November, just a few months after dropping the song “Audacious” and announcing that a new album was on the way. Its forthcoming project “The Human Fear” will be released on Jan. 10, and will feature 10 new songs from the band that created heart-thumping hits like “Take Me Out.” By Jasmine Osby
Ballet 314 presents “The Nutcracke & the World’s Fair” this week.
THURSDAY
'Nutcracker and the World’s Fair'
- When: Dec. 12-15; performance times vary
- Where: Edison Theater, Washington University, 6465 Forsyth Boulevard
- How much: $35-$55
- More info:
“The Nutcracker and the World’s Fair” is exactly what it sounds like, a new take on the classic “Nutcracker” ballet that brings in elements of the 1904 World’s Fair that was here in ӣƵ. Ballet 314 presents this 90-minute version of the Tchaikovsky classic and also offers a picnic with meet-and-greet before matinees and several sensory friendly performances. By Rosalind Early
View life in ӣƵ through the Post-Dispatch photographers' lenses. Edited by Jenna Jones.
