FRIDAY
Twangfest
- When: July 25-26
- Where: Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave.
- How much: $24.70-$48.31
- More info:
Described by festival organizers as “the big top of a musical three-ring circus,” Twangfest is the ringleader of ӣƵ country music festivals. Folk singer John Moreland headlines on Night 1, the Vandoliers on Night 2, and ӣƵ’ very own Mighty Pines will be the festival finale. There will also be performances from Nate Bergman, singer Aida Ade, Brandi Carlile and more. By Jasmine Osby
James McMurtry performs in 2019 at Twangfest at Off Broadway.
‘Easy Rider’
- When: 6 p.m. July 25
- Where: ӣƵ Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive in Forest Park
- How much: Free
- More info:
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“Easy Rider” is the ultimate expression of 1960s counter-culture. It’s a cross-country search for true freedom in a country that is scared of what it means to be free, man. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper star as the hippies looking for spiritual peace from the seats of their Harleys, but it is Jack Nicholson who steals the show in a star-making performance. By Daniel Neman
Flo Rida
Flo Rida
- When: 6:15 p.m. July 25
- Where: Busch Stadium, 700 Clark Ave.
- How much: $29-$511 for tickets to the Cardinals game, concert follows
- More info:
Flo Rida is bringing “Apple Bottom jeans and boots with the fur” to Busch Stadium for a post-game concert. Following the Cardinals going toe-to-toe with the Padres, game day ticketholders can see a concert from the chart-topping rapper. In the 2010s, Flo Rida took over the radio airwaves with hit records like “Club Can’t Handle Me,” “Low” and “Wild Ones.” The concert is set to begin 30 minutes after the game and a game ticket is needed to attend the concert. By Jasmine Osby
Kimmie Kidd stars as Eliza Haycraft, a famous ӣƵ Madam, in “Madam” at Fly North Theatricals.
‘M岹’
- When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday July 25-Aug. 10
- Where: Greenfinch Theater and Dive, 2525 S. Jefferson Ave.
- How much: $25
- More info:
Fly North Theatricals remounts “Madam,” a musical about Eliza Haycraft, the richest woman in ӣƵ. Her empire of brothels is under threat though, and she has to protect her fortune and her girls. By Rosalind Early
‘A Hard Day’s Night of the Living Dead’
- When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through July 27
- Where: Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 Touhill Circle
- How much: $25, $23 seniors, $20 students and teachers
- More info:
Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre is sending up zombie movies and the 1960s in its latest parody, “A Hard Day’s Night of the Living Dead.” Night of the Living Dead is a famous zombie movie and A Hard Day’s Night is a Beatles album. So in this parody, a British pop band has to escape a zombie apocalypse. By Rosalind Early
‘The Details’
- When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday July 25-Aug. 3
- Where: Kranzberg Black Box Theatre, 501 N. Grand Blvd.
- How much: $30, $25 students
- More info:
First Run Theatre’s focus is on staging new plays. “The Details” is a new play from James Larson about a German American man who gets a visit from his African American neighbor. The two are from different cultures and different generations, but can they find a meeting of the minds? By Rosalind Early
‘Steel Magnolias’
- When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday
- Where: Marcelle, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive
- How much: $25-$30
- More info:
Tesseract Theatre is taking a whack at the famous play “Steel Magnolias” about a powerful friendship between women that unfolds in a beauty salon. By Rosalind Early
Grammy Award-winner Macy Gray brings her "On How Life Is 25th Anniversary" tour to the Pageant.
SATURDAY
‘Two Jews Walk into a War’
- When: Through Aug. 10; showtimes vary
- Where: 2 Millstone Campus Drive, ӣƵ County
- How much: $29-$61
- More info:
This comedic two-hander from Seth Rozin is about the last two Jews in Afghanistan. They share the only remaining synagogue that hasn’t been destroyed by the Taliban and are committed to repopulating the Jewish community in Kabul. Too bad they absolutely hate each other. By Rosalind Early
Next up is "Josephine" and "Pagliacci" opening July 25.
Smokin’ on Main Street
- When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. July 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 27
- Where: Main Street, Uptown Collinsville
- How much: Free
- More info:
The Main Street is in Collinsville, and what’s smokin’ is barbecue made by professional teams and barbecue restaurants from around the ӣƵ area. There will be fun for children (games and events) and adults (beer), along with music — a DJ Saturday afternoon, the Johnny Rockitt Band Saturday evening and Deez Notes Sunday afternoon. By Daniel Neman
A Tilla Summer Festival
- When: 2 p.m. July 26
- Where: Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Dr., Alton, Illinois
- How much: $108.55-$268.61
- More info:
The A Tilla Summer Festival is taking over Alton in July as it kicks off its first year of music festivities. The lineup features rapper Boosie and hip-hop newcomer Big Boogie, who was recently featured on a song with ӣƵ rapper Big Boss Vette. Beloved ӣƵ band the Dirty Muggs will be performing along with bluesman Marquise Knox, the NGX Band and Borderline. This festival combines hip-hop, blues and R&B for a day full of diverse music and entertainment. By Jasmine Osby
Plus catch Festival of Nations, Paint Louis and more in August.
MONDAY
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
- When: 8:15 p.m. July 28-Aug. 3
- Where: Muny, 1 Theatre Drive, Forest Park
- How much: $21-$145, plus free seats
- More info:
The Muny is tackling “Dear Evan Hansen,” about a teen, Evan, who pretends that he was friends with someone at school who committed suicide. The lie quickly takes on a life of its own and Evan, who had been invisible, starts to enjoy his moment in the limelight. The play won Tony and Olivier awards for Best Musical. By Rosalind Early
“Austen’s Pride” is a new musical coming to Stages from July 25–Aug. 24 for its Broadway tryout.
THURSDAY
Luke Bryan ‘Country Songs Came on Tour’
- When: 7 p.m. July 31
- Where: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Drive, Maryland Heights
- How much: $73.10-$474.30
- More info:
Best-selling, award-winning country star Luke Bryan is gearing up for a night of hits as he brings “Country Songs Came on Tour” to ӣƵ. The singer cancelled five stops after getting sick and loosing his voice following his Arkansas show in June. Bryan posted a video on Facebook for his fans explaining the frustrations of getting sick. He also showed gratitude saying, “Thank you guys for supporting me. I love y’all. I’ll see y’all in the shows to come.” Expect songs from his 2024 album, “Mind of a Country Boy,” as Bryan closes out July concerts in ӣƵ. By Jasmine Osby
Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of the pioneering band Black Sabbath --who became the throaty, growling voice of heavy metal, died Tuesday, just weeks after his farewell show. He was 76.
