All Entries in the "Arts & Music" Category
“Huck Finn” comes to the Flo Valley Theatre
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
“Huck Finn,” by Mark Twain takes the stage at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley’s Terry M. Fischer Theatre at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, and Nov. 12 and 13 at 2 p.m. The campus is located at 3400 Pershall Road in Ferguson.
Huck and his pal Tom Sawyer just can’t stop getting into mischief. And when it turns out to be profitable, Huck’s Pa wants in on the action. So much so that he locks Huck in a shed. Managing to escape the makeshift prison, Huck decides he would be better off floating down the river away from home. Along the way, he comes across Jim, a slave escaped from Huck’s aunt’s place. Opening Huck’s mind to the reality of slavery, the journey downriver with Jim is a real education for Huck. The play is directed by Chris Stevens.
“Huck Finn” was adapted for the stage by Greg Banks. The play is a Florissant Valley Children’s Theatre class production and is produced by special arrangement with Plays for Young Audiences, a partnership of Seattle Children’s Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company – Minneapolis. The Nov. 11 performance will be sign interpreted.
For more information, call 314-513-4488.
Northwinds Concert Band hosts a Night at the Pops
You can add this to the list of things that most people don’t know about North County…..Since 1975, we’ve had our very own orchestra! Comprised of 60 talented musicians from all walks of life and every corner of the St. Louis area, the Northwinds Concert Band is sponsored by the Ferguson-Florissant School District’s Community Education Department and performs about six shows every year.
My friend Mary Haux, who runs the Ferguson Citywalk Concert Series, is a Northwinds member, and she tells me that the band’s upcoming performance is not to be missed. Scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, the show is called “Tuesday Night at the Pops” and it features a lovely mix of popular classics, including several numbers by soprano soloist Patricia Scanlon.
Scanlon is a soprano section leader and soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, as well as a vocal instructor at St. Louis University. From what I’ve been told, her voice is amazing!
So if you need something to do in between Cardinal games, by all means head to the Florissant Civic Center on October 25. Tickets for the Northwinds concert are just $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors, and you can see the full song lineup and even purchase your tickets online right here.
Ferguson landmark hits the auction block
If you’ve ever driven past the corner of Darst and Elizabeth in Old Ferguson East, no doubt you’ve seen the resident “monster” peeking up through the grass. Known officially as “The Doubtful Dragon,” this large-scale concrete and resin sculpture is a whimsical creation from the hands of Bill Duncan, a former Ferguson city councilman also known for his charming bronze sculpture of a little boy reading that sits outside the Ferguson library.
Now in his 80s, Mr. Duncan writes a senior citizen column for the Ferguson Times. He’s also a world traveler, a true Renaissance man and probably the only person I’ve ever met who lived in Bethlehem (as in, the birthplace of Jesus). He and his wife, Betty, his love of 60+ years, recently moved into a retirement community, so Mr. Duncan has decided to auction off most of his artwork, including the dragon.
Here’s what he told me recently about his passion for sculpting and his process for creating this unique piece….
“I first learned to more or less sculpt as a little kid of about about eight years old when my folks gave me some modeling clay to play with. I found that I could make more realistic people with that, then the tin soldiers I had.
As to what inspired me to make the dragon? I have no idea how that came about, honest; I do not remember. But I do remember becoming quite enthused about it once I started it. He is actually in two pieces; one for his body, and one for his tail. I used two old rusty garbage cans as the core for each piece; and then wrapped expanded metal around them and finally put a concrete cement mix on top of that. It was a lot of fun designing his face because I wanted him to be a reluctant dragon, not a bad guy.”
The Doubtful Dragon, which stands six feet tall, is currently being auctioned through craigslist, with the current bidding at $250 and offers accepted through mid-October. If you’d like to snag this one-of-a-kind garden sculpture for your own yard (or business), here’s the place to go: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/art/2631303426.html Good luck!
Another rockin’ Streetfest weekend in Ferguson
Now in its 12th year, Ferguson Streetfest returns this weekend with two full days of live music and unique entertainment. As you probably know, it’s the largest outdoor music festival in North County. And for the second year in a row, my brilliant neighbor, music producer Peter Carson, was responsible for booking most of the talent.
The headline acts include two local tribute bands – one for Aerosmith and one for The Eagles – but you can also expect to hear blues, funk, country, soul and gospel music. I think Trixie Delight, shown in the video above, is especially entertaining.
Besides the music, festival goers can enjoy a wide variety of food and gift vendors, including the super hip clothing design duo, Leroy Fishstix, who re-purpose old clothes with fresh new screenprint designs. I’ll be heading to Streetfest just to see their stuff.
Other activities I may need to check out: the home beer brewing demo, the washers tournament, the Guns n Hoses Dunk Booth Showdown between Ferguson’s Fire & Police departments, and the always-favorite Manly Man High Heel Keg Relay.
For families, the children’s area will feature games, crafts, and entertainment including Joe the Juggler, BeBe the Clown, Mike’s Balloon Creations, tie-dye your own StreetFest t-shirt, a rock climbing wall, The St. Louis Disc Dogs, and from the City Museum, the Circus Harmony Performers, a Comedy Magic Show, Snowflakey Lady craft booth and a Petting Zoo.
To top it all off, the beer will be flowing like wine. You can even grab a locally brewed Belgian Tripel, direct from the Ferguson Brewhouse. Yum!
Ferguson Streetfest kicks off Friday, September 23, and runs through Saturday, September 24, at 11pm. It takes place outdoors at 20 S. Florissant Road, where the farmers market sets up. Admission is free. Lawn chairs welcome.
Friday
4-10pm home brewing demo, tie-dye t-shirts, rock climbing wall
5-6:30pm The Rough Riders
6-9pm Be-Be the Clown, Mike’s Balloon Creations
7-8:30pm Anthony Gomes
9-11pm Last Child
Saturday
noon-5pm home brewing demo, tie-dye t-shirts
1-4pm washers tournament, petting zoo
1:30pm Circus Harmony performers
2 & 3pm St. Louis Disc Dogs
2-5pm Mike’s Balloon Creations
2:30pm Circus Harmony performers
3-4:30pm Jim Stevens Group
3-6pm Dunk Booth Showdown (police 3pm, fire 4pm)
3:45pm Comedy Magic Show
4:30pm Manly Man High Heel Keg Relay
5-6:30pm Trixie Delight
6-7pm Joe the Juggler
6-11pm home brewing demo, tie-dye t-shirts
7-8:30pm Kim Massie
9-11pm Seven Bridges Road
By the way, if you’re longing for more of a carnival-type atmosphere, this weekend is also the parish picnic at St. Sabina in Florissant. Attractions include rides, games, a car show, a teen dance, a wine garden and lots of raffles and prizes…
