Explore St. Louis

It's a big election year and St. Louis' hottest theatre companies are talking about it in polite company. From now through the mid-term elections and beyond, nine groups are staging productions as part of the first St. Louis Political Theatre Festival. Whether you're red or blue, get out the green to purchase tickets in support of live theatre in St. Louis.

The productions include:

'American Buffalo,' NonProphet Theater Company, Thursday-Aug 27, Wolfson Studio Theatre, Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, 314-752-5075, www.nptco.org.

'Troilus and Cressida,' St. Louis Shakespeare, Sept. 1-10, Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, 314-534-1111, www.stlshakespeare.org.

'Touch the Names,' Soundstage Productions, Sept. 17, The Heights, 8001 Dale Avenue, 314-968-8070, www.soundstageproductions.net.

'Tartuffe,' Stray Dog Theatre, Oct. 5-22, The Little Theatre, 1 Mark Twain Circle, 314-865-1995, www.straydogtheatre.org.

'Bold Girls,' The Orange Girls, Oct. 6-22, Anheuser-Busch Studio Theatre at the Center of Creative Arts, 524 Trinity AvenueMore, 314-520-9557, www.orangegirls.org.

'Coming Out Stories: An Interactive Event,' That Uppity Theatre Company and Playback Workshop Theatre, Oct. 11, Location TBA, 314-995-4600;
www.uppityco.com.

'Johnny Appleweed,' New Line Theatre, Oct. 12-Nov. 4, ArtLoft Theatre, 314-534-1111, www.newlinetheatre.com.

'Girl Gone,' NonProphet Theater Company, Oct. 19-29, Wolfson Studio Theatre, 314-752-5075, www.nptco.org.

'Sonnets for an Old Century,' Off Center Theatre's Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Dec. 7-17, Location TBA, 314-322-8850, www.slightlyoff.org.

Although he lived in nearby Springfield, Illinois, debated Stephen Douglas in Alton, Illinois and gave a rousing campaign speech from a balcony in Belleville, Illinois, there is no record of President Abraham Lincoln ever visiting St. Louis' western Mississippi River shores -- until now.

The Saint Louis University Museum of Art brings The Lincoln Legacy to life in a new exhibition of photographs, documents, manuscripts and much more associated with the great emancipator's presidential years.

One of the exhibit's must-see artifacts is a rare copy of the 13th Amendment, which banned slavery, signed by the President and 36 members of the Senate.

Pay your respects to Mr. Lincoln from now through December 17. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and admission is free.

True Lincoln buffs will want to combine this exhibit with an easy day trip to the new Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois, using St. Louis as your home base.

Little Suri Cruise might be the most elusive baby in Hollywood, but here in St. Louis we like to show off our bundles of joy.

The newest addition to the pachyderm nursery at the famous Saint Louis Zoo makes her debut today in The River's Edge habitat. The yet-to-be-named darling weighed in at 341 pounds at her birth on August 2.

Her mother, Ellie, and her aunties will be welcoming visitors along with proud papa, Raja -- the first elephant to be born at the Saint Louis Zoo, 13 years ago.

Learn more on the Zoo's web site. (UPDATE: The baby's name has been selected. It's Maliha, which means "strong" and "beautiful." The Asian name reflect's the elephant's native heritage and was chosen by a popular vote of Zoo visitors.)

Daisy Clover Boutique in lovely Webster Groves is celebrating its second anniversary with three days of customer appreciation festivities. From August 18 through August 20, stop in for food, drinks, giveaways, a trunk show and discounts throughout the entire store. Visit to find out why St. Louis Magazine’s A-List voted Daisy Clover “St Louis’ Best Women’s Boutique.”

Daisy Clover’s owner Natalie Woods'goal is simple: Stock fashion, the best she can find, in sizes to fit the average woman and to serve it up in the most comfortable environment she can create.

Customers can save 20% off everything in the store (excluding trunk show and consignment merchandise). This discount is good on regular and sale priced merchandise. Shoppers and browsers can enjoy free champagne and munchies and register to win lots of goodies including three, $100 shopping sprees that will be given away (one shopping spree per day).

During the three-day anniversary, see a special trunk show from St Louis’-own Lesley Timpe. Ms. Timpe will have a plethora of pieces available for sale from her clothing line “Squasht by Les”.

Daisy Clover features designers Rebecca Taylor, Jak & Rae, Original Penguin, Lilla P, Milly and lots more, plus they are always adding new designers to the mix. Daisy Clover also carries a wide variety of designer jeans including Joe’s Jeans, Citizens of Humanity, J& Company and 575s. Accessories include jewelry from Stacey Cameron and Viv & Ingrid as well as handbags from Hobo International.

Stop in and visit during the 2nd Anniversary Celebration at 8146 Big Bend Boulevard, or visit www.daisy-clover.com for more information.

This one is, too.
It's named for Chihuly
and on view for you.

The spectacular color and delicacy of the Chihuly roses at the Missouri Botanical Garden mirror the passionate sculptures by renowned artist Dale Chihuly featured in the current “Glass in the Garden” exhibit.

The roses are double-bloom floribundas with striking color, a “standout” in the Gladney Rose Garden where they were planted last spring, according to Sarah Anderson, Missouri Botanical Garden rosarian.

"It is hard to miss the bright colors that emerge on each flower. The buds start out yellow, with pale orange accents. As the bloom opens, it does something that few roses do. It ‘suntans’ to a bold mix of oranges and reds,” said Anderson. These bright colors are beautifully offset by dark green and burgundy foliage.

The Chihuly bed so far has done well, blooming continuously even in the summer St. Louis heat wave, Anderson said. The staff anticipates that the roses will overwinter well and will protect them with woodchips.

To find the rose, stand in the center of the Gladney garden and, with the Linnean House at your back, proceed south up the center path. The bed of roses is the next to last on the right, just before the boundary of the Gladney Garden. The bed is within sight of several of Chihuly’s sculptures that are on display through Oct. 31. The roses are marked by a placard.

The Chihuly Rose is a hybrid that was developed by Tom Carruth and offered to the public in 2004. Check with local nurseries and garden centers for availability in the St. Louis area. The Garden Gate Shop will also carry some this fall.

Beer, brats and oompah music are on tap in St. Louis this weekend. The Gateway City's German heritage is on display at the following fun-filled activities:

Schlaffenfest 2006
8/4/2006 - 8/5/2006
Location: Schlafly Tap Room
Time: 8:00 p.m.; Twangang show on Saturday runs from 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 each night for musical acts; Twangbang show no cover change.

A yearly celebration of music, art and Hoosier Feats of Strength and Endurance held at the Schlafly Tap Room. Friday night features musical acts Bad Folk and Murder By Death. Saturday night will feature Bobby Bare Jr. and Magnolia Summer. Saturday afternoon will feature local bands Maid*rite, Rats and People, and Strawfoot in a special Twangbang showcase. Twangbang highlights the best alt-country, folk, bluegrass and rockabilly St. Louis has to offer. In addition to musical performances, the day includes a fashion show by the Arch Rival Rollergirls, St. Louis’s own Roller Derby team. On display will be Bob Reuter’s Hoosier Hall of Fame Photo Gallery. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the Gooey Butter Cake Eating Contest and Air Guitar Competition.


St. Louis Strassenfest (German Street Festival)

8/4/2006 - 8/6/2006
Location: Poelker Memorial Park
Cost: Free
Celebrate St. Louis' German heritage. Entertainment includes continuous music by local and German bands, juried arts and crafts show and sale, rides and children's stage. Proceeds go to charity and scholarship funds.


Music at Mount Pleasant
8/5/2006
Location: Mount Pleasant Winery
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: $5 cover
Head to the nearby Missouri Wine Country town of Augusta and the pretty patio at Mount Pleasant Winery to hear the Rich McDonough Blues Band perform.

Fahrradtour und Augustfest
8/6/2006
Location: Scheve Park, Mascoutah, IL
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Cost: $6.00 Trailnet member; $9.00 non-member; $3.00 child under 13
This Trailnet sponsored bicycle ride is a pleasent pedal through the German-setteled countryside with route choices of 16, 26, 37 or 50 miles on flat terrain with some small hills. After the ride enjoy the food, drinks, games and displays that are part of Mascoutah's annual German Heritage Festival.

The Missouri Botanical Garden offers photographers a special opportunity to capture the magic of Dale Chihuly’s “Glass in the Garden” exhibition in the early morning light on the second Saturday of each month.

Photographers may use tripods or monopods inside the Climatron and Shoenberg Temperate House from 7 to 8 a.m. on Aug. 12, Sept. 9 and Oct. 14 only. During regular visiting hours, tripods and monopods are not permitted inside any of the conservatories; the Garden only allows handheld cameras indoors. However, a limited number of photographers will have these two conservatories to themselves during this hour reserved just for them. Visitors with tickets to see “Glass in the Garden” will be admitted to the Climatron starting at 8:30 a.m.

Reservations are required for the photo sessions and only 25 photographers will be admitted each time. The cost per one-hour session is $50 ($25 Garden member) for one photographer. For a reservation, call (314) 577-5101. Upon arrival, a wristband will be issued that allows entry into the Climatron.

Photographers may not bring additional guests or equipment such as lights that require electricity.

The early morning access is open to both amateur and professional photographers for their enjoyment. Photos taken of the “Glass in the Garden” art may not be used or sold for commercial purposes.