Cherokee Street is the proud host to St. Louis’ most eclectic celebration. The Cinco de Mayo Festival celebrates Mexican heritage, but also places on display the multiplicity of creative people living, working, and playing along this historic street. At this outdoor event, a throng of thousands sample delectable fare (emphasis on antojitos, Mexican street food like tacos, tamales, and tortas) from local restaurants, food trucks, and food tents, while listening to live music on three stages, and browsing through exhibits by so-called “Cherokee People” (the artists and entrepreneurs who live and/or work in the neighborhood).
The origin of the Missouri Botanical Garden is a story steeped in the history of its founder, Henry Shaw. Mr. Shaw moved to St. Louis from Sheffield, England, around 1819, and set up a hardware shop to sell goods imported from back home. At the time, the city was on the verge of major growth, and Shaw’s venture* proved prescient. Henry Shaw purchased large swathes of land with the profits from his business, which was so successful that he was able to retire at an early age (40). After traveling extensively, Shaw returned to St. Louis determined to champion his love of botany.
Around his manse, Tower Grove House, Mr. Shaw began to construct a garden that attracted leading botanists from around the world. With their cooperation, Missouri Botanical Garden was expanded extensively, and eventually opened to the public in 1859. Afterward, Shaw donated a considerable amount of land, adjoining the Garden, to the city of St. Louis for a public park. The presence of Henry Shaw’s Garden, Tower Grove Park, and Shaw Place (a residential development informed/owned by its namesake) spurred development and transformed south St. Louis forever.
The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is a park located on a parcel of land where many of the earliest buildings in St. Louis once stood. This Federally funded National Memorial commemorates the westward expansion of the United States, the struggles of slavery (particularly the court decision against Dred Scott), and the first civil government west of the Mississippi. The Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse, Museum of Westward Expansion and more occupy the grounds.
RAW:St. Louis is the local extension to the international network under the helm of RAW:Artists. The organization operates in 54 cities across the United States and Australia, and works to provide a platform for artists in the first ten years of their professional development. Locally, RAW is directed by Sarah Faragalla who does a fabulous job putting together St. Louis’ largest, monthly, multi-disciplinary art exhibition.
If you’ve never been, the events feature 20-30 artists working in media ranging from fashion to printmaking. The two-dimensional art is displayed according to artist (who are on hand throughout to talk about their work), while performance-based work (film, music, fashion, dance) runs in succession on a main stage. If you are looking to meet creative people, network, or promote your business/organization, RAW:St. Louis events are excellent places to start. The night that Photo Flood St. Louis exhibited, more than 800 guests were in attendance!
To be an exhibitor or for information on how to attend, click here.
The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the Nation, and it is entirely free to visit (sans some of the special exhibits), making it a tremendous cultural asset for the city.
The Museum itself is a Beaux Arts-style structure (designed by Cass Gilbert) and sits atop Art Hill; a position of grandeur that it has held ever since its construction as the Palace of Fine Arts for the World’s Fair of 1904. If you happen to approach from the Grand Basin, it is easy to understand why many St. Louisans refer to SLAM as the “crown-jewel of Forest Park”.
The mission of KDHX is to build community through media, with diverse and independent voices that enrich the perspectives of our audiences. We promote civic and cultural participation by providing the tools, technology, and training vital to informed, creative expression.
In St. Louis, we are lucky to possess a richly vibrant arts scene, including excellent theaters, great music venues, galleries, and more. Since 1987, KDHX had been a unifying and supportive thread in this cultural fabric. 88.1FM is the frequency through which many St. Louisans receive exposure to exciting new bands, upcoming local events, and community-building opportunities. What is extremely unique about the connection that KDHX has to the city is that it is entirely independent and locally managed (few cities around the country, including larger metropolises, have a resource like this, unconnected to religious or educational organizations).
KDHX is currently embarked upon an unprecedented expansion of its facilities in acquiring and remodeling a downtown building to become the Larry J. Weir Center for Independent Media and the Station’s future headquarters. This structure, located in Grand Center, will be home to a cafe, a music venue, and a recording studio, as well as, broadcasting booths and offices for KDHX’s excellent staff. The Capital Campaign for this exciting transition is in full effect; find ways to show your support here.
