Have you been to Laumeier Sculpture Park lately? In addition to being a great place to explore and run around (dogs too!), this beautiful sculpture park has an exciting and diverse number of arts education programs for youth of all ages as well as adults. Be sure to check out their special holiday art workshops. (Snow globes!) Sign up today for a fun experience.
Here is a just a sample of their wide range of family programs. Registration fee includes one adult with one child; children must be accompanied by an adult.
ArtSparks / Adult with Child Ages Pre-K
Thursday, September 8 / 11 am to noon / $10
Monarch Mania / Adult with Child Ages 4 to 12
Saturday, September 10 / 2 to 4 pm / $40
ArtSparks / Adult with Child Ages Pre-K
Thursday, September 22 / 11 to noon / $10
Things That Go Bump in the Night / Adult with Child Ages 4 to 12
Saturday, September 24 / 7 to 9 pm / $20
Bye Bye Birdies / Adult with Child Ages 4 to 12
Saturday, October 22 / 2 to 4 pm / $40
The Sounds That Surround Us / Adult with Child Ages 4 to 12
Saturday, November 19 / 1:30 to 3:30 pm / $40
Here are some wonderful live performances to see with your family this winter in St. Louis. Charlotte’s Web, MOMIX, Seussical, the St. Louis Symphony, and Peter Rabbit Tales are sure to entertain!
January 15-17, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents Charlotte’s Web A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
Theatreworks’ production of Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman–she will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Read more about the production on Theatreworks USA’s site.
The irrepressible Moses Pendleton presents Alchemia, his new work for the dazzling dancer-illusionists of MOMIX. Just as he led audiences on a surreal journey through the four seasons in Botanica, Pendleton manipulates the four classic elements–earth, air, fire, and water–in Alchemia to produce a show about the art of alchemy, and the alchemy of art. A multimedia spectacle, Alchemia bursts with beauty, daredevil thrills and playful humor. It’s MOMIX at its most magical.
February 12-14, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents Seussical the Musical A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’s best-loved stories collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper! Adapted from the Broadway version, this adaptation especially for young audiences features thirteen actors and enhanced production values. Seussical is TheatreworksUSA’s biggest show ever.
The Cat in the Hat is the host and emcee (and all-around mischief-maker) in this romp through the Seuss classics. When the sweet, good-natured elephant Horton hears a small cry for help coming from a small speck of dust, he promises to rescue and guard it because “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”
On that small speck of dust lives JoJo, an imaginative young Who. JoJo has astounding “thinks,” in which anything’s possible, but his parents believe this creativity is inappropriate for the son of the Mayor of Who-Ville.
Meanwhile, the one-feathered bird, Miss Gertrude McFuzz, desperately wants Horton to notice her. Maybe, she thinks, she just needs a more impressive tail. At the same time, the amazingly lazy Maysie La Bird connives, cajoles and convinces Horton to sit on her egg while she goes off on a spree.
Will the planet of Who survive? Will Horton pay attention to Gertrude? Will Maysie ever return for her egg? Dr. Seuss’s beloved classic characters find themselves intertwined in an incredible crazy-quilt adventure, in which the power of imagination and the most miraculous “think” ever save the day! Read more about Seussical the Musical.
Take a journey through the eyes of a few of Shakespeare’s most adventurous characters. Magic and mischief will follow you as his exciting stories unfold before your eyes and ears. Through music and the ancient art of storytelling, children and families will connect with the language and themes of some of Shakespeare’s most popular plays in an immersive, theatrical celebration. Featuring Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and more.
“Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were – Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter….” These famous opening lines of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” have enchanted young audiences for over one hundred years with the exploits of a charming hero, who, going against his mother’s wishes, has adventures (and misadventures) in Mr. McGregor’s garden. Beatrix Potter created an instant classic with the little blue-coated rabbit who we recognize as both boy and rabbit, wild and civilized, and who has become an icon of childhood since he first hopped out of the pages of a story book and into children’s hearts. Enchantment Theatre Company is delighted to collaborate with Frederick Warne & Co. and Penguin Books UK to present the authorized theatrical version of Peter Rabbit™ Tales.
Meet Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, Beatrix Potter’s beloved characters, as they escape from Mr. McGregor, outfox Mr. Tod and rescue the Flopsy Bunnies from the disagreeable badger, Tommy Brock. When Benjamin’s children disappear, he goes to his cousin, Peter Rabbit, to help him find the bunnies. But Peter thinks he’s had quite enough of adventure, remembering his youthful escapades in Mr. McGregor’s garden. As the cousins reminisce about their past adventures, their friends – Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-duck and Mrs. Tittlemouse – gather to encourage Peter on this one last quest.
In celebration of Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday anniversary, Enchantment Theatre brings her captivating stories to life. Using fantastic masks, whimsical puppets, gorgeous scenery and original music, the magical, marvelous World of Beatrix Potter™ comes alive on stage.
Top Photo: Mark Garvin, Enchantment Theatre Company
2 for 1 tickets! Use the promo code SUPER50 (while supplies last)
Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 2 and 5 pm Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 1 and 4 pm COCA presents Superman 2050 A Theater Unspeakable production
Founders’ Theatre at COCA
524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis
Tickets $14 to $18 (use promo code SUPER50 for 2 for 1 tickets)
Call 314.561.4877 or purchase online.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
“A fastidiously executed, often hilarious work of physical theater.”
— Time Out Chicago
Epic story, pocket-sized proportions—seven actors share one tiny platform (just 3-by-7 feet of space!) and upon it an original Superman tale unfolds. Set in a fictional 2050 Metropolis with a remarkable resemblance to Chicago, this Theater Unspeakable production highlights imaginative, resourceful cast members who use only their bodies and voices to create every prop, scene, sound effect, and character in a battle between Superman and Lex Luthor.
There are so many exciting live performances geared towards kids this Fall and Winter in St. Louis. Here are a few shows not to miss!
Note: Performances at the Florissant Civic Center are nationally touring productions, feature excellent artists, and are top rate experiences! Don’t be misled by the inexpensive ticket prices.
October 2-11, 2015 (Limited ticket availability) COCA presents wUNDERland Founders’ Theatre at COCA
524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis
Tickets $16 to $20
Call 314.725.6555 or purchase online.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
Fall down the rabbit hole with this original dance production, created and choreographed by Anthony “Redd” Williams, that puts a hip-hop spin on Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Experience the classic upside-down fantasy world through a whole new lens with dazzling costumes and cutting-edge choreography, led by the larger-than-life Mad Hatter and many more lovable, whimsical characters.
October 9-11, 2015
Florissant Civic Center presents Caps for Sale, the musical An Adventure Theatre MTC production James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678 or purchase online.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
“Caps! Caps for sale! Fifty cents a cap!” The cap peddler wears a huge stack of caps, balanced carefully on top of his head. Brown caps, blue caps, gray caps, and red caps. When no one buys a cap, he takes a nap under a shady tree. But, when he wakes up, the caps are gone! Was it bears, pirates, one thousand thieves, or a band of merry mischievous monkeys? Read more about the production.
October 21-November 1, 2015 The Fabulous Fox presents
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
The Fox Theatre
527 North Grand Boulevard, St. Louis
Tickets $25 to $88
Call 314.534.1111 or purchase online.
Run time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
“Welcome to the deliriously amusing, heartwarming, head-spinning world of MATILDA THE MUSICAL. You won’t want to leave” says Bloomberg News. It’s Time Magazine’s #1 show of the year! Winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards®, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, MATILDA continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages on Broadway and in London’s West End. The Wall Street Journal says, “The makers of MATILDA have done the impossible – triumphantly! It is smart, sweet, zany, and stupendous fun.”
Celebrate Halloween with a spooktacular concert along with help from special guest, Luna the Bat. Luna will take you on a musical tour of all the wickedly wonderful animals that relish the night. Featuring Night on Bald Mountain from Fantasia and John Williams’ Hedwig’s Theme from the popular Harry Potter films. Presented in partnership with the Saint Louis Zoo.
10:00 to 10:30 am
Kota project (Pulitzer Arts Foundation)
At the Pulitzer, discover the hidden histories of Kota reliquary guardian figures, produced in Central Africa between the 17th and 20th centuries, and play an interactive digital game in the Pulitzer’s exhibition Kota: Digital Excavations in African Art.
10:45 to 11:15 am STL Improv Anywhere performance (CAM)
At CAM, enjoy face painting and help create a “Haunted Garden” mural made out of cardboard with artist Daniel Raedeke. STL Improv Anywhere will lead a performance, and the New Art in the Neighborhood high school art students will guide special art activities.
11:30 am to noon Uncle Albert performance (Sheldon Art Galleries)
At the Sheldon Art Galleries, enjoy crafts from 10:00 am to noon and a performance by acoustic group Uncle Albert at 11:30 am.
Epic story, pocket-sized proportions—seven actors share one tiny platform (just 3-by-7 feet of space!) and upon it an original Superman tale unfolds. Set in a fictional 2050 Metropolis with a remarkable resemblance to Chicago, this Theater Unspeakable production highlights imaginative, resourceful cast members who use only their bodies and voices to create every prop, scene, sound effect, and character in a battle between Superman and Lex Luthor.
November 22, 27, and 28, 2015
Florissant Civic Center presents Fly Guy and Other Stories A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $5.25
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
A new musical revue based on favorite children’s books. Book titles subject to change: Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl by Tedd Arnold, Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig by Kate McMullan, Horace & Morris But Mostly Dolores by James Howe, Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes, Lilly’s Big Day by Kevin Henkes and Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. Read more about the production on Theatreworks USA’s site.
Photo by Rachel Brandt
December 19-23, 2015
Imaginary Theatre Company presents The Elves and the Shoemaker Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall High School 530 East Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves
Tickets $7
Call 314.968.4925.
Run time: Approximately 50 minutes.
When a kindly shoemaker gives his only remaining pair of shoes to a cold and hungry beggar woman, he finds his good deed rewarded in unexpected ways. The shoemaker is shocked by the appearance of magic elves who turn his simple shoe shop into a great success, thrilling customers with their special creations. Based on the tale by the Brothers Grimm, this beloved, warm-hearted story is perfect for the holiday season, reminding us that where we find kindness, generosity and hope, anything is possible.
January 2-3, 2016
St. Louis Symphony presents Ratatouille in Concert
Powell Hall
718 North Grand Boulevard
Tickets $35 to $65
Call 314.534.1700 or purchase online.
Savor the tale of a determined young rat with a cultivated palate who gets an unlikely chance to do what he dreams of most—cook in a French restaurant in Paris. In a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of Lights upside down, he achieves his dream with his good pal Linguini. Bring the whole family to experience the Academy Award-winning film Ratatouille on the big screen while the beloved score by composer Michael Giacchino is performed live by the St. Louis Symphony. Learn more about the production.
January 15-17, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents Charlotte’s Web A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
Theatreworks’ production of Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman–she will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Read more about the production on Theatreworks USA’s site.
The irrepressible Moses Pendleton presents Alchemia, his new work for the dazzling dancer-illusionists of MOMIX. Just as he led audiences on a surreal journey through the four seasons in Botanica, Pendleton manipulates the four classic elements–earth, air, fire, and water–in Alchemia to produce a show about the art of alchemy, and the alchemy of art. A multimedia spectacle, Alchemia bursts with beauty, daredevil thrills and playful humor. It’s MOMIX at its most magical.
February 12-14, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents Seussical the Musical A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’s best-loved stories collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper! Adapted from the Broadway version, this adaptation especially for young audiences features thirteen actors and enhanced production values. Seussical is TheatreworksUSA’s biggest show ever.
The Cat in the Hat is the host and emcee (and all-around mischief-maker) in this romp through the Seuss classics. When the sweet, good-natured elephant Horton hears a small cry for help coming from a small speck of dust, he promises to rescue and guard it because “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”
On that small speck of dust lives JoJo, an imaginative young Who. JoJo has astounding “thinks,” in which anything’s possible, but his parents believe this creativity is inappropriate for the son of the Mayor of Who-Ville.
Meanwhile, the one-feathered bird, Miss Gertrude McFuzz, desperately wants Horton to notice her. Maybe, she thinks, she just needs a more impressive tail. At the same time, the amazingly lazy Maysie La Bird connives, cajoles and convinces Horton to sit on her egg while she goes off on a spree.
Will the planet of Who survive? Will Horton pay attention to Gertrude? Will Maysie ever return for her egg? Dr. Seuss’s beloved classic characters find themselves intertwined in an incredible crazy-quilt adventure, in which the power of imagination and the most miraculous “think” ever save the day! Read more about Seussical the Musical.
Photo at top: Joan Marcus for Theatreworks USA, Seussical
In addition to its thought-provoking exhibitions and engaging events, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) presents several fun and unique programs for youth and families this summer.
Stroller Tours
Wednesdays, June 3, July 1, and August 5 | FREE
9 to 10 am
Recommended for infants to 24 months.
Complimentary refreshments.
Designed for art lovers and their young ones, this special guided tour of the current exhibitions offers something new each month.
Morning Play Dates
Wednesdays, June 3, July 1, and August 5 | FREE
10 to 11 am
Recommended for ages 2 to 5 years old.
Complimentary refreshments.
Aspiring young artists and their families participate in unique art and movement based projects, artist-led activities, and performances. The June 3 Play Date features artist Dani Radosevich who leads an optical glasses art activity in which kids can see through different shades of color to change the perception of their environment. Musical entertainment for the June 3 event features Celia.
Family Day Block Party
Saturday, June 20, 10 am to noon | FREE
Recommended for ages 3 to 12 years old.
Join CAM, the Pulitzer, and the Sheldon for a special Family Day Block Party filled with art activities, performances, storytelling, face painting, and more at each location (the three arts organizations are adjacent to each other). CAM features a huge cardboard labyrinth workshop and band The Trip Daddys.
Stop-Motion Madness Summer Camp
Monday through Friday, July 27-31
9 to 11:30 am
Ages 9 to 13 years old
$125 general; $85 for CAM Family Members
Register by July 13.
Artist Sarah Paulsen guides campers in creating their own collage and live-action animation videos.
Punk Printmaking Summer Camp
Monday through Friday, July 27-31
12:30 to 3 pm
Ages 9 to 13 years old
$125 general; $85 for CAM Family Members
Register by July 13.
Campers celebrate non-traditional printmaking and create printed artwork, stickers, posters, and t-shirts with artist Eric Repice.
Crushed: Found Object Letterpress Workshop
Monday through Friday, August 3-7
1 to 4:30 pm
Ages 14 to 18 years old Register by May 29. CAM, Central Print, and artist Sage Dawson offer a new take on traditional and contemporary methods in printmaking. High school students explore letterpress printing on the proof press, including innovative new approaches to using centuries-old art making techniques. This one week program starts with an introduction to letterpress and its history in St. Louis. Students then explore the urban landscape and print posters using found objects that make a literal impression of our culture. A maximum of nine students will be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students attend free of charge and must make a commitment to consistently attend all five classes.
Classes meet at two locations 1 to 4:30 pm:
August 3 & 4 at Central Print, 2624 N. 14th St., St. Louis, MO 63106
August 5 at CAM, 3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
August 6 & 7 at Central Print, 2624 N. 14th St., St. Louis, MO 63106
Laumeier Sculpture Park presents its 28th Annual Art Fair on Mother’s Day weekend, May 8–10, 2015. More than 15,000 patrons attend this annual three-day event featuring local food vendors, a wine garden, live music, the Creation Location for kids, and 150 juried artists exhibiting work in ten categories. Media categories include ceramics, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, mixed media 2D, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture, and wood.
Highlights of the weekend include Friday evening’s Art of the Vine, a special wine tasting event featuring unlimited samples from the following participating wineries: Blumenhof Winery, Bommarito Estate Almond Tree Winery, Noboleis Vineyards, Peaceful Bend Vineyard, Stone Hill Winery, and Sugar Creek Winery. Saturday afternoon’s Art of the Ale, presented by Schlafly, features a special beer tasting and Q&A, including unlimited samples of classic, seasonal and special-release Schlafly beers. The City of Sunset Hills Music Festival on Saturday afternoon features performances by Miss Jubilee & the Humdingers, The Dust Covers, and One More Round. Laumeier’s Creation Location for Kids, free with Art Fair admission, is open throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, offering family activities and entertainment. Finally, the popular Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday morning features a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
Here’s a video of Miss Jubilee & the Humdingers. Be sure to hear them at the Art Fair!
General Information
28th Annual Art Fair
Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, St. Louis, MO 63127
Friday, May 8, 6 to 10 pm
Saturday, May 9, 10 am to 8 pm
Sunday, May 10, 10 am to 5 pm
Tickets: $10, Ages 12 and up; $5, Ages 6 to 11; FREE, Ages 5 and under Art Fair Program Booklet
Special Events during the Art Fair Art of the Vine
Friday, May 8, 6 to 9 pm
$12, Ages 21 and up
Art Fair admission required
Creation Location for Kids | Art Projects
* Wind-Powered Whirligigs: Children make their very own functional whirligig (or pinwheel) that spins in the wind. Kids can decorate them using fun colors and patterns or make them look like an animal with moving wings or fins.
* Funky Fresh Foam Sculptures: Participants create a variety of sculptural creations using polyethylene foam scraps (donated by Robot Monkey Lab, Inc.), including some that hang and spin.
* irRESISTible watercolors: Youth use wax crayons, stickers, or tape to block off shapes/areas of paper to be left white, called a “resist.” Then kids watercolor the paper and remove the stickers or tape to reveal white areas. The wax crayons will naturally repel the watercolor.
* A “Construction Zone” with free play building blocks are available for younger kids.
The Art Fair is generously sponsored by Emerson, the City of Sunset Hills, Ameren, Edward Jones, and Jamba Juice, with media support from KDHX, KTRS, Riverfront Times, Sauce Magazine, St. Louis Public Radio, and Y98.
Have you ever wanted to sing with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL)? The brilliant opera company presents “Spring Sing!” on Saturday, May 9 at 12:30 pm at the Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard. This fun and informal event brings together professional singers of OTSL and hundreds of community participants from diverse backgrounds for an annual “spontaneous” concert at an iconic St. Louis location.
In addition to main season artists, Spring Sing! features special guest appearances from internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and world renowned soprano Christine Brewer, who receives her star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame this month. Both performed as part of the #WithNormandy: A Concert for Peace and Unity event, which raised nearly $5,000 for the “Friends of Normandy” scholarship fund in September 2014. Members of the Normandy High School Choir, under the direction of Duane Foster, perform as part of the community choir, along with members of the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School Choir under the direction of Addie Akin. OTSL chorus master and head of music staff Robert Ainsley conducts the 30-minute concert, which features classic opera choruses from Verdi and Mozart, as well as traditional choral selections from the American songbook.
More an avid listener and not a singer? Spring Sing! is open to the public for anyone to listen and enjoy so feel free to bring your little ones to experience this great 30 minute concert. Make a day of it with a visit to the Saint Louis Art Museum or the Saint Louis Zoo before or after Spring Sing!
Rehearsal: Members of Spring Sing! need to attend either one morning (10 am to 1 pm) or one afternoon (2 pm to 5 pm) rehearsal on Saturday, May 2 held at Opera Theatre’s Sally S. Levy Opera Center (210 Hazel Ave, 63119 in Webster Groves). To ease the logistics of learning music and rehearsing, OTSL will send you a recording that teaches your part in advance.
Performance: The performance will take place at the Missouri History Museum on Saturday, May 9 at 12:30 pm.
“Fantastic visual and aural display of percussive precision full of energetic gymnastics and vibrant vitality. Original music expertly played and choreographed into a remarkable show.” — The Belfast Telegraph
Don’t miss Scrap Arts Music, an exciting and unique celebration of percussive music and movement at the Edison Theatre on March 20 and 21. Entertaining for families of all ages!
Scrap Arts Music
Friday, March 20, 2015 at 8 pm ($20 to $36 ticket)
Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 11 am ($12 ticket)
Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105
Call 314.935.6543 or purchase tickets online. Parking Map
About Scrap Arts Music
Gregory Kozak and Justine Murdy, the artistic directors of Scrap Arts Music, invented and created all the musical instruments used in the show. These are not found objects “played” like instruments, but completely new tune-able inventions made from a variety of “scraps” welded, bent, and transformed into entirely new sculptures. Mr. Kozak wrote and choreographed the original music and performs alongside the other world-class musicians.
Scrap Arts Music is rooted in a green message: “Before you throw away something — whether an idea, a relationship, or an object, think about its usefulness from a bunch of different angles. You will likely discover a whole new world of possibilities.”
The performances bridge music with athleticism. All of the highly trained, professional musicians have strong athletic backgrounds. Percussion is the most physical of all the instrument families, after all.
Scrap Arts Music includes humorous moments within its nuanced and sophisticated percussion ensemble music. Listen for their sometimes humorous instrument sounds, instrument names, and composition titles.
All Scrap Arts Music instrument designs are based in a knowledge of the physics of sound and leader Gregory Kozak’s compositional style draws upon world music traditions.
History of Scrap Arts Music
Musician/composer Gregory Kozak and architecture-trained Justine Murdy began their collaboration under the name “Scrap Arts Music” in 1998. Their multi-disciplinary approach is a synthesis of Justine’s architectural work in and fascination with vernacular design and material culture studies; and Gregory’s musical training in Afro-Cuban jazz, piano composition, world percussion, contemporary classical music, North Indian raga, modern dance, and West African drum and dance. The artistic objective of Gregory and Justine’s collaboration is to create an orchestra of invented instruments created from materials collected in and around their home base of Vancouver Canada, and to use these in original performance-based works. Gregory and Justine wanted to reflect their own time and place while demonstrating that contemporary ‘throw-aways’ could be up-cycled to make culturally valuable artifacts, in their case sculptural musical instruments.
Since the 1990s, in addition to the beautiful condo towers lining the downtown core, Vancouver’s massive building boom has generated mountains of high-quality construction salvage. Building and marine activities generate lots of high-quality cast offs-that frequently are just taken to landfills or to sites where energy is expended to recycle. Justine and Gregory decided to interrupt this movement by upcycling choice scrap —including shaped metal ‘seconds,’ Douglas Fir wood offcuts, and PVC tubing.
Over three years of research and development (1998-2001) they created 145+ large-scale, mobile, sculptural instruments designed to be tune-able and suitable for repeat performances around the world. Many of the larger instruments are mobile. Gregory and Justine developed an “action-choreography” style of movement and sculptural instruments reflective of Vancouver and the energy of percussion.
In the spirit of “art music” they give consideration to the visual dimension of musical performance. Gregory and Justine take SCRAP, transform it through the ARTS of sculpture and choreography, and create original MUSIC performances for global audiences. Since 2001, they have taken their interdisciplinary project around the world, performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people, and offered numerous workshops, educational performances, and concerts featuring original choreographed sculptural music made from the materials around them.
“Every year right at the end of summer just before the leaves turn brown and fall from the trees, Esme comes to stay with her Nanna and Granddad…” But this year something is different; Nanna Queenie is gone. Though Grandad and Esme do the fun activities they usually do, things aren’t the same without Nanna Queenie. Grandad can’t bring himself to say that Nanna has died, so he explains that Nanna has joined the circus. “She looked like an ordinary woman, but inside beat the heart of a tightrope walker.”
COCA presents “Walking the Tightrope” in the Founders’ Theatre February 21 and 22, 2015. Winner of three LA Drama Critics Circle Awards and honored with more than a dozen nominations for acting, music, video design, and more, this production is an experience adults and children can enjoy together. Written by Mike Kenny, one of England’s leading writers for young audiences, and produced by 24th STreet Theatre in Los Angeles, “Walking the Tightrope” is a sweet, funny, and moving story of a grandfather who tries to tell his 5 year-old granddaughter that Grandma is gone, and in the process builds a beautiful new relationship with her. With the help of a single clown, they discover the meaning of family. 24th STreet Theatre’s acclaimed production uses world-class acting, sophisticated video, sound design, and original music to transport audiences from Grandad’s quaint 1959 English seaside cottage to the spectacular big top of circus. Look below for a special half off ticket promotion!
PARENTAL GUIDANCE: “Walking the Tightrope” gently and creatively addresses the theme of loss and is recommended for ages 7 and up.
DETAILS
COCA Presents 2014-2015: “Walking the Tightrope”
Founders’ Theatre at COCA
524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63130
Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 2 and 5 pm
Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 1 and 4 pm
Run time is approximately one hour.
General seating tickets are $14-$18 online or by phone at 314.561.4877, or in person at COCA.
SPECIAL PROMOTION for Culture Mama readers! Take 50% off any ticket with the promo code: tightrope50. Be sure to enter this code in the promo code box at the top right hand side of the screen when ordering online or tell a COCA staff person when calling or buying tickets in person.
October 25, 2015 at 3 pm
October 31, 2015, 10 am to noon
Laumeier Sculpture Park presents its 28th Annual Art Fair on Mother’s Day weekend, May 8–10, 2015
