There are certain people in St. Louis who seem to possess a rare gift.
They have the ability to bring people together. Not just for a party. Not simply for a social gathering. But for a purpose. Kelly Burrell Bagwe is one of those people. Kelly as a successful model, actress, philanthropist, and fixture on the St. Louis social scene. What they may not know is how much of her time, energy, talent, and personal network she dedicates to helping others. Not only is she a Kelly as a successful model, actress, philanthropist, and fixture on the St. Louis social scene, she uses her time, energy, talent, and personal network she dedicates to helping others through her “Premiere with a Purpose” events. Read about the latest when she helps host the “Hairspray” at the Muny.
Queer Writes: An Evening of Selections by LGBTQ+ Writers in St. Louis for its fourth consecutive year on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Missouri History Museum. The event is part of the Museum’s Thursday Nights at the Museum series and its Gateway to Pride programming.
The 2026 ALTBALL was the third outing for the alternative music, fashion, drag, and eclectic performance event. Thirty designers created avant-garde, eye-and-soul catching garments that kept the audience mesmerized. The sold-out event packed the Sovereign in the Grand Arts Center District, and raised an impressive $100,000 for an event of its size. All proceeds go to Doorways, a non-profit which provides housing and supportive services for those in our community affected by HIV, illness and poverty.
Tickets go on sale June 1st for the Tennessee Williams Festival’s highly anticipated production on the Tony Award winning play “Appropriate.” From September 17–27, 2026 the Berges Theatre at COCA will light up the night and glow with “The Tennessee Effect,” the massive way in which Williams affected the playwrights of today. The play marks the first time in its eleven years that the Festival will perform a play not written by Williams. “Appropriate” is penned by the Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who is considered by many to be the “heir apparent” to Williams. The play heralds a new era for the Festival in St. Louis.
Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST headlines the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival 26th the mainstage production in Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen. Directed by the Festival’s former artistic director Rick Dildine and featuring Nancy Bell as Prospero, THE TEMPEST, will begin free public performances in Shakespeare Glen on Wednesday, May 27 and run Tuesday - Sunday nights through June 21.
If you are reading this, you are the FIRST to see our May/June 2026 issue. In it, we explore how St. Louis continues to leave its imprint on the world stage. Our cover story, “The Rooms That Speak: Lou Bopp and the Art of Photographing Absence,” is a deeply moving piece that will leave a lasting impression on you. It is a poignant look at the creation of a 2026 Oscar-winning documentary by a St. Louis photographer. It is, quite simply, unforgettable. We also take a deep dive into two other St. Louis institutions, the 101-year-old Al’s Restaurant, which was the very definition of fine dining in yesteryear and carries the torch today in St. Louis and beyond. Also read about how Stifel Financial Corporation Chairman and CEO Ronald J. Kruszewski ensures that their brand is carried throughout the nation and the world.
Experience the Robot Renaissance at City Museum in St. Louis now through May 31st. The museum exhibit coincides with the VEX Robotics World Championships at the the America’s Center Convention complex, which runs through the April 30th. These particular, peculiar robots are built with everyday objects by St. Louis artists Bill Christman and Dave Rudis. Guests can visit the Robot Renaissance exhibit at the Beatnik Bob's section of the museum.
Fly 12 stories high onto the rooftop of the Gold Tower at Westport. Billed as the Skyline Stakes Soirée, this party guarantees an afternoon of racing-inspired revelry — it is truly unique. Where else can you watch “the most exciting two minutes in sports” with the in-crowd?
No where else can you ride in a private glass-enclosed elevator to a Derby event in St. Louis.
No where else can you see panoramic views 30-miles in each direction of St. Louis.
No where else can you sip on fine cocktails, gorge on a sumptuous buffet, and socialize with the St. Louis elite in true Derby fashion high in the sky.
Details here on Saturday, May 2nd, a day you will remember long after race day is done.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra just announced details of its May and June 2026 concerts, which include concerts across several genres and collaborations with award-winning artists. In addition to previously announced concerts, the SLSO has added performances that span musical styles from country to Americana and two nights of music accompanying animation. Concerts include additions to the SLSO’s Powell Hall Presents, a presentation series that showcases Powell Hall’s beauty in bold ways across genres. Take a look at what’s happening the rest of spring and all summer long.
Missouri History Museum in Forest Park will host St. Louis’ largest celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with a four-day festival April 30 through May 3 featuring live music, classic car displays, family activities, film screenings and talks exploring the complex history of the Mother Road, which has multiple historic routes across the region. The festival reflects the Museum’s broader civic storytelling initiative, I Am St. Louis, which invites residents to explore the history that connects the region’s past with its present. The long weekend celebration kicks off on Thursday, April 30 - Sunday, May 3.
Spring. Ah, glorious spring. The parties. The food. The activities. St. Louis loves the warm weather. We embrace it. There is so much to do here. We all want to live our lives like they are golden. The stores glimmer throughout the metropolis like flowers on a sunny day. The restaurants and bars across the St. Louis area are welcoming guests back outdoors with vibrant patio spaces, seasonal menus, and warm-weather specials. From sunny brunch spots to lively happy hours and sunset dinners, patio season offers locals and visitors new ways to enjoy the city's most beloved destinations. From Passover, to Easter, to Derby Day and Earth Day, and of course, Mother’s Day, St. Louis in the spring is magical. Drink it up!
The STL Jewish Light presents the 3rd Annual Passover Project at City Winery St. Louis on Wednesday, April 8th at 7pm. The Passover Project is an annual interactive, musical alternative seder. It features the Brothers Lazaroff and various local artists. Created by St. Louis Jewish Light Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman, it blends traditional seder elements with music, poetry, and special menu items, acting as a "friend raiser" for Jewish journalism.
When the envelopes are opened at the 50th anniversary ceremony of the prestigious Olivier Awards on April 12th, Jack Lane may join the ranks of other famous producers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cats ), Mel Brooks (The Producers), Matthew Bourne (Swan Lake), Sonia Friedman (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and Cameron Mackintosh (Les Misérables). Lane co-founded STAGES St. Louis in 1987, and is now a famous multi-Tony Award wining Broadway producer. Best known in St. Louis for bringing the pre-Broadway premier of The Karate Kid, The Musical to the STAGES St. Louis before it became big hit, he now stands to receive international acclaim.
Patricia Racette officially assumed the role of Artistic Director of Opera Theatre Saint Louis last fall, and the 2026 Festival Season already bears her unmistakable imprint: bold without being brash, welcoming without being diluted and unafraid of emotional truth. It is a season that signals continuity and change — and Racette is clear-eyed about the responsibility that comes with that balance. Find out more about her path to the position and plans for the town’s premier opera theater group.
Just in time for Passover season, which starts on April 1st, The 31st Annual St. Louis Jewish Film Festival returns March 15–26, 2026. The thought provoking films will be shown at B&B Theatres in Creve Coeur and one at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema City Foundry in St. Louis. For six days, audiences will be brought together to experience powerful storytelling, conversation, and community through international cinema. The festival will present twelve films from around the world, including documentaries, dramas, and comedies that explore Jewish identity, resilience, memory, and the universal human experience.
On the cover of our 2026 Spring issue is Chaim Bloom, the new President of Baseball Operations for the St. Louis Cardinals. He replaces John Mozeliak and is tasked with breathing new life into to the once mighty St. Louis Cardinals. Craig Kaminer sits down with him in a revelatory interview found ONLY on Sophisticated TV St. Louis, which underscores the story Craig authored. Like our entire March/April issue, we continue the long-established custom of bringing you the exclusive, the new, the now — things that affect you in the ever-changing landscape that is St. Louis. Read the article for excerpts from the issue, as well as ways to “play ball” with ways to rediscover St. Louis old and new.
Vitamin String Quartet is one of the most popular string ensembles in the world. Erasing the boundaries between classical, dance, hip-hop and pop, VSQ performs spellbinding renditions of everything from Billie Eilish to BTS, Taylor Swift to The Weeknd, and Danny Elfman to Daft Punk. Praised by the likes of Buzzfeed, The New York Times, Consequence of Sound, Nerdist and more, VSQ has garnered over 2 billion streams and numerous Billboard chartings since its inception. VSQ can also be heard in numerous hit shows, including Netflix’s “Bridgerton”, HBO’s “Westworld,” and ABC’s “Modern Family.” See them live on March 11th at the Sheldon.
It's love month in the Lou! Whether you're going on a date night, celebrating Galentine's, planning an office outing or enjoying a friends and family parties, these Valentine's events and activities offer something special to warm everyone's heart during February 2026.
Previously scheduled for January 24, the free, family-friendly event will instead take place on January 31, 2026, featuring a day of fun with more than 40 ice sculptures, live performances and a drone show in the heart of the Delmar Loop.
Red Gate Gallery presents two concurrent exhibitions—Spirit of the Trees and Coming of Age in 2026: A Counterstory—with a free, open-to-the-public reception from 5–7 pm on Friday, January 30, 2026. Together, the exhibitions bring professional artists and middle school students into conversation around identity, ecology, and collective care. The Coming of Age Exhibit runs through February 2nd. The Spirit of the Trees exhibit runs through April 12th.
