The 21st annual Martinis at the Mansion is an evening of celebration, camaraderie, and community support for one of St. Louis’ most treasured green spaces, Tower Grove Park. This year’s event will take place on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 6 p.m., at the stunning Central West End home of Tower Grove Park Board Commissioner Robert Epperson and Jennifer Kingston.
Read MoreOn Friday, May 16, 2025, devastation swept through the City of St. Louis. Alarms were silent, although the deafening sound of the catastrophic tornado roared. The ear-piercing winds shattered lives and buildings. Yet, out of the rubble, voices still ring out. This October, the Union Avenue Opera will “lift every voice and sing.” Voices of Union Avenue Opera will rise in performances of the first-ever “One-Act Festival.” The festival will be held in an alternate part of the church that was spared within the historic Union Avenue Christian Church. Get tickets.
Read MoreBeyond Housing is an organization that's proving comprehensive community development can work. At its helm is Chris Krehmeyer, president-CEO. What Beyond Housing has built represents one of the most all-encompassing community development efforts in the country — a model that refuses to see housing, education, health, economic development and civic infrastructure as distinct and separate challenges. Read here how they have positively impacted St. Louis County and the region.
Read MoreEight members of the St. Louis Circus Harmony troupe just returned from Stuttgart Germany after soaring high when reuniting with their partners there, Circus Circuli! This marks the fourth collaboration between the two youth circuses from the sister cities of St. Louis, Missouri and Stuttgart, Germany.
Read MoreJust in time for fall, Pirates & Pumpkins makes landfall at The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19 marks the opening this special event. The pirate invasion will continue through November 2. The Aquarium is decorated with pirate-themed scenes, including a ghost ship with smoking, booming cannons. Pumpkin carving demonstrations and trick-or-treating happen as it gets closer to Halloween.
Read MoreTwo decades ago, Theresa Carrington’s husband abandoned her with two children to care for. Suddenly, she had half the income and couldn’t make ends meet. Church members came to the rescue. Notes and letters and money came so thick and fast, they “decorated” her living room, then quickly overspilled into what she dubbed the “blessing basket.” Now, out of a time of nothing but heartache, she took her blessings and created a business with women in Africa. Carrington not only has touched the lives of countless people in seven countries around the world, but her nonprofit Ten by Three — formerly called The Blessing Basket Project — has altered those lives dramatically.
Read MoreBook lovers, collectors, and avid readers all anticipate the J’s Used Book Sale – held in January and August each year! The summer event is held Staenberg Family Complex Arts & Education Building Sunday, August 24 through Thursday, August 28, 2025. Thousands of titles are available, including mystery and intrigue, novels, biographies, politics, religion, sports, cookbooks, history, animals, art, science, science fiction, business, women’s issues, foreign languages, gardening, poetry, psychology, self-help, humor…the list goes on.
Read MoreLambert International is slated for a multi-billion-dollar update. Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge will overseeing it all. Prior to her appointment as director, the vital regional economic engine had seen drastic decreases in the number of flights in and out. Hamm-Niebruegge is a visionary. Under her watch, the airport is set to undergo a vast transformation. She has received approval from the airlines to spend the first $1 billion on the first of two phases. While preserving the airport’s historic Minoru Yamasaki dome windows and the ticket lobby, the two existing terminals will be raised to become one. The western half is slated to open by the end of 2028; the eastern portion by the end of 2031.
Read MoreThe St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) and the Fabulous Fox announced that more than $350,000 has been raised to support the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Disaster Relief Fund, a joint initiative that included a benefit concert on June 29 at the Fabulous Fox and a related online donation effort.
Read MoreOn May 16, 2025, an EF3 tornado with winds up to 152mph hit St. Louis and put newly-elected Mayor Cara Spencer’s leadership skills to the ultimate test. Soon after the hit, Mayor Spencer would realize the extent of the damage quickly. Tree root balls the size of Mini Coopers lined the streets and sidewalks all over the city. Branches jabbed gaping holes into roofs. Cars were crushed. Live power lines crashed onto the streets and sidewalks. Citizens were injured. The tornado lasted five minutes. The recovery will take years. And years.
Read MoreAs you globe trot this summer, you may notice that the planet is getting warmer. 2024 was the warmest year on record since 1880. Record-setting temps have swept the country in June, and St. Louis is no exception with the heat index soaring to 105 degrees or more. It’s about to heat up a whole lot more, especially when the July/August issue of Sophisticated Living St. Louis hits your mailbox, or you pick it up at one of our advertisers. If you’re reading this, you’re probably from the Show-Me State, and as always we SHOW YOU the best in fashion, travel, cuisine, architecture, design, and philanthropic endeavors to be, well, for lack of a better word...seen.
Read MoreEver eaten at Eleven Eleven Mississippi, Sqwires, Little Fox, or Union 30 at Hotel St. Louis? Then make your dining experience pull double duty tomorrow. This Thursday, June 12th, Vivent Health will host Dining Out For Life, an event to raise essential healthcare funds for St. Louisans affected by HIV. More than 20 beloved area restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds to HIV/AIDS care and prevention.
Read MoreOn June 14, the Delmar Loop invites the St. Louis region to gather in honor of Juneteenth with a full day of vibrant programming, celebration, and community spirit. Stretching from morning to night, the 2025 Delmar Loop Juneteenth Celebration unites the communities of University City and St. Louis City, along with Delmar Main Street and the St. Louis Reconciliation Network, for a powerful event that transforms Delmar Boulevard into a symbol of healing and connection. Learn more here.
Read MoreTo kick off Pride Month 2025, That Uppity Theatre Company and Missouri History Museum will present a third Free “Queer Writes Showcase of LGBTQ+ Writers” on Thursday, June 5. Part of the goal of Queer Writes is to amplify the presence of St. Louis based or connected LGBTQ+ writers, to expand the circle and variety of representation with each version and to build on the great and historic literary legacy of St. Louis. Learn more here.
Read MoreOn Saturday, Ted Wight and his friends Brooke Meek and Blake Anderson did more than watch the devastation from the May 16th EF3 tornado from the comfort of their homes. They went down to one of the hardest-hit areas and put their hands to work. They took action. Now, they need YOUR help also. @brookemeekhas organized delivery of huge dumpsters that get filled up in 15 minutes. To help, please Venmo @brooke-meek-1 to help sponsor a dumpster. They are $800 each.
Read MoreJust a day after the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis held their 25th Anniversary Gala, winds of the devastating May 16, 2025, EF3 tornado swept through Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. Now, the show must go on. On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, just weeks after the tragedy, lovers of the Bard, legions strong will once again march across the verdant green grass of the forest in the heart of St. Louis. They will come once again, as they have been for 25 years, to see the next quarter century of the Festival begin. The Festival continues through summer.
Read MoreThe African Gala, hosted annually by Microfinancing Partners in Africa, was much more than just a fundraising event — it’s was powerful celebration of hope, resilience, and community. On May 3, 2025, the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri, became the epicenter of generosity and inspiration as over 400 passionate supporters gathered to champion the transformative power of microfinance in rural Africa. It was a night of inspiration, impact, and hope that left all who attended energized to make a difference for all that are passionate about poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
Read MoreAt the Delmar Maker District’s Third Degree Glass on May 16, their team was focused on getting ready for Third Friday. Within seconds of hail starting, a tornado hit their building. Everyone scrambled to get to the nearest safe place, and luckily, everyone was safe. As they emerged, the devastation was all around. A week later, although all is calm, Third Degree Glass and much of the District is still in shambles. Fortunately, inventory was spared and can be purchased at Friday Sidewalk Sales and online.
Read MoreWhen Jerry Schlichter founded the law firm Schlichter, Bogard and Denton (now Schlichter Bogard) in 1989, the intent was to represent the individual, not the corporate entity. Since then, he has gone on to make that pursuit not just words, but reality. He has gone on to tackle the world of 401(k)s and brought a landmark case to reduce fees on behalf of employees and retirees. His Arch Grants program has companies who have generated $1.2 billion in revenues and created jobs. Learn how he has spent decades making a difference.
Read MoreSoon you will notice striking new public artwork in the Delmar Maker District. The streetscape installation will be turning heads and creating dialogue on Delmar Boulevard now and into the future. The Gateway Foundation was set to unveil the artwork on May 16, but the weather had other plans when the tornado struck that day. Look for “The Rift,” featuring sculptures by Dietrich Klinge. The installation now sits in front of the Craft Alliance at 5080 Delmar Blvd, with a dedication and other activities planned at future date.
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