Venice, the enchanting city where art, history, and timeless elegance converge, becomes the breathtaking backdrop for Ca' Riflesso, an extraordinary immersive installation presented by luxury design destination Artemest during Homo Faber in Città 2026. Under the creative direction of Artemest co-founder Ippolita Rostagno, a historic Venetian residence is transformed into a magnificent collector's home, showcasing exquisite furnishings, Murano glass, sculptural lighting, luxurious textiles, and decorative treasures created by more than 50 Italian artisans and celebrated brands. Set within Casa Sanlorenzo in Venice's picturesque Dorsoduro district, the installation beautifully blends centuries-old craftsmanship with contemporary sophistication. Rather than simply displaying exceptional design, Ca' Riflesso invites visitors to experience the artistry of Italian living firsthand. It's a captivating celebration of beauty, heritage, and the enduring allure of la dolce vita.
For 50 years, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company has given Black artists a stage, brought powerful stories to St. Louis audiences and grown from Ron Himes’ vision as a Washington University student into the nation’s largest professional African-American theater company. Its golden anniversary season opened triumphantly with The Color Purple, featuring a powerhouse performance by Angela Wildflower as Celie and culminating in a sold-out final performance. Thank you to Sophisticated Living readers and patrons who showed up and filled those seats. Now, the challenge is to keep showing up. With an ambitious 50th season ahead and a $15 million endowment campaign aimed at securing its future, The Black Rep is not simply celebrating its remarkable past—it is building its next half-century. Buy another ticket, bring a friend, make a donation and, for those with the means, consider a transformational gift. The Black Rep is here. Let’s make certain it stays here for the next 50 years.
Saint Louis Dance Theatre is ready to get St. Louis moving at its annual Movers & Shakers Ball, Friday, October 23, at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or have never experienced the company before, this is the night to discover why Saint Louis Dance Theatre has become such an exciting force in our city’s cultural landscape. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the gala promises an unforgettable evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a main-stage dance performance, silent auction, seated dinner and DJ dance party. More than a glamorous night out, Movers & Shakers supports the world-class dancers, acclaimed choreographers and ambitious programming that are helping put St. Louis on the national contemporary dance map. Come for the party, experience the artistry and become part of the movement.
St. Louis has lost one of its quiet giants. John Ferring was a visionary businessman, philanthropist and civic leader whose influence can be felt across the arts, education, healthcare, Forest Park and countless organizations serving the community. Yet those who knew him say his greatest gift was not simply his generosity—it was the sincerity, humility, discipline and personal commitment he brought to everything he supported. Ferring approached philanthropy as a partnership, investing his time, intellect and confidence along with his resources and inspiring others to think bigger and do better. Leaders from the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, ArchCity Defenders and St. Louis Shakespeare Festival remember a man who listened, asked thoughtful questions and took genuine joy in helping people and institutions succeed. Together with his wife, Alison, Ferring helped shape a stronger, more compassionate St. Louis. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the leaders he inspired and the countless lives made better because he quietly invested in a city he never stopped believing in.
Sababa is getting bigger—and St. Louis is invited. After attracting approximately 3,000 guests in 2024, the Sababa Jewish Arts & Culture Festival could welcome as many as 5,000 people when it moves to downtown Clayton on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Headlining the free celebration is Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb, joined by an impressive musical lineup that includes Yuval Raphael, Nissim Black, Elana Jagoda and Klezundheit. Rooted in Jewish culture but created for everyone, Sababa—modern Hebrew slang for “awesome” or “cool”—invites the entire St. Louis community to experience contemporary Jewish culture through live music, art, kosher cuisine and family activities. From fine art and a 12-foot-tall “tree of life,” activation inspired by the tradition of placing written messages in Jerusalem's Western Wall, to challah braiding, a bubble party and plenty of pastrami and knishes, there is something for every generation. Admission is free, but advance registration is required. Come curious, come hungry—and absolutely come for Lisa Loeb. With potentially 5,000 people celebrating together in Clayton, that sounds pretty Sababa to us.
St. Louis has long produced extraordinary artistic talent, but some of the city’s most important artists may still be hiding in plain sight. Here, we turn to three respected St. Louis gallerists—William Shearburn, Philip Slein and Tanner Steslow—to identify 18 artists they believe deserve the attention of serious collectors. Their selections range from internationally recognized talents including Kennedy Yanko, Katherine Bernhardt and Tom Friedman to rising and underrecognized artists such as Amy Granat and Jamie Adams (pictured here), whose work may represent compelling opportunities for collectors. The list also revisits historically significant figures such as Ernest Trova, Oliver Lee Jackson, Arthur Osver and Ernestine Betsberg, making the case that collecting well requires looking backward as well as forward. Ultimately, the story is about more than acquiring art. It is about developing the eye and conviction to recognize important work before consensus arrives—and preserving the remarkable artistic legacy and evolving cultural story of St. Louis in the process. Read about the background and see the works here.
This fall, one of St. Louis’ most important yet underappreciated artists returns to the spotlight with a major exhibition in the heart of the Central West End gallery district. Beginning October 23, Philip Slein Gallery presents Edward E. Boccia: An American Modernist, bringing together approximately 30 paintings spanning five decades, including monumental multi-panel works that demonstrate Boccia’s remarkable fusion of Renaissance traditions, Expressionism and deeply personal storytelling. The exhibition coincides with the publication of Edward E. Boccia: Painter of Nightmares and Dreams by art historian Rosa J.H. Berland, the first comprehensive scholarly monograph devoted to the influential longtime Washington University professor and painter. Sophisticated Living readers, collectors and art enthusiasts are invited to experience this long-overdue rediscovery at the opening reception Friday, October 23, from 5–8 p.m. at Philip Slein Gallery, 4735 McPherson Avenue. The exhibition continues through April 23, 2027, offering St. Louis the rare opportunity to reconsider an extraordinary artist in the city where his mature artistic vision flourished.
One of St. Louis’ most beloved traditions returns September 16, when Music Director Stéphane Denève and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra launch the SLSO’s 147th season with a free concert on Forest Park’s iconic Art Hill. For Sophisticated Living’s Grayling Holmes, who has enjoyed the tradition many times, there is nothing quite like settling onto the hill with a picnic, a glass of wine and hundreds of fellow symphony and St. Louis lovers as magnificent music fills the park. The evening features favorites from Beethoven, Bernstein, Gershwin, Copland, John Williams and others, along with members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and IN UNISON Chorus, before culminating with The Stars and Stripes Forever and fireworks over the Grand Basin. It’s a uniquely St. Louis celebration—two enduring city institutions coming together for an unforgettable evening of music, community and civic pride under the stars.
The Festival of Nations returns to Tower Grove Park on August 29-30, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors to celebrate the food, music, art, and traditions of over 80 countries. While the beloved multicultural festival remains free to the public, Sophisticated Living readers can elevate the experience with the exclusive VIP Oasis at the Piper Palm House. VIP guests enjoy premier parking, a dedicated entrance, air-conditioned lounge, reserved Main Stage seating, complimentary beverages, and access to a private Kick-Off Party at the new Director's Croquet Garden. New this year, a single-day VIP pass offers a flexible way to enjoy these premium amenities. Beyond the comfort and convenience, every VIP ticket supports the International Institute of St. Louis, whose mission since 1919 has been to help immigrants and refugees build successful new lives in our community. It's an unforgettable way to experience one of St. Louis' signature cultural events while making a meaningful investment in the region's future.
Don't miss one of the most significant theater events St. Louis has hosted in years. The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis welcomes two-time Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins—widely regarded as the artistic heir to Tennessee Williams—for a free public conversation on Saturday, September 19, at the Clark Family Branch of the St. Louis County Library. Coinciding with the Festival's groundbreaking production of Appropriate and this year's theme, "The Tennessee Effect," the event offers a rare opportunity to hear one of America's most celebrated contemporary playwrights discuss Williams' enduring influence on his work. Seating is limited, making this a must-attend event for theater lovers, Festival patrons, and anyone passionate about the living legacy of Tennessee Williams. Visit TWSTL.org for details.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin has become the first classical musician to receive the prestigious Lincoln Medal, honoring his lifelong contributions to American music, arts education, and public service. Read here how he was honored at the Ford Center in Washington, D.C. to celebrate his extraordinary legacy in St. Louis and beyond. A feature documentary, Don't Call Me Maestro, produced and directed by award-winning documentarian Miran Halen will highlight his upcoming role as Music Director of the Nashville Symphony, chronicling four generations of the Slatkin family's impact on American music.
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.
On April 26, inside the dignified halls of the Missouri History Museum, approximately 150 figures from the arts and cultural community gathered not simply to honor Joan Lipkin, but to affirm the scope of a career that has long extended beyond any single stage, city, or discipline. The occasion: her receipt of the 2026 Margo Jones Medal—an honor bestowed annually upon one citizen-of-the-theatre nationwide. In its 65-year history, it had never before been presented in St. Louis.
First recognized as a week-long observance in 1978 and expanded to a full month in 1990, May was chosen to commemorate two key moments: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843. It is both a celebration and a correction—an acknowledgment of contributions that were too often overlooked. Their professional presence is significant—spanning medicine, finance, engineering, technology, academia, and entrepreneurship. They are physicians, executives, innovators, and business owners whose economic contributions help drive both local and national growth. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the importance of this recognition only grows.
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.
The Saint Louis Art Museum’s 2025 gala, Elements: The Alchemist’s Garden, on December 6, was inspired by the monumental exhibition “Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea.” The evening, co-chaired by Lisa R. Carnahan and Brooke Ray, celebrated 40 years of the museum gala and featured an immersive dining experience and high-energy after party where elegance and art converged. Proceeds from the event ensure that world-class exhibitions, transformative programs and unparalleled art experiences continue to inspire the community.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis hosted their 3rd Annual Holiday Benefit. The event brought community, artistry, and festive spirit together for an unforgettable winter celebration supporting St. Louis theatre. This year’s event welcomed Emmy Award–winning actress Britt Lower — star of Apple TV+’s Severance and a proud Midwestern artist with St. Louis roots — who shared stories from her creative journey and reflected on the power of live theatre. Embracing the theme Home for the Holidays, guests enjoyed performances by Broadway star Taylor Louderman, unique auction experiences and exceptional food and drinks, all contributing to raising more than $300,000 to support The Rep’s educational and community programs, world-class productions, and overall presence in St. Louis’ vibrant arts community.
“Don’t feel sorry for us — invest in us.” In a nutshell, this is what Microfinancing Partners in Africa is all about. On Friday, April 24, supporters of the St. Louis-based organization will gather in the Frontenac Hilton’s ballroom to help those who help themselves in a multitude of countries scattered throughout the continent such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia. Beginning at 5pm, the 20th Annual African Gala marks two decades of steadfast commitment to one of the world’s most pressing challenges: extreme poverty.
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.
