ALIVE MAGAZINE
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” –Mary Oliver
Good Vibes THE
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
ISSUE
WE KNOW PATAGONIA PERSONALIZED LUXURY TRAVEL FOR YOUR TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Dine. Shop. Stay. 232 N. KINGSHIGHWAY BLVD. • 314.633.3000 • CHASEPARKPLAZA.COM
ALIVE Volume 15 Issue 1_IFC IBC.indd 1
St. Louis, Missouri • revealpatagonia.com info@revealpatagonia.com • 866.441.8980
12/4/15 11:40 AM
“Gotta keep those lovin’ good vibrations a-happenin’.” –Brian Wilson
January 2016 Quote.indd 2
12/4/15 3:58 PM
meet the team
Co-founder/Director of Content Jennifer Dulin Wiley
Contact 2200 Gravois Ave., #201 St. Louis, MO 63104-2848 Tel: 314.446.4059 Fax: 314.446.4052 Sales: 314.446.4056 ALIVEmag.com
Account Strategist Savannah Davis
General Inquiries info@ALIVEmag.com
Entrepreneur Quarterly
Advertising For advertising rates and information, call us at 314.446.4056 or email advertising@ALIVEmag.com.
A Dangerous Profession: Brand + Content Studio
ALIVE Media Group Editor Rachel Brandt Managing Editor Kelsey Waananen Fashion Editor Sarah Stallmann Community Manager Mackenzie Taylor Editorial Advisor Jennifer Dulin Wiley
Co-founder/Managing Partner Kelly Hamilton
Copy Editor Brendan Beirne Contributing Culture Editor Krystin Arneson Contributing Lifestyle Editor Jessica Leitch
Editor & Community Manager Mary Beard Midwest Influencer Network
Creative Director Amanda Dampf
Co-founder/Director of Business Development Lindsay Pattan
Art Assistant Lexi Sesti
Senior Accounts/Project Manager Alicia Underwood
Senior Account Executive Susie Jensen
Interns
Account Executive Devon Crouse Account Manager Micaela Hasenmueller Sales Assistant Shannon Logan Sales Consultants Molly Fontana, Brigid Pritchard Office Manager Laura Runde Executive Assistant Jennifer Elliott
Director of Community Engagement Marisa Lather
Amanda Carvalho, Taylor Conran, Nia Darden, Daniel Darkside, Katie Duffie, Kimia Emami, Chelsey Farris, Alexis Fingerhut, Hannah Foldy, Jeremy Gatzert, Brandon Halley, Monti Hill, Alex Isbell, Courtney Kluge, Klara Kobylinski, Megan Loudon, Nolan Manning, James McLendon, Kayla Meyers, Lauren Parker, Tim Probst, Kelsey Stays, Ashley Titone, Mai Tran, Cara Wegener, Paige Whitehead, Melanie Whithaus
Subscriptions Subscribe to ALIVE Magazine, view our free digital issue and purchase reprints on ALIVEmag.com. Contribute ALIVE accepts freelance art, photo and story submissions. For more information please email contribute@ALIVEmag.com. Printed in Canada by Hemlock Printers at their Carbon Neutral printing facility using vegetable-based inks and FSC-approved paper containing recycled fibers. ALIVE, Volume 15, Issue 1 (Periodical #025092) is published by ALIVE Media Group, L.L.C., 2200 Gravois Ave., #201 St. Louis, MO 63104-2848. Periodicals Postage paid at St. Louis, MO, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ALIVE, 2200 Gravois Ave. #201 St. Louis, MO 63104-2848.
Š 2016 ALIVE Media Group, LLC.
Co-founders Elizabeth Tucker + Kelly Hamilton + Attilio D’Agostino
January 2016 Masthead.indd 1
12/7/15 4:33 PM
Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park Experience the Tradition! OPEN ALL DAY, EVERY DAY SUN.-THURS. 10AM-9PM • FRI.-SAT. 10AM-MIDNIGHT • HOLIDAY HOURS (DEC. 18-JAN. 2) 10AM-MIDNIGHT INCLUDING CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S EVE & NEW YEAR’S DAY
STEINBERGSKATINGRINK.COM • 314.367.RINK
Steinbergs_Jan.indd 2
12/4/15 9:49 AM
A Letter THERE’S NO DENYING that the world we live in is changing rapidly. The way we interact, where we spend our time and how we experience stories is changing by the minute. Media has become increasingly vast and fast. And, in many cases, the human element is all but lost.
As these shifts began to take place, we started to ask ourselves: How can ALIVE make an impact in all of this? Every conference we attended, expert we met, and rule we read told us to slash our paper quality, sensationalize our stories and churn out more—fast. But deep down, we knew there had to be a better way. We just couldn’t accept that the reasons we went into media in the first place had all but disappeared or faded into the background. So, we decided to trust our gut and say, “Screw the rules”—we’ve never been very good at following them anyway. We sat together over countless dinners, coffees and happy hours with people we love and respect. We asked each other what kinds of stories were missing in our lives and what experiences would inspire us. We gathered our favorite books, poems and magazines; we cut things out and surrounded ourselves with collages and inspiration boards. And after several months of soulsearching, it became clear that in order to write this next chapter, our approach had to change. So we’ve decided to do something crazy: slow down, make a big investment in our print quality and focus on developing new ways to tell the best stories we can. We want to have the time and space for meaningful human connection. We want to invite more people into our conversations and content, and we want to become a better creative voice for this region. We want to be a place where the top writers and photographers can showcase their work in a beautiful way. And, we want to take on projects with brands we are passionate about and that we can truly champion, like the ones you’ll see in this issue. But, I’m not writing this letter to tell you that we’ve arrived at our destination. I’m writing to tell you that we’ve begun a journey—and to invite you to join us. We have embarked on a path to explore how to slow down and make space for more thoughtful interactions and deliberate choices, and this issue is our first step. In the spring, you’ll see an enhanced digital experience on the new ALIVEmag.com. St. Louis, we love you for your grit and glamour. We love your Midwestern charm, rich history and your relentless pursuit to find your path. You are our foundation, our inspiration and our reason to slow down, show up and give you our best work.
Love,
January 2016 Letter to St. Louis.indd 1
12/8/15 3:24 PM
Spring exhibitions open January 15 Lisa Yuskavage Arcangelo Sassolino Tala Madani Peter Sutherland Arlene Shechet Ned Vena The Propeller Group ArtReach Lisa Yuskavage, Blonde Brunette and Redhead (detail),1995. Collection of Yvonne & Leo Villareal.
ALIVE_January2016_Production Doc.indd 7
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis 3750 Washington Blvd St. Louis, MO 63108 314.535.4660 camstl.org Wed–Sun 10:00 am–5:00 pm Open until 8:00 pm Thu & Fri
CAM is free. Visit often!
12/4/15 10:09 AM
31
54 12
In This Issue 10 Home | Winter Greens 12 Makers | SKIF International
28
14 Art | “St. Louis Modern” 20 Fashion | Rogue Warrior 28 People | Dancing Classrooms
10
31 Partners | Community Leaders 54 Wellness | Sound Healing 60 Photo Essay | Blues Musicians 68 Guide | STL Schools 74 Food | Now Open 76 Shop | Where to Shop
20
January 2016 Table of Contents.indd 1
60
78 Calendar | Find Us Here 80 Interview | Peter Martin
12/4/15 12:16 PM
DEDICATED TO ART AND FREE TO ALL
Open Tuesday—Sunday, Always Free slam.org 455-15 Alive Branded Jan Ad.indd 1 ALIVE_January2016_Production Doc.indd 5
12/1/15 12:58 PM 12/4/15 10:10 AM
contributor spotlight
The cover and these images of Cheeraz Gormon, a published St. Louis poet and spoken word artist, are taken from Adrian O. Walker’s series, “AOWSTL.”
Adrian O. Walker, Photographer adrianowalker.com ‘Good vibes’ means ... “Being able to share your success with those who helped you get there and giving back tenfold. Staying true with what you believe in and having a good support system behind you 100 percent. Good vibes indicates beneficial encounters with like-minded people who share not only the same ideas but the same heart.” Adrian O. Walker is a photographer of mood and movement who documents the creative industry, working closely with people, brands and concepts to form compelling visual narratives. A St. Louis native whose passion for the city has earned him global recognition, Walker was recently named a finalist for the 2015 Paris Photo-Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards for his self-published book, “My Lens, Our Ferguson,” which highlighted his experience on the streets of Ferguson in the weeks after the death of Michael Brown. He spends his time capturing the heart and soul of cities like New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, crafting unique visual stories for brands including Martell Cognac US and Adidas, and assisting creative individuals in telling their own personal stories. Though his heart will always remain in St. Louis, Walker has relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado—and again to Oakland, California—to continue his role as a curator for VSCO, a rapidly growing company that unites the creative community through innovation, art and photography. He continues to make his mark as a content creator specializing in the portrait and lifestyle categories.
January 2016 Contributors.indd 1
12/4/15 2:12 PM
contributors ‘Good vibes’ means …
Attilio D’Agostino
Jennifer Silverberg
Jessica Leitch
Kat Reynolds
Photographer
Photographer
Writer
Photographer
“I never know how the next chapter is going to end, but I’m not worried about it. I’m reveling in every moment writing the book.” corridor40.com
“‘Good vibes’ for me means making photos on farms, of food, and being outside … It means long rides on country roads, good music, and hikes with my husband by my side … It means a snowy day, a blanket and good book on the couch, a glass of wine, my cat on my lap … Happy New Year, everyone. Good vibes to you all.” jennifersilverberg.com
“It’s tough to articulate the sensation of ‘good vibes.’ I like to think of it as the positive energy in a space, or a happy feeling.” jessicaleitch.com
“It’s not just about ‘good vibes,’ but real ones.” theunsuspended.com
Krystin Arneson
Lou Bopp
Matt Kile
Suzanna Lourie
Writer
Photographer
Photographer
Writer
“It’s tranquility, positive energy, open-heartedness and an impending promise of a smile. It’s the opening night of someone’s first brilliant gallery show. It’s the second before a Champagne cork is popped. It’s the hush of morning snow while you’re still under the duvet—and in no rush to leave.” krystin-arneson.com
“Good vibrations are one of the great intangibles of life.” loubopp.com
“Finding a balance in life is really important to me. For every moment spent working hard and fast, I try to find one that is slow and steady. For every loud one, a quiet one. Neither is necessarily more important than the other. The best vibes come from both sides.” mattkile-photographer.com
“For me, ‘good vibes’ represents a universal energy. We feel it when we stop resisting, when we open our hearts and embrace the present moment. Everything just clicks. We vibe with one another. We ebb and flow in alignment with nature. It can be elusive, but I think that’s what keeps us going.” suzannalourie.com
Interested in contributing? ALIVE accepts freelance art, photo and story submissions. For more information, please email contribute@ALIVEmag.com.
January 2016 Contributors.indd 2
12/4/15 4:25 PM
January 2016 Flower and Weeds.indd 1
12/4/15 12:45 PM
Seasonal Solace Winter greens to enliven your home. BY JESSICA LEITCH PHOTO BY JENNIFER SILVERBERG
As winter mutes nature’s colors, boost your spirit and elicit those sought-after feelings of warmth by bringing a little green into your home. Jessica Douglass, owner of Flowers & Weeds on Cherokee Street, shares a few ways to brighten up your home (and mood) this winter with plants and terrariums. HOUSE PLANTS Plants that require low light are ideal for colder months, making the ZZ Plant and the Purple Heart top picks. “The Purple Heart is a really good way to add color in, and it has a beautiful pink flower that pops out,“ says Douglass. For a mix of textures and color, try the Maranta—also known as the “prayer plant”—for its heliotropic leaves that move with the sun. According to Douglass, “Staghorn ferns are an interesting
way to bring something weird and cool into the house.” They can be mounted on the wall as living decor. For a simple but impressive houseplant, Douglass suggests a Philodendron for its ease of care and variety of appearance. WINTERGREENS Buying fresh flowers weekly can be expensive, and options for local blooms are limited in winter. Forgo the bouquet for a selection of wintergreens. Juniper or pine in a vase last longer than flowers. These super simple alternatives are fragrant and make the whole house smell lovely. DRIED HERBS For a more subtle scent than that of wintergreens, Douglass recommends a collection of dried herbs. Subtly fragrant bundles of dried
thyme or rosemary look beautiful on display. TERRARIUMS The lush mini ecosystem living inside a graceful glass container doubles as decorative foliage in your home. The enclosed moss, plants, rocks and odd trinkets thrive in low light and are incredibly self-sustaining. “It’s like bringing a forest into your home during winter. There’s a whole world inside the terrarium,” notes Douglass. Any combination of living, dried, or planted greenery will help boost your mood at home during the winter months. For more tips and information, visit Flowers & Weeds at 3201 Cherokee St. or online at flowersandweeds. com. Read more about winter greenery online at ALIVEmag.com. VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 Flower and Weeds.indd 2
11
12/4/15 3:35 PM
January 2016 Skif.indd 1
12/4/15 12:34 PM
Happy Threads Stepping into the whimsical world of SKIF.
BY SARAH STALLMANN PHOTOS BY ATTILIO D’AGOSTINO
In the heart of The Hill, among some of St. Louis’ top dining destinations, lies an unmarked building a block wide with whited-out windows. While the outside is rather nondescript in comparison to The Hill’s motley style, inside is an eclectic world of its own: the home of SKIF International. SKIF has been a staple of the ‘made in St. Louis’ movement since its launch in 1994 by designer Nina Ganci, whose vision and early investment in fashion in STL created a thriving, collaborative design studio that specializes in knitwear. The space serves several purposes. It’s a home base of operations and manufacturing for the internationally successful SKIF-branded knitwear line that is sold in well over 300 boutiques, an incubator for emerging St. Louis artists and designers like Michael Drummond, DJ Kennedy
and Qun Liu and a retail store where St. Louis shoppers can snag the latest and greatest by SKIF and friends just feet from where the garments are created. The line consists of easy and creative pieces that showcase the artisanal spirit of Ganci and crew. The garments are free-spirited in style and in their nature—unsized, undone. “Everyone is a sweater designer for SKIF,” Ganci has said. “Once you wear it, it’s your design and distinctive to your style.” Inside, the spirit is creative. The vibe: good— very good for the many local artisans who head there every day to craft the thousands of pieces a month that make their way into the closets of some of the most fashionable (New York Fashion Week founder Fern Mallis is a customer).
The buzz of knitting machines marks the territory. Original artwork—much by notable ‘Friends of SKIF,’ including honorary resident artist DJ Kennedy—creates a colorful and eclectic backdrop. And racks upon racks of merchandise—from signature wide-leg trousers to patched jackets and knitwear of all types—fill the spaces. For the creatives who work out of the space, the vibes are more than just good—they’re inspiring. “I love to work in a space with other designers,” says Liu, whose personal studio and showroom are located inside SKIF. “We share information and technique and encourage each other.” Read more about SKIF online at ALIVEmag.com and at skifo.com. VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 Skif.indd 2
13
12/4/15 4:15 PM
January 2016 Modern arts feature.indd 14
12/4/15 2:17 PM
The Arc of Modern Design Inside SLAM’s retrospective of St. Louis’ contribution to modernism. BY KRYSTIN ARNESON PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM
January 2016 Modern arts feature.indd 15
12/4/15 2:17 PM
S
aint Louis Art Museum’s “St. Louis Modern,” open through Jan. 31, is a love letter to the city’s participation in the ascent and embrace of modernist design, especially during 1935-1965—a period that includes the years during which the St. Louis Arch, our city’s emblematic icon of modernity, was conceived, built and completed. The period also represents a critical shift in how we would come to view the role of design as it shifted from the provenance of the posh to the realm of the middle class. Immediately after WWII, a new philosophy took root, showing that the simplicity, aesthetics and affordability of ‘good design’ could do more than make spaces beautiful: It had the power, in fact, to transform lives for the better. EAMES LOUNGE CHAIR Although the seeds of what would be later considered midcentury design were planted before WWII, the war essentially put a pause on design as the country reallocated resources to the war effort. Many architects and designers also served in the war, picking up inspiration from aesthetics abroad. After the war, SLAM researcher Genevieve Cortinovis says, they adapted wartime innovations for domestic use. The trajectory of American design “would be a lot more fluid if not for this six-year period where everything domestic kind of ground to a halt,” says SLAM Decorative Arts and Design Curator David Conradsen The Museum of Modern Art’s organic design competition in 1941, for example, was searching for modern, flexible furnishings that might incorporate materials from other industries. Soon-to-be-iconic St. Louis-born Charles Eames and Gateway Arch designer Eero Saarinen submitted many designs to this competition, says Cortinovis, but they weren’t quite there: They were chunky and expensive to produce. After the war, though, they picked up where they left off. The much more sophisticated, streamlined result: The chair pictured on the previous page, which Charles Eames designed with his wife, Ray. Together, they would comprise the design powerhouse that carries their name. Previous page: Designed by Charles Eames and Ray Kaiser Eames, manufactured by Herman Miller Furniture Company, Lounge Chair Wood (LCW), designed 1946; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Tom and Jean Wolff in memory of Charles Eames 47:1985; © Eames Office, LLC Charles and Ray Eames at Washington University Exhibition, 1977; Charles Eames Archive, University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Washington University Libraries BULL’S EYE MIRROR One of the most intriguing differences between prewar and postwar architecture is that houses commissioned before WWII often included bespoke furnishings that were created by architects and their design partners. After the war, focus shifted to mass production as a means of making good design accessible to everyone. Museum curators say the mirror was added to the exhibition to broaden its scope beyond midcentury design.
16
“The mirror is an interesting object,” says Conradsen, adding that the designer, Victor Proetz, was born and raised in St. Louis, then studied in Chicago before returning to found an architectural firm. “In their work here in St. Louis during the early 1930s, there wasn’t so much massproduced design,” he says. “They were doing full commissions where they would design the house but also select the fabrics, have them woven, design the furniture and have it handmade.” During Proetz’s time, furnishings tended to bridge the gap between the ornate furniture of the early 20th century and the streamlined shapes of the years to come. “There’s an interesting streak of modern design in St. Louis in the ’30s that we call ‘classic modern,’ because it’s modern, but it does make reference to an historical past,” says Conradsen. Proetz traveled to Sweden and took inspiration from the palettes of creamy white and gray that, along with painted wood, are hallmarks of the Scandinavian modern aesthetic. But the silver-leafed eagle on the mirror references an earlier type of mirror, says Conradsen. The mirror and accompanying sideboard and dining chairs (not pictured) from a house Proetz designed for his brother and his wife on Westmoreland Place embody “a very Proetzian, very modern and fresh interpretation of historically based designs.” Top left: Victor Hugo Proetz, Bull’s Eye Mirror, 1941, Saint Louis Art Museum, Bequest of Dr. Arthur W. and Mrs. Esther S. Proetz in memory of Victor Proetz 68:1987a,b BLUEBIRD SPARTON RADIO Radio was in its golden age in the ’30s and was given a burst of color and futuristic shape with Walter Teague’s 1935 design—a year that serves as the starting point of the bulk of the exhibition (and happens to be the year the Arch began construction). Modernity was tied to the machine in that decade—a 1934 “Machine Art” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC displayed porcelain, kitchenware and furnishings alongside machine parts perched on pedestals, symbolically elevated to the ranks of great sculpture. The spirit shines through here in the “speed lines,” chrome accents, glass face and shape. Top right: Walter Dorwin Teague, American, 1883–1960; Bluebird Sparton Radio, c. 1935; mirrored glass, chrome, wood, electrical components; 13 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 8 in. | Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis CHALICE “There’s this wonderful smoothness to the base, and it has a real soaring form. It has sort of an astral, space-age feel to it,” says Conradsen. It looks a bit like the Space Needle, which, after all, isn’t entirely unusual in this exhibition. “You’ll see lots of those visual connections,” he adds. “It’s kind of amazing, that dynamic change from objects like the mirror that were made right before WWII, and right after the war, this explosion and transformation that happens.” Bottom left: Dwight Dillon, Chalice, 1958; Saint Louis Art Museum, Funds given by the Decorative Arts Society in honor of Lynn E. Springer 65:1981; © Dwight Dillon
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 Modern arts feature.indd 16
12/4/15 2:18 PM
January 2016 Modern arts feature.indd 17
12/4/15 2:18 PM
ICE CRUSHER Even ice crushers weren’t exempt from the Good Design movement, and “St. Louis Modern” isn’t the first exhibit to feature this wonder. SLAM hosted a one-month exhibition in 1948 called “Good Design is Your Business” that exposed 25,000 St. Louisans to a comprehensive showcase of modern design, and this ice crusher was there. The exhibition served to educate industrial designers and persuade businesses that good design was good for the bottom line. Industrial designer David Painter’s household object featured Chevrolet-like fins—a hallmark of modern design—and machine-like aesthetics. “Every component of the design is ultimately the product of a functional demand,” the exhibition catalogue claimed. ‘Form follows function’ was by now a key tenet of good modern design. Previous page, bottom right: David Painter of Barnes & Reinecke Industrial Designers and Engineers, Ice Crusher, 1948. Black-enameled-andchrome-plated metal and polystyrene, 10 ⅜ x 3 1/2 x 3 ½ in., made by Dazy Corporation, St. Louis. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis
He’s also responsible for this iconic chair (pictured right), which for many, conjures up complementary images of shag rugs and boomerang-shaped coffee tables. “This is a good example of Saarinen’s massproduced design,” says Conradsen. It picks up on the space-age theme of the chalice with a seamless integration, like the “idea of a skin,” adds Cortinovis. At its heart, modernist design was about bringing good design to everyday people, not just the upper crust, who could afford not only to build custom houses but to commission the furniture for them as well. The use of affordable materials and mass production techniques elevated design and made it available to the middle class for the first time. One of the best examples of this? Look no further than I-64 at Vandeventer Avenue, where a certain impossible-to-ignore blue and yellow sign advertises the design-for-all ethos of Ikea, which was founded in 1943. Right: Designed by Eero Saarinen, manufactured by Knoll, Inc., Armchair, 1956, manufactured c.1960; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Michael Ashworth 8:2000; ©Knoll, Inc.
KNOLL ARMCHAIR
Above: Eero Saarinen with models of the Gateway Arch; Yale University Library, Manuscripts and Archives; © St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Saarinen is best known—in STL at least—as the designer of the Arch.
Read more about “St. Louis Modern” online at ALIVEmag.com.
18
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 Modern arts feature.indd 18
12/4/15 3:39 PM
January 2016 Modern arts feature.indd 19
12/4/15 2:22 PM
Rogue Warrior PHOTOGRAPHY BY ATTILIO D’AGOSTINO Stylist: Fashion Editor Sarah Stallmann Model: Sija with NY Model Management Hair: Caitlin Ford for Notch Salon Makeup: Kat Hinkle for ABTP Assistants: Kayla Meyers, Jeremy Gatzert, Shannon Logan and Ashley Titone
January 2016 FEATURE Fashion.indd 20
12/4/15 1:08 PM
Beltshazzar body chains available at beltshazzarjewels.com. Vince “Dempsey” boots available at vince.com. Tights and vintage fur coat, stylist’s own.
January 2016 FEATURE Fashion.indd 21
12/4/15 1:09 PM
January 2016 FEATURE Fashion.indd 22
12/4/15 1:10 PM
(left) Derek Lam 10 Crosby high-low sweater, LaMarque fringe vest and Theory cardigan available at Neiman Marcus, Plaza Frontenac, 314.567.9811. Beltshazzar necklace and earrings available at beltshazzarjewels.com. Belts, stylist’s own. (right) Rag & Bone “Mazy” bomber jacket available at Neiman Marcus, Plaza Frontenac, 314.567.9811. Khandi Ray “NBK” dress available at khandiray.com. Vince “Dempsey” boots available at vince.com. Vasic box bag available at living-collective.com. Beltshazzar earrings and necklaces available at beltshazzarjewels.com.
January 2016 FEATURE Fashion.indd 23
12/4/15 3:36 PM
(left) Alice + Olivia sweater dress available at Neiman Marcus, Plaza Frontenac, 314.567.9811. RES Denim “Poison Destroyer” jacket available at livingcollective.com. Beltshazzar earrings, necklace and body chain available at beltshazzarjewels.com. (right) Bec & Bridge “Mon Amour” top available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Plaza Frontenac, 314.567.9200. Mary Meyer “Pocket Sahara” fleece pants available at living-collective.com. Beltshazzar belt bag and earrings available at beltshazzarjewels.com.
January 2016 FEATURE Fashion.indd 24
12/8/15 2:58 PM
January 2016 FEATURE Fashion.indd 25
12/8/15 2:59 PM
January 2016 FEATURE Fashion.indd 26
12/4/15 1:14 PM
(left) Woolrich “Literary Walk Eskimo Parka” available at Neiman Marcus, Plaza Frontenac, 314.567.9811. Khandi Ray “Night Rider” dress available at khandiray. com. Free People bralette available at BLUSH Boutique, Kirkwood, 314.965.4411. Future Glory “Walking Rock” mini bucket bag available at living-collective.com. Vince “Dempsey” boots available at vince.com. Beltshazzar earrings and necklace available at beltshazzarjewels.com. (right) Theory “Visterna B” faux fur vest and leather gloves available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Plaza Frontenac, 314.567.9200. Rachel Antonoff metallic trousers available at livingcollective.com. Carlos by Carlos Santana “Jasper” booties available at macys. com. Beltshazzar earrings and necklace available at beltshazzarjewels.com. Top and belt, stylist’s own.
January 2016 FEATURE Fashion.indd 27
12/8/15 3:00 PM
January 2016 Dancing in the Classrooms.indd 1
12/4/15 12:58 PM
Smart Moves Life lessons learned from Dancing Classrooms.
BY KRYSTIN ARNESON PHOTOS BY KAT REYNOLDS
It’s a few minutes before 2:30pm on a rainy October day at Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School. Six small heads peek out from around the corner of the cafeteria door. Behind them, just out of sight in the hallway, are 21 other classmates, lined up in girl-boy pairs with elbows linked together. Right on the half-hour, Dancing Classrooms teaching artist Angie Brooks cues up the music, and the students walk in formation into the center of the room, looping into a circle and continuing to move until Brooks calls them to attention and switches the music to a swing tune. The students un-link their arms and watch Brooks, who is standing on the perimeter of the circle, rocking in and out, snapping her fingers in time with the beat. On her cue, they begin to join in. Today, the dance lesson begins with swing. “Listen to this music. It just makes you want to jump around and smile,” says Co-founder and Executive Director Lauren Wilmore, who stopped by the lesson that day. But Dancing Classrooms isn’t only about dance. There is dance—students learn the steps, but the history and cultural context of dances like the foxtrot and meringue are also emphasized. Ken Lederle, board president and director of fine arts in the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Catholic schools, is quick to point out that the real purpose of the dance lessons is to teach skills that last far longer. “It’s a vehicle to all these other skills: of how to communicate with each other, how to interact with your fellow students, how to be respectful to adults,” he says. The students exchange ‘thank-yous’—at this point in the 10-week program, these courtesies have become routine—and rotate to the next partner for another step. There’s no hesitancy, no shyness, no blushing at an age when interaction with the opposite gender is typically marked with secret giggles or calls of cooties. The program, now in almost 20 schools in STL, is affiliated with the national Dancing Classrooms organization, which was started in New York City in 1994 by a dance instructor named Pierre Dulaine. Lauren Wilmore and a business partner, who has since left Dancing Classrooms, called Dulaine in 2008 hoping to utilize the program in their efforts to win
January 2016 Dancing in the Classrooms.indd 2
12/4/15 12:58 PM
a Washington University social entrepreneurship grant. They didn’t win that year, but they decided not to give up. Wilmore brought the program to Lederle’s attention in 2009, and he helped them get it started at St. Francis Cabrini. “After that, more and more schools wanted to do it,” says Wilmore, who also teaches salsa outside of Dancing Classrooms. “So we kept going, got more experience.” They won the grant the next year and used the money to keep growing the program. Now, Lederle says, schools come to him—either on their own initiative or because a parent has become enamored with the idea after seeing it at another school. But he’ll also approach a school he thinks is a “good fit.” Eventually, Wilmore says, they want to get it in every fifthgrade class in the St. Louis metro area. It’s worth noting that each student at every school—whether it’s a Catholic school in Ferguson, a public school in St. Louis city, a Catholic school in the CWE or Barbara C. Jordan Intermediate School in University City— learn the same steps to the same songs. This comes in handy at the end of the semester, when the schools get together for a dance competition that bridges cultures and backgrounds (Barbara C. Jordan, let it be known, is the reigning champ from last year’s spring competition).
30
The program also carries over to other aspects of students’ education. Music class, obviously, gets a boost as students learn rhythm. Students hone math skills by breaking apart steps and counts. Lederle says classroom attention is better too. There’s less tension. Group projects go more smoothly. “Through dance, they’re starting to learn who everybody is and learn about their likes and dislikes and get to know everyone on a more personal level so they understand how to work with each other,” says Lederle. Dancing, then, might just be the icebreaker 10- and 11-year-olds need. Now, after almost seven years, Dancing Classrooms is beginning to see long-term results. “The problems we have in the classroom have definitely gone down from fifth grade on through their eighth-grade year,” says Lederle. But for the fifth-graders navigating an increasingly complex social and emotional world, the simplest benefit might be the one with the greatest effect. After all, being 10 isn’t always easy. “Sometimes I start with rough days when I come to school,” fifth-grader Di’Asia Bell says. “Ballroom dancing ... it just makes me happy.” Read more about Dancing Classrooms online at ALIVEmag.com.
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 Dancing in the Classrooms.indd 3
12/4/15 4:19 PM
is starting an exciting new chapter … a chapter focused on innovation, integrity and removing old barriers. ALIVE has hand-selected a group of people, brands and organizations that align with our new vision. In the next several pages, we’d like to introduce them and show you why we believe in them as our partners. Together, we plan to make a difference.
Photography by Attilio D’Agostino, Matt Kile, Kat Reynolds and Jennifer Silverberg unless noted otherwise. Head to ALIVEmag.com to read more about each of our partners’ inspiring stories.
#ALIVEnext
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 31
12/4/15 3:57 PM
Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo da Vinci WINSLOWSHOME.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 32
12/4/15 1:04 PM
Photo by Attilio D’Agostino.
Artistic disciplines and practices redefined. PROJECTS-GALLERY.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 33
12/4/15 1:04 PM
Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.
Pizza, love & giving. KATIESPIZZAANDPASTA.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 34
12/4/15 1:05 PM
Photo by Attilio D’Agostino.
Uniting home and garden. BOWOODFARMS.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 35
12/4/15 1:05 PM
Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.
A farm with two restaurants. NATHALIESSTL.COM • OVERLOOKFARMMO.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 36
12/4/15 1:06 PM
Photo by Matt Kile.
Full of bright ideas. METROLIGHTINGCENTERS.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 37
12/4/15 1:06 PM
Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.
St. Louis’ first Vietnamese restaurant. MAILEESTL.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 38
12/4/15 1:06 PM
Photo by Matt Kile.
Committed to fitness, invested in community. Everyone is welcome at the J. JCCSTL.ORG
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 39
12/4/15 1:06 PM
Photo by Kat Reynolds.
Giving back with pride. JUSTJOHNCLUB.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 40
12/4/15 1:06 PM
Photo by Matt Kile.
We stand on the shoulders of giants. – Bernard of Chartres NARRATIVEFURNITURE.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 41
12/4/15 1:07 PM
Photo of Antonio Douthit-Boyd and Kirven Douthit-Boyd by Andrew Eccles, courtesy of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Art connects us. Art challenges us. Art transforms us. Art belongs to all of us. COCASTL.ORG
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 42
12/4/15 1:07 PM
Photo by Attilio D’Agostino.
A gathering place that nurtures women through fashion and inspired events. WOMENSCLOSETEXCHANGE.NET
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 43
12/4/15 1:07 PM
Photo by Hannah Foldy, courtesy of Craft Alliance.
Enriching and empowering communities through craft. CRAFTALLIANCE.ORG
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 44
12/4/15 1:08 PM
Photo by Attilio D’Agostino.
You can’t spell STYLE without STL. STL-STYLE.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 45
12/4/15 1:08 PM
Dedicated to art and free to all.
SLAM.ORG
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 46
12/4/15 1:08 PM
Photo by Matt Kile. Edgar Degas, French, 1834–1917; Little Dancer of Fourteen Years, c.1880, cast c.1920; Saint Louis Art Museum, Funds given by Mrs. Mark C. Steinberg 135:1956.
Photo by Larry Emerson, The Art Around You.
Culture, community & creativity in the heart of it. DOWNTOWNSTL.ORG
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 47
12/4/15 1:09 PM
Photo by Attilio D’Agostino.
Keep your fashion forward. DMSALON.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 48
12/4/15 1:09 PM
Photo by Attilio D’Agostino.
Give what you love. SHOPLUSSO.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 49
12/4/15 1:09 PM
Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.
Sustainably sourced, from-scratch, whole foods with personality and creativity. LULUSLOCALEATERY.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 50
12/4/15 4:07 PM
Photo by Attilio D’Agostino.
Striving to embrace diversity and promote compassion that reaches beyond our chair and inspires the world to change. NOTCHSTL.COM • KINKHAIR.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 51
12/4/15 1:10 PM
Photo by Attilio D’Agostino.
Life is style ... Live it. VIESTLOUIS.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 52
12/4/15 1:10 PM
Photo by Matt Kile.
When you come to a fork in the road ... take it. URBANCHESTNUT.COM
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_Partner Pages.indd 53
12/4/15 1:10 PM
January 2016 Sound Therapy.indd 1
12/4/15 3:32 PM
A Sound Awakening One writer’s journey in sound healing. BY SUZANNA LOURIE PHOTOS BY JENNIFER SILVERBERG Special thanks to Mark Biehl & Megan Loudon
January 2016 Sound Therapy.indd 2
12/8/15 4:09 PM
S
wapping Central Park for Tower Grove last year meant shedding my East Coast skin to become a genuine St. Louis transplant. It also meant letting go of old job titles, like news reporter, to take on more of a ‘new age’ focus. The transition made sense. I had developed a personal penchant for alternative healing over the years, but by last fall, I’d seriously started to wonder if deep spiritual healing was actually possible—for me anyway. Up to this point, the ability to get to a place of absolute mind-body-spirit connection has evaded my grasp. Tiny glimpses into that unbridled, clear place have kept me going—but having tried sensory deprivation flotation tanks, past-life regression therapy, hypnosis, massage, acupuncture, reiki, crystal healing, meditation, chanting, dramatherapy and expressive dance, nothing sticks out. Apparently my left-brain tendencies and type-A anxiety have kept me blocked. I
January 2016 Sound Therapy.indd 3
mean, who doesn’t notice the effects of South American psychedelics? Even the shaman I worked with was surprised. I admit—I approached my first experience with sound healing with a fair amount of skepticism. I knew it was a type of sound therapy, sometimes called vibrational medicine, which has attracted more and more followers in the US over the past few decades. I’d heard the practice utilizes voice and other instruments—think didgeridoos, tuning forks and Tibetan singing bowls—to evoke certain vibrational frequencies thought to bring about physical healing, deep states of relaxation and mind-body-spirit wellbeing. All of that sounded great, but the thought of someone playing Tibetan singing bowls all around my body still seemed pretty out there—even for me. But, before I tell you how it felt to lay on a farmhouse floor in Belleville surrounded by
copper bowls, let’s go back to the beginning. The reporter in me decided to do some research. I printed every article and study about vibrational medicine I could find and eventually came across Brennan England—a local massage therapist and didgeridoo sound healer. Brennan echoed much of what I had gleaned from organizations like the Sound Healers Association, a group that’s been working to expand the use of sound as a therapeutic tool since 1982. He explained that sound—through the resonance of different vibrational frequencies in our bodies—is a powerful agent. “How, though?” I asked. He explained that sound therapy combines deep relaxation and vibration in the body to treat the brain, the emotional state and the physical body. “It affects the mind through
12/8/15 4:09 PM
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 Sound Therapy.indd 4
57
12/4/15 3:33 PM
January 2016 Sound Therapy.indd 5
12/4/15 3:33 PM
its ability to relax us with the actual, physical sound. Vibrations from the didgeridoo, for instance, move into the infrasonic sound range, so there’s a level of brain entrainment and re-patterning going on,” he told me.
came the sound. The bowls he placed on my body chimed—vibrations reverberated down my spine through the top of my head; up my legs from the soles of my feet; and down each limb from every side.
“There’s the science of how sound affects the brain, how it affects the emotional state and how it affects the body,” he continued. “We could look at something like ultrasound, and see how conventional medicine uses the power of vibration to bring healing to the body. Then there’s also the entire research of music therapy; how being exposed to music and positive tonal structures can actually have [beneficial] effects on the brain.”
The session continued like this for two hours. At the end, I felt high, euphoric even. Everything felt reset, back in tune. Then it hit me: I was, maybe for the first time, experiencing what I already knew—not just thinking it. “It’s so unbelievably simple,” I thought. The universe is always vibrating, and I was finally in tune with it.
As our conversation got deeper, I started getting excited. Why would I still be skeptical? Testimonies matched studies, and the practice has become increasingly accepted as a useful therapy that works alongside traditional Western treatments. Still, I was cautious not to get ahead of myself. I scheduled a two-hour private Tibetan singing bowl session with Mark Biehl, one of the most respected practitioners of sound healing in the area. I wasn’t expecting any spiritual revelations, but a vibrational bowl massage couldn’t hurt, right? Pavement turned to dust beneath my tires as I pulled up to Stillpointe Wellness Center in Belleville to meet Mark. “Remember, keep your expectations low,” I thought. “This time won’t be any different.” Inside the family-owned farmhouse, everything was laid out for a healing experience. The knot in my stomach tightened. A bed of cushions overlain with Nepalese blankets was centered on the wood floor. A grand display of at least 15 different-sized singing bowls adorned the room, catching the afternoon sun and shimmering rays across the ceiling and walls. Near the foot of the cushions, a neat selection of mallets was set out like surgeon’s tools. Ranging from big to small, with round, square and flat ends, these were the tools of the ancients—said to bring about mind-body-spirit revelations. Mark began a guided relaxation exercise. I told myself to let go, but my brain wasn’t having it. Thoughts raced and I felt that desperate, familiar frustration sinking in the pit of my stomach. This wasn’t going to work. And then
All of it clicked as I thanked Mark and stepped outside into the crisp fall air. I made it halfway down the driveway before the beauty of the night scene compelled me to stop the car. I lingered for a few minutes, soaking up the aliveness, the breeze, the cacophony and the most immaculate sliver of moon I’d ever seen. Then I put the car in drive. Not 15 minutes later, the ‘check engine’ light flashed, and a faint burning scent brought me to a stop by the side of a country road. In a situation that otherwise might have amped up my anxiety, I didn’t mind. The 10 minutes I spent letting the engine cool down was time I could spend marveling at the moon. Of course, the car problems—like the rest of life’s stressors—don’t just stop when you hear the singing bowls. Days later, I almost thought the whole experience had been a dream. But the following week, during a 30-minute didgeridoo and guided meditation session with Brennan, the vibrations triggered something inside that reminded me I hadn’t imagined any of it. Resetting my system—tuning things to play in harmony and accessing that hidden part of my consciousness—is something I am actually capable of. Before meeting Mark and Brennan, I wasn’t sure it was possible. But now I continue to go back to what I learned: Sound healing isn’t designed to cure anyone—it’s simply meant to set the stage for the maestro to realize that he or she is already inherently capable of setting the tempo of their own orchestra.
Read more about sound healing online at ALIVEmag.com.
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 Sound Therapy.indd 6
59
12/8/15 4:09 PM
January 2016 Photo Essay LOU.indd 1
12/8/15 2:43 PM
I Went to the Crossroad A photo essay by Lou Bopp.
LOU BOPP is a photographer and director with Midwestern roots. He’s traveled the world shooting brand libraries, print and digital creative, celebrities and sports for global brands. He has a book out about the Delta blues and has worked on a documentary on juke joints Mississippi. Lou is based in NYC and his hometown, St. Louis. “LC Ulmer Looking Up.” Location: Ellisville, MS. Date: September 2009
January 2016 Photo Essay LOU.indd 2
12/8/15 2:43 PM
“Robert “Bilbo” Walker at Sarah’s Kitchen.” Location: Clarksdale, MS. Date: August 2009
January 2016 Photo Essay LOU.indd 3
12/4/15 1:52 PM
“Jimmy Anderson at Home.” Location: Natchez, MS. Date: July 2009
January 2016 Photo Essay LOU.indd 4
12/4/15 1:52 PM
January 2016 Photo Essay LOU.indd 5
12/4/15 1:52 PM
Top left: “Mr. “Johnnie” Billington (1935-2013) Main Street.” Location: Lambert, MS. Date: August 2009 Bottom left: “Leo “Bud” Welch.” Location: Sabougla, MS. Date: 2013. Top Right: “RL Boyce 2.” Location: Como, MS. Date: June 2010
January 2016 Photo Essay LOU.indd 6
12/4/15 4:33 PM
January 2016 Photo Essay LOU.indd 7
12/4/15 1:53 PM
“Pat Thomas Hands.” Location: Leland, MS. Date: September 2009
January 2016 Photo Essay LOU.indd 8
12/4/15 5:19 PM
2016 School Guide
Our curated list of St. Louis schools making an impact.
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_School Guide.indd 68
12/4/15 1:13 PM
MICDS: Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School 101 N. Warson Road, Ladue 314.995.7367, micds.org Age 4-Grade 12 • Coed
MICDS, a college-prep, independent school, offers a dynamic learning environment for students in junior kindergarten (age 4) through 12th grade. Our learning environment inspires students to reach their highest potential. The School’s facilities are designed to deliver a wellrounded educational experience. Our mission is to help students discover their unique talents, preparing them for higher education and a life of purpose and service as engaged global citizens. VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_School Guide.indd 69
69
12/4/15 1:14 PM
The College School
7825 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves 314.962.9355, thecollegeschool.org Grades PreK-8 • Coed Open House on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 | 9am-noon. From our greenhouse to the atelier, and from traditional classrooms to our 28-acre outdoor campus, students learn core academics and personal skills by doing, not just through textbooks. At The College School, students learn to read and travel, write and make, discover and reflect; they learn to learn for life. 70
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_School Guide.indd 70
12/4/15 1:14 PM
Chesterfield Montessori School
14000 Ladue Road, Chesterfield 314.469.7150, chesterfieldmontessori.org Age 16mo-Grade 9 • Coed
Forsyth School
6235 Wydown Blvd., Wydown Skinker 314.726.4542, forsythonline.com Age 3-Grade 6 • Coed
Chesterfield Montessori School, founded in 1981, offers authentic AMI Montessori programs at all levels. Our beautiful sunlit facility features classrooms that are open, inviting, well-organized and equipped with the full spectrum of materials scientifically developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. The partnership of parents, children and teachers makes our school a place where children and families flourish.
Eary Childhood Open House on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 | 10-11:30am. What happens during the school day for Forsyth’s youngest students—the 3- and 4-year-olds? Come to Fillmore House, Forsyth School’s newly renovated early childhood center, to get the scoop. Meet the teachers in their classrooms, and bring your questions. Fun for the kids, too! Details and registration on ForsythOnline.com. VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_School Guide.indd 71
71
12/4/15 1:14 PM
The Wilson School
400 De Mun Ave., Clayton 314.725.4999, wilsonschool.com Age 3-Grade 6 • Coed
New City School
5209 Waterman Blvd., Central West End 314.361.6411, newcityschool.org Grades PreK-6 • Coed
72
Each day brings a world of opportunity at The Wilson School! Visit us on Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 8:30-10:30am to see us in action. Meet our Head of School and exceptional educators, take a personal tour of our campus and enjoy coffee and conversation with our parents and teachers. To pre-register, contact Maggie Baisch, Director of Admissions at 314.725.4999 or mbaisch@wilsonschool.com.
New City’s “Diversity Beyond the Numbers Open House,” on Thursday, Jan. 7 from 6-8pm, demonstrates how its commitment to diversity, combined with academic excellence, joyful learning and personal intelligences, is special and different from most schools. New City believes that understanding and appreciating diversity is essential for success in school and in life, and that students learn better in an environment where they are taught to understand, respect and appreciate others.
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_School Guide.indd 72
12/4/15 1:15 PM
Directory Andrews Academy
Multiple locations andrewsacademy.com Grades vary by location • Coed
Brehm Preparatory School
950 S. Brehm Lane, Carbondale, IL 618.457.0371, brehm.org Grades 6-12 • Coed
Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School 701 N. Spring Ave., Grand Center 314.446.5500, cardinalritterprep.com Grades 9-12 • Coed
Casa Dia Montessori Multiple locations namontessori.com Ages 6w-10yr • Coed
Chaminade College Preparatory School 425 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Creve Coeur 314.993.4400, chaminade-stl.org Grades 6-12 • Boys
Chesterfield Day School
1100 White Road, Chesterfield 314.469.6622, chesterfielddayschool.org Age 18mo-Grade 6 • Coed
Chesterfield Montessori School
Federation of Catholic Schools
Rosati-Kain High School
Forsyth School
Rossman School
De Smet Jesuit High School
Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School
Downtown Children’s Center
The Soulard School
John Burroughs School
St. Frances Cabrini Academy
Loyola Academy of St. Louis
St. Joseph’s Academy
MICDS: Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School
St. Louis Language Immersion Schools
Multiple locations, North County 314.537.3174, federationofcatholicschools.org Grades vary by location
6235 Wydown Blvd., Wydown Skinker 314.726.4542, forsythonline.com Age 3-Grade 6 • Coed
233 N. New Ballas Road, Creve Coeur 314.567.3500, desmet.org Grades 9-12 • Boys
607 N. 22nd St., Downtown 314.621.1131, downtownchildrenscenter.com Age 6w-Grade K • Coed
755 S. Price Road, Ladue 314.993.4040, jburroughs.org Grades 7-12 • Coed
3851 Washington Blvd., Grand Center 314.531.9091, loyolaacademy.org Grades 6-8 • Boys
14000 Ladue Road, Chesterfield 314.469.7150, chesterfieldmontessori.org Age 16mo-Grade 9 • Coed
101 N. Warson Road, Ladue 314.995.7367, micds.org Age 4-Grade 12 • Coed
Christian Brothers College High School
Missouri Military Academy
1850 De La Salle Drive, Town & Country 314.985.6100, cbchs.org Grades 9-12 • Boys
City Academy
4175 N. Kingshighway Blvd., O’Fallons Park 314.382.0085, cityacademyschool.org Grades PreK-6 • Coed
The College School
7825 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves 314.962.9355, thecollegeschool.org Grades PreK-8 • Coed
Community School
900 Lay Road, Ladue 314.991.0005, communityschool.com Nursery-Grade 6 • Coed
Cor Jesu Academy
10230 Gravois Road, Affton 314.842.1546, corjesu.org Grades 9-12 • Girls
Crossroads College Preparatory School
500 DeBaliviere Ave., Skinker DeBaliviere 314.367.8085, crossroadscollegeprep.org Grades 7-12 • Coed
204 N. Grand St., Mexico, MO 573.581.1776, missourimilitaryacademy.org Grades 6-12 • Boys
Nerinx Hall High School
530 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves 314.968.1505, nerinxhs.org Grades 9-12 • Girls
New City School
5209 Waterman Blvd., Central West End 314.361.6411, newcityschool.org Grades PreK-6 • Coed
Notre Dame High School 320 E. Ripa Ave., Lemay 314.544.1015, ndhs.net Grades 9-12 • Girls
Our Lady of the Pillar School
403 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Creve Coeur 314.993.3353, olpillar.com Age 3-Grade 8 • Coed
Rohan Woods School
1515 Bennett Ave., Warson Woods 314.821.6270, rohanwoods.org Age 2-Grade 6 • Coed
4389 Lindell Blvd., Central West End 314.533.8513, rosati-kain.org Grades 9-12 • Girls
12660 Conway Road, Creve Coeur 314.434.5877, rossmanschool.org Grades PreK-6 • Coed
348 S. Mason Road, Town and Country 314.576.6177, mirowitz.org Grades K-8 • Coed
1110 Victor St., Soulard 314.865.2799, soulardschool.org Grades PreK-5 • Coed
3022 Oregon Ave., Benton Park West 314.776.0883, cabriniacademy.org Grades K-8 • Coed
2307 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Frontenac 314.394.4300, sja1840.org Grades 9-12 • Girls
Multiple locations 314.533.0975, sllis.org Grades K-7 • Coed
St. Louis Priory School
500 S. Mason Road, Creve Coeur 314.434.3690, stlprioryschool.org Grades 7-12 • Boys
St. Louis University High School
4970 Oakland Ave., Forest Park Southeast 314.531.0330, sluh.org Grades 9-12 • Boys
St. Roch School
6040 Waterman Blvd., Skinker DeBaliviere 314.721.2595, strochparish.com Grades PreK-8 • Coed
The Wilson School
400 De Mun Ave., Clayton 314.725.4999, wilsonschool.com Age 3-Grade 6 • Coed
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School
801 S. Spoede Road, Frontenac 314.432.2021, vdoh.org Grades Jr.K-6 • Coed | Grades 7-12 • Girls
Visitation Academy
3020 N. Ballas Road, Town & Country 314.625.9100, visitationacademy.org Toddler-Grade K • Coed | Grades 1-12 • Girls VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016_SPECIAL SECTION_School Guide.indd 73
73
12/4/15 1:15 PM
Photo of Byrd & Barrel, by Brandon Halley.
FOOD
Five recently opened restaurants around STL. COPPER PIG
newest reason to head to the Central West End. Sample your way through the menu with a craft cocktail in hand.
BYRD & BARREL
Marine Villa
Southampton A gastropub with Asian flare, this South Hampton has gained local interest for its bulgogi cheesesteak and pork belly Cuban.
RETREAT GASTROPUB
MILQUE TOAST BAR McKinley Heights
This long-awaited Marine Villa joint has brought the fried chicken trend to South City. Pair your main course with some inventive sides, including savory beignets for a unique, locally sourced meal.
Central West End FLEUR DE LILLIES With an American menu that balances vegetar- Soulard ian options (mushroom gravy poutine!) with Offering a unique combination of Creole and meaty standards, Retreat Gastropub is the Asian cuisine, this upscale Soulard spot offers 74
sushi as well as shrimp po’boys, along with specialty wines and cocktails.
A spot for brunch and lunch, this quirky eatery is surely the only place you’ll find such a variety of topped toasts. Look for both savory—pizza toast—and sweet—nutty s’mores toast—options.
Looking for more dining ideas? Find them online at ALIVEmag.com.
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 GUIDE Dining.indd 1
12/4/15 4:39 PM
See it now! Closing February 14! FREE admission
We specialize in making science fun! PRESENTED BY
JSM Charitable Trust
Investigate and explore over 700 interactive exhibits and take in a film on one of the world’s largest domed screens in our OMNIMAX® Theater. Come, play and exercise your brain! General admission is always free.
slsc.org
Missouri History Museum Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park
314.746.4599 | mohistory.org
January 2016 GUIDE Dining.indd 2
12/4/15 2:42 PM
Photo of Bryd Designer Consignment Boutique, by Nia Darden.
SHOP
Five locally owned shops we’re exploring. BOWOOD FARMS
consignment hotspot. Byrd offers customers luxury labels like Gucci, Dior and Chanel along with a hefty selection of statement accessories including locally made lines Hyper Haute and Sutton Lasater Jewelry.
FAUXGERTY MAY’S PLACE
Central West End A true one-stop-shop. Find personal, home and garden goods and gifts while enjoying house-made eats created with fresh, organic and local ingredients at the attached eatery, Café Osage.
BYRD DESIGNER CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE
Ladue Scope the racks of St. Louis’ couture and designer 76
tary personal styling makes La Ville the walk-in closet of every girl’s dreams, complete with an impressive selection of cocktail and special occasion dresses.
Central West End One of St. Louis’ newest boutiques is tucked into the heart of CWE, specializing in clothing made from recycled materials and vegan leather outerwear including their signature eco-friendly label Fauxgerty and international lines like Mat & Nat.
LA VILLE
Ellisville Hand-picked clothing, accessories and complimen-
Lindenwood Park A modern take on the classic general store concept brings together antiques, vintage and local items including women’s clothing, housewares, small furniture and handmade gift items crafted by regional artisans.
Want more places to shop? Find more style resources online at ALIVEmag.com.
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
January 2016 GUIDE Shopping.indd 1
12/4/15 4:38 PM
©Disney
The Fox Theatre
•
January 19-31, 2016
314-534-1111 • MetroTix.com
CLASSICS, SERVED SIZZLING.
START THE NEW YEAR WITH
A CLEAN SLATE THE GREEN
CLEANING
EXPERTS
BOOK A HOME CLEANING 1-877-MAID-TIME · BETTERLIFEMAIDS.COM
January 2016 GUIDE Shopping.indd 2
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch • 314.259.3200 • 315 Chestnut St. Clayton • 314.783.9900 • Brentwood & Forsyth Reservations Recommended - Visit us online at: RuthsChrisStLouis.com
12/4/15 2:43 PM
Photo of Basil Kincaid’s “The Reclamation Project,” courtesy of Basil Kincaid.
CALENDAR
Ballroom meeting rates start at $500 including in-house AV. For more info, contact Stephanie Sadler at ssadler@peabodyoperahouse.com Photo by Todd Morgan
January 2016 GUIDE Calendar.indd 1
12/4/15 2:45 PM
Six events we’re checking out this January.
a Drake song, you’ll understand just how significant WEST END STOMP the name is. In the entry gallery, Basil Kincaid’s on- Jan. 29 • Mahler Ballroom going series, “The Reclamation Project,” features If you’re new to the art of swing dance, join Lindy large-scale collages and an installation created Hop St. Louis at 8pm for a beginner lesson, included from lottery tickets and plastic bottles in collabora- with admission. We’ll see you on the dance floor at BRIGHT&EARLY tion with Ghanian artists. The exhibition touches 9pm, when the Pennsylvania Slim Blues Band kicks Jan. 8 • STL Design Week on community, diversity and inclusion through cre- up the music and the social dancing begins. $10 Rob Bennett, co-founder and CTO at Pixel Press, ative recycling. Free will lead the discussion at this month’s breakfast talk. We’re excited for coffee, conversation and an Discover other events we’ve got on our inspiring deep dive into this creative’s story. Free
radar each month on ALIVEmag.com.
STARS ALIGN: AN ASTROLOGY DANCE PARTY (CAPRICORN)
Photo of West End Stomp, by Braden Nesin, courtesy of Lindy Hop St. Louis.
Jan. 8 • Melt This dance party celebrates each sign of the zodiac with DJs, a photo booth, dancing and mini chart readings by local astrologer Denise Ulett. Lucky you, Capricorn. This month you’re getting in for free. $5
WHOLE DAMN CITY TOUR
Jan. 9 • Renegade STL Renegade STL is hosting a bus tour of the city even longtime residents will love. The 2.5-hour journey will offer insights into hidden history of STL, from the Arch to Hyde Park. Our inner nerds can’t wait! $25
WILD BELLE Jan. 14 • The Ready Room On the verge of releasing their sophomore album, siblings Elliot and Natalie Bergman are out on tour, bringing their special brand of groove to the masses. Right now, we are living to hear “Giving Up On You,” the single from the upcoming album, performed live. $12-15
“KNOW YOURSELF” AND “THE RECLAMATION PROJECT”
Jan. 22-Feb. 27 • The Luminary “Know Yourself” is a group exhibition that explores authenticity, ownership of art and the identity of the artist. If you recognize that title as a reference to
JAN. 22 - 24
SATURDAY, JAN. 30
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17
FRIDAY, MARCH 4
FRIDAY, MARCH 18
MARCH 19-20
organ
January 2016 GUIDE Calendar.indd 2
Peabody Opera House Ad Alive Magazine, JAN. 2016 Issue, 1/3 pg. spread 4:37 PM 16.5 in x 3.4167 in with bleeds (.125 on sides and 12/4/15 bottom)
Peter Martin INTERVIEW
The nationally known jazz pianist reflects on the state of jazz in STL. BY RACHEL BRANDT + PHOTO BY ATTILIO D’AGOSTINO
The emotions buzzing around a jazz venue during a live show can make or break a performance. The artists leave it all onstage with the hope the audience will respond in kind. No one knows this process better than St. Louis pianist, composer, educator and philanthropist Peter Martin. With a new album released and recorded right here in STL and a startup just launched out of the Cortex Innovation Community, Martin certainly knows what it means to spread good vibes. What can you tell us about the St. Louis jazz scene? There’s a great scene here: high level of musicians, great audiences and nice venues. What needs work is the expansion of performance opportunities so that the good young players don’t have to leave town for more professional opportunities. But I’m seeing nice things happening. The new Jazz at the Bistro is a fantastic jazz club. The Dark Room is a great up-and-coming space. I also love The Sheldon for a concert experience. It has wonderful acoustics and a little of that club-like intimacy. Tell us about the State Dinner you played at the White House. When they called, I thought they said “steak” dinner, but I thought it would be fun to play at the White House in any case. Turns out it was a featured 30-minute concert at the State Dinner for the Chinese presi-
dent. The president and the first lady were sitting attentively about 10 feet from the stage while we performed. It was a great honor, and one of the few times in many years that I’ve been actively nervous on stage, but the gig went well. What’s next for you? I’m very excited about a startup I’ve co-founded and launched right here in St. Louis. It’s called Open Studio Network, and it’s an online music education platform. We’re expanding to include a group of world-class artists that we’re connecting with students around the world. We have subscribers in 44 countries, and are looking to make St. Louis a hub for high-end online music education technology. We’re located in the CIC building, and it’s a very exciting place to work at this time. What do the words ‘good vibes’ mean to you? That’s a feeling that we work with a lot in the jazz world. There are the good vibes between the musicians on stage that we try to invite the audience to participate in. It’s the challenge in every show we do—to try and spread the good vibes! Read more about Peter Martin online at ALIVEmag.com
Volume 15 // Issue 1
January 2016 Interview Peter Martin.indd 1
12/4/15 4:29 PM
WE KNOW PATAGONIA PERSONALIZED LUXURY TRAVEL FOR YOUR TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Dine. Shop. Stay. 232 N. KINGSHIGHWAY BLVD. • 314.633.3000 • CHASEPARKPLAZA.COM
ALIVE Volume 15 Issue 1_IFC IBC.indd 1
St. Louis, Missouri • revealpatagonia.com info@revealpatagonia.com • 866.441.8980
12/4/15 11:40 AM
ALIVE MAGAZINE
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” –Mary Oliver
Good Vibes THE
VOLUME 15 // ISSUE 1
VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1
$10
ISSUE