Riverfront Times, November 9, 2022

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RIVERFRONT TIMES

NOVEMBER 9-15, 2022

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NOVEMBER 9-15, 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Publisher Chris Keating Editor in Chief Rosalind Early

E D I T O R I A L Managing Editor Jessica Rogen Editor at Large Daniel Hill Digital Content Editor Jaime Lees Food Editor Cheryl Baehr Staff Writers Ryan Krull, Monica Obradovic, Benjamin Simon Theater Critic Tina Farmer Copy Editor Evie Hemphill Contributors Smoky Bear, Thomas K. Chimchards, Joseph Hess, Reuben Hemmer, Andy Paulissen, Famous Mortimer, Victor Stefanescu, Mabel Suen, Graham Toker, Theo Welling Columnists Ray Hartmann, Dan Savage Editorial Interns Kasey Noss, Sarah Lovett A R T

& P R O D U C T I O N Art Director Evan Sult Creative Director Haimanti Germain Production Manager Sean Bieri Graphic Designer Aspen Smit

COVER Crime and Punishment Ousted after Ferguson, Bob McCulloch’s most lasting legacy may be his insistence on the death penalty

M A R K E T I N G Director of Marketing & Events Christina Kimerle B U S I N E S S Regional Operations Director Emily Fear

Cover photo by

C I R C U L A T I O N Circulation Manager Kevin G. Powers

RYAN KRULL

E U C L I D M E D I A G R O U P Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner Executive Editor Sarah Fenske VP of Digital Services Stacy Volhein Audience Development Manager Jenna Jones VP of Marketing Cassandra Yardeni Executive Assistant Mackenzie Dean www.euclidmediagroup.com

INSIDE Front Burner Hartmann News Missouriland Feature Calendar Cafe Short Orders Reeferfront Times Culture Music Stage Out Every Night Savage Love

M U L T I M E D I A A D V E R T I S I N G Associate Publisher Colin Bell Account Manager Jennifer Samuel Directors of Business Development Tony Burton, Rachel Hoppman, Chelsea Nazaruk

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N A T I O N A L A D V E R T I S I N G VMG Advertising 1-888-278-9866, vmgadvertising.com

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FRONT BURNER

FIVE QUESTIONS for boxing promoter Earl McWilliams

Previously On LAST WEEK IN ST. LOUIS MONDAY, OCTOBER 31 Halloween!

Ghosts and goblins ran amok and so did car thieves — and one local wasn’t taking it anymore. She tracked her stolen Kia Ultima to a gas station on West Florissant and opened fire. Police warn against vigilantism but predictably have no solutions.

Earl McWilliams has decorated his home in boxing memorabilia. | COURTESY PHOTO Since 2014, Earl McWilliams has served as a matchmaker and promoter for amateur boxers throughout the St. Louis area. McWilliams, a St. Louis native who works in medical equipment delivery, is a self-described “boxing Wikipedia.” His house is a boxing museum, each wall filled with photographs of legendary fighters pamphlets from matches and boxing magazine covers.

When did you start matchmaking and promoting?

See, I was like the Don King in my neighborhood because I had a lot of friends, and we would have boxing gloves. I’d box my friends, but then I was like, “It would be a good match if you fought [that person].” I’m eight, like a little kid putting his foot in. That was planting the seeds. … But when I started promoting [amateur fighters in 2014], I’m like, “I can actually do this now where it makes sense.” So I’d sit there and watch a fighter and be like, “Man, that’d be a good matchup if that dude from Pagedale fought that dude from Belleville.” Before I do the show, I’ll have three or four fights that I can see in my head that I want to match. And a show is successful to me if I can match it.

Is this like a business, or are you doing it for fun?

I do it for fun. I don’t do this for money because when I do a show, the money rolls into the next show for ring setup, trophies, this and that. I’m doing it because I really enjoy the sport.

Is it ever stressful?

The thing about it is every show … there is anxiety. I’m just as scared as the fighters because it’s like, “Oh, man, I hope I don’t get too many pullouts.” Because [fighters] pull out. Sometimes people pull out at the 11th hour. … And if I lose them, I have to replace them. And keep flipping and turning and flipping and turning. And the card that you put together initially probably will not be your final card.

What’s the goal?

The ultimate goal [he pauses] … to put on a professional title fight.

Why do you want to make it to the professionals?

Because that’s the epitome there. I want to make my contribution to the sport. I don’t think there’s anything else that I would be as passionate about. Nothing. What’s better than boxing? I mean, I love baseball. But baseball doesn’t move me like this sport.

—Benjamin Simon

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Another day, another police scandal. In Louisiana, Missouri, drugs from an evidence locker somehow made their way to the police chief’s home — and two people overdosed and died. Chief William Jones has been arrested. “There wasn’t anybody surprised in this town,” a resident told KSDK. Hollywood producers: May we suggest True Detective: Bootheel? Also, a wildly dangerous Egyptian cobra escaped from Venom Fest, an event that brought wildly dangerous snakes to Moscow Mills after Festus passed this year. What could have tipped Festus off that snakes are a bad idea?

(And how dumb do you have to be to take Festus’ rejects?)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 The Astros notched a no-hitter — just the second in World Series history! So which pitcher joins Don Larsen in baseball lore? Not Cristian Javier: Houston pulled the righty after just six innings. Javier now shares credit with three relief pitchers — further proof that Moneyballers have ruined baseball. Also, it’s Sam Page v. Mark

Mantovani live on KPLR and KMOX and the future of St. Louis County is at stake …. and we can’t even stay awake. Where’s Jane Dueker when you need her?

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones is pondering a guaranteed basic income program. Where do we sign up? Throughout the city, it’s a war of yard signs between Megan Ellyia Green v. Jack Coatar. Winner takes all next Tuesday ... until they have to run all over again in April. Thanks, Lewis Reed.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 A Cole County judge blocked big parts of Missouri’s new voter law. Jay Ashcroft vows to fight on. Appellate court, here we come. Also: How is it 80 degrees in November? Not that we’re complaining ….

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 The Astros won! Congrats to owner Jim Crane, whose answer to the big St. Louis question is Lutheran North. Also, we partied way too hard because an extra hour of sleep means you get crunk, right? Right?!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 What’s this sunlight streaming through the window at 6:45 a.m.? Perhaps that ninth cocktail was a bad idea. (Trying to reset our clocks, we can confirm: Bad.) But when the sun set at 4:55 p.m., we reached for another.

Daylight Saving Time, we hardly knew ye.

ESCAPE HATCH We ask three St. Louisans what they’re reading, watching or listening to. In the hot seat this week: three area nurses.

SHERI BEEZLEY, RN at Missouri Department of Mental Health Listening to: Ministry’s “So What” and Local H’s “Creature Comforted,” every morning “My morning ritual of watching the news while drinking coffee has lately been impolitely bombarded by horrible political ads every five seconds.

This new ritual combats the intrusion and clears space for my day.”

DEANNA LOVELACE WERNER, RN at Centerpointe Hospital Watching: House of the Dragon “Escaping into a fantasy world is a much-needed way to replenish the soul after working with so many people going through the worst time of their life.”

ANJELIQA PRATT, RN at St. Mary’s Hospital Listening to: Spanish-language podcasts “I’ve mostly been listening to Spanish podcasts lately in order to work on my second-language skills so I have more options when I flee the country.”

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Y O U WA N T S E R I O U S ? W E ’ L L G E T SERIOUS ... JUST NOT QUITE YET

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[QUOTE OF THE WEEK]

“For me and others of the pagan community this is truly devastating, because having strangers come to your door and give them a gift of food [candy] is actually a part of our religion.”

—Andrea Boyes-Williams, in response to Jaime Lees’ article “Trunk-or-Treat Has Killed Halloween as We Know It”

WEEKLY WTF?!

ABANDONED CAR OF THE WEEK Seen: November 3, 2022 Days abandoned: Approximately three days Days until it is towed or otherwise moved: Approximately three years Estimated street-cleaning fines it will accrue in that time: $300 Number of leaves surrounding it: Between 3,000 and 7,000 Fall vibes: Maximum

SO ST. LOUIS Lessons Learned An anonymous story about something that could only happen in the Gateway City

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y car was stolen from a church on Sunday. I was in disbelief.

The police found it a week later. All my stuff was gone (except my homework).

There was a brick, broken glass (not from my car) and food wrappers. And the ignition was gone.

Otherwise the car was in great condition! I drove that car for four years with a screwdriver (because the ignition was gone) and a club to prevent theft.

Then one night, I didn’t put the

club on. One night. And it was stolen again. The police found two kids driving it the next day. When I went to pick it up, they said, “We are so sorry, the ignition is gone,” and handed me a huge screwdriver — twice as big as my screwdriver.

I was like, “Oh, it was already like that, but that’s not my screwdriver!”

The police were so confused.

So then I drove my car with that huge screwdriver. And every time I got my oil changed, they laughed at me (because my keys were, well, a huge screwdriver). Please remember to use a club!

Send your So St. Louis story to jrogen@euclidmediagroup.com.

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HARTMANN

Just Say No to TIFs, Chesterfield Edition One of St. Louis’ wealthiest suburbs is about to masquerade as blighted — because it can

BY RAY HARTMANN

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ere we go again. It’s the city of hesterfield’s turn to spin the wheel of the fortunate. rominent local developers have proposed a massive billion pro ect for the acre area around hesterfield Mall but only if million in public assistance in the form of ta increment financing is forthcoming. That claim sounds a bit rich, pun intended. hesterfield’s median household income as of is , , more than double the state average, according to citydata.com. The median house or condo value of , is nearly times the statewide figures.

Is this the sort of community where developers need to be subsidi ed because they’re taking on investments in areas that to borrow the current term of art are “blighted” And what is it costing entities that are foregoing revenues because of the subsidies In a letter to the city, the arkway School istrict pro ects a “total loss for our community, schools and ta payers estimated at over million [over] the ne t years” if the TI is approved. The district argues that new residential units created by the pro ect would re uire the district to educate about new students and thus need to construct a new school at a cost by the year of million annually.

The city contests arkway’s proections, arguing its new developments would add fewer than a third as many students. But the details are for the local interests to battle out.

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This is part of a much larger story. The abuse of TI s like the one proposed in hesterfield has created catastrophic conse uences across the nation, and the St. ouis region is among the most a icted.

TI financing is comple , but the concept is simple A local government entity attracts critical development that otherwise would not occur in the open market by directing the pro ect’s future ta revenues back into the pro ect, lowering costs for developers.

Basically, a TI ta ing district is formed, and the value of its real estate for purposes of ta ation is fro en at year one. If and when the pro ect receiving TI s creates greater property ta values, those incremental ta es are diverted to financing or otherwise subsidi ing the pro ect that presumably made it possible.

In theory, everyone wins. In reality, everyone loses, e cept the developers and perhaps those who might benefit from having helped them make a lot of money.

At their best, TI s present a wonderful economic development tool. or e ample, a city might be able to revitali e a barren, abandoned or otherwise troubled area with an e citing pro ect that brings new vitality, revenues, obs, growth and enhanced safety to its residents. Since the new property ta revenues that support the pro ect would not have e isted had it never e isted, then no one is out a dime.

But there’s an elephant in the room and peanuts everywhere.

Once TI s are allowed to be used to subsidi e developers in places where development would have happened without such subsidy, all hell breaks loose.

And it has, in the St. ouis area and nationally. TI s have become a corporate entitlement program more than an economic development tool. The first uestion any developer asks when contemplating any si eable pro ect is typically “ ow large will my incentive package be ” The bastardi ation of TI policy has become a national catastrophe. At the heart of the problem lies the distortion or outright abandonment of something called the “but for” test that presumably underpins TI policy.

That test was intended to impose a critical hurdle to the issu-

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Once TIFs are allowed to be used to subsidize developers in places where development would have happened without such subsidy, all hell breaks loose. ance of TI s “But for the proposed public subsidy, the proposed pro ect would not be possible.” That is generally related to declaring an area “blighted.”

If you’re an aficionado of creative writing, I commend to you the website of the Missouri state auditor, wherein one can peruse all of the TI pro ects approved in the state. ou’ll find some compelling fiction in cases where the “but for” re uirement is addressed.

The bottom line literally and figuratively is that developers and local governments have become uite adept at the art of adorning pigs with lipstick. In their defense, it re uires a certain degree of literary license to convey convincingly the concept, “I must have millions of public dollars if I’m going to be e pected to make millions of private dollars.”

The fatal flaw in the theory of TI policy is that it re uires the political class to e ercise a degree of restraint with regard to enforcing the “but for” test udiciously and with integrity. In the real world, that dog won’t hunt.

There are multiple reasons for this some benign, some corrupt, most somewhere in between. Most public o cials in cities like hesterfield are merely trying to do what’s best for their own communities. They often face structural problems that make it nearly impossible to say no to TI pro ects that seem absurd on their face. hesterfield’s city government is solely dependent upon sales-ta revenue for its funding at this point,

and when a ma or revenue driver such as hesterfield Mall goes belly up, that can torpedo the municipal budget. A wealthy community can still have a strapped government, especially since wealth and aversion to ta ation are uite correlated in America these days.

Throw in the fact that other wealthy suburbs such as es eres have violated the spirit of TI funding by blighting areas that are cartoonishly not blighted with developers then invoking the classic kids’ “ hy does he get a bigger lollipop ” argument to its rivals and it’s not di cult to understand how TI abuse becomes a runaway freight train.

And there’s plenty more wrong with TI policy in places like hesterfield. One flaw is that free ing a school district’s property-ta base at year one of a TI ignores that property-ta values almost always skyrocket in cities like hesterfield, regardless of new economic development. That’s a huge opportunity cost to a school district.

There’s also a cannibali ation effect of TI s within a community.

A defender of the TI recently argued to me that the TI s for outlet malls in hesterfield alley showed how important they were as an economic tool, with no sense of irony of how these might have hastened the demise of hesterfield Mall. ationally, public school districts always take the brunt of TI s. They see holes blown in their budgets at TI commissions on which they have ust token representation. Then they’re left to make painful cuts to education or raise property ta es on their own constituents, or both.

That’s precisely the situation facing arkway today and ockwood, to a much lesser e tent .

This has reached crisis proportions in places like St. ouis, because there’s no such thing as a local TI pro ect. The domino effect is obvious.

The abuse of TI policy is out of control in the St. ouis area. And hesterfield appears poised to make a bad situation worse. n Ray Hartmann founded the Riverfront Times in 1977. Contact him at rhartmann1952@ gmail.com or catch him at 7 p.m. on Thursdays on Nine PBS and St. Louis in the Know with Ray Hartmann from 9-11 p.m. Monday thru Friday on KTRS (550 AM).

NEWS More Than a Cop Killer Teachers discuss Kevin Johnson, who is scheduled for execution later this month Written by

MONICA OBRADOVIC

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achel Jenness was a young teacher when Kevin Johnson entered her kindergarten class at Westchester Elementary in Kirkwood. The young boy quickly burrowed his way into Jenness’ heart. She recalls that he was a great reader, good at math and had the cutest little smile.

“When you got that smile, you felt like it was a huge accomplishment,” Jenness says.

It was the early 1990s; Jenness was in her mid-20s. Thirty years later, her education career now behind her, Jenness says she still thinks about Johnson every day, “if not multiple times a day.”

Most of Johnson’s former teachers say the same — because Johnson’s life has taken no ordinary trajectory.

Johnson shot and killed William McEntee in Kirkwood’s historically Black Meacham Park neighborhood on July 5, 2005. McEntee, a Kirkwood sergeant and father of three, died from multiple gunshot wounds after Johnson turned on him in the street, angry about an interaction just hours before that Johnson blamed for his little brother’s seizure and death. After Johnson had already wounded McEntee, he followed him and fired again at point-blank range, an execution-style murder that shook the St. Louis-area for its brutality. Missouri is scheduled to execute Johnson for his crime on Tuesday, November 29.

Seventeen years later, Johnson’s former teachers can’t help looking back. And they won’t sit idle as the state plans to execute the man, now 37, that they remember as a quiet boy who kept to himself.

Jenness is one of many of Johnson’s former teachers who have advocated for the death-row inmate since the state Supreme

Kevin Johnson wrote hand-written letters to Pamela Stanfield, his former principal. | SARAH LOVETT

Kevin Johnson is slated to be put to death on Tuesday, November 29. | JEREMY WEIS Court scheduled his execution in August.

Jenness herself is not against the death penalty. There are some wicked people, she says, who shouldn’t be around anyone. But not Johnson.

“The gravity of what he went through was ignored,” Jenness says.

In a way, Johnson’s teachers blame themselves for his current predicament. He presented few outward signs of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his aunt as a young child. He didn’t come to school with bruises. Most of the time, he came to school fed and well dressed.

They would only later learn of the di cult childhood he’d en-

dured — and now they can’t help but wonder: Should they have done more?

“In a lot of ways, he was failed as a child by the adults in his life,” says Melissa Fuoss, who taught Johnson English in Kirkwood High School’s alternative program.

Johnson’s father was incarcerated for most of his adolescence. His mother lost custody of Johnson and his older brother when Johnson was around four. Johnson has said his mother suffered from a years-long crack addiction, the results of which may have contributed to Johnson’s underdeveloped frontal lobe and a congenital heart defect his brother Joseph “Bam-Bam” Long was born with.

Johnson then went to live with an aunt, who was emotionally withdrawn and punished him strictly, he says. When Johnson grew older, his aunt kicked him out for not following her rules.

After that, Johnson mostly lived in group homes and other family members’ houses.

All told, Johnson entered 19 different foster-care placements between ages 13 and 18.

Most of what Fuoss remembers about Johnson was his withdrawn nature. He was quiet. He kept his head down. For one assignment, Johnson wrote a poem about giving his daughter a bath that Fuoss has since searched feverishly for, with no luck.

Jenness and Johnson forged a special bond in her class. They grew so close that Jenness eventually started considering adopting him. His aunt would come to school to encourage Jenness to spank him,

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claiming Johnson responded to no other forms of punishment.

Thirty years later, Jenness says she took a special interest in Johnson because no one else did: “He kind of had no one.”

“There’s always going to be regret,” Jenness adds. Regret for not adopting him, regret for not going to prison to visit him and hug him.

Jenness didn’t keep in touch with Johnson after his middle school days. And neither did Pamela Stanfield, former principal of estchester Elementary School.

Stanfield cannot remember ohnson ever being sent to her o ce for reprimands. So when newspapers and TV stations started reporting that Johnson was McEntee’s killer, she was shocked. She thought police had the wrong kid.

That’s when she rekindled her relationship with her former pupil. She visited Johnson in his early days of incarceration, and the two have kept regular correspondence since then.

Stanfield’s perception of ohnson didn’t match what people referred to him as — a “cop killer.”

He undoubtedly is one, but Stanfield sees much more. Seeing a writer, a dedicated father, she encouraged him to tell his story so people could see him fully. Together, they published two books written by Johnson.

Cop Killer covers his early life; State Property Dying to Live details Johnson’s life in prison and reckoning with his actions. Stanfield painstakingly typed each book from emails and hand-written letters from Johnson. Whatever money the books generate goes to Johnson’s 19-year-old daughter, Khorry Ramey.

In an interview with a reporter, Stanfield reads from a passage of Cop Killer.

“Guys around here sometimes refer to me as ‘Cop Killer,’ or ‘C.K.’ for short,” Johnson wrote. “I smile and embrace the term on the outside, but on the inside, I say that’s not me. I killed that cop, and when I take my last breath on that gurney, as dozens of spectators watch, that’s what they will see. A cop killer.”

Stanfield shakes her head at this passage, her right inde finger tracing Johnson’s words as she reads them aloud.

“He’s not just a cop killer,” she says. “He’s so much more.” n

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Furor Over Rezoning Plans Parents accuse Hazelwood of mishandling Jana Elementary crisis Written by

MIKE FITZGERALD

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uring a closed-door meeting late last month, the Hazelwood School District Board of Education voted on the future of Jana Elementary School, the site in Florissant that had suddenly closed a few weeks earlier after tests revealed dangerous levels of radioactive waste that were created during the building of the first atomic bombs.

However, the Hazelwood school board did not vote on the plan in open session, a fact that fueled the anger of Jana parents who voiced their objections during a school board meeting last week.

Sending Jana’s nearly 400 students to five other schools — a key part of the newly unveiled rezoning plan — would ruin the students’ sense of community, disrupt their educations, cause unreasonable crowding at the students’ new schools and create hardship for parents, according to parents who spoke.

Jason Bell, whose daughter attends Jana, and who himself is a graduate of the school, accused the school district of tearing apart the community fabric that Jana made possible.

“You ripped that apart,” he told the board during the meeting’s public comment section. “We understand the hurt

Mixed Verdict for Accused Spree Killer Prinshun McClain was accused of murdering 3, only found guilty of 1 Written by

RYAN KRULL

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his past weekend, a St. Louis jury reached a mixed verdict in the triple murder trial of 19-year-old Prinshun McClain, finding him guilty of murder in the second degree in the case of one victim and unable to reach a verdict on charges related to the other two.

The jury determined McClain had murdered Victoria Manisco, a 26-year-old aspiring actress. McClain shot and killed her in the Carondelet neighborhood on the night of August 10, 2021, after stalking her as she travelled home on a city bus.

The two mistrial verdicts stemmed from the killings of Terri Bankhead, 27, and her 8-year-old daughter Da’Nilya

Superintendent Nettie Collin-Hart (left) and Board Secretary Kristina Allen. | MIKE FITZGERALD that happens when you separate from that environment where you feel most comfortable.”

Betsy Rachel, the school board president, declined to comment as to why the school board did not conduct a public vote on Jana’s future after meeting in closed session on October 24.

Rachel defended the board’s actions.

“The executive session discussion was appropriate to be discussed in closed session,” Rachel said.

Jordyn Elston, the school district spokeswoman, denied that any violation of law occurred.

On October 18, in executive session, the board reviewed the results of the Jana Elementary School contamination tests to consider legal options regarding the safety of the school, according to a statement Elston released last Wednesday.

“At that meeting, the Board did not vote, but discussed and came to a consensus on how to move forward to protect students and staff and limit legal liability,” she wrote. “At the open meeting that night, the Board read a statement outlin-

Edwards. McClain was accused of tying them up and murdering them in the Fairgrounds neighborhood the morning after shooting Manisco. Bankhead and Edwards lived on the second floor of a two-family flat, above where McClain was living with his grandmother.

McClain’s alleged motive, according to Assistant Circuit Attorney Natalia Ogurkiewicz, was a desire to stalk, prey on and execute women “for sport.”

The RFT has learned that McClain has a criminal history from Texas.

According to an indictment from Williamson County, just north of Austin, Texas, McClain is accused of entering a home “with the intent to commit theft” on August 6, 2020.

He was also charged with failing to register as a sex offender. McClain allegedly did not alert law enforcement in Cedar Park, Texas, of his status as a sex offender. According to the indictment in that case, McClain was previously found guilty of statutory rape in the first degree with a victim less than 14 years in age.

McClain’s criminal history in the St. Louis area came up during his trial. A probable cause statement from police in St. Louis County says that on August 31,

ing the plan discussed to which they came to consensus on in executive session.”

On October 24, the board discussed the option of leasing property owned by other entities. After that discussion, the board voted to uphold the previous consensus and to read the board’s plan in their open meeting on October 18.

“The Board then read that plan at the open meeting that same evening,” Elston wrote. “There was no violation of state law.”

If that is true, then there is no mention of it in the school board’s own minutes for the October 24 meeting, or how each of the seven board members voted, according to a review of minutes posted on the Hazelwood School District website.

Cindy Ormsby, the school district’s attorney, referred all questions to Elston.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Jana parents were told they would learn by Monday, November 14, which of the five elementary schools — Barrington, Brown, Coldwater, McCurdy and Walker — their kids would be attending. The plan takes effect Monday, November 28, right after

Prinshun McClain was accused of killing three people and was convicted of killing one. | ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN POLICE 2020, McClain grabbed a woman’s hair and punched her in the head before forcibly taking her phone at a MetroLink Station. That was about three weeks after the alleged burglary in Texas.

In court, Ogurkiewicz said that McClain had been hitting on the victim, and when his advances were rebuffed, he forcibly took her phone.

McClain took the stand in his own defense at his trial last week. He testified

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the Thanksgiving break.

Several Jana parents also raised concerns that radioactive waste could be affecting other Hazelwood schools on the Coldwater Creek floodplain, which was contaminated by secretly buried radioactive waste.

Rachel declined to say directly if the school district planned to test other school sites but referred to a statement the school board issued on October 19.

The statement reads: “The Hazelwood School District Board of Education will be working with our legal counsel to communicate to the appropriate agencies responsible, the necessity to immediately clean up and remediate any and all hazardous waste at Jana Elementary and any other District sites. In addition, the Board is also authorizing the study of Jana and any places made aware of need.”

An RFT reporter would have asked Superintendent Nettie Collins-Hart her views on the matter, but a security guard brusquely ejected the reporter from the school board meeting when he tried to ask a Jana parent for the correct spelling of her name.

Before the public comments section, Rachel read a statement in which she made it clear the board empathized with the plight of Jana staff, parents and students.

After the meeting, Ashley Bernaugh, who is president of the Jana Parent Teacher Association and the mother of a Jana student, told the RFT that Jana parents are considering their next move, but options are limited.

“Folks are pretty demoralized at this point,” Bernaugh said. “We have a right to public education. But the thumb is on the scale of where we have to go now.” n

that he had shot and killed Manisco, but claimed that he had done so accidentally in the course of a robbery gone wrong.

He said that he then gave his brother the weapon used in that shooting.

McClain claimed he didn’t have anything to do with the killings of Edwards and Bankhead.

Prosecutors had sought first-degree murder charges in all three cases, arguing that McClain’s stalking of Manisco on public transit and his Googling “zip ties” indicated premeditation.

The jury began their deliberation Friday morning and by the end of the day told the judge they had reached a decision on Manisco’s killing, but could not reach a decision on the other charges.

The judge called the jury back on Saturday. When they could still not a reach a verdict on the charges related to the killings of Edwards and Bankhead, the judge declared a mistrial on those counts.

McClain is scheduled to be sentenced on the second-degree murder conviction on December 19. The charges against McClain related to the killings of Edwards and Bankhead are still pending; prosecutors could choose to try him again for those murders. n

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Slither Town Every fall, snakes migrate across Snake Road in the Shawnee National Forest Words and photos by

REUBEN HEMMER

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estled between LaRue Swamp and towering limestone cliffs within the Shawnee National Forest is Forest Road No. 345. For most of the year, it is open to all forms of tra c, but in the spring and autumn months the road is closed to vehicles, and recognized by its other name: Snake Road. During these transitional months, the 2.5-mile stretch of road becomes a major route of passage for the over 23 species of snakes and other amphibians who call this easternmost area of the Ozarks home.

In the fall, snakes such as cottonmouth, copperheads and rat-

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tlesnakes venture from LaRue Swamp into the ancient limestone bluffs for their winter quarters.

As the weather warms in the spring, the snakes cross the road once more to return to the swamp for their summer sojourn.

Although the road is closed to vehicles during these migratory periods, foot tra c is welcome. Snake enthusiasts, biologists and adventure seekers travel from all over the country to witness this natural wonder, and the chances of seeing these snakes are high. Within the first two minutes of arriving, we saw a snake cross directly in front of us, and many more followed. A group of students from Carbondale, Illinois, said they saw 13 snakes within an hour. The area also hosts many other species of wildlife, such as armadillos, vultures and deer. Tampering with or collecting any of the animals is strictly forbidden, and patrols enforce these rules to protect the ecosystem. It is also wise to watch your step, and stick to the trail — the majority of these snakes are venomous. n

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A C E L E B R AT I O N O F T H E U N I Q U E A N D FA S C I N AT I N G A S P E C T S O F O U R H O M E

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Crime and Punishment Ousted after Ferguson, Bob McCulloch’s most lasting legacy may be his insistence on the death penalty

BY RYA N K R U L L

On the night of the 2018 Democratic primary election, St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch, a 28-year veteran of the job, held what he expected to be his victory party at the Village Bar in Des Peres.

He’d won election and reelection by a wide margin seven times, often running unopposed. By all accounts, he expected to be delivered an eighth term that night.

But with a little more than half the vote in, he was trailing Ferguson City Councilman Wesley Bell by six points. Journalists who had expected McCulloch’s win to be a nonstory suddenly had trouble reaching him and his staff. By the time all the votes had been counted he’d lost by 13 points, a staggering defeat.

Mc ulloch had garnered significant media attention, much of it negative, when he announced the grand jury’s non-indictment of Darren Wilson in November 2014 for the shooting death of Michael Brown.

An investigation from Eric Holder’s Department of Justice ultimately agreed that it could not be proven that Wilson had violated any law, but McCulloch delivered his 45-minute announcement in a way many found to be cold and cavalier. He said that Brown’s death had been tragic but also painted his own o ce as some-

As St. Louis County prosecutor from 1991 to 2018, Bob McCulloch won death sentences against 23 people. | DANNY WICENTOWSKI

thing of a victim, saying that the biggest impediment to its investigation had been the media’s “insatiable appetite for something, for anything, to talk about.” He balked at the notion that his own law enforcement background might have made him partial to Wilson.

“After he didn’t indict Darren Wilson for the murder of Mike Brown, he sort of became this law-and-order hero,” says Rodney Brown, an activist who worked to unseat McCulloch in St. Louis in 2018 and is now an organizer in San Antonio.

McCulloch’s legacy, as well as his electoral defeat, has been defined largely by those days in 2014 when he became an avatar for over-policing and the nascent Blue Lives Matter movement.

A less examined and underappreciated — though not unrelated — aspect of his almost three decades as the so-called top cop for St. Louis County’s million residents is his o ce’s relationship to the death penalty.

In his 28 years as prosecutor, McCulloch won death sentences against 23 people. Ten have been put to death. Frank Baumgartner,

This story was commissioned by the River City Journalism Fund as part of its inaugural series, Shadow of Death, which considers St. Louis County’s use of the death penalty. riverfronttimes.com

a professor of political science at the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, calls McCulloch “very, very much outside the norm … nationwide, Mc ulloch ualifies as one of the most active users of the death penalty.”

A third of the individuals currently on Missouri death row came out of St. Louis County during McCulloch’s tenure. Three have scheduled execution dates in the next four months — including Kevin Johnson, who is set to be executed on Tuesday, November 29.

Given the number of men from St. Louis County who have been executed, and given the six people currently on death row, capital punishment may be McCulloch’s most lasting legacy.

“It’s simply punishment”

McCulloch has kept a low media profile since leaving o ce, but in a two-hour conversation on a recent Wednesday, the 71-yearold seemed ready to pick up right where the 2018 election left off — and more than game to defend his record. His recollection of details from cases decades ago was impressive. The only time he seemed less than forthright was when asked about his retirement.

He gave the sense that he missed prosecuting cases.

Aspects of the election clearly still grate, particularly what Mculloch says were ads filled with lies put out by the ACLU regarding his o ce’s use of cash bail.

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is successor’s first four years in o ce are widely considered a success, bereft of scandal and with plentiful examples of successful, high-profile prosecutions.

But McCulloch is critical of Bell.

“You can’t have public defenders as prosecutors,” McCulloch says. “Many of the people he brought in for top positions in the prosecutor’s o ce are public defenders. They went from that side of the hallway literally to this side of the hallway.”

He cites two cases handled by Bell in which defendants were released on bail and then went on to commit other crimes.

“The one thing everybody wants, except progressive prosecutors, is for people to be safe in their homes, safe walking down the street, able to go out without worrying about getting hit by a stray bullet,” McCulloch says.

He cites the recall of San Francisco’s Chesa Boudin and Seattle’s progressive city attorney losing to a Republican as vindication of his point: a pendulum that swung one way and is now coming back.

It’s telling that McCulloch can make a stronger case in those West Coast cities than in St. Louis County. If Bell running against only longshot Libertarian opposition is any indication, the pendulum may have found a nice spot with the county’s current prosecutor.

On the topic of capital punishment, McCulloch’s views are not complicated. He seems to think that people who argue vociferously from either side are overthinking things. To his mind, a death sentence is punishment befitting those rare crimes that are “just beyond the pale.”

“If it deters somebody down the line, that’s great. But I would never do it solely because it might deter somebody else from doing it. That’s insane,” he says. “The same with all the other arguments: ‘It’s revenge, it’s vengeance.’ It’s not any of those things. It’s simply punishment. …

The primary purpose of the criminal justice system is punishment.”

The latter statement represents a rare note of agreement between McCulloch and many of the activists who worked to unseat him.

“Becoming a prosecutor was the next best thing” McCulloch’s hardest-fought election, prior to his unexpected loss to Bell, came in 1990 when he

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At a 2017 press conference, Bob McCulloch announced his office’s decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson — a decision that spurred police-accountability activists to rally around the goal of removing him from office. | DANNY WICENTOWSKI faced off against Tom Mehan.

Like McCulloch, Mehan had been a prosecutor when Buzz Westfall ran the county prosecuting attorney’s o ce. The two men shared an o ce and bounced ideas off each other. They were friends.

When Westfall announced his run for county executive, Mehan

McCulloch made his family ties to law enforcement a big part of his campaign.

McCulloch’s father, Paul, had been a canine patrolman with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for nine years when, on uly , , he e changed fire with Eddie Glenn at the Pruitt-

“There’s no question that you can’t do the job that I did for as long as I did it and not have some people think that you’re a terrible person. You just can’t do it.” and McCulloch each left the prosecutor’s o ce to run for its top job — Mehan on the Republican ticket, McCulloch as a Democrat.

To call the 1990 race cordial would be an understatement.

“It was funny when Bob and I would go places and debate,” Mehan says. “We didn’t have a difference of opinion. After about 10 minutes into the debate, I’d be like, ‘Bob, what you got?’ He’d be like, ‘Tom, what do you got?’”

“It was the most boring debate you ever saw in your life,” says longtime Post-Dispatch reporter Bill Lhotka, who served as moderator.

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Igoe housing complex. Glenn, a Black man, had kidnapped a white woman and then shot at a different o cer. aul Mc ulloch was killed when lenn fired and sent a fragment from a ricocheting bullet into the back of his neck and then his brain.

Glenn was found guilty of murder and executed in 1972. The German shepherd that Paul McCulloch was handler for was given to the McCulloch family. Bob was 12 at the time.

In the 1990 race, in addition to the story of his father, McCulloch was quick to mention his retired

police-o cer uncle, as well as his brother and cousin who served on the force. McCulloch’s right leg had been amputated when he was a teenager due to cancer, thwarting plans to follow the family tradition.

“I couldn’t be a police o cer so becoming a prosecutor was the next best thing,” he told Lhotka just before the 1990 election.

He won in November by a comfortable margin.

In retrospect, the 1990 race presents a fascinating counterfactual for the St. Louis County defendants now on death row.

Mehan went on to become a federal prosecutor. A Catholic, he says that Pope John Paul II changed his thinking about capital punishment. During his 1999 visit to St. Louis, the pope chastised Governor Mel Carnahan over the upcoming execution of convicted murderer Darrell J. Mease — and Carnahan commuted Mease’s sentence to life in prison.

At the time, federal prosecutors still could pursue capital cases, but Mehan opted out. “I said, ‘Have at it, do it yourself,’” he says. “But I decided that I wasn’t gonna be involved.”

He says, “At some point, there’s a sense of punishment, yes. But how much?”

McCulloch never had such a revelation.

McCulloch’s “signature cases”

Many of McCulloch’s prosecutors were referred to as the “McBoys.”

Staffers say he was orderly, approachable and, contrary to his public image, possessed a quick wit and a sense of humor. He engendered respect for never seeking any special treatment or sympathy due to his disability.

Longtime prosecutor Mark Bishop recounts a going-away party for a colleague in which another prosecutor had a couple drinks too many and, perhaps jokingly, hinted that McCulloch wasn’t aware of what staffers were actually doing in the courtroom.

In response, as a sort of parlor trick, McCulloch pointed to each prosecutor in the room and rattled off exactly which cases each was handling.

“You think because the guy has maybe attorneys in the o ce, he wouldn’t know those kinds of details, but he really knew what he was doing,” Bishop says. He adds, “Just think of all the personnel decisions this guy has to be involved in. He’s running the dayto-day operations of a huge o ce, and he’s still trying cases.”

Even so, Lhotka says as long as he covered McCulloch, he only saw him personally try a handful of cases. Several involved the death penalty.

“I think he felt that those would be his signature cases,” Lhotka says.

Bishop remembers being third chair to McCulloch’s lead prosecutor in the successful capital conviction of Johnny Johnson, a 24-year-old white man convicted of the 2002 murder and rape of a six-year-old in Valley Park.

Winning the guilty verdict was not particularly challenging, Bishop says. “The guy was as guilty as sin.”

“But any death penalty case is tough. Just because of the gravity of it,” Bishop says. “And it’s really tough to get the death penalty on a defendant who’s young. But it was just a horrible, horrible crime.”

Testimony at trial focused on Johnson’s schizophrenia, but that didn’t give McCulloch pause. He contests the idea that Johnson had mental-health issues, saying today that Johnson had “major drug and substance-abuse issues, which can aggravate or mimic mental-health issues. His biggest problems were his incredible use of controlled substances. Just pick one, and I’m sure he was using it.”

Mehan says that McCulloch had a knack for conveying passion for a case in a way that a jury didn’t read as emotional.

“He wasn’t involved in hyperbole, he wasn’t involved in sheer emotion,” Mehan says. “Westfall used to get so wound up that he had two or three death-penalty cases reversed because of his going off the rails.”

Lhotka is more subdued in his assessment: “In his courtroom ap pearances, he was average, average to above average.”

By nature of his position, McCulloch had to sign off on every capital case in St. Louis County — and he didn’t shrink from the shadow of death. In 1999, he drove to Potosi to personally watch the execution of Kelvin Malone, a serial killer, whose case he handled as a line prosecutor years before his election. Questioned by a reporter about the possibility of Malone’s

innocence, he rejected the idea: “Not a chance.” What about a motive? “He was mean.”

For all but two years of McCulloch’s 28-year tenure, Karen Kraft ran the state’s Capital Litigation Division, a clique within the state public defender system known colloquially as the “death squad,” which represents clients facing Continued on pg 18

A Tale of Two Jurisdictions Former Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce took a different road than Bob McCulloch

BY LEYLA FERN KING

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n August 3, 1810, Peter Johnson became the first person to be executed by the state of Missouri. By the time the U.S. Supreme Court found the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972, Missouri had already executed 285 people — most by hanging. Since the court reinstated capital punishment in 1976, Missouri has executed 92 people by lethal injection.

Of these 92 state-sponsored killings, prosecutors in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County account for a similar number of cases, with 15 executions prosecuted by the city circuit attorney and 18 by the county prosecutor. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, city and county prosecutors showed similar patterns in bringing death-penalty cases.

But that changed in 2000.

Since that date, the St. Louis circuit attorney has been responsible for prosecutions that led to the execution of five people, with the most recent in 2011. City prosecutors have not earned a single death-penalty verdict since then — and at this time, no people who sit on death row were prosecuted in the city circuit.

St. Louis County, on the other hand, has been responsible for 10 executions since 2000, with another six people convicted in the county currently on death row. Another man sentenced to death in the county died of natural causes, and seven more saw their death sentences overturned by higher courts.

It’s a stark difference — and it stems from each jurisdiction’s leadership.

Bob McCulloch was elected St. Louis County prosecuting attorney in 1991 and remained in office through 2018, when he was ousted by Wesley Bell. McCulloch’s office earned death-penalty sentences against 25 people, an average of one each year.

In St. Louis city, Jennifer Joyce was elected circuit attorney in 2000 and chose not to seek reelection in 2017.

As circuit attorney, Joyce never formally opposed the death penalty — but took a different tack than her counterpart in the county.

“If someone wanted to plead guilty to life without parole, then I would always let them plead guilty to life without,” Joyce explains. “I would not insist on seeking the death penalty. If someone has demonstrated that they are going to take that kind of accountability, then that, in my mind, puts them in a different category.”

Yet she never officially took capital punishment off the table.

“I always avoided saying I would not seek the death penalty because I personally believe that is your job if you’re elected to be a prosecutor — to look at all the laws and not say there’s one law I’m not going to apply,” Joyce says.

In a number of cases, Joyce’s office unsuccessfully pursued the death penalty. For example, in 2011, though a St. Louis jury found Frederick A. Barnes guilty of first-degree murder and Joyce asked for the death penalty, the jury deadlocked on sentencing. Judge Thomas J. Frawley then sentenced Barnes to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Gallup polling has shown support for the death penalty across the U.S. on a steady decline since the 1990s. Joyce recalls visiting the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, which opened in 1836 and gained a gas chamber in 1937.

“What I find particularly chilling about the Missouri gas chamber is it has two seats, as if we are in such a hurry to execute people, and we have so many people to execute, that we’re taking them two at a time,” Joyce says. “I think that kind of zeal, whenever this was constructed, you don’t find that in any state anymore.”

As public opinion on capital punishment continues to change, the prosecutors the public elects will continue to reevaluate patterns of death-penalty use. Says Joyce, “The reason that prosecutors are elected locally is because the intent is that they mirror the values of the community that they serve.”

Even so, many people call for the death penalty in the most extreme cases — and St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, elected when Joyce chose not to run for reelection, seems to reflect some of the complications of Americans’ attitudes on the topic.

Like her counterpart in the county, Bell, Gardner was elected as a progressive reformer — but unlike Wesley Bell, she has refused to take death sentences off the table, calling them a “tool in my toolbox.” Even while claiming to be personally opposed to the death penalty, she sought to bring in special prosecutors from the Missouri attorney general’s office to handle three high-profile death-penalty cases, which would have likely resulted in prosecutors pursuing the ultimate punishment. A judge, however, denied her request.

Gardner’s spokeswoman declined to comment beyond what is already in the public record.

Leyla Fern King is a student at Indiana University. Full disclosure: Her father is the public information officer for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell. n

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the death penalty. She was capital division supervisor for two decades before retiring in 2016.

Kraft and McCulloch only faced off a few times in court, but if the prosecutors and public defender’s o ces could be thought of as baseball teams, Kraft and McCulloch would have been their respective managers.

“Did I see a lot of empathy on the part of the prosecutors in Mculloch’s o ce o. I didn’t find him real approachable or wanting to really hear arguments in favor of leniency or mercy,” Kraft says.

But, she adds, “I didn’t see him as a villain. I’m sure he felt like he was just doing his job.”

Kraft does cite one case in which Mc ulloch’s o ce though not McCulloch himself — faced the overturning of two separate death-penalty convictions of the same defendant after the defendant, Vincent McFadden, won an appeal based on racial bias in ury selection. Mc ulloch’s o ce retried both cases and won them both. (In addition to McFadden, the o ce saw seven death-penalty convictions from McCulloch’s tenure reversed or commuted by higher courts.)

According to the advocacy organization Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, McCulloch’s o ce struck potential urors based on race in more instances than just the McFadden case. The U.S. Supreme Court has made clear that strikes based on race are illegal — but in most cases, proving a prosecutor’s intent can be impossible.

Conversations with prosecutors and public defenders from McCulloch’s tenure suggest his office generally played by the rules, even as the rulebook showed itself over decades to be badly flawed.

“The rules are problematic in that they have a lot of prosecutor discretion,” says Joe Welling, an attorney who does pro bono work on capital appeals and also teaches a course on the death penalty at Saint Louis University School of Law. “There’s a lot of places where the rules are set up in favor of getting the conviction that is the maximum punishment.”

Both Kraft and Ellen Blau, a “death squad” public defender who worked under Kraft, have just as much — if not more — criticism of the system than McCulloch himself. In St. Louis County especially, they say, the scales of justice were tilted toward death.

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Karen Kraft ran Missouri’s Capital Litigation Division, representing clients facing the death penalty, which often put her on the opposite side of McCulloch’s office. | SARAH LOVETT “It was stressful, super stressful,” Blau says. “Especially in St. Louis County, it felt like the prosecutor was the prosecutor, the judge was the prosecutor, [too].”

Many defense attorneys won’t take death-penalty cases because of the stress they entail, which leaves some of the toughest cases to public defenders. And Blau says that the system is set up so that even something as elemental as time is made unfair: The prosecution is always in the pole position, setting the terms to which the defense must react. There’s no statue of limitations for murder, which means prosecutors can take as long as they want determining whether to bring first-degree or lesser murder charges, which would not be death-eligible. Then the defense must act swiftly to prepare their case, accordingly.

Bishop, the longtime prosecutor, says that he had serious reservations about the state’s right to take the life of one of its citizens. But he’s quick to note that, ultimately, it’s not prosecutors who make the final decision. That is left to uries.

A common way prosecutors explained this to the jury was the “three-doors approach,” Bishop says. Essentially, three thresholds, or doors, have to be passed through before a death sentence.

The first door is proving guilt.

Then the prosecutor has to prove su cient aggravators were involved, like an act of torture, rape or prior convictions, to put the death penalty on the table. That’s door number two. The third door

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is then whether to give a sentence of death or life without the possibility of parole.

“All I do on that third door is open the door,” Bishop says. “And then it’s up to you, [the jury], to decide whether to step through it or not.”

But Blau notes that all capitalmurder cases are argued in front of “death- ualified” uries anyone opposed to the death penalty is barred from serving.

“Your jury is basically excluding anybody who has moral opposition to the death penalty, which makes the jury whiter, it makes the jury more conservative,” she says. “It excludes a lot of people who may perceive the evidence more favorably for the defense, not just in the punishment part of the trial, but in the merit phase of the trial, too.”

Welling, the SLU lawyer, also points out an inherent difference between presenting aggravators in a case compared to the mitigation testimony allowed in defense.

The presentation of aggravators is often “pretty provocative stuff,” Welling says — gory photos and evidence of other heinous acts.

Mitigators tend to be more abstract and cerebral, like information about a defendant’s mental health or a story of childhood abuse.

When talking about the tilt in St. Louis County sliding defendants toward the death penalty, Kraft brings up Joseph Paul Franklin, a man whose life even some deathpenalty opponents have trouble

arguing was worth preserving.

Franklin was a white supremacist who in fired on a St. ouis synagogue as people were leaving a bar mitzvah, killing one. He also killed a mixed-race couple in Pennsylvania and a white woman in West Virginia because she had a Black boyfriend. Franklin shot Larry Flynt because Flynt published photos of mixed-race couples in his Hustler magazine. All in all, he claimed to have killed 22 people.

He hoped to start a race war.

Franklin was already serving multiple life sentences when he confessed to the St. Louis synagogue shooting. He was extradited to Missouri and found himself facing the death penalty.

After securing the death penalty, McCulloch’s take on Franklin was just as to-the-point as it was with Malone. Franklin, he said, was a coward who “just hid in the weeds and shot people.”

Reporters found Franklin incoherent and likely insane. Kraft found herself in the unenviable position of serving as Franklin’s assistant counsel, though she basically served as an observer as the legal system churned forward on auto-pilot. “He was all over the place,” she says of Franklin.

She didn’t blame McCulloch’s o ce seeking the death penalty, though she deeply resented the judge for allowing the charade of Franklin representing himself.

“The judge actually told [Franklin] he was making a wise decision to try his own case,” Kraft says.

Asked why the judge would say something so clearly not true, Kraft responds, “Good question.”

The judge later helped Franklin waive the appeal of his death sentence. Despite the opposition of his most famous victim, Larry Flynt, he was executed on November 20, 2013.

“The bullseye for the death penalty”

Critics of the death penalty often remark on how arbitrarily the punishment is meted out. Over the past 30 years, if you committed first-degree murder in St. ouis city, your fate would have been in the hands of a prosecutor who pursued the death penalty sparringly (Jennifer Joyce) or not at all (Kim Gardner). The same crime in a rural county might bring you face to face with a cowboy prosecutor in favor of eye-for-an-eye justice, but there’s a decent chance the rural o ce wouldn’t have the budget to bring a capital case, which on average costs taxpayers $1.25 million, including appeals. Kraft recalls a case in rural

Missouri where “the county had just built a new courthouse and that factored into us getting a lifewithout-parole offer because they didn’t want to spend the money.”

But if you killed someone in St. Louis County, up until four years ago you’d have found yourself in a jurisdiction with both the resources and the inclination to sentence you to death.

According to a researcher who has studied McCulloch’s record, the extent to which those resources would have been brought to bear against you depends on who you killed.

Baumgartner, the professor of political science in North Carolina, was hired by attorneys for Kevin Johnson, who was sentenced to death in St. Louis County in 2007 and is scheduled to die later this year. They wanted him to research if race played a role in McCulloch’s pursuit of capital punishment.

Baumgartner and a group of law students analyzed every deatheligible criminal case filed in St. Louis County from 1990 to 2018.

He says they found a strong correlation between the identity of a victim and the intensity of charges brought by Mc ulloch’s o ce.

“Defendants in white-victim cases faced a significantly heightened risk of progressing to the next stage [of capital punishment prosecution], including ultimately receiving a death sentence,” Baumgartner wrote.

Welling says that, historically, murder victims being white strongly correlates with a death notice being put on their case. He adds that, all else being equal, a Black defendant is also more likely than a white defendant to face a capital case.

According to Baumgartner, that makes a case with a Black defendant and white victim “the bullseye for the death penalty,” especially if the victim is also female.

This paradigm holds true nationwide but was particularly pronounced in St. Louis County during McCulloch’s tenure, Baumgartner says. Baumgartner concludes that Mc ulloch’s o ce was “very, very much outside the norm.”

“Mc ulloch ualifies as one of the most active users of the death penalty,” he says.

“That case just doesn’t exist”

McCulloch is well aware of the idea that he treated cases differently based on the identity of the victim. It’s a notion he dismisses.

“Show me a similar case where the victim was Black and I didn’t ask for death,” he says. “And then we have something to talk about.

Activists Kayla Reed (left) and Michelle Higgins (right) fought to get Bob McCulloch removed from office in 2018. | DOYLE MURPHY / COURTESY MICHELLE HIGGINS But that case just doesn’t exist.”

Plenty of people would disagree.

No two cases are exactly the same, and there will always be differences. Given McCulloch’s impressive recall of his long career, no matter which cases you try to argue with him about, the debate is happening on his home turf.

McCulloch is also very aware of the perception that he treated Black and white defendants differently. He says being a villain comes with the job.

“There’s no question that you can’t do the job that I did for as long as I did it and not have some people think that you’re a terrible person.

You just can’t do it,” he says.

This is not to say that McCulloch doesn’t care what people think of him.

In 2014, a month after Michael Brown was killed, the Washington Post’s Wesley Lowery reported a story about McCulloch’s history, or lack thereof, of prosecuting police o cers. There was no easy way for the o ce to collect that data, as occupations of defendants aren’t recorded. But McCulloch tasked someone from his o ce to pick the brains of everyone on staff, which generated a list of 33 cases in which the office had convicted police o cers of everything from possession of a controlled substance to manslaughter to murder.

McCulloch’s list, and the long chain of emails back and forth with Lowery, became a few paragraphs in a story primarily about the then very hot debate surrounding Mc ulloch’s fitness for presenting evidence to the Darren Wilson grand jury. The article detailed that McCulloch had prosecuted police o cers for many things, but never for shooting and killing someone in the line of duty,

though he had presented evidence to grand juries on four such cases prior to Wilson’s.

It’s unlikely that those sentences, or the story as a whole for that matter, changed anyone’s mind about McCulloch. After 24 years in o ce, opinions of him were pretty well baked. Those who liked him liked him. Those who wanted him gone wanted him gone.

Still, McCulloch today is eager to make the case for himself. Like an attorney duty bound to provide his client the best representation he can, McCulloch keeps arguing for himself and his legacy. He cedes nothing. He’ll even meet for several hours with a reporter from a newspaper he says has printed lies about him in the past.

He only has two regrets from his 28 years as St. Louis County’s so-called top cop: that he wasn’t able to get better salaries for people on his staff and that he didn’t keep a journal.

“Bye, Bob”

Politically speaking, in the 2018 Democratic primary everything about McCulloch that had been an asset — his law enforcement background, his tough-on-crime bona fides, his decades of e perience — became a liability.

Kayla Reed, a political organizer integral to ousting McCulloch, says she and other activists crafted messages around the idea that no one should hold o ce for as long as McCulloch had.

“In 2018 I was 28, which means that Bob McCulloch had been in o ce my whole life,” she says.

In odney Brown’s first week organizing in 2018, he and his fellow activists knocked on 5,000 doors, with a focus on north county.

“The response was overwhelming,” he recalls. “People were like,

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‘Bob McCulloch locked me up, he locked my cousin up, he locked my dad up.’ There was definitely a feeling of, ‘We need to get this guy out of here.’”

“He had long been a villain to Black people,” says Reed. “I think we knew that, and we just needed to give each other permission to say that out loud.”

Brown says McCulloch had been in o ce for so long that many voters didn’t even realize he was in a position that he had to get reelected to.

Michelle Higgins, an activist and senior pastor at St. John’s UCC Church on North Grand, says that the killing of Michael Brown “led to lack of trust about every sort of sentence, from the death penalty to a marijuana conviction. Every aspect of the criminal legal system came under the microscope.”

In 2018, the forces seeking to remove Mc ulloch from o ce coalesced around a simple slogan: “Bye, Bob.” The death penalty was not a particularly salient issue in the race between McCulloch and Bell. It was just one of a number of things that the two candidates disagreed on. Bell called capital punishment “ineffective, racially biased, hypocritical and inhumane.” He also spoke publicly with two exonerees at the forums his supporters held after McCulloch didn’t respond to invitations to debate. (McCulloch and Bell did eventually debate two weeks before the election.)

Late in the race, McCulloch seemed to sense the desire for reform in the air. In an ad that survives on his campaign’s Twitter, McCulloch reiterates that he’s still tough on crime but adds that his office “leads the state” in programs to work with at-risk youth, veterans and people dealing with mentalhealth issues and addiction. The meager pivot was too little, too late.

As one of the oldest of the region’s old-guard Democrats, Mculloch being knocked from o ce was a foreshadowing of what was to come.

“It’s not by accident that he loses, then [Steve] Stenger’s indicted, [Francis] Slay doesn’t run,” Reed says. “Lacy Clay loses. There’s this old guard that was dethroned in real time. For us that was a reckoning moment that said, ‘If we can take out Bob McCulloch, we can change St. Louis.’” n The River City Journalism Fund, which seeks to support local journalism in St. Louis, provided financial support for this pro ect. ee rc f.org for more information.

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THURSDAY 11/10 Laughs, Midwest Style It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s … the Flyover Comedy Festival? St. Louis’ annual comedy “invasion” is back for a fifth year of standup comedy showcases improv workshops performances, sketch and storytelling shows, and more. The festival is an opportunity for local and national comedians to showcase their talents in the city of St. Louis. It will run from Thursday, ovember , to Saturday, ovember , at venues across the Grove, such as the Improv Shop and Urban Chestnut, as well as at the Stifel Theatre Market Street). The headliner, two-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress and writer Sarah Silverman, will take the stage at the Stifel on riday, ovember .

Most events are . or more information and tickets, visit flyovercomedyfest.com.

To the Death Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. A literary reading, a comedy act and a game show walk into the igh ow ashington Ave). The resulting event will be the first time that the internationally renowned Literary Death Match comes to St. Louis.

If you’re a literary type who loves a compelling, deeply human story filled with truth and beauty but wishes sometimes one of those truth-filled beautiful stories could fight another such deeply felt tale to the death — then Thursday’s happening is for you. Combatants include local literary heavyweights Gabe Montesanti v. Ron Austin and Deborah Taffa v. Angela amilton. The show starts at p.m., and tickets are preorder, at the door.

FRIDAY 11/11 Full Frontal ho says only men get to en oy the less classy things in life? In The Full Monty, a gaggle of ladies

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Act Two Theatre’s production of The Full Monty plays this week. | LORI BIEHL PHOTOGRAPHY hit the town for a night out and decide to catch a Chippendalesstyle show of male strippers. Little do they know that their menfolk are spying on them. Jealous and broke, those guys decide that not only can they do better than those strippers but that it might just be a great way to fill their pockets.

Based on the comedy movie of the same name, The Full Monty is a time Tony Award nominee that’s being put on locally by Act Two Theatre inside of the St. Peters ultural Arts entre St. eters Centre Boulevard, acttwotheatre. com . The show starts at p.m. with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee and runs through Sunday, November . Tickets are .

Global Connection You’ll hear a different sound each night at lub iva orth uclid Avenue, , clubvivastl.com . ednesdays are reggae night. Thursdays and Saturdays are Latin nights. And at the end of the week are Afrobeat Fridays. The night club, located in the entral est nd, scrunched in an alleyway be-

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tween two buildings on Euclid Avenue, is self-described as “your global connection.” And Club Viva is designed for dancing –– with plenty of space for people to twirl to the music on the basement level. But it doesn’t only offer music.

On evenings with reggae and Afrobeats, visitors can enjoy curry and jerk chicken by Teranga Grill, along with . ed Stripe beer and $9 Patron tequila. The club is open from p.m. to a.m., and cover is at the door.

SATURDAY 11/12 Cheese It Up This weekend, local area restaurants will duke it out for the best mac and cheese in St. Louis. The fifth annual RFT Mac & Cheese Throwdown returns to the Moto Museum, with more than popular St. Louis restaurants, including Salt Smoke, The ramophone and the Blue Duck competing.

Visitors won’t just have unlimited mac and cheese from a buffet. They can also vote for the best mac and cheese. ith an open bar

available to guests, the event is reserved for people and over.

The event lasts from a.m. to p.m. on Saturday. Tickets cost . art of the proceeds will go toward the River City Journalism Fund. For more information, visit rftmacncheese.com.

The Biggest Little Illustrator One of the most famous illustrators and authors in the world is having an exhibition at Green oor Art allery orth ore Avenue in ebster roves. St. Louis’ own Mary Engelbreit will be displaying some new work based off of the books and stories that were important to her as a child. In addition to being a celebrated artist for decades now, Engelbreit has spent recent years as a loud and proud activist, lending her illustration skills to messages in support of liberal causes and in defense of the safety of children. Engelbreit’s newest work is designed to recreate the cozy, safe feelings she felt when she was growing up. Also on display will

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 10-16 national pastime and love of the outdoors, through Sunday, December . The park is open a.m. to p.m. Admission is free.

TUESDAY 11/15 The Sounds of Australia

ping list, Craft Alliance has an item for them. The shop is open from a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices range from affordable to indulgent.

Two momentous St. Louis cultural institutions come together during St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Live at the Pulitzer, proving the old adage that two greats are better than the sum of their parts.

The collaboration brings adventurous chamber music from the th and st century, curated

by SLSO Creative Partner Tim Munro, to the Pulitzer Arts Foundation gallery ashington Avenue). Listening to the music in the rather intimate space is a wholly different experience than what can be achieved in Powell all. This month, attendees will hear music from Australia: Peter Sculthorpe’s “Alone,” Jon Rose and ollis Taylor’s “Mount Surprise” from Whistling in the Dark, Deborah Cheetham’s “Permit Me” and Thomas Meadowcroft’s “More Beautiful Discourse.” The concert begins at p.m. tickets are .

Seating is first come, first serve.

MONDAY 11/14 Batter Up

WEDNESDAY 11/16 Beat Your Meat

The artistry of the natural world and human-made sculpture collide in Jean Shin: Home Base at Laumeier Sculpture Park ott oad, , laumeiersculpturepark.org). The Laumeier 2022 visiting artist in residence’s work is all about “giving new form to life’s leftovers,” and uses familiar materials, such as fallen trees, and transforms them into pieces that focus on memory, desires and failure. In Home Base, she uses an ash tree stump as an alternative home plate in a reimagined installation of a baseball diamond, marking the bases with sculptures of Rawlings bats, sculptural seats or benches. You can catch the installation, which draws connections between our

e t ednesday, ec all ST (which is actually in St. Charles) hosts a bingo extravaganza that promises to be a “cut above the rest,” where players can cover their cards in the hopes of scoring some serious meat during Meat Bingo. That’s right. Not free drinks, not schwag that ends up thrown in a junk drawer but actual, bone-a-fide meat, courtesy of the longtime local butcher shop Valenti’s Market & Catering. ames start at and p.m. and are free to join with the $5 entry fee to ec all ST . uests must be at least years old to enter. n

The Mac & Cheese Throwdown will offer guests unlimited servings of the good stuff. | STEVE TRUESDELL be the original illustrations from her new book, The Littlest Night Before Christmas. Engelbreit’s artwork will be on display and for sale through the end of the year.

The exhibition runs from noon to 5 p.m., and admission is free.

More Than a Phase These days, we look back at our early 2000s Myspace pages and cringe at the angsty posts where we brooded about trivial issues that at the time felt so monumental and the tongue-out selfies. ow did we think the shaggy, emo bob hairstyle looked good? But whether you like it or not, you know that little emo version of yourself still lives inside you. And now it’s time to let it out. On Sunday, join a new venue, the awthorn, at p.m. for its Emo Night Tour dance party.

Jam to some of your former (or current) emo favorites: Taking Back Sunday, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Panic! At the Disco and more. The awthorn ash-

ington Avenue, hosted its grand opening on November , so this event is one of the first to be held in the newly renovated space on ashington Avenue. Tickets are available online and cost . Attendees must be or older (black nails not required).

SUNDAY 11/13 Best Gift Ever ven before alloween had graced our streets with a horde of sugarpowered ghouls, retailers had begun to set out holiday goods. e’re happy to skip the big-box shops for now but might be willing to step into a cool local one for some early season consumerism for Craft Alliance’s Holiday Shop Opening Weekend. The event, which runs throughout this weekend, offers a curated selection of artist-made work. Items include everything from plant embroidery to a ceramic bowl featuring a pattern of birds in flight to chunky, acetate ewelry.

No matter who is on your shop-

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Have an event you’d like considered for our calendar? Email calendar@riverfronttimes.com.

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A Universe of Flavor The reimagined Bistro La Floraison embodies the essential French experience in a Clayton storefront Written by

CHERYL BAEHR Bistro La Floraison 7637 Wydown Boulevard, Clayton; 314-7258880. Wed.-Thurs. 5-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 5-10 p.m.; Sun. 5-9 p.m. (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.)

T

he rench onion financiers served at Bistro a loraison are less a bite-si ed bar snack than a cosmic wonder. ike a supernova that concentrates the energy of a massive star into a black hole’s unimaginably small singularity, hef atrick allwell’s financiers distill a universe of flavor into a single bite. A cylindrical, savory almond flour cake, roughly the diameter of a uarter, has the spongy, pleasantly sticky te ture of cornbread. A dollop of luscious comte cheese, dri led with thyme oil, sits atop the cake the richness coats the tongue with mouth-watering earth and tang. ou want more but feel satisfied at the same time.

Such uintessential rench magic is the sort of thing you’d e pect from Bistro a loraison, even if the hands guiding it might not be the first to come to mind when you think of arisian lu ury. Owners Michael and Tara allina admit this themselves. hen the two came to St. ouis Michael’s hometown from ew ork, they left the venerated farm-to-table restaurant Blue ill at Stone Bars to open their debut restaurant, icia. They uickly established themselves as a leader in vegetable-forward fine dining where pesto is made from turnip greens and chicken-fried carrots offer plant-centric comfort. It’s delightful, innovative and important, but in many ways, it’s the sort of of-the-earth modern dining that feels like the antithesis to opulent rench dining.

The allinas recogni e this, which is why it is so e citing to see

A selection of Bistro La Floraison favorites includes fried chicken cordon bleu, Maine crab rillette toast, braised short ribs and more. | MABEL SUEN

Quintessential French magic permeates the former Bar Les Freres space.

Chef Patrick Fallwell and General Manager Christine Schlicht run the show. | MABEL SUEN them break past those parameters at Bistro a loraison. As Tara e plains, she and Michael may have become more associated with vegetable-forward cuisine over the years, but they both came to that world by way of a passion for classical rench cooking. A culinary school graduate and frontof-house pro, Tara recalls cooking through ulia hild’s repertoire as the spark that lit her passion for

dining in the first place and how the romance of mastering classic rench techni ues animated both her and Michael’s development as cooks.

It was something they’d often dreamed of e ploring with a restaurant of their own, so when the opportunity came to take over restaurateur oe obinson’s shuttered bistro, Bar es reres, they did not hesitate even if they

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knew the responsibility that came with such a move. ike obinson herself, Bar es reres was a beloved part of the area’s dining scene when obinson closed it during the pandemic, patrons lamented its loss and eagerly awaited its return. obinson was not enthusiastic about resuming her life as a restaurateur after decades in the business, she was ready to pass the torch on to someone else and recogni ed in the allinas the perfect balance of stewards and innovators who would honor the space’s legacy while making it their own. ith her blessing, the allinas took it over in March, breathing new life into an iconic spot. art of that consisted of an aesthetic makeover, which to many

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HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS MONDAY-FRIDAY 11AM-4PM

WEDNESDAY, 11/9/22

SEAN CANAN’S VOODOO PLAYERS PRESENTS: VOODOO WEEN! 9PM

MONDAY, 11/14/22

SOULARD BLUES BAND 9PM

FRIDAY, 11/11/22

LEAH OSBORNE 5PM FREE SHOW! ERIC LYSAGHT 9PM FREE SHOW!

SATURDAY, 11/12/22

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FREE SHOW!

THURSDAY, 11/10/22

ALL ROOSTERED UP 12PM FREE SHOW! CLUSTERPLUCK WSG FLEETWOOD & FAMILY: PLUCKIN’ TO FEED 10PM

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FREE SHOW!

PIERCE CRASK 4PM FREE SHOW! THE BUTTERY BISCUIT BAND 9PM THE HAMILTON BAND 10PM

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SUNDAY, 11/13/22

JD HUGHES 2PM DREW LANCE 9PM

TUESDAY, 11/15/22

ORDER ONLINE FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP!

PM

:30 MONDAY-SATURDAY 11AM-9 SUNDAY 11AM-8:30PM

BISTRO LA FLORAISON Continued from pg 23

might be the most controversial part of the ownership change.

There’s no question Bar Les Freres had a striking point of view — one that was the embodiment of luxury, adorned with red paint, antlers, chandeliers and a vibe that Robinson once described as the sort of place she’d hoped people would get so turned on by, they’d go home and have great sex. If you go in expecting that from Bistro La Floraison, you might be stunned by the transformation. If, however, you are open to the Gallinas’ gorgeous interpretation of a classic French bar and restaurant, you will be delighted by its lovely — albeit different — aesthetic.

Walls are a soft cream with just a hint of rosy undertones. Blush-colored velvet banquettes and burnt sienna drapes create a sumptuous scene, while vintage crystal chandeliers, gilded mirrors and round marble-topped bistro tables evoke 1920s Paris. It’s not overtly sultry, but there is a lovely sensuality about the place, and if you look closely, you’ll see antlers behind the bar.

If the Gallinas have created a classical French scene in terms of decor, they have equally nailed that motif with the menu. With the help of Michael Gallina and Aaron Martinez (the restaurant group’s culinary director), Chef Fallwell has created a lovely offering of dishes that exemplify the beauty of traditional French cuisine. Gougères, or cloud-like pastry poufs, are served alongside a bowl of luxurious molten Gruyère for dipping. The cheese is deeply satisfying but so tangy, it makes the sides of your tongue tingle.

Caviar, too, embodies quintessential arisian lu ury. ere, rich fish eggs are placed atop a fluffy potato wa e and accented with silken crème fraîche and chives. It’s sexy without being pornographic.

Fallwell’s Maine crab rillette toast features a spreadable crab salad that is artfully piped over rustic porridge bread. The shellfish’s lovely sea flavor is cut by dill and cucumbers while a light sprinkle of Aleppo peppers lights up the tip of the tongue. A duck liver tart balances the richness of stunning duck mousse with a bright Madeira glaze. Fallwell smartly pairs the tart with a simple greens, endive and radish salad that refreshes the palate after such decadent bites.

An off-the-menu special paired a simple Gruyère cream sauce

The Gallina’s have changed up the aesthetic of the dining area, which now features soft cream walls. | MABEL SUEN

Bistro La Floraison serves a variety of cocktails. | MABEL SUEN pasta with an outrageous portion of paper-thin shaved black tru es. The fungus blanketed the entire bowl in a profoundly earthy flavor, but a hint of sherry in the cheese sauce gave the dish lift. Just looking at the pasta made me feel naughty; eating it made me want a cigarette.

Main courses offered the sort of warm comfort you crave going into colder weather. Chicken cordon bleu is perfection of the form: a massive, airline chicken breast filled with bacon that, when cut, oozes Gruyère cheese that pools

on the plate like a haute gravy.

This richness is countered by the chicken’s crunchy breadcrumb coating and pleasantly pungent grain mustard sauce. Another entree, braised short ribs, are so fork-tender you could spread them on a gougère. Here, Fallwell pairs the slow-cooked beef with rich bordelaise sauce and a stunning shallot marmalade that is both pungent and sweet. Pomme puree the texture of velvet is the chef’s kiss of the plate.

Bistro La Floraison equally excels with its two desserts, a creamy

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Basque cheesecake with a caramelized top. Apple compote and sable crumble add to the decadence.

Pain perdu is also lovely; the rustic cake has a lovely nutty flavor that is enhanced by an almost savory caramel sauce. Topped with Clementine’s vanilla ice cream, it’s a delightful choice for those who crave the sort of sweet that doesn’t hit you over the head.

As outstanding as the food is at Bistro La Floraison, the experience would not be what it is without the supremely talented Kara Flaherty and Patricia Wamhoff, beverage director for the Gallinas’ hospitality group and the restaurant’s sommelier, respectively. These brilliant women guide their guests through a French-focused wine program like concierges, sharing their knowledge with easy confidence that gives guests an enhanced experience thanks to their expertise. Their presence on the floor creates an integrated wine and food experience, which is perhaps the most truly French thing about this wonderful restaurant. it’s only natural that a team that can distill intense flavor in a onebite snack, would be able to capture the quintessential French experience in a Clayton storefront. n

Bistro La Floraison French onion financiers............................ $12 Maine crab rillette toast .......................... $22 Fried chicken cordon bleu ........................ $38

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SHORT ORDERS

The restaurant, and it’s new dining room, will open up in the spring of 2023. | COURTESY OF REVEL ARCHITECTS

[FOOD NEWS]

Royal Succession King & I is moving to Richmond Heights next spring Written by

CHERYL BAEHR

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ajor changes are underway for one of St. Louis’ most beloved restaurants: King & I (3155 South Grand Avenue, 314-771-1777) is leaving its home on South Grand Boulevard and moving to Richmond Heights. The restaurant anticipates that it will open in its new storefront sometime in the spring of 2023.

“There have been a couple of threads to me and my family’s thinking,” says Shayn Prapaisilp, who owns King & I with his family. “To be open as long as we have is just incredible, but there are two big things that influenced our decision. The first is the success of Chao Baan, which is close to

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King & I. Also, the pandemic has been a challenging time for restaurants, and we have been thinking through our business model to make sense for how people dine in 2022.”

Prapaisilp’s parents, Suchin and Sue, opened King & I at the intersection of South Grand Boulevard and Humphrey Street in 1983 — a time well before Thai cuisine had made its way into the mainstream of the U.S. dining scene. It became a runaway success, and the family eventually moved it to its current home a couple of blocks north where it has continued to set the standard for Thai dining in the area for the last three decades.

During that time, the Prapaisilps have opened other concepts, including Chao Baan and the international grocery stores United Provisions and Global Foods; they have also witnessed many changes in the way people eat. Palates have expanded as diners have become more willing to try new things, and regional Thai cuisine — which they explore at their Grove restaurant, Chao Baan — has become increasingly popular in the area. However, one of the biggest changes they have seen over the last two years centers around the way people eat. Prior to the pandemic, the restaurant was filled with guests looking for

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a more formal, sit-down experience; now, people are clamoring for takeout and delivery.

“King & I used to be all servers wearing tuxedos,” Prapaisilp says.

“Back then, Thai food was a special occasion for folks, and now they come in two, three and four times a week, so we are obviously more casual. However, the current King & I manifestation is one of the 1990s with a big upstairs area; the restaurant is just large.

We think we can still deliver the same great service and food but with a smaller footprint.”

The new King & I will be located at 8039 Dale Avenue, in Richmond Heights in the former Blaze Pizza storefront. The Prapaisilp family is working with St. Louis architect Jay Reeves of Revel Architects to build out a 3,100-square-foot restaurant that will feel refreshed and modern. Though carry-out will be a focus, Prapaisilp emphasizes that the new King & I will still be a full-service establishment with the same food that guests have come to love and expect over its nearly 40 years in business.

Prapaisilp and his family are excited by the opportunities that the new restaurant will provide.

Though they will be keeping the menu mostly the same, they are eager to add different dishes and play around with items that they

hope will become new favorites.

“This brand-new kitchen space gives us the opportunity to introduce a few new things that we hope will become flagship dishes,” Prapaisilp says. “People are now more interested than they used to be in trying new dishes, so we are excited to be able to refresh ourselves.”

Though Prapaisilp cannot promise an exact opening date, he and his family are aiming to welcome guests into their new location sometime this coming spring. In the meantime, the current King & I will remain open, though its hours have changed. The restaurant is now open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:40 until 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and from 4:30 until 9 p.m., and on Sundays from noon until 3 p.m. and 4:30 until 8 p.m.

“South Grand is a part of my family’s history; I live in the neighborhood, and my extended family still owns businesses, like Jay International [Food Co.] in the neighborhood,” Prapaisilp says. “We’ve been happy to be a part of that history. Now with the old guard retiring, it gives opportunity for new people to come in and put their mark on it. It’s always been an iconic street, and I think there are good things to come.” n

[FOOD NEWS]

Pizza But It’s Keto Move over, cauliflower: Chickencrust pizza is the new low-carb darling Written by

JESSICA ROGEN

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hen you hear the words “chicken-crust pizza,” what comes to mind?

Is it a comparison with the muchmaligned but probably delicious KFC Double Down, which featured toppings between two “slices” of fried chicken?

Is it Taco Bell’s Naked Chicken Chalupa, starring a poultry shell? Or is your noggin completely blank because the idea of a pizza where the crust is made of chicken is too downright wild to picture?

But what if that chicken-crust pizza wasn’t strange at all? What if, in fact, it was fairly indistinguishable from any other grocery store pizza?

“You can just put the toppings straight on it and then put in the oven for eight

very joyful experience when you’re to 10 minutes, and it’s perfectly eating, and at the same time, have made pizza and tastes just like a it be healthy for you.” thin-crust pizza,” Omar Atia says.

ZeroCarb LYFE, which is based “When you bite into it, it crunches in Indiana, came to life as a colthe same as a thin-crust pizza. It laboration between Atia, a chemijust tastes incredible.” cal engineer who had worked at Atia is the CEO and cofounder companies such as Kraft Foods, of ZeroCarb LYFE, the maker of ConAgra Foods and Dean Foods, said chicken-crust pizza, which and Chief Creative Officer Mohas been in 80 Schnucks locahamed Aly, who had discovered tions since October. the Keto diet as a way to manage The company makes ready-tohis diabetes. He’d had the idea cook frozen pizzas (sausage, Bufof the chicken crust as a way to falo chicken) and crusts, which still be able to enjoy pizza, but can also be used as wraps. The he needed someone to help him crusts are all made from the same make things work. four ingredients: chicken breast, The two launched the company olive oil, salt and spices. They’re in early 2020, developing a dual intended to be healthy, low-carb alternatives to pizza made from ZeroCarb LYFE’s chicken-crust pizza is made from four ingredients: business that is both direct-to-conwheat flour. chicken, olive oil, salt and spices. | COURTESY ZEROCARB LYFE sumer and sells to restaurants.

Then, in April of this year, the Despite the simplicity of the company entered the retail space, ingredients, Atia says the pizzas don’t taste like chicken. To make them, still has that healthy element. “[The com- eventually finding its way to Schnucks.

To have that much growth in such a he says the company removes the water pany is] really about changing people’s from white chicken, and because of the lives when it comes to food and the joy short period of time feels amazing, Atia meat’s low fat content, it doesn’t taste that can come from it,” he says. “I don’t says. But he has no plans to rest on his like much. Not a great look for chicken believe that we should eliminate people laurels, mentioning some chicken-based feeling happy and joy when they’re eating chips that will launch early next year. but good for chicken-based pizza.

“The best is definitely yet to come,” The resulting product crisps well in alone, or when they’re eating together, the oven and tastes even more savory and that’s really what our goal is at Ze- he says. “There’s just going to be some than flour-based crusts. Atia says it roCarb LYFE. We have this vision that you incredible growth that we also see in the n tastes better than cauliflower crust but can still have a very, very fun experience, near future.”

[FOOD NEWS]

Chip Off the Ol’ Block BEAST Butcher & Block launches new burger menu Written by

CHERYL BAEHR

A

s if there weren’t already 100 different delicious reasons to go to BEAST Butcher & Block (4156 Manchester Avenue, 314-944-6003) in the Grove, pitmaster and restaurateur David Sandusky is upping the ante with some new menu offerings. Last week, Sandusky and his team introduced Butcher’s Burgers, a new line of butchery-influenced sandwiches that will make the restaurant a must-visit destination for area burger lovers.

“We’re focused on bringing the butcher shop to the menu as much as possible,” Sandusky says. “We’ve found that one of the best ways to do that is to create a burger menu that consists of a lot of the different flavors you might not get at other places. We’re not just focused

The Boudin Burger is one of the new Butcher’s Burgers now available at BEAST Butcher & Block. | COURTESY DAVID SANDUSKY on building a better cheeseburger; we’re focused on building better patties before you even add anything.”

Since opening the hybrid restaurant, whole-animal butcher shop and live-fire demo space in 2019, Sandusky has taken advantage of the opportunities each

side of the business provides to the other by doing such collaborative things as incorporating elements of his barbecue operations into the butchery and using meat cut in-house for his barbecue. The burgers represent the latest way the multifaceted operation results in a unique guest experi-

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ence, and Sandusky is confident that the Butcher’s Burgers will offer something that diners cannot get elsewhere.

“These are really correlated to the sausages and things we are making in the butcher shop,” Sandusky explains.

“Taking what we do well in the butcher shop and doing it as a burger menu, that makes sense.”

Diners can expect a variety of different Butcher’s Burgers, including a boudin burger, made from a half-pound boudin patty that is topped with andouille bacon, pimento cheese and remoulade. Another offering, the Wurst, evokes the butchery’s popular bratwurst, consisting of two seasoned pork patties, Swiss cheese, candied bacon jam, deli mustard and pickled red onion.

In addition to the in-house collaboration, Sandusky is excited to team up with other area chefs on Butcher’s Burger creations.

Up first is a bulgogi burger, made in partnership with Tiny Chef’s Melanie Meyer, that pairs her Korean barbecue marinade and smashed beef patties with a fried egg and kimchi on a brioche-style bun.

“We’re excited to bring things to the menu that are foundationally more flavorful,” Sandusky says. “We want to be thought of as the burger destination in the area.” n

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[FOOD NEWS]

Box Score Albert Pujols’ new cereal is very mid Written by

ROSALIND EARLY

A

lbert u ols played his final season of baseball this year and finished out his career in a St. ouis ardinals ersey, the same one he started in. onors have poured in for the slugger, including the Musial Awards giving u ols its highest honor a ifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship.

But before that, he has gotten something some may argue is a little bit better his own cereal.

That’s right, u ols is getting the heaties treatment. The bo of the breakfast bounty known as u ols runch features images of a smiling u ols and a u ols at bat in Busch III superimposed ne t to each other, a la those cool s senior portraits . One thing it notably doesn’t feature is anything ardinals related. learly, the cereal’s manufacturers did not want to run afoul of the M B. So lamentably, u ols is not in anything resembling a ardinals ersey and instead wears a nondescript black-and-white uniform. But in case you think the idea is to sell the cereal in os Angeles, where St. ouis’ prodigal son briefly and forgettably played with the Angels and

[FIRST LOOK]

Fresh as Hell Koibito Poke brings healthful seafood bowls to Des Peres Written by

CHERYL BAEHR

T

hanks to a beloved local sports figure, St. ouis has a new destination for fresh seafood oibito oke, a fastcasual poke-bowl destination from former St. ouis ardinals pitcher Todd Stottlemyre, opened September in es eres.

This is the first oibito oke in the St. ouis area, though a sec-

The back of the box features a baseball-themed word search. | ROSALIND EARLY the odgers, u ols is thankfully wearing his o. which he didn’t wear when he left , and there’s a huge Arch in the background.

The cereal, which is only availond location is slated to open ne t spring in Ballpark illage. or Stottlemyre, who founded the brand in Ari ona in , the move to St. ouis felt natural because of his connections with the city thanks to his time here as a ardinals relief pitcher from to .

“St. ouis is important to me for a lot of reasons,” Stottlemyre told the Riverfront Times in an interview when he first announced the opening earlier this spring. “I loved playing there it was my favorite place to play. I was a bluecollar player, and they cheered me when I was playing well, and they also stuck by me when I was not playing well. eople treated me incredibly well.”

Stottlemyre founded oibito oke in Ari ona four years ago for reasons that go far beyond his passion for fresh fish. As a

able at Schnucks, benefits the uols amily oundation. e went to Schnucks the morning the cereal launched to pick up the honey-nut-toasted-oats con-

coction and found that it was not on shelves, but there were some in the back. An in uiry with an employee got us the goods.

The cereal set us back . with ta , which seems on par with other brand-name cereals. ull disclosure e have not bought cereal in a while.

As a service to you collectors out there, we went ahead and tasted the stuff so you could keep yours in pristine condition. Though we don’t recommend letting cereal moulder in a bo for years, if you are buying this specifically to pricegouge on eBay after Schnucks inevitably runs out because you purchased bo es, then don’t bother holding a bo back to give the cereal a try. It is very mid.

That is not to say it’s bad. In fact, one taste-tester asked if the cereal was legal because it tastes e actly like oney ut heerios with a more satisfying crunch . But for one thing, noticeably absent is any connection to u ols inside the bo . In addition to there being no pri e again, we haven’t bought cereal in decades, when did they remove the pri es there’s not a single thrown in with all those ’s as a nod to his entrance to the home-run club seriously, that seems like a no-brainer .

It’s also a little unsettling to munch on a foodstuff that is shaped like a tight little “o” and sports the specific phonetics that accompany the word “ u ols.” But maybe we’re ust being anal.

Still, out of all the cereal options pandering to you by putting your favorite athlete on the bo , this is definitely a better choice than heaties. ongratulations, Al n

Koibito Poke is now open in Des Peres. | SARAH LOVETT professional athlete, he’d always been aware of the importance of health and nutrition, seeing food

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as both something to be en oyed and fuel that would allow him to

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KOIBITO POKE Continued from pg 31

perform at his very best. However, just how important it was became clear to him after his father was diagnosed with cancer about 10 years ago. As he watched his dad battle his own health issues, Stottlemyre began to think of his own children and how important it was to take care of himself for them.

“I was in a place where I did not want to take my health for granted and wake up one day with bad news,” Stottlemyre said. “Not that it’s not going to happen, but I want to do my part to live as long as I can, not for me, but for my kids.

I want to see them go to school and get married and be around to have grandkids. I can’t do that if I don’t take care of my health.”

For Stottlemyre, fresh seafood was a cornerstone of healthful living, and as he began to explore business opportunities, his interest piqued when he was presented with a chance to bring this style of eating to a larger audience.

“I’d been approached during my baseball and post-baseball career about a number of different concepts, but, without know-

The Koibito Poke bowl is one of the many offerings now available at the first St. Louis area Koibito Poke. | SARAH LOVETT ing anything about the industry, I’d always said no,” Stottlemyre said. “I’d heard horror stories of other athletes getting involved in restaurants, so I’d always stayed away. However, when my business partner asked me to go with him for lunch, and I saw it was a poke concept, it just matched perfectly with where I am in my life — and it’s my favorite food.”

Modeled after the other Koibito Poke locations in Arizona, Las Vegas, and Charlotte, North Carolina, the new Des Peres restaurant features a fast-casual format that allows guests to build their own customizable bowls from a variety of proteins, toppings and housemade sauces. Guests start with a base of white or brown rice, cauliflower rice, or mi ed greens.

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Then they choose from several different proteins including raw salmon, yellowtail, tuna, octopus, spicy crab, tofu and grilled chicken. Accoutrements include everything from pineapple to edamame to shaved Brussels sprouts; guests can opt for condiments ranging from sweet to savory to spicy, such as sweet chili lime sauce, wasabi aioli and champagne butter.

Though patrons can choose their bowls to-go, the dining room at Koibito Poke offers a bright, sunny setting. Cerulean-colored floors evoke an ocean vibe, and the space is brightened by red accents, such as leather chairs and a heart-shaped mural that reads “Reel Food. Real People.”

In addition to bringing healthful food options to diners on the go, Stottlemyre is equally proud of Koibito Poke’s philanthropic work. Through its charitable arm, Koibito Cares, the restaurant group contributes to a variety of efforts, most recently by providing meals to school students who lost school-provided meals during the pandemic.

“We want to do good by doing good,” Stottlemyre says. “We’re not here to take but to give and serve. That is the single most important thing to me.” n

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REEFERFRONT TIMES [ W E E D L AW S ]

Crackpot Scheme Rescheduling cannabis would be a big mistake, activists say Written by

STEVE NEAVLING

P

resident Joe Biden’s announcement last month that he would pardon people convicted of simple cannabis possession at the federal level overshadowed an even more promising remark he made about the future of the drug.

The 79-year-old president, who as a congressman previously authored some of the most stringent drug bills, directed an administrative review of federal cannabis scheduling, a move that could dramatically reshape national policy and ultimately make way for legalization.

Biden called on the secretary of Health and Human Services and the attorney general to “expeditiously” review the classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 narcotic with no accepted medical use. Currently, it’s considered on par with heroin and LSD in the eyes of the federal government.

“We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin — and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense,” Biden tweeted on October 6.

“To me, it potentially opens the door for more careful, deep, thoughtful conversations with all of the constituents at the table to discuss all the harms with marijuana’s illegality,” says Robert A. Hendricks, a cannabis law expert and former chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Cannabis Law Section. “Maybe sensible people will say, ‘Let’s leave it up to the states and deschedule.’ We need to keep the conversation on this.”

But advocates emphasize that the answer is not simply reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule 2 or 3 narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act, or CSA. While it would open the door for

President Joe Biden called for a review of the Schedule 1 classification of cannabis. | BOB DORAN more research, cannabis would still be illegal for recreational use and fall under the purview of U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, which could jeopardize stateregulated marijuana markets.

Current Schedule 2 drugs include cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine. Schedule 3 drugs include ketamine and anabolic steroids.

“Medical-marijuana communities could be significantly affected by [Schedule 2],” Hendricks said.

“There is absolutely a big risk if it’s still scheduled.”

A day after Biden issued a mass pardon, the Congressional Research Service released a report on the scheduling of cannabis.

“If marijuana remains a controlled substance under the CSA under any schedule, that would maintain the e isting conflict between the federal government and states that have legalized recreational marijuana, though moving marijuana to a less restrictive schedule could help mitigate conflicts between federal law and state medical-marijuana laws,” the report states. “The creation of a new schedule solely for marijuana would give Congress an opportunity to modify the criminality of marijuana under the CSA.” Advocates point out that roughly two-thirds of Americans support the legalization of cannabis.

Another 72 percent support removing cannabis from its Schedule classification, according to a recent USA Today/Ipsos poll.

“If we leave marijuana on the controlled substances list, we

While it would open the door for more research, cannabis would still be illegal for recreational use and fall under the purview of FDA regulations, which could jeopardize state-regulated marijuana markets. could never get over the hurdle of allowing the recreational use of marijuana in the United States,” Hendricks says. “Changing the scheduling of marijuana doesn’t change the framework for adult use. All of these states that have taken action ... to create a framework for the regulation of marijuana, all of those probably go out of the window [if marijuana is classified as Schedule ].”

Biden’s directive isn’t the only way to remove cannabis from Schedule 1. Congress also has the authority to deschedule cannabis.

The U.S. House passed the Mari-

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juana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act for a second time in April. The bill would end federal prohibition by descheduling cannabis, among other things.

The bill has stalled in the Senate, where it doesn’t yet appear to have enough support.

“Getting Congress to focus on rescheduling is no simple task,” Hendricks says. “If the president is willing to say publicly that this doesn’t make sense and we should look at this, it’s an invitation for Congress to look at it more seriously. And maybe, just maybe we can get some substantial changes.”

Although recreational cannabis is legal in 19 states, it remains illegal on the federal level. As a result, cannabis businesses are severely restricted in what they can do.

As it stands, cannabis businesses don’t have access to traditional banking services like checking accounts and loans, and they can’t deduct normal business expenses such as rent and payroll.

“Descheduling cannabis would be a significant benefit to the commercial cannabis industry,” Barton Morris, principal attorney of the Cannabis Legal Group in Royal Oak, Michigan, says. “It would eliminate the unfair tax treatment. The tax penalties are significant. It really stymies the growth of the industry.”

By removing the penalties, Morris says, “You are talking about the potential for explosive growth.”

To encourage a more diverse industry, Morris says it’s vital for prospective business owners to have access to loans.

“In any other industry, you are able to go to a bank and get a loan and start your business,” Morris says. “With cannabis, you can’t do that.”

For now, cannabis activists say Biden’s directive is an important first step.

“What gives me a degree of happiness about this is that we are not refusing to have these conversations,” Hendricks says. “The fact that the president put this out there in the public encourages me that we as a people are consenting to thinking about and looking at this substance in a different way.” n This article originally appeared in our sister paper the Detroit Metro Times.

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CULTURE

[MOOLAH]

[TEXTILES]

Big Money

Chintz ‘Changed the World’

St. Louis City grants $10.6 million in ARPA funds to the Regional Arts Commission Written by

JESSICA ROGEN

A

rts organizations and artists in St. Louis city are about to get a big infusion of cash.

Last week, Mayor Tishaura Jones announced that the City of St. Louis would allocate $10.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis through the passage of Board Bill 66. The funds, which are the third highest distribution of ARPA monies to the arts in the country, are intended to help the St. Louis arts and culture sector rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Art brings more than just pride to St. ouis,” ones said at an event held outside the Luminary last Tuesday. “It generates economic opportunities for residents across our city. The arts generates more economic activity throughout our region than all of our sports venues combined.

It creates thousands of jobs and supports hundreds of independent business owners. Shuttering theaters and closing our galleries, the COVID-19 pandemic brought economic devastation to industries across the country, especially the arts.”

The ARPA money will be dispersed in 2023 and 2024, with RAC President and CEO Vanessa Cooksey saying that it plans to use 80 percent in 2023. Due to ARPA restrictions, the funds will go to artists and organizations located in St. Louis city.

Funds can be used for revenue replacement and to lessen negative economic impact, such as new projects from artists and arts organizations. Cooksey also mentioned beautification such as murals and statues in the community.

RAC will also conduct its normal, annual grants process for artists and organizations throughout the

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RAC President and CEO Vanessa Cooksey announces the ARPA distribution.| JESSICA ROGEN

“The arts generates more economic activity throughout our region than all of our sports venues combined,” Mayor Jones said. “It creates thousands of jobs.” greater St. Louis region.

Allocating millions of dollars to the arts makes sense, both Cooksey and Jones asserted.

“The arts generate $600 million in economic activity, 19,000 obs,” ooksey said. obs and economic well-being reduce poverty, “which in turn leads to reduced crime,” ones said.

RAC, which exists to invest in the greater St. Louis area arts, draws 98 percent of its funds from a portion of the St. Louis hotel/motel tax. In 2019, the organization had its highest revenue year in history in the wake of the Blues’ Stanley Cup win. But the pandemic brought a devastating loss of revenue, and RAC went from an approximate budget of $7 million in 2019 to approximately $3 million in 2020 and $4 million in 2021.

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Cooksey said she hopes to see $5 million in 2022 and anticipates a long-term rebound. Individual arts organizations, she added, faced similar revenue losses, and as temporary sources of income, such as those from the Paycheck Protection Program, dry up, the problem will continue.

So earlier this year, as Cooksey and others were putting their heads together about lost revenue, several grantees approached them and proposed advocating for RAC to be a candidate for ARPA funds.

Together, they decided to approach both the city and the county for a 5 percent ask in October, then got to work advocating.

Ninth Ward Alderman Dan Guenther put together Board Bill 66 with cosponsors 19th Ward Alderwoman Marlene Davis and 26th Ward Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard. Jones signed the bill last week.

“For the last 20 years, I’ve been a neighbor down here and kind of one of the people in the community that has seen exactly what the arts can do to transform a neighborhood and transform our business corridor in St. ouis,” Guenther said.

St. Louis County Councilwoman Lisa Clancy put forward a similar effort in the county for $1.6 million, which failed to pass last month. Since no ARPA funds have been designated from the county, RAC will not disperse funds to artists or arts organizations there.

In the coming days and weeks, RAC will have information on the ARPA funds on its website.

“I’m beyond e cited,” ooksey said. “This is historic for us.” n

Saint Louis Art Museum exhibit Global Threads traces how the Indian fabric transformed fashion, industry and global trade Written by

KASEY NOSS

T

he lights at the Saint Louis Art Museum’s (1 Fine Arts Drive, 314-721-0072, slam. org) latest exhibition are dimmed to protect the ornate vestments and tapestries that reside there — the fabrics, centuries old, are highly sensitive to light.

Yet not even low lighting and the passage of centuries could keep the warm reds and deep blues of the textiles on display from popping. Indian chintz was made to last, and it’s done just that.

The exhibition Global Threads: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz, tells the story of Indian chintz, a fabric as revolutionary as it is beautiful. From the 17th century onward, this cotton textile, which Indian artisans spent centuries perfecting, dominated the global textile scene. Coveted for its brilliant colors and intricate designs, chintz transformed fashion, industry and global trade and was sought everywhere from East Asia to Egypt to Great Britain.

“The most exciting thing about this exhibition is that it really tells the story of a cloth that truly changed the world. This is technologically advanced, visually creative, and that really helps shape our kind of modern understanding of global trade and fashion today,” says enevieve Cortinovis, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation assistant curator of decorative arts and design and co-curator of the exhibition’s presentation in St. Louis.

There are a few criteria for a

textile to be considered chintz: It must be cotton, the designs must be hand painted without the use of machinery, and the dyes generally made from substances taken from the natural world, such as blue from indigo or red from madder. Chintz can take on a myriad of forms, from ornate tapestries and vestments in Iran to protective pouches for porcelain tea sets in Japan. The designs are equally as open to interpretation, ranging from historical and religious narratives to purely decorative patterns.

“The designs can be geometric; they can be floral they can be narrative they can be figural,” says Philip Hu, curator of Asian art and co-curator of the exhibition.

“There’s no one look to chint .”

While remarkable in its beauty, what really made chintz singular on the global textile stage was the complex methods of producing dyes and mordants, or binding agents, that went into its production. This innovation by Indian artisans let them design elaborate fabrics in an array of uniquely fade-resistant colors.

“Imagine if all the clothes that you’re wearing could never be washed, and if you did, all the colors would come off immediately,” Hu says. “I mean, you would be quite upset, right? So when the Indians discovered this method of making textiles, where you could have bright and beautiful designs, but they would not wash away, and they would be colorfast, it really became a kind of revolution in the te tile world.”

Though visually stimulating, Global Threads is as interested in exploring the history of chintz as it is the aesthetic of it. Each gallery within the exhibition tells a piece of this story. The first room serves as an introduction to chintz, while subsequent rooms illuminate the way Indian artisans were able to adapt their creations to fit the desires of foreign markets, including Iran, Indonesia and France.

One gallery, titled “Cotton and the onse uences of esire,” highlights the way chintz catalyzed the industrial revolution and intensified cotton production in the United States.

The exhibition also features an audio-visual component spotlighting contemporary Indian chintz artists who continue to advance the art form not only to keep its

“The designs can be geometric; they can be floral; they can be narrative; they can be figural.

There’s no one look to chintz.”

Sari depicting Ramayana scene by M. Kailasham, 2018. | ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM / PAUL EEKHOFF

Textile depicting Ramayana scene, ca. 1880. | ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM / BRIAN BOYLE

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beauty alive but to draw attention to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices in the age of fast fashion.

“Chintz is alive and well today in India,” u says. “There are not too many people making it, but the people that do now have very important concerns about sustainability and responsibility to the environment. They realize that if they continue to only use natural dyes, that will have a much less debilitating effect on the environment as opposed to other printers and designers who use chemical dyes and other artificial elements.”

The exhibition concludes with a display of modern Indian chintz, including that of an artist featured in the aforementioned audio-visual component.

“We wanted to end the show with this sort of modern take on Indian chintz and to again emphasize the great variety that there is in this te tile design,” u says.

Global Threads is produced and circulated by the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada.

While select pieces are from the Saint Louis Art Museum’s collection, including a chintz-inspired Japanese dish and a 19th-century American quilt with a chintz design, most of the fabrics on display are courtesy of the Royal Ontario Museum.

“We’re just really lucky to have that material here,” ortinovis says. n Check out Global Threads now through Sunday, January 8, 2023.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and $6 for children ages 6 to 12. The exhibition is free on Fridays and anytime for museum members.

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MUSIC

Top Heavy St. Louis’ own Summoning the Lich promises an evening of “brutal, pulverizing death metal” at Pop’s next Saturday Written by

DAVID VON NORDHEIM

A

fter spending much of the year on a national tour, St. Louis death metal band Summoning the Lich will return to its hometown this weekend for a special headlining event.

This Saturday, November 12, Pop’s will play host to the popular local band’s big homecoming alongside a slate of supporting acts from St. Louis and beyond. The show’s four openers were personally selected by members of the headlining act, who intend for the event to function as a showcase for some of their favorite local and regional metal bands.

The four-piece Summoning the Lich, founded in 2016, consists of veterans of the greater St. Louis region’s robust metal and hardcore scenes: vocalist and lyricist David Bruno, guitarist Ryan Felps, John Flynn on bass and T.J. Chilton on drums.

“When we make a show, especially when we’re in charge of the lineup, we want it to be all killer, no filler,” Bruno assures the RFT. Summoning the Lich is currently signed to Prosthetic Records, an extreme metal label founded in Los Angeles in 1998 that has served as a launchpad for many internationally renowned metal acts, including Lamb of God, Gojira and Animals as Leaders, all of whom released early material through Prosthetic. Summoning the Lich released its debut album United in Chaos in February 2021, and its members are preparing to record the second album in a three-record deal with the label.

The band has been frequently compared to the Black Dahlia Murder, one of the most prominent melodic death metal acts in the United States and a primary influence on Summoning the ich.

The show at Pop’s will mark the second time the band has played

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The show at Pop’s will be a homecoming for the popular death metal band. | DANNY TILSON in St. Louis this year. The group recently returned from a national tour supporting Allegaeon, a technical death metal band based in Denver. Saturday will mark Summoning the ich’s final live performance for the next several months, as the band’s members prepare to sequester themselves in the studio to work on their forthcoming album. They will be playing most of the material from United in Chaos at the upcoming show, with Bruno hinting that they might debut some new material as well.

Polterguts, another local deathcore band with a considerable following, will be one of the opening acts at next week’s show. Summoning the Lich and Polterguts have played many shows together locally and nationally, with members of both groups occasionally filling in for each other’s bands on tours.

“They are like our brother band,” Bruno says. “They’re very important to us as far as a band in the local scene that we know is always going to deliver and [are] ust really ama ing friends.”

Polterguts consists of vocalist and lyricist Martin Ruppert, brothers Justin and Brandon Riley on drums and bass, and Eric Pocheck on guitar. Like Summoning the Lich, Polterguts’ members are all experienced performers who have been involved in the St. Louis underground metal scene for more than a decade.

“We all got into the Christian metal boom in high school around 2005, when bands like Underoath and Norma Jean were starting to

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get really big,” e plains uppert.

At the time, Ruppert attended services at Latter Rain Ministries (LRM), a non-denominational Christian mission outreach in central Illinois.

“I don’t have anything good to say about them,” uppert says.

“Very controlling and scared of the real world. They were very focused on isolating us from nonChristian things or even Christian rock bands I was listening to. I guess one thing I can say is that [LRM] taught me the power of music and achieving unity and oneness under one roof. Everyone feels connected to what I used to assume was God, but at this point I’ve realized that music is just powerful, and it moves people.”

Ruppert’s skepticism toward his religious background is a heavy influence on olterguts’ music and lyrics.

“It’s not anti-religion, it’s more [against] the way religion has been used to keep people down,” he explains.

Polterguts will be playing material from its 2022 album Gods Over Broken People, which was released in May and distributed through Blood Blast, a subsidiary of international metal label Nuclear Blast that focuses on promoting independent acts. The band recently returned from a 10-day stint of shows throughout Missouri and Texas, where its members performed with avil, a Spingfieldbased metalcore act that will also be playing the Pop’s show.

Cavil has connections to both Polterguts and Summoning the Lich, with members Kevin Brooks

and Nils Seubold operating a screen-printing business that is under license to print Summoning the Lich’s merchandise.

“They’re very welcome in our scene,” Bruno says of the band. “ art of the ich family.”

Also performing as part of Saturday’s lineup will be At the Behest of Serpents, a melodic death metal band from Canton, Ohio.

As with Summoning the Lich, the group’s sound is frequently compared to the Black Dahlia Murder.

“We can’t wait to bring them to St. Louis and let people see them for themselves,” says Bruno, noting that he has previously performed shows with the group in Ohio.

The fifth band on the show and the first act of the evening is White Rose, a relatively new St. Louis band whose sound Bruno describes as “nu-metal influenced, super low-tuned metalcore stuff. eal, real heavy and vibey.”

Each of the four opening acts will play a 30-minute set, followed by Summoning the Lich, who will play for 45 minutes. “[It’s] going to be an insane time with some of the heaviest of heavy bands that St. Louis and elsewhere have to offer,” Bruno says. “A bunch of friends headbanging on stage together and hopefully a bunch of St. Louis fans and friends out in the crowd headbanging with us. … It’s what makes this music really special – it brings people together in a way that is different from other genres. … Heavy music, the family element and the togetherness is second to none. There’s no other genre in the world that has that kind of mentality.”

“I think Summoning the Lich is the most proficient and tight band in St. ouis,” olterguts’ uppert adds. “They constantly blow me away. Cavil is just a wall of sound, and people radiate off that energy.

Polterguts is trying to be as heavy and technical as possible, but we’re also just wanting to have a big wall of sound and bang some heads.”

“We welcome everyone with open arms to come out and experience some brutal, pulverizing death metal,” says Bruno. n Summoning the Lich plays with Polterguts, At the Behest of Serpents, Cavil and White Rose at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 12 at Pop’s Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Avenue.

STAGE STAGE [REVIEW] [REVIEW]

War, Loss and Hope War, Loss and Hope

Upstream Theater’s The Good Ship St. Louis reveals the The stories Upstream Theater’s GoodofShip refugees seekingthe a new home St. Louis reveals stories of refugees seeking a new home Written by TINA FARMER Written by TINA FARMER

The Good Ship St. Louis Script by Philip Boehm. Music by Anthony The Good Ship by St.Upstream Louis Theater Barilla.

Presented through November 20.by Showtimes Script bySunday, Philip Boehm.

Music Anthony vary.

Tickets are $25 to $35. Theater Barilla.

Presented

by Upstream through Sunday, November 20. Showtimes vary. Tickets are $25 to $35.

O O

ne of the most disturbing outcomes of war is the displacement ne of the most disturbing outof people from their homes. Philip comes of war is the displacement Boehm’s heartfelt The Good Ship St. of people from their homes. Philip Louis tells the story of Jewish people Boehm’s heartfelt The Good Ship St. seeking a new home and an opportunity Louis tells the story of Jewish people to live without persecution. Produced by seeking a new home and an opportunity Upstream Theater, the world premiere to live without persecution. Produced by play with music by Anthony Barilla is, at Upstream Theater, the world premiere play with music by Anthony Barilla is, at

times, incredibly evocative and haunting.

Susan, a registered nurse, recently times, incredibly evocative and haunting. lost her parents to COVID-19 and is sortSusan, a registered nurse, recently ing through their attic when she finds a lost her parents to COVID-19 and is sortsmall valise. The case contains several ing through their attic when she finds a items: newspaper clippings, a few letsmall valise. The case contains several ters, a very nice pair of opera glasses, items: newspaper clippings, a few letand such. These lead her to discover the ters, a very nice pair of opera glasses, story of the MS St. Louis and her past. and such. These lead her to discover the In Hitler’s Germany, Jews who could story of the MS St. Louis and her past. afford the passage were quickly filling In Hitler’s Germany, Jews who could ships and fleeing their homeland for afford the passage were quickly filling safety. The 3,000 who boarded the MS ships and fleeing their homeland for St. Louis and two other ships departing safety. The 3,000 who boarded the MS in May 1939 were among the last alSt. Louis and two other ships departing lowed to leave. On board were Herbert, in May 1939 were among the last ala German, and his Polish wife Rosa, a lowed to leave. On board were Herbert, young couple in love and hopeful. Their a German, and his Polish wife Rosa, a journey takes them to Cuba, up the coast young couple in love and hopeful. Their of the Americas and back toward Europe. journey takes them to Cuba, up the coast Finally, they are allowed to disembark in of the Americas and back toward Europe.

Belgium. Soon, the same war they fled Finally, they are allowed to disembark in arrives on their new doorstep.

Belgium. Soon, the same war they fled Kari Ely is transparently vulnerable and arrives on their new doorstep. innately curious as Susan, and she is our Kari Ely is transparently vulnerable and emotional guide through the densely layinnately curious as Susan, and she is our ered show. Jeff Cummings and Nancy Bell emotional guide through the densely layare a touch ethereal and so well matched ered show. Jeff Cummings and Nancy Bell as Herbert and Rosa. We easily feel their are a touch ethereal and so well matched as Herbert and Rosa. We easily feel their

Rosa (Nancy Bell) and Herbert (Jeff Cummings) are hopeful young émigrés. | COURTESY Rosa (Nancy Bell) and Herbert (Jeff Cummings) UPSTREAM THEATER are hopeful young émigrés. | COURTESY UPSTREAM THEATER every reaction, fear, disappointment and hope. Peter Mayer brings gravitas and every reaction, fear, disappointment and a touch of humility to Captain Gustav hope. Peter Mayer brings gravitas and Schröder, though he has the thankless a touch of humility to Captain Gustav task of doing much of the narration. Eric Schröder, though he has the thankless J. Conners, Kathleen Sitzer, Christopher task of doing much of the narration. Eric Hickey, Sarah Burke, Tom Wethington and J. Conners, Kathleen Sitzer, Christopher Miranda Jagles-Felix offer strong support Hickey, Sarah Burke, Tom Wethington and Miranda Jagles-Felix offer strong support

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in a variety of roles.

Unfortunately, it is the “variety of in a variety of roles. roles” that proves problematic. The careUnfortunately, it is the “variety of fully crafted script contains the seeds of roles” that proves problematic. The carestories for so many traveling on the ship, fully crafted script contains the seeds of presenting a perfect opportunity to show stories for so many traveling on the ship, more and tell less. Playwright Boehm presenting a perfect opportunity to show does himself as director and the performmore and tell less. Playwright Boehm ers a disservice by introducing too many does himself as director and the performother immigrant stories. In this reviewer’s ers a disservice by introducing too many opinion, the over-inclusion treats these other immigrant stories. In this reviewer’s stories as a bit of an afterthought, diminopinion, the over-inclusion treats these ishing their importance. The production stories as a bit of an afterthought, diminincludes a number of transformative and ishing their importance. The production deeply moving scenes involving the priincludes a number of transformative and mary story. Creating more space for resodeeply moving scenes involving the prinance through a single focus may better mary story. Creating more space for resobuild empathy for broader truths about nance through a single focus may better war and its refugee victims. build empathy for broader truths about No matter where in the world the fightwar and its refugee victims. ing occurs, war inevitably causes the loss No matter where in the world the fightof life and home for those in its path, creing occurs, war inevitably causes the loss ating a wave of immigrant refugees seekof life and home for those in its path, creing a new home. Such was the case for ating a wave of immigrant refugees seekthe Jews who embarked on the cruise ing a new home. Such was the case for liner MS St. Louis, as well as the thouthe Jews who embarked on the cruise sands of current refugees just beginning liner MS St. Louis, as well as the thoua life in a new country or still looking for sands of current refugees just beginning a place to call home. n a life in a new country or still looking for a place to call home. n

NOVEMBER 9-15, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

39

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E E

OUT EVERY NIGHT OUT EVERY NIGHT

ach week, we bring you our picks for the best concerts of the next seven ach week, we bring you our picks for days! To submit your show for conthe best concerts of the next seven sideration, visit https://bit.ly/3bgnwXZ. days! To submit your show for conAll events are subject to change, espesideration, visit https://bit.ly/3bgnwXZ. cially in the age of COVID-19, so do check All events are subject to change, espewith the venue for the most up-to-date cially in the age of COVID-19, so do check information before you head out for the with the venue for the most up-to-date night. And, of course, be sure that you information before you head out for the are aware of the venues’ COVID-safety night. And, of course, be sure that you requirements, as those vary from place are aware of the venues’ COVID-safety to place, and you don’t want to get stuck requirements, as those vary from place outside because you forgot your mask or to place, and you don’t want to get stuck proof of vaccination. Happy showgoing! outside because you forgot your mask or proof of vaccination.

THURSDAY 10 Happy showgoing!

CHRIS WEBBY: 7:30 p.m., $25-$275. Red Flag, THURSDAY 10St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

3040 Locust Street, CHRIS WEBBY: 7:30Dream p.m., $25-$275.

Red+ Flag, DUMA: w/ Masma World, ONO Radia3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, tor Greys 8 p.m., $15/$18.

The314-289-9050.

Sinkhole, 7423 DUMA: w/ Masma St. Dream World, ONO + RadiaSouth Broadway, Louis, 314-328-2309. tor Greys p.m., $15/$18.

7423 THE EARLY8NOVEMBER: w/ IThe CanSinkhole, Make A Mess, South Broadway, Louis, 314-328-2309.

Vinnie Caruana ofSt. the Movielife 7 p.m., $24.

THE Rock EARLYHouse, NOVEMBER: w/7th I Can A Mess, Old 1200 S. St.,Make St. Louis, 314Vinnie Caruana of the Movielife 7 p.m., $24.

588-0505.

Old Rock 1200 S.8 7th St.,$15-$20.

St. Louis, 314HOT CLUB House, OF ST. LOUIS: p.m., Joe’s 588-0505.

Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave, St. Louis.

HOT CLUB ST. LOUIS: 8 p.m., $15-$20.

IVAS JOHN:OF 7 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, Blues &Joe’s Soups, Cafe,S.6014 Kingsbury Ave, St. Louis.

700 Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436-5222.

IVAS JOHN: 7 p.m., $15.

BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, KARINÉ POGHOSYAN: 7:30-9:30 p.m., Free, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436-5222.

314-977-2410, arts@slu.edu.

St. Francis Xavier KARINÉ p.m.,St. Free, College POGHOSYAN: Church, 36287:30-9:30 Lindell Blvd, Louis, 314-977-2410, arts@slu.edu. St. Francis Xavier MO 63108, St. Louis.

College Church, 3628p.m., Lindell MARILYN MAYE: 7:30 $55.Blvd, Jazz St. St. Louis, Louis, MO St. Louis.

353663108, Washington Ave, St. Louis, (314) 571-6000.

MARILYN MAYE: 7:30 SERIES: p.m., $55.

Jazz $12-$16.

St. Louis, MID COAST COMEDY 8 p.m., 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, Avenue, (314) 571-6000.

Central Stage, 3524 Washington St. MID COAST COMEDY SERIES: 8 p.m., $12-$16.

Louis, 314-533-0367.

Central Stage,AND 3524FRIENDS: Washington Avenue, St.The NEIL SALSICH 7:30 p.m., free.

Louis, 314-533-0367.

Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster NEIL SALSICH AND FRIENDS: 7:30 p.m., free. The Groves, 314-455-1090.

Frisco APOLLO: Barroom, 8110 Big$32.50.

Bend Blvd., Webster OMAR 7:45 p.m., The Pageant, Groves, 314-455-1090.

6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

OMAR APOLLO: p.m., $32.50.

The Pageant, PIERCE CRASK: 7:45 5 p.m., free.

Broadway Oyster 6161736 Delmar Blvd., St. St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

Bar, S. Broadway, Louis, 314-621-8811.

PIERCE WAINWRIGHT: CRASK: 5 p.m., Oyster RUFUS 8 free. p.m., Broadway $45-$55. The Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, Sheldon, 3648 Washington Ave.,314-621-8811.

St. Louis, (314) RUFUS WAINWRIGHT: 8 p.m., $45-$55. The 533-9900.

Sheldon, 3648 Washington Ave., St. Heads, Louis, (314) SMOKING POPES: w/ Off With Their Lim533-9900. beck, The Color Fred 8 p.m., $22. Off Broadway, SMOKING POPES: w/ Off With Their Heads, Lim3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989. beck, The Color Fred 8 p.m., Broadway, ZAK FARMER: 6:30 p.m., $20. $22.

Blue Off Strawberry 3509 Lemp & Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.

Showroom Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. ZAK FARMER: 6:30 p.m., $20. Blue Strawberry Louis, 314-256-1745.

Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745.

FRIDAY 11 AS THE CROW FLIES: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco FRIDAY 11 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, Barroom, 8110 AS THE CROW FLIES: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco 314-455-1090.

Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., CHERI EVANS BAND: 7 p.m., $15.Webster BB’s Jazz,Groves, Blues 314-455-1090. & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436CHERI EVANS BAND: 7 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, Blues 5222. & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436CHRONYX: w/ Megadune, Coach, Inner Sanctum 5222.

8 p.m., $12. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. CHRONYX: w/ Megadune, Coach, Inner Sanctum Louis, 314-289-9050.

8 p.m., BUDDZ: $12. Redw/Flag, 3040 Locust St. COLLIE Shwayze 9 p.m.,Street, $25-$30.

Louis, 314-289-9050.

Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314COLLIE BUDDZ: w/ Shwayze 9 p.m., $25-$30.

726-6161.

Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314COMRADE CATBOX: w/ Sophomore Burnouts, 726-6161.

ADR1, George & Lili 8 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, COMRADE w/ Sophomore Burnouts, 7423 SouthCATBOX: Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.

ADR1, George &PLAYADORS: Lili 8 p.m., 7:30 $10. p.m., The Sinkhole, DAVE GRELLE’S $22. Jazz 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309.

St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, (314) DAVE GRELLE’S PLAYADORS: 7:30 p.m., $22. Jazz 571-6000.

St. Louis, 3536 Washington St.$10.

Louis, (314) FIVEFOLD FAMILY REUNION: 5Ave, p.m., Pop’s 571-6000. 401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, Nightclub, FIVEFOLD FAMILY REUNION: 5 p.m., $10. Pop’s 618-274-6720.

Nightclub, 401 Monsanto East St. FLOR DE TOLOACHE: 8 p.m.,Ave., $35-$45.

TheLouis, 618-274-6720.

Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, FLOR DE TOLOACHE: 8 p.m., $35-$45. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis,

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RIVERFRONT TIMES

[CRITIC’S PICK] [CRITIC’S PICK]

Duma. | VIA BANDCAMP Duma. | VIA BANDCAMP

Duma w/ Masma Dream World, ONO, Radiator Greys Duma w/ Masma Dream 8World, p.m. Thursday, 10. The SinkONO,November Radiator Greys

hole, South November Broadway.10. $15The to $18.

8 p.m.7423 Thursday, Sink314-328-2309. hole, 7423 South Broadway. $15 to $18.

Noisy metal duo Duma builds a slow mov314-328-2309. ing wall of industrial drums and distorted

Noisy metal duo Duma builds a slow movvocals painted with blood-red guitars blazing wall of industrial drums and distorted ing through static. The Kenyan duo’s 2020 vocals painted with blood-red guitars blazsingle “Lionsblood” sounds like metal and ing through static. The Kenyan duo’s 2020 thumping nightclub music that was consingle “Lionsblood” sounds like metal and joined at birth, subsequently ripped apart, thumping nightclub music that was conand then sewn back together with pulsing joined at birth, subsequently ripped apart, drones. The song’s music video probably and then sewn back together with pulsing needs an epilepsy warning, but the band’s drones. The song’s music video probably live sets should definitely come with a big needs an epilepsy warning, but the band’s disclaimer because hearing protection is live sets should definitely come with a big disclaimer because hearing protection is 314-533-9900.

FORGOTTEN SPACE: 8 p.m., $25-$28. Old Rock 314-533-9900.

House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314-588-0505.

FORGOTTEN SPACE:ALBUM 8 p.m., RELEASE $25-$28. PARTY: Old Rock THE GOLD GIRAFFE 8 House, 1200 S.Blank 7th St.,Space, St. Louis, p.m., $10-$15.

2847314-588-0505.

Cherokee St., THELouis.

GOLD GIRAFFE ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: 8 St. p.m.,HAMILTON $10-$15. BAND: Blank Space, 2847 St., THE 10 p.m., $10.Cherokee Broadway St. Louis.

Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314THE HAMILTON BAND: 10 p.m., $10. Broadway 621-8811.

Oyster Bar, 736$15.

S. Broadway, Louis, KILTRO: 8 p.m., BlueberrySt. Hill - The314Duck 621-8811.

Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314KILTRO: 8 p.m., $15. Blueberry Hill - The Duck 727-4444.

Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd.,noon, University City, 314THE KINGDOM BROTHERS: $10. The Attic 727-4444.

Music Bar, S. ingshighway, nd floor, St. THE KINGDOM BROTHERS: noon, $10. The Attic Louis, 314-376-5313.

Music Bar, ingshighway, floor, St. MONDAY CORTEZ S. BAND: 11 p.m., $15.nd BB’s Jazz, Louis,&314-376-5313.

Blues Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314MONDAY 436-5222.CORTEZ BAND: 11 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway,w/ St.Mürtaugh, Louis, 314PLATYPUS 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY: 436-5222. Son, Key Grip, Pillars of Creation 7 Fortunate PLATYPUS 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY: w/ Mürtaugh, Fortunate Son, Key Grip, Pillars of Creation 7

NOVEMBER 9-15, 2022

riverfronttimes.com

practically required. Not that Duma’s penchant for maximum volume is a detriment practically required. Not that Duma’s pen— in fact, the maximalist approach ensures chant for maximum volume is a detriment that everyone in the room (and within a one — in fact, the maximalist approach ensures mile radius) will feel these songs in their that everyone in the room (and within a one bones. Although Duma released the Canmile radius) will feel these songs in their nis b/w Mbukinya EP as part of Sub Pop bones. Although Duma released the CanRecords’ singles club in 2021, interested nis b/w Mbukinya EP as part of Sub Pop parties should start with the band’s selfRecords’ singles club in 2021, interested titled full length, released in 2020 by the parties should start with the band’s selfexcellent Nyege Nyege Tapes label in Ugantitled full length, released in 2020 by the da. Joining Duma on a month-long coast-toexcellent Nyege Nyege Tapes label in Ugancoast tour of the United States is New York da. Joining Duma on a month-long coast-toCity’s Masma Dream World, the performcoast tour of the United States is New York ing and solo-recording project of multi-disCity’s Masma Dream World, the performciplinary artist and sound sculptress Devi ing and solo-recording project of multi-disMambouka. Legendary outsider music enciplinary artist and sound sculptress Devi semble ONO from Chicago will join the two Mambouka. Legendary outsider music enacts for a short jaunt through the Midwest, semble ONO from Chicago will join the two acts for a short jaunt through the Midwest,

p.m., free. Platypus, 4501 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, 314-359-2293. p.m., free.

Manchester Avenue, RIVER CITY Platypus, ALLSTARS:4501 9 p.m., $20-$25. Central St. Louis, 314-359-2293.

Stage, 3524 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, 314RIVER CITY ALLSTARS: 9 p.m., $20-$25. Central 533-0367.

Stage, 3524 Washington Avenue, St.Stifel Louis,The314SARAH SILVERMAN: 8 p.m., $35-$65.

533-0367. atre, 1400 Market St, St. Louis, 314-499-7600.

SARAH SILVERMAN: 8 p.m., SWIFT $35-$65.

Stifel9 TheTHE TAYLOR PARTY: TAYLOR NIGHT: p.m., atre, The 1400Pageant, Market 6161 St, St.Delmar Louis, 314-499-7600. $15.

Blvd., St. Louis, THE TAYLOR PARTY: TAYLOR SWIFT NIGHT: 9 p.m., 314-726-6161. $15. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. 12 SATURDAY ALAN FERBER NONET: 7:30-11:59 p.m., $15. Blue SATURDAY Strawberry STL,12 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, ALAN FERBER NONET: 7:30-11:59 p.m., $15. Blue 314-256-1745.

Strawberry STL,UP: 364noon, N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, ALL ROOSTERED free.

Broadway Oyster 314-256-1745.

Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

ALL ROOSTERED UP: noon, Broadway Oyster BEATS 4 EATS: 6 p.m., free.free.

Steve’s Hot Dogs, Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

3145 South Grand, St. Louis.

BEATS 4 EATS: 6&p.m., free.OF Steve’s Hot8Dogs, BEN OTTEWELL IAN BALL GOMEZ: p.m., $20.

3145 South Grand, St. Louis.

BEN OTTEWELL & IAN BALL OF GOMEZ: 8 p.m., $20.

including this night in St. Louis, making for a full lineup of transcendental squalor. including this night in St. Louis, making Maybe dancing to harsh strobe lights in a for a full lineup of transcendental squalor. dark and dusty room full of sweaty folks at Maybe dancing to harsh strobe lights in a the edge of the river is the kind of release dark and dusty room full of sweaty folks at you need, or maybe the spectacle of three the edge of the river is the kind of release experimental juggernauts playing an intiyou need, or maybe the spectacle of three mate space for a nominal fee is too good experimental juggernauts playing an intito pass up, but in any case there are more mate space for a nominal fee is too good than enough reasons to hit up the Sinkhole to pass up, but in any case there are more this Thursday night. than enough reasons to hit up the Sinkhole River City Ransom: The brainchild of this Thursday night. local visual and sound artist Josh Levi, River City Ransom: The brainchild of Radiator Greys emanates an idyllic aura local visual and sound artist Josh Levi, despite dealing in what most would call Radiator Greys emanates an idyllic aura “harsh noise,” which makes it a great despite dealing in what most would call project to represent the river city when “harsh noise,” which makes it a great bands such Melt-Banana or Wolf Eyes project to represent the river city when come to town.

—Joseph Hess bands such Melt-Banana or Wolf Eyes come to town.

—Joseph Hess Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.

Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504$15.

Delmar BIG AL & THE HEAVYWEIGHTS: 10 p.m., BB’s Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.

Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, BIG AL & THE HEAVYWEIGHTS: 10 p.m., $15. BB’s 314-436-5222.

Jazz, BluesHARRIS: & Soups, S. Broadway, St. Louis, BO DADDY w/700 Glory N’ Perfection, Matt 314-436-5222.

F Basler 8 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, 7423 South BO DADDY HARRIS: w/314-328-2309.

Glory N’ Perfection, Matt Broadway, St. Louis, F Basler 8 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, 7423 South DAMAGER: w/ Tommy Kessler, Blond Guru 6 Broadway, St. Louis, 4501 314-328-2309. p.m., free. Platypus, Manchester Avenue, DAMAGER: w/ Tommy Kessler, Blond Guru 6 St. Louis, 314-359-2293. p.m., free.

Platypus, DANIEL HOWELL: 7:304501 p.m.,Manchester $39.50. The Avenue, Factory, St. Louis,Outer 314-359-2293. d, hesterfield, .

DANIELSTAR HOWELL: 7:30 p.m., $39.50.

The Factory, DARK ORCHESTRA: 8 p.m., $30-$45.

The d, Blvd., hesterfield, .

Pageant,Outer 6161 Delmar St. Louis, 314-726DARK STAR ORCHESTRA: 8 p.m., $30-$45. The 6161.

Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd.,7:30 St. Louis, 314-726DAVE GRELLE’S PLAYADORS: p.m., $22.

Jazz 6161.

St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, (314) DAVE GRELLE’S PLAYADORS: 7:30 p.m., $22. Jazz 571-6000.

St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave, Louis, DOGTOWN RECORDS ALLSTARS: 9 St. p.m., free.(314) 571-6000.

DOGTOWN RECORDS ALLSTARS: 9 p.m., free.

Llywelyn’s Pub-Webster Groves, 17 Moody Ave., St. Louis, 314-962-1515.

Llywelyn’s Pub-Webster Groves, Moody THE GASLIGHT SQUARES: 7:30 p.m.,17free.

TheAve., St. Louis, 314-962-1515.

Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster THE GASLIGHT SQUARES: 7:30 p.m., free. The Groves, 314-455-1090.

Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster HEARTLESS: A TRIBUTE TO HEART: 7 p.m., $30Groves, 314-455-1090. $40. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, St. HEARTLESS: A TRIBUTE TO HEART: 7 p.m., $30Louis, 314-533-0367. $40.

Grandel Theatre, 3610DEVILLES: Grandel Square, JASON COOPER & THE COOP 3 p.m., St. $15.

Louis, 314-533-0367.

BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. JASON & THE COOP DEVILLES: 3 p.m., $15.

Louis, COOPER 314-436-5222.

BB’s Jazz, Blues Soups, 700FUZE S. Broadway, St. KENDRICK SMITH&PRESENTS BOX: 8 p.m., Louis, 314-436-5222. $15-$20.

Joe’s Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave, St. KENDRICK SMITH PRESENTS FUZE BOX: 8 p.m., Louis. $15-$20.

Joe’s Cafe,$12-$16.

6014 Kingsbury Ave, St. MK ULTRA: 9 p.m., Central Stage, 3524 Louis.

Washington Avenue, St. Louis, 314-533-0367.

MK 9 p.m.,w/ $12-$16.

Central5Stage, 3524 OFFULTRA: TOPIC BAND: Dallas Moore p.m.-1:30 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, 314-533-0367. a.m., $10. The Attic Music Bar, 4247 S. KingOFF TOPIC BAND: w/ Dallas Moore 5- p.m.-1:30 shighway, nd floor, St. ouis, . a.m., $10.MODEST: The Atticw/ Music Bar, 4247 S. KingTHE OTTO Harpo Jarvi 8 p.m., $10. shighway, nd floor,5226 St. Gravois ouis, -St. Louis, .

The Heavy Anchor, Ave., THE OTTO MODEST: w/ Harpo Jarvi 8 p.m., $10.

314-352-5226.

The Heavy Gravois Ave., St. Louis, PLUCKIN’ TOAnchor, FEED: 105226 p.m., $12. Broadway 314-352-5226.

Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621PLUCKIN’ TO FEED: 10 p.m., $12. Broadway 8811.

Oyster Bar, 736&S.THE Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621ROCKY MANTIA KILLER COMBO: 7 p.m., $15.

8811.

BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. ROCKY MANTIA & THE KILLER COMBO: 7 p.m., $15.

Louis, 314-436-5222.

BB’s Blues &TRIBUTE Soups, 700 S. Broadway, SELFJazz, POLLUTION: TO PEARL JAM: w/St. The Louis, Dookie314-436-5222.

Brothers Green Day tribute, Chili Magik SELF TRIBUTE PEARL JAM: w/ RHCPPOLLUTION: tribute 7 p.m., $20. TO The Playhouse at The Dookie Brothers Green Day tribute, Magik Westport Plaza, 635 Westport Plaza,Chili St. Louis, RHCP tribute 7 p.m., $20. The Playhouse at 314-469-7529.

Westport Plaza, Westport Plaza, St. Louis, SUMMONING THE635 LICH: 7 p.m., $15.

Pop’s 314-469-7529.

Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, SUMMONING 618-274-6720.THE LICH: 7 p.m., $15. Pop’s Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St.HawLouis, THE EMO NIGHT TOUR: 8 p.m., $15.

The 618-274-6720. thorn, 2225 Washington Avenue, St. Louis.

THE EMO NIGHT p.m., $15.

HawTWIDDLE: 8 p.m.,TOUR: $25. 8 Delmar Hall,The 6133 Delmar thorn, 2225 Washington Avenue, St. Louis.

Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

TWIDDLE: 8 p.m., $25.

Hall, 6133 Delmar TYLER KING: 7 p.m., $5.Delmar Spine Indie Bookstore Blvd., Louis, 314-726-6161. & Cafe,St. 1976-82 Arsenal St., St. Louis, 314-925TYLER 8087. KING: 7 p.m., $5. Spine Indie Bookstore & Cafe, 1976-82 Arsenal St., St. Louis, 314-9258087.

SUNDAY 13 ABBA MANIA: 8 p.m., TBA. The Sheldon, 3648 SUNDAY Washington 13 Blvd., St. Louis, 314-533-9900.

ABBA MANIA: 8 2p.m., Sheldon, 3648 THE BARFLIES: p.m.,TBA. free.The Cheers Bar and Washington Blvd.,Way St. Louis, 314-533-9900.

Grill, 61 National Shopping Center, ManTHE BARFLIES: 2 p.m., free. Cheers Bar and chester, (636) 220-8030.

Grill, 61 National Way 3Shopping Center, ManBOB ROW ORGAN TRIO: p.m., $15.

BB’s Jazz, chester, (636) 220-8030.

Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314BOB ROW ORGAN TRIO: 3 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, 436-5222.

Blues Soups, 700 S.w/ Broadway, St. Louis, 314BRIAN&CULBERTSON: Marcus Anderson, 436-5222. Jordon 8 p.m., $49.40-$59.50. The Marqueal BRIAN CULBERTSON: w/Blvd., Marcus Pageant, 6161 Delmar St. Anderson, Louis, 314-726Marqueal Jordon 8 p.m., $49.40-$59.50. The 6161.

Pageant,BLANTON: 6161 Delmar Blvd.,$25.

St. Louis, 314-726CARSIE 7:30 p.m., Blue Straw6161. Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, berry CARSIE BLANTON: 7:30 p.m., $25. Blue StrawSt. Louis, 314-256-1745. berry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, DREW LANCE: 9 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster St. Louis, Bar, 736 S.314-256-1745.

Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

DREW LANCE: 9 p.m., free.

Broadway AN EVENING WITH CLEM SNIDE: 8 p.m., Oyster $18. Off Bar, 736 S. Broadway, Louis, 314-621-8811.

Broadway, 3509 LempSt. Ave., St. Louis, 314-498AN EVENING WITH CLEM SNIDE: 8 p.m., $18. Off 6989.

Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis,Oyster 314-498J.D. HUGHES: 2 p.m., free.

Broadway Bar, 6989.

736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

J.D. HUGHES: p.m., free.METAL Broadway Oyster JUDAS PRIEST:2 50 HEAVY YEARS: w/ Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

Queensryche 7 p.m., $47-$125.

Family Arena, JUDASArena PRIEST: 50 HEAVY YEARS: w/ 2002 Parkway, St METAL Charles, 636-896-4200.

Queensryche 7 p.m., $47-$125.

Arena, LOVE JONES “THE BAND”: 7 p.m., Family $15. BB’s Jazz, 2002 Arena Parkway, St Charles, St. 636-896-4200.

Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, Louis, 314LOVE JONES “THE BAND”: 7 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, 436-5222.

Blues & Soups, S. Broadway, St.$13/$15.

Louis, 314MAMALARKY: w/700 Algae Dust 8 p.m., 436-5222.

The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, MAMALARKY: w/ Algae Dust 8 p.m., $13/$15.

314-328-2309.

The Sinkhole, 7423First South Broadway, St. Church Louis, NADA: 3 p.m., free.

Congregational 314-328-2309. of Webster Groves, 10 W. Lockwood Ave, WebNADA: 3 p.m.,314-962-0475. free. First Congregational Church ster Groves, of Webster Groves, 10 W. Lockwood Ave, WebTHE RED PEARS: 8 p.m., $15.

Delmar Hall, 6133 ster Groves, 314-962-0475.

Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

THE RED PEARS: 8 p.m., $15.

Delmar 6133 VOIDGAZER: w/ Howling Giant, CloudHall, Cruiser, Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

VOIDGAZER: w/ Howling Giant, Cloud Cruiser,

Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314621-8811.

Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314CATBITE: 8 p.m., $13.

Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp 621-8811.

Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.

CATBITE: 8 p.m., $13.PROJECT: Off Broadway, Lemp THE CHARLIE BERRY w/ Ish 3509 6 p.m., $15.

Ave., St. Louis, Blueberry Hill -314-498-6989.

The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar THE CHARLIE BERRY PROJECT: w/ Ish 6 p.m., $15.

Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.

Blueberry Hill - TheRow Duck Room, Delmar DOGBRETH: w/ Kitz 7:30 p.m.,6504 $10/$12.

Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444.

The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, DOGBRETH: w/ Kitz Row 7:30 p.m., $10/$12.

314-328-2309.

The JIMMYS: Sinkhole,7 7423 Broadway, St. Louis, THE p.m.,South $15. BB’s Jazz, Blues & 314-328-2309.

Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436THE JIMMYS: 7 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, Blues & 5222.

Soups, 700 TOURNAMENT: S. Broadway, St. Louis,free.

314-436PING PONG 7 p.m., Central 5222. 3524 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, 314Stage, PING PONG TOURNAMENT: 7 p.m., free. Central 533-0367.

Stage, 35248Washington Avenue,Enterprise St. Louis, Cen314ROD WAVE: p.m., $32-$146.50.

533-0367. ter, 1401 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314-241-1888.

ROD WAVE: 88 p.m., Enterprise CenTURNOVER: p.m., $32-$146.50. $25. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delter, Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314-241-1888. mar1401 Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

TURNOVER: 8 p.m., $25.$12.

Delmar Hall, 6133 DelVOODOO CSNY: 9 p.m., Broadway Oyster mar 736 Blvd., Louis, 314-726-6161.

Bar, S. St. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

VOODOO CSNY: 9 p.m., $12. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

[CRITIC’S PICK] [CRITIC’S PICK]

THIS JUST IN

THIS JUST NOW: IN BEATLES TRIBUTE: Tue., ALL TOGETHER

Omar Apollo. | ZAMAR VELEZ Omar Apollo. | ZAMAR VELEZ

Few musicians manage to catch that big TV and film — but it seems like ever since break — you know, the kind depicted in Hobart, Indiana, native Omar Apollo borTV and film — but it seems like ever since rowed 30 bucks from his friend to upHobart, Indiana, native Omar Apollo borload a song to Spotify, his music career rowed 30 bucks from his friend to uphas been a rapid succession of full-on load a song to Spotify, his music career breakthroughs. From playing Coachella has been a rapid succession of full-on to appearing on The Tonight Show to breakthroughs. From playing Coachella his single “Evergreen” going viral on Tikto appearing on The Tonight Show to Tok, this past year has shown that Omar his single “Evergreen” going viral on TikApollo is either on an unprecedented Tok, this past year has shown that Omar hot streak or he’s the luckiest guy in the Apollo is either on an unprecedented room wherever he goes. Or maybe it’s a hot streak or he’s the luckiest guy in the little bit of both, seeing as his first sinroom wherever he goes. Or maybe it’s a gle “Ugotme” landed on Spotify’s Fresh little bit of both, seeing as his first sinFinds and hit tens of thousands of plays gle “Ugotme” landed on Spotify’s Fresh within 24 hours. Sure, that placement Finds and hit tens of thousands of plays would be a massive boost to any aspiring within 24 hours. Sure, that placement would be a massive boost to any aspiring

artist, yet few musicians will ever reach the heights that the now 25-year-old has artist, yet few musicians will ever reach seen since his career kicked off in 2017. the heights that the now 25-year-old has The Mexican-American singer-songwriter seen since his career kicked off in 2017. lyrically bobs and weaves between both The Mexican-American singer-songwriter English and Spanish, which lends a conlyrically bobs and weaves between both trast of tonality and inflection to his lush English and Spanish, which lends a confusion of pop and alternative R&B. Think trast of tonality and inflection to his lush about how many artists dip in and out of fusion of pop and alternative R&B. Think relevancy on a daily basis due to the maabout how many artists dip in and out of chine of social media — now marvel at relevancy on a daily basis due to the mathe fact Omar Apollo continues to build chine of social media — now marvel at on early success by feeding an aesthetic the fact Omar Apollo continues to build niche that he himself made cool in the on early success by feeding an aesthetic first place. niche that he himself made cool in the Where Have I Heard That Before: Alfirst place. though 23-year-old Chicago-native RaWhere Have I Heard That Before: Alvyn Lenae has already toured with SZA though 23-year-old Chicago-native Raand Noname, she only recently released vyn Lenae has already toured with SZA her debut album HYPNOS back in May. and Noname, she only recently released Given the record’s immediate acclaim, her debut album HYPNOS back in May. don’t be surprised to see the Windy City’s Given the record’s immediate acclaim, neo soul powerhouse on several best of don’t be surprised to see the Windy City’s 2022 lists later this year. —Joseph Hess neo soul powerhouse on several best of 2022 lists later this year. —Joseph Hess

No Antics 6 p.m., $8. Platypus, 4501 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, 314-359-2293.

No Antics 6 p.m., $8. Platypus, 4501 Manchester Avenue, St.14 Louis, 314-359-2293.

MONDAY CATHEDRAL BELLS: 7 p.m., TBA. The Ready MONDAY 14 Room, 4140 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, 314CATHEDRAL BELLS: 7 p.m., TBA. The Ready 833-3929.

Room, 4140 Manchester 314SOULARD BLUES BAND: 9 Ave, p.m.,St. $5.Louis, Broadway 833-3929.

Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314SOULARD BLUES BAND: 9 p.m., $5. Broadway 621-8811.

Oyster Bar,8 736 S. $40/$60.

Broadway, St.Pageant, Louis, 314STEVE VAI: p.m., The 6161 621-8811.

Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

STEVE SIGHT VAI: 8 p.m., The BB’s Pageant, THIRD BAND:$40/$60.

8 p.m., $15.

Jazz,6161 Blues Delmar Louis, 314-726-6161. & Soups,Blvd., 700 S.St. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436THIRD SIGHT BAND: 8 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, Blues 5222. & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-4365222.

TUESDAY 15 CHRIS SHEPHERD BAND: 7 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, TUESDAY Blues & Soups,15 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314CHRIS SHEPHERD BAND: 7 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-

436-5222.

EAGLES: 8 p.m., $126-$496. Enterprise Center, 436-5222.

1401 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314-241-1888.

EAGLES: 8 p.m.,9 $126-$496.

Enterprise Oyster Center, ERIC LYSAGHT: p.m., free. Broadway 1401736 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314-241-1888.

Bar, S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

ERIC LYSAGHT: 9 $36-$56. p.m., free.

Broadway GUSTER: 8 p.m., The Pageant,Oyster 6161 Bar, 736Blvd., S. Broadway, St.314-726-6161.

Louis, 314-621-8811.

Delmar St. Louis, GUSTER: 8 p.m., 5$36-$56.

TheBroadway Pageant, 6161 LEAH OSBORNE: p.m., free.

Oyster Delmar St. Louis, Bar, 736Blvd., S. Broadway, St.314-726-6161.

Louis, 314-621-8811.

LEAH p.m.,Fashion free. Broadway Oyster SRSQ:OSBORNE: w/ Middle5Class 8 p.m., free.

Off Bar, 736 S. Broadway, Louis, 314-621-8811.

Broadway, 3509 LempSt. Ave., St. Louis, 314-498SRSQ: 6989. w/ Middle Class Fashion 8 p.m., free. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp$30-$50.

Ave., St.Delmar Louis, 314-498STEVEN PAGE: 8 p.m., Hall, 6989.

6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

STEVEN PAGE: 8 p.m., $30-$50. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., 16 St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

WEDNESDAY AMANDA SHIRES: 8 p.m., $30-$35. Old Rock WEDNESDAY 16St. Louis, 314-588-0505.

House, 1200 S. 7th St., AMANDA SHIRES: 8 p.m., Old Rock BUTCH MOORE: 4:30 p.m.,$30-$35. free. Broadway House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314-588-0505.

BUTCH MOORE: 4:30 p.m., free. Broadway

Omar Apollo w/ Ravyn Lenae 7:45 p.m.Apollo Thursday,w/ November The Omar Ravyn10.Lenae

Pageant, Delmar Boulevard.

7:45 p.m.6161 Thursday, November 10.$32.50 The to $37.50.

314-726-6161.

Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard. $32.50 Few musicians manage to catch that big to $37.50. 314-726-6161. break — you know, the kind depicted in

riverfronttimes.com

Dec. 27, 8 p.m., $12. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp ALL TOGETHER BEATLES TRIBUTE: Tue., Ave., St. Louis,NOW: 314-498-6989.

Dec. 27, 8 p.m., $12. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp AMERICAN CHAMBER CHORALE & ORCHESTRA: Ave.,Dec. St. Louis, 314-498-6989.

Sat., 10, 7:30 p.m., free. Salem in Ladue AMERICAN CHAMBER CHORALE United Methodist Church, 1200&S.ORCHESTRA: Lindbergh Sat., Dec. 10, 7:30 314-991-0546. p.m., free. Salem in Ladue Blvd., Frontenac, United Methodist 1200 S. Lindbergh ANDY COCO’S NOLAChurch, FUNK AND R&B REVUE: Thu., Blvd., Frontenac, Nov. 17, 8:30 p.m.,314-991-0546. $10. Broadway Oyster Bar, ANDYS.COCO’S NOLASt. FUNK AND R&B REVUE: Thu., 736 Broadway, Louis, 314-621-8811.

Nov. 17, 8:30 Broadway OysterFeb. Bar,8, ANTHRAX: W/ p.m., Black$10.

Label Society, Wed., 736 Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

6:30S. p.m., $49.50-$69.50.

The Factory, 17105 N ANTHRAX: W/ Label Society, Wed., Outer d, Black hesterfield, .Feb. 8, 6:30BOSMAN p.m., $49.50-$69.50.

17105 THE TWINS: Thu.,The Dec.Factory, 8, 8 p.m., $20.N Outer d, hesterfield, - St.-Louis. .

Joe’s Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave, THE BOSMAN TWINS: Dec. 8, 8 p.m., $20.

CURSIVE: Wed., Dec. Thu., 21, 8 p.m., $20.

Off BroadJoe’s Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave, St. Louis. way, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.

CURSIVE: Wed.,COLLECTIVE: Dec. 21, 8 p.m., THE DHORUBA Thu.,$20.

Dec.Off 15,Broad8 p.m., way, 3509Joe’s Lemp Ave., St. Kingsbury Louis, 314-498-6989. $15-$20.

Cafe, 6014 Ave, St. THE DHORUBA COLLECTIVE: Thu., Dec. 15, 8 p.m., Louis. $15-$20.

Joe’s Cafe,Thu., 6014Nov. Kingsbury St. ERICA SOULSTICE: 17, 8:30Ave, p.m., Louis. The Dark Room, 3610 Grandel Square $10-$30.

ERICA SOULSTICE: Thu., Nov. 17, 8:30 p.m., inside Grandel Theatre, St. Louis, 314-776-9550. $10-$30. The Dark Square IMANBEK: Sat., Dec.Room, 31, 10 3610 p.m.,Grandel $25-$1,000. insideNightclub, Grandel Theatre, St. Louis, 314-776-9550.

RYSE One Ameristar Blvd, St. IMANBEK: Sat., Dec. 31, 10 p.m., $25-$1,000.

Charles.

RYSE Nightclub, One Ameristar Blvd, Sun., St. Nov. IMPROV TROUPE FALL PERFORMANCE: Charles.

20, 2 p.m., $18. COCA - Center of Creative Arts, IMPROV TROUPE FALL Sun., Nov. 6880 Washington Ave,PERFORMANCE: St. Louis, 3147256555.

20, 2IVAS p.m., $18.BAND: COCAFri., - Center Arts, THE JOHN Nov. of 25,Creative 8 p.m., $156880Joe’s Washington Ave, St. Louis,Ave, 3147256555. $20.

Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury St. Louis.

THE IVAS JOHNSun., BAND: Fri., 25, 8free. p.m., $15J.D. HUGHES: Nov. 13,Nov. 2 p.m., Broad$20. Joe’s Cafe, Ave, Louis. way Oyster Bar,6014 736 Kingsbury S. Broadway, St.St. Louis, J.D. HUGHES: Sun., Nov. 13, 2 p.m., free. Broad314-621-8811. way Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, Louis, JERRY HARRISON & ADRIAN BELEW:St. Wed., Feb. 314-621-8811.

22, 8 p.m., $39.50-$59.50. The Factory, 17105 N JERRY HARRISON & ADRIAN BELEW: Outer d, hesterfield, -Wed.,. Feb. 22, 8 p.m., $39.50-$59.50.

The8 Factory, 17105 KING BUFFALO: Sun., Jan. 15, p.m., $15.

Off N Outer d, hesterfield, .

Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St.- Louis, 314-498KING BUFFALO: Sun., Jan. 15, 8 p.m., $15. Off 6989.

Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., BAND: St. Louis, 314-498MARTY SPIKENER’S ON CALL Thu., Dec. 1, 6989.

8 p.m., $15-$20. Joe’s Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave, MARTY SPIKENER’S ON CALL BAND: Thu., Dec. 1, St. Louis.

8 p.m., $15-$20. Joe’s Cafe, 6014 Ave, MATT MURTAUGH: W/ Emily Zell, Kingsbury Nathan Orton, St. Louis.

Rob Durham, Thu., Nov. 17, 8 p.m., free. Steve’s MATTDogs, MURTAUGH: W/ Emily Zell, Hot 3145 South Grand, St. Nathan Louis. Orton, Rob Durham, Nov. 17, 8 p.m., free.

Steve’s NIGHT FANNIES:Thu., A CLOTHING-OPTIONAL BOOGIEHot Dogs, Grand, St.The Louis.

BASH: Fri.,3145 Nov.South 25, 8 p.m., $35.

Little Bevo, NIGHT FANNIES: A CLOTHING-OPTIONAL BOOGIE4751 Morganford Rd, St. Louis, 314-833-8889.

BASH: Fri., Nov. 8 p.m., Little Bevo, PARAMORE: Sun.,25, July 30, 7 $35. p.m.,The $37.50-$133.

4751 Morganford St.Clark Louis,Ave., 314-833-8889.

Enterprise Center,Rd, 1401 St. Louis, PARAMORE: Sun., July 30, 7 p.m., $37.50-$133.

314-241-1888.

Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave., St. Louis, PAVILION SEXTET: W/ Lonely Procession, 314-241-1888. Brett Underwood, Thu., Nov. 17, 18&Counting, PAVILION SEXTET: W/ Lonely Procession, 8 p.m., $5.

Platypus, 4501 Manchester Avenue.

18&Counting, Brett Underwood, Thu., on Nov. Continued pg17, 43 8 p.m., $5. Platypus, 4501 Manchester Avenue.

NOVEMBER 9-15, 2022

Continued on pg 43

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[CRITIC’S PICK]

DANIEL HOWELL

WE’RE ALL DOOMED

Sat, Nov 12 EXISTENTIAL RECKONING TOUR

PUSCIFER

SPECIAL GUEST NIGHT CLUB

Thurs, Nov 17

DROPKICK MURPHYS

Judas Priest. | CREDTI

SPECIAL GUEST JAIME WYATT & JESSE AHERN

Judas Priest w/ Queensrÿche 7 p.m. Sunday, November 13. Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway, St. Charles. $47 to $125. 636-896-4200.

You do not need some so-called music critic from the RFT to come down from his ivory tower (all right full disclosure, it’s a rented two-bedroom in north county) and tell you to go see Judas Priest.

You already know that you need to go see Judas Priest. For you see, you have ears to hear, and thus you have heard Screaming for Vengeance. You are of this earth, and therefore you are familiar with British Steel. When the Best Band in the World comes to your town — the band that wrote Painkiller, for fuck’s sake —

THIS JUST IN

Continued from pg 41 PIERCE CRASK: Thu., Nov. 10, 5 p.m., free.

Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

PLATYPUS 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY: W/ Mürtaugh, Fortunate Son, Key Grip, Pillars of Creation, Fri., Nov. 11, 7 p.m., free. Platypus, 4501 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, 314-359-2293.

PLUCKIN’ TO FEED: Sat., Nov. 12, 10 p.m., $12.

Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

POLYPHIA: $29.50. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

ROBERT NELSON & RENAISSANCE: Thu., Nov. 17, 8 p.m., $15-$20. Joe’s Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave, St. Louis.

ROYAL COMEDY 2023: W/ Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Lavell Crawford, Arnez J, Sat., March 4, 8 p.m., $64-$255. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., St. Louis, 314-977-5000.

THE RUM DRUM RAMBLERS: Sat., Dec. 10, 8 p.m., $15-$20. Joe’s Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave. THE SERVICE: Fri., Dec. 16, 9 p.m., free. Llywelyn’s Pub-Webster Groves, 17 Moody Ave., St. Louis, 314-962-1515.

SIERRA FERRELL: Thu., March 2, 8 p.m., $26$36. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, 314-533-9900.

SMINO - KRIBMAS: $35-$45. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St, St. Louis, 314-499-7600.

SOULARD BLUES BAND: Mon., Nov. 14, 9 p.m., $5. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811. Thu., Dec. 22, 8 p.m., $15-

Fri, Nov 18

you know full well that you must take notice. Make haste, then, and get your ass to the Family Arena this Sunday so that Rob Halford and Co. can melt your face off and pulverize your bones to dust.

Over the course of more than 50 years, and with more than 50 million albums sold, the group has solidified itself as the keepers of the flame of the heavy metal sound — the Defenders of the Faith, you could even say — and contrary to all appearances, it can’t last forever. This one is a no-brainer.

Not So Silent Lucidity: The legendary prog-metal act Queensrÿche will open the show, and while they’re no Judas Priest, to be fair: Who is? Arrive on time or commit Mindcrime; the choice is yours.

—Daniel Hill

105.7 THE POINT PRESENTS

RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE SPECIAL GUEST TWEN

WED, DEC 7

ALLMAN FAMILY REVIVAL FT. DEVON ALLMAN, DUANE BETTS, DONAVON FRANKENREITER, LUTHER & CODY DICKINSON, MAGGIE ROSE & MORE

SAT, DEC 10 MURRAY & PETER PRESENT

DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS WED, DEC 21

$20. Joe’s Cafe, 6014 Kingsbury Ave, St. Louis.

SPENCER SUTHERLAND: Tue., April 4, 8 p.m., $22. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161.

SRSQ: W/ Middle Class Fashion, Tue., Nov. 15, 8 p.m., free. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.

ST. LOUIS HOLIDAY SHOW: Fri., Dec. 23, 8 p.m., $15. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.

STL POLE SHOW: Sat., Jan. 7, 8 p.m., $25. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

TENCI: Fri., Feb. 3, 8 p.m., $12. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989.

THOMAS RHETT: Sat., May 20, 7:30 p.m., $26.50$106.50. Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314-241-1888.

VOIDGAZER: W/ Howling Giant, Cloud Cruiser, No Antics, Sun., Nov. 13, 6 p.m., $8. Platypus, 4501 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, 314-3592293.

VOODOO CSNY: Wed., Nov. 16, 9 p.m., $12.

Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

VOODOO LED ZEPPELIN II: Wed., Dec. 21, 9 p.m., $12. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

VOODOO LITTLE FEAT: Wed., Dec. 14, 9 p.m., $12.

Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

VOODOO PHISH: Wed., Dec. 7, 9 p.m., $12. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

VOODOO TOM PETTY: Wed., Dec. 28, 9 p.m., $12.

Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH

DEADMAU5 SAT, DEC 31

ONEUS TUES, JAN 24

ANGEL OLSEN SPECIAL GUEST ERIN RAE

SAT, JAN 28

ANTHRAX & BLACK LABEL SOCIETY SPECIAL GUEST EXODUS

WED, feb 8

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SAVAGE LOVE Loaded Questions

BY DAN SAVAGE Dear Readers: I’m away this week, so we’re re-running a popular Q&A from a few years back.

This column originally appeared in late June of 2018. I’ll be back next week with a brand-new column. —Dan Hey Dan: I am a 24-year-old straight guy who recently broke up with my girlfriend of more than four years. One of the reasons we broke up was a general lack of sexual compatibility. She had a particular aversion to oral sex — both giving and receiving. I didn’t get a blowjob the whole time we were together. Which brings me to why I am writing: One of my closest friends, “Sam,” is a gay guy. Shortly after breaking up with my girlfriend, I was discussing my lack of oral sex with Sam, and he said he’d be willing to “help me out.” I agreed, and Sam gave me an earth-shattering blowjob. I was glad to get some and had no hang-ups about a guy sucking me. Since then, Sam has blown me three more times. My problem is I am starting to feel guilty and worry I am using Sam. He’s a very good buddy, and I’m concerned this lopsided sexual arrangement might be bad for our friendship. Sam knows I am not into guys, and I’m never going to reciprocate, and I feel like this is probably not really fair to him. But these are literally the only blowjobs I’ve received since I was a teenager. What should I do?

Totally Have Reservations Over Advantage Taking Only one person knows how Sam feels about this “lopsided sexual arrangement,” THROAT, and it isn’t me.

Zooming out for a second: people constantly ask me how the person they’re fucking or fisting or flogging feels about the fucking or fisting or flogging. uys write to ask why women ghosted them; women write to ask if their boyfriends are secretly gay. And while I’m happy to speculate, I’m not a mind reader. Which means I have no way of knowing for sure why some woman ghosted you or whether your boyfriend is gay. Or

JOE NEWTON in your case, THROAT, I have no way of knowing how Sam feels about the four norecip blowjobs he’s given you. Only Sam knows.

And that’s why I wrote you back, THROAT, and asked you for Sam’s contact information. Since you were clearly too afraid to ask Sam yourself (most likely for fear the blowjobs would stop), I offered to ask Sam on your behalf.

I wasn’t serious — it was my way of saying, “You should ask Sam.” But you sent me Sam’s contact info, and a few minutes later I was chatting with Sam. “Yes, I have been sucking my straight friend’s cock,” Sam said to me. “And I am flattered he told you I was good at it. That’s an ego booster!”

Sam, like THROAT, is 24 years old. He grew up on the East Coast and met T OAT early in his first year at college. Sam came out at the end of his freshman year, to THROAT and his other friends, and he now lives in a big city where he works in marketing when he isn’t sucking off THROAT. My first uestion for Sam Are you one of those gay guys who gets off on “servicing” straight guys?

“I’ve never done anything with

a straight guy before this,” said Sam. “So, no, I’m not someone who is ‘into servicing straight guys.’ I have only ever dated and hooked up with gay guys before!”

So why offer to blow THROAT? “I didn’t know until after he broke up with his girlfriend that he hadn’t gotten a blowjob the whole time they were together — four years!”

Sam said. “When I told him I’d be happy to help him out, I was joking.

I swear I wasn’t making a pass at my straight friend! But there was this long pause, and then he got serious and said he’d be into it. I wondered for a minute if it would be weird for me to blow my friend, and there was definitely a bit of convincing each other that we were serious. When he started taking his clothes off, I thought, ‘So this is going to happen.’ It was not awkward after. We even started joking about it right away. I have sucked him off four more times since then.”

For those of you keeping score at home: Either THROAT lost count of the number of times Sam has blown him — THROAT said Sam has blown him three more times after that first blow ob or T OAT got a fifth blow ob in the time that elapsed between sending me his letter and putting me

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in touch with Sam. So does this lopsided sexual arrangement — blowing a straight boy who’s never going to blow him back — bother Sam? “I suppose it is a ‘lopsided sexual arrangement,’” said Sam. “But I don’t mind. I really like sucking dick, and I’m really enjoying sucking his dick. He has a really nice dick! And from my perspective, we’re both having fun. And, yes, I’ve jacked off thinking about it after each time I sucked him. I know — now — that he thinks it is a bit unfair to me. But I don’t feel that way at all.”

So there is something in it for Sam, THROAT. You get the blowjobs, Sam gets the memories.

(Memories that he jerks off to later.) And Sam assumes that at some point, memories are all he’ll have.

“He will eventually get into a relationship with a woman again, and our arrangement will end,” said Sam. “I only hope nothing is weird between us in the future because of what has happened in the past few weeks.”

I had one last uestion Sam is really good at sucking cock — he gives “earth-shattering” blowjobs, according to THROAT — but is THROAT any good at getting his cock sucked? As experienced cocksuckers know, a person can suck at getting their cock sucked: They can just lay/stand/sit there, giving you no feedback or be too pushy or not pushy enough, etc.

“That’s a really good uestion,” Sam said. “I have to say, he is very good at it. He really gets into it, he moans, he talks about how good it feels, and he lasts a long time.

That’s part of what makes sucking his cock so much fun.”

Dear Readers: It’s me again. I got a lot of letters in response to T OAT’s uestion. This one appeared in the column the following week. —Dan Hey Dan: You ran a letter about a gay man (“Sam”) … o to savage.love to read the rest.

Beginning next week, Savage Love will be exclusively available online at savage.love. Find Dan there! questions@savagelove.net Check out the Savage Lovecast @FakeDanSavage on Twitter

NOVEMBER 9-15, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

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RIVERFRONT TIMES

NOVEMBER 9-15, 2022

riverfronttimes.com

riverfronttimes.com

NOVEMBER 9-15, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

47