30
CULTURE
[CONCERTS]
A Fat Lot of Good New outdoor concert series with national acts seeks to revitalize Laclede’s Landing Written by
JENNA JONES
D
rew Jameson and his company, Jamo Presents, have been trying to keep live music, well, alive throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the group worked with the health department and city health officials to bring an outdoor concert series, called The Lot, to downtown St. Louis for seven weeks. That effort was followed by a slate of shows at City Foundry and an ongoing roster of events at Tower Grove Park. Now, Jameson is venturing into new territory, he says, while also giving back to the community with a new outdoor concert series dubbed The Lot on The Landing. Jameson says he’s excited to bring attention to parts of the city that don’t get as much action as others — in this case, to Laclede’s Landing (1000 North Leonor K Sullivan Boulevard), right next to the riverfront. The concert series is a joint effort between Jamo Presents and the STLMade campaign, an initiative of Greater St. Louis, Inc. The venue will reside on property owned by Great Rivers Greenway along the Riverfront Trail, part of a network of bike and running paths across three counties. “The Lot on the Landing concert series is another step in the Landing’s next chapter as a comfortable and vibrant urban neighborhood on the doorstep of Gateway Arch National Park and downtown St. Louis,” Brian Minges, president of the Laclede’s Landing Community Improvement District, says in a press release. “We are excited that our friends at Jamo Presents are building on the Landing’s unique legacy for great music.”
26
RIVERFRONT TIMES
Jazz-funk act Lettuce is just one of the acts set to perform at the Lot on the Landing this fall. | JAY SANSONE/HUMAN BEING MEDIA From September 16 to October 10, guests can catch performances by artists including Lettuce, Talib Kweli and Cherub. There will also be food from Sugarfire cocktails from STL Barkeep and beer from Schlafly. ameson hopes to bring the special feelings of community he created through the success of The Lot last year to the new event. “[The Lot] ended up being a really community-building, positive thing in a moment where I felt the city was really hurting,” Jameson says. “Coming in with the name The ot’ again is a fitting moment for us and also just, you know, doing some good for the community again.” One band Jameson is particularly excited about is The Dead South, which will play the venue on September 25. Described by Jameson as a “viral YouTube phenom,” the Canadian band plays bluegrass music. Jameson has worked with The Dead South previously. “It’s just a wild time, a really good show,” Jameson says. “A little behind the scenes, I’ve heard them doing their warmup songs, and they’re playing, like, Canadian metal music to pump themselves up to play these bluegrass hits. I love working with bands like that — it’s totally quirky and fun. They’ll be a really good time.” Other can’t-miss acts, according to Jameson, include a Grateful Dead tribute with Keller Williams putting a bluegrass spin on the
AUGUST 11-17, 2021
riverfronttimes.com
band’s music on October 1. Talib Kweli will be joined on September 18 by other up-and-comers for a “hip-hop showcase-type energy,” ameson says. silent disco finishes the series on October 10. Jameson wants to add more local music acts to the lineup, as well. He hopes every show will feature some local act before the national ones take the stage. “I think to try to bring in and
The Pageant, Delmar Hall Requiring Vaccinations Written by
JAIME LEES
I
n matching posts shared Monday morning, The Pageant (6161 Delmar Boulevard) and Delmar Hall (6133 Delmar Boulevard) announced that either vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test will be required to enter the venues. In addition to wearing a mask (which was already required) visitors must now show documentation along with their ID at the door to gain entry. The announcement from two of the most successful entertainment venues in town continues a trend of bars, restaurants and other businesses in the St. Louis area requiring proof of vaccines
continue the roots of this thing, drawing from community and local, even though we’re showcasing national acts, trying my best to balance out that act or lineup is important,” Jameson says. Safety in the pandemic has remained important for Jameson, especially as he and his team watch how the Delta variant affects the region. Jameson said the series will continue to evolve to remain a safe space in the face of the pandemic. Since Jamo Presents faced “every obstacle possible” and a wide range of scenarios last year as it put on concerts, Jameson feels equipped to handle this series. As long as bands want to come and it remains a safe environment for guests, the show will go on. The Lot on The Landing has been in the works since before the pandemic, so to see it come to fruition is exciting for Jameson. “It took something as crazy as a pandemic for us to actually pull the trigger on doing it,” Jameson says. “It feels really great every single time, and this is going to be the biggest one we’ve done yet.” Tickets are on sale at jamopresents.com, and shows are for guests 21 and older, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. The tickets range from $13 to $100 for VIP service. n
as owners reevaluate how to keep their customers safe in the era of the Delta variant. Here’s how management for the venues explained the move to fans: “Effective Monday 08/09/2021, ticketed admission to both The Pageant and Delmar Hall will also require proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 Vaccination or a Negative COVID-19 Diagnostic Test within the previous 72 hours. “Additionally, face masks will still be needed to enter either of our venues. “While we believe that most of our patrons are already vaccinated, our continuing goal is to provide as safe an environment as practically possible. “Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or a Negative COVID-19 Diagnostic Test can be a physical paper copy or a snapshot on your mobile device, along with a matching photo ID, to display upon admission. This policy will be in effect until further notice or, as a favorite Uncle of ours used to say: Not forever, just for now.” n
