Culture

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CULTURE

[LITERACY]

Save Our Bookstores

Le Bank Books in the Central West End is asking for your help to survive

Written by JAIME LEES

The pandemic has been rough on businesses across the country, but independently owned shops are getting hit particularly hard. They often operate on small margins, so any dip in business can be catastrophic — but COVID-19 has brought almost unthinkable losses to a beloved local indie bookstore that has been operating on “sheer willpower” since March.

[ART]

Happy Accidents

TikTok’s ‘Gay Bob Ross’ is a St. Louis star

Written by MATT WOODS

St. Louis artist Nicholas Holman gained his claim to fame on TikTok. He has 71,000 followers and 1 million likes since his first post on the social media app in May. Holman says he got 30,000 new followers in one day after posting a video of him painting the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. He also posts videos of illustrations of U.S. states and people’s pets.

Holman served at restaurants before making a living on his art alone. A boost from TikTok gave him what he needed to show his talent and focus on art as a full-time career.

Holman lets his personality come alive through his videos. Coining himself as “your local gay Bob Ross,” he adds witty commentary to the art he shares on TikTok.

Left Bank Books (399 North Euclid Avenue; 314-367-6731) says that the last two months of the year usually “account for onethird of our whole year’s revenue,” but how the rest of this particular year will shape up is a big unknown because of the pandemic. As it is now, they say their numbers are “not sustainable,” so they are asking for help to get through these hard times.

“With sales at an alarming low, and no additional Federal assistance in sight, there are not a lot of options,” the store’s owners write in a statement. “We’re doing everything we can with what we have. So I am asking you now, if you are at all able, to support us in generous numbers this holiday season.” ore than ust a place to find the Le Bank Books co-owners Jarek Steele and Kris Kleindienst. | THEO WELLING latest hardcover, Left Bank Books has been a cultural hub since the business started in 1969. The shop is a world that definitely includes you can just donate to the cause. is essential to the soul of St. Louis, Left Bank Books. But if you’re like us and you need and letting it go would feel like If you want to help them out twenty more books always, hit someone cut out a big piece of our you just have to do one thing: up Left Bank for your next new local heart. And when we think Find some way to give them a bit or pre-loved book purchase. Not about what kind of world we want of money. only will you be keeping them in after this pandemic finally ends, it If you don’t need any books, businesses, you’ll be keeping local people employed. And don’t worry, you don’t have to even go into He says TikTok gave him an op- the store — they’ll ship your purportunity that no other social media chase straight to your doorstep app could. On Instagram, Holman just like if you ordered it from one says he felt like he was posting to of the big evil guys. no one. Everyone has the chance to But they don’t just sell books, make it big on TikTok, he adds. y’all. Left Bank Books can cover A graduate of Fox Senior High you for all of your holiday shopSchool in Arnold, Holman moved to ping needs. No, seriously. They Arizona in February only to find him- have everything. Just check out self stuck shortly after amid the CO- their online gift shop. It includes VID-19 pandemic. He moved back the usual T-shirts and tote bags to St. Louis a few months ago and that you can find at many bookcontinued to take off on TikTok. stores, but they also offer prints, “It just really excites me that this stickers, face masks, cross-stitch platform even exists, because I think kits, mugs, postcards, funny socks I’ve tapped into a part of myself that and a large selection of other dooI couldn’t really express anywhere,” dads and must-haves like badass Holman says. enamel pins in styles that honor He takes states’ central themes lefty favorites like Ruth Bader and adds them to his state illustra- Ginsberg, libraries and voting. tion videos, which have gotten up- So if you’re one of the lucky few wards of 100,000 views. Missouri’s with a bit of extra cash these days, includes the Arch with the painting buying from Left Bank Books is a

Holman at work. | COURTESY NICHOLAS HOLMAN of Ha Ha Tonka State Park in the great way to keep your money lobackground. cal and to keep a little bit of hope Holman will paint a portrait of alive, too. your pet for $75. His website also “The sooner you place your or-

“Welcome back to the gay Bob Ross contains murals, posters and stickers ders or come in to browse by apshow,” Holman said to start a video in of his art. pointment, the more certain you May. He uses his platform for social can be of finding what you want,”

The Bob Ross style shows through causes as well. Holman managed to the owners write. “And the more his soft voice and nature paintings. This raise $3,400 for the Black Lives Matter certain we can be of being able to way there are no mistakes in his videos, movement from T-shirts and other cloth- celebrate our 52nd birthday with only happy little accidents. ing and donated the profit, he says. n you next July.” n

Post-Election Selections

In pandemic times, it’s challenging to find things to do that don’t put yourself or those around you in danger. And while we’re inclined to suggest that the safest event is no event, we also know that sounds a lot like abstinence-only sex ed, and you guys are probably gonna fuck anyway. So consider these recommendations your condoms: not foolproof, but safer than other options. We only recommend events that take precautions, but ultimately you’re in charge of your own health, so proceed with care. We also list live-streamed events, which are the safest of all, though admittedly not the same. Live-streamed events are the masturbation of events in this way, because — you know what, we’re gonna go ahead and abandon this metaphor before we get in over our heads. —Daniel Hill open its doors for a real-life live

ADULT SWIM FESTIVAL

3:05 p.m. Friday, November 13 and 2:35 p.m. Saturday, November 14. Livestreamed event. Free. adultswim. com/presents/. Adult Swim brings its delightfully weird world of comedy, art and music to YouTube this weekend for a two-day exercise in absurdity appropriately dubbed the Adult Swim Festival. The virtual fest will combine musical guests and television programming for an event sure to be unlike any other in this hell year, one only slightly less absurd than the election of the new president was. On the music side of things, expect performances by the likes of J.I.D., Thundercat, Kaytranada, Mastadon, Run the Jewels and the Deftones (among many others); on the TV side, there will be live panels featuring the creators of network favorites including the Eric Andre Show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Lazer Wulf and Rick and Morty. There will be watch parties, special guests will appear, and things are sure to get weird as hell. Speaking Of: The fest’s schedule of events, which can be found at adultswim.com/presents/, lists four instances of something called a “Miracle Seltzer Pickle Sips Giveaway,” three of which are scheduled to last a total of one minute and one scheduled for two minutes. Your guess is as good as ours

THE DEFEATED COUNTY RECORD RELEASE

7:30 p.m. Friday, November 13. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Avenue. $15. 314-498-6989. After months of quiet on the live music front, beloved south city venue Off Broadway will finally

as to what on Earth that’s about. show this week. Sure, it’s been hosting some music trivia nights of late and even a listening party for Middle Class Fashion’s latest a couple weeks back, but its stage has stayed darkened throughout the coronavirus pandemic as far as live music is concerned. But no more! St. Louis’ folksy indie-rock act the Defeated County will play host for a show this weekend celebrating the release of its sophomore LP, An Early Fall, an album three years in the making. Additionally, being that the date happens to be Friday the 13th, the event will take on a spooky theme, with attendees getting $2 off the price of admission if they come in costume. (Halloween comes twice this year!) There will be Tarot readings, drink specials, flow arts and even a one-time-only reunion of St. Louis act Let’s Not, of which Defeated County’s Jeremy Essig is also a member — among other surprises yet to be announced. The Usual Caveats: Technically, the stage you’re used to seeing bands perform on will stay dark for this show — the event will take place in Off Broadway’s patio area. Social distancing will be enforced, Defeated County masks will be provided with admission (and the wearing of masks in general will be required), and attendance will be capped at 50 people.

JOHN HENRY/ THE SLEEPY RUBIES DUAL EP RELEASE SHOW

8 p.m. Friday, November 13. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard. $15. 314-726-6161. When it rains record release shows in St. Louis, it evidently

pours. Across town from the Defeated County’s record release bash at Off Broadway, the Pageant will play host to the Sleepy Rubies and John Henry, with the latter delivering a new slab of music as well the five song Out at Sea EP. Funny enough, this show was initially planned for July at Off Broadway before COVID-19 shut everything down, and is now at the Pageant, competing directly against the different record release show that will happen at that venue instead. St. Louis gonna St. Louis! Regardless of scheduling and venue oddities, fans of local

e Defeated County. | VIA THE ARTIST

Run the Jewels. | DANIEL MEDHURST

music are in for a treat no matter which show they choose to attend. Masks On: In addition to a mask mandate and significantly reduced capacity, the Pageant will conduct temperature checks upon entry and enforce social distancing throughout the show. Seating will be reserved, and guests are required to remain in their seats unless they are getting up to leave or use the restroom. Standing or dancing, even at your seat, is not permitted. A full list of the venue’s COVID-19 precautions can be found at thepageant. com/coronavirus. n