Culture

Maxi Glamour to Host Black Friday Ball

Written by JENNA JONES

Shopping can arguably be the most stressful part of the holiday season, but Maxi Glamour and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis are hosting an event to take the pressure off. The third Black Friday Ball and Marketplace kicks off this Friday, November 26, with an afternoon full of shopping that transitions into a panel discussion and performances by Glamour, Passion Principle and more.

Taking place at CAM (3750 Washington Boulevard), the marketplace starts at 4 p.m. and features Black queer artists. Supporting such artists is an important mission of Glamour’s — they are the founder of Qu’art, an organization that focuses on financial stability for t. Louis queer artists and intersectional queer liberation.

Featured artists for the marketplace include Casper Levi, Ori Tala, Lydia-Rae Wehmeyer and Tiélere Cheatem. Others — such as Brooke Elston, Olivia Obi and Kyla Hawkins — are also scheduled to appear at the event.

As the afternoon fades into evening, a panel discussion — moderated by Glamour — will take place. Trans activist and actress Toni Bryce, Saint Louis University Professor of Communications Cypress Reign and Executive Director of Forward through Ferguson David Dwight will join Glamour to discuss strategies for Black queer liberation.

Galleries will close early to accommodate what comes next: a ball complete with performances.

The performances spotlight “Black Queer performance art of all styles,” according to a press release. Glamour and their band, featuring Erik Dontè, are scheduled to play a set, as well as other artists including Lavish Jules, Lydia-Rae Wehmeyer and Adria Nicole.

Finish the night off with the ball and a Vogue competition. A $1,000 grand prize is up for grabs for the Vogue competition, along with other cash prizes for categories like Sex Siren, Hands, Face and Bizarre Bazaar. Vanessa Frost is the commentator, and participants will be judged by Dee “Carta” Davis, Logik Oricci, Godmother Spirit Ebony, Father Trell Chanel, Legend Intyce Makaveli and Anthony Redd Williams.

Free tickets are required for the marketplace, and it’s highly encouraged to reserve your spot for the ball and performances with a max of two tickets per person, per portion of the event. Walk-ins will be welcomed based on availability, and COVID-19 safety measures will be observed. Free HIV testing is also available, provided by Vivent Health. Visit camstl.org for more information. n

St. Louis’ favorite blue-skinned, tricoastal fairy demon brings the party to CAM this week. | VIA THE ARTIST

[SHOPPING]

City Foundry Hosting ‘WintrMarkt’ Marketplace

Written by JENNA JONES

Shop until you drop this holiday season with the return of the City Foundry’s “WintrMarkt.” The City Foundry (3730 Foundry Way) has hosted plenty of marketplaces this year, but this one will help you support local businesses while also checking names off your gift list.

The marketplace is organized by the St. Louis-based organizations Women’s Creative and Joya. Hosted every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. beginning Saturday, November 27, the boutique market features 50 different vendors each weekend. WintrMarkt runs until Sunday, December 19, so around 200 local businesses are expected to participate.

Not only will there be gifts to buy, but there will also be local entertainment from carolers and high schools. Additionally, Schlafly Beer is scheduled to have a pop-up bar at the event.

An STLMade charity gift-wrapping service will also be on site.

“WintrMarkt is the most fun and convenient way to support local this season while also knocking out your weekend holiday shopping,” Jessica Conick of the Women’s Creative says in a press release. “It’s also a lot more reliable than anxiously checking the shipping notifications for online orders.”

Conick says the organizations are proud to be “STL made” and grateful for sponsors, such as Schlafly and Saint Louis Bank, for helping provide the opportunity for local businesses to sell to St. Louisans during “the most important season of the year.”

The event is hosted indoors within and around the Food Hall. It’s free to attend, but if you reserve your spot online, you will receive an emailed “swag bag” that offers discounts for vendors. Visit thewomenscreative.com to RSVP. n

In addition to the Pink Floyd tribute, the Symphony also announced two dates with Ben Folds. | COURTESY SLSO

[MUSIC]

SLSO Announces Pink Floyd Tribute

Written by JENNA JONES

If you’re already thrilled about the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s movie concerts that include Harry Potter and Indiana Jones, we have great news for you: Another special night is being planned by the organization, but this one is a tribute to classic rock band Pink Floyd.

Two more St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concerts will take over Powell Hall (718 North Grand Boulevard, 314-534-1700) early next year. The first is slated for Saturday, February 26. The Music of Pink Floyd will feature the orchestra paying homage to the band and playing hit songs such as “Money,” “Learning to Fly,” “Comfortably Numb” and more. Vocalist Randy Jackson will join the orchestra for the performances, as will a rock band and guest conductor Brent Havens. This isn’t the first time the SLSO has dedicated a space for classic bands: They’ve also had tribute nights for Led Zeppelin and the Beatles.

Also on the schedule are two concerts performed with Ben Folds, the piano-playing singer-songwriter. Folds has performed with other orchestras, as well as multiple times with the SLSO; he was last here in February 2020 and sold his show out. His two upcoming shows are scheduled for Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2.

Tickets for The Music of Pink Floyd cost $35, while tickets for the Folds show are $55. Visit slso.org or call the box office at 314-534-1700. A negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination is required to get into Powell Hall, and masks are also required. n