Riverfront Times, City Guide 2020 by Riverfront Times

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Here are the dimensions: Live Area: 4.5x7.5” Trim: 5x8” Full Bleed: 6x9”

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FUTURE THINKING

St. Louis is a city tied to its history. The 1904 World’s Fair still looms large. Cards and Blues fans can recite with vivid clarity the triumphs — and near misses — that have been the heartbeat of generations. And if you feel like an argument, grab a beer at Broadway Oyster Bar or the Duck Room and debate the legacy of rock & roll legend Chuck Berry. St. Louis’ very beginnings as a hub along the Mississippi River locked us in as an instrumental player shaping this country. But the city has never been stagnant, and that is definitely true as we begin 2020. This year is sure to be one of upheaval and change as dreams, big and small, will get their opportunity to shine or burn out. We’ve put together a guide to this forward-looking time as we examine the future of St. Louis from all angles. In these pages you will find a primer on the major projects — including those already underway such as the skyline-changing rebirth of Union Station and those yet to come, like miles of new bike trails and the hotly debated Major League Soccer stadium — that have the potential to alter the way St. Louis looks and feels. Our respected food writers will introduce you to restaurants and chefs to know in the new decade, and revisit our favorite innovators who helped define our world-class culinary scene for drinks and dining. If you’re into the arts, you can learn about one of our hometown fashion designers and explore the music and cultural events you should be adding to your calendar. You can also dive into the world of St. Louis’ local video game makers and the comic book artists who have created one of the most inventive storytelling techniques you’ve ever seen. And, yes, this will always be a baseball and hockey town, but maybe we can make room once again in our jaded hearts for football and embrace the culture of Ka-Kaw! Somebody bury the Stan Kroenke era under Forest Park. That time is history. Welcome to 2020. —Doyle Murphy

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BY DANIEL HILL

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Game On Enter the BattleHawks — the future of football in St. Louis — and their arch rivals, the detestable Vipers BY DANIEL HILL

arch 14, 2020 is a day that will go down in St. Louis sports history.

That’s the day St. Louis’ XFL football team, the mighty BattleHawks, go head to head with our most odious of rivals, the despicable Tampa Bay Vipers. It’s a feud that traces its origins back to the very founding of the league, and one which has only gotten more intense with time as BattleHawk diehards’ bloodlust nears a fever pitch. This game is sure to be personal, with the BattleHawks looking to settle the score after the teams’ last match up, in which…uh… hang on a sec… Oh wait, that’s right: The Tampa Bay Vipers and the St. Louis BattleHawks have never played against each other. In fact, none of the league’s eight teams have ever played against anybody. That’s because unlike, say, the Major League Soccer team coming to St. Louis in the near future (that as-yet-unnamed franchise is expected to make its debut in the 2022 season), the league in which these teams play just got started in 2019. Sure, it’s a reboot of WWE head honcho Vince McMahon’s 2001 attempt at launching an “eXtreme Football League,” but that effort crashed and burned within only one season — and St. Louis had nothing to do with it, as we were too busy at the time cheering on some local NFL team named after

sheep or something like that (who can remember?). So how did the Vipers end up the subject of St. Louis’ scorn and derision? Simple: The fans made it so. In the early days after it was announced that St. Louis would be home to the BattleHawks, a Facebook group for fans of the team sprung up, calling itself the St. Louis BattleHawks Fan Page. And while there was initially some talk of turning our city’s collective sports ire toward the LA Wildcats — after all, that is the new home of a certain team of sheep and their bad-toupee-wearing shepherd — one simple nature fact overrode those concerns: Hawks eat snakes. And with that, a rivalry was born. It didn’t take long for that rivalry to move off of Facebook and into every other corner of the web, as well as St. Louis ESPN talk radio station 101.1 FM, where the team’s bird-based (and likewise fan-appointed) battle cry of “Ka-Kaw!” soon found itself spreading like wildfire alongside numerous “facts” about the detestable Vipers’ hopelessly confused fanbase. To hear a BattleHawks fan tell it, Vipers fans: • Poop standing up • Wipe from side to side • Don’t add milk to their mac ‘n’ cheese riverfronttimes.com

• Eat chicken wings with a spoon • Take the urinal right next to you when there’s an open one farther down • Fill their bathtub using the shower head • Seal Ziploc bags without removing excess air first ...And that’s just a sample of the depraved behavior BattleHawks fans ascribe to those misguided enough to root for the Vipers. All told, it’s enough to forge a rivalry as strong as steel, even though the two teams have never yet touched turf together. And so, even though the BattleHawks’ season officially starts with a February 9 matchup against the Dallas Renegades, it’s the March 14 game that will live on in St. Louis’ collective sports consciousness for millennia. While some BattleHawks lore has been hotly contested among the team’s fans (that “Ka-Kaw!” battle cry continues to be a source of division), hatred for the Vipers is nearly as universal as that directed at a certain rug-wearing NFL team owner. I mean, you just know that guy poops standing up. CG

Get ready for the BattleHawks. Ka-Kaw! Courtesy of the St. Louis BattleHawks

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Leveling Up St. Louis’ video game industry is building itself a new future by Danny Wicentowski Making a video game requires a highly specific technical background in much the same way that yodeling requires a highly specific kind of bicycle seat. Often, game designers have no formal education in computer science or programming. Sam Coster, co-founder of St. Louis game studio Butterscotch Shenanigans, has a psychology degree from Washington University. His brother Seth dropped out of law school to join him at the sibling-staffed startup based in University City. Oh, and Sam and Seth’s other brother, Adam, came onboard after defending his dissertation in cellular and molecu-

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lar biology. For all of them, the software and design skills that came along the way are like “acquired powers.” “All of us got into this laterally,” Sam Coster explains. “We’re all using the weird range of skills that we have. None of us are trained in any of the things we do.” With a staff of five, Butterscotch Shenanigans is one of St. Louis’ brightest burgeoning game studios, producing the hit RPG crafter Crashlands, which made Time’s list of best games of 2016, and launching the studio’s bona fides in St. Louis and beyond. The studio’s latest game, “Levelhead” — an ambitious

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take on the make-it-yourself platformer genre currently dominated by Nintendo’s “Mario Maker” series — was recently showcased at Microsoft Xbox’s London’s X019 event. Next year it will be available for download to the 9.5 million users of Xbox Game Pass subscription service. (Think Netflix, but for games.) But Coster points out that St. Louis’ game development scene isn’t comparable, yet, to tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle or Austin. St. Louis does have one outpost from a major studio, Riot Games, which maintains an office in Clayton. (The company, based in Los

Butterscotch Shenanigans assemble! | COURTESY BUTTERSCOTCH SHENANIGANS

Angeles, employs more than 2,300 people in 23 offices around the world.) The five-strong Butterscotch team isn’t in that league. Coster estimates that St. Louis’ independent game development scene likely has less than 100 available jobs. “The independent game scene here has grown up to this point, and there’s a missing piece to the puzzle,” he says. “We’ve definitely answered the question of whether we build an innovation hub in a non-established anchor city. Our question now is, where might we find the next talent, as we continue expanding in the future?” One solution lies in St. Louis’ growing startup scene, whose tech workers and students present a pool of potential for studios looking for talent. There’s also a homegrown pipeline: In 2014, the same year Webster University started offering a major in game design, the college also hosted the first PixelPop Festival, a gaming event that aims to showcase the city’s indie game scene and support network for would-be game developers. “People assume there’s not a lot of game-development things in the Midwest, but one of our goals at PixelPop is just making people aware that this community exists; they don’t have to travel across the country,” says Mary McKenzie, a co-organizer of the festival and a developer herself at the St. Louis-based studio Volcano Bean. A former costume-designer, McKenzie and her husband founded Volcano Bean in 2014. They started “simple,” she says, first with a matching game called “Where’s My Goblin?” Then came a second simple game, “Sleepy Kraken,” which gave her the practice to polish her skills with important game design software called Unity. “We found that we really enjoyed

it and loved it; it pulled on all of our skill sets,” McKenzie says of the game development process. “You don’t have to start making commercial games to see if you like it without a huge time commitment.” Currently, McKenzie and Volcano Bean are in the midst of their latest game, which is adorable but not at all simple. The game is called “Battlecakes,” a “snack-sized RPG” featur-

ing pastry characters and classic RPG gameplay that also gives players a rare choice: to approach the game’s dessert-strewn battlefields with the logic of whacking at the thing until it dies, or to forgo a fight entirely and befriend your foe instead. At this point in the development, McKenzie and her team have put playable versions of the game online and offered it at public demos. They’re deep in the rigors of play-testing. “It’s very humanizing,” she says of the process. “People think about making video games and assume it’s not for them; they could not do that,” she concludes. “It takes a giant leap of faith.” For St. Louis, the game development scene is looking to string together a combo of similar leaps. The next level, perhaps, will take double jumps. CG

Raising the Barcade

Just because video games are on your PC, handheld or console, doesn’t mean you’re exempt from appreciating the arcade classics of yesteryear. Thanks to these local barcades, there’s never been a better time for adults to see if they can handle a pint and a round of Galaga. —D.W.

Kelly Glueck

Katie Counts

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1. Located virtually in the shadow of Busch Stadium, Start Bar (1000 Spruce Street, 314-3764453) itself offers a stadium-sized helping of multi-player arcade games — including the ten-player phenomenon “Killer Queen.” 2. You won’t need a cheat code for the Central West End barcade Up-Down STL (405 North Euclid Avenue, 314-449-1742), but with 60 arcade games, you’ll need a supply of quarters to make a dent in those high scores. 3. Ditch Princess Peach and make your own castle at Two Plumbers Brewery + Arcade (2236 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles; 636224-8626). A barcade that went all-in on the concept, here you’ll find a wide selection of craft beers and dozens of options for arcade and board-game lovers. |

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Sixteen Words Anasazi weaves a tale of war in the language of aliens

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by Danny Wicentowski n Anasazi, members of an alien tribal system at war speak with a language that is, at first, entirely indecipherable — all except for a single pictogram, a symbol defined as “ancient enemy.” It is one of just sixteen English phrases used over the graphic novel’s 212 pages. But from that base, Anasazi, the second full-length work from illustrator Matt Bryan and writer Mike McCubbins, unfolds just as much from the reader’s vocabulary as it does from the action on the page. “We realize, it’s a big ask,” McCubbins says of the language they invented, during a recent interview in his south St. Louis home. On his dining room table lies an early proof of Anasazi, the pages not yet bound in the brown cloth cover with symbols etched on its spine. More than 400 are being shipped out, the result of a Kickstarter campaign launched in July that raised more than $16,000. McCubbins and Bryan have amassed something of a following. This is their second Kickstarter-funded graphic novel after 2013’s Book of Da, which introduced readers to the creative duo through the lens of a mysterious diver who defies a Lovecraftian underwater god who “speaks” not in words but in a series of comic strips. For Anasazi, Bryan and McCubbins took that seed of an idea and grew it into a Sequoia-sized experiment.

“I enjoy some crazy-balls, can’tmake-heads-or-tails-of-things projects,” Bryan admits. “The tendency for us is that we start farther out, and then figure that we have to hold readers’ hands a little more. Because, you still have to tell the story.” That story follows a group of somewhat humanoid aliens. They hunt with bows and arrows and live in pueblo-like dwellings that are clearly inspired by aspects of Native American cultures in the American Southwest. But these aliens are decidedly non-human, as they’re covered in fur, have vertically-oriented mouths and sport antenna, which behave expressively like eyebrows and functionally like miniature hands attached to their heads. Anasazi began as a short story Bryan pitched for a science fiction anthology, but it grew into a story that delves into a conflict over culture, assimilation and the complexity of defining your enemy. It begins with a massacre based on a misunderstanding between two tribes, identified by the color of their fur — red and blue — and separated by a river. There is a lot of dialogue, and Anasazi forces the reader to follow the action even when that dialogue is, largely, undefined. But those scenes aren’t impenetrable. Anasazi’s layout often works like film reel, with multiple panels dedicated to capture body Matt Bryan’s and Matt McCubbins’ Anasazi is a riddle wrapped in an language and antenna movement. enigmatic comic book. DANNY WICENTOWSKI riverfronttimes.com

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It means the characters don’t need English to tell you everything you need to know about their motivations and state of mind, and so you, the reader, don’t need to know exactly what the symbols “squiggly man next to squiggly spear” or “box crossed with diagonal arrows” means to get through the page. “There’s a lot of mystery going on, and you’re trying to piece it together,” Bryan says. McCubbins nods and adds that he expects readers to dig deeper into the language and mythology of the world they’ve created. It’s a lot to expect a reader to get through. But it works. As each new symbol is defined, the book’s characters get richer, their dialogue more pointed and their arguments more meaningful. By building a vocabulary — or, if you must, referring to the “cheat sheet” of symbols that Bryan and McCubbins mercifully include as a bookmark — the reader can get a sense for Anasazi’s forest, even if the trees are at first somewhat incomprehensible. “We want you to be satisfied with one reading,” McCubbins says. “But we’re certainly thinking that you’ll have to read it more than once to get everything.” CG

It’s WAY better than a photo booth!

Check Yo Shelf

Looking to dive into a graphic novel or comic book? These local stores have your fix, and not just across your favorite Marvel or DC archrivals, but with works from local artists who are pushing the boundaries of art and storytelling. —D.W.

Daniel Hill

1. What would you get if a comic book shop was bitten by a radioactive saloon? Perhaps something like Apotheosis Comics & Lounge (3206 South Grand Boulevard, 314802-7090) which has stocked coolers and serves coffee, local craft beer, wine and snacks.

2. Having the power to be in multiple places at once would be great, but Fantasy Shop does the next best thing by having four distinct locations — and like any good superhero team, each store has its own personality. Check them out in South County, Maplewood, St. Charles and Creve Coeur.

3. In the heart of downtown’s busiest strip of shops, Star Clipper (1319 Washington Avenue, 314-240-5337) has none of the dank basement-feel and huffing comic book guy stereotypes. Bright, friendly and library-packed, Star Clipper is everything a comic book shop could aspire to.

Weddings, B’nai Mitzvah, School Dances, Graduation Parties, Lock-Ins, University Events, Corporate Parties, Brand Activations, Conventions, Fundraisers, Festivals, and More!

314.621.8638 | Info@FishEyeFun.com | FishEyeFun.com

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Pound for pound, St. Louis cuisine is the envy of the country. Don’t believe BY CHERYL BAEHR AND LIZ MILLER us? Read on

e talk about our food scene a lot in St. Louis — and with good reason. The past decade has seen incredible change and growth to the food-anddrink landscape here, with local restaurants and bars catching the attention of national publications and awards. The future of the industry is just as bright, too: From chef Nick Bognar, who is quickly becoming the city’s premier sushi chef at Indo, to the opening of Little Fox, one of the most refreshing concepts to debut in recent memory, these are the people and places currently pushing the scene forward. We couldn’t forget the folks who forged the foundation for our local food scene, though; without those standard bearers, the city’s dining scene never would have reached this point. Together, we believe that this collection of restaurants and chefs represents the best that St. Louis has to offer — and we can’t wait to talk about where it’s going next.

New & Innovative Stories, Restaurants and People Pastry Chef Tyler “Tai” Davis Gets Creative

Looking at Tyler “Tai” Davis’ (tai-davis.com) stunning works of pastry art, you’d assume he was mentored by some of the best dessert makers in the world. Instead, this rising star is completely self-taught, an education he cobbled together through a mix of obsessive research and experimentation after falling into a pastry chef gig at the now-shuttered Element. While there, he got his big break on Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship, and he’s never looked back, pushing the limits of what dessert can be. Davis operates at

At Bulrush, chef-owner Rob Connoley continues to wow diners with his innovative Ozark cuisine. MABEL SUEN

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the intersection of food and art, and his unique, modern pastry aesthetic would be just as much at home in a museum as it is on a plate. His bold, creative voice has only just begun to impact the city’s culinary scene, and it will be exciting to watch what he achieves. CHERYL BAEHR

Alex Henry Breathes New Life Into Cleveland-Heath In 2017, when Jenny Cleveland and Eric Heath announced that they’d be leaving the lauded restaurant they opened in 2011, Cleveland-Heath (106 North Main Street, Edwardsville, Illinois; 618-307-4830), there was a feeling of uncertainty about its future. The restaurant was bought by Keith and Kari McGinness, who, at the time, said that Cleveland-Heath would be unchanged — as much as any restaurant that los-

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es its founders and chefs could be. The ownership transition encountered its share of bumps in the road, but for the most part, regulars were just happy to see the restaurant survive. This summer, Cleveland-Heath celebrated another milestone when Alex Henry was named executive chef. An experienced and talented chef, Henry’s first big kitchen gig in St. Louis was at Nixta in Botanical Heights; in fact, for his work at Nixta he was named a semifinalist for Eater’s national Young Guns Awards in 2018. At Cleveland-Heath, Henry has continued the restaurant’s mission to source as much product as possible from local farms while applying his own voice to the menu. Born in Mérida, Mexico in the state of Yucatán, Henry has added dishes at Cleveland-Heath that reflect his background blended with his fine-dining experience, such as cochinita pibil with achiote citrus-roasted

Eat Your Heart Out, World

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guests about Ozark food has resulted in one of the most exciting, unique restaurants in the St. Louis dining scene. C.B. The Prapaisilp family draw from their heritage to serve excellent regional Thai fare at Chao Baan. MABEL SUEN

Rensing pork, citrus red onions, chiles and baguette. LIZ MILLER

Rob Connoley Elevates the Ozarks at Bulrush Rob Connoley has received numerous accolades for his cooking, but all the confirmation he needed that he was doing something great at his Ozark-influenced restaurant Bulrush (3307 Washington Avenue; 314-449-1208) came in the form of a simple email. The sender, a native of the Ozark region, wanted to thank Connoley for turning the food he grew up eating from an embarrassment into something that felt important. Connoley, together with his talented sous chef, Justin Bell, may be putting out delicious food at Bulrush, but their lasting impact is a commitment to giving voice to a forgotten cuisine. Their obsessive research, use of foraged ingredients and insistence on educating

Indie Eatery Brings Fresh and Sustainable Food to St. Peters There aren’t a ton of family-owned restaurants serving fresh, local and sustainable food in St. Peters. This was a problem that Shannon Thompson sought to solve when she debuted Indie Eatery (7827 Mexico Road, St. Peters; 636387-1000) in fall 2018. Her journey to opening her own restaurant and catering business is an unlikely one: For twelve years, Thompson served in the U.S. Air Force, which afforded her the chance to travel around the world (meanwhile, her husband, A.J., spent six years in the Missouri Air National Guard). After retiring from the military, the couple launched a catering company, Indie4, as an outlet for sharing the food they’d enjoyed around the globe. Two years later, the Thompsons opened the cafe, which serves organic and sustainable comfort food. With Indie Eatery’s menu, Thompson is trying to put her own fresh and healthy spin on hearty classics; for instance, the cafe’s take on riverfronttimes.com

waffles for brunch offers organic brown butter waffles with espresso brownie pieces, sea salt caramel, all-natural vanilla bean ice cream and vanilla bean whipped cream. By investing in her hometown of St. Peters and staying committed to serving healthy and fun food, Thompson is having an impact well beyond her own community — she’s helping elevate food across the St. Louis area. L.M.

Little Fox Aims to Redefine What It Means to be a Neighborhood Restaurant In late November, after more than a year of planning and almost five months of construction, Little Fox (2800 Shenandoah Avenue, 314-553-9456) opened in the Fox Park neighborhood. Envisioned as a modern neighborhood restaurant by owners Mowgli and Craig Rivard, the dining experience balances the best of fine dining in a more casual environment. Serving a seasonal menu that the Rivards describe as “simple food done well” with New American influences, Little Fox sources as much fresh produce and ingredients as possible from local farms. Little Fox is currently open for dinner only but eventually the Rivards plan to expand into weekday

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breakfast and lunch as well as weekend brunch. The couple hope to add brunch service in early 2020 and continue expanding their hours from there. For now, though, they’re perfecting dinner service at the restaurant — and Fox Park and St. Louis is better for it. L.M.

Balkan Treat Box Expands Bosnian Food in STL Although the Bosnian community has been a major part of the fabric of St. Louis since the early 1990s, Bosnian cuisine never really integrated outside of the Bevo Mill neighborhood and into the city’s greater culinary scene. This changed when Loryn and Edo Nalic launched their food truck, Balkan Treat Box (8103 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves; 314-733-5700), in December 2016. Underpinned by a respect for tradition, Balkan Treat Box offers modern interpretations of food from throughout the Balkan region, including its Turkish pide, a boat-shaped, wood-fired flatbread that has become the restaurant’s signature dish. Now a brick-and-mortar, Balkan Treat Box has turned into one of the hottest restaurants in town and has garnered national acclaim, but most importantly, the Nalics have shined a spotlight on edible treasures that have been hiding in plain sight all along. C.B.

Cate Zone Pushes Comfort Zones In its own right, Cate Zone (8148 Olive Boulevard, University City; 314-7389923) is a magnificent dining establishment, but it’s so much more than that. The University City restaurant stands as just one shining example of a burgeoning scene of modern East Asian restaurants run by young immigrant entrepreneurs that is changing the city’s dining landscape. Eschewing the American-Chinese food template, restaurants like Cate Zone, Corner 17 and Taiwanese streetfood spot Tai Ke are unapologetically showing St. Louis diners what it’s like to dine in and around East Asia today. Their success shows that taking a chance on what you believe and pushing people out of their comfort zones is always a recipe for a delicious experience. C.B.

Michael and Tara Gallina Debut Winslow’s Table Late last year, a beloved local restaurant and market was revived with a refreshed concept in a redesigned space. In November, Winslow’s Table (7213 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-7257559) opened its doors, serving break-

fast and lunch. Located in the former Winslow’s Home space, the renamed and reimagined concept comes from Michael and Tara Gallina, the husbandand-wife team behind acclaimed Vicia. The restaurant power couple first announced the purchase of the space in August under their Rooster and the Hen Hospitality Group, quickly remodeling the restaurant alongside a team from Sasha Malinich of R/5 and Casco Architects. The selection of large-format dishes gives executive chef Michael the creativity to offer a more casual dining experience from Vicia, which is now focused on dinner service only. For breakfast, at Winslow’s Table, choose from plates such as the Winslow’s Pancakes with preserved blueberries, maple syrup and whipped butter or the buttermilk biscuit sandwich with a fried egg, applewood-smoked ham, Cheddar and apple mustard. On the lunch menu, sandwiches include the braised brisket sammie with Provolone, horseradish, Dijon and pickled banana peppers, an homage to Winslow’s Home. By stewarding the restaurant into this next chapter, the Gallinas are not only investing in a beloved neighborhood eatery but also further investing in St. Louis. L.M.

Nick Bognar Emerges as an All-Star Chef Before he was a James Beard-nominated Rising Star, before the critical acclaim and national recognition, Nick Bognar was a kid rolling egg rolls and crab rangoon in his parent’s West County restaurant, Nippon Tei. He was destined to follow in their footsteps, but he wouldn’t know how far that would take him until a job at an acclaimed sushi restaurant in Austin, Texas, opened his eyes to all that cooking could be. In the time since, Bognar has returned to St. Louis where he helped re-conceive Nippon Tei and developed a reputation as the city’s premier sushi chef. The acclaim propelled him to the Botanical Heights hotspot, Indo (1641 D Tower Grove Avenue), where he combines the exploration of his Thai heritage with his sushi skills into one of the most exciting restaurants around. He’s no longer a talented chef on the rise — with Indo, Bognar has ascended to star status. C.B.

Food Truck-Focused 9 Mile Garden to Open This Spring There’s no shortage of food trucks in St. Louis, with the list growing each month, and soon, they’ll have an openair hub to call their own. This spring, 9 riverfronttimes.com

Mile Garden (9375 Gravois Road, Affton) will open in the Affton Plaza shopping center, featuring a family-friendly entertainment destination with a rotating assortment of food trucks, community events, outdoor movies, live music and more. The project is a collaboration between Guerrilla Street Food chef and co-owner Brian Hardesty and Seneca Commercial Real Estate, which owns the shopping center. The food truck garden is expected to operate six days a week, offering both lunch and dinner service. In addition to queuing up “a daily rotation of St. Louis’ best and most beloved food trucks,” 9 Mile Garden aims to be a hub for entertainment of all types, from livestreams of sporting events to live performances. The garden’s name is inspired by a time in St. Louis history when streets didn’t have formal names or road markers and therefore landmarks were known by their distance from the courthouse. As you may have guessed, 9 Mile Garden is located nine miles from the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis. L.M.

Chao Baan Goes Bold When the Prapaisilp family was presented with the opportunity to open a new restaurant in the Grove, they had a choice: Go the safe route with a second location of their South Grand mainstay, the King & I, or take a chance by showing St. Louis Thai food in a different light. Thankfully, they opted for the latter with Chao Baan (4087 Chouteau Avenue, 314925-8250), a wonderful restaurant based on the family’s diverse culinary heritage that spans both the far south and extreme northeast parts of Thailand. Meaning “of the people” in Thai, Chao Baan is an edible autobiography of the Prapaisilp family that features dishes that are lesser-known than the food from the central part of the country that is typically found at Thai restaurants in St. Louis. It was a bold move — almost as bold as Chao Baan’s fiery flavors — that paid off in a thrilling dining experience. C.B.

Bait Tackles Swanky Seafood After lamenting St. Louis’ lack of swanky seafood options, Kalen Hodgest decided he would stop complaining and do something about it. The result of his efforts is Bait (4239 Lindell Boulevard, 314-405-2797), the stunning Central West End seafood lounge that has quickly become one of the city’s brightest hot spots. Much of the credit goes to former executive chef Ceaira Jackson, a rising star whose talent for seafood dazzled on | 2020 CITY GUIDE

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menu items such as Bait’s seafood boil, which puts all other seafood boils to shame. It’s packed with flaming prawns and a red snapper that might make you think you have taken a wrong turn and landed in the Caribbean. In addition to proving that the Midwest is capable of doing seafood right, Bait also joins Prime 55 as a small but growing group of black-owned restaurants operating in the fine-dining side of the business. It’s a welcome development that’s making the city all that more delicious. C.B.

Bar. Now located inside the building that once housed the Lemp family’s stables, the brewery and burger joint plans to make full use of the space’s expansive footprint. Fans of chef-owner Chris McKenzie’s smashed burgers and #RipFries — flecked with Red Hot Riplets seasoning — can now find the same menu items from the original location, although the chef says he’d like to expand options in the future. Mac’s Local Buys, the retail market and sister business that McKenzie previously ran inside Tamm, has also made the move to Cherokee Street. The brewery’s significantly larger footprint means more space for Mac’s, which was something McKenzie says the restaurant desperately needed. It includes a large patio that’s perfect for crushing beers and burgers during warmer months. L.M.

Mac’s Local Eats Moves to Bigger Digs Inside Bluewood Brewing

Tommy Andrew to Launch Nomad Sandwich Shop Inside Tamm Avenue Bar

After a brief hiatus in 2019, one of the best burgers in St. Louis found a new home. In September, Mac’s Local Eats (1821 Cherokee Street, 314-4798155) opened inside Bluewood Brewing, a new brewery from owners Cameron Lund, Grant Lodholz and Jerry Moberg. The beloved burger spot was previously embedded in Tamm Avenue

More delicious food is coming to Dogtown this winter when chef Tommy Andrew debuts Nomad (1227 Tamm Avenue, 314-261-4902) inside Tamm Avenue Bar. At Nomad, Andrew will serve a range of sandwiches, burgers and more, with several of his early menu items inspired by his impressive culinary resume. Andrew is a familiar

Jerk Soul has quickly become St. Louis’ most beloved Caribbean restaurant. MABEL SUEN

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face to many in the St. Louis restaurant scene, having previously worked at top spots including now-shuttered Monarch and Randolfi’s, as well as local favorites such as LoRusso’s Cucina and Cinder House, where he worked as senior sous chef until leaving to launch Nomad. Bob Brazell, co-owner of Tamm and chef-owner of Byrd & Barrel, approached Andrew with the opportunity to open a concept inside the bar after Mac’s Local Eats exited in August. Customers can still expect to find a couple of burgers at Nomad, although decidedly different from the ones served at Mac’s. The opening menu is set to include a meatball sub inspired by the meatballs Andrew developed for Randolfi’s — and aptly named the RIP Randolfi’s — as well as a killer housemade pastrami sandwich. Nomad will also feature a small grab-and-go sandwich shop and retail market, because let’s be honest, St. Louis — there is no such thing as too many sammie stops in town. L.M.

Jerk Soul Bets on Hyde Park — And Wins Telie Woods and Zahra Spencer were on the cusp of opening their debut restaurant in the U.S. Virgin Islands when their dreams were washed out

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to sea by the devastating Hurricane Irma. Unsure where to go from there, a friend helped Woods evacuate to St. Louis where he found himself absolutely smitten by the city’s Hyde Park neighborhood. He was also struck by the lack of Caribbean food in town and convinced Spencer to join him in his new city to open a restaurant. Less than two years later, Jerk Soul (2016 Salisbury Street, 314-601-3871) has become the city’s most beloved Caribbean restaurant thanks to a menu of dishes influenced by recipes from Spencer’s family. It’s also serving as an anchor for Hyde Park, which has been depressed by decades of neglect but contains glimmers of better days to come. With the smell of that wonderful jerk chicken in the air, how can you not be hopeful? C.B.

St. Louis Restaurants Stay Up Late There was a time in St. Louis not too long ago when late-night dining was mostly relegated to Jack in the Box tacos or the Taco Bell Gordita Supreme®, but that’s slowly changing. In recent years, we’ve seen the opening of two dedicated late-night spots in the same neighborhood, Pie Guy Pizza (4189 Manchester Avenue, 314-899-0444) and Grace Chicken +

Fish (4270 Manchester Avenue, 314533-2700), and late last year, Taco Circus (4940 Southwest Avenue, 314899-0061) introduced a special menu for night owls. Pie Guy, which Mitch Frost opened in the Grove in September 2018, stays open until midnight Tuesday through Thursday and until 3:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Step up to the walk-up window and order a vegan pesto or classic pepper-

The Flaming Wicked Prawns are just one of the all-star dishes at Bait. MABEL SUEN

oni slice. In October, Rick and Elisa Lewis opened a late-night walk-up window, Grace Chicken + Fish, next door to their flagship restaurant Grace

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Meat + Three. Open Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., the window serves dishes such as crispy tofu with Ssam sauce, kimchi and scallions and buttermilk fried shrimp coated in a sweet and spicy Southern Jezebel sauce. Taco Circus got into the late-night game at its relocated space on the Hill, now offering a late-night happy hour and extended hours until 1 a.m. on weekends, serving eats like street tacos, loaded fries and wings, plus $3 house margs and $2 tequila shots until 1:30 a.m. L.M.

Tiny Chef Shines in a Dive Bar

delicious food is proving that the odd bedfellows are actually a winning combo. One half of Party Bear Pizza and Tiny Chef (4701 Morganford Road), Meyer’s side of the business is inspired by a yearning to learn about her Korean heritage, a part of her that she only began to explore a handful of years ago. Adopted as a baby from South Korea, Meyer’s culinary journey of self-discovery has translated into some of the most exciting Korean food being served in town — and the fact that you can get it while guzzling a Stag over a game of Iron Maiden pinball makes it all the more delicious. C.B.

Melanie Meyer, a.k.a. Tiny Chef, knows that a Korean restaurant attached to a pizza joint in a south city pinball dive might raise some eyebrows, but her

Munsok So Invests in the Landing You’d have thought that Munsok So would have given up on the Landing following a near-death experience involving his building’s collapse. After all, it seems that the rest of St. Louis has. Once the area’s premier nightlife destination, the city’s riverfront entertainment district has become little more than a ghost town that just can’t seem to reestablish itself. Munsok So has not given up, though: In fact, the Drunken Fish owner has doubled down on his commitment to the neighborhood, opening a massive events space and the delicious Korean fried chicken restaurant, Kimchi Guys (612 North Second Street, 314-766-4456) in the

Standard bearers

A New Chapter for Historic St. Louis Union Station

Anthony Devoti Reminds Us What Italian Food Can Be

To say that 2019 was a big year for St. Louis Union Station would be an understatement. Throughout the year, the St. Louis landmark celebrated the opening of several new attractions — including the St. Louis Wheel, a ropes course and mirror maze to say nothing of the aquarium — plus three new restaurants and bars. The first eatery to debut at Union Station was the Soda Fountain (201 South Eighteenth Street, 314-923-3939), which opened in September. The retro-themed old-fashioned soda counter also features a fully stocked candy shop and serves a selection of diner classics, including a killer smash burger. The signature menu items here, though, are the Freak Shakes, milkshakes so towering with toppings that you’ll need a big appetite or party to tackle them. The second concept at Union Station, the Train Shed (201 South Eighteenth Street, 314-9233949), a railway-themed cocktail bar, debuted in November. The space is promoted as “a unique gathering place for contemporary cuisine and creative cocktails.” Later this year, the third and final restaurant concept will open: an aquatic-themed cafe to complement the aquarium. L.M.

In the midst of the Provel-covered, red sauce-slinging, sweet Italian dressing-serving joints on the Hill, J. Devoti Trattoria (5100 Daggett Avenue, 314773-5553) sits as a bastion of Italian authenticity. Here, chef-owner Anthony Devoti is reclaiming what Italian food means with handmade pasta, basil plucked fresh from his mom’s garden and a nose-to-tail ethos that is emblematic of how it’s done in the Old Country. This gem of a restaurant hits the perfect note between upscale and approachable with dishes ranging from thoughtful pizzas and pastas to stunning seafood entrees. Opened as an homage to his family’s heritage, J. Devoti Trattoria is a refreshing reclamation of what Italian food on the Hill can be. C.B.

rant that founders Hamishe and Behshid Bahrami, opened in downtown St. Louis in 1983. For Hamishe and her daughter, Natasha, the event was a way to honor their many regulars and the St. Louis community as well as a way to remember Behshid, who passed away unexpectedly in late 2016. For Natasha, who grew up in her family’s restaurants, celebrating the past 35 years means much more than hosting one event or dinner — it’s acknowledging the critical role that Cafe Natasha and her parents have played in the St. Louis food scene over the years, and that, of course, some day the restaurant will live on only as a memory itself. In that spirit, Cafe Natasha introduced new specials developed in collaboration with local chefs this fall and will continue to do so into 2020. L.M.

Cafe Natasha Celebrates 35 Years with Local Collaborations

Guerrilla Street Food Makes Filipino Fare a Local Fixture

Last year, St. Louis dining institution and Persian restaurant Cafe Natasha (3200 South Grand Boulevard; 314771-3411) marked 35 years of business. The milestone was celebrated on September 24 with a special dinner featuring favorite dishes from Cafe Natasha as well as best-sellers from the Little Kitchen, the first restau-

It’s hard to remember, but there was a time not all that long ago — 2011 to be precise — that the St. Louis food truck scene was virtually nonexistent. If you have to point to one truck that set the mobile culinary scene on its course, Guerrilla Street Food (multiple locations including 3559 Arsenal Street, 314448-1313) would be it. What owners

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of the restaurant’s former chefs returning to collaborate with current executive chef Alex Feldmeier and executive pastry chef Elise Mensing. Familiar faces hopping on the line included Craft himself as well as former Brassiere executive chefs Perry Hendrix (now chef de cuisine at Avec in Chicago), Michael Petres (corporate chef for Niche Food Group) and Brian Moxey (executive chef at Sardella). The impact that Craft’s restaurants have had on St. Louis cannot be overstated, and seeing these two beloved spots commemorate a decade of business was an important step for where the local industry has been and where it’s headed. L.M.

Bob Brazell Refreshes the Tenderloin Room at the Chase

Joel Crespo and Brian Hardesty did for the St. Louis food truck scene was important, but their lasting legacy is their visionary approach to Filipino food. With a respect for tradition, Crespo and Hardesty have pushed the idea of what we think Filipino fare is and can be with a creativity that’s just as sharp as their cooking skills. And what skills they have: One bite of the Flying Pig and you’ll wonder why we all weren’t clamoring for Filipino food in St. Louis sooner. C.B.

Brasserie and Taste Celebrate Tenth Anniversaries In November, Niche Food Group and its chef-owner, Gerard Craft, celebrated ten years of serving St. Loui-

sans at Brasserie ( 4 5 8 0 L a c l e d e A v e n u e , 3 1 4 - 4 5 4 - 0 6 0 0 ) and Taste ( 4 5 8 4 L a c l e d e A v e n u e , 3 1 4 - 3 6 1 - 1 2 0 0 ) . When Craft first opened the sister spots in 2009 they were complements to his fine-dining flagship restaurant, Niche, then located in Benton Park. A decade later, Niche is no longer in business, replaced by Sardella in Clayton, and Craft has added Pastaria to his restaurant empire as well. To mark the milestone anniversary for Brasserie and Taste, both restaurants hosted cocktail pop-ups, kitchen takeovers from alumni Niche Food Group chefs, offered food-and-drink specials and more. The weeklong celebration saw a different event or series of events almost every day, including the Brassiversary Dinner, featuring a number

December 2019 was a historic month for the Tenderloin Room ( 2 3 2 K i n g s h ig h w a y B o u le v a rd , 3 1 4 -3 6 1 -0 9 0 0 ), already one of St. Louis’ most storied restaurants. Located inside the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis, The Tenderloin Room was sold to new owners in June and reopened in December with a refreshed menu that respects the core of what’s made the steakhouse famous since 1922. New owners Ben Strake, Rick DeStefane and Bob Brazell, the same partners who operate Byrd & Barrel and Tamm Avenue Bar, purchased the Tenderloin Room from longtime proprietors Dino and Jules Karagiannis. The refreshed space now features a custom grill, dry-aging chamber and a chef’s table for more elevated and intimate dining experiences. Brazell, who came up in the local restaurant scene working in fine-dining kitchens like the late, great Monarch, says he was most excited to get into the kitchen at the Tenderloin Room. Interior changes similarly respect the spirit of the St. Louis dining institution, with local woodworker David Stine crafting a new bar top and large dining room table for the revamped restaurant. With a fresh look and updated menu, the Tenderloin Room is now ready for its next chapter — and hopefully another 97 years of business. L.M.

The Train Shed at Union Station offers fine cocktails to pair with dishes like this beet poké with wonton chips. COURTESY OF LODGING HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

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rom downtown to Creve Coeur, the St. Louis area is in the middle of a makeover. There are new developments and districts popping up all over the map. The Midtown area, in particular, is seeing a lot of action. If you want to know what the future of St. Louis is going to look like, behold these ten new projects — some already under construction, and some so far just dreams in progress.

Armory District This mixed-use redevelopment in St. Louis’ hot Midtown area will include a restaurant, a greenway path and 250,000 square feet of office space. Plans for the Armory District (armorydistrict.com) include a renovation of the historic Armory building, which St. Louisans will recognize as that beautiful old structure that is next to Goodwill Outlet. The gorgeous Art Deco building has a long history of redevelopment — the former Missouri National Guard space was also once known as a music venue and a tennis hub.

cause the project is still gathering feedback from the community, but according the website, organizers are looking to build a path “that stretches from Forest Park to Gateway Arch National Park and Tower Grove to Fairground Parks through twenty city neighborhoods.”

City Foundry

City Foundry (cityfoundrystl.com) is due to open next spring along Forest Park Avenue and is sure to transform the Midtown area forever. Located just across South Vandeventer Avenue from IKEA, City Foundry will be a mixed-

tivity hub open year-round and easily accessible via pedestrian pathways, bicycle and public transit.”

NGA West Campus The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is planning to build a new 97acre campus in the historic St. Louis Place neighborhood at the intersection of Jefferson and Cass avenues. Next NGA West (nextngawest.com) will include a 712,000-square-foot office building and a visitor control center. Not only is it expected to be the largest federal investment project in the history of St. Louis, but the $1.7 billion development also includes a plan to restructure two miles of North Jefferson Avenue to upgrade driving and sidewalk conditions. The groundbreaking was in November 2019, and a majority of the project is expected to be completed by 2023.

The City t Ballpark Village Phase 2 Set to start opening next summer, this next addition to Clark Street provides more than just a place to party. Ballpark Village Phase 2 (stlballparkvillage.com/ ballpark-village-phase-2) will transform the district entirely. The 700,000-squarefoot project includes a hotel, office building, retail space, restaurants and a high-rise luxury residential tower with views of the stadium. The $260 million project promises to “bring the village to Ballpark Village” and is projected to add more than a thousand permanent new jobs to downtown.

Chouteau Greenway Greenways are the paths of the future, and the Chouteau Greenway (greatriversgreenway.org/chouteau) aims to transform St. Louis. The free, accessible trail will be a place where St. Louisans can exercise, commute or explore. The final path for the greenway is not set yet be-

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use, fifteen-acre community destination with office space, restaurants, shops, entertainment and a food hall. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (where you can enjoy a brew and a film) is slated to open a location within the center, and a 700-person event space called 18Rails, to be run by Butler’s Pantry, is also part of the plan.

Major League Soccer Stadium

Major League Soccer (mls4thelou.com) is finally returning to St. Louis with the arrival of our very own stadium. The 30-acre proposed stadium development site is just northwest of Union Station in the Downtown West neighborhood. Plans for the open-air arena include canopy shading and a seating capacity of 22,500, with each seat within 120 feet of the pitch. But this development won’t just be a place for soccer; the plan, according to the project’s website, is for the area to become an “urban ac-

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St. Louis Aquarium

As of December 25, Union Station now boasts yet another new attraction: the St. Louis Aquarium (stlouisaquarium. com). The former train station has seen many purposes over the years, but with the recent additions of the St. Louis Wheel, multiple restaurants, a minigolf area, rope climbing course and zipline, Union Station is again fulfilling its purpose as a destination for fun and adventure. Located inside the former Union Station mall area, the aquarium occupies 120,000 square feet and includes the usual thrilling sea creatures, such as sharks, jellyfish and eels. It features a space to learn all about our local freshwater rivers and animals, too.

Square Founded by St. Louis natives Jack Dorsey (CEO of Twitter) and Jim McKelvey, Square, Inc. (squarep.com) started as a mobile payment company

Jeff Webster

Major League Soccer is finally returning to St. Louis. Courtesy MSL4TheLou

y to Come BY JAIME LEES

Soak in St. Louis on foot or by bicycle along the Chouteau Greenway. Courtesy Great Rivers Greenway

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There is plenty to spark the imagination in the exhibits at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. Courtesy of the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station

Hyperloop and has grown into a financial- and merchant-services empire. Currently located inside the happening Cortex office space, Square is moving downtown into a 235,000-square-foot home in the former headquarters of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in order to expand its operations and employee roster. The company has signed a fifteen-year lease, and the move is expected to allow it to hire an additional 700 employees.

39 North The master plan for this 600-acre development in Creve Coeur was funded by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce and includes proposals to build a mixed retail, office and residential area connected by green space and biking trails. Located at the intersection of Olive and Lindbergh boulevards, 39 N or th (39northstl.com) secured $4 million in federal transportation funding with a $1 million match from St. Louis County to construct the new interchange there, too, which should relieve traffic in the area and open up access to the live/work development.

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Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know when the future has really arrived in St. Louis because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll finally get our long-awaited Hyperloop. Still just a pipe dream, the proposed high-speed transportation route would shuttle travelers from St. Louis to Kansas City in less than 30 minutes. Proponents says the Hyperloop could provide cheap travel for more than 5 million people and save Missouri $500 million per year. Missouri Governor Mike Parson recently announced the formation of a panel to look into the specifics of the project, CG including a possible test track.

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Future of Art in ST. Louis The

The people, places and performances pushing the local arts scene forward St. Louis has a robust and diverse arts scene, offering both classic and modern art in the form of theater, visual arts, dance and music. Here, RFT writers have collected a handful of the most promising and exciting artists, exhibitions, performers and performances poised to brighten and grow the local arts scene this year.

Music Old Salt Union No band in St. Louis embodies the paradox of country music, its underappreciated innovation and guiding spirit of tradition quite like Old Salt Union. The quintet formed seven years ago, an eyeblink in bluegrass years, when most of its members were just getting used to ordering their own drinks at the bar and plotting their own destinies. Their scheme was to play something like progressive bluegrass, with a heavy emphasis on the progressive and an even heavier emphasis on original songwriting. Their chops are undeniable, from John Brighton’s spiraling, jazz-influenced fiddle and newest member Gra-

ham Curry’s blindingly fast guitar runs, and their harmonies, the true key to bluegrass music, have recently come into clearer focus. With the backing of a national label deal via Compass Records, high-profile festival gigs and a relentless touring schedule, Old Salt Union is creating the future of string band music, not just for St. Louis but for the world. ROY KASTEN

Tonina Saputo

David Beeman, sounds like a statement about and an investigation of her past, present and ever-evolving future as a bassist, composer, arranger and singer. Saputo will not be pigeon-holed, defined by one or even a dozen scenes. By instinct she’s a proud, independent risk-taker, and what she’ll do next is anybody’s guess. Her international recognition may one day sweep her away from St. Louis, but for now, she’s making some of the most beautiful and original music this city has ever heard.

Over the past decade, the protean talent of Tonina Saputo has been a joy to observe. She’s as comfortable in the world of jazz as she is in hip-hop, as confident with Latina and European folk as she is with R&B and pop. This year’s elegiac, richly melodic and swinging album St. Lost, recorded at Native Sound studios in St. Louis with ace producer/engineer riverfronttimes.com

R.K.

Bassist/songwriter Tonina Saputo works across many different genres and multiple languages. Mike Romer

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Little Dylan Little Dylan, the stage name of nineteenyear-old Dylan Triplett, recognizes his musical debt to BB King, Johnnie Taylor and Little Milton, but he’s also quick to acknowledge the St. Louis musicians who’ve guided him, including Marquise Knox, Skeet Rodgers and Carolyn Mason, who gave him an early opportunity to sit in when Triplett was barely old enough to drive. He’s a dynamic singer, with an instinctive sense of blues and soul phrasing; his voice simply roars out of his wiry frame and defies his age. His song “The Dog That Crawled In” is one of the standout cuts on this year’s St. Louis Blues Society compilation, and his regular gigs at the National Blues Museum and Broadway Oyster Bar have quickly turned him into a compelling band leader. Triplett has just completed his debut album with producer Paul Niehaus IV; title and release date are TBA, but there’s little doubt it will play a significant role in the still unfolding story of St. Louis blues. R.K.

Arts

LOOPRAT The idea of the crew and the collective has always been at the heart of hip-hop regardless of region. St. Louis is no exception, and one of the youngest and most diverse amalgamations is LOOPRAT. The eleven-person (at last count) group emerged from training and friendship in the University City High School Jazz Band and distinguishes itself by way of instrumental chops, a fierce commitment to live improvisation and a belief in the centrality of jazz to the sound and ethos of hip-hop. “All the Way Live,” a five-minute-long declaration of funkjazz-hip-hop independence, has racked up nearly half a million plays on Spotify, while the band’s most recent singles veer between electro-pop and lush, piano-based ballads that sound like nothing else in the St. Louis scene. As impressive as its recordings and performances have been, this burgeoning collective of MCs, musicians and co-conspirators is just getting warmed up. R.K.

Fresh and modern programming comes to the Marcelle Theatre and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis this year. Ronald Wagner

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The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis

With its 2020 season, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves; 314-968-4925) is starting the new year with a bang. Of particular interest are two of the performances coming to the lauded venue’s main stage in winter and early spring: Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles, running January 8 through February 2, and Dreaming Zenzile, which will be staged March 18 through April 12. Both productions share the story of immigrants building new lives in America, albeit under very different circumstances. In Mojada, playwright Luis Alfaro updates the classic Greek tragedy with the struggles of immigration and assimilation between star-crossed husband and wife Jason and Medea, who left their home in southern Mexico for Los Angeles. Some of the same themes tether Dreaming Zenzile, a musical by Somi Kakoma based on the life of South African musical legend Miriam Makeba. A fierce opponent of apartheid in South Africa, Makeba rose to prominence for her vocal talent and political voice, with the two frequently colliding in her work. The artist spent decades living abroad due to tensions with the South African government before apartheid was dismantled. In Dreaming Zenzile, the richness of her career and final concert is captured through a layered performance and revelatory songs.

Russian-Ghanaian artist Liz Johnson Artur spent her childhood in Bulgaria, Germany and Russia, so when she ended up staying with a Russian family in Brooklyn in 1986, it was her first exposure to a then-predominantly black community. The experience inspired Johnson Artur to photograph the people she met and to create more connection between the African diaspora; more than 30 years later, the artist has dedicated her career to this exploration. You can immerse yourself in her journey at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (3750 Washington Boulevard, 314) 535-4660), which is featuring Liz Johnson Artur: Dusha from January 17 through April 19. In Russian, “dusha” translates to “soul,” which is an apt description of the humanity captured in each of Johnson Artur’s portraits, videos and sketchbooks. The photos were taken across the world, from Africa to the Caribbean to Europe and North America and capture the full range of the African diaspora. Liz Johnson Artur: Dusha premiered at the Brooklyn Museum and marks the artist’s first solo museum exhibition. L.M.

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LIZ MILLER

Katherine Simóne Reynolds St. Louis is lucky to be home to many talented visual artists, chief among them the innovative and thoughtful Katherine Simóne Reynolds. As both an artist in

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her own right and the curator for the Luminary (2701 Cherokee Street, 314773-1533) in St. Louis, Reynolds has shown a strong talent for exploring and gently subverting ideas of black beauty and black masculinity. In March 2018, Reynolds turned her attention to an exhibit centered on ideas about black beauty called Mane 'n Tail. The exhibition explored how beauty supply stores manipulate the way black women feel about themselves, while also offering a viable creative outlet for black women and girls. In addition to curating Mane 'n Tail, Reynolds featured some of her own work in the thought-provoking and insightful show. More recently, in September 2019, Reynolds curated Soft Scrub, a show of work by male black artists who engaged with domestic tasks (cleaning, washing dishes, doing laundry), which are traditionally seen in many black homes as “women’s work.” Keep an eye out for what this rising talent will do next; if her past work as an artist and curator is any indication, it is bound to be memorable and captivating. PAUL FRISWOLD

High Low inside the Kranzberg Arts Foundation High Low (3301 Washington Avenue, 314-533-0367), a literary cafe that opened inside the Kranzberg Arts Foun-

dation late last year, promises “to offer a venue for freedom of expression through spoken and written word.” The space, which is divided into several dedicated areas, provides the ideal backdrop for literary events and exploration in the St. Louis community. The library features a rotating selection of books, journals and publications handpicked by local artists and educators. The space also offers a gallery for literary-based exhibitions, a listening room for readings and storytelling and dedicated room for in-resident writers to hone their craft. High Low is home to St. Louis’ third location of Blueprint Coffee and the cafe serves coffee as well as bites developed by Bulrush chef-owner Rob Connoley. ELLA FAUST

New Line Theatre Fairytales and ’80s pop music — what more do you need for a successful musical? In March, Head Over Heels, a wild technicolor celebration of The Go-Go’s greatest hits, is traveling all the way from Broadway to Grand Center’s Marcelle Theatre (3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, 314-773-6526). Staged by New Line Theatre company, the jukebox musical is a modern take on Sir Philip Sidney’s late 16th-century work, The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia. The musical follows a royal

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family’s journey to save their kingdom from destruction — and on the way, hilarious antics ensue. Created by writer Jeffy Whitty and adapted for the stage by James Magruder, The Village Voice called Head Over Heels “funny and sexy, with a glorious beat!” Follow the fantastical antics of this delightful fairytale set to beloved Belinda Carlisle tunes such as “We Got the Beat,” “Vacation” and other iconic hits. Head Over Heels runs March 5 to 28. E.F.

West End Players Guild Two plays are coming to the esteemed West End Players Guild (733 Union Boulevard, 314-667-5686) for the spring season. The guild, which is the region’s oldest continuously operated theater company, has been presenting “big theater in a small space” since 1911. Up first in 2020 is Jen Silverman’s The Roommate, directed by Sean Belt. The buddy comedy follows the recently divorced Sharon, whose husband and son leave her alone in her large home in Iowa. Along comes Robyn, a roommate who leaves an unlikely mark on Sharon’s life. The Roommate will run from February 21 to March 1. Later this spring, the guild will debut Bloomsday by Steven Dietz. The play is named for the Dublin-based celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses and unfolds a bit-

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tersweet tale of lost love and past longings. Bloomsday poses the question: If given the chance, would you want to travel back in time to revisit your old life? Find out during the play’s run from April 17 through 26. E.F.

St. Louis Actors' Studio St. Louis Actors' Studio (360 North Boyle Avenue) operates under a simple mission: to "explore the endless facets and various themes of the human condition by producing existing and original collaborative theater." With its spring 2020 season, two productions perfectly capture that goal. From February 14 through March 1, the troupe will stage Sharr White’s Annapurna. The play tells the story of a surprise visit by Emma to the trailer park home of her ex-lover, Ulysses, after a twenty-year separation. A stunning duet of tangled pasts emerge between the two, ultimately forming an insightful exploration of love and loss. In April, the studio presents the world premiere of Neil LaBute’s Comfort. Following the meeting of an estranged mother and son, the play explores the family’s relationship amid past and present book deals. Comfort runs April 17 through May 3. Both productions will be directed by Annamaria Pileggi. E.F.

Arkadin Cinema & Bar The Bevo neighborhood is already a destination for some of the city’s best dive bars and Bosnian food — to say nothing of the iconic Bevo Mill — and soon, it will be home to the only microcinema in St. Louis. In 2020, first-time entrepreneurs Keith Watson and Sarah Baraba plan to open Arkadin Cinema & Bar (5228 Gravois Avenue), a microcinema or arthouse theater featuring one screen and a whole lot of fun. Unlike large multiplexes or historic movie houses, microcinemas offer a different kind of theater-going experience. Typically, microcinemas are smaller, with

High Low provides both coffee and culture. Ella Faust

one screen and more limited seating — Arkadin is aiming for 40 to 50 seats in the cinema — and feature non-mainstream films and programming. They usually offer a bar or lounge area for discussion and encourage a dialogue about film with patrons. When Arkadin debuts later this year, Watson and Baraba plan to operate it three days a week — likely Friday, Saturday and Sunday — with one screening per day. L.M.

Culture

Ultimate Ninjas

Xtreme Paintball Park

STL Rebel Con

Looking for a nontraditional way to kickstart your 2020 fitness goals? Ultimate Ninjas (140 Long Road, Suite 130, Chesterfield; 636-206-8550) might just be the perfect way to get moving in a totally unique way. The concept features an obstacle-based gym offering classes for every skill level. General manager Jamie Rahn has competed on nine seasons of NBC’s hit show American Ninja Warrior, and he’s dedicated to sharing this empowering, competitive style of exercise with the world. Offering everything from kids’ birthday parties to more focused adult fitness classes, you can replace your classic gym membership with this fun alternative in 2020. E.F.

Xtreme Paintball Park (3545 Douglas Road, Millstadt, Illinois; 618-4769999) in Millstadt, Illinois, wants to redefine what it means to play a mean game of paintball. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the closest thing to real-life Fortnite, Xtreme Paintball now offers a Fortnite-inspired paintball experience that brings the online video game to life. Each team starts with no gear and has to dash around the arena to locate and procure weapons. Twohour sessions cost $29.99 per person, or $24.99 per person for groups of ten or more. Walk-ins are welcome on Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. and private parties can make reservations seven days a week. E.F.

St. Louis-area fans of the famed fantasy show Spartacus are in luck in 2020, as the Sheldon (3648 Washington Boulevard, 314-533-9900) will be hosting the first-ever STL Rebel Con in March. The convention is the first of its kind in town to honor fans and stars of the gladiator-adventure television show. Although most details won’t be released until closer to event, the two-day convention promises Q&A panels, photo opportunities and even a chance to meet the stars of Spartacus. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22. Tickets are $79 for a weekend pass, $50 for a Saturday pass and $35 for a Sunday pass. E.F.

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Vaughn of a New Day by Ella Faust 46

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Photography by Andy Paulissen

nside a small studio space on Cherokee Street, design mogul and St. Louis native Brandin Vaughn has set up shop. It’s here that Vaughn pushes the creative boundaries of fashion through unique, handcrafted wears. His shop, Brandin Vaughn Collection (2604 Cherokee Street), stocks garment after garment of functional and fun styles. Vaughn’s love for design was sparked at an early age. In an attempt to keep up with the expensive fashion trends sported by his fellow classmates, Vaughn eventually said to himself, “Why not just make these styles myself?” He began frequenting local thrift stores, picking up a knack for sewing and repurposing recycled clothes into unique new looks. “I’d take a sleeve off a shirt, sew it onto another shirt, and create a whole new style — that’s what really sparked my interest,” Vaughn says. Fast-forward to today, and Vaughn has grown his self-taught design skills into a fullfledged fashion enterprise. He describes his store as a “fashion test lab” where he works alongside his customers to create stylish and out-of-the-box garments that are still highly wearable. Vaughn notes that his fashion career didn’t begin until he was in his mid-twenties. After a brief music career that eventually fizzled out, he found himself returning to his passion for design, aiming to up his patterning and sewing skills into a new career path. After enrolling in art school in Chicago, Vaughn’s talent and energy were quickly recognized; one of his first industry jobs was working for none other than Beyoncé at the Macy’s Glamorama show during his junior year of college. “I was called out of class — they told me they had a job for me at the Chicago Theatre,” Vaughn says. “I ended up in a green room with Beyoncé, her mom and sister. It really blew my mind.” Vaughn’s big break was the jolt he needed to pursue fashion full-time and in full force. “I realized that clearly, if Beyoncé wants to work with me, then this job is going to take me to places I could never imagine going,” he says with a laugh. After spending almost ten years in

Chicago as an assistant designer at a small boutique, Vaughn decided it was finally time to branch out and create his own brand. Operating under a model similar to his previous gig, he opened his own space — his first boutique was located in the Delmar Loop, where he was able to build up a robust clientele. At his relocated shop on Cherokee Street, Vaughn is constantly perfecting his products through collaboration and discussion with his customers. Vaughn

In September, he debuted “100 Looks” at the downtown Marquee Restaurant and Lounge, a show that celebrated his designing of more than a thousand clothing items throughout his career. In 2020, Vaughn has big plans to expand his brand past the St. Louis area, including sharing “100 Looks” with audiences in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. By showcasing his brand and work across the country, Vaughn hopes to collaborate with manufacturers to get his products out of his store and into boutiques in new cities. Vaughn also hopes that by allowing others to produce larger quantities

Designer BRANDIN VAUGHN

ushers STL into the future of fashion > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > often designs an item, displays it in the shop and then makes alterations based on customer feedback. “Often I design clothes that I don’t personally wear — for example, I do a lot of women’s fashion,” Vaughn says. “So I’ll put something on the racks, and then my customers will try it on and tell me how to make the product better or more functional. ‘Drop an arm hole, add a pocket,’ etc. That feedback is what really helps me finalize my designs and come up with a product that I know is going to work.” At his shop, Vaughn takes customers back to the original concept of ready to wear. Clients can come in and shop off the rack, yet still have the ability to tailor and customize products to their taste or needs. riverfronttimes.com

of his more popular products, his time will be freed up to devote himself entirely to the creative design process — so there will never be a shortage of fresh new fashions on the racks at his Cherokee Street shop. Vaughn regularly collaborates with local models, artists and photographers in his work, and in the coming year, he’s hoping to partner with even more creatives and make his fashions even more accessible to shoppers here and beyond. “It takes many hands and talented people to produce something beautiful,” Vaughn says. The future for me is unity, working together in collaboration.” CG

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Models: Jeff Webster Alyssa Kay Ronyea Harvey Jewelry: Yoro Newson Makeup: Majeel Doss Design/styling: Brandin Vaughn

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