Riverfront Times - August 31, 2016

AUGUST 31 SEPTMEBER–6, 2016 I VOLUME 40 I NUMBER 35

RIVERFRONTTIMES.COM I FREE

( T H E

P R O B L E M

W I T H )

TAXI DRIVER

The MTC says its regulations make taxis safer than Uber. But what happens when a driver shouldn’t be on the road?

Written by MIKE BOLLICH-ZIEGLER

©2016 Goose Island Beer Co., Goose IPA®, India Pale Ale, Chicago, IL | Enjoy responsibly.

T:9.25 in

T:12 in

2

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

SHUBY’S Furniture & Gifts

LABOR DAY SPECIALS!

LARGE SELECTION OF SOFAS, LOVESEATS, CHAIRS & OCCASIONAL PIECES

YOUR CHOICE AT

american made quality

$199.99 THOMASVILLE FURNITURE LUNA COLLECTION

(COCKTAIL TABLE)

(SIDE TABLE)

$199.99

american made quality

$399 (SOFA ONLY)

YOUR CHOICE AT $399

THOMASVILLE FURNITURE

(COCKTAIL OTTOMAN)

JEWELRY ARMOIRE THOMASVILLE FURNITURE

(SOFA TABLE)

$99

314-696-2077 | SATURDAY & SUNDAY NOON-5PM 1900 WYOMING (@ LEMP) ST. LOUIS, MO 63118 riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

3

4

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

THE LEDE

“I’m from Togo, West Africa. I moved here when I was nine years old. But there’s a booth over there for Togo, and we just happened to run into one of my mom’s really good friends. As we’re walking up I hear “Seth?” and I was like, “Oh wow!” We started speaking and spoke for about ten minutes in our native language the whole time. I didn’t catch myself doing it until Taylor pointed it out afterwards.

5

PHOTO BY THEO WELLING

“Togo’s like one-eighth the size of California, and that’s not even exaggerating. Finding other people in St. Louis from that country, especially the southern region who speak the language, that’s super hard. You become super-close. When you’re from the same country and so displaced, we have to find the community within each other.”

—SETH AKAKPO-LADO (RIGHT), PHOTOGRAPHED WITH TAYLOR HULL AT THE FESTIVAL OF NATIONS IN TOWER GROVE PARK ON AUGUST 28

riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

5

6

TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURE

12.

Bad Taxi Drivers

The MTC says its regulations make taxis safer than Uber. But what happens when a driver shouldn’t be on the road?

Written by

MIKE BOLLICH-ZIEGLER Cover by

KELLY GLUECK

NEWS

CULTURE

DINING

MUSIC

8

21

29

37

New Nipples in North City

Danny Wicentowski watches a tattoo artist work his magic on breast cancer survivors

8

Public Defender Plan Nixed

Calendar

Seven days worth of great stuff to see and do

24

Film

Robert Hunt finds Morgan to be efficient but unessential viewing

What’s That Smell?

Jenn DeRose checks in on the St. Louis’ DIY community’s fight to combat sexual harassment

32

40

Side Dish

25

Paul Friswold LOLs at The Heir Apparent — and is impressed by Mustard Seed’s Kindertransport

33

Stage

First Look

27

Mariscos el Gato brings the seafood of Nayarit to Cherokee Street

Art on display in St. Louis this week

34

A south city couple gets into the candle business — just in time for this year’s election

Galleries

Food News

Twin Peaks is now augmenting Chesterfield

6

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

In Search of Safer Spaces

Cheryl Baehr finds new appreciation for gluten-free food at A2 the GFCF

Zoë Robinson is a restaurant icon. Just don’t say that to her face.

The governor is off the hook, Doyle Murphy reports

10

Absence Makes the Heart ... Sing

Homespun

The Vigilettes 4,3,2,1!

42

Out Every Night

The best concerts in St. Louis every night of the week

43

This Just In

This week’s new concert announcements

DC CHICKEN SAYS “WORK HARD. PLAY HARDER! HAPPY LABOR DAY!”

Publisher Chris Keating Editor in Chief Sarah Fenske E D I T O R I A L Arts & Culture Editor Paul Friswold Music Editor Daniel Hill Digital Editor Elizabeth Semko Staff Writers Doyle Murphy, Danny Wicentowski Restaurant Critic Cheryl Baehr Film Critic Robert Hunt Editorial Interns Kavahn Mansouri, Alec Herr, Holly Ravazzolo, Natalie Rao Contributing Writers Mike Appelstein, Allison Babka, Sara Graham, Roy Kasten, Jaime Lees, Joseph Hess, Kevin Korinek, Bob McMahon, Nicholas Phillips, Tef Poe, Christian Schaeffer, Mabel Suen, Lauren Milford, Thomas Crone, MaryAnn Johanson, Jenn DeRose

CROWN ROYAL VANILLA $

$

P R O D U C T I O N Production Manager Robert Westerholt Production Designer Brittani Schlager

20.99 750 ML

JIM BEAM $

17.99 750 ML

SMIRNOFF VODKA AND FLAVORS

19.99 1.75L

$

13.99 750 ML

MR. & MRS. T’S MIXES $

18.99 1.75L

3.691 L

COLD BEER AT

M U LT I M E D I A A D V E R T I S I N G Sales Director Colin Bell Senior VP Sales & Marketing Mike Lipel Senior Account Executive Cathleen Criswell Multimedia Account Executive Erica Kenney Account Managers Emily Fear, Jennifer Samuel

FIREBALL WHISKY $

C I R C U L A T I O N Circulation Manager Kevin G. Powers E U C L I D M E D I A G RO U P Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner Human Resources Director Lisa Beilstein Senior Marketing & Events Director Cassandra Yardeni www.euclidmediagroup.com

12.99 750 ML

DEEP EDDY DIRT CHEAP PRICES! SWEET TEA VODKA $

14.49 750 ML

EDGEFIELD OR EXETER

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

$

S U B S C R I P T I O N S Send address changes to Riverfront Times, 6358 Delmar Blvd., Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63130. Domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $78/6 months (Missouri residents add $4.74 sales tax) and $156/year (Missouri residents add $9.48 sales tax) for first class.

Allow 6-10 days for standard delivery. www.riverfronttimes.com

DECADE OR CHEYENNE

23.99 PER CARTON

$

WHEN YOU BUY 2

LOTUS XOTICS LIQUIDS

The Riverfront Times is published weekly

by Euclid Media Group Verified Audit Member

$

Riverfront Times 6358 Delmar Boulevard, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63130-4719 www.riverfronttimes.com

5.99 15 ML

REVD LIQUIDS

24.99 PER CARTON

$

WHEN YOU BUY 2

UNCLE JUNK’S GENUINE JUICES $

3.99 10 ML

DOC MIKE’S GENUINE LIQUIDS $

13.99 15 ML

14.99 30 ML

NO ONE LIKES WARM BEER! DOWNLOAD THE NEW DIRT CHEAP APP AND GET YOUR FREE DIRT CHEAP KOOZIE*

General information: 314-754-5966 Fax administrative: 314-754-5955 Fax editorial: 314-754-6416 Founded by Ray Hartmann in 1977

*MUST BE 21+

The entire contents of Riverfront Times are copyright 2015 by Riverfront Times, LLC. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the expressed written permission of the Publisher, Riverfront Times, 6358 Delmar Blvd., Ste. 300, St. Louis, MO 63130. Please call the Riverfront Times office for back-issue information, 314-754-5966.

T THE RED BULL, MIXERS, CHIPS AN E G R O D IC N’T F E O D

riverfronttimes.com

!

Riverfront Times is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies of the current issue may be purchased for $1.00 plus postage, payable in advance at the Riverfront Times office. Riverfront Times may be distributed only by Riverfront Times authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of Riverfront Times, take more than one copy of each Riverfront Times weekly issue.

Some prices and selection may differ by location. Prices good thru 9/11/16.

outfit your crew withwith business custom custom t’s, t’s, hats hats && polos. polos.

$

1800 ULTIMATE MARGARITA

A R T Art Director Kelly Glueck Contributing Photographers Abby Gillardi, Robert Rohe, Mabel Suen, Steve Truesdell, Eric Frazier Micah Usher, Theo Welling, Corey Woodruff, Tim Lane

we make local look good. outfit your

RUM CHATA

SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risk To Your Health.

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

7

8

NEWS

New Nipples, and New Hope, in a North City Tattoo Studio Written by

DANNY WICENTOWSKI

I

n a biker bar north of downtown St. Louis, a back staircase delivers Linda Kilhoffer to Eric Catalano’s second-floor tattoo studio.

The shop area is awash with the morning’s sunlight. In the corner station where Catalano does his work, a nipple sits on a steel tray covered by a purple surgical napkin.

The nipple is a prosthetic, with a screw sticking out of its flattened base. It will be fitted into Kilhoffer’s breast by way of a microdermal implant — a tiny metal post sunk into the flesh.

This particular prosthetic is only the first stage of a two-part procedure. It’s a stand-in for the bespoke piece that Catalano’s engineering partner is working on, a reproduction of the nipple Kilhoffer lost in 2012 to a double mastectomy.

For Catalano, though, the nipple is the result of years of effort. After organizing a free tattoo giveaway in 2010 to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Catalano found himself inspired to start offering his skills to women who’d been left scarred by their battles with cancer.

He started with tattooing areolas and nipples. Soon after, he began toying with the microdermal technique he used for body piercings, the same method that keeps a small diamond stud anchored to his own cheek: First, a small metal post is inserted just beneath the top layer of skin. The post contains a socket, and when the incision heals around the metal, objects can screwed or fitted into the opening.

After months of Continued on pg 11

8

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Linda Kilhoffer, 65, survived Stage 1 breast cancer in 2012. Now she’s turned to Eric Catalano for a new nipple. | DANNY WICENTOWSKI

No-Fun Judge Says Governor Nixon Is Off the Hook

A

killjoy judge in Cole County isn’t going to let us see Governor Jay Nixon sweat it out as a public defense attorney.

Interpreting the law in the least fun way possible, Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce ruled last week against some of the greatest political trolling in recent memory when she proclaimed the beleaguered head of the chronically underfunded Missouri State Public Defender System couldn’t legally force Nixon to represent a poor defendant in an assault case.

The director, Michael Barrett, had tried to co-opt Nixon, arguably the

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

state’s highest-ranking attorney, using a provision in state law that allows him to delegate cases to any member of the Missouri Bar. The move was an ingenious bit of political showmanship that brought instant attention to a funding battle Barrett and his predecessor had fought throughout the governor’s tenure.

Missouri ranks second-to-last in state funding for the public defenders, which manifests in some terrible ways, such as a juvenile justice system in St. Louis County that the federal Justice Department says poses “dire consequences” for child defendants.

Barrett had sued Nixon in July after the governor blocked all but $1 million of $4.5 million the legislature had approved for public defenders.

When that didn’t change anything he assigned Nixon a case, claiming he really needed the manpower.

riverfronttimes.com

On Thursday, Nixon issued a statement saying Barrett misread the law and never had the authority to assign him a case. He says he has always “supported indigent criminal defendants having proper legal representation,” and he added that the public defender’s office should “strive to improve the efficiency of its operations before asking the taxpayers for more money...”

The judge’s decision will almost surely break the hearts of defense attorneys across the nation, who’d been tweeting the rookie mistakes the governor was likely to make during his first day as a public defender. But while we may never get to see Missouri’s governor fumble over motions as his ticked-off client asks for a “real lawyer,” at least Barrett has forced him and the state’s funding woes into the spotlight.

— Doyle Murphy

AMERICA’S

WINE, SPIRITS & BEER SUPERSTORE

LABOR DAY SAVINGS ON YOUR FAVORITES Calililifo Ca forn fo rnia nia ia. 75 750m 50 0m ml

$9.

9.87

M io Me iomi m mi Pino Pi n t No no Noir

Jac ck Dan anie anie iel’ ls Blac Bl ack ck

$15.57

$36.09

Calil fo Ca forn rn nia ia. 75 750m 0 l 0m

1.75L

CHESTERFIELD Clarkson Square

Prices good thru 9/11/2016. Not responsible for typographical errors, human error or supplier price increases.

Products while supplies last. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Total T Wine & More is a registered trademark of Retail Services & Systems, Inc. © 2016 Retail Services & Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Please drink responsibly. y Use a designated driver.r

TotalWine.com

T TotalWine AndMore

Tito’s Tit Hand Ha nd dm ma ade Vo V odk od dka

Sttel ella la Art rtoi os oi 12 1 2-1 -11.

1.2o 2oz oz bt btls btl

$12.29

1.7 75L

$26.99

BRENTWOOD

The Promenade at Brentwood 90 Brentwood Promenade Ct Brentwood, MO 63144 (314) 963-3265

1781 Clarkson Rd. Chesterfie fi ld, MO 63017 (636) 536-9869

TOWN & COUNTRY Manchester Meadows 13887 Manchester Road Ballwin, MO 63011 (636) 527-0482

HOURS: Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 9am-9pm

T TotalWine

riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

SLM-16-0829-Lifestyle-TAB T

Kend Kend Ke ndal a l Ja al Jack ac ck kso s n Vint Vi n ner’ rsR Re ese serv r e rv Cha Ch har ardo ardo donn nnay nn y

9

This Trump-Scented Candle Is Straight Out of South City

The EyeWear Loft

T

The Best Value in Sight 9644 Olive St. Louis, MO 63132 (314) 993-8111 www.theeyewearloft.com 50% off Prada and Gucci frames.

See store for details Eye Examinations Available

WHERE THERE’S CHOICE,

THERE’S HOPE.

Abortion Care Up to 24 Weeks Appointments are available this week.

Most women need only one visit.

Ask for student discount.

618-451-5722 | HOPECLINIC.COM NOW HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS We’re hiring for several Food & Beverage positions such as, Cocktail Servers, Banquet Servers & Food Servers. We’re also looking for Assistant Managers for our fast-growing Food & Beverage team.

Not exactly what you’re looking for?

Don’t worry, we have many other positions available!

Visit lumiereplace.com/careers for a complete list of job openings. Make sure you search by zip code “63102”!

MORE WELCOMES. MORE CONVERSATION. MORE SMILES. 314-881-7777 | LUMIEREPLACE.COM | 999 NORTH 2ND ST. ST LOUIS, MO 63102 Void for persons ineligible to game or excluded from Lumière Place Casino for any reason. Must be age 21 or older to gamble. Gambling problem?

Call 1-888-BETSOFF. ©2016 Tropicana St. Louis, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

10

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

he new Trump-scented candle is bright orange, smells of suntan oil and steak, and comes with a shockingly yellow swath of faux-fur on top. In other words, it is almost exactly like Donald Trump himself — except it is a candle, and it’s made in St. Louis.

The hair-topped candle is the brainchild of JD and Kate Dobson, better known as JD and Kate Industries. They’re the same funnier-than-thou south St. Louis couple who brought you the Hottest Heads of State website and also wrote that satirical list Now for sale at a retailer near you. | SARAH FENSKE enumerating ten reasons we shouldn’t welcome Syrian refugees to St. Louis. (“We are trying Among their many various projreally hard to cultivate a cool, Es- ects, they recently scored a deal to cape From New York vibe in down- write a funny book about the U.S. town St. Louis by keeping as much Presidents — a sort of riff on “the commercial real estate vacant as Presidents when they were young possible. The last thing we need is and hunky,” Kate says, in the style of a bunch of immigrants who might Tiger Beat. It’s due out from Henry want to open businesses.”)

Holt in time for President’s Day The Trump-Scented Candle is not 2018. their first candle nor will it be But in the mean time, there are their last. The project began when candles to make — and last week, they were writing a piece mocking the scored their first brick-andVladimir Putin, which included a mortar retailer, the first and onl reference to a line of pro-Putin mer- one they pitched. Last Wednesday, they stopped by Phoenix Rising chandise.

“We had a Putin-scented candle, to pitch owner Carrie Drda on and I just loved that idea,” Kate stocking their Putin and Trumprecalls. “I said, ‘JD, if I go online scented creations. She said yes and find a utin-scented candle and immediately; they now retail in the I didn’t make it, I will be so mad Delmar Loop shop for $18.95. (Part at myself.’ So I learned to make of the proceeds from each Trump candle goes to a non-profit working candles.”

Six months later, the result de- for Syrian refugees.)

The candles were a viral senbuted on their Etsy page — a candle that smells of pine, earth and sation on the gift shop’s Facebook “smoke billowing from the cities of page. And while Drda hadn’t sold a your enemies.” On the lid: a portrait candle yet as of Friday, “it’s only a of a shirtless Putin. Not long after, matter of time,” she says. She notes they conceived of the Trump itera- that she already has a waiting list tion, complete with its faux-fur top. for the Dobsons’ next product, a “I feel like it’s literally the way candle that will pay tribute to Canaeverything we do starts,” Kate says. dian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Even though it’s a slightly different “One of us makes a joke, and we conceit — they’re paying tribute to decide, ‘Let’s really do it.’”

The pair met in Washington, D.C. Trudeau, not mocking him — Kate He was a grad student also working says that it, too, was something they as a lobbyist; she was the assistant hit upon organically.

“My ultimate motive in makcomics editor for the Washington Post. In classic St. Louis fashion, ing a Justin Trudeau candle is that he lured her back to his hometown maybe Justin Trudeau will see it,” in 2009 (he works in PR; she’s now she admits, laughing. “JD knows it. a stay-at-home mom to their two He’s at peace with it.”

— Sarah Fenske kids).

riverfronttimes.com

NIPPLES Continued from pg 8

Microdermal techniques allow Catalano to implant the new prosthetics without surgery. | DANNY WICENTOWSKI tweaking, he invented a process to implant a prosthetic nipple as quickly as a piece of jewelry.

“The options for women after the surgery, it’s almost insane,” says Catalano, who runs tattoo shops in St. Louis and Hecker, Illinois. As he met more breast cancer survivors, he listened to their complaints about shoddy adhesive nipples and painful skin grafts. An especially gruesome option involved twisting the breast’s remaining flesh to create a protruding “nipple.”

Kilhoffer had tried that one with a plastic surgeon. Deprived of blood flow, the nipple turned black and fell off two weeks later. here’s not enough superficial circulation left for any of these things to work,” Kilhoffer says. “They had to scrape so much to get the cancer out that it’s just scar tissue now.”

Last week, with Kilhoffer’s permission, Catalano allowed Riverfront Times to document the first stage of the microdermal implant procedure.

Catalano performed his first successful microdermal nipple implant last year, and since then he’s pro ided about fifteen breast cancer survivors with new nipples.

Some women are referred to him by hospital staff, others by general word of mouth. In Kilhoffer’s case, it was an aesthetician who tipped her off to Catalano’s services.

The procedure itself takes about

fifteen minutes. Kilhoffer lies down on the reclining leather couch and removes her shirt. Catalano goes to work. When he’s done, Kilhoffer’s right breast bears a diamond stud, a placeholder that helps the implant to heal. When that healing is complete — which takes about two months — she’ll return for her nipple.

Catalano doesn’t advertise the process, and he’s hesitant to charge money for the procedure. He says he wants to expand his services to more women, but the business plan has yet to come together.

He doesn’t want his invention to become a cash cow — he just wants to help breast cancer survivors. His heart won’t let him attach a hefty price on the procedure. “I just can’t bring myself to do it,” he says.

This week, Catalano launched a new crowdfunding campaign in the hope that the public can fund future procedures at no cost to cancer survivors. For now, the service remains a side job for Catalano, who supports himself and a son through his tattoo and piercing businesses.

“In modern-day society, although they have compassion, people don’t really understand the depths of the struggle, the fight, the pain, the life-changing consequences of breast cancer,” he says.

“I feel blessed to have been doing this.” n riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

11

( T H E ( T H E

P R O B L E M P R O B L E M

W I T H ) W I T H )

BAD TAXI BAD TAXI

DRIVERS The MTC says its regulations make taxis The its But regulations make taxis saferMTC thansays Uber. what happens safer Uber.

But whatbehappens when than a driver shouldn’t on the road? when a driver shouldn’t be on the road?

BY MIKE BOLLICH-ZIEGLER

BY MIKE BOLLICH-ZIEGLER

2003 THE METROPOLITAN TAXI COMMISSION IS 2003 FORMED TO REGULATE THE TAXI THE METROPOLITAN TAXI COMMISSION IS INDUSTRY IN ST . LOUIS , COMBINING FORMED TO REGULATE THE TAXI OPERATIONS PREVIOUSLY HANDLED INDUSTRY IN ST . LOUIS , COMBINING SEPARATELY BY THE CITY AND COUNTY OPERATIONS PREVIOUSLY HANDLED SEPARATELY BY THE CITY AND COUNTY

LATE ‘90S MELESSE GELETE LATE ‘90SBEGINS

DRIVING A TAXI IN ST . LOUIS .

MELESSE GELETE BEGINS DRIVING A TAXI IN ST . LOUIS .

2001 GELETE 2001 IS ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING A GELETE IS ARRESTED POLICE OFFICER .

FOR ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER .

12

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

OCTOBER 2010 PASSENGER COMPLAINS OCTOBER 2010 ABOUT

“ SCARIEST RIDE I ’ VE EVER PASSENGER COMPLAINS ABOUT TAKEN ” WITH GELETE . “ SCARIEST RIDE I ’ VE EVER NO RECORD OF ACTION FOLLOWS .

TAKEN ” WITH GELETE .

NO RECORD OF ACTION FOLLOWS .

MAY 2005 GELETE ’MAY S TAXI LICENSE IS 2005

REVOKED PENDING A MENTAL GELETE ’ S TAXI LICENSE IS HEALTH EVALUATION .

REVOKED PENDING A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION .

2005 GELETE IS2005 FOUND GUILTY IN HIS ASSAULT CASE ; GELETE IS FOUND GUILTY SENTENCED TO THREE IN HIS ASSAULT CASE ; MONTHS IN JAIL .

SENTENCED TO THREE MONTHS IN JAIL .

riverfronttimes.com

2010 GELETE ’ S CRIMINAL 2010 CONVICTION

IS NOTED FOR THE FIRST TIME GELETE ’ S CRIMINAL CONVICTION IN HIS FILE .

IS NOTED FOR THE FIRST TIME NO RECORD OF ACTION FOLLOWS .

IN HIS FILE .

NO RECORD OF ACTION FOLLOWS .

W W

hen Carolyn asked her taxi toasked pull over hen driver Carolyn her during her December 15, taxi driver to pull over 2014, ride to Lambert-St. during her December 15, Louis International 2014, ride to Lambert-St. Airport, he didn’t respond.

Louis International “The driver wasrespond. very sick. He was yelling, Airport, he didn’t muttering, hitting the steering wheel and “The driver was very sick. He was yelling, hitting himself in the head,” she wrote in an muttering, hitting the steering wheel and email complaint to the St. Louis Metropolitan hitting himself in the head,” she wrote in an Taxicab Commission, “I Metropolitan asked him if email complaint to theorSt.MTC. Louis he was OK, and he started yelling at me. Ihim asked Taxicab Commission, or MTC. “I asked if him at least once to pull over and let me out of he was OK, and he started yelling at me. I asked the but once he didn’t respond.

It let was raining himcab at least to pull over and me out of that morning, so you can imagine how scared the cab but he didn’t respond. It was raining Ithat wasmorning, if I was so willing to be left onhow the side of you can imagine scared the road with my luggage on a rainy morning.”

I was if I was willing to be left on the side of called to alerton them of the driver. theShe road with 911 my luggage a rainy morning.”

Upon her plane landing at its destination, she She called 911 to alert them of the driver. called Wilson Taxi Company to complain about Upon her plane landing at its destination, she her erratic cab ride.

And then emailed the called Wilson Taxi Company to she complain about MTC, which regulates taxi service in the St. her erratic cab ride. And then she emailed the Louis area. regulates taxi service in the St. MTC, which The email detailing Carolyn’s harrowing Louis area. taxicab ride was amongCarolyn’s dozens of harrowing complaints The email detailing submitted to the commission from January taxicab ride was among dozens of complaints 1, 2014 through June 1, 2015.

They include submitted to the commission from January fare overcharging, dangerous driving, assault, 1, 2014 through June 1, 2015. They include stealing and other dangerous incidents. Idriving, received these fare overcharging, assault, complaints — a stack of nearly 215 pages — stealing and other incidents. I received these as well as the commission’s responses after complaints — a stack of nearly 215 pages — as well as the commission’s responses after

filing a public records re uest using issouri’s Sunshine Law.records re uest using issouri’s filing a public Reached by email, Carolyn asked that we not Sunshine Law. use her full name, declined tothat talkwe more Reached by email,and Carolyn asked not about her experience — other than to say that use her full name, and declined to talk more she last from the taxi than commission in about herheard experience — other to say that January 2015, when it was seeking to revoke she last heard from the taxi commission in Gelete’s license.

“That is also January driver’s 2015, when it was seeking to when revokeI started using Uber or a private car service,” Gelete’s driver’s license. “That is also when I she wrote.

“NoUber moreorcabs.” started using a private car service,” But what’s noteworthy about Carolyn’s corshe wrote. “No more cabs.” respondence with the MTC is that she wascorfar But what’s noteworthy about Carolyn’s from the first t. ouis rider to complain about respondence with the MTC is that she was far her Melesse Gelete. fromdriver, the first t. ouis rider to complain about By his own admission, Gelete has been a taxi her driver, Melesse Gelete. driver in St. Louis for the last nineteen By his own admission, Gelete has beenyears. a taxi Records provided by the MTC chronicle more driver in St. Louis for the last nineteen years. than a decade of his driving history.

Since 2005, Records provided by the MTC chronicle more those documents show the commission has than a decade of his driving history. Since 2005, recorded numerous violations of its own code, those documents show the commission has dangerous driving complaints documented recorded numerous violationsand of its own code, mental health concerns against Gelete. dangerous driving complaints and documented According Gelete’s against driver Gelete. info sheet remental healthtoconcerns cord, four passengers filed complaints of reerAccording to Gelete’s driver info sheet ratic and unsafe driving during that time.

He cord, four passengers filed complaints of erwas also cited for fourteen violations of the ratic and unsafe driving during that time. He vehicle-for-hire code and accumulated was also cited for fourteen violations $1,400 of the in fines and points on his license. $1,400 e was vehicle-for-hire code and accumulated suspended days addition in fines andfor 135 points oninhis license.to ae temwas porary license suspension. suspended for 135 days in addition to a temIn 2010, the commission even added a notation porary license suspension.

Continued on pg 14 In 2010, the commission even added a notation Continued on pg 14

AUGUST 2016 AUGUST 2016 COMMISSION SAYS THEY ’ VE SUSPENDED GELETE

NOVEMBER 2012 AFTERNOVEMBER ACCUMULATING 2012THREE

SEPTEMBER 2011 GELETE ’ S LICENSE SEPTEMBER 2011IS

IN RESPONSE TO RFT QUESTIONS , THE TAXI

SUSPENSIONS IN A 48 - MONTH AFTER ACCUMULATING THREE PERIOD , GELETE ’ S LICENSE SHOULD SUSPENSIONS IN A 48 - MONTH HAVE BEEN REVOKED . IT WASN ’ T .

PERIOD , GELETE ’ S LICENSE SHOULD INSTEAD , IN THIS MONTH , HE HAVE BEEN REVOKED . IT WASN ’ T .

RETURNS TO SERVICE .

INSTEAD , IN THIS MONTH , HE RETURNS TO SERVICE .

SUSPENDED FOR HAVING GELETE ’ S LICENSE IS TOO MANY POINTS SUSPENDED FOR HAVING ON HIS LICENSE .

TOO MANY POINTS ON HIS LICENSE .

SEPTEMBER 2012 A PASSENGER COMPLAINS SEPTEMBER 2012 THAT

GELETE IS SPEEDING , WEAVING AND A PASSENGER COMPLAINS THAT REACHING FOR IMAGINARY OBJECTS .

GELETE IS SPEEDING , WEAVING AND GELETE ’ S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED FOR REACHING FOR IMAGINARY OBJECTS .

FIVE DAYS , PLUS ANOTHER 30 DAYS GELETE ’ S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED FOR FOR HAVING TOO MANY POINTS FIVE DAYS , PLUS ANOTHER 30 DAYS ON HIS LICENSE .

FOR HAVING TOO MANY POINTS ON HIS LICENSE .

“The driver was “The driver very sick.

He was very sick.

He was yelling, muttering, yelling, muttering, hitting the steering hitting steering wheelthe and hitting wheelin and hitting himself the head. in the head.

I himself asked him if he was I asked him ifstarted he was OK, and he OK, and he started yelling at me.

I asked yelling me. once I asked him atat least to him least to pull at over andonce let me pull over andcab let but me out of the outdidn’t of therespond. cab but he he didn’t respond.

It was raining that It was raining morning, so youthat can morning,how so you can imagine scared imagine I was if I how was scared willing I was if I was willing to be left on the side to left on with the side ofbe the road my of the road my luggage onwith a rainy luggage on a rainy morning.” morning.”

IN RESPONSE TO RFT QUESTIONS , THE TAXI FOUR TIMES IN THE PREVIOUS 95 DAYS . HIS COMMISSION SAYS THEY ’ VE SUSPENDED GELETE LICENSE IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED , BUT TIMES IN THE PREVIOUS 95 DAYS . HIS “FOUR THE COMMISSION IS NOT ALLOWED TO BAN LICENSE IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED , BUT AN APPLICANT FOREVER ,” ITS ATTORNEY SAYS . “ THE COMMISSION IS NOT ALLOWED TO BAN AN APPLICANT FOREVER ,” ITS ATTORNEY SAYS .

DECEMBER 2014 ANOTHER PASSENGER COMPLAINS DECEMBER 2014

OF A HARROWING RIDE . GELETE IS ANOTHER PASSENGER COMPLAINS SUSPENDED ANOTHER FIVE DAYS .

OF A HARROWING RIDE . GELETE IS SUSPENDED ANOTHER FIVE DAYS .

MAY 2014 A PASSENGER COMPLAINS MAY 2014

THAT HER RIDE WITH GELETE A PASSENGER COMPLAINS “ SCARED THE HELL OUT OF THAT HER RIDE WITH GELETE ME .” HE IS GIVEN A “ SCARED THE HELL OUT OF FIVE - DAY SUSPENSION .

ME .” HE IS GIVEN A FIVE - DAY SUSPENSION .

riverfronttimes.com

JANUARY 2015 GELETE ’ S LICENSE2015 EXPIRES .

JANUARY

AT SOME POINT IN THE NEXT GELETE ’ S LICENSE EXPIRES .

YEAR AND A HALF , THE AT SOME POINT IN THE NEXT MTC MOVES TO REVOKE IT .

YEAR AND A HALF , THE Y ET HE APPARENTLY RETURNS MTC MOVES TO REVOKE IT .

THE ROAD .

Y ET HE TO APPARENTLY RETURNS TO THE ROAD .

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

13

BAD TAXI DRIVERS Continued from pg 13 to elete’s file sa ing that he’d been charged with misdemeanor assault against a police o cer in and convicted four years later.

Yet despite the long roster of violations, temporary suspensions and the conviction in criminal court, Gelete continued — legally — to drive a taxi in St. Louis. In fact, just two months before Carolyn’s ride, another passenger had complained to the MTC that her trip with Gelete “scared the hell out of me.” The MTC gave Gelete just a fi e-da suspension and allowed him to return to the road.

In its bid to block Uber from the St. Louis market, the taxi commission has argued that its regulations are needed to keep drivers safe — that absent its background checks, which include fingerprints and drug tests, passengers are at risk. Uber’s unwillingness to play by those rules, the commission has argued, is a real threat to public safety.

But Gelete’s lengthy record of complaints suggest that the commission’s efforts haven’t always kept dangerous drivers off the road. They also suggest that even

when drivers are punished, as Gelete eventually was, the companies that they work for are not held responsible for their actions.

In many ways, Gelete’s case appears to be an outlier in terms of the number (and severity) of violations and complaints. But it still raises troubling uestions about how the MTC deals with dangerous or disturbed drivers.

What does it take to permanently revoke a taxi driver’s license in St. Louis? Does the commission even have that power? And in light of how many times Gelete returned as a taxi driver after paying a penalty or waiting out a temporary suspension, are the regulations governing drivers in the St. Louis area actually doing the job — or do they amount to no more than window dressing?

After Carolyn called Wilson Taxi Company about her taxi ride to the airport, she was told by a staffer that Gelete had been sick before and was “probably off his medication,” and that they would work on getting her a refund.

Then she received a call from Bernice Johnson, a manager at Wilson Taxi Company, according to her complaint.

“[Johnson] stated that because I received the service and arrived ‘safely’ that I cannot get my money back,” Carolyn reported to the taxi commission in an email sent January 2, 2015. “And then she said that since I am from NY ‘I must have experienced road rage with drivers before.’ I am disgusted with this company and I hope something can be done. This is now beyond just me getting my money back.”

Bob Oldani, deputy director at the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission, handled Carolyn’s complaint. According to the activity report he wrote about the incident, he interviewed Gelete, but Gelete said he did not recall such an incident.

If passengers complain to the MTC that a cabbie drove erratically, unsafely or something similar, and if after speaking with the driver the commission’s director suspects the allegation to be true, the driver is issued a class II violation for unsafe operation of a ehicle for hire and a fine.

That happened in Gelete’s case.

It took 21 days from Carolyn’s original call to Wilson Taxi — time in which Gelete appears to have been on the road, ferrying passengers around St. Louis. But on January

5, 2015, Gelete received an “unsafe operation of vehicle” violation, a fine and fi e-da suspension.

The suspension was then increased to 95 days because he’d accumulated too many violation points.

Gelete was back on the road after that, racking up more violations, although at some point following his suspensions stemming from Carolyn’s complaint, his license was revoked, according to attorney Charles Billings, who responded to m uestions on behalf of the Metropolitan Taxi Commission.

The commission’s attorney wrote to me that Gelete’s taxi license is still suspended. “Mr. Gelete’s license suspension was most recently upheld in the Taxicab Commission hearing this past Tuesday, August 16,” Billings wrote.

But why did it take so long? The MTC’s own policies suggest that Gelete’s license should have been revoked multiple times over the previous years.

That’s something Oldani appears to have been aware of when handling Gelete’s case. He even alluded to Gelete’s long record with the MTC in his activity report, ending his response to Carolyn’s incident report with additional details about Gelete’s history. “It

Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer?

Your hometown

firearms retailer

If you used talcum powder products and

for 15 years!

were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be entitled to compensation.

2015

Voted Best Gun Shop of 2015 by the RFT 8205 Gravois Road • St. Louis, MO 63123 • (314) 631-3130 midamericaarms.com • facebook.com/MidAmericaArms

Contact Simmons Hanly Conroy at 1-866-468-8631 for a free consultation and to learn about your legal rights.

TWILIGHT

TUESDAYS AMEREN CONCERT SERIES

FALL 2016

MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

simmonspharmalaw.com

|

314-644-6222

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING | Simmons Hanly Conroy | 231 S. Bemiston Ave. | Suite 525 | St. Louis, MO 63105 The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

14

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

Tuesdays, Aug. 30–Oct. 4 6pm to 8pm • FREE Museum’s Front Lawn Forest Park mohistory.org Featuring STL’s best food trucks!

should be noted that Oldani has entertained similar complaints regarding Gelete’s erratic behavior and unsafe operation of his cab,” he wrote. search of elete’s file revealed additional documentation referencing his behavior and driving habits.”

According to the records I reviewed, Gelete’s first record of employment noted on his driver info sheet was for Harris Cab in . In response to m uestions, attorney Billings said information about anything before 2010 is “not readily available” and that the commission would not be providing further detail.)

During Gelete’s time as a cab driver, he worked for at least three cab companies: Harris Cab, Wilson Taxi Company and St. Louis American Cab Co. But in 2001, Gelete was charged with one count of disturbing the peace and three counts of third-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, Class A misdemeanor charges, in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Four years later, in 2005, he was found guilty and given a three-month sentence.

T h e c o m m i s s i o n ’s v e h i cle-for-hire code specificall cites a misdemeanor charge as reason

for a license suspension, saying, “the director may suspend a MTC driver’s license because of pending felony charges or Class A misdemeanor charges involving assault.”

Gelete was not suspended.

It is not clear whether he disclosed the arrest to regulators, much less his subse uent con iction. The MTC was formed in 2003, taking over the role previously played by the city of St. Louis, and revisions were made to the commission’s codes in 2010. Attorney illings responded to m uestions about whether the regulator’s background check uncovered Gelete’s arrest with a simple “unknown,” noting that records prior to the 2010 code changes were not necessarily available or kept.

Regardless, records show that it wasn’t until fi e ears after elete’s conviction, in March 2010, that the incident was noted on his MTC driver sheet. There is no record of disciplinary action being taken as a result. illings responded to m uestions about the commission’s lack of action by saying that the director has discretion to suspend a driver’s permit. The clear implication: e is not legall re uired to do so.

“Mr. Gelete’s case was resolved as

New 2017 Camry LE

New 2016 Corolla LE

*INCLUDES $2,000 TOYOTA REBATE OR GET 0% FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS WITH APPROVED CREDIT, AT $16.67 PER $1,000 BORROWED.

*INCLUDES $1,500 TOYOTA REBATE OR GET 0% FINANCING FOR 72 MONTHS WITH APPROVED CREDIT, AT $13.88 PER $1000 BORROWED.

$20,737

a misdemeanor and the previous director chose not to suspend Mr. Gelete.”

By 2010, however, the taxi commission should have had plenty of cause for alarm about Gelete’s behavior on the job.

The driver’s three-month sentence for misdemeanor assault started on February 10, 2005. The day after his scheduled completion date, May 11, 2005, Sgt. Sampson of the taxicab commission stopped Gelete’s taxi because Gelete was wearing a black shirt while he was transporting a passenger, a violation of the vehicle-for-hire driver uniform code.

“While interviewing the driver, the passenger described some strange behavior, prompting concern for the driver’s mental health,” Sampson wrote in his report.

Sampson continued, “It was determined the driver may have significant mental health issues and may be a threat to the public.”

Gelete’s license was revoked the next day pending an evaluation by a mental health professional.

The next entry on his driver sheet comes nearly a year later, on April 10, 2006. It says simply, “driver no longer w/ company.”

Records show he was back on the road a few years later — and again generating complaints.

On October 1, 2010, five years after Sampson stopped Gelete, the driver picked up a woman named a uel no last name listed for a ride to the St. Louis Galleria. As she described in an email complaint sent to the commission, “This was the most bazaar [sic], scariest ride I’ve ever taken." a uel’s complaint details elete’s behavior during the ride, including balancing a credit card holder on top of his head and talking to himself.

He allegedly dumped some type of li uid from a cup out of the mo ing ehicle’s window, which hit a uel in the backseat.

“I would have to say though that the most disturbing part of this trip was his abrupt stop on the expressway to avoid missing the exit,” she wrote. “Once he was able to get over, he accelerated really fast and jerked the steering wheel in the direction of the exit, causing us to brace ourselves.”

In the complaint, she said she considered asking him to drop her off at the nearest corner, but she was visiting from another state and not familiar with the area.

Continued on pg 16

Fall Flavors

$17,369

Drinks

Pumpkin Spice Latte

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Latte

New 2016 Prius Two Liftback

$22,431

*INCLUDES $2,000 TOYOTA REBATE OR GET 0% FINANCING FOR 72 MONTHS WITH APPROVED CREDIT AT $13.88 PER $1000 BORROWED.

Pumpkin Chai

Spiced Apple Cider

EXP. 9/6/16

*WITH APPROVED CREDIT

**EXCLUDES TAX, TITLE, LICENSE AND $199 ADMINISTRATION FEE

The Central West End #2 Maryland Plaza at Euclid

OPEN 24 HOURS

riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

15

pable cab driver. He maintained that the passengers in incidents he recalled did not complain as they “This driver’s reckless conduct exited his cab — only later to the could have resulted in an accident. MTC. “I am perfect. I can drive very Thankfully we were unharmed well. I don’t have any problems physically, but certainly endured being a taxi driver,” Gelete said. much mental distress for 30-plus Yet from 2011 through 2013, Geminutes while in his care,” she lete accumulated in fines due wrote in her email. to code violations described as soThe email concludes with a liciting, uniform, dirty cab, failure warning about his mental state: to keep ehicle in continued fit“[The driver] is not mentally stable ness, and unfit for public use. he enough to drive fines were later passengers, AT reduced to $300 ALL! I hope that in total. (He also you will seriously completed “hos"The consider these pitality training” commission allegations and on May 2, 2013.) investigate this In some cases, is not allowed matter further.” he was also susto ban an Did Gelete unpended. He was dergo a mental suspended for fi e applicant health evaluadays on Septemforever. If tion, per the diber 14, 2011, afrector’s orders, ter accumulating an applicant before returntoo many points satisfies all ing to work and on his license. eventually pickOne year later, in criteria for ing up a uel September 2012, Attorney Billings licensure, then Gelete was given said it was unseparate suspenthe Taxicab clear. “The Taxisions: five days Commission cab Commission for too many class does not have a II violations, and must comply mental health re30 days for again with the law cord,” he wrote. having too many And what points on his liand issue happened after cense. a driver's a uel comThe five-day plained is e uall suspension was license." murky. Gelete’s triggered after a driver info sheet complaint from a contains no inpassenger. In the dication of the woman’s Septemcommission taking any action at ber 2012 ride in Gelete’s taxi, she that point — neither a summons, wrote, he “reached for imaginary suspension or penalty. objects on the windshield and But he clearly continued to work around the inside of the cab” and as a cab driver, because on May was speeding and weaving in and , , his file contains a note out of tra c. that he had been caught sleeping Oldani interviewed Gelete about in his cab. That triggered a $150 the ride the same day and reported fine, which ldani reduced to . that he was mumbling and di Asked if the commission ever cult to understand. When advised conducted any follow-up measures of the passenger complaints, [Gefrom a uel’s complaint, illings lete] only stated that, ‘She bit him wrote, our uestions in ol e is- on the eye with her cell phone.’” sues that are six years old applying Oldani asked Gelete to return for discretionary acts of past commis- further interview two days later. sioners and past directors.”

Again, Oldani reported that Gelete I sought out Gelete, and asked was mumbling and di cult to unhim about the commission’s 2005 derstand, adding, “he was, howsuspension and subse uent order ever, polite and did not indicate to undergo a mental health eval- any signs of illness or substance uation, as well as the passenger issues.” comments with concerns for his However, Oldani continued, mental health. “I do not have any “[Gelete] did repeat his earlier problem,” he said. statement regarding the passenIn a lengthy conversation with ger biting him on the eye with her me, Gelete insisted that he is a ca- cell phone.”

BAD TAXI DRIVERS Continued from pg 15

16

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Taxis line up in front of the Hy

Gelete was issued two citations for unsafe operation of the vehicle and failure to keep his vehicle in continuous fitness for public use. ilson a i was notified of the complaint and results of the investigation.

At this point, in September 2012, after accumulating three suspensions within twelve months, Gelete’s license should have been revoked, according to the area’s vehicle-for-hire code.

“No driver shall be permitted to hold a MTC driver's license who has by any class of violation suffered three license suspensions within a contiguous 48-month period. Any driver having suffered three license suspensions within any contiguous 48-month period shall have their license revoked,” the code says. et on o ember , , elete returned to service after serving his 35-day suspension.

Asked why his license was not revoked, Billings said the commission does not comment on enforcement tactics.

riverfronttimes.com

On May 21, 2014, nearly two years after the taxi commission failed to revoke Gelete’s license after his three suspensions, Gelete picked up a woman named Tammy from the Crowne Plaza Hotel in his Wilson Taxi cab for a ride to the airport, according to a document recapping amm ’s subse uent call to the commission.

Tammy began by noting that Gelete did not have air conditioning on when he arrived (the vehicle-for-hire code states the air conditioning must be on prior to pick-up during warm weather). The recorded temperature that day was 89 degrees with 69 percent humidity.

The document goes on to describe Gelete’s erratic driving.

“While traveling west on Interstate , amm stated elete drove with the driver’s door [sic] for no apparent reason, banged his fist on the steering wheel and windshield and talked to himself.”

The document does not clarify if Gelete was driving with the driver-side door open on I- . It contin-

Notes from an MTC Agent, May 2005

nt of the Hyatt downtown. Gelete drove for Harris, Wilson and St. Louis American Cab Co. (far left). | KELLY GLUECK

ues, “[Tammy] asked Gelete to pull over and let her out of the cab but he insisted they were just minutes away from the airport and continued driving.”

“He scared the hell out of me,” Tammy concluded.

Oldani interviewed the driver, stating, “[Gelete] only mumbled and could provide no reasonable explanation for his actions.” As with previous complaints, Gelete was issued an unsafe operation of ehicle iolation, a fine and another fi e-da suspension for the incident.

Two months later, Gelete picked up Carolyn for that December 2014 ride to the airport — the one she later wrote “disgusted” her.

As Billings explained in response to m re uest for a written polic on the handling of passenger complaints, the commission has complete fle ibilit .

“The Metropolitan Taxicab Commission does not have a written policy regarding driver’s or customer complaints. All complaints are reviewed by Director [Ronald] Klein

who makes a determination as to the severity,” Billings wrote.

The last entry on Gelete’s twopage driver info sheet in the records provided to me notes that his license expired on January 6, 2015.

But even that doesn’t appear to mark the end of his time driving a taxi.

Questioned about the commission’s handling of Gelete’s case, Billings wrote, “Mr. Gelete has been suspended by the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission four times in the last 95 days. The Taxicab Commission is most responsive to the issues involving Mr. Gelete.”

Billings suggested the MTC had no ability to do more.

“The MTC does not and cannot perform psychological tests no more than the Department of Revenue can test applicants for Missouri driver's licenses. The Taxicab Commission does examine complaints and if a driver is determined to be un ualified, then the ommission will act accordingly,” Billings wrote.

I also asked the commission if Gelete’s license was permanently

[Driver Gelete] was stopped by Sgt. Sampson for wearing a black shirt.

Interview revealed driver would not remove black overshirt, and would only show that he was wearing a white button-down shirt underneath. While interviewing the driver, the passenger described some strange behavior, prompting concern for the driver's mental health. Sgt. Sampson red-tagged the vehicle, issued a citation, and upon conference w/ Agent Deering, ordered him to report to the MTC office. Upon his arrival a relaxed interview was conducted by Agent Barker (Primary), Agents Deering & Scherer, and Director Tully. It was determined the driver may have significant mental health issues and may be a threat to the public. The driver was told he was out of service and must report at 10:30 the next day.

revoked and if his license could ever become valid again. “Mr. Gelete’s license suspension was most recently upheld in the Taxicab Commission hearing this past Tuesday, August 16,” Billings wrote. “The commission is not allowed to ban an applicant forever. If an applicant satisfies all criteria for licensure, then the Taxicab Commission must comply with the law and issue a driver's license.”

Paul Boleteo, a driver for A Super Taxi, knows Gelete as a fellow cabbie. He said he has tried to encourage Gelete to seek medical attention. “He does things that are not violent and he is not going to endanger the lives of the customer.

He is talking to something you don’t see. I bet if he had meds he would be OK.” Boleteo suggested that the driver is unwilling to seek out the help he needs. “[The taxi commission] doesn’t take his license indefinitel because they want him to go get some help.

And he doesn’t want to get help,” said Boleteo.

riverfronttimes.com

I obtained the details of these complaints about Gelete after making a sunshine re uest to the taxi commission for all driver and passenger complaints submitted between January 1, 2014 to June 1, 2015.

The taxi commission responded to the re uest re uiring to proceed — ultimately, a cost of more than $2 per page. They cited fees and labor costs incurred to process the responsive documents, including hourly rates for deputy director review time, temporary clerk labor, document copy costs and attorney review time.

Initiall , the also uoted a processing fee that included charges for copying responsive documents twice, creating one set for themselves to keep as a record of the re uest and one that would be delivered. That duplicate set of records accounted for $120 of the initial uote.

Even after they stepped back from that re uirement, though, the records ultimately cost $430

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Continued on pg 18

RIVERFRONT TIMES

17

A&R

SOLUTIONS

SUBOXONE

WE TREAT: Opiate Addiction, Heroin Addiction & Other Drug Addictions

Call

314-526-0021 www.aandrsolutions.com

WE WORK WITH MOST INSURANCES 18

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

BAD TAXI DRIVERS Continued from pg 17 to obtain and contained 215 pages, not the uoted .

As a freelance writer who was not yet working with the Riverfront Times, I turned to crowdsourcing.

Donors helped finance what would have otherwise been a far too costl re uest.

In addition to elete’s file, the documents I obtained revealed other complaints submitted by passengers.

Instances of fare overcharging, recording tips incorrectly and other transactional concerns made up the bulk of complaints I received. Gelete, clearly, is an anomaly; based on the documents, transaction complaints are generally resolved by taxi companies coordinating with the MTC, although some customers resorted to contacting the commission after difficulties with the ta i companies.

One complaint noted a Gateway Express Cab Company fare from Lambert Airport to O’Fallon, Missouri, appeared higher than a flat rate fare advertised at another taxi company. Oldani coordinated with a Gateway Express manager, who offered to refund the fare due to the confusion.

“Customer satisfaction is of the first and foremost concern in the Saint Louis taxi industry,” Oldani wrote in an email to the passenger.

Many of the transaction-related complaints were from passengers uneasy about having credit card information manually written down by drivers to process after their ride. The MTC changed its policy in August 2015, banning the manual recording of credit or debit card information.

But other complaints were more troubling. In April, a woman contacted the taxi commission to say she’d been sexually harassed by her driver.

“He told her several times she was beautiful and wanted to take her to dinner. [He] asked her other things, such as what she likes to drink and likes to eat,” the document uoted the passenger as saying. “He made her feel uncomfortable and asked we have a talk with the driver.”

The MTC has one sentence in its code relating to sexual harassment.

It states, “Verbal abuse, lewd, vulgar or obscene suggestions, threats or intimidation of any kind directed at a passenger shall be a Class II violation of this code and may result in suspension or

revocation of license.”

The complaint document said the driver recalled the trip, but denied flirting with the passenger.

There was no record of a violation or fine relating to the incident within the dri er’s file.

In large part, the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission is made up of individuals who own and operate taxis in St. Louis. Missouri law re uires four of nine commissioners be from the taxi industry.

That currently includes Dave McNutt, president of Laclede Cab Co.; Eyasu Asfaw, owner of Airport Best Transportation Limousine Service and Taxi Service; Joshua Osho, president of the Airport Taxi Council, which represents airport taxi drivers; and Basil Rudawsky, president of St. Louis County Cab and Yellow Cab. Perhaps because of that structure, the commission seems much more interested in targeting drivers than taking enforcement, or even educational, actions against cab companies. (Additional commissioners include Tom Reeves, president of Pulaski Bank; Kim Tucci, owner of the Pasta House; Larry Satz, a shoe importer; and Tim Fitch, former St. Louis County police chief.)

T h e c o m m i s s i o n ’s v e h i cle-for-hire code lists policies and procedures detailing how taxicab companies are to be operated, cab appearances, driver uniforms and behavior and so on. It is comprehensive, even overwhelming. Yet records suggest that drivers are the ones facing fees, fines and suspensions, not the cab companies that they work for.

From January 2014 through September 2015, the MTC collected $21,918 in fees from drivers relating to code citations, according to records also obtained from a sunshine re uest.

In that same period, the MTC levied a single violation against an on-call taxicab company listed on the commission’s website.

On July 15, 2015, the MTC issued a summons to Harris Cab for allowing an unlicensed person to dri e. It resulted in a fine.

That appears to be business as usual. The commission’s own budget anticipated collecting $10,200 in citation fees from drivers in 2015. It budgeted collecting $0 in citation fees from cab companies.

The documents reviewed do not describe any action taken against Wilson Taxi Company or follow-up

d er. ant

n p pri sy. e b rt e a xi rt y, b

ch vr st ms, m e; d y

d b b d eet e ss

pd eg a

C st d e. d r o

s n g m d m

ot st p

with the company by the MTC after Carolyn’s complaint. (While Wilson Taxi appears to still be in business, none of its listed phone numbers were in working order during my numerous attempts to connect with the company for comment.)

Asked if any action had been taken against any of the cab companies Gelete worked for in St. Louis, Billings responded, “You have been provided with the MTC internal record regarding Mr. Gelete’s driving record with the MTC … it has always been the practice of the MTC to notify the employer of complaints against drivers.”

But even as taxi companies avoid responsibility for bad drivers, for drivers accused of petty offenses caught in its bureaucracy, the regulatory system surely feels like a cash grab. Their fees fund the MTC, as its own code acknowledges.

After receiving a violation notice, drivers and cab companies have the opportunity to present their case in front of an independent hearing o cer in the o ces.

If the driver or company is found guilty, they are responsible for the violation penalties and points, as well as taxi commission “court” costs, a total of $100.

If a driver wanted to push back against a violation relating to his uniform, for example, he could be facing a $150 penalty including court costs. One driver, Raja Naeem, fought the MTC for violating his freedom of religious expression relating to uniform re uirements. he uslim cab driver rang up $800 in citations and had his license revoked after wearing traditional religious attire. And that’s even though a 2004 ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court prohibited the taxi commission from enforcing its dress code when it conflicts with religious beliefs.

Naeem sued the MTC in St. Louis Circuit Court. In 2015, he won after Judge Robert Dierker ruled that the taxi commission was infringing on Naeem’s constitutional rights.

The MTC’s largest source of income is through airport access fees, according to its budget. This $1 fee must be paid each time a driver exits an airport parking facility. It generates an estimated $355,000 a year, according to the commission’s 2015 budget.

The commission takes the fee collection seriously. If a driver doesn’t pay his $1 fee by using the proper lane and access card,

he faces a class II violation and fine. hat’s the same le el of penalty for drivers found to have driven in an unsafe manner.

There is only one instance within the documents provided that shows the MTC conducting proactive enforcement of its rules as the result of a complaint.

Naturally, it involves Uber.

On April 29, 2015, the taxi commission conducted an undercover sting operation after a cab driver alleged that Uber Black drivers were “soliciting cash fares, at exorbitant prices, in high tra c areas.

Charging fares outside the posted rates is against the vehicle-for-hire code.

The complainant went on to say Uber drivers turned down fares that are not “worth it,” according to the email.

The commission’s executive director, Klein, emailed Oldani after he was forwarded the complaint

by Rudawsky, who is both a taxi commissioner and president of County Cab Company.

“Assign this complaint to an agent and let’s find out who this

Uber driver is,” Klein wrote.

“First Uber wouldn’t keep the guy if he’s soliciting for cash! Once we find out I want an underco er detail put on it.”

His email concluded, “Let me know what ou find out. I will be with Basil and Lou [Hamilton] tonight and Lou will make a big deal out of it.” Lou Hamilton was the MTC chairman at the time, and an outspoken critic of Uber’s safety policies.

When asked what generally prompts an undercover detail and why such a proactive response was never taken against Gelete, attorney Billings said the commission does not disclose its investigation strategy.

This was the only sting noted in the documents. he file later notes that the undercover operation did not uncover any violation on the part of the Uber Black driver.

I also asked the MTC about its position on Uber. If the commission’s regulations are the key to passenger safety, why was Gelete allowed to drive for more than a decade, despite numerous complaints from terrified passengers

And why should the public have faith in its background checks and supervision in light of Gelete’s case?

Billings responded that the taxi commission had “used the background check authorized by state and federal law enforcement,” as re uired b issouri law. ber, he wrote, had never formally applied for the proper certificate of convenience and necessity,” as ta icab companies are re uired to do if they wish to operate in St. Louis.

“The Taxicab Commission is interested in accurate and complete background checks,” Billings wrote.

He did not say anything more about Gelete or defend the commission’s ten-year-plus handling n of his case.

Mike Bollich-Ziegler is a freelance writer in Seattle, Washington, who recently relocated from St. Louis. He can be reached on twitter at @ mikeziegler and by email at mike@mikez.co.

- Complaint from passenger Raquel, October 2010

- Document recapping telephone complaint from passenger Tammy, May 2014

- Complaint from passenger Carolyn, December 2014 riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

19

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM • CHRIS STAPLETON • MS. LAURYN HILL Band of Horses • Big Gigantic • The Kills • Buddy Guy Shakey Graves • St. Lucia • Vince Staples • Greensky Bluegrass Preservation Hall Jazz Band • Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals • Frightened Rabbit THE HEAVY • WILD BELLE • FOXING • TWIN PEAKS • JUDAH AND THE LION AND MANY MORE!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

LOUFEST.COM

BORN AND RAISED IN STL

20

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

21

CALENDAR

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2-7

The Japanese Festival is still a big deal, even after 40 years. | J. MONKEN/ MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN

BY PAUL FRISWOLD

FRIDAY 0902 Gateway Cup If it’s Labor Day weekend (and it is), that means professional cyclists are competing for the Gateway Cup (and they will be). The Staenberg Gateway Cup features cyclists whizzing through four St. Louis neighborhoods across four days (Friday through Sunday, September 2 to 5). The opening race is the Tour de Lafayette, the only nighttime criterium in the series. The course requires the riders to navigate four 90-degree turns around Lafayette Square (Park and Mississippi avenues; www.gatewaycup.com). Keep in mind that when the men’s and women’s pro divisions are doing

that, there will be as many as 150 racers trying to take those turns at speed. Juniors division racing starts at 3 p.m. on Friday, with the pros starting at 8:15 p.m. (women) and 9:15 p.m. (men). Saturday’s race is the Tour de Francis Park, Sunday’s is the Giro Della Montagna on the ill, and the final race is the enton Park Classic. Admission is free for spectators.

First Friday: Star Trek It’s been 50 years since the starship Enterprise embarked on its never-ending mission, which doesn’t even include the time dilation brought about by all that warp

speed travel. The Saint Louis Science Center (5050 Oakland Avenue; www.slsc.org) celebrates fi e decades of trekkin’ with First Friday: Star Trek tonight from 6 p.m. to midnight. You can (and should) meet astronaut Dr. Tom Jones, who will talk about what living and working in space is really like, take pictures with some Star Trek cosplayers, debate whether Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation is a person with UMSL’s Technology Learning Center (they have robots to help you decide) and catch episodes of Star Trek original Kirk fla or or new st le Star Trek Picard) in the Omnimax Theater. There will also be a free screening of Star Trek (2009) at 10 p.m. Admission is free, but some activities require a small fee.

riverfronttimes.com

SATURDAY 0903 Princess Mononoke Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke is one of the greatest action films ever made. Ashitaka is a young warrior who attempts to save his village from the depredations of an enraged boar god, only to learn too late that the boar god has been corrupted by an evil force. The force gets its claws in Ashitaka as well, and he journeys west to either find a cure or die in battle. Instead he finds an, a warrior princess who pals around with two supernatural wolves

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Continued on pg 22

RIVERFRONT TIMES

21

CALENDAR Continued from pg 21 while attempting to destroy Iron Town, which pumps out pollution around the clock. ut does Iron Town and its power-hungry ruler Lady Eboshi need destroying — or does it need to find a wa to li e in balance with nature? Princess Mononoke is a parable about the damage humanity has done to the natural world, but one with several thrilling battles and an engaging pair of heroes. And just wait until you see the Forest Spirit. Princess Mononoke is shown as part of the Reel Late series at midnight Friday and Saturday (September 2 and 3) at the Landmark Tivoli Theatre elmar oule ard, ni ersity City; www.landmarktheatres. com). Tickets are $8.

INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 6 7:00 PM PLEASE VISIT WBTICKETS.COM AND ENTER THE CODE SULLYRFT TO DOWNLOAD YOUR COMPLIMENTARY PASSES! RATED PG-13 FOR SOME PERIL AND BRIEF STRONG LANGUAGE. Please note: Passes are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. No phone calls, please. Limit one pass per person. Each pass admits two. Seating is not guaranteed.

Arrive early. Theater is not responsible for overbooking. This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any audio or video recording device into the theater (audio recording devices for credentialed press excepted) and consent to a physical search of your belongings and person. Any attempted use of recording devices will result in immediate removal from the theater, forfeiture, and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. Please allow additional time for heightened security. You can assist us by leaving all nonessential bags at home or in your vehicle.

IN THEATERS SEPTEMBER 9 Read The Book. See The Movie.

SullyMovie.com #Sully

22

RIVERFRONT TIMES ST LOUIS RFT

SATURDAY 0903 Love? Actually...

If news of Hamilton coming to St. Louis has you aching for a little of that Lin-Manuel Miranda magic, you can get an early fix at the start of September, courtesy of R-S Theatrics. The company opens its season with Love? Actually ...

An Evening of Musical One-Acts.

The first show is the audiencecontrolled ut of owl, and the second is Steven Serpa’s short opera h rsis maranth, based on the La Fontaine fable of the same name, about young shepherds in lo e. he finale is iranda’s hump treet, a musical about a high school student infatuated with the new kid at school — who is actually an undercover cop.

You may have heard both the musical and the real-life story that inspired it on This American Life, but now you can hear and see it live and in person. Love?

Actually... is performed at 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday and at 7 p.m.

Sunday (September 2 to 18) at the Westport Playhouse (635 Westport Plaza, Maryland Heights; www.rstheatrics.com). Tickets are $15$25.

SUNDAY 0904 Japanese Festival he issouri otanical arden’s Japanese Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with some new additions. Luck Eisa

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Dance first, then eat at the St. Nicholas Greek Festival. | STEVE TRUESDELL is a dance troupe that specializes in the Okinawan folk dance style eisa, which is performed by young people dressed in colorful outfits and wielding three types of drums.

Also making its St. Louis debut this year is Samurai Sword Soul, a theater company that specializes in tate, which is Japanese sword stage fighting. Tate blends real martial arts with theatrical embellishment to create a dramatic form of highly choreographed combat. oth groups perform all three days of the festival, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday (September 3 to 5) at the issouri otanical arden haw oule ard www.mobot.org .

Admission is $5 to $15.

MONDAY 0905 St. Nicholas Greek Festival The joy of grilling throughout a three-day weekend fades a little by by the end of day two. The heat starts to get to you just about the same time somebody’s girlfriend shows up with a portobello mushroom and a bowl of marinade. Take that third day off and head to the St. Nicholas Greek Festival, where the cooking is done for you. Now in its 99th year, the St. Nicholas Greek Festival offers Olympian amounts of food and drink as well as Greek dancing, music and tours of the historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (4967 Forest Park Avenue; www.opastl.com). This year’s festival is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday (September 2 to 5). Admission is free and so is the parking in the nearb garage.

riverfronttimes.com

WEDNESDAY 0907 Shogun Assassin Japanese manga Lone Wolf and Cub (created by twin geniuses Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima) transcended language and culture barriers to become an American cult classic. The comic follows the ad entures of gami Itt , formerl the Shogun’s chief executioner, and his son aigor on their road to re enge against the ag clan a road that can only lead to hell, as gami well knows. aigor is barel a toddler when he mutely watches from the safety of his heavily armed baby cart as his father carve a path through would-be assassins with impeccable swordsmanship. It’s a bleak life, but restoring the family honor re uires sacrifice. he series made the jump to the big screen in a si -film series in the s, which soon reached American shores and was eventually parodied in the Bob’s Burgers’ episode awk hick we told you it transcended all barriers). he trange rew off-shoot of the Webster Film Series screens Shogun Assassin, a special American cut of the first two films, tonight at p.m. at the chlafl ottleworks Southwest Avenue, Maplewood; www.webster.edu/film-series).

Tickets are $5.

Planning an event, exhibiting your art or putting on a play? Let us know and we’ll include it in the Night & Day section or publish a listing in the online calendar — for free! Send details via e-mail (calendar@ riverfronttimes.com), fax (314-754-6416) or mail (6358 Delmar Boulevard, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63130, attn: Calendar). Include the date, time, price, contact information and location (including ZIP code). Please submit information three weeks prior to the date of your event. No telephone submissions will be accepted. Find more events online at www.riverfronttimes.com.

TASTE OF ST. LOUIS

A Perfect Day Trip or Girlfriends’ Getaway!

Over 28 Unique Shops & Restaurants!

Boutiques • Jewelry • Collectibles • Unique Gifts Artisans • Galleries • Coffees, Teas, & Spices...

The Ultimate Food Experience

Quaint Restaurants including...

Wine & Beer • Ice Cream • Bakery Soda Fountain • Outdoor Dining

SEPT 16 - 18

Girlfriend’s Day • Sept. 17 Shop ‘til Tea - It’s Fall Ya’ll

CHESTERFIELD AMPHITHEATER

Blue Owl Dessert Sampler Tickets Required: $16 per person Call 636 464.3128 for Reservations

SCHOOL OF COOKING

AppleButter Festival Oct. 29 & 30

Presented by Featuring Elayne Duff of Bar Rescue

Holiday Open House Nov. 19 Christmas Festival & Cookie Walk Dec. 2, 3, & 4 Shopping ~ Dining ~ History ~ Festivals

CHEF BATTLE ROYALE

Tuesday-Friday 10-4, Saturday & Sunday 10-5, Closed Mondays *All services performed by students under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor.

www.gokimmswick.com • 636-464-6464

RESTAURANT ROW THE ARTWALK KIDS’ KITCHEN

Cooking with STEAM presented by SCOPE

MAIN STAGE FREE CONCERTS featuring Reel Big Fish, Jerrod Niemann, 40 oz to Freedom and CJ Solar

riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

23

24

FILM

Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy, left) and Weathers (Kata Mara, right) face off in a limp thriller. | AIDAN MONAGHAN - TM & © 2016 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION [REVIEW]

Harder, Better, More Forgettable Horror/sci-fi film Morgan is efficient but unessential viewing Written by

ROBERT HUNT Morgan

Directed by Luke Scott. Written by Seth W. Owen. Starring Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Michelle Yeoh and Toby Jones. Opens Friday, September 2, at multiple theaters.

A 24

large, heavily secured mansion in the middle of nowhere. A team of co-workers who spout long, jargon-filled speeches while dropping hints about

RIVERFRONT TIMES

their secret science project. A young girl of unusual origin who seems to inspire equal amounts of love and fear in those raising her.

These generic elements are tossed together in Luke Scott’s debut feature Morgan to create a kind of horror science fiction casserole that carries the viewer along well enough. Yet the film fades from memory almost as soon as it ends, and comes with a script so oddly erratic that you would almost believe it was part improvisation, part screenwriting via Mad Libs.

At the center of the action is the titular Morgan, a genetically advanced young woman who is fi e ears old but going on fifteen (actress Anya Taylor-Joy was nineteen when the film was made . he was created b an unidentified corporate sponsor for purposes that never entirely make sense.

When Morgan begins to show signs of what her keepers try to excuse as typical adolescent stress (you know, the usual growing pains: She listens to opera, wears

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

a hoodie and stabs a doctor in the e e , the home o ce sends in ee eathers Kate ara , a guntoting risk management specialist, to assess — or terminate — the project. Predictably, things start to go downhill from there.

With its isolated team of scientists facing a seemingly unstoppable threat, some might see a slight connection to Ridley Scott’s Alien.

And, indeed, that Scott is the director’s father, and the film’s producer. But Morgan is closer in tone to a slasher film ou just sit back and watch the cast slowly shrink.

Michelle Yeoh and Toby Jones appear briefly to add a touch of maturit to the proceedings they’re the senior scientists who are treated as Morgan’s surrogate parents, albeit rather distant ones, when the script demands it. Paul Giamatti also shows up briefly as a psychologist so aggressively o b n o x i o u s ( b e c a u s e t h a t ’s iamatti’s specialt these da s that you know he’s a dead man the first time he opens his mouth.

riverfronttimes.com

Once Giamatti unwittingly arouses his young subject’s inner Rambo, Morgan becomes a modestly paced and wholly unbelievable action film, with clean-up specialist Weathers determined to dispatch the young girl, who is equally determined to get rid of anyone else in her path.

Though the film occasionally brushes against potentially serious themes — the ethics of bioengineering, the dangers of corporate-sponsored science and whether the ability to become a powerful killing machine is innate or learned behavior — the director recoils from them, uickl finding new distractions in bone-breaking and mayhem.

For better or worse Morgan has been as deliberately engineered as its subject, designed to be nothing more than a slim line of credibility-challenged horror plot twists and over-the-top fight scenes between two oung women. It’s fast, efficient and ultimately forgettable. n

THE ARTS

25

[ S TA G E ]

Up in the Heir The farce awakens in St. Louis Shakespeare’s hilarious new production of The Heir Apparent Written by

PAUL FRISWOLD The Heir Apparent

Translated and updated by David Ives from Jean-François Regnard’s play. Directed by Donna Northcott Presented by St. Louis Shakespeare through September 4 at the Ivory Theatre (7620 Michigan Avenue; www.stlshakespeare.org).

Tickets are $15 to $20.

O

ne of the perks of arriving early to a St. Louis Shakespeare production is that on certain nights the company presents a pre-show talk with key members of the artistic and technical staff. You get some insight into why scenes were cut, or what a draper’s job is (part genius, part wizard) or what the director believes the play is all about. Donna Northcott, director of the company’s current production of The Heir Apparent, assured us in this case that “it doesn’t really have any hidden layers. This is just an escape from the problems of real life.”

She ain’t lyin’. As escapism goes, The Heir Apparent is so pleasurably satisfying that it should have a street value.

The Heir Apparent is David Ives’ translation and rejiggering of Jean-François Regnard’s 1706 comedy La Légataire universal.

Eraste (Scott McDonald) is a young gentlemen with nothing but debts and a desire to marry the beautiful Isabelle (Jeanitta Perkins), whose ferociously mercenary mother Argante (Margeau Steinau) has one demand before she’ll allow them to wed: Eraste must be the sole inheritor of his perpetually ailing uncle Geronte’s vast fortune. No money, no honey.

From that simple set-up Northcott and her winning ensemble spin screams of laughter. Ives’ script does some of the work, which retains Regnard’s rhyming couplet structure but gilds the verse with

Crispin (Isaiah DiLorenzo, seated) will do anything to marry his Lisette (Britteny Henry, far left) — even wear this wig. | JOHN LAMB modern references, scatological humor and the piquant spice of a little class warfare. For despite their sparkling conversation and the opulence of their lifestyle (hats off to set designer Chuck Winning and scenic painter Shannon Piwowarczyk for that, along with costume designer Michelle Siler), Eraste, Geronte, Isabelle and even the grasping Argante are all dumber than dirt. The servants Crispin (Isaiah DiLorenzo) and Lisette (Britteny Henry), however, are positively Machiavellian.

Their plan is, in the beginning, simple. If Eraste sucks up to Geronte (Shane Signorino) by feigning devotion, the old miser will stick him in the will out of gratitude. Unfortunately Geronte saves his thanks for Lisette, who brews the potions that keep him regular. Signorino, crook-backed and shouting gruffly, makes a meal of a longish speech about last night’s diarrhea, if you’ll pardon the phrasing. What’s really disgusting, though, is his surprise announcement that Argante has convinced him to marry none other than Isabelle and leave her everything upon his passing.

Eraste, ineffective at everything, then bungles his own suicide at this news (watch Argante encourage

him politely as he fumbles with the rope). Crispin and Lisette, however, convince him they can right this wrong. The duo use their tactical acumen not out of kindness, but because they wish to marry — help him, help themselves. And so they set into motion a series of plans that require a body double, some light cross-dressing and the duping of Geronte’s tiny, persnickety lawyer Scruple (Anthony Winninger, who does yeoman’s work from a very cramped position).

What becomes clear during all this is that Crispin and Lisette are our real heroes. DiLorenzo throws himself into the role of the canny rispin, and he wins laughs b floridly scheming aloud, as well as the way that he retreats and faces the front door, half-heartedly shaking a duster, when the rich folk discuss something. Henry is similarly excellent, sparring with Geronte with all the disdain of a mother who suspects a child of malingering, and propping up her beau with welltimed kisses when things proceed according to plan. When things go wrong — and they go wrong at a rate of three-to-one — she’s the voice of reason. But with this much money at stake, there’s not much call for that.

McDonald’s Eraste is a nincom-

riverfronttimes.com

poop by comparison, with the skittery mannerisms and blank gaze of a befuddled Michael Cera.

Perkins matches him well as Lisette, whose charms are strictly ornamental. The pair get a roar of laughter when, at the point that a new plan is suddenly needed, their determined thinking expressions fade to disinterest, confusion and then vacant stares. What beautiful, beautiful dummies.

Signorino positively slays as Geronte, shouting about his bowel movements, bellowing his belief that Isabelle will succor him (he makes it sound so damn dirty) and wreaking constant havoc despite being on death’s door. Steinau’s role as Argante is smaller, but she makes the most of it. Resplendent in a glittering emerald dress and matching jewels, she wafts through rooms hurling barbs at the servants and patronizing poor dumb Eraste at every turn. It’s a genuine pleasure when she gets her happy ending.

But then everybody gets a happy ending here. The Heir Apparent is a farce: The harsh realities of the world hold no sway in this dream world. Instead everybody goes home smiling, laughing with delight at the way it all turned out.

Especially the audience. n

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

25

[ S TA G E ]

Stranger in a Strange Land A devastating new Mustard Seed production grapples with the Kindertransport program Written by

PAUL FRISWOLD Kindertransport

Written by Diane Samuels Directed by Deanna Jent Presented by Mustard Seed Theatre through September 4 at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre (6800 Wydown Boulevard; www. mustardseedtheatre.com). Tickets are $30 to $35.

T St. Louis’

#1

Steakhouse 18 Years In A Row! 1998-2016 RFT Readers Restaurant Polls HISTORIC SOULARD

2117 South 12th St. 314-772-5977

SOUTH COUNTY

3939 Union Rd. 314-845-2584

WEST COUNTY

14282 Manchester 636-227-8062

www.TuckersPlaceSTL.com 26

RIVERFRONT TIMES

here is a secret character ghosting through the background of most scenes in Diane Samuels’ Kindertransport, currently in production at Mustard Seed Theatre. The Ratcatcher is a figure in a storybook, and as is true of most fairy tale creatures, what he represents changes with age. As a little girl in Germany, Eva loves everything about the Ratcatcher, the antihero of her favorite story: the black cloud he carries with him, his razor eyes, the numerous stringy rat tails he wears as hair. But for the adult Eva, the Ratcatcher stands in for every possible nightmare scenario.

And it’s this unseen, unknowable, but always expected, nightmare that has made adult Eva the woman she is. It takes two actors to chart that transformation: Michelle Hand is the grown-up, who goes by the name of Evelyn; and high schooler Hannah Ryan is the young Eva. Hand needs no introduction — she’s demonstrated the quality of her work time and again on St. Louis stages. But for Ryan this is something of a coming-out party, as she shows all the signs of an accomplished stage actor despite her age. The specter of the Ratcatcher would be neither so dark nor so deep if both women were not so skillful at summoning him with nothing more than a cagey glance over the shoulder or a frantic grasp at a beating heart.

The play is inspired by the actual kinderstransport program initiated by Great Britain after the madness of Kristallnacht. Young

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Even after Eva (Hannah Ryan) escapes Germany, the past still haunts her. | JOHN LAMB Jewish children were shipped to safety in England, where they stayed with host families until things blew over (how times have changed for the refugee children of the world!). Eva is sent by her mother Helga (Kelley Weber, who is also Hannah Ryan’s mother in real life) to Manchester where she lives with the gentile Lil (Kirsten De Broux), a plainspoken, working-class woman with a big heart but no time for nonsense or lies.

Lil and Eva’s wartime story is intertwined with the story of Evelyn’s small-scale war with her adult daughter Faith (Katy Keating), who may or may not be moving to her own apartment at last. When Faith finds a m sterious bo of erman artifacts in the attic, she questions what she knows about her mother and sets off an une pected fight between the two of them. These parallel storylines eventually come together to answer all questions — including the identity of the mysterious Ratcatcher.

Deanna Jent directs with her usual aplomb. One of the hallmarks of a Jent production is the exceptional clarity of the characters, and Kindertransport is no exception.

Eva arrives with an enthusiasm for life despite its hardships, but as she ages she slowly loses her German accent (which is excellent, by the way) and becomes more pragmatic, a point that’s driven home when she asks Lil if she can sell the jewelry her mother gave her.

riverfronttimes.com

(That she’s no longer wearing her Star of David is just as telling.) But it’s not England that’s changed Eva. he changed herself to fit ngland.

Hand makes Evelyn’s little moments speak volumes. The hurried way she stubs out a cigarette and hides the evidence before allowing Faith to enter a room, the way her hands shake and creep toward her throat when Faith shows her the newly found copy of The Ratcatcher; there are unimagined worlds locked away behind Evelyn’s sharp eyes.

De Broux is also excellent as the sensible Lil, who acts as gobetween, adviser and peacemaker for much of the play. In a story about how identity can erode and shift over time, she’s the only constant. We meet her as a mother and she ends as a mother, even when the people around her drop and adopt new personae.

Helga, the other mother in the play, is also surprisingly, and sadly, constant. Weber does outstanding work in the small but vital role.

Young Eva asks if Helga will miss her while she’s in England, and Weber’s long pause before replying is the real answer. All her fears crash into that silence, and you have the sense that they’re still echoing when we see her again years later — that’s where the Ratcatcher lives, in that shadowy, uncertain pause. Every mother knows it, and fears it. You cry for Eva, but you weep for Helga. n

ART GALLERIES

CRAFTCENTRAL

27

NEVER TOO EARLY...

Start now and create your own holiday gifts and decorations.

Workshops and individual sessions available.

Plan a group activity.

Call today for more information.

CLASSES IN: Weaving • Spinning • Stained Glass Sewing • Ceramics

CRAFTSTL.COM 8500 DELMAR BLVD. | 314-736-4803

INVITE YOU TO ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO SEE

Detail from Andrea Tharian’s Haven. | COURTESY KRANZBERG ARTS CENTER

Jason Hoelscher: Iconographic Overdrive Hoffman LaChance Contemporary 2713 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood www.hoffmanlachancefineart.com Opening 6-10 p.m. Fri., Sep. 2. Continues through Sep. 24.

Like this weekend’s other opening, Andrea Tharian’s Haven, painter Jason Hoelscher is concerned about his audience’s attention span. But rather than seducing you with detail, he strives to create what he terms “short attention span paintings for the short attention span culture.” His minimal “data plane” paintings are designed to punch as much visual information into your face in the shortest possible span of time — a blink of the eye and you’ve see it all. Hoelscher’s hope is that each individual viewer will get the most out of that info-burst as possible, or at least as much as they need for their own enjoyment. A longer examination of each painting might yield more information (and Hoelscher does work his own in-jokes into many pieces), but getting the reference is not a necessity.

Andrea Tharian: Haven Kranzberg Arts Center 501 N. Grand Blvd. | www.kranzbergartscenter.org Opening 5-9 p.m. Fri., Sep. 2. Continues through Oct. 30.

The title of St. Louis artist Andrea Tharian’s show is meant to be taken literally. Haven, her installation of ceramics and paper forms, is meant to capture your attention wholly and in the process create a respite from the pressures of the outside world.

Tharian’s monochrome palette and the repetition of cut-paper forms work together to create a soothing, meditative ambiance. The hope is that you will ignore your phone and your fake online friends in favor of admiring the organic shapes that appear and reappear in the assemblage. Those flowers, branches and antlers have more to offer than another mealtime update/photo combo anyway.

– Paul Friswold Got a gallery opening you’d like us to consider for coverage? Email the basics — who, what, when, where — to calendar@riverfronttimes.com, or submit event info online at http://posting.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/Events/AddEvent.

MUSIC BY

PRESENTS A UNIQUE FEATURES PRODUCTION “WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS” ROMANY MALCO MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS WITH THEO ROSSI SCREEN GEMS EXECUTIVE JOHN FRIZZELL PRODUCERS MORRIS CHESTNUT DYLAN SELLERS GLENN S. GAINOR WRITTENBY JACK OLSEN PRODUCEDBY BOB SHAYE & MICHAEL LYNNE DIRECTEDBY JON CASSAR Soundtrack on Madison Gate Records

For your chance to receive a complimentary screening pass for two, email ContestStLouis@alliedim.com using the subject line It All Went Wrong. **Rated PG-13 for sexuality/partial nudity, thematic elements, some disturbing images, and language. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL REGULATIONS APPLY. PLEASE NOTE: No purchase necessary. No phone calls, please. Passes will be drawn at random. Winners will be notified via mail. Employees of participating sponsors are not eligible.

IN THEATERS SEPTEMBER 9

WhenTheBoughBreaks-Movie.com |

riverfronttimes.com

whenboughbreaks | #WhenBoughBreaks | #ItAllWentWrong

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 ST LOUIS RFT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31

RIVERFRONT TIMES

27

Y OUR AND TR MENU! N I E V H DI 8 LUNC N E W $ good!

st ... so UST 3vi1lle, TN) G Mmmm U A , h Y s A a D N ( S WEDNWEhitherward * ER 1sskte B 7 PM M E T P mo DAY, uSmEblebee” Ka S R U H T Bob “B 7 PM * ER 2onldves B M E T , SEP & Da W FRID*AJYay Hudson ER 3ecridal B 8 PM M E T P sp DAY, SE sty and CA) SATPUMR* Lliam Cshr(Lios Angeles, 8:15 Rosa Roja guest ER 4itshs Jubilee B M E T Y, SEP nch - M o) SUND* AHot JazzuBbruJournalistare (San Dieg

11 AM M * Batht of Nightm 6:30 P* Some Kind h 9 PM BERng6etles, CA) M E T P (Los A AY, SE TUESDThe ROAMies 7 PM *

512 NORTH EUCLID

28

RIVERFRONT TIMES

EVANGELINESSTL.COM

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

314.367.3644

riverfronttimes.com

THREEKINGSPUB.COM

CAFE

29

The garlic chicken pizza features tomato, red onion, green pepper — and a gluten-free crust. | MABEL SUEN [REVIEW]

Absence Makes the Heart …Sing A2 the GFCF just might persuade you that gluten-free food can be utterly delicious Written by

CHERYL BAEHR A2 the GFCF 1330 Washington Avenue; 314-266-3225.

Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Closed Mondays).

O

nly a few weeks ago, A2 the GFCF was the last restaurant I would have taken seriously, let alone sought out. For one thing, there’s that name, which when I uttered to my hus-

band, he mistook for a reference to America’s Next Best Dance Crew — no kidding.

More importantly, though, is the gluten-free concept, a phenomenon I’ve reviled since my days of waiting tables six years ago in health food-obsessed Denver. I still wake up in a cold sweat from server nightmares about guests screaming at me over “g-free” crab cakes. And I couldn’t forget the time the woman ne t to me on a flight berated the attendant for several minutes about the airline’s lack of gluten-free cookies. Fortunately, I’d had no such experience with folks who avoid casein (the protein found in cow’s milk that puts the “CF” in the restaurant’s name), though I was still skeptical. One thing was sure: I wanted no part of this insufferable movement.

I’ll be damned if Audrey Faulstich didn’t make me eat crow — albeit a wheat- and dairy-free version.

The registered nurse opened A2 the GFCF this past April not only as a haven for folks seeking a gluten and casein-free lifestyle, but also

to convince skeptics that such a diet can actually taste good. And damned if she didn’t succeed.

Faulstich had been working in the mental health field for se eral years when she became interested in integrative medicine, and particularly how a gluten and casein-free diet impacts overall health. After making the dietary adjustment herself, Faulstich was wowed by how much better she felt. She became convinced that she was being called to help people outside of the hospital setting. She hatched the idea to open a health-focused restaurant, and called upon her friend Audra Gandy to help develop the recipes.

Faulstich and Gandy opened A2 this past April on the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and 14th Street. They transformed the front half of the former Lola space into a bright modern café with white tables and black geometric chairs and a sleek coffee counter.

Faulstich’s own colorful artwork hangs from the white walls and a h droponic herb garden o erflow-

riverfronttimes.com

ing with basil, cilantro and thyme casts a glow over the white fauxleather chairs that populate the front portion of the room.

A2 is set up as a fast-casual café, and the dishes are simple — a necessity considering Faulstich is a one-woman show following Gandy’s departure back in June.

Do not let this simplicity fool you, though aulstich’s fla ors are bold enough to impress even the most gluten-loving skeptic.

The “Peanut Play,” a Thaiinspired dish, pairs pulled chicken and rice noodles with a salad of romaine and cilantro. Faulstich dresses the bowl with a zesty peanut and lime dressing; the razor-sharp citrus cuts through the peanut’s richness, making it at once creamy yet refreshing.

The “Mexican Moment” features the same pulled chicken, though this time it’s served alongside crispy corn tortilla chips and dressed with spinach, kale and cilantro. A searing hot jalapeno lime dressing gives a jolting amount of heat. It’s a little di cult Continued on pg 30

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

29

GFCF Continued from pg 29 to eat as a knife and fork salad, but ou can o ercome an di culties by picking up the chips and dressing them like nachos.

Whether you maintain a gluten-free diet or not, I’d encourage you to head right over the A2 and order the “Indian Thai Tumble.”

The salad follows the same form as the others — a portion of chicken, a side of rice, the romaine-kale-spinach blend. Its vindaloo coconut dressing, however, makes the dish.

The warm, satisfying sauce tastes heavily of curry and is accented by ginger and fresh herbs. It was so addictive, I found myself wondering what else I could order to dip into it. It’s outstanding.

Unlike the salads, which are gluten-free by default, the sandwiches show how Faulstich has to work around traditional bread offerings. She bakes everything in-house, using a product derived from sunflower kernels made b Wildwood-based Think Eat Live) as a substitute flour. he results range from surprisingly good to a little like non-alcoholic beer — if you have to give up the booze, you can deal, though you know what you are missing.

The pretzel bread was the least successful. Served as the base for the Washington Avenue Club, it tasted like mildl fluff cardboard and detracted from the sandwich’s positive aspects — the smoky barbecue mayonnaise-dressed chicken and the crunchy cabbage salad. Faulstich admits this is her least favorite, and that she’s not full satisfied with the product. I’d expect to see it tweaked or taken off the menu.

The baguette is a better glutenfree alternative, though I still missed the texture of a traditional

The razor-sharp citrus cuts through the peanut’s richness, making it at once creamy yet refreshing.

Strawberry-topped gluten-free brownies. | MABEL SUEN version. It’s the bread of choice for the meatball sandwich, which was far tastier than I had expected. Faulstich’s tender, garlicky meatballs are smothered in oregano-laced tomato sauce. I went all in on this one, opting for the casein-free cheese substitute.

I expected the worst and was pleasantly surprised by its rich, parmesan-like texture.

If I didn’t know otherwise, I would’ve thought that someone had snuck some wheat into the bread used in the excellent Monte Cristo sandwich. The French toast bread nails the texture of traditional sandwich bread, and Faulstich ups the game by infusing the dough with vanilla and cinnamon. he intensel fla orful bread is

stacked with sliced turkey, bacon and a gooey egg — an ideal mix that hits all of the joys of breakfast in every bite.

A2’s pizzas were equally impressive. The individual-sized pies are built on a firm, medium-thick crust that crisps up and glistens with olive oil around the edges.

Faulstich’s freshly made tomato sauce is featured on most versions, including the garlic chicken.

Here, the pizza is topped with herbed chicken, green peppers and fresh tomatoes. I went with the real-deal mozzarella (unlike gluten, casein-free is only an option at A2) on this one as I did with the “Veggi Venus.” Instead of tomato sauce, this pie was covered with tri-colored peppers, tomatoes, red

OFF THE GRILL

Now That’s Delivery!

onions and a dressed cabbage and romaine salad. On both versions, I was surprised by how little I missed a flour-based crust.

If the pizza was enough to convince me that gluten-free food could be good, A2’s chocolate brownie was delicious enough to make me wonder whether it’s actually preferable. Closer in texture and shape to a muffin, the rich pastry is a bomb of intense, semisweet dark chocolate fla or. s I was eating it, the person behind the counter was trying to explain to me that the sunflower flour made it high in protein and omega threes, but I was so enraptured he might as well have been telling me it was sent down from on high.

My uncle, a beer geek who used to bake in his spare time until he was diagnosed with celiac disease a few years ago, is thrilled that a place like A2 the GFCF exists.

“You don’t know how good it feels to be able to go into a restaurant and just order,” he sighed. He’ll be going back often, but probably not as often as me — gluten-free or not, that mu n might make me a regular. n A2 the GFCF

“Indian Thai Tumble” ....................... $12 Monte Cristo .................................... $11 9-inch ”Veggi Venus” ....................... $13

fresh, made-to-order grilled american cuisine

$25 OFF $100 MINIMUM ORDER EX P I RES 9 /17 /2 6

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

FOR SPECIAL DEALS & COUPONS! WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/O F F T H E G R I L L . C O M

30

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

DELIVERY TAKE - OUT CATERING

11640 DORSETT ROAD | 314-291-6555

OFFTHEGRILL.COM

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS ARE COMING Follow Your Team’s Playoff Push Every Game ...

Every Week 30+ Big HDTVs 3 Great Bars Group Viewing Areas Amazing Food Shot Specials $14 6-Beer AB Buckets

FANTASY FOOTBALL Hold Your Draft with Us

COLLEGE FOOTBALL The Place for Alumni Viewing Parties CORNER OF MENARD & ALLEN IN THE HEART OF SOULARD

Tel: 314-833-6686 Email: info@dukesinsoulard.com Website: www.dukesinsoulard.com r i v e r f rFacebook: o n t t i m e s . c o m A U G U S.me/dukesinsoulard T 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 RIVERFRONT TIMES

31

32

SHORT ORDERS

[SIDE DISH]

Zoë Robinson Refuses to Be Called an Icon Written by

CHERYL BAEHR

A

n uncomfortable situation dro e o obinson’s first fora into restaurant ownership.

“I was working at this er popular, high-falutin’ restaurant in afa ette uare in the earl s called mpire, the restaurateur explains. “The owners hated each other and were actuall in the process of suing each other.

I was their manager because the couldn’t stand working together, but the place was going under.

[Prominent business owner] John Ferring owned the building and told me he’d lend me the mone to take it o er. I think it was , , but it felt like a million to me. ome -plus ears and si restaurants later, obinson has solidified her reputation as one of t. ouis’ most successful restaurateurs, with her now-shuttered afa ette uare flagship afe o succeeded b la ton’s I ratellini and ar es reres, both among the region’s most striking, se spots. he recentl sold her belo ed obo oodle ouse in ni ersit it to focus on opening her third spot on la ton’s down oule ard, Billie Jean. er time she opens a new concept, she swears she’s ne er going to do it again, but she just can’t help herself. “There’s the loans and the risks — but it’s such a creative outlet for me to be able to spread m wings and do something different with another storefront, obinson confides. It’s just who I am. estaurants just clicked with me right awa , obinson adds. I’m a

32

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Zoë Robinson’s hotspots I Fratellini and Bar Les Freres are among the city’s sexiest. | JENNIFER SILVERBERG naturall creati e person, and just being able to do that e er da write menus, make the place look good, nurture the staff it’s just what I’m supposed to do. er eighteen- ear-old self would never have dreamed of how far she’s made it in the business, though she’s still not read to be called an icon. h, don’t call me that, she laughs. hat just means I’m old.

Robinson took a break from brainstorming Billie Jean (named after her parents, not the ichael ackson song , to share her thoughts on being sh in the restaurant business, her penchant for design and what she can eat dail , b the pound.

What is one thing people don’t know about you that you wish they did?

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

I’m prett sh . work forces me not to be.

What daily ritual is non-negotiable for you? orning coffee.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Being in two places at one time.

What is the most positive thing in food, wine or cocktails that you’ve noticed in St. Louis over the past year? t. ouis restaurants are e ploding. s a restaurateur, it’s er inspiring. It makes me push m self harder and makes me want to improve and move forward.

That’s a great thing.

Who is your St. Louis food crush?

Ben Poremba.

Who’s the one person to watch right now in the St. Louis dining scene?

riverfronttimes.com

I’m watching them all!

Which ingredient is most representative of your personality?

Olive oil.

If you weren’t working in the restaurant business, what would you be doing? ome kind of design would ha e been cool — interior or fashion.

Name an ingredient never allowed in your kitchen. weet and ow.

What is your after-work hangout? ome. husband is a real homebod , and I lo e to cook.

What’s your food or beverage guilty pleasure? heap cand . I can eat a pound a da .

What would be your last meal on earth?

Fried chicken. n

Tuesdays, Aug. 30–Oct. 4

TWILIGHT

TUESDAYS FALL 2016

AMEREN CONCERT SERIES MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

6pm to 8pm • FREE • Museum’s Front Lawn Forest Park • mohistory.org

Pulpos al Gusto, served “ranchero” style. | SARAH FENSKE [FIRST LOOK]

MARISCOS EL GATO OPENS ON CHEROKEE Written by

SARAH FENSKE

T

rying to get information about the newest Mexican restaurant to open on Cherokee Street is not easy, especially if you’re the kind of person who only remembers a few rusty phrases from high school Spanish class.

There is no sign anywhere on the building, and the people working speak English that’s not much better than your Spanish. They refer questions to another eatery just down the street, Don Carlos Restaurant. But the people who answer the phone at Don Carlos also don’t speak English, and although they promise to get a message to the owners, no one ever calls back.

Beyond the language barrier, there are the prices. There’s no lunch menu, and you’ll be paying at least $13.95 for even the cheapest dishes — more like $27.95 for most house specialties.

Some even run into the $75 to $100 range, if you order the jumbo sizes.

But the food! Persevere past those complications and the blaring music in the dining room, stick around long enough to let the kitchen work its magic, and you’ll find a literal smorgasbord of some of the tastiest seafood in St. Louis. The portions are huge and the presentation thoughtful. The place may surprise you, to say the least.

The restaurant, which is apparently called Mariscos el Gato (2818 Cherokee Street, 314-449-1220), explains on the menus that it’s offering seafood in “estilo Nayarit” — meaning in the style of the Nayarit region. A small Mexican

state along the Pacific Ocean, just north of Jalisco, Nayarit is known for its beaches, and further inland, its rain forests. Shellfish are abundant, but the true local specialty is grilled fish.

And there are plenty of fish to be sampled here. Even if you know Spanish, you may not be familiar with fish called the “huachinango,” which turns out to be a type of red snapper.

Don’t let that stop you. It’s delicious. So, too, is the octopus. Topped with a tangy blend of tomato, chiles and onions, it’s one of very best versions of this tentacled beast we’ve tried.

If the prices aren’t your first clue that this is special occasion food, the appetizer that comes out gratis will surely be.

A small dish of ceviche, served with tortilla chips and a spectacular green chile salsa, it sets the tone for the plates that follow.

The space that holds Mariscos el Gato has had serious turnover in recent years — from the much-lamented Siete Luminarias to Tarahumara, which was open just one year, to Mexcla, a promising spot that lasted just a few weeks, the little storefront’s only constant has been change.

But diners who remember its last two bare-bones iterations may like the look of this new spot. The owners have actually taken over the neighboring storefront as well, blowing out the wall between the spaces. Both outside and in, in place of the previous harsh reds and yellows is a soothing blue. Paddles and fishing nets now adorn the walls.

With these special touches, it’s no longer just a quick spot for a bite. You could even come to Mariscos el Gato on date night — provided you’ve got a date you really like. After all, you wouldn’t want to waste this amazing food, much less the $72.99 that the jumbo “charola de langostinos” house special will set n you back, on just anyone.

NEWS R I VE R F RON TTI ME S.COM

le, p o e P SessionFixture.com y p p a H , d Fun Foo Drinks!

Grealet, ppyPeople,

PeonpFood, Ha , HappyFu od Fo n Fu , le p eo eo Peo y Pn FoodG,rHea yrPod in,ks! pyea aptnpDFo ap,Gr t Dprle ink,pHs!le Fun Food, HappFu Fu Great Drinks!Great DrinGkrs!eat Drinks!

le op Pe DRINKS! yH T pp a EA H , , GR •,eo od le e p Fo PL n O P Fu y PE p Y p a PP , HA • od FoDrinks! nt Fuea FUN FOOD Gr eat Drinks!

Gr

106 main st. • edwardsville, il 106 main st. • edwardsville, edwardsville, il . il• 618.307.4830 st n ai m 6 10 www.clevelandheath.com 618.307.4830 106 main st. • edwardsville, 106 main st. il • edwardsville, 106 main st. • edwardsville, il 48il30

618.307.

3 3 om www.clevelandheath.com www.clevelandheath.com www.clevelandheath.com www.clevelandheath.c

r i v e r f r o n t t i m e s 618.307.4830 . c o m A U G U S T www.clevelandheath.com 3 1 - S618.307.4830 E P T E M B E R 6 , 618.307.4830 2016 RIVERFRONT TIMES

106 main st. • edwardsville, il 618.307.4830 106 main st. • edwardsville, il www.clevelandheath.com

[FOOD NEWS]

Twin Peaks Is Now Augmenting Chesterfield Written by

SARAH FENSKE

T

win eaks, the e as-based franchise that just opened its first t. ouis-area location in hesterfield, isn’t our run-ofthe-mill sports bar.

It’s a little bit nicer. A little bit shinier. The food is made from scratch, not just heated up from a freezer. ut that’s not reall what gi es Twin Peaks (963 Chesterfield Center, Chesterfield; 636-812-2505) its cache. The restaurant’s main claim to fame is that its servers are generall a lot more good-looking than at lesser bars. he ’re also wearing, as a rule, uite a bit less clothes. he restaurant’s tagline at. rink. cenic iews. nlike ocial ouse II, the sports bar concept that had a brief run in the oop earlier this ear, the servers at Twin Peaks aren’t wearing pasties and bod paint. ut the are generall wearing er short shorts and clea age-bearing tops. he restaurant’s founder, and e itt, had his big aha moment when he realized Hooters just wasn’t rac enough. e also called the restaurant’s servers weapons of mass distraction.

His insights made Twin Peaks the fastest growing restaurant concept in the . .

Twin Peaks is known for its comely servers — and ice cold beer. | STEVE TRUESDELL

on c ee, a partner in the group that owns the restaurants locall , doesn’t focus on an of that. e sa s he’s proud of the food and the fact that, thanks to a patented s stem, the beer is ser ed at a colder-thanice-cold degrees. ressed on the concept’s tendenc to hire comel

ser ers, he doesn’t bite. e look for people with great personalities, who can also gi e great ser ice, he sa s. e go for the girl-ne t-door look. hese are girls who want to ha e fun. s for t. ouis, he sa s the area’s appeal was clear. t. ouis is such

Fresh Pressed Sandwiches Homemade Soups Wood Fired Pizza Local Beer • Local Wine Ice Cream • Snacks

Your new favorite taco!

NOW SERVING SUNDAY BRUNCH

3788 Elm St. 8471 N. Lindbergh 8106 Manchester Rd www.forttaco.com 34

RIVERFRONT TIMES

a great sports town, he sa s. e want to be a part of that. he hesterfield restaurant is located in a acaroni rill that’s been given the concept’s signature ski lodge look. oming up later this ear a location in aplewood, at a former li e arden near anle oad and I- . he hope to ha e it open b o ember. ith his co-owners, c ee also owns Twin Peaks franchises in the Kansas it area. e sa s there will likel be more t. ouis win eaks in the group’s future. “The plan is to ha e more, he sa s. It’s alwa s a matter of finding the right location. or a suburban spot, win eaks keeps late hours. he hesterfield location is open from a.m. to midnight onda through hursda , a.m. to a.m. on rida and aturda , and a.m. to p.m. on unda . n

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Thank you, St. Louis!

BEST COMFORT FOOD - Reader’s Choice 2015

BEST DELI/SANDWICH SHOP

riverfronttimes.com

- Editor’s Pick 2015

TOWER GROVE EAST Open 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

3101 Arsenal

St. Louis’ New Cajun-Creole Restaurant

Authentic MexicAn Food, Beer, And MArgAritAs!

Live Music!

Breakfast Served All Day! CHEAPEST DRINK PRICES IN TOWN!

Beer, Wine, & Full Bar 2015

WINNER

Happy Hour 4-7 PM $4 Drafts • $2.50 Domestic Bottles • Angry Orchard Drink Specials

2015 & 2016 WINNER UCP WING DING

AWARD WINNING SWEET POTATO FRIES 626 N. 6th St. • (At the corner of 6th & Lucas) • 314-241-5454

2817 cherokee st. st. Louis, Mo 63118 314.762.0691 onco.coM r B L e iA r e u q A .t w w w FAMOU

S FRIED CHICKEN

E K O A R YOUR KA ARTY P Y A D H BIR B Y C A R I O K E

Thank You St. Louis Riverfront Times Restaurant Guide Favorite BBQ 2016

!

H O S T E D Y. S E P T . 4 T H S U N D AO R S @ 7 P M E DO - C LO S M P 8 , E K A R AO K

GOT A BIRTHDAY IN SEPTEMBER? BRING YOUR PEOPLE OUT! EVERYONE GETS A CUPCAKE!

“World-Class BBQ”

-Cheryl Baehr, Riverfront Times Restaurant Critic

20 S Belt W Belleville, IL 62220 618.257.9000 Hours: SUN - THURS - 11am - sell out, or 9p FRI & SAT- 11am - sell out, or 10p riverfronttimes.com

(314) 647-7287 PATCONNOLLYTAVERN.COM 6400 OAKLAND AVE. ST. LOUIS, MO 63139 AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

35

®

FRIDAY 9/2 & SATURDAY 9/3

TUESDAY 9/6

FRIDAY 9/9

WEDNESDAY 9/14

SATURDAY 9/17

MONDAY 9/19

WEDNESDAY 9/21

THURSDAY 9/22

FRIDAY 9/23

TUESDAY 9/27

WEDNESDAY 9/28

THURSDAY 9/29

UPCOMING SHOWS

9.30 THRICE

10.24 CHARLIE PUTH

10.3 THE HEAD AND THE HEART

10.25 SCHOOLBOY Q

10.4 CORINNE BAILEY RAE / ANDRA DAY

10.29 & 10.30 UMPHREY’S MCGEE

10.5 LOCAL NATIVES

10.31 TROYE SIVAN

10.8 BOYCE AVENUE

11.2 SEVEN LIONS

10.10 RAE SREMMURD

11.4 REBELUTION

10.12 MESHUGGAH

11.11 MACHINE GUN KELLY

10.13 LETTUCE

11.12 AARON LEWIS

10.15 3LAU

11.13 HANNIBAL BURESS

10.17 ZEDS DEAD

11.16 HENRY ROLLINS

10.18 NICK LOWE W/ JOSH ROUSE

11.17 GRIZ

10.19 BRIAN CULBERTSON

11.18 & 11.19 THE URGE

10.21 LOREENA MCKENNITT

11.23 JJ GREY & MOFRO

10.22 TEGAN AND SARA

12.11 STEEL PANTHER

10.23 MAC MILLER

1.16 LUKAS GRAHAM

visit us online for complete show information facebook.com/ThePageantSTL

@ThePageantSTL

thepageantstl.tumblr.com

thepageant.com // 6161 delmar blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63112 // 314.726.6161

36

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

MUSIC

37

[COMMUNITY]

In Search of Safer Spaces St. Louis’ DIY music community bands together to fight sexual abuse in the scene Written by

JENN DEROSE

S

unday, August 14 saw Cherokee Street’s Foam Coffee & Beer packed to the gills. Attendees filled e er seat in the house, spilling cross-legged onto the floor, s uished shoulder-to-shoulder beyond the bar and crowded into the back room. Though the small space fre uentl hosts li e music, this e ent had a er different focus.

The people here on this night had gathered to talk about sexual abuse in St. Louis’ music scene. here are people in this er room who ha e hurt people, and e en more people in the room who are close friends with abusers, so making a public space free from abusers is er di cult possibl impossible,” Jessee Rose Crane explained to the crowd, addressing fears that those accused of harming people might be in attendance. “A ‘safer’ space is more accurate, and it’s something we can actually do.”

Regulars in the city’s punk, noise, country, Americana, rock and other DIY music scenes were in attendance, including promoters and enue owners a surprisingl e en mix of men and women. The crowd was isibl tense, but respectfull uiet for the entire discussion. he came to learn.

In the weeks prior to the e ent, the local music scene was shaken b a series of re elations posted on social media about some of its prominent members allegations of sexual abuse and assault. The mostly online discussions that followed were surprising, heartbreaking and de astating to man people in the scene, which is as intimate as it is ibrant and di erse. he e ent at Foam was planned and executed as a direct response.

The crowd at Foam on August 14 was visibly tense, but respectfully quiet. | THEO WELLING Crane, best-known in St. Louis as a member of the bands Funs and Swear Beam, lead the discussion, flanked on the modest stage by fellow musicians and community members Sam Pounders, Claire Sawyer and Jenny Wilson. The panel discussed what it means to gi e consent, to hold each other accountable and how to make impro ements in the music scene to make it safer for women. As the panelists explained, it’s not just a few abusers that keep women from attending shows and feeling safe facing the friends of abusers can be e en worse.

Those who commit sexual assault, after all, are often protected by their friends. “He’s such a good dude” or he’s ne er done an thing like that to me” are common responses when they catch wind of misconduct. his makes women who ha e been ictimi ed feel like liars and outcasts, unwelcome and out of place. The irony is, of course, that the DIY community is supposed to be where outcasts go to feel a sense of belonging with other misfits. rane had ad ice for friends of

sur i ors who tell them their stor “Thank them for trusting you, don’t defend the abuser and belie e the sur i or. It can be di cult to hear that one friend has done this to another, and it takes time and talking it out to process, she explained.

Sawyer told her story of being being disrespected and assaulted as a young woman booking DIY shows in her own house. She then separated herself from the scene for years a common strateg for women seeking to a oid their aggressors.

Unfortunately, this self-defense tactic results in fewer women participating in the music communit o erall. he scene is, as Sawyer put it, “made safe for the cool guys who are the abusers, and the do ens of women who ha e been assaulted are no longer allowed to participate. They lose their friends, they lose their families and they lose their space. ur i ors don’t know how to address apologists or how to talk to those who hang out with rapists.”

The panel explained that the music community needs to change its collecti e tone when a ictim speaks

riverfronttimes.com

out in other words, we all need to take better care of each other.

Wilson insisted that women should not ha e to be in charge of all of the discussions that will make the music scenes here safe that women should not ha e the responsibilit of being the conscience of the whole community. “That’s exhausting,” she said. “Men should talk to each other too.”

Crane discussed the importance of consent in a sexual relationship how no means no but also es means es. he ad ised men to ask, “May I kiss you? May I touch you there?” She explained that being in a relationship with someone does not pro ide automatic consent. eing into icated does not pro ide consent. Agreeing to make out does not pro ide consent to se . en going home with someone does not mean consent,” she said.

“Some of this seems like common sense,” she said, “but we are all learning here. I’m learning too.” rane e en outlined wa s for those who ha e been accused of

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Continued on pg 38

RIVERFRONT TIMES

37

Jessee Rose Crane, a member of the Funs and Swear Beam, led the discussion. | THEO WELLING

SAFER SPACES Continued from pg 37 misconduct or worse to cope with what the ha e done, telling them to “be honest, stay honest and get honest, to respect the sur i or they get to call the shots for how to handle the abuse” and to “learn to listen, which is hard because people in ariabl become defensi e when accused of wrongdoing.”

The natural urge to defend oneself prompts abusers to tell “their side of the stor . rane has ad ice for this as well on’t. rane, who spent some time li ing in Chicago, credited the city’s Feminist Action Network for many of the talking points, resources and ideas she discussed during the e ening.

One solution created by the group that Crane would like to replicate in St. Louis is assigning “support liaisons to shows sober, responsible, neutral parties who are there to help if needed. Liaisons would stop any inappropriate touching, make sure into icated indi iduals make it home safely and de-escalate aggressi e beha ior. rane e plained that liaisons are not bouncers, and would use non iolent tactics to make spaces safer for e er one.

Pounders asked the crowd to think about who their trust networks are, and demanded that people “call out close friends when you see them doing something inappropriate.”

She expressed hope that the digital outcr o er se ual abuse in the scene would translate into reality. rane also had ad ice for e ent organi ers sk women what the would want from ou in the e ent that they are made to feel uncomfortable.

“I would drop dead if anyone asked me. o one has e er asked me,” she laughed.

38

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

Changes are already being made.

Ka eh a ani of lank pace and 2720 made a statement online that if an one feels unsafe in his enues they should let him know immediately. Luc Michalski and Mike Herr, organi ers of u est, did the same, as did hris arice ic, owner operator of Big Muddy Records, and a id and ake aness, founders of the hiske ar esti al. fter the panel spoke, the floor was opened up to the crowd. One woman told her story of sexual abuse no one belie ed her, and she was ostraci ed from the communit . I want to be told I belie e you,’” she said. Sawyer used the opportunity to explain again that how the community responds to an incident can make an e en bigger difference in the ictim’s life than the initial rape.

In her closing remarks, Crane reminded the crowd that “to be critical of something is not to attack something.” She explained that she has lo e for indi iduals accused of rape, and that she is processing and learning like e er one else.

She explained that the backlash she has personally encountered in setting up this public discussion was far outweighed by the positi e outpouring from friends and strangers. “It’s worth doing.

That’s what I know.” She said to “focus on the good. Face-to-face communication is really radical.

No one wants to do that. But listen to our friends, e en though it takes so much energ the people in this room are ready for it.”

The panel called for a show of hands for those who would listen and take action if someone came to them with concerns of being uncomfortable or unsafe. er one put their hands in the air.

The discussion has begun. n

riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

39

40 “St. Louis pioneers of craft beer and live music” FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 ND

Back to School Jam with: Jeske Park, The Public, Gypsy Lion, and The Element - Rock - 6:30pm - $6adv/$8door

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 RD

Fly Method, D Lee w/ OTB, Anthony BEASTMODE, Platinum Intertainment, Supurb, M3ATY - Hip Hop 7pm - $8adv/$10 door

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 TH

Sunday’s with Stout: Anything Goes Open Mic Variety - 7pm - FREE Cover (50% off select Stout Beer In The Venue)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 TH

Geeks Who Drink Pub Trivia - Trivia - 8:30pm - FREE

UPCOMING SHOWS

9/10 Pepperland-A Beatles Revue 9/23 Midwest Avengers 9/24 Cost of Desire 9/30 Red, White, and Floyd

6691 Delmar

In the University City Loop

314.862.0009 • www.ciceros-stl.com

40

RIVERFRONT TIMES

HOMESPUN

THE VIGILETTES 4,3,2,1! facebook.com/thevigilettes

A

s the Vigilettes, a south city-based quartet that references the pep and aggression of 1990s alternati e rock, prep the release of its first album, guitarist and singer Catlin O’Toole pauses to consider the moving parts that make up this foursome.

O’Toole and her bandmates — drummer Melanie Meyer, bassist Jessee Halbower and singer Sara Lapusan — all contribute liberally to the construction of the ten songs on the debut album 4,3,2,1! Each member contributes lead vocals and all but Halbower wrote lyrics, making it a little hard to figure out where these musical personalities intersect and diverge.

“We definitely all have different styles, which is pretty apparent,” says O’Toole. “But I think that it’s interesting and different. We all have our own style of writing and singing. We’re really close friends, so that helps in being able to let go of your ego when you are playing someone else’s song. We are focused on doing the music justice for that song.”

That sense of justice — not just serving the song, but doing so with a crusader’s righteousness — helped inform the band’s name. The feminizing of the word “vigilante” lends the band a superhero-squad sensibility, one that the Vigilettes have played up in promo photos and the album’s ready-for-liftoff title. But according to O’Toole, that same sense of justice — musical, if not criminal — also informs the band’s approach.

“It took forever for us to decide on a name — nothing was fitting what we wanted, ’ oole sa s. ara actually came up with it; we wanted to do justice to the music and not necessarily focus on our gender, since we’re an all-girl band.”

Halbower, Meyer and O’Toole began playing together in another local band before splitting off and starting the new project. “We don’t want to be a novelty act since we’re all girls,” O’Toole says.

“Whenever Jessee, Mel and I started playing together, we didn’t want to play up that schtick — we wanted to do something different.”

That “something different” is informed in large part by alternative rock from the mid- to late-‘90s.

O’Toole lists bands such as the Breeders, the Pixies, the Cranberries and the Pretenders as personal fa orites, though the influence of those acts is often more subtle than overt. “It wasn’t necessarily what I had in mind, it just evolved that way,” O’Toole says of the sonics deployed on 4,3,2,1! Opening track “86 on the Fly” — written by Meyer and sung by Halbower — kicks off with a rat-a-tat drum beat and the thudding thwack of overdriven guitar. Like the best kiss-off songs, it delivers a whip-smart chorus that is equal parts honey and vinegar.

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

The songs here are rarely overstuffed — and a few feel a little underdone — but the Vigilettes take some creative liberties with the guitar-forward style.

Lapusan provides the band’s biggest outlier in the form of the flute, which can act as a dream or proglike counterpoint to a few songs here. er flute helps punctuate the shifting dynamics and loud-quietloud construction of “Humanity/Machinery,” one of O’Toole’s contributions. At nearly seven minutes, it’s the longest song here by some distance.

“I wrote it about technology and this love/hate relationship that people have with it, especially myself,” O’Toole says of the song, which ruminates on our dependency on digital devices and 24/7 connectivity.

“There are a lot of different parts to that song; some of it sounds pretty — that’s when you’re happy with your cell phone. Then it turns into the complete opposite because technology is also kind of evil.

“Some songs we’ve written and then we bring it to the band,” O’Toole says of the process. “There are several songs where a couple of us have been in the room and we wrote it all together. For ‘One Less,’ Mel and I wrote that together, and then she ran off into the other room and started furiously writing lyrics. othing Is ours’ is one of the first songs we all wrote together. I played it acoustic and I had a poem that I wrote and a guitar part I wrote, and I brought it to Sara, thinking it could go together somehow.”

“Nothing Is Yours” sprung from O’Toole’s pen, but it’s Lapusan who gives the song wings with the album’s most powerful performance. The song rides on a slow build of O’Toole’s lightly chorused guitar and Halbower’s simple and assertive bass notes.

Lapusan remains in control of that crescendo, selling the song’s emotional weight with both stridency and vulnerability. It’s a good example of what the band can do with three chords and enough passion to fill in the cracks.

– Christian Schaeffer

Get in The Grove for exciting Drinking, Dining, Dancing, & Shopping!

UIS

’ O N LY T IK

I

HALFWAY TO ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY! Saturday, September 17, 3-10 pm L I V E M U S I C A L L DAY IRISH FOOD SPECIALS

ST. LOUIS’ LARGEST SELECTION OF IRISH WHISKEY

DELICIOUS EATS. QUALITY COCKTAILS. WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!

R!

ST

.

BA

LO

R 150 RUMS

OVE !

D THE WORLD FROM AROUN

20% OFF

your bill with valid student ID! (excludes happy hour)

Wed-Thu: 4pm-12am Fri: 4pm-1:30am Sat: 2pm-1:30am Sun: 2pm-12am

314-202-8300 | 4199 Manchester Ave in The Grove

GUINNESS PINT SPECIAL G U I N N E SS B LO N D E • H A R P S M I T H W I C KS P I TC H E R S P E C I A L S JAMESON SPECIALS

GIVEAWAYS FROM THE GUINNESS BLONDE GIRLS 8-9PM RAFFLE TICKETS FOR A T R I P TO I R E L A N D !

( 50% P R O C E E D S CO N AT E D TO C H A R I T Y , W I N N E R S E L E C T E D O N ST . PAT R I C K ’ S DAY )

PRICE CROSSING • 9200 OLIVE BLVD #116 OLIVETTE, MISSOURI • 314-991-9800

NEW AT LAYLA fri. sep. 2 10PM

Brass A Holics from NOLA

“One of the most exciting shows I have ever seen in 35+ years of going to New Orleans” John Johnson

Sunday Jazzy Brunch FEATURING THE WATERSHED JAZZ TRIO

sat. sep. 3 10PM Big Mike and the Blue City Allstars

wed. sep. 7 9:30PM Voodoo Players Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

thur. sep. 8 9:30PM

Red Baraat

11 AM-2 PM EVERY SUNDAY REGULAR BRUNCH HOURS: SATURDAY-SUNDAY 10AM-2PM

BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS & BLOODY MARY’S - $15 VEGETARIAN BISCUITS & GRAVY

from New York

NPR called them “the best party band in years”

R E STAU R AN T S

736 S Broadway St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 621-8811

2016

WINNER riverfronttimes.com

4317 Manchester Rd in the Grove 314.553.9252 laylastl.com AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

41

42

OUT EVERY NIGHT

THURSDAY 1

Covers 1 p.m.; Sep. 4, 1 p.m., $8-$10. Laclede’s

ter Ave, St. Louis, 314-833-3929.

314-241-5875.

BILLY BARNETT BAND: 7 p.m., $5. BB’s Jazz, Blues

Landing, N. First St. & Lucas Ave., St. Louis,

TOM HALL: 7 p.m., $5. BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups,

BLACK & WHITE BAND: 5 p.m., $10. BB’s Jazz,

& Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436-

314-241-5875.

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

Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-

5222.

BOO BOO DAVIS & BUMBLE BEE TRIO: 10 p.m., $5.

THE USED: Sep. 2, 8 p.m.; 8 p.m., $29.50-$50. The

436-5222.

JOE METZKA BAND: 10 p.m., $5. BB’s Jazz, Blues

BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St.

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

CREE FEST IV: 2 p.m., $10. Off Broadway, 3509

& Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436-

Louis, 314-436-5222.

6161.

Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-773-3363.

5222.

THE CHI-LITES: 7 p.m., $30-$55. Emerson Per-

WE SHOULD LEAVE THIS TREE: w/ Pallenova, Proj-

THE JUNIOR VARSITY: 7 p.m., $15. The Firebird,

JOYWAVE: w/ Freeze Tag 8 p.m., $15. Blueber-

formance Center, 3026 Laclede Ave., St. Louis,

ect, 3 of 5 8 p.m., $8-$10. Blueberry Hill - The

2706 Olive St., St. Louis, 314-535-0353.

ry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd.,

314-340-5971.

Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City,

LOVE JONES “THE BAND”: 10:30 p.m., $10. BB’s

University City, 314-727-4444.

NORA-FEST CD RELEASE SHOW: A BENEFIT FOR

314-727-4444.

Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis,

KINGS & QUEENS BIRTHDAY PARTY: 8 p.m., $8.

STRAY RESCUE OF ST. LOUIS: w/ The Lion’s

Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

Daughter, Quaere Verum, Cujo, Alan Smithee,

SUNDAY 4

THREE BAD JACKS: w/ The Stars Go Out, Pirate

bastard, At War Within, Grand Inquisitor, Path

BIG MUDDY BLUES FESTIVAL: w/ Big George

$35-$89.50. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre,

Signal, Moon Bandits 8 p.m., $10. Off Broad-

of Might, Shitstorm, Leon Lamont, Sidelined

Brock, Marsha Evans and the Coalition, Boo

I-70 & Earth City Expwy., Maryland Heights,

way, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-773-3363.

5 p.m., $10. Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St. Louis,

Boo Davis, Arthur Williams, Roland Johnson,

314-298-9944.

314-289-9050.

David Dee, Renee Smith, Big Mike Aguirre & the

TENEIA: 8 p.m., $5. BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700

SAM LEWIS: w/ Brian Owens And The Deacons

Blu City All Stars, Jeremiah Johnson, Soulard

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

BIG GEORGE & THE HOUSEROCKERS: 10 p.m.,

of Soul, Lola & The Kickbacks 8 p.m., $10. Old

Blues Band, Love Jones, St. Louis School of

$10. BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway,

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

Rock, Skeet Rodgers & the Inner City Blues

MONDAY 5

St. Louis, 314-436-5222.

0505.

Band, Pennsylvania Slim, Tom Hall, Brian

CAR SEAT HEADREST: 8 p.m., $15-$17. The Ready

STL KINGS OF COMEDY VS. STL QUEENS OF COM-

Curran, the Bottoms Up Blues Gang, Tommy

Room, 4195 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, 314-833-

Daya, Ruth B and Victoria Monet 6 p.m., TBA.

EDY: w/ Natalie Monroe, Ladyre, MZ Tiffany,

Halloran, Erika Johnson & Tom Byrne, the Dust

3929.

Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, I-70 & Earth

Jaylee Thomas, Jovan Bibbs, Princeton Dew 8

Covers Sep. 3, 1 p.m.; 1 p.m., $8-$10. Laclede’s

DAVE KING TRUCKING COMPANY: 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.,

City Expwy., Maryland Heights, 314-298-9944.

p.m., $15-$20. The Ready Room, 4195 Manches-

Landing, N. First St. & Lucas Ave., St. Louis,

$25. Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave,

FRIDAY 2

FIFTH HARMONY: w ack

ack, imeflies,

314-436-5222.

PROPHETS OF RAGE: w/ Awolnation 7 p.m.,

FLYING HOUSE: 9 p.m., $8. Blueberry Hill - The

St. Louis, 314-571-6000.

Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City,

SOULARD BLUES BAND: 9 p.m., $5. Broadway

314-727-4444.

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

GOLDEN CURLS: w/ Spectator and Hands and eet

p.m., free. chlafl

8811.

ap oom,

THIRD SIGHT BAND: 8 p.m., $5. BB’s Jazz, Blues &

Locust St., St. Louis, 314-241-2337.

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

IF THESE TREES COULD TALK: w/ Driftoff, Spotlights, Ashes And Iron 7 p.m., $12-$14. Fubar,

TUESDAY 6

3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

ASHLEY RAINES: 11:30 p.m., $5. BB’s Jazz, Blues

LEROY JODIE PIERSON: 7 p.m., $5. BB’s Jazz,

& Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-436-

Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-

5222.

436-5222.

DOWNTOWN BROWN: 7 p.m., $12-$13. The Fire-

ROLAND JOHNSON: w/ The Provels 8 p.m., $10.

bird, 2706 Olive St., St. Louis, 314-535-0353.

Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-

HOBBS’ ANGEL OF DEATH: w/ Scythian, Bastard,

773-3363.

Animated Dead, Satan’s God 7 p.m., $20. Fubar,

RVLS: w/ Uh Huh Baby Yeah 6 p.m., $10-$12.

3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

JAMAICA LIVE TUESDAYS: w/ Ital K, Mr. Roots, DJ

SOULARD BLUES BAND: 5 p.m., free. Laumeier 314-615-5278.

SUPERJAM: 5 p.m., free. Saint Louis Zoo, Forest

Witz, $5/$10. Elmo’s Love Lounge, 7828 Olive

[CRITIC’S PICK]

Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, Sunset Hills,

Blvd, University City, 314-282-5561.

Tommy Halloran is just one act performing at Big Muddy Blues Fest. | DAN COSTELLO

Park, St. Louis, 314-781-0900.

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

THE WAY DOWN WANDERERS: 8 p.m., $10-$12.

Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314588-0505.

SATURDAY 3 BIG MUDDY BLUES FESTIVAL: w/ Big George Brock, Marsha Evans and the Coalition, Boo Boo Davis, Arthur Williams, Roland Johnson, David Dee, Renee Smith, Big Mike Aguirre & the Blu City All Stars, Jeremiah Johnson, Soulard Blues Band, Love Jones, St. Louis School of Rock, Skeet Rodgers & the Inner City Blues Band, Pennsylvania Slim, Tom Hall, Brian Curran, the Bottoms Up Blues Gang, Tommy Halloran, Erika Johnson & Tom Byrne, the Dust

RIVERFRONT TIMES

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

SAVAGE MASTER: w/ Scythian, bastard, Animat-

THE USED: 8 p.m.; Sep. 3, 8 p.m., $29.50-$50.

42

RIVAL SONS: 8 p.m., $25/$27.50. The Pageant,

Big Muddy Blues Festival 3 p.m. Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4.

Various downtown locations including the National Blues Museum, 615 Washington Avenue. $10 per day.

St. Louisans don’t need to be reminded of our city’s contribution to blues music too often — heck, the name of our scrappy NHL team makes it hard to forget. But the recent opening of the National Blues Museum downtown stands as an apt memorial to the River City’s relationship to the art form. It’s fitting, then, that the annual Big Muddy

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Blues Festival will use the museum as one of its stages, as blues music fills both outdoor and indoor venues. The festival is always a high-water mark for local music fans, but the fact that all 45 acts performing this year are St. Louis artists is another reminder that the blues were not just born and bred here — the music continues to thrive and grow.

Details Schmetails: Space does not allow for a full list of performers, so head to bigmuddybluesfestival.com for lineup and stage information.

riverfronttimes.com

– Christian Schaeffer

ed Dead, Satan’s God 6 p.m., $15-$20. Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

ST. LOUIS SOCIAL CLUB: 8 p.m., $5. BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314436-5222.

WEDNESDAY 7 BOB “BUMBLE BEE” KAMOSKE: 8 p.m. Beale on Broadway, 701 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-6217880.

LAUREN MITCHELL BAND: 7 p.m., $10. BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314436-5222.

MARQUISE KNOX: 10:30 p.m., $10. BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314436-5222.

RECKLESS KELLY: 8 p.m., $20-$30. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-773-3363.

[CRITIC’S PICK]

Nora-Fest CD Release Show: A Benefit for Stray Rescue of St. Louis 5 p.m. Saturday, September 3.

Fubar, 3108 Locust Street. $10. 314-289-9050.

Featuring 25 St. Louis bands covering 25 classic punk tracks — from GG Allin to Joy Division, Fear to Refused — the Nora-Fest compilation album is an excellent way to hear your favorite local bands playing the songs that got you into underground music in the first place. It is also the perfect way to honor Nora, Encapsulated Records’ studio mascot, who was tragically hit by a car earlier this year. But more than all of that, it is a fantastic way to

support a great cause: 100 percent of all proceeds from the sale of the compilation, as well as door money from this show, will be donated to the Stray Rescue of St. Louis, where Nora herself spent some time before being adopted.

For the Dogs: Saturday’s show will feature performances by the Lion’s Daughter, Quaere Verum, Alan Smithee, Bastard, the Wilderness, Shitstorm, Path of Might, Valley, Grand Inquisitor, Cujo, Sidelined, Leon Lamont and At War Within. More than a dozen local businesses will be participating in a raffle as well.

– Daniel Hill

THIS JUST IN

Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720.

(SKYBURNTWHITE): W/ New Lingo, Discrepan-

DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN: W/ O’Brother, Cult

cies, OATM, Conquer As They Come, Apollo’s

Leader, Bent Knee, Thu., Oct. 20, 8 p.m., $18.

Daughter, Sat., Oct. 29, 7 p.m., $8. The Firebird,

Pop’s Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St.

2706 Olive St., St. Louis, 314-535-0353.

Louis, 618-274-6720.

AARON LEE TASJAN: Sun., Oct. 30, 7 p.m., $10-

EARTHLESS: W/ Ruby The Hatchet, Sat., Dec. 3,

$12. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis,

9 p.m., $15-$18. The Firebird, 2706 Olive St., St.

314-773-3363.

Louis, 314-535-0353.

ANDREW FRANKLIN MEMORIAL CONCERT: W/

EMAROSA: W/ Anarbor, Cold Collective, Rebelle,

Midwest Avengers, Steddy P and DJ Mahf, 12

The Greater Good, Fri., Nov. 18, 7 p.m., $15.

to 6 Movement, Big Brother Thunder and the

Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

Master Blasters, Sun., Sept. 11, 5:30 p.m., $10.

EMPIRE GROOVE: W/ Celia, Sat., Oct. 1, 9 p.m.,

The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis,

$15. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504

314-726-6161.

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

ATTILA: W/ Chelsea Grin, Emmure, Sylar, Sat.,

EVERYONE DIES IN UTAH: W/ Convictions, Glass

Oct. 29, 7 p.m., $20. Pop’s Nightclub, 401 Mon-

Houses, Conspire, Wed., Oct. 19, 6 p.m., $12-

santo Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720.

$15. Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER: W/ Misery Index,

9050.

Murder Machine, Sat., Oct. 29, 6 p.m., $18-$20.

FISTER: W/ Hell Night, Grand Inquisitor, Mon.,

Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

Oct. 31, 8 p.m., $10. Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St.

BMMG 2 YR ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE: W/

Louis, 314-289-9050.

P.R.E.A.C.H. Bates, Darius Hickman, Ackurate,

HATEBREED: W/ Devildriver, Devil You Know,

KommonGroundz, Nate Moore, Steve O’Brien,

Sat., Oct. 8, 8 p.m., $20. Pop’s Nightclub, 401

Ox Pimpin, Sat., Oct. 1, 9 p.m., $5. Pop’s

Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720.

Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis,

MELISSA ETHERIDGE: Fri., Dec. 16, 8 p.m.,

618-274-6720.

$52.50-$72.50. River City Casino & Hotel, 777

CAROLINE SMITH: Tue., Oct. 18, 8 p.m., 8pm. Off

River City Casino Blvd., St. Louis, 314-388-7777.

Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-773-

NIYKEE HEATON: Sat., Oct. 15, 8 p.m., $20-$89.

3363.

The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester Ave, St.

CARROLL: W/ Tone Rodent, Wed., Sept. 14, 8

Louis, 314-833-3929.

p.m., $8. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504

PART 2: A BENEFIT SHOW FOR TIMOTHY MICHAEL

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

MCFARLAND: W/ Nethersphere, The Winks, Out

CATTLE DECAPITATION: W/ Eternal Sleep, Leg-

Of Orbit, Lockjaw Sanctuary, The Phailures,

end, Absala, Compelled to Destroy, Mon., Sept.

Captain Dee and The Long Johns, Silence The

26, 7 p.m., $15. Pop’s Nightclub, 401 Monsanto

Witness, Off The Witness, Wrecklamation, Sat.,

Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720.

Sept. 10, 6 p.m., free. Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St.

CES CRU: Fri., Nov. 25, 8 p.m., $15. Pop’s

Louis, 314-289-9050.

Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis,

PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS: W/ Drug Church,

618-274-6720.

Cruel Hand, Eternal Sleep, Will to Die, Wed.,

CHRIS SCOTT: W/ Bobby Ford, Murphy’s Ford,

Nov. 2, 7 p.m., $15. Fubar, 3108 Locust St, St.

Sat., Sept. 17, 8 p.m., $10. Pop’s Nightclub, 401

ST. LOUIS’ NEWEST SPORTS BAR & RESTAURANT ENOUGH TVS TO SEE THE GAME FROM ANY SEAT

HAPPY HOUR MON-FRI 3-7PM

HOME + AWAY SPECIALS FOR ALL CARDINALS GAMES

LIVE MUSIC

THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY 10PM-1:30AM

WITH DRINK SPECIALS STARTING 1 HOUR BEFORE BAND

LIVE DRAFT HELD

ON SEPT. 5TH 4 DIFFERENT LEAGUES EACH MADE OF UP TO 14 TEAMS

DRINK & FOOD SPECIALS ALL THROUGHOUT THE DRAFT

$20 ENTRY FEE PER TEAM OVER $2000 IN PRIZES

JOIN US EVERY SUNDAY WITH THE NFL TICKET WE ARE SURE TO HAVE THE GAME ON YOU WANT TO SEE!

$2 TUESDAY KARAOKE NIGHT EVERY TUESDAY FROM 9PM-CLOSE

$2 WELLS • 15% INDUSTRY DISCOUNT ON FOOD & DRINKS LIVE VIDEO DJ/KARAOKE FROM 9PM TO CLOSE FLEX YOUR STAR POWER ON THE AMAZING RAISED STAGE

**MENTION THIS AD FOR ONE FREE APPETIZER WITH ANY MEAL OR HALF OFF ONE COVER CHARGE

Continued on pg 44

riverfronttimes.com

719 N. 2ND STREET ON THE LANDING 314-833-5495 WWW.GATEWAYSPORTSEMPORIUM.COM AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

43

THIS JUST IN Continued from pg 43

[CRITIC’S PICK]

Car Seat Headrest. | ANNA WEBBER

Car Seat Headrest

It only took thirteen albums, but Car Seat Headrest has finally broken out of the DIY underground. With their Matador Records debut Teen Denial, Will Toledo and his gang of pop-addicted punks sharpened everything about the Seattle-based songwriter’s smart-ass slacker attack. He still sounds like Jonathan Richman (had Richman grown up listening to the Pixies) and he still groks everything and anything

— stabbing horns, avalanching guitars, metronomic cowbells, pretty acoustic guitars, prettier synths — to celebrate post-teenage malaise and dreams.

Inspirational line: “If we learn how to live like this maybe we can learn to start again.”

Cars Wreck: An unrepentant rock referentialist, Toledo ran afoul of Ric Ocasek, who denied permission to use the Cars’ tune “Just What I Needed.”

Records were already pressed; Matador had to crush them with a garbage truck.

– Roy Kasten

Louis, 314-289-9050.

6720.

RESF BENEFIT CONCERT 2016: Sun., Sept. 25, 2

SUICIDE GIRLS BLACKHEART BURLESQUE: Thu.,

p.m., $12-$15. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room,

June 1, 9 p.m., $20-$80. Pop’s Nightclub, 401

6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-

Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720.

4444.

TALL HEIGHTS: Wed., Oct. 26, 8 p.m., $10-$12.

THE RETURN TO ROOTS TOUR: W/ Cavalera

Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-

Conspiracy, Combichrist, All Hail The Yeti,

773-3363.

Mon., Oct. 17, 6 p.m., $22. Pop’s Nightclub, 401

THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW: W/ the Gartrells,

Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720.

Thu., Dec. 1, 8 p.m., $15. Blueberry Hill - The

RITTZ: Sat., Dec. 3, 8 p.m., $20-$65. Pop’s

Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City,

Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis,

314-727-4444.

618-274-6720.

THREE BAD JACKS: W/ The Stars Go Out, Pirate

SAYWECANFLY: W/ Johnnie Guilbert, Social

Signal, Moon Bandits, Thu., Sept. 1, 8 p.m.,

Repose, Sun., Nov. 13, 7 p.m., $15-$17. Fubar,

$10. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis,

3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

314-773-3363.

SHAWN JAMES & THE SHAPESHIFTERS: W/ The

THUNDERHEAD: THE RUSH EXPERIENCE: Sat.,

Maness Brothers, Sun., Nov. 20, 8 p.m., $10.

Nov. 5, 8 p.m., $12-$15. Delmar Hall, 6133

Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314-

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

588-0505.

WE CAME AS ROMANS: W/ Counterparts, Fire

SPITE: Tue., Nov. 15, 6 p.m., $10-$12. Fubar,

From The Gods, Reconcera, A Promise To Burn,

3108 Locust St, St. Louis, 314-289-9050.

In My Silence, We Are Descendants, Sun., Oct.

SUCH GOLD: W/ Secondary, Thu., Oct. 6, 7 p.m.,

30, 5:30 p.m., $18-$20. The Ready Room, 4195

$10-$12. The Firebird, 2706 Olive St., St. Louis,

Manchester Ave, St. Louis, 314-833-3929.

314-535-0353.

THE WONDER YEARS: W/ Real Friends, Knuckle

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES: W/ Madball, Havok,

Puck, Moose Blood, Seaway, Fri., Oct. 28, 6

Sun., Oct. 23, 7 p.m., $25-$30. Pop’s Nightclub,

p.m., $22. Pop’s Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave.,

401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-

East St. Louis, 618-274-6720.

8 p.m. Monday, September 5.

The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester Avenue. $15 to $17. 314-833-3929.

Rhythm & Blues • Reggae Latin • Jazz

Photo by: Ed Linn

Fletcher Moley Group Thursday, 9/1, 6-8:30pm Felix’s 6401 Clayton Ave, Dogtown Pedal the Cause Fundraiser - $20 door Sunday, 9/11, 7-9:30pm Cork 423 S. Florissant Rd, Ferguson No cover 44

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Saturday, 9/3, 7:30-10:30pm The Wood Cask 10332 Manchester Rd, Kirkwood No cover Friday, 9/16, 7-11pm Evangeline’s 512 N Euclid Ave, CWE St Louis No cover

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

riverfronttimes.com

SAVAGE LOVE CLIENT TELL

BY DAN SAVAGE Hey, Dan: I have been seeing sex workers for 30 years, and I shudder to think how shitty my life would have been without them. Some have become friends, but I’ve appreciated all of them. What can we clients do t fi ht st d, re ress e, re ress e laws that harm sex workers?

Not A John You can speak up, NAJ. The current line from prohibitionists — people who want sex work to remain illegal — is that all women who sell sex are victims and all men who buy sex are monsters. But talk to actual sex workers and you hear about considerate, regular clients who are kind, respectful and sometimes personally helpful in unexpected ways. (A sex worker friend had a regular client who was a dentist; he did some expensive dental work for my uninsured friend — and he did it for free, not for trade.)

You also hear about clients who are threatening or violent — and how laws against sex work make it impossible for them to go to the police, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, not less.

There is a large and growing sex workers’ rights movement, NAJ, which Emily Bazelon wrote about

in a terrific co er stor for the New York Times Magazine (“Should Prostitution Be a Crime?” May 5, 2016).

Bazelon spoke with scores of sex workers active in the growing and increasingly effective decriminalization movement. Amnesty International recently called for the full decriminalization of sex work, joining Human Rights Watch and the World Health Organization.

But there’s something missing from the movement to decriminalize sex work: Clients like you, NAJ. Maggie McNeill, a sex worker, activist and writer, wrote a blistering piece on her blog (“The Honest Courtesan”) about a recent undercover police operation in Seattle. Scores of men seeking to hire sex workers were arrested and subjected to ritualized public humiliation designed to discourage other men from paying for sex.

“These crusades do nothing but hurt the most vulnerable individuals on both sides of the transaction,” McNeill wrote. “The only way to stop this [is for] all of you clients out there get off of our duffs and fight.

Regular clients outnumber full-time whores by at least 60 to 1; gentlemen, I suggest you rethink your current silence, unless you want to be the next one with your name and picture splashed across newspapers, TV screens and websites.”

The legal risks and social stigma attached to buying sex doubtless

leave some clients feeling like they can’t speak up and join the fight, and the much-touted “Nordic Model” is upping the legal stakes for buyers of sex. But sex workers today, like gays and lesbians not too long ago, are coming out in ever-greater numbers to fight for their rights in the face of potentially dire legal and social consequences. lients need to join the fight or perhaps I should say clients need to rejoin the fight.

In The Origins of Sex: A History of the First Sexual Revolution, author Faramerz Dabhoiwala writes about “Societies of Virtue” formed all over England in the late 17th century. Adulterers, fornicators and Sabbath-breakers were persecuted by these groups, NAJ, but their campaigns against prostitutes were particularly vicious and indiscriminate; women were thrown in jail or publicly whipped for the crime of having a “lewd” appearance. The persecution of streetwalkers, brothel owners, and women guilty of “[walking] quietly about the street” went on for decades.

Then a beautiful thing happened.

“In the spring of 1711, a drive against ‘loose women and their male followers’ in Covent Garden was foiled when ‘the constables were dreadfully maimed, and one mortall wounded, b ru ans aided by 40 soldiers of the guards, who entered into a combination to protect

riverfronttimes.com

45

the women,’” writes Dabhoiwala.

“On another occasion in the East End, a crowd of over a thousand seamen mobbed the local magistrates and forcibly released a group of convicted prostitutes being sent to a house of correction.”

Male followers of loose women, soldiers of the guard, mobs of seamen — not altruists, but likely clients of the women they fought to defend. And thanks to their efforts and the efforts of 18th-century sex workers, by the middle of the 18th century, women could walk the streets without being arrested or harassed — even women known to be prostitutes.

I’m not suggesting that today’s clients form mobs and attack prohibitionists, cops, prosecutors and their enablers in the media. But clients can and should be out there speaking up in defense of sex workers and themselves. Sex workers are speaking up and fighting back — on Twitter and other social-media platforms, sometimes anonymously, but increasingly under their own names — and they’re staring down the stigma, the shame, and the law on their own. It’s time for their clients to join them in the fight.

Listen to Dan’s podcast at savagelovecast.com. mail@savagelove.net @fakedansavage on Twitter

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

45

Adult Entertainment

960 Phone Entertainment

$10 BEST MEN 4 MEN PHONE SEX Personalize

930 Adult Services

Your Massage I offer full body massage, soft touch sensual and also Tantric.

I have a shower available before and after your massage so come and lets work all of those stiff Kinks.

Incalls. Outcalls to your hotel/motel/home/offic

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.

Try FREE: 314-932-2564

314-236-7060 likeitxxxhott@aol.com

More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000

Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+

CHOOSE FROM: Busty Blondes, Ebony Hotties, Hot Coeds or Older Ladies

866-515-FOXY (3699) Only $10 per Call

CALL GORGEOUS SINGLES ON THE NIGHT EXCHANGE! Live Local Chat.Try us FREE! 18+ 314-480-5505 www.nightexchange.com CALLING HOT HORNY ST.LOUISANS! Nasty talk is waiting for YOU. Join the conversation!

Connect live with sexy local ladies!

Try it FREE! 18+ 314-480-5505 www.nightexchange.com

FREE SEX SLGBT

HOT LOCAL SINGLES 1-800-LET-CHAT (538-2428)

Check it out BROWSE FREE!

Then just 20 cents p/m

18+

FUN, FLIRTY, LOCAL WOMEN Call FREE! 314-932-2564 or 800-210-1010 18+ livelinks.com

LAVALIFE VOICE

Talk to 1000s of EXCITING SINGLES in St. Louis!

1st Time Buyers Special Only $20 for 80 min!

CALL TODAY! 314.450.7920 Must be 18+

LOOKING TO MEET TONIGHT? So are the sexy singles waiting for you on the line!!

It doesn’t get hotter than this!!!

Try it FREE!! 18+ 314-480-5505 www.nightexchange.com

MEET HOT LOCAL SINGLES!

Browse & Reply FREE!!

Straight 314-739-7777 Gay & Bi 314-209-0300 Use FREE Code 3275, 18+ ST.LOUIS ADULTS ARE CALLING NOW For that hot and erotic encounter!

Try us FREE!! 18+ 314-480-5505 www.nightexchange.com

960 Phone Entertainment

$10 BEST PHONE SEX

CHOOSE FROM: Busty Blondes, Ebony Hotties, Hot Coeds or Older Ladies

866-515-FOXY (3699) Only $10 per Call

CALL GORGEOUS SINGLES ON THE NIGHT EXCHANGE! Live Local Chat.Try us FREE! 18+ 314-480-5505 www.nightexchange.com CALLING HOT HORNY ST.LOUISANS! Nasty talk is waiting for YOU. Join the conversation!

Connect live with sexy local ladies!

Try it FREE! 18+ 314-480-5505 www.nightexchange.com

FREE SEX SLGBT

HOT LOCAL SINGLES 1-800-LET-CHAT (538-2428)

Check it out BROWSE FREE!

Then just 20 cents p/m

18+

FUN, FLIRTY, LOCAL WOMEN Call FREE! 314-932-2564 or 800-210-1010 18+ livelinks.com

LAVALIFE VOICE

Talk to 1000s of EXCITING SINGLES in St. Louis!

1st Time Buyers Special Only $20 for 80 min!

CALL TODAY! 314.450.7920 Must be 18+

LOOKING TO MEET TONIGHT? So are the sexy singles waiting for you on the line!!

It doesn’t get hotter than this!!!

Try it FREE!! 18+ 314-480-5505 www.nightexchange.com

MEET HOT LOCAL SINGLES!

Browse & Reply FREE!!

Straight 314-739-7777 Gay & Bi 314-209-0300 Use FREE Code 3275, 18+ ST.LOUIS ADULTS ARE CALLING NOW For that hot and erotic encounter!

Try us FREE!! 18+ 314-480-5505 www.nightexchange.com

SEXY LOCAL SINGLES 800-538-CHAT (2428)

FREE TO LISTEN

Everybody wins

AND REPLY TO ADS Free Code: Riverfront Times

South City

Mid County 10210 Page Ave.

3552 Gravois at Grand

(3 miles East of Westport Plaza)

Open until Midnight Fri & Sat

Open until Midnight Fri & Sat

314-664-4040

FIND REAL GAY MEN NEAR YOU

When you shop at Patricia’s!

314-423-8422

FREE 24/7 SEX HOT, BEEFY BI STUDS 800-GAY-MEET (429-6338)

St. Peters

1034 Venture Dr. (70 & Cave Springs, S. Outer Rd.)

636-928-2144 Open until Midnight Thur-Sat

St. Louis:

(314) 209-0300 www.megamates.com 18+

Meet sexy friends who really get your vibe...

Dating made Easy

Try FREE: 314-932-2568 More Local Numbers: 1-800-811-1633

FREE

to Listen & Reply to ads.

St. Louis

vibeline.com 18+

For other local numbers: 18+ www.MegaMates.com

46

RIVERFRONT TIMES

JAZZ &

BLUES NIGHT FRIDAY SEPT 16

5P-12A

FREE CODE: Riverfront Times

(314) 739.7777

50+ ARTISTS / 10 VENUES/FREE LAST NIGHT OF THE SEASON!

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

WHO ARE YOU TRY FOR AFTER DARK? FREE riverfronttimes.com

314-932-2561

100 Employment 110 Computer/Technical Lead Software Architect (Chesterfield, MO) Dsgn/dev SW archi for tele, retail, bill, rev assur & data reten. Coord complx archi sols incl plan, implm & deploy of lrgescale, multilvl realtime systms. Reqs: MS comp sci, comp eng, electr eng, comp info sys or othr comp rltd concntrtion incl physics or math & 2 yrs telco fraud, data reten & rev assur SW dev & archi exp; prof Java, C++, Python, Oracle, Columnar DBs, OLAP/MDX, SSAS, R & netwrkng & tele protocls; tech expert Big Data tech incl HDFS, Spark, Kafka, Hive & rltd algorithms/internls; prof dev of large scale distrib & RT systms, complx event proces, systm archi & analytic sols & retriving knwldg from large stchastic systms; wrkng knwldg data min, dev selflearning analytic systms, agile methd & projct mgmt; dmain knwldg tele incl SS7, SIP & H.323. Telecommuting avail, may reside anywhere in continental US. Res: Amdocs Inc, careersta@amdocs.com, Ref HR-0461

105 Career/Training/Schools

120 Drivers/Delivery/Courier

DRIVERS NEEDED ASAP

Requires Class E, B or A License.

S Endorsement Helpful. Must be 25 yrs or older. Will Train.

ABC/Checker Cab Co CALL NOW 314-725-9550 167 Restaurants/Hotels/Clubs

Lumière Place is offering exciting opportunities in the casino, food & beverage & hospitality industries.

Apply at lumiereplace.com/careers 190 Business Opportunities

Avon

Full Time/Part Time, $15 Fee.

Call Carla: 314-665-4585

For Appointment or Details Independent Avon Rep.

800 Health & Wellness 805 Registered Massage

THE OCEAN CORP. 10840 Rockley Road, Houston, Texas 77099. Train for a new career. *Underwater Welder. Commercial Diver. *NDT/Weld Inspector. Job Placement Assistance.

Financial Aid avail for those who qualify 1.800.321.0298

Simply Marvelous Call Cynthia today for your massage. M-F 7-5, Sat. 9-1.

314-265-9625 - Eureka Area #2001007078

SOUTHERN MISSOURI TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL P.O. Box 545 • Malden, MO 63863 • 1.888.276.3860 • www.smtds.com

A New Intuitive Massage Call Natalie 314.799.2314 www.artformassage.info CMT/LMT 2003026388

A Wonderfully ~ Relaxing ~ Intuitive massage by licensed therapist.

314-706-4076 2002030286

Escape the Stresses of Life with a relaxing

ORIENTAL MASSAGE & REFLEXOLOGY

You’ll Come Away Feeling Refreshed & Rejuvenated.

Call 314-972-9998

Health Therapy Massage Relax, Rejuvenate & Refresh!

Flexible Appointments Monday Thru Sunday (Walk-ins welcome) 320 Brooke’s Drive, 63042 Call Cheryl. 314-895-1616 or 314-258-2860 LET#200101083 Now Hiring...Therapists

MASSAGE! Maryland Heights $60/hour

314-325-4634 810 Health & Wellness General ARE YOU ADDICTED TO PAIN MEDICATIONS OR HEROIN? Suboxone can help. Covered by most insurance. Free & confidential assessments.

Outpatient Services. Center Pointe Hospital 314-292-7323 or 800-345-5407 763 S. New Ballas Rd, Ste. 310 ARE YOU ADDICTED TO PAIN MEDICATIONS OR HEROIN? Suboxone can help. Covered by most insurance. Free & confidential assessments.

Outpatient Services. Center Pointe Hospital 314-292-7323 or 800-345-5407 763 S. New Ballas Rd, Ste. 310

815 Mind/Body/Spirit

www.whogodis.co

500 Services

WESTPORT/LINDBERGH/PAGE $535-$585 314-995-1912 1 MO FREE!-1BR ($535) & 2BR ($585) SPECIALS! Clean, safe, quiet. Patio, laundry, great landlord!

Nice Area near Hwys 64, 270, 170, 70 or Clayton.

300 Rentals

525 Legal Services

www.LiveInTheGrove.com

317 Apartments for Rent

File Bankruptcy Now! Call Angela Jansen 314-645-5900 Bankruptcyshopstl. com The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.

530 Misc. Services WANTS TO purchase minerals and other oil & gas interests.

Send details to P.O. Box 13557, Denver, Co 80201

600 Music

DOWNTOWN Cityside-Apts 314-231-6806 Bring in ad & application fee waived! Gated prkng, onsite laundry.

Controlled access bldgs, pool, fitness, business ctr. Pets welcome KIRKWOOD! $600 314-309-2043 True ranch 2 bedroom, appliances included, pets ok, frosty a/c, all on one level, off street parking, recently updated! rs-stl. com RHP4R LAFAYETTE-SQUARE $685 314-968-5035 2030 Lafayette: 2BR/1BA, appls, C/A, Hdwd Fl MAPLEWOOD! $475 314-309-2043 Redone 1 bedroom apartment, frosty a/c, hardwood floors & tile, ceiling fan, ready to rent, call for details! rs-stl.com RHP4P MAPLEWOOD! $725 314-309-2043 Large 2 bedroom on quiet cul-de-sac, appliances included, central air, pets allowed, hardwood floors, ready to rent! rs-stl. com RHP4Q OVERLAND! $480 314-309-2043 Private 1 bedroom, kitchen appliances, cold a/c, walk-in closets, off street parking, utilities paid, flexible on credit! rs-stl.com RHP4M OVERLAND/ST-ANN $535-$575-SPECIAL 314-995-1912 1 MO FREE! 1BR & 2BR SPECIAL! Great location near Hwys 170, 64, 70 & 270. 6 minutes to Clayton. Garage, Clean, safe, quiet.

RICHMOND-HEIGHTS $525-$575-SPECIAL 314-995-1912 1 MONTH FREE! 1BR, all elec off Big Bend.

Near Metrolink, Hwys 40 & 44, Clayton.

610 Musicians Services

MUSICIANS Do you have a band?

We have bookings.

Call (314)781-6612 for information Mon-Fri, 10:00-4:30

MUSICIANS AVAILABLE

Do you need musician? A Band?

A String Quartet?

Call the Musicians Association of St. Louis

(314) 781-6612

RICHMOND-HEIGHTS! $625 314-309-2043 Nice 1 bedroom apartment, kitchen appliances, pets welcome, w/d hookups, hardwood floors, enclosed sun room! rs-stl.com RHP4N SOUTH CITY $400-$850 314-771-4222 Many different units www.stlrr.com 1-3 BR, no credit no problem SOUTH ST. LOUIS CITY 314-579-1201 or 636-939-3808 1, 2 & 3 BR apts for rent. www.eatonproperties.com.

Sec. 8 welcome SOUTH-CITY $450 314-223-8067 Spacious 1 BR, 2nd floor garden unit, off street parking, refrigerator, stove and A/C. Near bus.

M-F, 10:00-4:30

MUSICIANS Do you have a band?

We have bookings.

Call (314)781-6612 for information Mon-Fri, 10:00-4:30

MUSICIANS AVAILABLE

Do you need musician? A Band?

A String Quartet?

Call the Musicians Association of St. Louis

(314) 781-6612

SOUTH-CITY $450 314-277-0204 3900 Dunnica-1BR, hardwood floors, overlooks Amberg Park.

Appliances included. Garage Extra.

SOUTH-CITY $450 314-443-4478 7327 Michigan Ave (near Loughborough & Hwy 55). 1 BR with large living room and bedroom. Basement storage, W/D hookup.

SOUTH-CITY $450-$725 314-221-9568 1, 2 and 3 br apts, some all electric, hardwoods, Central air, $25 app fee, Prequal on phone, call Laura 314-221-9568 SOUTH-CITY $475 314-223-8067 Spacious 1BR’s, Hdwd floors, A/C, stove, fridge, W/D hookup, ceiling fans, near bus and shopping. Clean, quiet.

M-F, 10:00-4:30

SOUTH-CITY $495 314-707-9975 Grand & Bates: 1 BRs, hardwood flrs, all electric, C/A. SOUTH-CITY $550 314-707-9975 Meramec & Ray Ave: 2 BR, all electric, hdwd flrs, C/A. SOUTH-CITY! $475 314-309-2043 Neat & clean 1 bedroom, appliances included, central air, pets allowed, hardwood floors, will work w/ credit issues! rs-stl.com RHP4S

IF YOU DESIRE TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND NEED A NEW JOB EARNING $45-$50 thousand the 1st year, great benefits, call SMTDS, Financial assistance available if you qualify.

Free living quarters. 6 students max per class. 4 wks. 192 hours.

• More driving time than any other school in the state •

CRAFTCENTRAL FIBER ARTS WORKSHOPS NOW FORMING!

Weaving, Spinning, Knitting/Crocheting, and needle felting classes at times convenient to your schedule.

Private lessons available.

CLASSES IN: Weaving • Spinning • Stained Glass Sewing • Ceramics CRAFTSTL.COM • 314-736-4803 8500 DELMAR BLVD.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & ADDICTION TREATMENT FOR Adolescent, Adults, and Older Adults FOR A CONFIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT AT NO COST, CALL

1-800-345-5407 Hope for a bright future

320 Houses for Rent NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY 314-579-1201 or 636-939-3808 2, 3 & 4BR homes for rent. eatonproperties.com. Sec. 8 welcome NORTH-CITY-HOUSE! $500!

314-309-2043 No Deposit! Clean 2 bedroom house, walkout finished basement, hardwood floors, central air, fenced yard! rs-stl.com RHP5M SOUTH-CITY! $700 314-309-2043 Big 2 bedroom house, full basement, central air, fenced yard, all appliances, hardwood floors, pets, flexible deposit! rs-stl. com RHP5H SOUTH-CITY! $750 314-309-2043 Roomy 3-4 bedroom, 1.5 bath house, central air, full finished basement, fenced yard, loaded kitchen,, pets ok! rs-stl.com RHP5I SOUTH-CITY! $800 314-309-2043 Loaded 2 bedroom house, walkout finished basement, central air, large fenced yard, appliances, sunroom, 2 much 2 list! rs-stl.com RHP5J SOUTH-CITY! $850 314-309-2043 Nice 3 bed, 2 bath house, garage, basement, central air, fenced yard, appliances, pets, flexible lease, recent upgrades! rs-stl.com RHP5L SOUTH-COUNTY! $650 314-309-2043 Oversized 2 bed house, central air, kitchen appliances, pets welcome, ceiling fans, recent upgrades! rs-stl.com RHP5G SOUTH-COUNTY! $850 314-309-2043 Roomy 3 bed, 2 bath house, full basement, central air, large fenced yard, all kitchen appliances, pets allowed! rs-stl.com RHP5K

365 Comm Rentals BENTON-PARK/SOULARD $1,250 314-258-0585 2000ft2 - 2218 Cherokee St., 1st Flr, 63118 ~ Historical Antique District of St. Louis~ BUSINESS OWNERS-A MUST SEE! High Ceilings, Alarm, Hdwd Flrs, 1/2 BA, C/A. Price negotiable!

Tuesdays, Aug. 30–Oct. 4

TWILIGHT

TUESDAYS FALL 2016 AMEREN CONCERT SERIES MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

SOUTH-CITY! $495 314-309-2043 Bad Credit OK! 2 bedrooms, central air, newer carpet kitchen appliances, pets welcome, plenty of storage, ready now! rs-stl.com RHP4T ST-JOHN

$495-$595 314-443-4478 8700 Crocus: Near 170 & St.Charles Rock Rd Special! 1BR.$495 & 2BR.$595.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

314-579-1201 or 636-9393808 1 & 2 BR apts for rent. www.eatonproperties.com. Sec. 8 welcome

UNIVERSITY-CITY! $695 314-309-2043 Roomy 2 bedroom, full basement, hardwood floors, garage, central air, all appliances, pets, w/d hookups, available now! rs-stl.com RHP4O

6pm to 8pm • FREE Museum’s Front Lawn Forest Park mohistory.org Featuring STL’s best food trucks!

HERITAGE SENIOR APARTMENTS AFFORDABLE SENIOR LIVING

Newly Renovated 1 Bedroom Apartments $510 Appliances • Energy Efficient Laundry On-Site NORTH COUNTY AREA 314-521-0388

riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

RIVERFRONT TIMES

47

File Bankruptcy Now! Call Angela Jansen ~314-645-5900~ Bankruptcyshopstl.com

R 314-754-5966 Authentic Hong Kong Style Cuisine

WONTON KING

Dine-In~Carry-out 8116 Olive Blvd~University City 314-567-9997~wontonkingstl.com

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.

Lumière Place

is offering exciting opportunities in the casino, food & beverage & hospitality industries.

Made You Look!

Apply at lumiereplace.com/careers

Call 314-754-5966 for More Info

LET US HELP YOU PUSH THE RIGHT BUTTONS!

Patricia’s

patriciasgiftshop.com

9720 Page Ave ~ (314) 423-7300 havelistl.com

For an Inside Look at Dining, Concerts, Events, Movies & More!

Sign up at www.riverfronttimes.com

facebook.com/riverfronttimes

VOTED FAVORITE INDIAN RESTAURANT! -2016 RFT Readers Poll

RFT WEEKLY E-MAILS

LIKE US

DATING MADE EASY... LOCAL SINGLES! Listen & Reply FREE! 314-739-7777 FREE PROMO CODE: 9512 Telemates

Get the Attention of our 461,000+ Readers

EarthCircleRecycling.com

Earth Circle’s mission is to creatively assist businesses and residents with their recycling efforts while providing the friendliest and most reliable service in the area.

Call Today!

314-664-1450

EVANGELINE’S

CenterPointe Hospital provides a full continuum of care for

PATIO’S OPEN!

ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT FOR ADULTS

www.evangelinesstl.com

DETOXIFICATION, RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS, FAMILY SUPPORT

CALL 1-800-345-5407 24-HOUR CONFIDENTIAL INITIAL ASSESSMENT WITH CARING AND COMPASSIONATE COUNSELORS NO COST FOR THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT C E N T E R P O I N T E H O S P I TA L 4 8 0 1 W E L D O N S P R I N G P K W Y • S T. C H A R L E S , M O 6 3 3 0 4

HOPE

www.whogodis.co DATING MADE EASY... LOCAL SINGLES! Listen & Reply FREE! 314-739-7777 FREE PROMO CODE: 9512 Telemates

FOR A BRIGHT

FUTURE

MASSAGE MARYLAND HEIGHTS $60/HOUR 314-325-4634

W W W . C E N T E R P O I N T E H O S P I TA L . C O M

AUDIO EXPRESS!

Lowest Installed Price In Town — Every Time!

End-Of-Summer Savings Days!

Installed Prices On CD Receivers!

Installed Price

Two-Year Warranty

129

$

99

Save $4000*

A Real Deal!

AM/FM/CD. Ready to add steering wheel interface.

Link 2 Phones!

Installed Price

14999

$

Save 50 $

00*

AM/FM/CD receiver. Pandora station creation and App Mode.

SOUTH 5616 S. Lindbergh • (314) 842-1242 WEST 14633 Manchester • (636) 527-26811

HAZELWOOD 233 Village Square Cntr • (314) 731-1212 FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS 10900 Lincoln Tr. • (618) 394-9479

Unless otherwise limited, prices are good through Tuesday following publication date. Installed price offers are for product purchased from Audio Express installed in factory-ready locations. Custom work at added cost. Kits, antennas and cables additional. Added charges for shop supplies and environmental disposal where mandated. Illustrations similar. Video pictures may be simulated. Not responsible for typographic errors. Savings off MSRP or our original sales price, may include install savings. Intermediate markdowns may have been taken. Details, conditions and restrictions of manufacturer promotional offers at respective websites. Price match applies to new, non-promotional items from authorized sellers; excludes “shopping cart” or other hidden specials. © 2016, Audio Express.

48

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

AUDIO EXPRESS!

riverfronttimes.com

Lowest Installed Price In Town — Every Time!

NEWEST DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS

SL Riverfront Times — 9/1/2016

LEASING NOW! LUXURY ONE, TWO AND THREE BEDROOM TOWNHOMES Two floors are one level Features include Balconies, Community Courtyard, All new upgraded appliances and custom lighting.

Rooftop deck, pet park Roof top pool.

Free Parking space one per unit for a limited time.

Special pricing now starting at $1,225.00 to $2,295.00 One Month free with many specials.

Call 314.320.6465 Now for your Private Tour • www.STLluxury.com