City Life, Life

An Art Fair, Homecoming Festival, Taste of St. Louis, and More

September 3, 2021

Fall/Winter Exhibition Opening Contemporary Art Museum – 3750 Washington Blvd., Grand Center The Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) kicks off its fall/winter exhibitions tonight first a member preview from 5-6 p.m. and a public opening from 6-9 p.m. The fall/winter program features exhibitions from four artists. View prints, paintings and drawings from Shara Hughes in her first major U.S. exhibition; more than 30 years of ceramics by Kathy Butterfly, including a series made especially for CAM; two digital videos from artist Lorna Simpson projected on CAM’s façade; and CAM’s largest installation ever, a photo-based installation by Farah Al Qasimi on the 60-foot Project Wall. Members enjoy complimentary drinks in the courtyard and valet parking. Kathy Butterfly will also be in conversation Saturday morning at CAM. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Shakespeare in the Streets: The Ville Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center – 2612 Annie Malone Dr., The Ville Take advantage of the (slightly) cooler temperatures by taking in a Shakespeare-inspired production in one of the “most historically significant Black communities in America.” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents its 10th annual Shakespeare in the Streets: The Ville in collaboration with 4theVille. The Ville is home to Sumner High School, the first Black high school west of the Mississippi. Shakespeare Festival St. Louis will be performing a new play inspired by Hamlet written by Sumner alum Mariah L. Richardson and directed by The Ville’s Thomasina Clarke. Performances will be nightly at 8 p.m. from Sept. 9-11 on the steps of the Annie Malone Children’s Home. Manchester Homecoming Festival Schroeder Park – 395 Old Meramec Station Rd., Manchester Manchester Homecoming is back at Schroeder Park. Kick off the weekend of Sept. 10 with carnival rides, opening ceremonies with Mayor Mike Clement and live music from St. Louis favorite Dr. Zhivegas. The parade starts Saturday morning. Saturday activities include carnival rides, a petting zoo, dance and music performances, a balloon artist and more. Sunday features a car show, petting zoo, carnival rides and family bingo. Food and drink booths will also be on site. Take your pick from walking tacos from Parkway South AFS, Kona Ice, cheeseburger and brats from the Bonhomme Lions, Smoked Artisan BBQ, deep fried treats from Mizzou’s Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Kernel Cobbs Kettle Corn and more. Saint Louis Art Fair Downtown Clayton – 526 E. 1st St., Hermann The Saint Louis Art Fair is back after last year’s event was canceled due to the pandemic. The free event, presented by the Centene Charitable Foundation, features dozens of regional and national artists, working in mediums including sculpture, glass, fiber, ceramics, photography, painting and more, plus live music on the main stage and a performing arts stage featuring dance, visual storytelling and poetry. Make an evening of it and enjoy food from local favorites including Pappy’s Smokehouse, Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Kimchi Guys, Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery and more. The art fair will run on the streets of Downtown Clayton Friday, Sept. 10 from 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Taste of St. Louis Ballpark Village – Downtown Taste of St. Louis is at Ballpark Village this year and better than ever from Sept. 24-26. The free event features 25 of St. Louis’ best restaurants offering up signature dishes and demonstrations. The final lineup has yet to be announced, but past events have featured some of the most popular and acclaimed chefs in town. The event will also feature live music, a TSL marketplace featuring local handmade goods, an Entertainment Stage with DJs, giveaways and local emcees, and what organizers call “a renewed focus on being a family-friendly food event.”