World Music Guide to Saint Louis, Missouri
Report by Mark Holland
Saint Louis, Missouri is a large city with a small town feel. It is located in a geographical area of the United States known as the Midwest. Some consider it the either the Gateway to the West or the Gateway to the East. It depends on which way you're driving on Interstate 64/40.
The city has lots of music of all kinds, with great cultural and ethnic diversity. It is primarily known for blues and jazz and most recently rap. However, there is world music too.
Publications:
FolkFire Magazine coveris every kind of folk music on the planet as well as ethnic dancing. It is also a wonderful resource.
Concert Venues:
The Focal Point presents everything from Americana folk to music from around the world
The Sheldon Concert Hall has folk, jazz, world and much more.
The Edison Theatre has the Ovations!, which sometimes includes world music acts. The Edison Theatre is in the Mallinckrodt Student Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit the web site: edisontheatre.wustl.edu.
The Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center is located on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis at the Florissant Road/University Boulevard exit of Interstate 70 (Exit 240). It presents classical, jazz, world and much more.
For tickets, call 314-516-4949 or toll free 866-516-4949. ticket@umsl.edu.
Blueberry Hill features some blues acts. The Loop Star at 6504 Delmar Star St. Louis, Missouri Star (314) 727-4444.
Focal Point Arts Center presents the Traditional & Original Music Concert Series with folk and Celtic music. 2720 Sutton - Maplewood, MO 63143. 314-781-4200.
Locally Owned Record Stores
Radio:
KDHX 88.7fm has several world music, Latin and folk shows:
KCLC 89.1fm has the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour - Sundays noon-1pm
WEW 770am features Mexican/Hispanic/Bosnian/Croatian/Italian/German/Polish Polka on Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm
Musical instrument shops:
Music Folk has lessons and musical instruments from around the world
Festivals:
There are various ethnic festivals (Latino, African, etc.).
Festival Of The Nations - Held in July, it is a 2 day event with 97 ethnic groups, music, dance, food.
Cultural Centers
International Institute of Saint Louis
Partial Listing of Musicians:
St. Louis guides:
World Music Central
http://worldmusiccentral.org/staticpages/index.php/stlouis