Join us for the weekly High Noon speaker series as writer and St. Louis University English Professor Vincent Casaregola reads poems from his recently published collection, Vital Signs, from Finishing Line Press, as well as other works. Vital Signs is a collection of poetry that explores the experience of trauma, injury, illness, and related areas.  The book is divided into four parts.  Part I, “The Site of the Trauma,” examines the physical and psychological traumas of urban stress, accidents, poverty, crime, and the associated illnesses and injuries.  Part II, “Critical Cares,” focuses on the experiences of illness and health care from the perspectives of patients, family caregivers, health care workers, and others. Part III, “The Case History Monologues,” gives voice to those who suffer illness, ...

Trackstar the DJ of Run The Jewels hosts a packed evening of fun at Sophie’s, starting at 5 p.m. with the holiday edition of Give Up The Goods—a hip-hop swap meet dedicated to sharing, trading, and uplifting the goods that move our scene. Dig through curated collections of vinyl, streetwear, books, tapes, art, collectibles, and rare finds while connecting with local vendors and lovers of the craft. This special “To STL With Love” edition brings a warm, end-of-year energy to the space, offering a place to shop small, support local, and exchange stories and artifacts that represent the pulse of hip-hop culture. Whether you’re a collector, a creative, or just in the building to vibe, this is a gathering built for the community. Free entry ...

Join us for the weekly High Noon lunch and learn series as author David Haynes discusses a piece of advice he often gives the writers he works with: "Think about how you can give your readers a better sense of where the story takes place.”  The characters in Haynes’ stories and novels are strongly influenced by the places they live, be that the streets of Saint Paul lined with craftsman cottages, or in most cases, many and various neighborhoods of Saint Louis City and County. He urges writers to consider how they think about evoking a place, and how the places we live in and love shape our imagination. Haynes will share some examples from his most recent collection, Martha's Daughter: A Novella and Stories. Haynes ...

Join us for “Mix on Your Six" Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Darrell Mixon. We all loved his music, but most of all we loved watching him play. His body radiated music. He danced with his instrument. No matter which axe he played, it became an extension of him and his energy. We have gathered together musicians from all over the St. Louis region to share their musical memories of “Mix,” and we’ll also hear remarks from some of the folks he worked with who are unable to join us in person. The bill will include performances from Alfred Barnes, Ptah Williams, the Silverman Brothers, Gary Sykes, Jon Whiting, Curt Landis, Erika Johnson, Kendrick Smith, and the students from HEAL Center for the Arts. The ...

Get ready to move and groove as Motown Throwdown returns to Sophie’s Artist Lounge for a night of deep cuts, dancefloor classics, and timeless soul featuring the originals Dj Vthom and Biko (F.K.A. Needles) providing a night of genre-blending sets and legendary Motown Throwdown sessions. Whether you come for the nostalgia or the next-wave vibes, the energy will be electric from start to finish.  Motown Throwdown is the reimagined evolution of Motown on Mondays — a monthly weekend dance party celebrating the timeless sounds of Motown, soul, funk, and their modern-day descendants. With a rotating cast of St. Louis's finest DJs, each Throwdown pays tribute to the legends while keeping the dancefloor fresh and forward. Motown On Mondays (MOM) began in San Francisco in 2009, founded ...

Join us as Charlene Oldham discusses how her passion for literacy and sharing knowledge has transitioned through three careers: journalism, teaching and librarianship. She will touch on how, as a first-generation college student and biracial child of an immigrant and career Marine who never finished high school, she feels public education gave her access to the American Dream and how she sees such access is currently in grave danger. Oldham is a freelancer who writes about education, workplace issues, consumer finance, health and wellness and business personalities. A former business news staff writer for the Dallas Morning News whose varied resume includes a stint with Teach For America, her stories have appeared in publications including the New York Times, USA Today , and the St. ...

Since its inception, MATI has paid homage to the St. Louis’ imprint on the American songbook, as well as the relationship our city has with its Mississippi River roots, honoring the giants who shaped genre and sound as it also calls up and gives platform to a new wave of artists. A majority of the lineup has direct ties to the St. Louis area. R&B artist Ryan Trey spent time growing up in St. Louis, East St. Louis and University City. Marcus Baylor, of the husband-wife jazz duo The Baylor Project, is from St. Louis. Drummer Weedie Braimah was born in Ghana but raised in East St. Louis. Trumpeter (and MATI Artist-in-Residence) Keyon Harrold is from Ferguson. Other artists hail from the Caribbean, Mississippi Delta ...

With 100 local acts across nine stages over two days the first annual Free 4 All Music Showcase provides a path for attendees to explore the raw and real music being made in our city today, from indie rock and hip-hop to folk and experimental music. This new showcase features a kaleidoscopic view of the local creative community, including fan favorites and bold, emerging artists who are redefining St. Louis’ historic and innovative music scene.  Best of all, it’s FREE! Think of this weekend as a local music holiday – the perfect opening act to the 5th annual MATI Festival and Conference (September 12-14).  This music marathon will take place across KAF venues including: .ZACK, Sally’s Rooftop Garden & Terrace, High Low, Sophie’s Artist Lounge, Central ...

To hear Malena Smith sing is to experience a voice distilled from every corner of the American songbook. With influences spanning jazz, folk, classical, and pop, she crafts a seamless, unmistakable sound that is uniquely her own. The rising singer, songwriter, and storyteller is celebrated for her genre-blending style, expressive vocals, and introspective, thought-provoking lyrics. Based in St. Louis, Smith has shared stages with Michael Bublé, Brian Owens, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Adam Maness Trio, with appearances across the U.S. and internationally in Japan. In 2021, Smith starred in the film An Intimate Christmas, which aired on the PBS Nine Network. A formally trained musician with a degree in music, she currently serves as the Next Move Artist-in-Residence at the World Chess ...