The Sovereign was recently honored by the Landmarks Association of St. Louis with its 2026 Most Enhanced Award. Created in partnership with and operated by Old Rock House, the 1,200-capacity venue in a fully renovated historic building is a welcome addition to the East Grand Center neighborhood.  The building began its life as a speculative commercial site located within St. Louis’ “Auto Row.” Situated at 3306-3314 Washington Boulevard, the property was designed by Preston Bradshaw, a prominent local architect whose notable work includes the designs of the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, Coronado Hotel, and Mayfair Hotel, as well as numerous retail buildings tailored towards the contemporary auto industry. Nearly continuously inhabited by a variety of automobile industry adjacent businesses and a printing press for over a ...

With a continued focus on accessibility and inclusivity, the MATI outdoor community block party - connecting its five main stages down Washington Avenue - will be free and bigger than ever in 2026. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18, MATI is activating Grand Center Arts District with live music (including DJ Spinderella), a performance art stage, a roller skating rink, pop-up fashion shows, mural and art exhibits, poetry, local vendors, tastes of St. Louis’ favorite culinary dishes and incentives to visit Midtown’s many bars, restaurants and retailers. A live music stage at Washington and N Theresa Avenue will feature energetic DJ sets by DJ Spinderella (Salt-N-Pepa), Natasha Diggs, and Nightchaser Presents; and performances by Kendrick Smith Quartet, ...

Director of Administration and Contracts Ann McKeal celebrates her 10th anniversary with KAF this month! She first got to know Executive Director Chris Hansen through visits to Grand Center for live music, photography, and a little wine culture. “His vision and genuine enthusiasm were contagious, as was the Kranzberg family's commitment to the neighborhood. I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that invests in artists, celebrates creativity, and helps shape the future of our community,” she says.  McKeal  graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Marketing and Advertising, along with minors in Speech Communication and Business Management.   What is your favorite part of your job at KAF? Enjoying the fruits of our labor, of course! ...

MATI (Music at the Intersection) returns for its sixth year next month, July 17-19. The festival is set to bring world-class music to Grand Center Arts District, including Wyclef Jean, Killer Mike, Zapp, PJ Morton, Big Freedia, Destin Conrad, LA LOM, Keyon Harrold, Andra Day, Rapsody and dozens more. However, great music is just the beginning. MATI also features a thought leadership conference, multiple partner events and a free, multi-stage community block party.  Early in the day on Friday and Saturday, before the music starts, MATI annually welcomes artists, creatives and entrepreneurs together to discuss Music, Art, Thought and Innovation. The MATI Conference provides free (with RSVP) panels, keynote discussions and networking opportunities, further putting into action the festival’s commitment to nurture and grow St ...

The Landmarks Association of St. Louis recently honored The Key Burger Bar & Boogie in its 2026 Most Enhanced Awards recognizing projects that exemplify excellence in preservation. Winners are selected based on the architectural and cultural importance of the building, the complexity of the restoration, the project’s inspirational value, and its impact on the surrounding community. The Key’s two-building complex, consisting of a market building and a hardware store, were rescued from demolition by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation through an agreement with Saint Louis University and with support from the Landmarks Association of St. Louis and have been restored and returned to active use. Built in 1887, the buildings are among the few remaining historical structures in the area, and adjacent to the former and historic ...

MATI is popping up with Grammy-winning soul singer, songwriter and producer PJ Morton at Sophie's Artist Lounge with WFUN-FM 96.3 R&B. On Friday, June 12 from 5-8 p.m., meet and greet Morton; hear tracks from his new double album, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, which officially comes out on June 19; and purchase special edition merchandise including vinyl, CDs and T-shirts. Then, during MATI festival weekend, see him perform live on Sunday, July 19 at The Fabulous Fox between Wyclef Jean and Keyon Harrold. MATI has partnered with WFUN 96.3 throughout the month of June for Black Music Month. Based in New Orleans, PJ Morton is a 6x Grammy winner and 22x nominee, earning recognition from BET, Soul Train and NAACP Image Awards while selling out ...

As reported by Sauce Magazine, Nick Bognar, the James Beard-nominated chef behind lauded local eateries Indo, Sado and Pavilion is set to open his fourth restaurant concept, Khao Soi Cowboy, in spring 2027 in the former TURN space at KAF-owned .ZACK. Located at 3224 Locust St. in Midtown, the restaurant and bar will focus on “purposefully inauthentic” Northern Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine in a high-energy, dive-bar style atmosphere, offering all-day lunch and dinner service as well as late-night dining and tiki-inspired cocktails. The restaurant’s namesake, Khao Soi, is a Northern Thai curry noodle soup that was a staple of Bognar’s childhood, cooked by his grandmother. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he offered the soup to-go at Indo, inspiring the demand for a new restaurant with ...

The Big Top has made its return to Grand Center - the iconic red and white tent is back up on Washington Ave. and ready for its 2026 debut as Circus Flora kicks off next week. A beloved summer tradition in St. Louis, Circus Flora celebrates its 40th anniversary season with an all-new show, Flying High, running June 4-21. Once again, Circus Flora is set to dazzle audiences of all ages with its unique combination of world-class circus performers, exceptional storytelling, and live original music.  In Flying High Circus Flora transforms an ordinary high school into an extraordinary academy of wonder. Step into halls and classrooms filled with a mix of world-class acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and class clowns – along with an unforgettable faculty whose ...

Unlike traditional bars and restaurants, each of KAF’s venues, including The Key Burger Bar & Boogie, The Dark Room and Sophie’s Artist Lounge are part of a greater ecosystem that provides the support and infrastructure for the arts to thrive in St. Louis. Whenever you enjoy a craft cocktail or delicious bite at these spots, your hard-earned money is flowing back into that ecosystem to directly support local artists.  This week, guests will see the debut of signature MATI-inspired cocktail offerings at our venues, along with the introduction of the “MATI Melt” at The Key. A specialty menu item designed to celebrate the festival's spirit, creativity, and community, the MATI Melt consists of two beef patties, American cheese, Swiss cheese, garlic mayo, bacon and onion ...

Honora Kinsella joined KAF in May 2025 as General Manager of The Key ahead of its grand opening in October 2025. Honora had previously worked with KAF team members as an employee of concert promoter Jamo Presents, hosting events at The Big Top and Central Stage and then taking on a larger  role assisting with artist hospitality and transportation during MATI 2022. She loved the people she met and worked with and knew that if she were ever presented with an opportunity to join the KAF team long term, she would jump at the chance. Honora oversees all daily operations at The Key and never tires of welcoming guests to KAFs newest venue and first full-service restaurant.   What is your favorite part of your job ...