St. Louis Symphony Orchestra music director Stéphane Denève (pictured at top) has accepted yet another noteworthy invitation. The Nobel Foundation announced he will conduct this year’s Nobel Prize Concert in December. He will lead the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Igor Levit in Stockholm, Sweden, to honor the 2020 Nobel Laureates.
It was a dancing kind of day in Clayton when DJ Reggie and the Hip Hop Mamas showed up. The group, led by Reggie Van Derson, was hard to miss as they performed in bright pink in front of Shaw Park Fountain. The women made a donation to Give StL Day in honor of Pink Ribbon Girls, a local nonprofit that helps those battling breast and gynecological cancers.
Winter Opera is looking ahead to its 14th season, when it will celebrate its new home at the almost completed Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. The space includes two theaters, spacious lobbies, community and artistic support areas, and event space. Having a set venue will allow for more productions and future growth. The season is scheduled to open with Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers in November.
we’re in it to win it!
James Beard Award finalists were announced, and St. Louis’ only chef in the running is Michael Gallina, the talented restaurateur behind Vicia and Winslow’s Table. He is up for Best Chef: Midwest. Winners will be announced May 27. In other exciting food news, Nick Bognar of indo has been named a 2020 Food & Wine Best New Chef, one of only 10 in the nation! He can add this to his long list of accolades, which includes a recent inclusion as one of GQ’s Best New Restaurants of 2020.
a home run effort
Former St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds was at Mercy Hospital St. Louis earlier this month to donate plasma to those fighting COVID-19. He is supporting treatment efforts after recovering from the virus himself.
