Articles Tagged "Art"

The Missouri Botanical Garden is easily one of the top-ranked gardens of its kind in the United States, and our real estate agents never tire of exploring this unique place. With spring finally here now is a great time to plan your visit!

Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is our nation's oldest continuously operated botanical garden and one of the largest. The herbarium at the Missouri Botanical Garden includes more than 6.6 million specimens, second only to the New York Botanical Garden. 

The Missouri Botanical Garden is conveniently located on Shaw Boulevard in St. Louis, so be sure to pay it a visit while you're looking at St Louis homes for sale. These are some of the highlights of the garden:

• Experience the Climatron
  One of the most recognizable features of the Missouri Botanical Garden is the geodesic dome conservatory known as the Climatron. It opened to the public for the first time in 1960 and was the world's first geodesic dome to be used as a conservatory. The structure reaches 70 feet high and 175 feet across, enclosing a tropical rainforest-like interior that spans a half-acre and remains warm, lush, and green year-round. Inside, visitors can observe 2,800 plants of more than 1,400 different tropical species.
  
  
• Explore the Japanese Garden
  The 14-acre Japanese Garden within the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest of its kind in North America. The plants, waterfalls, and islands in this majestic garden are each carefully placed, reflecting hundreds of years of Japanese gardening traditions. The official name of the garden is Seiwa-en, which means "garden of pure, clear harmony and peace."
  
  
• Shop and Dine
  It takes a long time to explore all 79 acres of the Missouri Botanical Garden. You might get a little hungry! Luckily there are some great eats at Cafe Flora, the garden's on-site restaurant, which serves a tasty assortment of sandwiches and salads, as well as local craft beer and wine. Before you leave the garden, be sure to peek into the Garden Gate Shop, which offers souvenirs, including an amazing selection of live plants. 
  
  
• Ride the Tram
  Narrated tram tours of the Missouri Botanical Garden offer a chance to see the gardens while resting your feet in a comfy tram car. Departing several times a day from the garden entrance, tram tours last 25 to 30 minutes and include expert narration from your tour guide as you meander through various garden areas.
  
  
• Play in the Children's Garden
  The Missouri Botanical Garden is a great place for children to play, learn, and develop a closer relationship with the natural world. In particular, the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden provides some amazing opportunities for kids. Tickets are available for various interactive exhibits, themed play areas, and fun educational programs that allow kids to get some hands-on experience in the gardens. 
  
  
• Tour the Gardens Virtually
  Although it's best to visit a place like the Missouri Botanical Garden in person, we understand that it isn't always possible. Fortunately, the garden provides some great resources for those who wish to explore from the comfort of their own homes. Virtual tours of the Missouri Botanical garden include drone videos, 360-degree tours of the Climatron, and even informative videos about the ongoing care that goes into making the garden a reality.

Contact us today to learn more about the unique attractions in St. Louis, Missouri. When you're ready to start finding your dream home in the St. Louis area, our real estate agents are here to help every step of the way. 

Our real estate agents missed a lot of things in 2020, but few losses were felt more deeply than missing live music from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. We were overjoyed to learn that the orchestra was returning for the 2021-22 season. 

If you're new to St. Louis—or have simply never had an opportunity to watch the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra perform in person—it's an experience you simply must-have. The winter months are the perfect time to see a concert, so let's take a moment to get to know the SLSO. 

History of the St. Louis Symphony

The St. Louis Symphony traces its roots back to the founding of the St. Louis Choral Society in 1880. The St. Louis Choral Society merged with the St. Louis Musical Union 10 years later, forming what would eventually become the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

With a history that can now be traced back more than 140 years, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in America. In that time, the SLSO has made more than 100 recordings resulting in 60 Grammy Award nominations and nine wins. It has earned a reputation as one of America's finest orchestras. 

Meet Your Musical Director

The SLSO has a long and storied history of accomplished musical directors, beginning with Joseph Otten, who served in that role from 1880 to 1894. The latest, Stéphane Denève, who now guides the orchestra into its 142nd season, is no exception. 

Stéphane Denève served as a guest conductor with the SLSO eight times before joining as a full-time musical director. Born in France, Denève also serves as musical director of the Brussels Philharmonic and shares his time between the two cities. 

Spectacular Powell Hall

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra first performed at Mercantile Library Hall, and later moved around to various venues throughout the city, including the St. Louis Grand Exposition Hall. It found its permanent residence in Powell Hall beginning in 1967. 

Located just minutes away from these St. Louis homes for sale, Powell Hall is a resplendent theater with stunning architecture and state-of-the-art sound. The 2,689-seat hall was originally constructed in 1925 and served as a theater for Vaudeville shows and silent movies in its early years. 

Upcoming Performances

There's a lot to look forward to from the SLSO this year! In addition to resuming its regular schedule this season, the orchestra will also be picking up its Movie Magic series, in which the musicians perform a classic film score while the original movie is projected as a backdrop. 

Check out the full calendar of upcoming events on the SLSO website, and get your tickets now to these exciting performances this winter: 

• Stéphane Conducts Brahms: Musical Director Stéphane Denève brings Johannes Brahms' First Symphony to life for two performances on January 7th and 8th. 
  
  
• Romeo and Juliet: Stéphane Denève conducts the SLSO featuring virtuoso violinist Augustin Hadelich through the music of Romeo and Juliet, including Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto.
  
  
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Concert: The SLSO performs music honoring Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, January 17th. 
  
  
• Harry Potter in Concert: The orchestra performs John Williams' classic score to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I on January 21, 22, and 23 as the film is projected on a screen behind them.  

St. Louis has always been one of America's great hubs for art and culture, and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is just the tip of the iceberg. Contact us today to learn more about life in St. Louis, and talk to our real estate agents about finding your dream home in St. Louis today. 

The holiday season is upon us, and we all have someone on our list who's a little bit harder to shop for. A museum membership is always a great gift idea for that tough-to-buy-for person who doesn't need another sweater or bottle of wine. 

Luckily, we have an abundance of outstanding museums here in the St. Louis area. Consider gifting a membership to one of these local museums.

• City Museum - 750 N 16th St., St. Louis, MO 63103
  Opened in 1997, the City Museum is equal parts museum and playground. The museum is housed in a repurposed industrial space in the Washington Avenue Loft District, just minutes from many St. Louis homes for sale. Inside, pieces of old cities have been used to create tunnels, bridges, galleries, and secret passages. It's truly a wild, creative space unlike any other. Membership to the City Museum includes unlimited visits, as well as rooftop access during the museum's regularly scheduled rooftop music sessions. There's even a rooftop Ferris wheel!
  
  Starting Price: $55
  
  
• Missouri Historical Society - 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112
  Consisting of several sites in and around Forest Park, the Missouri Historical Society is a vital organization dedicated to preserving Missouri's history and making it available to the public. Membership provides access to the Missouri History Museum, the Soldiers Memorial, and the Missouri Historical Society Library & Research Center. Members also get early or exclusive access to tours, lectures, and premiers, as well as subscriptions to the society's two magazines, Currents and Gateway. 
  
  Starting Price: $75
  
  
• St. Louis Art Museum - 1 Fine Arts Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110
  The St. Louis Art Museum is one of the premier art museums in the United States. A three-story facility that houses paintings, sculptures, and other artistic and historical treasures worldwide, it's a vast museum with a collection spanning 5,000 years of human artistry. The museum offers several membership levels. Basic membership includes free admission for two adults per visit, plus additional perks like members-only virtual programs and exhibition previews and discounts on parking, shopping, and dining. 
  
  Starting Price: $65
  
  
• St. Louis Zoo - 1 Government Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110
  With its naturalistic exhibits and an innovative approach to wildlife care and conservation, the St. Louis Zoo has been open for more than 100 years, and it attracts over 3 million annual visitors. It's truly an exceptional wildlife attraction, home to more than 12,000 animals of around 500 different species. A zoo this vast almost requires repeated visits, so it's a good thing that members get 36 member tickets and free parking for six visits. When you give a membership as a holiday gift, it also comes with a free collectible giraffe ornament. 
  
  Starting Price: $79
  
  
• National Museum of Transportation - 2933 Barrett Station Rd., St. Louis, MO 63122
  A unique museum dedicated to America's transportation heritage, the National Museum of Transportation is the largest museum of its kind in the world. The museum's rail and transit collection spans more than 190 exhibits, ranging from locomotives and trolley cars to classic race cars and fire trucks. Perks of being a member depend on the level of membership you give, but even the most basic level includes free admission for a member and up to five guests per visit. Higher levels include additional perks like complimentary mini train ride tickets and free access to the Creation Station.
  
  Starting Price: $68

Contact us today to learn more about spending the holidays in St. Louis, and be sure to ask our real estate agents about finding your dream home in the St. Louis area. 

One of the reasons our real estate agents love St. Louis so much is all the wonderful local events. It seems that any time of year, from spring to winter, there's a fun celebration to attend. If you're a film lover — or even someone who just enjoys the occasional movie — then the 30th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival is an upcoming event you won't want to miss.

History of the Festival

The St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) was founded in 1992 and has been held every year since. The founders intended the festival to promote and present new and interesting films in order to preserve movie-making as an art.

The first few St. Louis International Film Festivals were held in April, but in 1995, the event moved to November. In 1998, the festival grew large enough for its headquarters to move to the Central West End. Well-known films featured over the years include Kinsey, which was screened in 2004, and Up in the Air, featured in 2009.

Attending the Festival

This year, the St. Louis International Film Festival is scheduled for November 4th - 21st, 2021. Screenings will take place at various locations on the following dates and times.

• Landmark's Tivoli Theatre: 6350 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO 63130
  Screenings will take place at Landmark's Tivoli Theatre November 4th - 14th and 19th - 21st.
  
  
• Brown Hall Auditorium, Washington University: 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130
  The Brown Hall Auditorium will hold screenings November 5th - 6th, 12th - 14th, and 19th - 21st.
  
  
• Winifred Moore Auditorium, Webster University: 470 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119
  Visit the Winifred Moore Auditorium between November 5th - 14th for screenings.
  
  
• St. Louis Museum of Contemporary Art: 3750 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108
  Screenings will take place at the St. Louis Museum of Contemporary Art on November 4th and 11th.

In addition to screening this year's featured films, the festival will also host the screening of several films released in 1971. You can catch these Golden Anniversary screenings at the St. Louis Public Library's Auditorium on weekend afternoons.

You can see a list of the films featured in this year's festival on the event website. Tickets and passes will also be available through the website. 

Awards

Various awards will be given throughout the St. Louis International Film Festival. These include awards for the Best Documentary Short and the Best Short Short. There will also be an award for Best Live Action Short and another for Best Animated Short.

If you're looking at St. Louis homes for sale, make sure you take a break to attend the St. Louis International Film Festival. Stop by to see one film, or see how many you can catch throughout the festival. This is just one of many awesome fall events in St. Louis. Contact us if you're new to the area and looking for the perfect place to call home. Our real estate agents will be happy to guide you.