FRIDAY
‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’
When: Sept. 19-Oct. 19; performance times vary
Where: Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Monroe Ave., Kirkwood
How much: $47-$86
More info: stagesstlouis.org/beautiful
Carole King is a chart-topping songwriter who wrote the hit “(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman” popularized by Aretha Franklin. This jukebox musical from Stages St. Louis covers that and the rest of her hits (She had a bunch.) and tells the story of her rise to fame. By Rosalind Early
Fifty bands will be playing a wide variety of musical genres from porches throughout the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood.
St. Louis Derby
When: 2:30 p.m. Sept. 19
Where: Fairmont Park Casino and Racing, 9301 Collinsville Rd., Collinsville
How much: Free
More info: fairmountpark.com
Fairmont Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary with an extra-special St. Louis Derby. This year’s race for 3-year-olds (horses, not toddlers) offers a guaranteed purse of $250,000, with $150,000 going to the winner. That kind of money will draw some serious competition for the one-and-one-sixteenth mile race, making it a chance to see great horses in action. By Daniel Neman
Great Forest Park Balloon Race
When: 5-9:30 p.m. Sept. 19, 1-7 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: Emerson Central Fields, 5265 Wells Dr. in Forest Park
How much: Free
More info: greatforestparkballoonrace.com
If you don’t know about the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, welcome to St. Louis! We hope you’ll like it here. The event begins with the fabulous and highly photogenic Balloon Glow on Sept. 19, including a fireworks finale beginning at 9:20 p.m., with additional entertainment held throughout the afternoon of Sept. 20. The balloon race itself is set to begin at 4:30 p.m., if the weather is favorable, but it can begin anytime before 6 p.m. By Daniel Neman
After a yearlong stint in South Korea with her husband, Michelle Zauner and Japanese Breakfast is back out on the road.
Disney on Ice
When: 7 p.m. Sept. 19; 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 20; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sept. 21
Where: Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave.
How much: $30.60-$116.50
More info: chaifetzarena.com/events/detail/disney-on-ice-presents-lets-dance
It’s favorite Disney characters skating on ice. Which makes sense for the movie “Frozen,” but not really a lot of others. Nonetheless, the skating can be impressive, and kids love to see their favorite princesses and princes gliding gracefully across the slick surface. By Daniel Neman
Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival
When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 19-20; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 21
Where: Soulard Park, Seventh Street and Lafayette Avenue
How much: Free
More info: hispanicfestivalstl.com/Soulard
The Hispanic Festival annually celebrates Hispanic food, Hispanic energy, Hispanic communities and Hispanic memories. There will be food, dance and music by national headliner Brenda K. Starr (Sept. 19); Chicago’s Los Crudos de Durango; local favorites Banda Artilleros, Los Mochomos del R and Banda La Maravilla; plus a Bad Bunny Night, which features the recorded music of rapper Bad Bunny and similar acts. By Daniel Neman
SATURDAY
Frizz Fest
When: 12 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Drive
How much: Free
More info: eventbrite.com
Frizz Fest began as a celebration of the natural beauty of the Midwest’s Black community. Organizers added a concert experience a few years ago, and this year they’re bring R&B singer Melanie Fiona to the stage. Expect to hear Fiona’s latest release, “Me and Mine,” with support sets from Aida Ade, the Smokin’ Lion Band, S.A.Y and more. Remember that Frizz Fest has more than just live performances. Guests can also enjoy a vendor marketplace, food trucks and engagement activations geared towards wellness, self-care and natural beauty pride. By Jasmine Osby
Old Webster Blues and Jazz Fest
When: 1 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: Downtown Old Webster Groves, 27 North Gore Ave., Webster Groves
How much: Free
More info: oldwebsterjazzfest.com
The Old Webster Blues and Jazz Fest returns for the 23rd year. It’s the longest-running jazz festival in St. Louis history, bringing fan-favorite jazz and blues musicians to the streets of Old Webster as summer comes to a close. Bluesman Marquise Knox headlines this year’s festival with performances by Walter Parks, Swamp Cabbage, 14-year-old blues prodigy Lamontay Rucker and other acts. By Jasmine Osby
Whether strumming a melody, writing a book or taking a photo, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Andy Summers is a virtuoso who channels the…
SLUMFEST
When: 4 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: Atomic by Jamo, 4140 Manchester Ave.
How much: $17.78
More info: ticketweb.com
After a seven-year hiatus, the St. Louis Underground Music Festival is back. The festival first launched in 2010. They took a break following the pandemic, returning now to celebrate the four pillars of hip-hop in the St. Louis underground rap community. Expect to see rap battles, breakdancing, traditional DJ exhibits, live graffiti and performances from St. Louis-based emcees. By Jasmine Osby
Mary Meachum Crossing Celebration, Part 1
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd.
How much: Free, but requires advance registration
More info: missouribotanicalgarden.org/mary-meachum-freedom-crossing-annual-celebration-3423
The doomed May 21, 1855, efforts by nine slaves to cross the Mississippi into freedom is being given a two-part commemoration this year. Part 1 takes place at MoBot, the former home of Henry Shaw, who owned four of the escaping slaves. The highlight will be a reenactment performance at the Cohen Amphitheatre (bring your own blankets or folding chairs). Part 2 will take place Sept. 27 at the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing on the Mississippi Gateway. By Daniel Neman
‘The Wasp Woman’
When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: The Nature Institute, 2213 S. Levis Lane, Godfrey
How much: Free, but donations are welcome
More info: thenatureinstitute.org/events/wasp
This is irresistible: The Nature Institute — that’s The Nature Institute — is showing this 1959 Roger Corman sci-fi horror classic, of sorts, about a woman who owns a cosmetics company and injects herself with a youth-restoring serum made from wasp goo that (you guessed it!) turns her into a giant wasp. The advertising line was “A beautiful woman by day — A lusting queen wasp by night.” Shown with an episode of the 1935 serial “The Phantom Empire.” By Daniel Neman
The concert will include snippets of some of Zimmer’s most famous film scores played live with scenes from the films.
NBA YoungBoy
When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave.
How much: $98.30-$837.20
More info: ticketmaster.com
NBA YoungBoy concert experiences are going across the internet as fans share videos of their experience at the Baton Rouge rapper’s first headlining tour. After making headlines for past relationship drama, legal woes and being pardoned by Donald Trump earlier this year, YoungBoy remains one of the most successful Gen-Z rappers of all time. With over 85 million records and more than 100 Billboard Hot 100 charting singles, YoungBoy brings a decade of hits to the Enterprise Center. By Jasmine Osby
MONDAY
Marilyn Manson
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 22
Where: The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd.
How much: Sold out
More info: ticketmaster.com
Rockstar Marilyn Manson has always stirred up controversy with his music. He’s also been publicly scrutinized for claims of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend and sexual assault accusations, the latter which was later dropped. Expect to hear songs from Manson’s three-decade-long career. By Jasmine Osby
TUESDAY
Halestorm and Lindsey Stirling
When: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23
Where: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Drive, Maryland Heights
How much: $25-$122.25
More info: ticketmaster.com
Grammy Award-winning rock band Halestorm was formed back in 1997. The group won the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Grammy in 2013, with a musical catalog that blends heavy metal with other rock subgenres. Following the release of its sixth studio album, “Everest,” Halestorm hit the road to tour and promote the 12-track LP. The band is joined by violinist and singer Lindsey Stirling, who recently released her new album “Duality” in August. By Jasmine Osby
Thursday
Looking for St. Louis talent? Check out these 5 venues for some of the city’s best up-and-comers.
‘Power’
When: 8:15 p.m. Sept. 25-27
Where: House of Miles, 1701 Kansas Ave., East St. Louis
How much: Free
More info: stlshakes.org/production/power
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival will wrap up its season with its Shakespeare in the Streets series, which presents an original play inspired by Shakespeare and a St. Louis neighborhood. This year, the neighborhood is East St. Louis. By Rosalind Early
‘Carmela Full of Wishes’
When: 7 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Sept. 26-28
Where: Metro Theater Company, 3311 Washington Blvd.
How much: $15-$25
More info: metroplays.org
Metro Theater Company presents this play for young people “Carmela Full of Wishes” by Alvaro Saar Rios. It’s Carmela’s birthday and she’s found a dandelion, but before she can blow the seeds, she has to think of the perfect wish. By Rosalind Early