Riverfront Times, January 31, 2024 by Big Lou Holdings

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Owner and Chief Executive Officer Chris Keating Executive Editor Sarah Fenske

E D I T O R I A L Managing Editor Jessica Rogen Editor at Large Daniel Hill Staff Writer Ryan Krull Arts & Culture Writer Paula Tredway Photojournalist Zachary Linhares Audience Engagement Manager Madison Pregon Dining Critic Alexa Beattie Theater Critic Tina Farmer Music Critic Steve Leftridge Contributors Aaron Childs, Max Bouvatte, Thomas Crone, Mike Fitzgerald, Cliff Froehlich, Eileen G’Sell, Reuben Hemmer, Braden McMakin, Tony Rehagen, Mabel Suen, Theo Welling Columnists Chris Andoe, Dan Savage

COVER

A R T

P R O D U C T I O N

Art Director Evan Sult

The Ferguson Neglect

Creative Director Haimanti Germain Graphic Designer Aspen Smit

Missouri landlords cashed in on COVID-19 relief funds, even while failing to provide basic maintenance and upkeep Cover photograph by

M U L T I M E D I A

A D V E R T I S I N G

Publisher Colin Bell Account Manager Jennifer Samuel Directors of Business Development Tony Burton, Rachel Hoppman

C I R C U L A T I O N Circulation Manager Kevin G. Powers

ZACHARY LINHARES

B I G

L O U

H O L D I N G S

Executive Editor Sarah Fenske Vice President of Digital Services Stacy Volhein Digital Operations Coordinator Elizabeth Knapp Director of Operations Emily Fear

INSIDE Front Burner News Missouriland Feature Calendar Cafe Short Orders Reeferfront Times Culture Music Film Stage Out Every Night Savage Love

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Chief Financial Officer Guillermo Rodriguez Chief Executive Officer Chris Keating

N A T I O N A L

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FRONT BURNER

MONDAY, JANUARY 22. It’s an ice day for most of the metro — school’s off, City Hall goes remote. Fortunately, it’s all melting by the afternoon, with temps finally rising after a frigid week. The heat seems likely to dissipate in Clayton, however: Its school board terminates its contract to buy the former Caleres HQ for an ill-defined Empowerment Campus Project. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23. It’s much warmer today, but Jefferson City shows no signs of a cool-off. Senate President Pro-Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) removes four members of the state’s annoying new Freedom Caucus from committee chairmanships — and that means not just a cut to their office budgets but also (gasp!) the removal of their designated parking spots in the Capitol garage. Best of all, he calls them “swamp creatures,” an insult no one could argue with after spending three seconds with this crew. Of the 17 hours and 52 minutes the Senate has been in session, the Missouri Independent quotes Rowden saying that caucus members have held the floor for 16 hours and 45 minutes for “filibusters of things of no consequence

Previously On LAST WEEK IN ST. LOUIS whatsoever relative to a piece of policy.” Also, bad news for former Alderman Jeffrey Boyd; a judge says no to his request to get out of prison early. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22. Much, much warmer (it almost feels like spring) but it’s also intensely foggy. A hostage situation at the Drury Inn downtown ends with no injuries — nice job, St. Louis Police. (Never thought we’d say that, eh?) Governor Parson gives the State of the State and stakes out the terribly controversial position of increasing penalties for people who expose minors to fentanyl and increasing funding for childcare. Compared to the Freedom Caucus, he looks almost presidential. THURSDAY, JANUARY 23. It’s warmer still, but fog persists. AI-generated nudes of Taylor Swift flood social media channels.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24. Fog turns to rain, and a vacant building that housed many homeless people collapses in the 3900 block of South Grand. The fire department finds no fatalities — but suggests that the cause of the collapse was simply the building’s mortar washing away. Terrifying thought in this city of brick. In St. Louis County, 21-year-old Ramon White is sentenced to two life terms for killing a man during a botched carjacking in 2020 in Berkeley. In Manhattan, Donald Trump is slapped with a $83.3 million jury verdict for refusing to stop trash talking E. Jean Carroll. The disgraced former president was previously found liable for abusing Carroll in a trial last May. SATURDAY, JANUARY 25. More gloom. A car is stolen in Jennings with two kids

5 QUESTIONS with Steve’s Hot Dogs’ Danni Eickenhorst

(the Nite Owl). So there’s a lot happening already, and more coming.

The late-night scene has returned to South Grand, says Danni Eickenhorst. And she would know. Eickenhorst is the CEO of HUSTL Hospitality Group and co-owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs (3145 South Grand Boulevard), which moved to the destination dining strip from Tower Grove East in 2021. It was a hard time for the street: South Grand was hit hard by the pandemic not just in the usual ways, but by the fact that some restaurateurs who’d been at it for decades decided the midst of a pandemic was as good as any time to retire. But a raft of dynamic new bars and restaurants have now opened their doors, and to the delight of night owls, many of these places are staying open later. In fact, Steve’s is now staying open until midnight, and Eickenhorst recently joined us to explain why. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Have you noticed a trend of people who got in the pandemic habit of always ordering takeout getting back into in-person dining? Yes. I think people are starting to crave that human connection again. We are seeing people that were traditionally just DoorDash orders at Steve’s starting to become regulars in the store again. That’s refreshing.

When did you realize South Grand was back? As we’re closing up and enjoying each other’s company at Steve’s Hot Dog’s last weekend, we noticed that there were just throngs of people moving up and down South Grand, and honestly, it’s been a while since we’ve seen that. Part of the reason we came to South Grand was because of that nightlife and the scene that South Grand has always been known for. Coming in post-COVID, it was kind of a bummer to see that that had gone away with all the closures and changes in consumer behavior. I reached out to all of our neighbors in the district and said, “Are you guys seeing this? Or is it just us? Was it a one-off?” And they all said, “No, absolutely. We’re seeing it. South Grand late night is back.” What’s driving the rebirth? There’s all of these new concepts coming in. There is just so much activity between Kenny’s Upstairs Lounge and New Society and some other new concepts. We’ve got Manileño, the Filipino concept coming here next month. There’ll be a bar opening up just down the road above Treehouse

Even the White House says it’s alarmed.

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inside, but both are recovered without incident. Congresswoman Cori Bush (DSt. Louis) kicks off her campaign in north county with about 500 people in attendance, including alderpeople Rasheen Aldridge, Daniela Velazquez and Megan Green. In Creve Coeur, an officer handling a suspected DUI gets a scare when another driver, also suspected of driving drunk, crashes into his car. No one is seriously injured. SUNDAY, JANUARY 26. It’s a sporty Sunday as the Blues notch their fifth straight win in Los Angeles. For those who aren’t boycotting the NFL for screwing over St. Louis, football offers a mixed bag: Detroit loses the NFC championship to San Francisco, which feels like a blow to all good Midwesterners — but the Missourah Chiefs continue their march toward the Super Bowl with a victory over Baltimore to take the AFC crown. In St. Louis, the weather has been so gloomy for so long, even the local branch of the National Weather Service is getting crabby. It tweets that it’s been 166 hours “and counting” of clouds. Even so, the sun will come out tomorrow — and we can’t wait.

Danni Eickenhorst relocated Steve’s Hot Dogs to Is there a cocktail at one of South Grand for the nightlife. | COURTESY PHOTO your fellow South Grand establishments you recommend people run out and try? My favorite spot right now on South Grand — and it changes monthly, but my favorite spot right now — is New Society with Meredith Barry and Michael Fricker. And my favorite cocktail right now is the Pumpkin Three Ways. It’s three drinks in one, and it takes you on a journey. They’re doing things that nobody else in St. Louis is doing. Every drink is a drink and a snack and an activity. That would definitely be my recommendation: Get a reservation, hit up New Society, get a seat at the bar. Talk to Meredith about how she created these drinks. It’s the best date night and a great night out with friends. What’s the go-to Steve’s late-night menu item? Oh, it’s our Geddy Lee poutine dog. It’s got cheese curds, white gravy, bacon. It is unbelievable. Buffalo fries on top. It’s an adventure. Definitely split it with a friend. It is the perfect sort of late-night dog. —Ryan Krull

[ WEEKLY WTF?!

T H E D E V I L’ S I N T H E D E TA I L S

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CHRIS ANDOE’S SOCIETY PAGE Back in the Heart of Soulard’s Sequin Circuit

We’ll pass on coming near, thankyouverymuch. | PAULA TREDWAY

THREAT WATCH When: 2:09 p.m. Sunday, January 21 Where: parking lot of the Green Shag Market, 5733 Manchester Avenue, Cheltenham What: heavy-duty chains and a loving sticker to match Why: because we definitely took one step back once we saw this Seriously, what are the chains for? Good question. It looks like your average silver car until you look in the back window and notice chains hanging on the hooks. And the chains would be bad enough, but the nice little sticker on the dashboard that reads “come near me and I’ll kill you” — umm, no, thank you. Who hurt you? Are you OK?

BAD EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK

Starbucks

On December 17, two bad men walked into the flying saucer Starbucks on South Grand and tried to rob the patrons. But when one, a loser from Potosi named Joshua Noe, allegedly hit someone over the head with his gun and the gun cracked, it became clear it wasn’t a real gun — and then the good guys fought back. Booo! | FLICKR/AMBERNECTAR13 They were able to detain Noe until police arrived; the Potosi man and his accomplice are collectively facing 20 felonies. So the baristas are heroes, right? Wrong, says Starbucks, which fired both Michael Harris and Devin Jones-Ransom. Harris’ lawyer Ryan Krupp says that when Harris was struck in the face, he feared for his life. “Harris complied with the robbers’ demands until it was no longer an option for himself and others,” Krupp says. He adds that Harris was outspoken about safety concerns at the store, which may have been a factor in his termination. Harris now plans to take legal action. And we know we’re not alone in St. Louis in cheering him on.

uring Mardi Gras, each Soulard intersection has its own tribe. For more than three decades, Menard and Allen was the epicenter of the LGBTQ community, and the balcony above Clementine’s (now Duke’s) was the focal point where drag queens, VIPs and chiseled Jägermeister reps like Steve Neely would toss beads and entertain. For one magical day a year, beads are the hottest commodity in Soulard. They represent status, invite conversations and ignite negotiations as people trade, flirt and flash for strands. Those immersed in the bead subculture have collections they’ve acquired over the years and will offer trades. Others seek to curry favor by putting on a show. In the 1990s, the wildly eccentric Matthew Traeger — known from New Orleans to New York as “Auntie M” or “the Mad Beader of Mardi Gras,” as I christened Traeger in a 2019 RFT cover story — visited Clementine’s wearing one of his outrageous costumes and carrying a bucket of his bead creations. Owner Gary Reed was impressed enough to invite him to grace the balcony, where he whipped the crowd into a frenzy of bead lust year after year. But Clementine’s closed in 2014, and the LGBTQ center of gravity shifted a block south to Russell and Menard, anchored by Bastille. The costume shop sharing the intersection allowed a group of us, including Auntie M, to throw beads from a turret, and the Krewe of the Lustful Lushes was born, dedicated to Auntie M’s mission of elevating bead culture. When we eventually lost the turret, we took up residence at Nadine’s and then Historic Crossroads. One warm fall afternoon, I was deadheading mums when Diane Baklor, who had closed her costume shop and put the building on the market, called to visit. She spoke of a boomer exodus from Soulard. Those who had set up shop in the once-dilapidated area in the ’70s and ’80s, when buildings sometimes went for just $1 a square foot, were beginning to pull up stakes. These were people who’d generously housed our krewe, and I wondered what that would mean for us. When I resumed gardening, I noticed that beneath the fading flowers I’d pulled were new buds ready to bloom, and

I wondered if that would also be the case for Soulard. Turns out that it was. “Maven of Mardi Gras” Luann Denten, founder of the powerhouse Krewe of Vices and Virtues as well as Soulard Pride, is also the patron saint of the Lustful Lushes. She always has her ear to the ground, and when talking to the fresh-faced millennial owner of the Hi-Hat Lounge, Patrick Webster, she discovered that his renovated secondfloor event space was available, which we then secured. Hi-Hat’s building is actually where Soulard Mardi Gras began in 1980. And when Webster shared our plan with the handsome and mysterious new owner of what had been our original turret next door, the gentleman, who prefers to remain unnamed, wanted in on the fun. And so after wandering the edges of Soulard for five years, the Lustful Lushes commemorate our 10th year with a return to our turreted home at the corner of Russell and Menard, and with a party right next door above Hi-Hat. We’ll celebrate by adorning more than a thousand revelers with unparalleled Mardi Gras finery including our hefty signature pearls, eco-friendly strands of glass, bone and wood, and original creations by artisans Ken Snyders and of course the famed Auntie M. Prime bead action is from noon to 5 p.m. From the Hi-Hat’s stage out front, the legendary Jade Sinclair will emcee a drag show beginning at 1 p.m., right when the restless masses migrate back from the parade. The stretch of Russell from Hi-Hat to Bastille will be Mardi Gras’ Sequin Circuit, with benevolent bead barons showering the bead-hungry from a dozen upper windows as a live DJ spins outside the Island. Soulard Mardi Gras is one of the nation’s biggest parties thanks to the countless artists, performers, craftsmen and organizers who work yearround to make it all happen. A massive party made up of hundreds of krewes, including the colorful lot on Russell. As soon as the parade ends, join the hustle on Russell to experience the largess of the Lushes. The precious beads you wander away with may open doors for you as the day and night go on.

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NEWS

Elderly Tenants Go From High Water to Hell “How in the hell are we supposed to find housing in this short of time?” one resident said Written by

MIKE FITZGERALD

o one could envy Jo Bozeman as she walked into a packed meeting room at the Hilton by St. Louis International Airport on Thursday night. Bozeman is the president of the Heritage House Corporation Board of Directors. The board owns the Heritage House Apartments, the 18-story high-rise at 2800 Olive Street that’s stood vacant since January 14, when frozen pipes burst, flooding the 11th floor and basement and scattering nearly 200 residents — most elderly and disabled — to temporary shelters across the St. Louis area. And now here was Bozeman, picking her way through a packed crowd of nearly 100 people, many in wheelchairs or with walkers and canes leaning against chairs and tables. The audience gazed at Bozeman — staring at her, hard, with the skepticism and anxiety natural to disaster survivors when someone in charge collects them in a group and tells them things are going to be OK. Really? Like an acrobat trying to cross a swinging tightrope, Bozeman had a nearly impossible task: mollify the tenants and prepare them for the next step — finding a new home — while also keeping a tight lid on years of pent-up complaints about Heritage House’s poor track record on plumbing, heating and water issues. And Bozeman tried. Good God, she tried. Several audience members asked what will happen to their major possessions, such as furni-

Lillie Crockett, 86, was displaced when a burst water pipe led to condemnation of Heritage House Apartments. | MIKE FITZGERALD ture. As one tenant pointed out, the building’s freight elevator has been out for a month, and the former residents are allowed only 15-minute stretches to retrieve their stuff. Another audience member pointed out that a moving company quoted her a cost of $1,500 to move her possessions out of the high-rise. “To get all this done within the time permitted is impossible,” the audience member said. “Especially if I have to work every day.” Bozeman took a reassuring tone, telling the crowd that no deadline has been set for removing items from the building, which is condemned and will be closed for at least a year while repairs are made. “As long as you are here, your things will be OK at Heritage House,” Bozeman said. But James Island was having none of it. Island noted that Heritage House’s owners and property manager Sansone Group have agreed only to refund January rent and security deposits, in addition to allowing tenants to stay at the Hilton on Heritage House’s dime until February 6. But that wasn’t enough — not nearly enough. “Sansone is getting off the hook, big time,” Island said, noting that

if any of the tenants had broken their lease they’d be facing a raft of financial penalties. But Heritage House and Sansone? “We’re not breaking the lease,” Island said. “They’re breaking the lease.” Janice Lee, 64, who moves with the help of a wheelchair because her right leg is amputated below the knee, called the tenants’ situation “inhumane” and asked, “How in the hell are we supposed to find housing in this short time? I am truly pissed. I need answers.” Sansone stated that the Heritage House Corporation Board of Directors had previously arranged to put residents up at the Hilton and was paying for their stay. But the company sent a letter to the evacuees on Monday, January 23, informing them the financial support will only last until January 30. They could stay at the Hilton — but only at their own expense. Many tenants were relieved to learn last week that their Hilton stay will now be paid for until February 6, but the bigger problem — finding permanent housing — still has not been addressed. Sansone representatives did not return phone calls seeking comment. Local churches and community groups have been stepping up to help the evacuees. Action St. Louis,

a racial justice organization active with tenants rights, has been conducting wellness checks on the displaced tenants. The Urban League and St. Louis Area Agency on Aging are collaborating on a two-day housing fair this week to match tenants with new rental units. Still, some Heritage House tenants could not let go of a crucial idea: accountability. JoAnne Adams was one of them. Adams stood up near the end of the meeting and reeled off a long list of problems that she endured at Heritage House during her four years living there. “If they’re giving us a month’s rent and a security deposit, they’re getting away with murder,” Adams said. “I lost a new job because of two issues with the plumbing. How stupid do you think we are?” Others voiced similar complaints. Finally, Bozeman had had enough. “It’s a big gripe session now,” she said. “It’s not a gripe session,” another woman replied. A neighbor interjected: “It’s not their fault. They’re here to help us.” Regardless of who bore the blame, a woman at a nearby table summed up the mood for everyone. “This is trauma.” n Mike Fitzgerald can be reached at msfitzgerald2006@gmail.com

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Slumlord Got Federal Funds

HOT SPOT

Dara Daugherty’s “illegal rooming house” operation cashed in on COVID-19 funds, tenants say Written by

MIKE FITZGERALD AND RYAN KRULL

n and off since 2014, Danielle Hopkins has rented from Dara Daugherty, the St. Louis slumlord who was hit on January 16 with a lawsuit from the city accusing her of operating “illegal rooming houses” in 39 condemned houses across south city. Most recently, Hopkins spent roughly five years at a house on South 38th Street in Dutchtown, a house that the city says has been condemned since November 2018. During that time, the city cited the house for a litany of violations, and it was not legally habitable. But that didn’t stop Daugherty from collecting $850 a month in rent from Hopkins. Then there was the portion picked up by taxpayers. Hopkins says that at Daugherty’s urging, she applied for money from a state-administered COVID-19 relief program and ended up getting more than $3,000, all of which Hopkins says went straight into Daugherty’s pocket. Hopkins says that even though Daugherty was getting rental assistance money through her, a corresponding amount was not knocked off the rent. “You need to pay, you need to pay,” Hopkins says she heard from Daugherty again and again. “She said she’d give us some of the money but never did,” Hopkins recalls. The State Assistance For Housing Relief program, or SAFHR, provided financial aid for rent and utilities to tenants hurt financially by the pandemic. The Missouri Housing Development Commission, which oversaw the federally funded SAFHR, estimates the program prevented the evictions of at least 86,000 Missourians (although, as the River City Journalism Fund has reported, many landlords who benefited later led the area in eviction filings). In most cases, SAFHR funds to help tenants went directly to landlords on the tenants’ behalf. That apparently includes Hopkins, who shared with the RFT emails between her and the Missouri Housing Development Commission which give credence to her claims. In another instance uncovered by the RFT, a south city woman with a long history of mental illness — who asked that her name not be used out of fear of retaliation — received help from Daugherty in 2021 to fill out an application for a year’s worth of rental assistance, or a total of $10,800.

RIVERFRONT TIMES

A Florissant firefighter battles a single-alarm blaze on Friday, January 26. A family pet was killed in the fire. | ZACHARY LINHARES The application was granted in full, even though the woman’s house was condemned and considered uninhabitable, according to records from both the city and the woman’s caseworker with Places for People, a nonprofit agency that helps people with mental health issues find treatment and housing. On April 4, 2023, a Places for People caseworker wrote that the woman’s address “is considered a place not meant for habitation. This is due to severe structural issues, mold and rodents.” The caseworker ended her letter by stating that she had partnered with the client “numerous times throughout the past year to address these issues, with no response from her landlord.” The tenant says others who rent from Daugherty have told her they also received SAFHR payments, even though their properties are also condemned. Daugherty “was getting it on everybody,” the woman says of the SAFHR funding. Housing experts interviewed for this story told the RFT that it is highly unlikely that Daugherty could have obtained the SAFHR funds legally, since the housing of people in condemned properties would automatically invalidate any lease or other contract. “I don’t think that could be kosher for the simple fact that already doing that rental agreement is an illegal contract,” says Glenn Burleigh, who, until his recent exit, was a longtime counselor for the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council, or EHOC. “Since it’s already an illegal contract, since nobody should’ve been able to move into that place in the first place,” Burleigh adds, “you shouldn’t be able to request any money on it.” Brian Vollenweider, a spokesman for

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Dara Daugherty’s rooming house operation drew a lawsuit from the city. | SLMPD the Missouri Housing Development Commission, which oversees SAFHR funding, did not return calls seeking comment last week. Keith Mack, a real estate investor who is one of Daugherty’s co-defendants in the city lawsuit, acknowledges fathering three young daughters with Daugherty, but says their romantic relationship ended five years ago, and they no longer do business together. “I’m being railroaded by the city,” Mack says. Mack acknowledges that he helped some of his tenants obtain SAFHR funding, but he declines to say how much. He denies that any of those tenants live in condemned buildings. “I’ve never scammed anybody. I never will scam anybody,” Mack says. “I was raised Beaver Cleaver.” Mack does acknowledge, however, that some of the properties he and Daugherty rented out did not have valid occupancy permits.

“But the properties had running water, electricity,” he says. “She’s got a shit ton of electricity, gas bills and everything. Who cares if the utilities are in her name? She paid the utilities. Most of the people couldn’t even get utilities in their name because they weren’t credit-worthy enough.” Mack directs much of the blame to the city itself. “The city allowed the properties to go the way they were,” Mack says. “The city allowed the electric to be on at the properties, so if they were so uninhabitable, why didn’t the people go somewhere else?” Mack also praises Daugherty’s willingness to take in tenants other landlords wouldn’t touch, such as registered sex offenders. “I don’t like sex offenders,” he says. “But you know what? She had a heart and rented to the sex offenders because the state asked her to. She’s got a soft heart. She’s not the devil that everybody is portraying her to be.” Aloysius Reiter says that he rented from Daugherty from between 2016 and 2019, before the pandemic and pandemic relief entered the public lexicon. But Reiter’s experience with Daugherty, which was not good, speaks to Daugherty’s M.O. when it came to renters on government assistance. Reiter, who is legally blind, says that he received $900 a month in disability payments, a little more than half of which went to rent to Daugherty. At one point, Reiter told Daugherty he’d gotten a job, and his landlord went off on him. “And she seemed furious about that,” Reiter recounts. “She wanted me to be beholden to my disability.” Reiter adds, “Her and that Keith are very manipulative people.” n

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MISSOURILAND

Brunch Time United We Brunch, now sponsored by Sauce Magazine, brought food lovers to City Winery Photos by

ZACHARY LINHARES Words by

SARAH FENSKE

runch is back, baby! The pandemic may have dampened our appetite for the boozy mid-day favorite, but judging the revelers at City Winery on Saturday, January 27, for United We Brunch, that era is decisively over. Now the question is not to brunch or not brunch; the only question is where to do it. Judging by the delicious small plates on offer, from Red Hot Riplets-topped Biscuits and Gravy from Honey Bee’s Biscuit to Tzitzlenickel bagels from Bagel Union, you’ve got plenty of options. And how better to wash it down with than a bloody mary from Little Fox? Attendees voted the acclaimed restaurant in Fox Park as having the Best Bloody Mary, with a concoction featuring Double Star Farms tomato juice, horseradish, citrus, fish sauce and, naturally, gin. If that cocktail doesn’t sound delightful to you, clearly you’ve been out of the brunch game too long. Time to follow the lead of the United We Brunch eventgoers and get crackin’. n

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A C E L E B R AT I O N O F T H E U N I Q U E A N D FA S C I N AT I N G A S P E C T S O F O U R H O M E

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The Ferguson Neglect Missouri landlords cashed in on COVID-19 relief funds, even while failing to provide basic maintenance and upkeep

BY MIKE FITZGERALD

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JANUARY 24-30, 2024

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ine years ago, Ferguson’s Canfield Green Apartments gained international attention as the site where Michael Brown Jr. was killed. But more recently, the complex — now named Pleasant View Gardens Apartments — has become Exhibit A in a different story, this one about federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Aria Legacy Group of Lakewood, New Jersey, bought the complex of 414 apartments in April 2021. Big changes soon followed. That August, the U.S. Supreme Court ended the federal COVID-19 eviction moratorium. A few weeks later, the new owners began taping notices to the doors of 80 tenants, informing them they had just three days to move out. The eviction notices touched off a scramble among Ferguson city officials and nonprofit groups to keep roofs over tenants’ heads. While that crisis was eventually averted, Aria Legacy Group wound up filing 265 eviction cases between September 2021 and the autumn of 2023, St. Louis County court records show. Yet those actions did not prevent the owners from raking in big money through a state-controlled, federally funded $600 million COVID-19 relief program called State Assistance For Housing Relief, or SAFHR. SAFHR provided financial aid for rent and utilities to tenants hurt financially by the pandemic. The Missouri Housing Development Commission, which oversaw SAFHR, estimates the program prevented the evictions of at least 86,000 Missourians.

In most cases, SAFHR funds to help tenants went directly to landlords. Aria Legacy Group, through its Pleasant View subsidiary, received $1,140,065 in SAFHR funding — making it No. 5 on the list of top 10 SAFHR recipients, according to Missouri Housing Development Commission records. Larresha Henderson was on the SAFHR program until it ran out in January. She can’t believe Pleasant View Gardens received $1.1 million in federal tax dollars through SAFHR because none of it — at least from what she can tell — was put back into the apartment complex. “Nobody came to fix anything,” she recalls, citing a clogged sink and a hallway light that’s remained broken for months. “There was a lot of stuff going on there that didn’t add up,” she says. “Where’d the money go?”

Free Money

The idea that a landlord could get federal funds to house tenants and then not only do nothing to improve living conditions, but also

soon file to evict those tenants, may seem appalling. But it was all legal under Missouri’s administration of the SAFHR program. As the River City Journalism Fund previously reported, four of the St. Louis area’s five biggest evictors received significant SAFHR funds from the state. Nothing in the rules barred them from kicking tenants out or even using assembly-line-style tactics to do so. That was true even during the supposed eviction “moratorium,” which applied only to tenants who could show they were harmed directly by the COVID-19 pandemic (either too sick to work or affected by the slowing economy). Unlike Minnesota and other states, Missouri never imposed a statewide eviction ban. And after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the eviction freeze in August 2021, the pace of evictions only accelerated. The River City Journalism Fund has continued to press the state for more records from the SAFHR program, using the state’s Sunshine Law to request lists, respectively, of the top 10 SAFHR funding recipients and the top 100 SAFHR funding recipients, broken out by name, address and ZIP code. Those records revealed that, technically, three of the top 10 overall SAFHR recipients were utilities: Spire, which received nearly $3.44 million; and Ameren Energy Assistance, which received almost $3.3 million, both of

This story was commissioned by the River City Journalism Fund.

St. Louis; and Evergy, an electric utility based in Kansas City, which received $2.75 million, commission records show. Those companies did not apply directly for SAFHR funds, nor did they receive them directly from the government. Instead, as Spire’s spokesman Jason Merrill explains, “Local community agencies enter into agreements with the government to qualify people for the assistance, and those agencies then pledge dollars toward the customers’ utility bill, following up by sending in a payment on behalf of the customer.” Ameren’s spokesman issued a similar statement. If you take the utilities out, nine of the top ten recipients of SAFHR funds are privately owned property managers or landlords located in St. Louis County or the City of St. Louis. The tenth is located in St. Charles County, commission records show (see sidebar, “The Top 20 SAFHR Recipients”). The top housing recipients were St. Louis Leasing Co., which received $1.56 million, and BBW Homes LLC, which received $1.2 million. Both firms are based in St. Louis County and both specialize in handling rentals for singlefamily homes. Pleasant View Gardens — despite now-former owner Aria Legacy Group’s well-documented maintenance problems — is No. 4 on the list of SAFHR recipients. The funds that Aria Legacy Group received for Pleasant View were not the only money the company got through the SAFHR program. Aria received another nearly $417,000 through the sub-

Canfield Green Apartments became nationally known after Michael Brown’s death. Today they’re experiencing different woes. | ZACHARY LINHARES riverfronttimes.com JANUARY 24-30,2024

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sidiary that owns the Fountains at Carondelet in south city, another notorious apartment complex that had for years, under Aria’s control, been the target of complaints about overly aggressive evictions and poor maintenance and repairs. This past June, ArchCity Defenders filed suit against Fountains Apartment Homes LLC, which bought the complex from Aria Legacy four months earlier. The new owners filed 44 rent and possession eviction cases over a five-week span, resulting in 36 eviction judgments, the lawsuit says, while an estimated 200 other residents lived in fear of being unlawfully removed from their homes. Aria Legacy Group’s success at attracting SAFHR funding illustrates one of the biggest flaws with the program: the fact that funds were awarded with almost zero strings attached, including no provisions to ensure that funded properties provided adequate living conditions. Since the program was voluntary, and the idea was to distribute it as quickly as possible, SAFHR’s federal and state supervisors attached hardly any strings, according to Elad Gross, an attorney who works with tenants facing eviction through the St. Louis Mediation Project. “So effectively, I think you saw people handed free money,” says Gross. “And that became a big problem.” The lack of accountability in federal housing programs is an issue that goes beyond SAFHR, Gross says. It’s a problem when landlords are taking money, and “they are not applying it to make sure the area is habitable,” he says, “that they’re not upholding their end of the bargain.” In one appalling example, the RFT recently reported that even a slumlord being sued by the city for running a series of “illegal rooming houses” was able to receive SAFHR funding, despite the fact the units she rented out were in condemned buildings. Brian Vollenweider, an MHDC spokesman, declined to respond directly to criticisms of the program. “The SAFHR program was a federal emergency rental assistance program by U.S. Treasury to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Vollenweider wrote in an email to

Scenes from Pleasant View: dishes moved out of cabinets due to a roach infestation, a leaky sink, a moldy tub, a roach, a toilet standing sentinel over a trash-strewn walkway outside a vacant unit. | ZACHARY LINHARES

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the River City Journalism Fund. “The program was administered according to federal guidelines as determined by the U.S. Treasury including eligible uses and program requirements.”

A Lack of Accountability

A review of MHDC records show that it awarded SAFHR dollars in a way that lopsidedly favored St. Louis-area landlords. In addition to boasting all of the top 10 SAFHR recipients, 65 of the top 100 are located in the St. Louis metro area. This funding disparity became the topic of a Missouri House Appropriations subcommittee hearing in early December on MHDC’s budget for the upcoming year. Representative Ingrid Burnett, D-Kansas City, asked Kip Stetzler, MHDC’s executive director, to explain why St. Louis received so much in SAFHR funding while Kansas City had not. “Can you explain why St. Louis area got ... a disproportionate amount of those funds?” Burnett asked. “It seems like St. Louis got a good majority, if not more.” “If you look at a report and you attempt to determine how much money, how much of this funding went into St. Louis and went into Kansas City by the address of the landlord recipient, it is going to weigh heavily in favor of St. Louis,” Stetzler acknowledged. “Because the landlords live in St. Louis, but the property is somewhere else in the state?” Burnett asked. “Exactly right,” Stetzler said. “That’s exactly right.” But MHDC’s records show that Stetzler’s explanation is not true. SAFHR funds were disbursed according to the location of the apartment complex, not the address of the company that owned it, commission records show. So Pleasant View, for example, is listed in Ferguson even though its owners at the time were based in New Jersey. Stetzler declined to respond to questions about this matter. Vollenweider, the MHDC spokesman, has also declined to answer questions about SAFHR’s geographical disparities. The disparities could perhaps be partly explained in terms of population differences. St. Louis County, with nearly 1 million residents, is the largest Missouri county. Combined with the 300,000 people in the City of St. Louis, the St. Louis region is the largest-population region in

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A stuffed animal stands guard near where Michael Brown was killed in 2014. | ZACHARY LINHARES the entire state, comprising more than 20 percent of the total. In contrast, Jackson County, where Kansas City is located, has only 700,000 residents. Even so, Glenn Burleigh, a housing specialist with the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council, calls the distribution of SAFHR funds “odd.” He attributes the pattern at least in part to St. Louis County setting up “a pipeline they sort of worked out with landlords to expedite filing on some things.” Kennard Williams, the organizing manager for Action St. Louis, one of the region’s leading tenant rights groups, says some of St. Louis landlords’ success getting funds from the program could be

credited to door-to-door outreach conducted by his group in apartment complexes where large numbers of people faced eviction. “We were doing outreach to the doors of people getting evicted,” Williams says. “So we followed up. And we were like, ‘Did you get rental assistance?’ And a large number of people did not.” As for Gross, he blames the geographic disparities on the fact that SAFHR funding decisions were not part of a centralized process and did not feature a uniform navigation system to help tenants apply for help. Even though SAFHR money went to the landlords, tenants were responsible for starting the process by filling out online applications and providing sup-

porting documents, such as lease agreements. “Each region was essentially dependent on whatever individual nonprofits signed up,” Gross says. “You may have, as a result of that setup, have different geographical results than you would expect.” Nonetheless, a big flaw in the SAFHR program was the lack of accountability in 2020 and 2021, at the height of the pandemic, according to Williams. “And the way they did it,” Williams says, “it left room for super discriminatory practices that were not investigated or followed up on because everybody was facing eviction at that point. And that’s what they were focused on.” Burnett said after the hearing that she doesn’t believe that Stetzler gave the whole story about SAFHR funding. “I don’t think we’re going to get a straight answer,” Burnett said. “I don’t know that there was an accountability structure in place that went to the end use. … From their perspective, they’re done at their end. They’re not responsible for the rest.” For Missouri Representative Bill Owen, R-Springfield, the disparity in access to high-speed Internet helps explain why SAFHR recipients in urban areas like St. Louis fared better than rural Missouri landlords and tenants. “Let’s face it, when you’re having to [fill out SAFHR applications] on the internet, you basically ruled out a big chunk of outstate

MO’s Top 20 SAFHR Recipients (not including utility companies) 1. St. Louis Leasing Co. $1,566,287 St. Louis 63146

11. Camco St. Louis LLC $816,129 St. Louis 63101

2. BBW Homes LLC $1,230,448 St. Louis 63131

12. Hometown Management Group LLC $801,744 Sullivan 63080

3. Lucas Hunt Village Assoc LP $1,152,023 Chesterfield 63121

13. Beyond Housing Inc $702,495 Pine Lawn 63121

4. Meramec Enterprise Holdings II LLC $1,169,042 St. Louis 63135

14. The Hamlet Group LLC $689,134 Cape Girardeau 63701

5. Pleasant View Gardens, LLC, $1,140,066 St. Louis 63136

15. Arcade Apartments $658,654 St. Louis 63101

6. Ultimate Realty, LLC $1,063,123 St. Charles 63303

16. Grandview Garden Apartments $642,367 Florissant 63033

7. Spanish Cove Apartments $985,205 St. Louis 63138

17. The Groves Apartments & Townhomes $628,491 Florissant 63033

8. Northpointe LLC DBA Crossing at Northpointe

18. Frontier Property Management LLC $563,485 New Bloomfield 65063

$975,259 Florissant 63033 9. Deca Property Management LLC $962,489 St. Louis 63123 10. Mills Cityview LLC $829,626 St. Louis 63144

19 Oxford Hills Gardens LP $560,714 St. Louis 63146 20. MGC Leasing & Property Management LLC $533,055 Lee’s Summit 64063

Source: The Missouri Housing Development Commission, obtained via Sunshine request

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Missouri,” Owen says. “Because there’s no internet service.” Another big problem with SAFHR was a lack of flexibility, Owen says. Owen recalls the plight of a disabled woman who lives in a duplex apartment that he owns. The woman suffered from severe health issues and was confined to a Stryker bed, Owen says. Owen says he tried to help the woman apply for a SAFHR grant, but hit a wall when he called the MHDC help line to try to ask how to submit requested documents. Owen asked if he could fax the documents. “We don’t have a fax,” came the reply. “Do you have someone who can go out to her residence and take the application in person?” “No, we don’t have that,” came the reply. “But she can come down to one of our affiliates.” “I go, ‘She’s in a frickin’ Stryker bed,’” Owens recalls. Owen says he believes state leaders should convene a meeting regarding the future of emergency housing aid, with the aim of discussing, in his words, “Who is it that we’re trying to serve here, and what are their needs, and what do we need to make arrangements for to make sure these people can access this program?” Next, Owen says, state leaders should figure out how to make sure the distribution of programs like SAFHR are “spread out through the state and just aren’t allowed to be concentrated in Kansas City and St. Louis.”

“We Just Can’t Up and Move”

Even before Michael Brown’s death put what is now Pleasant View Gardens in the national spotlight, repairs and upkeep at the complex had been a problem. But both went noticeably downhill during Aria’s two years of ownership, according to tenants. Back in 2021, Aria Managing Principal Joseph Novoseller had told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch his company had intended to invest $2 million into the apartment complex, with plans to rehab up to 150 units and to spend “hundreds of thousands of dollars” on new roofs. Those ambitious plans, however, never came to fruition over the next two years, as even the most basic work orders were met with silence. Gary Jones, 62, has lived in a Pleasant View ground floor apartment for the past 13 years. He suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart

Gary Jones says his health has been affected by mold in a neighboring unit. | ZACHARY LINHARES problems. Jones says his health problems have only gotten worse in recent years, and he blames the vacant apartment next door, which is marred by standing water and what appears to be black mold, while a foul sewer stench is impossible to escape. “They won’t clean it up and they won’t do nothing,” Jones says. Angelene Morgan, who lives with Jones, cites water leaks from their apartment tub and underneath the bathroom sink, as well as mold around parts of the floor and ceiling. “She goes to the office to put in work orders,” Jones says of Morgan, “and it’s like in one ear and out the other.” With monthly rent set to rise to more than $700, Jones and Morgan would like a healthier place to live. “But we just can’t up and move,” he says. “We need money to move. The first and last month’s rent. We need help moving. We don’t drive.” Yet despite those poor living conditions, Pleasant View’s owners have been quick to file evictions. Among those it sought to remove from the complex was Henderson, who was approved for

SAFHR funds to subsidize her $640 monthly rent and was on the program until it ran out last January. Many tenants have told the River City Journalism Fund that they were confused by program rules and encountered problems complying with the application process, which some struggled to navigate on their cell phones. Once approved, they had a hard time keeping track of what the program paid for and what they were still obligated to pay as part of their lease agreements, according to tenants. That was the case for Henderson as well. She admits to being confused by the program and says she believes she was forced to overpay her rent. In September 2023, Pleasant View filed an eviction notice against Henderson seeking $1,700 in unpaid rent and other fees. They dismissed the case nearly two months later, St. Louis County court records show. Many of her neighbors weren’t so lucky. By the time Aria Legacy Group sold the apartment complex to a new owner in August 2023, at least 190 of 414 units were vacant —- the result of aggressive eviction tactics and poor maintenance that

forced many tenants to leave. (Novoseller, Aria’s managing principal, defended his company’s stewardship of the apartment complex during its two years of ownership. “I think the property was maintained very well when we owned it,” he said. “We fixed any issues that came up.”) But Gerard Gips says a new day is dawning for Pleasant View Gardens’ beleaguered tenants. Gips is the regional manager of 2974 Coppercreek Road LLC, the New Jerseybased firm that bought the complex in August. He promises to turn the apartment complex around as part of a massive renovation worth at least several million dollars. Plans call for the installation of new floors, toilets, countertops, water heaters, kitchen appliances and other amenities. As many as eight crews at a time are rehabbing the complex, according to Gips. “We’re pumping in our own equity,” Gips says. “Our goal is really to make it a safer and more enjoyable place for the residents.” Gips declined to comment on Aria Legacy’s management of Pleasant View, but he acknowledges the apartment complex was in rough shape when his company took over in August. “We’ve been essentially turning units that were down-to-the-studs vacant, that were in terrible condition,” he says. Yet maintenance and repair problems still persist, despite the new ownership group’s promises. In December, the apartment complex’s owners replaced a toilet in Gary Jones’ ground floor apartment. One month later, the stench from the vacant apartment next door continues to permeate their apartment, while nothing’s been done about the bathroom sink that’s been leaking for more than a month, Turner says. “They haven’t done nothing except come in and put that toilet in,” he says. “That was it.” Work crews have tried to fix the standing water and stench problem in the apartment, says Gips. “It may have returned,” Gips said to a reporter a month after their initial conversation in early December. “At one point after our conversation it was definitely handled.” Gips says up to 20 workers a day are trying to repair things at Pleasant View and are making progress. “But we’re dealing with so many fires to put out.” n For more on the River City Journalism Fund, which provided funding for this story and seeks to advance local journalism in St. Louis, please see rcjf.org.

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CALENDAR

BY RIVERFRONT TIMES STAFF

THURSDAY 02/01 A Night to Remember Before he was Kenough and before she played a cop opposite Colin Farrell in a lackluster season of True Detective, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams gave us The Notebook, a love story that you’d have to be demented to forget. The flick tells the tale of young couple Noah and Allie Calhoun and their efforts to find their way back to one another, and in the years since its release, it has topped numerous lists of the most romantic films of all time. So what better way to kick off February, month of Valentine’s Day, than with dinner and a movie screening of the 2004 classic? Grab your partner this Thursday, February 1, and head on down to Das Bevo (4749 Gravois) for a night you’ll remember forever. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7. Dinner and cocktails will be on offer, and tickets are just $5 each. Pick them up at square.link/u/8CykEzKC.

FRIDAY 02/02 Orange You Glad If you’ve ever been to the Pulitzer Arts Foundation (3716 Washington Avenue), you’ve no doubt noticed that at least one piece of art in the non-collecting museum never changes. That’s Blue Black, the Ellsworth Kelly wall sculpture (which you’d be forgiven for thinking is a painting) that hangs against the back wall of the museum, across from the staircase that connects the ground floor to most of the galleries. Impossibly tall, the 50/50 color-block piece was made in 2000 specifically for the Tadao Ando-designed building. Now, the artwork finally has artwork made specifically for it: Sarah Crowner’s Around Orange, consisting of three site-specific panels that pretty up the main-floor wall directly adjacent to Blue Black. Like Kelly’s work, Crowner’s 70-foot-long panels rely on large swaths of bold colors: blue, black, white and a vi-

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Sarah Crowner’s Around Orange is a site-specific piece created to keep Ellsworth Kelly’s Blue Black company at the Pulitzer. | CHARLES BENTON brant orange. The opportunity to stand in the main gallery looking back and forth at the two pieces would be a sad thing to miss, and the experience is all the better with a little extra knowledge. In other words, get yourself to the Sarah Crowner: Around Orange Exhibition Tour led by curator Stephanie Weissberg on Friday, February 2, for one of the last (and arguably best) chances you’ll get to see the work for yourself before the exhibit closes on February 4. The event begins at 5 p.m. and is free. ASL interpretation and other accessibility services are available and can be coordinated through programs@pulitzerarts.org. More info at pulitzerarts.org.

Good Press Wash U’s longest-running cultural show, Black Anthology, is back at Edison Theatre (6465 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton). What began in 1989 as a creative outlet for Black students across campus to showcase prominent Black authors and artists has blossomed into an annual production written, directed, choreographed and produced entirely by undergraduates. Black Anthology explores and celebrates the nuances of

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the Black experience in America through dialogue, dance and music, and this year, Black Anthology presents Pressed. No spoilers for the show, but this year’s community partner, Employment Connection, offers a glimpse at the theme. The full story reveals itself on either Friday, February 2, at 7 p.m. or Saturday, February 3, at 2 or 7 p.m. Arrive 45 minutes before each evening show to also take part in a relevant conversation between community members and cast. Tickets are $16 with fees and are available at boxoffice.wustl.edu. Parking is free in the Danforth University Center garage after 5 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday.

SATURDAY 02/03 The Sweet Spot(s) I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream — for breakfast, that is. This Saturday, February 3, prepare your sprinkles (or whatever topping you prefer) for National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Whether you like vanilla or chocolate, a bowl or a cone, head over to Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery (vari-

The Notebook is widely viewed as one of the most romantic films ever made. | POSTER ART ous locations including 308 North Euclid Avenue), the Fountain on Locust (3037 Locust Street), Ices Plain & Fancy (2256 South 39th Street), Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream (400 Manchester Avenue), Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (389 North Euclid Avenue) or whichever spot happens to be your favorite to celebrate this sweetest of holidays. From 9 a.m. to noon, Clementine’s will have

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1-7

Black Anthology’s production of Pressed is at Edison Theatre this week. | VIA BLACK ANTHOLOGY

Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is just as delicious as it sounds. | VIA FLICKR/RUTH HARTNUP new flavors for the day, including Toasted Nutella Crunch (Nutella ice cream with crunchy bits of club crackers and hazelnut candy), Grapefruit Sorbet (a balance of tart grapefruit and sweet citrus orange blossom water) and Vietnamese Coffee (a robust blend of dark, aromatic coffee swirled with sweetened condensed milk) in addition to their more traditional favorites. Meanwhile, the Fountain on Locust will be serving its fan-favorite ice cream and waffles dish all day, with two deliciously golden Belgian waffles topped with vanilla, whipped cream and a sauce of your choice. Elsewhere, Ices Plain & Fancy will have several nitro ice cream

specials; Serendipity will open early at 8 a.m. with waffle sundaes, Pharaoh’s Donuts ice cream sandwiches and special holiday flavors; and from 9 a.m. to noon, Jeni’s will have Banana French Toast ice cream and the Banoffee L’affogato, which consists of two scoops of the former topped with cold brew. For more on the origins of Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, visit icecreamforbreakfastday.org.

Beads Me How is it already Mardi Gras season? Christmas was barely a month ago. And yet this year’s ridiculously early Easter means that we have

The Purina Pet Parade brings our four-legged friends to Soulard on Saturday. | REUBEN HEMMER no choice but to head to Soulard and celebrate a holiday that literally translates to “Fat Tuesday” over the course of an entire week (and one in which, around these parts at least, Tuesdays generally play little to no role). The excitement kicks off on Saturday, February 3, when all you eager beavers can get up early and Run for Your Beads in a Mardi Gras-themed 5K race through the highly runnable streets of historic Soulard. The race kicks off at 9 a.m., but rest assured this is not your track star’s 5K. For one thing: They serve hurricanes at the “water” stops along the race course. For another: You’re encouraged to sign up at the ad hoc venue titled the Bud Light Party Centre (Ninth Street and Lafayette Avenue). What other race can say that? In-person registration begins the day of the event at 7:30 a.m.; see facebook. com/events/281593504877480 for full details.

Accounting for Taste The Mardi Gras fun continues later at 11 a.m. Saturday with Taste of Soulard, which allows you to sample all the best restaurants in the historic neighborhood before you pee in their alleys during next week’s debauchery. It’s a great way to support an area of the city that puts up with a lot of drunken shenanigans — and also a great way to try some new res-

taurants. Tickets are $35 and buy you one drink voucher and six food vouchers to sample some of Soulard’s finest establishments. You can cash in your vouchers at your own pace (drinking all the way, of course) on Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., though you must redeem a pre-sale ticket at the Soulard Market Plaza (Eighth Street and Lafayette Avenue) before 4 p.m. Saturday to get started. Details online at stlmardigras.org/ events/taste-of-soulard.

Dog Daze Doing most of your tasting on Sunday? Make sure to plan around the event that for many pet lovers is the highlight of Soulard’s entire Mardi Gras shebang: the Purina Pet Parade. The self-proclaimed “world’s largest costumed pet parade” is free to watch all along the route, which wends through the streets of Soulard. You’ll need to get there early for a prime viewing spot, with the joyous walk of pooches and their people beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 4. Register your pet for just $10 at 12th and Allen streets beginning at 10 a.m. Naturally, you’ll want to stay for the Wiener Dog Derby, which is also free for spectators and kicks off at 1:45 p.m. at the Soulard Market. Full details and a parade map to plan your viewing (or avoid it to get your hurricanes on) are at stlmardigras.org/ events. n

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CAFE

The Pub of Evenings Past Dressel’s once helped a homesick Brit feel at home in St. Louis. Now a food critic, she finds its posh new iteration a rare treat Written by

ALEXA BEATTIE Dressel’s Pub 419 North Euclid Avenue, 314-361-1060. Tues.-Thurs. 4-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 12-9 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. (Closed Mon.)

was a thorny, beer-swilling English rose. I had raven hair from a tube, ponged of Chanel No. 19 and flourished best in London weather — cloudy, drizzled, nipped by a mean little wind. I certainly wasn’t ready for a St. Louis summer. After growing up in London and the south of England, I didn’t really know what A/C was or appreciate how hot brick — or I — could get without it. Where I was staying — in my boyfriend’s tumbledown World’s Fair house in the Central West End — the only cool came from a halfarsed, avocado-colored ice box. I never left its side. Unless it was time for my daily burger. We couldn’t go far for it. His ink-blue, bench-seat jalopy could barely make it down the block. So — reluctantly and to the curdling scream of cicadas — we’d walk: six houses east to Kingshighway, across to McPherson, left on Euclid, past Balaban’s and into the blissful Arctic chill of Dressel’s. To be completely honest, when someone told me there was a Welsh restaurant in this midwestern American town (let alone two!) I nearly choked on my humbug. It made no sense to me at all. “So, what? They serve gristly pies? Peas in thin, greasy gravy? Is that what they serve there?!” But sometimes, we receive our messages — our lessons — from unlikely places. And a neighborhood Welsh restaurant in an American city — miles from any-

Dressel’s highlights include beer-battered Norwegian haddock with housemade potato chips and pickles. | MABEL SUEN

Owner Ben Dressel brought back his restaurant last summer after a pandemic reset. | MABEL SUEN where I’d heard of back home — set me straight; it taught my prickly, cynical, slightly plump, 19-year-old self a thing or two about the gastronomic possibility of what I’d assumed was a backwater. And, guess what, it’s still teaching me. Three decades later, after a three-year, post-COVID rethink, Dressel’s reopened last summer,

and that old haunt is new again. It has fresh things to tell. And not just about food and drink. Once snug and pubby, the new space feels mod and roomy, in line with current trends. And to a large degree, owner Ben Dressel has been thoughtful with his upgrades, considering the beauty potential of repurposed materials and working with existing trap-

pings to creative ends. In addition to the framed literati of yore, the walls are now hung with panels from the old bench seats, and the glossy new bar is cobbled from the old floorboards. (The tipsy ghosts who once walked these floors now get to dance on its tables.) “What’s old is new again” applies to me as well. I did end up marrying that boyfriend of mine, and after a year in St. Louis, we moved to Washington, D.C. There, for six years, I worked at the Washington Post, writing about restaurants and food for the website. I’ve been living in St. Louis for a while now, working as a freelance writer, but it’s only this month that I’m assuming the role of food critic and full-time food writer for the Riverfront Times and Sauce Magazine, and seeing my old haunt with fresh eyes. And so: the new Dressel’s. If I had a water pistol to my temple, I probably couldn’t say succinctly what a Welsh rarebit is. I might have a picture of it in mind — a pale, gluey goo dribbling over a bit of bread. But that would be my baggage. So: Teach me, Dressel’s! I thought as I entered this Dressel’s

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Dressel’s grilled chicken sandwich features an ancho-lime marinated chicken breast, pepper jack cheese, avocado, bacon and chipotle aioli on Union Loafers brioche. | MABEL SUEN

Dressel’s pretzel, shown with the Welsh rarebit, is justly legendary. | MABEL SUEN

DRESSEL’S PUB Continued from pg 23

and cast an eye, as I always did, to the north wall for Dylan Thomas. He wasn’t there; he’s now back by the toilets, loving the proximity to the gleaming drums which sit below ground and soon will be brewing beer — gutsy Britishstyle ales and lagers. His favorite. The Wiki definition of rarebit is “cheese sauce on toast” (say less!) and it’s linked to something called caws pobi which was “baked cheese” enjoyed in Wales in the 1500s. (FYI, it’s also related, somehow, to rabbits and an intriguing American dish called Hot Brown. I didn’t read on.) At Dressel’s, it simply refers to some sauce that comes in a cup either with Bavarian-style chips (Chips & Bit) or a big pretzel. Certainly get the pretzel. It may remind you of the best pull-apart dinner roll you’ve ever had. Buttery and tender with just the right amount of chew (and sprinkled — not dumped — with salt), it’s hard to match. The sauce is nice, not a thousand miles from Cheez Whiz, and definitely much better as a thing to be dipped into rather than slathered over. There’s mustard in it and maybe some Worcestershire, but a tiny tang of something like beer would have helped it down from the supermarket shelf. Of course we also ordered the fish and chips, even though the haddock wasn’t from the chilly waters sloshing around the U.K. but the chillier waters of Norway. Perhaps those seas are what account for this blisteringly clean, snowy flesh. Or maybe it’s the preparation — the right oil, the right heat and someone’s deft hand with the fry basket to yield batter that is delicately crisp, not

RIVERFRONT TIMES

The bar at Dressel’s has a snazzy new look, but its surroundings evoke the old Dressel’s (brick walls, portraits of literary legends). | MABEL SUEN too oily. But in a departure from its cultural heritage — its beginnings in some Llandudno chippy — this fish dish is tidy-looking, gourmet. For one thing, it comes on a plate (not bandaged in greasy paper), but — oh, darn — there’s no pickled egg. Dressel’s offers other delights, though. It’s true, we Brits are nuts for jam. Not only on toast, in cookies and cakes, or rolled in pastry and served with custard. But we like it with our meat. It’s technically a “chutney” then, and we have the Indians to thank. It was their genius, back in the late 1800s, for pairing sweet, pickley “compotes” with savory foodstuffs and giving us colonialists

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the daring to branch our culinary know-how beyond porridge. We’ve been lashing Smucker’s over our chops ever since. And so I hardly have to tell you I was beyond giddy to find a lamb burger (still) on the menu. And bonkers at the mention of apricot chutney and whipped goat cheese atop it. Tender and farmyardy, and sweetly/jammily zinged, it is — in my opinionated, British-person opinion — beyond sublime. We had some good old American food for supper, as well: The grilled chicken sandwich wellmeaningly conceived with pepper jack, avocado and bacon; and a flat heap of Mojo Street Fries. Lavished with tender-as-the-

night mojo-braised pork, a blend of cheeses and lime crema, they were soggy beyond our wildest dreams. We wished those silvery drums were pumping. We wished it was two in the morning and we were back “there” again — three decades back, last-ordering some chips to go, and stumbling in beer goggles for home. I’m glad to be here. Send tips and feedback to Alexa Beattie at abeattie@riverfronttimes.com.

Dressel’s Pub Dressel’s pretzel ��$12 Lamb burger ��$18 Beer-battered haddock ��$22

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SHORT ORDERS

[FIRST LOOK]

Tea for 2 (or 12) in TGE Chimera Teas is popping in the old Kitchen House Coffee spot Written by

JESSICA ROGEN

hen Brianna Velarde decided to open a tea shop, one big thing she was hoping to create was a little extra community in Tower Grove East. That seemed especially important because when she’d moved in about two and a half years ago, two juggernauts in nearby Tower Grove South — VP Square and the London Tea Room — had recently left. “I was missing some tea, so I decided to bring it back,” she says. “That’s kind of my goal here, bring tea back to the neighborhood.” Walking into Chimera Teas (3149 Shenandoah Avenue, chimerateas.com) mid-morning on a recent Saturday, it’s abundantly clear that Velarde has done that — and then some. The small tea shop, which takes over the storefront vacated by longtime neighborhood favorite Kitchen House Coffee, is hopping. Every table is taken, and a small crowd stands sipping tea or noshing on pastries while leaning against walls or standing in odd corners. The minute a person stands up from a table, there’s someone else at their elbow setting down a cup. In front of the pastry case/register area, there’s a swiftly moving line. It’s a bit loud, especially for a tea shop. That’s thanks to the duo playing on an elevated stage set against Chimera’s front window, but also the constant low-level hum of conversations, which goes to show how much the shop has established itself in the neighborhood since first opening late last year. “When we first opened up our doors, basically everybody that came in would introduce themselves to me and be like, ‘Oh, I

Chimera Teas is now open in the former Kitchen House Coffee space in Tower Grove East. | ZACHARY LINHARES

Brianna Velarde creates community with Chimera Teas. | ZACHARY LINHARES live two blocks down.’ Or, ‘I was walking my dog, and I saw you guys were open,’” she says. “At this point, at least half of our traffic is neighborhood traffic. There’s people that come in every week.” Velarde was inspired to create this kind of neighborhood institution tea shop during the pandemic. Working from home at a job she enjoyed, she couldn’t help but think about how she didn’t know her neighbors. She didn’t want to meet people at bars and thought a coffee shop or tea shop was a better option. Velarde combined that thought with a passion for sustainability, which can be seen in Chimera’s plantbased fare (everything is vegan), composting and even the plants around the shop. Chimera first launched last year as a stall in the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market. When Kitchen House Coffee closed in March, Velarde was looking for a brick-and-mortar

Chimera serves a combo of small bites and drinks. | ZACHARY LINHARES

space in the area and was drawn in by its large windows and patio. “It was kind of perfect,” she says. Velarde set about designing the shop to have the perfect vibe, an atmosphere that would “make people relax and loosen up and be more likely to open up and chat.” The result is a welcoming space with furniture that evokes a cozy and slightly eclectic living room. It’s the perfect place to sip on Chimera’s selection of ethically sourced teas, which come from China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, various countries in Africa and beyond. “I want, from our source to our store, to be part of the solution,” she says. In addition to hot teas, Chimera serves iced tea, bubble tea, coffees (with beans from Blueprint) and a wide selection of lattes that includes offerings such as a Thai tea latte (spices, vanilla, coconut milk) and a golden milk (turmeric, spice concentrate, maple syrup).

Food at Chimera is mostly bakery items, small plates such as avocado toast, steamed buns in a variety of flavors both expected (mapo tofu) and not (ancho jackfruit) and occasional specials. Velarde is planning on building in additional food items over time. In other words, Chimera has something for everyone and, Velarde believes, a tea for everyone, even if you don’t think you like tea. “Any tea can be bitter if you brew it too hot or too long. You’ve got to be careful with it. It’s a delicate, delicate leaf,” she says. “What I love about being a tea shop and trying all these teas that I’ve sourced is finding the nuance of flavors, the complexity of flavors, like those small notes that come out when you brew something well.” n Additional reporting by Zachary Linhares.

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RIVERFRONT TIMES

[FIRST LOOK]

Slice of Heaven Hot Pizza Cold Beer opens Friday in downtown St. Louis Written by

LAUREN HEALEY This story was originally published in Sauce Magazine.

owntown St. Louis will soon have a new spot to grab a slice and a pint. Hot Pizza Cold Beer is slated to open on Friday, February 2, at 610 Washington Avenue in the Mercantile Exchange building in the former home of Pi Pizzeria. From the team behind iconic St. Louis restaurants such as Sugarfire Smoke House and Hi-Pointe Drive-In, the new concept will be the group’s first pizza-centric restaurant. “We love pizza, and we’ve pretty much covered everything else,” says co-owner Mike Johnson, who has a hand in roughly 30 restaurants total. “There’s not a lot of pizza downtown, but we love downtown and we do great great business here — we crush at Sug-

arfire. It’s important for our region to have a strong downtown, and there are empty restaurants everywhere, but we think downtown is making a comeback.” Executive chef and co-owner Dave Molina will spearhead the culinary operations at the restaurant, while co-owner Charlie Downs handles the business side of things. The restaurant will primarily offer East Coast-style pizza thanks to the guidance of New Jersey native Anthony Franciosi, who owns Franciosi Brothers Pizza in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. “East Coast-style is a thin crust but not as thin as St. Louis-style,” Johnson says. “We have an incredible old Italian recipe that uses fresh yeast made daily here, and we use top-quality ingredients: San Marzano tomatoes, high-end cheese and pepperoni.” In addition to a variety of pizzas, the food menu includes appetizers such as wings, garlic-cheese bread, spinach and artichoke dip, and baked goat cheese with marinara, plus a couple salads. Look for fun twists on throwbacks such as pizza rolls and SpaghettiO’s. For dessert, don’t miss the s’mores pizza. Beverage director Robbie Hayden conceptualized the drink menu, which includes 24 beers on tap from local breweries including 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Urban Chestnut Brewing Co., along with popular domestics. Guests can also expect a selection of craft cocktails, including classics like oldfashioneds, negronis and espresso martinis, plus a few cocktails on burgers have to offer: flavorful patties that embrace the form’s naturally soft texture, toppings that are stars in their own right and buns that tie everything together. Here are the five best we found.

THE RFT’S

VEGGIE BURGER PICKS BY JESSICA ROGEN Put down that fake meat burger. St. Louis has impossibly better veggie burgers that excel far beyond any corporate-engineered beef imitation. Made from actual vegetables and grains, these local creations celebrate the best of what veggie

RIVERFRONT TIMES

MoKaBe’s Coffeehouse South Grand juggernaut MoKaBe’s Coffeehouse (3606 Arsenal Street, mokabescoffeehouse.com) goes with the flow with the Triple B. The savory, spiced black bean patty is thin with great texture, and the toppings have a south-of-the-border theme: housemade guacamole and pepperjack cheese offer indulgence, while salsa and fresh red onions brighten the affair. The fluffy Kaiser roll it’s served on doesn’t taste of the Southwest, but it effectively conveys all the tasty components. Salt + Smoke You wouldn’t expect the sole vegetarian offering at a barbecue restaurant to be a standout in its own right, but the falafel burger at Salt + Smoke (multiple

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Hot Pizza Cold Beer comes from the team behind Sugarfire and Hi-Pointe. | LAUREN HEALEY

Hot Pizza Cold Beer will serve pizza, appetizers, desserts and more. | LAUREN HEALEY draft like sangria and margaritas. The 3,000-square-foot space is bright and airy with seating for about 110 guests, including 24 at the double-sided bar, and is decked

out in ’80s-themed décor and a few arcade games. n

locations including 5625 Hampton Avenue, saltandsmokebbq.com) is just that. The chickpea-based patty is verdant with herbs and evokes the center of a great falafel ball. What really makes it, though, is the contrast between the soft burger, the crunch of the griddled bun and the unexpected sweet pepper jelly schmear on top.

mushy, the BBQ Smoked Beet & Black Bean Burger at Seedz Cafe (6344 South Rosebury Avenue, Clayton; seedzcafe.com) delivers a more substantial and drier texture than most, with a great exterior crunch that comes from the bean-and-grain composition piled several inches thick; it’s a big boy. All of Seedz’s sauces are top notch, and the burger’s hearty barbecue melds delightfully with cashew cheese and avocado.

SweetArt There’s no veggie burger more celebrated in town than the Sweet Burger at SweetArt (2203 South 39th Street, sweetartstl.com), but to us the Make It Funky is where it’s at. This amped-up version takes everything great about the original (the chunky vegetable and bean patty that stands up to the substantial bun, that otherworldly vegan magic sauce) and turns things up to 11 with a coconutbased “bacon” (not bacon, but delicious like bacon), perfectly sweet caramelized onions and barbecue sauce. Seedz Cafe While most veggie burgers are a bit

Hot Pizza Cold Beer will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Station No. 3 Few veggie burgers evoke the joys of chowing down at a favorite burger joint. The Station Burger at Station No. 3 (1956 Utah Street, station3stl.com) proves it’s possible. It’s impossible to discern the burger’s ingredients, but the smashburger-style patty is slightly crumbly and powerfully flavorful. It’s topped with a vegan cheddar that melts as well as a slice of American. Pickles and jalapeños add contrast and the large, fluffy bun is an essential part of the better-than-fast-food experience.

[FOOD NEWS]

Cursed Bikes & Coffee to Close Owner Jeff Gerhardt wants to devote more time to A&M Cyclery, the historic Tower Grove South bike shop he bought in 2021 Written by

JESSICA ROGEN

eloved University City coffeehouse and bike shop Cursed Bikes & Coffee (7401 Pershing Avenue, University City) is soon to be no more. The business announced last week on Facebook and Square that Sunday, February 4, would be its last day in business. “For the past six and a half years it has been our pleasure to pro-

[FOOD NEWS]

Black Power Group to Open Pie Store Uhuru Foods & Pies will sell made-from-scratch pies with profits benefitting the African People’s Education and Defense Fund and Black Star Industries Written by

JESSICA ROGEN

t. Louis’ College Hill neighborhood will soon have a new source for sweet treats. Uhuru Foods & Pies is set to open this summer at 3719 West Florissant Avenue in what used to be Kay’s Kitchen. The Oakland, California, business has an unusual model. It’s part of Black Star Industries, the economic development subsidiary of the African People’s So-

Cursed Bikes & Coffee made it work nearly seven years on a seemingly cursed corner. | SARAH FENSKE vide some of the best coffee in St. Louis as well as bike sales, rentals, and repairs,” reads the post, adding, “It has been our great honor to serve this lovely community at our little corner shop.” Jeff Gerhardt, who owns the shop with his wife Erin, tells the RFT that the closure comes because he’s been stretched too thin cialist Party. Established in 1981, volunteers sell the pies direct to customers and at festivals and farmers’ markets with profits benefiting the African People’s Education and Defense Fund. The pies can also be sold in a variety of natural foods stores and, now, the West Florissant location. “Uhuru Foods & Pies is unique,” said Bakari Olatunji, vice chair, in a statement. “It’s not just great pie and food, which it is, it’s a cause that forwards the right of African people ourselves to determine our own lives and future, control our own land, resources, food, distribution, and means of production.” The pies are made from scratch and include options such as apple crumb, blackberry, chocolate bourbon pecan, lemon chess, pumpkin, pecan and sweet potato; some are vegan. The Oakland location also sells chocolate chip cookies. The new St. Louis spot plans to offer both dine-in and takeout options, and will be represented at farmers’ markets and festivals, which includes a collaboration with One Africa! One Nation! Farmers’ Market. The organizers also hope to open a production facility, cafe and events space, dubbed Uhuru Jiko (“in the kitch-

between running the University City business and A&M Cyclery in Tower Grove South, which he purchased in 2021. “I got both A&M and Cursed, and I got a family, and I’m trying to, just honestly, do too much. What suffered was Cursed,” he says, adding that A&M “has so much potential and so much history. It

just took so much of my focus to try to ensure its success.” Compounding the natural difficulty of running two businesses, the Gerhardts recently moved to Kirkwood after originally living next door to Cursed, and the commute only made things more strained. The decision to close Cursed came to Gerhardt slowly, he says, and was difficult. “This is the first real business I’ve ever done,” he says. (Gerhardt opened Cursed after years at Big Shark Bicycles.) “It was a really, really hard decision. My wife’s been amazing, and she’s backed me up on everything I just wanted to do. But this was just one of those decisions that, even though it’s tough, it needed to be done.” Gerhardt will be keeping A&M Cyclery open, and he still plans to open a cafe side of that business down the road, noting that the location by the park seems ideal for a coffee shop. The news could also have implications for Taco Buddha, which is subletting part of the building from Cursed. “They’re making their own decisions whether or not they want to, or can’t, take it over,” he says. “That’s still up in the air.” n

Uhuru Food & Pies will soon be open on West Florissant. | COURTESY BAKARI OLATUNJI en” in Swahili) at Natural Bridge and Goodfellow down the line. The opening is part of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund’s Black Power Blueprint project, which seeks to transform north St. Louis “by and for the Black community.” Part of that includes purchasing abandoned buildings and restoring them and bringing food options to an area that has few.

This is not the first Black Power Blueprint project completed in the West Florissant corridor. In June, the African People’s Education and Defense Fund had the grand opening for its Black Power Vanguards Community Basketball Court in north St. Louis, and the organization also built a community center at Alice and West Florissant, among others. n

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REEFERFRONT TIMES

[REVIEW]

Purptastic Local Cannabis’ sativa-leaning hybrid Purple #43 packs a powerful punch Written by

AARON CHILDS

n my latest foray into the Missouri recreational market, I had the unique opportunity to explore Purple #43, a creation from the esteemed Local Cannabis. This venture marked my fourth encounter with Local’s offerings, each of which has consistently raised the bar in terms of quality and experience. The intriguing aspect of my journey with Local started with Orange #43, a key forebear to Purple #43. Their intertwined lineage is why they share the number 43. Purple #43, a sativa-leaning hybrid, is the offspring of the distinguished Orange #43 and Ice Cream Cake. After speaking with Tyler Pugh, Local’s chief operating officer, I learned some details about Purple #43 that really set it apart. Pugh informed me, “Purple #43’s unique blend of terpenes produces a variety of scents, combining notes of citrus, fuel and cream. It’s particularly known for its intense resin and oil production, leading to potent and long-lasting effects. … The experience begins with a burst of energy and then smoothly transitions into a state of serene euphoria. Despite its indica roots, Purple #43 primarily shows sativa-like characteristics.” I came across Purple #43 in the context of the latest Connoisseur Pack, which is citrus-themed. For those unacquainted, the pack is a unique blind-taste-test competition, where patients sample unbranded strains from local producers, and the highest-rated strain wins the championship belt. This approach ensures a purely impartial tasting experience, with strains rated on aroma, flavor, freshness, smoothness and overall effects. Purchased from Greenlight Dispensary in Ferguson for a post-

Purple #43 is stunning, with violet hues, splashes of forest green and a frosty layer of trichomes. | AARON CHILDS tax price of $121.54, the pack included four eighths of various strains, with Purple #43 standing out thanks to its purple hues. The buds themselves were a visual treat — predominantly purple with splashes of forest green, covered in a frosty layer of trichomes that seemed to capture light and attention equally. Upon opening the jar, a unique aroma presented itself, distinctly different from recent strains I’ve encountered. Fitting perfectly with the citrus theme, it offered a tangy, almost sour scent with subtle diesel notes, intriguing and inviting in equal measure. For the inaugural trial, I roped in a friend, and together we braved the cold to light up a joint rolled with about two grams of Purple #43. The flavor mirrored the aroma — a tangy, diesel-infused smoke that was surprisingly

smooth on the draw. Impressively, even a substantial rip didn’t cause either of us to start coughing. My friend, with a lower tolerance, tapped out before we hit the halfway mark — not because of the freezing weather but the potency of the strain. By the time I reached the midpoint, I too felt a profound level of medication, unusual for even my typical solo sessions with a joint, so I knew right away this strain packed a punch. The effects of Purple #43 were a fascinating dance of sativa’s uplifting and indica’s calming qualities. As a sativa-leaning hybrid, it energized my body without overwhelming my mind — a balance I often find elusive in sativa-dominant strains. The mental relaxation coupled with physical alertness was a standout feature, especially appealing to someone like me who generally gravitates

toward indica strains. Terpene-wise, Purple #43 is a powerhouse with a total terpene content of 4.7 percent. Dominated by terpinolene, and supported by myrcene and caryophyllene, it offers a complex yet harmonious flavor profile. Purple #43 is a testament to Local Cannabis’ prowess in creating strains that resonate with both sativa and indica enthusiasts — ultimately, Local triumphed over the competition in the citrus Connoisseur Pack. As an indica aficionado myself, I wholeheartedly recommend Purple #43 for its balanced, enjoyable experience. Once again, Local Cannabis proves its mettle in the competitive cannabis arena, delivering a strain that is not just a winner in contests, but in the hearts of connoisseurs and casual users alike. n

riverfronttimes.com JANUARY 24-30,2024

RIVERFRONT TIMES

CULTURE

[OUTDOORS]

Happy Trails Great Rivers Greenway opened eight new greenways in 2023 — and has big plans for 2024, too Written by

JESSICA ROGEN

hen you’ve had a really great year, the kind of year for the record books, it can be hard to pick a favorite moment. Still, Dallas Adams, communications manager for Great Rivers Greenway, manages to do it. She goes with the opening celebration for the extension of St. Vincent Greenway that connects the existing trail to Trojan Park in Wellston. “This one was just so much fun,” Adams says, describing its rain garden installation, seating area, water fountains for humans and dogs, and more. “We did a parade, so we walked the half-mile extension and ended at Trojan Park … someone was doing a back to school [event]. Someone was shooting a music video. It was a really fun time. There were kids all over the place. We had whistles and ribbons. We had an ice cream truck.” For Great Rivers Greenway, it was a high in a year of highs, one that Adams and others hope will set the organization up for a strong 2024. Last year saw the regional park and trail district open eight new greenways — the most ever in a single year — including the especially notable Pillars of the Valley installation on the Brickline Greenway honoring the now-destroyed historic Black neighborhood Mill Creek Valley. In 2023, the organization also launched its first-ever merchandise effort in Greenway Goods, which sells items in partnership with local vendors such as Ope Outdoors, STL Style and more, with profits benefiting it operations. It also began a program to help partners and volunteers learn how to maintain the greenways once they are built.

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Great Rivers Greenway’s newly opened trails in 2023 included a segment of the Centennial Greenway. | COURTESY PHOTO The organization’s new greenways in 2023 included segments of the Mississippi Greenway, the Centennial Greenway in St. Charles, the Deer Creek Greenway in Brentwood, a bridge over 1-44 on the Meramec Greenway, the extension to Trojan Park in Wellston and the Centennial Greenway in Olivette. “[That] makes us feel really good because it is a reflection of the promises that we’ve made to the people, the reason why they voted for this thing,” Adams says. “We are showing people that we are making great use of their dollars.” Funded by a sales tax in St. Louis city and county, the organization generally aspires to spread out its efforts among the region. Most of last year’s new additions, Adams explains, are greenway segments rather than completely novel trails. Great Rivers Greenway has a master plan for its greenway expansions and is in the process of creating a scorecard for what to prioritize that will be used in conjunction with community feedback. The Brickline Greenway is a bit different. The $245 million project will run all the way from the riverfront to Forest Park, with a con-

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nector jutting off around the Gate District that will run north all the way to Fairground Park. As of late December, the project was already 40 percent funded through a public-private partnership, and Adams says they’ll break ground on the next phase of it early this spring. “We’re connecting so many communities along this 12-mile stretch,” she says. “Something like this is really good for the City of St. Louis, and we don’t have any greenways that connect the heart of the city and downtown to each other. … [Greenways] connect our communities; they help us to explore things and to experience pieces of the region that we otherwise wouldn’t be in. We’re a very car-dependent city. I mean, we’re a car-dependent nation. So greenways give us an opportunity to walk through neighborhoods and [experience] amenities along the way.” Aside from all that, Adams says the project is intended to help reduce traffic violence and bring a safe place to walk and bike to St. Louis residents. Although the Brickline is the project looming largest for many city residents, it’s not the only thing on the horizon for Great

Rivers Greenway this year. The first will be the opening of Chain of Rocks Park, which will launch with a ribbon cutting complete with “food and music and fun” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 14. Located on the Missouri side of the historic bridge, it will include everything from restored natural wetlands and woodlands with trails and picnic areas to art from local artists such as Simiya Sudduth to enhanced security features such as a gated entrance and on-site staff. In addition, Great Rivers will be extending the Maline Greenway from West Florissant Avenue to Bella Fontaine County Park in Ferguson and adding to the Deer Creek Greenway in Brentwood, as well as the St. Vincent Greenway. It is also planning for a brand new St. Charles trail, the Baltic Greenway. The organization is just starting to reach out to local leaders for collaboration. “So a quieter year in terms of opening and splash, but we’re just excited to continue hearing from the community,” Adams says. “We’re excited to bring some new things online, just put our hands in the soil and get to work, so that 2025 will have much more to celebrate.” n

MUSIC

[RAP]

The Bing Bong Theory Rapper BlakeIANA went from posting a track on TikTok to arena shows in the blink of a viral moment Written by

ADAM DAVIDSON

t was less than a year ago that a young rapper who grew up in St. Louis dropped her first single and saw her entire life change. The catchy rap track “Bing Bong” went viral on TikTok and, in a short period of time, labels were circling, rising star rapper Sexyy Red was collaborating with her on a remix and the artist — who calls herself BlakeIANA, a variation on her real first name, Blake — was performing in arenas. BlakeIANA released the track in March 2023 and it quickly blew up on TikTok, earning millions of views. However, it wasn’t until September, when fellow St. Louis native Sexyy Red collaborated on a remix of the track, that BlakeIANA’s career rocketed to the next level almost overnight. “The remix brought another crowd and exposure to the song,” BlakeIANA recalls. “Having Sexyy Red on the song and the fact that we are both from St. Louis is attracting more people. They know Sexyy Red is from St. Louis, and now there’s another girl called BlakeIANA!” BlakeIANA grew up near Union and Lotus avenues (“westside babyy,” she jokes over email). Her answer to the high school question is McCluer North, and before “Bing Bong,” she worked at Foxworth Hair Works off Natural Bridge and Goodfellow, a hair salon owned by her godmother. While the 23-year-old was certain she’d become famous, she thought it would be through modeling. “I never thought I would do music, but I was so in love with music,” she says. “I knew I was going to be big and be some type of entertainer, but rapping? I never

Rapper BlakeIANA, who grew up on St. Louis’ westside, has had quite a year. | COURTESY 300 ENTERTAINMENT thought that!” It all changed when BlakeIANA went to Atlanta for a friend’s birthday and decided to visit the Trap Music Museum. The museum had a recording studio, and she and her cousin were invited to freestyle and record a track. The rest is history. “It made me feel that I wanted to be a rapper,” she says. “I liked the process of making a song and expressing feelings.” She adds, “I was always just around people that did music so it grew on me to be involved in the music industry.” A huge milestone in the young rapper’s career came in November when multi-Grammy Awardwinning producer Murda Beatz announced BlakeIANA as his first signing in partnership with 300 Entertainment. The Canadian producer has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry from Drake to Travis Scott to Nicki Minaj. He saw something special in the St. Louis rapper. He says, “From the moment I saw her on TikTok, I knew she was a star and had star presence.” BlakeIANA recently dropped her first Murda Beatz-produced single, “Gahdamn,” and she describes the recording process as an exciting challenge as she had

to step out of her comfort zone. “I was a free spirit [in the studio] and I came up with the song by just being open. ‘Bing Bong’ was a certain sound, but I’m so used to that now, so I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and try something new and make it easy and fun,” she says. BlakeIANA says she tries not to think too much about her recent success. “I try to allow myself to live in the moment,” she says. “[Sometimes] I think, ‘Damn, this is really happening to me,’ but I try to live in the moment so I can enjoy it more. I don’t want to think about it too much because I can get nervous or it can throw me out. It’s crazy how everything is starting to unravel so fast with only doing music for a year!” One of the highlights of BlakeIANA’s breakout year was getting the opportunity to perform in front of her hometown crowd at the Chaifetz Arena not once, but twice — first during Moneybagg Yo’s show in August and then with Sexyy Red in October. She’s recently performed in various cities across the country with Sexyy Red. She admits that she was “nervous” leading up to these shows. However, she says

performing in St. Louis brought a “different type of comfort” unlike anywhere else. “My city knows our song and they were singing it and there was real crowd engagement,” BlakeIANA says. “I had so much fun, and I appreciate Sexyy Red for bringing me out. That was needed for our city and the city wanted to see it too.” St. Louis is enjoying a hot streak with rappers breaking through, with the likes of Big Boss Vette, Sexyy Red and Smino hailing from the city. BlakeIANA looks to be the next big name, and she hopes to use her fame to shine a spotlight on the city and its culture. “This [success] draws people into wanting to know more about St. Louis,” BlakeIANA says. “That’s where I’m at in my career, I want to expose people to what my city is like because people don’t really know! The last big act was Nelly, then it was Sexyy Red and now it’s me and Big Boss Vette. “I get the chance to show my version of my city and how I grew up. It’s always interesting to know where somebody comes from or why they talk the way they do or why they dress and act in a certain way. Even though we are small, we got stuff going on in St. Louis.” n

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FILM

Jenna Ortega gives Miller’s Girl her all, but it’s not enough. | ZAC POPIK

[REVIEW]

Not Another Teen Temptress Even Jenna Ortega isn’t enough to save Miller’s Girl from a trope that now feels totally icky Written by

CRAIG D. LINDSEY Miller’s Girl Written and directed by Jade Halley Bartlett. Opened January 26.

hen I heard about the new movie Miller’s Girl, my initial reaction was, We’re still making these? The story of a clever, cunning, desirable teenage girl wrapping a middle-aged man around her little finger and sending him down a life-destroying path was a major plot in the 1990s: Poison Ivy, The Crush, Wild Things. Alyssa Milano starred in a bunch of straight-to-video flicks. There was even one in the midaughts, Pretty Persuasion, where Evan Rachel Wood was the manipulative nymphet. Maybe it’s because erotic thrillers have been making a come-

back of sorts (as my colleague Kayla McCulloch summarized in a recent review of May December) that Lionsgate greenlit this tale of forbidden seduction. However, since we’re also living in a time when people know what “grooming” means (and have zero tolerance for anyone who’s caught doing that shit), a movie about a middle-aged man succumbing to a tempestuous teen just may be the wrong thing to drop in theaters — even if the teen is played by the in-demand Jenna Ortega. Yes, the new Wednesday Addams plays the absurdly named Cairo Sweet, a highly intelligent 18-yearold who lives alone in a big mansion (her parents are always away) and longs to be a provocative writer. She finds a mentor in Jonathan Miller (Martin Freeman), her high school English teacher. Dude is immediately won over by this wellread, wise-beyond-her-years youngin’, especially when he finds out she’s been reading the only book he ever published, a collection of short stories. Screenwriter Jade Halley Bartlett (who originally was hired to write the Doctor Strange sequel before she was dismissed) uses her directorial debut to kill two birds with one stone, making both a salacious, Southern-fried hothouse drama and an almost obnoxiously erudite commentary on gender power dynamics. Bartlett has said in interviews that the script started out as a play, and it so shows. The dialogue is Aaron Sorkin-style wordy, while

You know him from the British version of The Office, but here he’s the tortured writer tantalized by a nymphet. | ZAC POPIK many of the scenes, especially between Freeman and Ortega, are staged like a hot-and-bothered version of David Mamet’s sexual harassment study Oleanna. Also, the movie is set in Tennessee (it was really filmed in Georgia, of course), which means that most of the cast talk like they’re cats on a hot tin roof. This includes Miller’s wife (Dagmara Dominczyk), a boozy, foul-mouthed workaholic who’s amused (and slightly turned on) that her husband has a groupie; and Sweet’s BFF (Gideon Adlon, King of the Hill actress Pamela Adlon’s daughter), a “lesbian” who still wants to get deflowered by Miller’s baseball coach buddy (Sherman’s Showcase/South Side co-creator/star Bashir Salahuddin). It’s kinda wild watching Freeman, that sardonic, nebbishy Brit from the original The Office, play a so-called Southern gent who tries (and fails) not to fall for the flirty, feminine wiles of Ortega’s scintillating sociopath. When Sweet writes an insanely filthy, Henry Miller-esque short story, the guy has no choice but to go to his office/shed and rub one out. Yeah, that’s some creepy shit. And although Ortega gives it her all as an adolescent who’s more intelligent than emotionally stable (the tearful, vindictive, one-take dressing-down her character gives Miller after he

rejects her and her short story could very well be the best piece of acting she’s done so far in her young career), the movie doesn’t know whether to make her savvy and self-aware or deranged and straight-up damaged. Even when it oozes with extraness, Miller’s Girl is an erotic thriller that isn’t that erotic or thrilling. Bartlett seems almost too afraid to actually take that leap and make everyone in this awkward-ass yarn slide into the amoral abyss. Miller may be a horny egomaniac and Sweet may be just fucked up in the head, but Bartlett sees them as sad, lonely kindred spirits secretly looking for affection and admiration. To be honest, watching a story of May-December sordidness just feels icky at this point in time. Before I saw this, I caught part two of Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story, the Netflix docuseries about a revered, British celeb who spent most of his career sexually assaulting children, practically going to his grave without being punished for his crimes. Seeing randy, older guys and coquettish, younger girls do the will-they-orwon’t-they dance may have been entertainingly naughty 30 years ago. But in this post-#MeToo era, Miller’s Girl is just another reminder that men will always be ready to risk it all for a pretty young thang. n

riverfronttimes.com JANUARY 24-30,2024

RIVERFRONT TIMES

JANUARY 24-30, 2024

riverfronttimes.com

STAGE

[REVIEW]

THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY

In Style Forever

FRI, FEB 2

BAND OF HORSES

Broadway hit Funny Girl sets the Fabulous Fox aroar during its premiere tour

SAT, FEB 17

SUBTRONICS

Written by

PLUS WOOLI, HEDEX, SAKA, JON CASEY, SKELLYTN

TINA FARMER

THU, FEB 22

Funny Girl

GOODBYE YELLER BRICK ROAD, THE FINAL TOUR

Written by Jule Styne with lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, revised by Harvey Fierstein. Directed by Michael Mayer. Presented by the Fabulous Fox Theatre (527 North Grand Boulevard, fabulousfox.com) through Sunday, February 4. Showtimes vary, and tickets are $25 to $95.

LEWIS BLACK FRI, FEB 23

MUSCADINE BLOODLINE

t. Louis audiences are getting their first look at a well-received recent Broadway show with the current run of Funny Girl. It’s thoroughly compelling and, featuring breakout star Katerina McCrimmon, is absolutely worth your time and attention during this premiere tour. Funny Girl, loosely based on the rise of comedian Fanny Brice and fall of her second husband Nicky Arnstein, is stuffed with a little something for everyone. There’s romance, mystery, criminal behavior, a bevy of great songs, dancing and plenty of humor — all delivered with perfect comedic timing. Though she began performing at vaudeville houses in New York as a tween or teen, Brice became a star when Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. took a chance on her voice and comic brilliance, adding her to his famed Ziegfeld Follies shows. Brice had a great voice, but she was known for wit and poking fun at life’s everyday realities, which has influenced generations of comedians who followed. Offstage, Fanny always had her mother in her corner, but her father was absent. Self-conscious about her often-remarked-upon appearance, she fell prey to a number of men who took advantage of her loyalty and generosity. McCrimmon shines as the comedian, with a gorgeous voice and charm that helps her stand out

PLUS BEN CHAPMAN

SAT, FEB 24 ST. PATRICK’S DAY TOUR 2024

DROPKICK MURPHYS PLUS PENNYWISE

AND THE SCRATCH

MON, FEB 26

THREE DOG NIGHT PLUS CHRIS TRAPPER

FRI, MAR 1

Katerina McCrimmon is Funny Girl’s breakout star. | MATTHEW MURPHY FOR MURPHYMADE in a role made famous by Barbra Streisand. She effortlessly moves through the vocal range, tones and textures the challenging role requires while thoroughly inhabiting her character. McCrimmon is simply delightful in the comic numbers, particularly the lively “Cornet Man,” with a knowing wink to modern audiences that perfectly fits the tone. She’s soulful and vulnerable in “People” and bold and brash in “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” and maintains high energy and quality throughout both acts. Although I went in well aware of the star who came before, I didn’t once feel the nudge to compare McCrimmon to Streisand or the other talented performers recently in the role. Barbara Tirrell is energetic and

engaging as Mrs. Brice and expertly plays off every interaction. Izaiah Montaque Harris is sympathetic and relatable as Eddie Ryan, Walter Coppage is endearing and warm as Ziegfeld, and Leah Platt is genuine as the reliably unflappable Emma. As Arnstein, Stephen Mark Lukas is a smooth, handsome crooner, though his dancing is distractingly not up to par with the cast; perhaps he’s working through an injury? The few stumbles are easily overlooked, however, as the vivacious and stubbornly hopeful musical touches all the right emotional chords, hitting every note with near-flawless precision. Add in plenty of laughs and some memorable tap dancing, and Funny Girl is a hit. n

EXCISION PLUS ATLIENS, RAY VOLPE, ZAYZ, DRINKURWATER

tue, MAR 12

TOWER OF POWER thu, MAR 14 *TWO NIGHTS*

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN PERFORMED BY GARY MULLIN & THE WORKS

SAT, MAR 16 sun, mar 17

riverfronttimes.com JANUARY 24-30,2024

RIVERFRONT TIMES

OUT EVERY NIGHT

ach week, we bring you our picks for the best concerts of the next seven days. To submit your show for consideration, visit https://bit.ly/3bgnwXZ. All events are subject to change, so check with the venue before you head out. Happy showgoing!

TIM ALBERT AND STOVEHANDLE DAN: w/ Randy 7 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565.

[CRITIC’S PICK]

TUESDAY 6

THURSDAY 1

ANDY COCO’S NOLA FUNK AND R&B REVUE: 9 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811. BOB DEBOO QUARTET: 7:30 p.m., $15. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. BUTCH MOORE: 3 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. EASTSIDERS REVIEW: 7 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. THE GASLIGHT SQUARES: 7 p.m., free. Yaqui’s on Cherokee, 2728 Cherokee St, St. Louis, 314-400-7712. JAZZ IS LED: 7:30 p.m., $20-$30. City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158, St. Louis, 314-678-5060.

FRIDAY 2

ADAM GAFFNEY: 4 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. ALEXANDRA KAY: 8:30 p.m., free. Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave, St. Louis, 314-345-9481. BIRDS OF SQUALOR: w/ All That’s Left, Raze the Alarms, Down Periscope, Broken Blind 7:30 p.m., $12. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, 314-289-9050. CALEB MCCARROLL SINGS JONI MITCHELL: 7:30 p.m., $15. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. THE HAMILTON BAND: 9 p.m., free. 1860 Saloon, Game Room & Hardshell Cafe, 1860 S. Ninth St., St. Louis, 314-231-1860. HUNTER PEEBLES: 5 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-224-5521. KINGDOM BROTHERS: 8 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. LAST DANCE - A TOM PETTY TRIBUTE: 6 p.m., $6. The Attic Music Bar, 4247 South Kingshighway Blvd., 2nd Floor, St. Louis, 3143765313. RAILROAD EARTH: 8 p.m., $30. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. SHANE DEVINE: 7 p.m., free. Yaqui’s on Cherokee, 2728 Cherokee St, St. Louis, 314-400-7712. THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY: 8 p.m., $29.50$64.50. The Factory, 17105 N Outer 40 Rd, Chesterfield, 314-423-8500. TAYLOR’S HOUSE PARTY: 8 p.m., $13-$25. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989. TRIPPIN’ BILLES: THE DAVE MATTHEWS TRIBUTE BAND: 8 p.m., $15. Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., St. Louis, 314-588-0505.

SATURDAY 3

BADFISH: A TRIBUTE TO SUBLIME: 8 p.m., $20. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. BEN NORDSTROM AND STEVE NEALE: 7:30 p.m., $30. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. BEN OSBOURNE: 7 p.m., free. Yaqui’s on Cherokee, 2728 Cherokee St, St. Louis, 314-400-7712. BIB: w/ The Mall, Eunix, Volition 8:30 p.m., $12$15. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309. BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY: 8 p.m., $40-$99.99. Pop’s Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720. THE BRASS BAND BLOWOUT: w/ Funky Butt Brass Band, Saint Boogie Brass Band, Red & Black Brass Band 7 p.m., $15-$20. The Golden Record, 2720 Cherokee Street, St. Louis.

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Funky Butt Brass Band. | ERIC NEMENS

The 2024 Brass Band Blowout w/ Funky Butt Brass Band, Saint Boogie Brass Band, Red & Black Brass Band 7 p.m. Saturday, February 3. The Golden Record, 2720 Cherokee Street. $15 to $20. Excited for Mardi Gras season yet? Of course you are. After all, what could be more thrilling than facing down an unwashed horde of drunken St. Louisans reduced intellectually to their basest instincts and lurching through the streets of Soulard in a self-induced stupor, soaking every surface that stands in their way with tepid piss and lukewarm beer such that the two become inexorably intertwined in your mind and olfactory receptors? If that’s your idea of a good time, we’re confident you already know where you need to be next weekend, and we wish you all the best. But for the rest of you, might we point you to this Saturday’s celebrations on Cherokee Street for some earlier, more sophisticated revelry? The city’s hippest neighBRAWSH, SPACE QUAKER, USA VIDEO: 8 p.m., $10. The Heavy Anchor, 5226 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-352-5226. GIPSY SOCIAL AND BLACK MAGIC: 7 p.m., free. Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (KPAC), 210 E Monroe Ave, Kirkwood, 314-759-1455. NATE’S MUDPIE HOOTENANNY: 3 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. PAUL BONN AND THE BLUESMEN: 8 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. A SKY FULL OF STARS - THE DEFINITIVE COLDPLAY TRIBUTE: 8 p.m., $20. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989. SYNOPTIC FREQUENCIES 8: w/ Joseph Allred and Kevin Cheli, Adam Gabbert, Elizabeth Mahood Trio 6 p.m., $10. Saint Louis University-Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA), 3700 W. Pine Mall, St. Louis, 314-977-7170. TR3 FEATURING TIM REYNOLDS: w/ Birddog 7:30 p.m., $30-$40. City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158, St. Louis, 314-678-5060. TREATY OAK REVIVAL: 8 p.m., $23. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. TRIXIE DELIGHT TRIO: 6 p.m., $6. The Attic Music Bar, 4247 South Kingshighway Blvd., 2nd Floor, St. Louis, 314-376-5313.

JANUARY 24-30, 2024

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borhood kicks off its festivities at 4 p.m. with the Mini Mardi Gras Music Crawl, which sees several local artists performing for free at numerous Cherokee Street businesses including the Hop Shop, Fortune Teller Bar, the Whiskey Ring, Earthbound Beer, Yaquis and ‘Ssippi. From there the party moves to the Golden Record for the 2024 Brass Band Blowout, where St. Louis’ finest second-line acts — the Funky Butt Brass Band, the Saint Boogie Brass Band and the Red & Black Brass Band — will join forces on stage to create the horniest group of players the bi-state area has ever seen. It’s sure to be a high-energy hoot of an event — and unlike other Mardi Gras bashes in town this month, the odds that you drop your phone into a port-a-potty before all is said and done are mercifully low. Pre-Game: Eager to get the party started early? Head to Earthbound at noon, when the brewery will be celebrating International Gruit Day with its annual Sahti Fest event. Bring a kuksa cup, and you’ll even get your first pour of the pre-hops, Middle Ages-era ale on the house. —Daniel Hill USA VIDEO ALBUM RELEASE: w/ Space Quaker, Brawsh 8 p.m., $10. The Heavy Anchor, 5226 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-352-5226.

SUNDAY 4

BROKEN JUKEBOX: 9 p.m., $9. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811. CANCERSLUG: w/ Hudai 8 p.m., $15. Red Flag, 3040 Locust Street, St. Louis, 314-289-9050. ERIK BROOKS: 8 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. IRENE ALLEN & FRIENDS: 7 p.m., free. Yaqui’s on Cherokee, 2728 Cherokee St, St. Louis, 314-400-7712. JOHN MCVEY BAND: 3 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. SHEAFOR AND SIMES: 10 a.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-224-5521.

MONDAY 5

NATCHEZ WHISTLE: 8 p.m., free. 1860 Saloon, Game Room & Hardshell Cafe, 1860 S. Ninth St., St. Louis, 314-231-1860. SOULARD BLUES BAND: 9 p.m., $8. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

EAGLES: w/ Steely Dan 7:30 p.m., $145.50$495.50. Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314-241-1888. ETHAN LEINWAND: 7 p.m., free. Yaqui’s on Cherokee, 2728 Cherokee St, St. Louis, 314-400-7712. JOHNNY LIT’S JERRY DUTY: w/ Blake Gardner & The Farmers 7:30 p.m., $18-$22. City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158, St. Louis, 314-678-5060. MAGIC CITY HIPPIES: w/ the Palms, Josh Fudge 7:30 p.m., $27.61. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. NAKED MIKE: 7 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. STEVE BAUER AND MATT RUDOLPH: 9 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

WEDNESDAY 7

DALEY: 7:30 p.m., $35-$55. City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158, St. Louis, 314-678-5060. DREW LANCE: 4 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811. JOE PARK TRIO: 8 p.m., free. Yaqui’s on Cherokee, 2728 Cherokee St, St. Louis, 314-400-7712. JOHN MCVEY BAND: 7 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. LAWRENCE FIELDS TRIO CD RELEASE: 7:30 p.m., $35-$40. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, 314-571-6000. MARGARET & FRIENDS: 3 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. POLISH: w/ Flak, Man With Rope, Socket 7 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309. VOODOO BOB MARLEY: 8:30 p.m., $14. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811.

THIS JUST IN

ANAÏS RENO NIGHT 1: Fri., March 29, 7:30 p.m., $20. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. ANAÏS RENO NIGHT 2: Sat., March 30, 7:30 p.m., $20. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. ANDY COCO, DAVE BLACK & TOM MARTIN: Fri., Feb. 9, 8 p.m., $20. Jack’s Joint, 4652 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314-773-6600. ARTHUR CRITTENDEN + DEANNA SORENSON + SUMMER OSBORNE + DEVON CAHILL: Thu., March 14, 7:30 p.m., $15. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. ATMOSPHERE: Wed., April 10, 8 p.m., $27.50. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. AUBORY BUGG: Sun., April 7, 6 p.m., $15. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. CAITLIN COOK NIGHT 1: Sat., June 1, 7:30 p.m., $25. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. CAITLIN COOK NIGHT 2: Sun., June 2, 7 p.m., $25. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. CEMETERY GATEZ: THE PANTERA TRIBUTE: Sat., April 27, 8 p.m., $15-$30. Pop’s Nightclub, 401 Monsanto Ave., East St. Louis, 618-274-6720. CHICANO BATMAN: Thu., May 2, 8 p.m., $28-$32. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. DALEY: Wed., Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., $35-$55. City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158, St. Louis, 314-678-5060. DENISE THIMES: Sun., Feb. 18, 6 p.m., $30. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745.

DIESEL ISLAND: Fri., March 1, 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-224-5521. DR. ZHIVEGAS: Fri., March 15, 6 p.m., $12. The Attic Music Bar, 4247 South Kingshighway Blvd., 2nd Floor, St. Louis, 314-376-5313. DREW LANCE: Wed., Feb. 7, 4 p.m., free. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314-621-8811. EMMALINE NIGHT 1: Fri., April 5, 7:30 p.m., $25. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. EMMALINE NIGHT 2: Sat., April 6, 7:30 p.m., $25. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. HARD BOP MESSENGERS: Fri., March 15, 7:30 p.m., $15. Thu., March 21, 7:30 p.m., $15. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. THE IAN BUSCHMANN PROJECT: Fri., Feb. 23, 8 p.m., $20. Jack’s Joint, 4652 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314-773-6600. IN FLAMES: Wed., May 22, 7 p.m., $32.50$132.50. The Hawthorn, 2225 Washington Avenue, St. Louis. JEFFREY OSBORNE: Fri., May 10, 7:30 p.m., $42$146.50. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St, St. Louis, 314-499-7600. KITTY STEADMAN: Thu., March 28, 8 p.m., $18. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-4444. LADIES R&B KICKBACK: Sat., June 8, 7 p.m., $48$178. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., St. Louis, 314-977-5000. LAWRENCE: Tue., Oct. 22, 8 p.m., $30. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. LAWRENCE FIELDS TRIO CD RELEASE: Wed., Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., $35-$40. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, 314-571-6000. LEANN SCHUERING: Thu., April 18, 7:30 p.m., $20. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. MARGARET & FRIENDS: Wed., Feb. 7, 3 p.m., $5. Hammerstone’s, 2028 S. 9th St., St. Louis, 314-773-5565. MATT ANDERSEN: Sat., Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., $25. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. MELISSA ERRICO NIGHT 1: Fri., April 26, 7:30 p.m., $30. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. MELISSA ERRICO NIGHT 2: Sat., April 27, 7:30 p.m., $30. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. OLIVIA RODRIGO: Tue., March 12, 7:30 p.m., $20$195.50. Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314-241-1888. POLISH: W/ Flak, Man With Rope, Socket, Wed.,

Bib w/ the Mall, Eunix, Volition

[CRITIC’S PICK]

8:30 p.m. Saturday, February 3. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway. $12 to $15. 314-328-2309. Since getting its start in 2015, Omaha’s Bib has been Nebraska’s chief exporter of furious, frantic hardcore that’s equal parts grimy, delay-damaged filth and hooky, riff-packed infectiousness. The group’s gained a considerable following in the years since it got its start, with a series of releases from venerable Canadian label Deranged Records, which has worked with everyone from Fucked Up to Left for Dead to Siege to Career Suicide, and Maryland tastemaker Pop Wig Records, home of numerous Angel Du$t, Trapped Under Ice and Turnstile releases, among many others. The band’s just-released EP, January 26’s Biblical, is its first with London’s Quality Control HQ label, and it delivers the same in-your-face intensity and churning, demon-summoning breakdowns that fans have come to expect. Saturday’s show should be a good one as Bib has longtime ties to the city, having performed a number of shows here over the years, including a memorable set at the 2016 edition of Pü Fest. First Things First: Opening the show are local favorites the Mall and relative upstarts Volition and Eunix. The latter features guitar work by Chris Eck, who used to be in Bib; its similarly minded brand of evil hardcore made its demo a standout release of 2023. —Daniel Hill Feb. 7, 7 p.m., $10. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway, St. Louis, 314-328-2309. RILEY HOLTZ & THE LOST CAUSE: UNPLUGGED: Thu., Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m., $12. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. ROGER CLYNE AND THE PEACEMAKERS: Thu., April 25, 8 p.m., $27. Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City,

Bib. | FLYER ART

314-727-4444. RUSTON KELLY: Fri., April 5, 8 p.m., $25. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-726-6161. SHANNON AND THE CLAMS: Mon., June 10, 8 p.m., $20-$25. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, 314-498-6989. ST. LOUIS BANJO CLUB JAM: Sat., Feb. 10, noon, free. Evangeline’s, 512 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, 314-367-3644.

STEVE BRAMMEIER: Thu., April 11, 7:30 p.m., $15. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. TERRY JONES ROGERS: Thu., March 28, 7:30 p.m., $20. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. THE YALE WHIFFENPOOFS: Sun., March 24, 7 p.m., $25. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, 314-256-1745. n

riverfronttimes.com JANUARY 24-30,2024

RIVERFRONT TIMES

SAVAGE LOVE

Quickies BY DAN SAVAGE 1. How do you tell the difference between when someone says they love you in a Platonic way and when someone says they love you in a romantic way? Ask a direct question: “That’s nice — but do you mean that platonically or do you mean that passionately? Like, do you just wanna hang out, or do you wanna hang and fuck and hang out some more and fuck some more?” 2. What is the best body-safe material for pegging toys that’s compatible with silicone-based lube? “Normally my top choice for pegging is 100 percent silicone toys, but we usually recommend only using them with water-based lube,” says Searah Deysach, the owner of Chicago’s sex-toy shop Early to Bed. “But silicone-lube-compatible toys like glass, hard plastic and steel are not ideal for pegging with a harness, as they have no flexibility. So, you have two options if you’re wedded to the idea of silicone lube. You can roll an unlubricated condom over your silicone toy to protect it from the lube, or you can do a small patch test of your preferred lube on your silicone toy to see if it affects the surface. But be warned! Some toy warranties are void if you use silicone lube on them!” 3. I have a would-be lover. We’ve talked. We’ve texted. But we haven’t acted on anything. It’s been so long that I’ve had a chance to do anything like this — I spent decades in a sexless marriage — that I’m afraid I don’t know how to do this anymore. And given that I’m in menopause, things don’t quite feel the same in that area. Any tips to get me back in the saddle? I think you would benefit from reading Dr. Jen Gunter’s invaluable book The Menopause Manifesto. Also, I would urge you to explore that area solo — your vulva, your clit, your vagina — before acting on anything with your would-be lover. And by, “explore that area solo,” what I mean is, “masturbate like crazy, using toys and lubes, and discover what feels good and works for you now so you can share that with your wouldbe lover when the time is right.” 4. What does it mean if you straight and

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you gay friend seduces you and you like it that means you gay too right

to a sex club? The two people I did tell ran for the hills. Your thoughts?

could mean you gay or could mean you bi or pan or flex but doesn’t mean you can’t still identify as straight if straight feels like it comes closest to reflecting your usual desires, erotic targets, romantic interests, etc.

People who have casual sex with multiple partners — one at a time or one right after the other in a sex club — are volunteering for herpes. And while I think you should disclose, I can certainly understand why you might hesitate, given the irrational reactions you’ve received from people who should know better.

5. I recently began dating a man who likes choking me as much as I like being choked. A few days after some rough choking, I developed a severe sore throat. Could this have been caused by the choking, or is it a coincidence? Additionally, what are the risks if I let him choke until I pass out for a second? The risk for you: not waking up. The risk for him: going to prison. Look, choking is dangerous and choking “play” should only involve simulated or symbolic choking. The kind of throttling that leaves you with a sore throat days later — to say nothing of being choked out — is extremely dangerous. Please stop. 6. Young couple with two kids, married five years, now talking divorce. Will opening up the marriage help? If opening up the marriage is the only other option on the table — if it’s open or over — then opening up the marriage is obviously the better choice. But if opening up the marriage doesn’t resolve a key conflict in the marriage (say one person is done with sex and the other person isn’t), divorce is probably inevitable. 7. I’m getting mixed signals from someone who runs hot and cold, and I don’t know how to interpret some of the things he does. He used to want sex all the time; now he doesn’t as much. He doesn’t initiate much, save for hugs. How do I get him to be clear about whether he wants to be with me or cut me loose? Cutting him loose yourself will make something clear to him — namely, that you’re not thrilled with the trajectory of the relationship — and his reaction to being cut loose will provide you with the clarity you need from him. 8. I’m in a sexless but otherwise wonderful marriage. Hubby knows about and supports my outside sex life. Recently, to my dismay, I contracted herpes. What are your thoughts about my obligation to tell potential sex partners? Most of them won’t wear condoms. Does your answer change if I’m on meds? Does your answer change if I’m with one person as opposed

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9. My boyfriend comes in me frequently, but I’m not concerned about that. I have an IUD. However, I love to cum before and after penetration, and he will not finger me after he comes in me, fearing he will “push the sperm in deeper” and increase my chances of pregnancy. Can you help clear this up for us? I don’t think your boyfriend is actually worried about your IUD failing — IUDs have very low failure rates (you could’ve Googled that yourself) — I think your boyfriend, like many men, not only rapidly loses interest in sex after he comes, he’s a little grossed out by the same fluids and activities that were turning him on immediately before he came. Maybe instead of asking him to put his fingers back inside you, you could ask him to use a toy on you instead. 10. MM spanking. I want it. I know other boys are getting it, as I see their pics and videos all over Twitter. Why can’t I find it? “There’s a great app geared toward the MM spanking scene called Whappz that I’ve had some luck with,” says the Spanking Boy, a gay spanking enthusiast who’s had more luck finding play partners than you and posts the proof on Instagram. “But I’ve personally had a lot of luck just using Grindr and with the ‘spanking’ tag, a hot profile pic and a bio that’s straightforward about what I’m looking for. A lot of men are into spanking and don’t even realize it — so, you just have to bring it up and see where it goes. With spanking and other kinks, it helps to be direct with what you’re looking for. And when I’m lucky enough to be talking to a real dad, I’ll say something like, ‘So, as a dad, do you think I deserve a spanking for showing off my bare bottom on Grindr and Twitter?’ The answer is almost always yes.” 11. What do you search for when looking for domination and submission? Take Spanking Boy’s advice and ask for what you want. If you’re a gay or bi man

seeking D/s play, get on Recon. If you’re straight or bi woman seeking D/s play, get on Fetlife or Feeld. But you can be out and kinky on “normal” dating apps, too, and being honest and direct with people you meet offline is a good strategy. (Remember: the people you meet in normie spaces assume you’re vanilla … and you’re not. They might not be either.) 12. I’m a gay male, and I’ve been with my husband for 35 years. The sex has stopped. He has Crohn’s disease and feels a bit — to say the least — uncomfortable stopping sex to go take a shit in the middle of sex. I’m OK with it, but he uses it as an excuse to avoid it. Maybe I need to look outside our “love nest” for sex? You’re old like me, Dan. What would you do? If my partner wasn’t feeling up for butt stuff — especially if there was an underlying medical issue that made butt stuff impossible and/or uncomfortable and/or depressing — I would pivot to oral or mutual masturbation or an artfully deployed toy. He may not be able to get fucked right now or anymore, but he might be able to put a Fleshlight between his legs and squeeze his thighs together, which would pretty effectively simulate penetrative sex. But if your partner has a chronic health problem that makes ass fucking impossible and you define sex as fucking your partner’s ass, well, then the sex is going to stop unless you get creative. 13. Eating butt — how clean does it need to be? For safety? Sparkling. For taste? You’re gonna want a little sweat — not fecal matter, not filth, just a little clean sweat from the gym, the dance floor or a run. 14. Open/poly/married. We’re both talking to and flirting with the last people we were with before we met, fell in love with each other and got married. Should we go for it? People are gonna want me to say something along the lines of, “What could possibly go wrong?!?,” thereby implying something almost certainly will go wrong. But in my experience, non-toxic exes who like your current partner (and partnership) are great regular guest stars. Rule of thumb: if they were at your wedding, that’s a good sign. Send your question to mailbox@savage.love! Podcasts, columns and more at savage.love

riverfronttimes.com JANUARY 24-30,2024

RIVERFRONT TIMES

JANUARY 24-30, 2024

riverfronttimes.com

riverfronttimes.com JANUARY 24-30,2024

RIVERFRONT TIMES

JANUARY 24-30, 2024

riverfronttimes.com