Riverfront Times, August 10, 2022 by Chava Communications

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AUGUST 10-16, 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Publisher Chris Keating Editor in Chief Rosalind Early

E D I T O R I A L Managing Editor Jessica Rogen Editor at Large Daniel Hill Digital Content Editors Jaime Lees, Jenna Jones Food Editor Cheryl Baehr Staff Writers Ryan Krull, Monica Obradovic, Benjamin Simon Copy Editor Evie Hemphill Contributors Thomas K. Chimchards, Joseph Hess, Reuben Hemmer, Andy Paulissen, Famous Mortimer, Delia Rainey, Mabel Suen, Graham Toker, Theo Welling Columnists Ray Hartmann, Dan Savage Editorial Interns Julian McCall, Carlos Mendoza, Lulu Nix, Kasey Noss, Olivia Poolos A R T

& P R O D U C T I O N Art Director Evan Sult Creative Director Haimanti Germain Production Manager Sean Bieri Graphic Designer Aspen Smit

COVER The Predator Dawan Ferguson murdered his son in 2003 but was never brought to justice. As a free man, he continued abusing children. Until now.

M A R K E T I N G Director of Marketing & Events Christina Kimerle Marketing Coordinator Sydney Schaefer B U S I N E S S Regional Operations Director Emily Fear

Cover photo by

JENNIFER SILVERBERG

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

Cover design by

EVAN SULT

E U C L I D M E D I A G R O U P Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner Executive Editor Sarah Fenske VP of Digital Services Stacy Volhein VP of Marketing Emily Tintera, Cassandra Yardeni Executive Assistant Mackenzie Dean www.euclidmediagroup.com

INSIDE Hartmann News Missouriland Feature Calendar Cafe Short Orders St. Louis Standards Reeferfront Times Culture Music Stage Out Every Night Savage Love

M U L T I M E D I A A D V E R T I S I N G Associate Publisher Colin Bell Account Manager Jennifer Samuel Directors of Business Development Rachel Hoppman, Chelsea Nazaruk Directors of Sponsorship Sales Deanna Schmidt

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HARTMANN Kansas Is Bad News for Ann Wagner The new reality of abortion politics opens the door for a Democratic upset BY RAY HARTMANN

ongresswoman Ann Wagner (R-Ballwin) has just sailed into uncharted waters. Wagner’s Second Congressional District has long been regarded as safely Republican, with good reason: Democrats have held the seat for only one two-year term in the past 36 years. Republican gerrymandering last year made it redder. This time around has been looking even bleaker for the Democrats. The midterm elections almost always favor the party out of power nationally, which of course means the Republicans. You need a periscope to find President Joe Biden’s approval ratings. And Wagner’s opponent, State Representative Trish Gunby, while possessing fine credentials, doesn’t have the name ID to match. So, other than wishful thinking, what could possibly put in play the safe Republican district Wagner has held comfortably for 10 years since the late Representative Todd Akin passed the baton to her? Two factors: • Kansas just changed everything. • Wagner is not nearly as good at electoral politics as most people think. The first part needs no introduction by now, even if it just happened last week. The voters of Kansas sent shock waves through American politics with a historic landslide rejection of a constitutional amendment that would have allowed its state legislature to ban abortion. By an unbelievable 59 to 41 percent margin, the pro-choice side secured the guarantee of a right to an abortion by retaining it in the state’s constitution. That victory margin — predicted by no one —

sounded a wake-up call heard on both sides of the bitter abortion debate in states near and far. The nearest is Missouri, Kansas’ neighbor to the east. The two states are as close politically as they are geographically: In the 2020 election, Missouri was the 16th top state for Donald Trump, giving him 56.8 percent of the vote; Kansas was the 17th best for Trump, with 56.2 percent voting in his favor. It’s too early to know for certain, but the stunning pro-choice victory in Kansas — fueled by an exceptionally large turnout by women — signals the possibility that the landmark U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade has awakened a sleeping giant. No one on either side is thinking “nothing to see here.” Worse for Wagner, everyone agrees that if the backlash against the Dobbs decision will be felt anywhere, it will be in suburban districts of large metropolitan areas like St. Louis. Suburban women were a key to Biden’s landslide 2020 win over Trump. In Wagner’s district, the 2020 presidential outcome was virtually a dead heat, with Trump winning by a minuscule .02 percent over Biden. It is true that the Republicans bulked up the district for Wagner with the addition of Franklin County and environs, but not by enough to change its makeup dramatically. Still worse for Wagner, opposition to abortion has loomed as the central issue of her entire career, but it’s not why she was elected. In fact, there’s no evidence that opposition to reproductive freedom has ever helped her in suburbia, where that sort of thing isn’t popular. It’s more likely that Wagner has succeeded despite her holier-thanthou, strident opposition to abortion, rather than because of it. Had the issue been center stage, as it is now, it might have been a liability. Gunby is precisely the sort of woman candidate Wagner doesn’t want to face on the subject. Though pro-choice, Gunby is a moderate offering neither the appearance, demeanor nor voting record for Wagner to attack as a woke radical extremist. Unlike some of Wagner’s previous opponents, who failed to engage her regarding abortion, Gunby said last week that repro-

It’s likely that Wagner has succeeded despite her strident opposition to abortion, rather than because of it. ductive freedom will be front and center in her campaign. Special emphasis will go to the subject of contraception, on which Wagner dangerously occupies the low moral ground. Gunby, a Ballwin resident like Wagner, won a special election in 2019 — and reelection in 2020 — in a tough 50/50 Missouri House district. She’s an adherent to old-school, door-knocking retail politics. That strength is Wagner’s weakness. It can be expected that, as is her custom, Wagner will duck any form of debate with Gunby, or even a town-hall appearance. Throughout a 10-year career in Congress, Wagner’s public interaction with the voters in her district has been carefully limited to photo ops and press releases. Maybe Wagner will get away with that again. But the passion regarding abortion rights unleashed in Kansas suggests that the strategy might not work out so well this time. And then there’s Wagner’s dubious electoral skill as a politician, a factor that has largely escaped scrutiny. Wagner has benefited from the Republican tilt of her district, and will continue to do so, but there are plenty of signs that she’s much more beatable than most observers assume. One of those signs was displayed at last week’s Republican primary. Wagner won on August 2 against obscure opponents with just 67.1 percent of the vote, a terrible number for a five-term incumbent. By contrast, Wagner was unopposed in the GOP primaries in 2014 and 2020 and received 89.9 and 82.1 percent, respectively, in her other two reelection years. To that point, Wagner’s vote totals have decreased far below the

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level that would be expected in a solidly red district. In the past two cycles, she garnered only 51.2 and 51.9 percent of the votes. By contrast, Akin averaged 64.8 percent of the vote in his five reelection efforts, never receiving less than 61.3 percent. Wagner defeated state Senator Jill Schupp in 2020 by 6.4 percent. But the average winning margin nationally was 28.8 percent for all 435 seats in Congress. The likely reason for this should be discomforting to Wagner: She might not have demonstrated sufficient fealty to Trump to satisfy the MAGA base. Wagner was notable early in 2017 for executing one of most shameless flips of any Republican in Congress on Trump. Just a month before the 2016 election, Wagner was one of only a handful of sitting House Republicans to demand Trump resign as unfit for office after those epic Access Hollywood videos surfaced. Then he was elected. Then they became pals. Now, Wagner’s overlooked political weakness is aggravated by the very abortion issue she has made her calling card – without being inconvenienced to elaborate on those views, which have been extremist. In 2015, she answered “absolutely” to a question posed by conservative CNSNews as to whether “human beings conceived in rape have a right to life.” Wagner said, “I believe in exceptions for the life of the mother.” She added that she would go along with the bill, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which provided a rape-and-incest exception. Trish Gunby is a still a long shot candidate to defeat Wagner, and it will be a challenge to corner her on specifics today. Wagner is already playing down her extremism, but her flank politically won’t be happy with any talk of exceptions. This year, Wagner isn’t just overrated. She’s standing precariously on the wrong side of history. And she might be in big trouble if voters decide to click their heels three times and go back to Kansas. n Ray Hartmann founded the Riverfront Times in 1977. Contact him at rhartmann@riverfronttimes.com or catch him at 7 p.m. on Thursdays on Nine PBS and St. Louis in the Know with Ray Hartmann from 9 to 11 p.m. Monday thru Friday on KTRS (550 AM).

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NEWS

With Cori Bush, St. Louis Says Yes to Activism The congresswoman easily beat opponent Steve Roberts in last week’s primary Written by

MONICA OBRADOVIC

n the summer of 1963, a series of protests erupted against Jefferson Bank in St. Louis. Black activists and political leaders called for the bank and major companies in St. Louis to employ more people of color during a year of civil unrest in the U.S. Several protestors were arrested as demonstrations in front of the bank continued for over a month. One of those arrested activists was William “Bill” Clay Sr., a St. Louis alderman at the time. Voters elected him to Congress five years later, but not until after he spent 105 days in jail for participating in the Jefferson Bank protests. And so began a political dynasty. Together, Clay and his son, William Lacy Clay Jr., would represent Missouri’s First Congressional District for 50 years, until Cori Bush ended their reign and defeated the junior Clay in the 2020 Democratic primary. Like Clay Sr., Bush rose to prominence as an activist, but in her case on the frontlines of Ferguson. Bush — a single mother, pastor and former nurse — describes herself as “an activist in Congress.” Though activism was a big part of what catapulted her and her predecessor to federal office, Bush’s status as an activist was one of her chief opponent’s main attacks heading into this month’s primary. It didn’t work. Final, unofficial results from the Missouri Secretary of State showed that Bush gathered 69.4 percent of votes on August 2, eclipsing state Senator Steve Roberts (D-St. Louis), who earned 26.6 percent of votes. During his campaign, Roberts promised to work inside the nation’s capitol to improve the lives of First District residents, instead of working “outside on the steps protesting.” That sentiment is what attracted some supporters to Roberts. “He is the sort of politician I want representing St. Louis, someone who doesn’t need to be on TV, but is delivering work,” said Terry Watkins, a 28-yearold campaign volunteer. Watkins says protesting for important issues is fine,

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Cori Bush arrives at her watch party at House of Soul nightclub in downtown St. Louis. | MONICA OBRADOVIC but he doesn’t want to give tax dollars “to an activist.” “I want someone who can do a little bit of that, but at the end of the day [goes] behind closed doors and get business done,” Watkins added. When asked if he’d run again, Roberts told the RFT at his campaign watch party that he plans to give his full attention to his time in Missouri’s Senate. “There’s lots of legislation I can do at the state level, and that’ll be my focus,” Roberts said. Bush arrived at House of Soul nightclub in downtown St. Louis primary night to raucous praise. There, her supporters chanted “Go Cori!” and “We ready for y’all!” to the tune of Archie Eversole’s “We Ready.” Bush’s election watch party couldn’t have differed more from that of the Roberts campaign, where constituents gathered in an event room at the Drury Inn Hotel off Hampton and chatted at circular tables. At House of Soul, Bush supporters danced as an emcee rapped on stage; some smoked hookah, and cheered to a live performance from the Finesse dance group. Bush addressed her critics when she spoke on stage. “They don’t like the fact that my lineage is not that of some rich wealthy family,” Bush said. “They don’t like that we don’t accept any corporate money. They don’t

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like the fact that I speak the way I speak because I came from this community and I sound like my community.” Bush’s opponent, Roberts, is a fourthgeneration St. Louisan from a dynastic political family. His father, Steve Roberts Sr., once served as a St. Louis alderman and helmed a vast business empire with his brother. Roberts’ mother, Dr. Eva Frazer, is a prominent local physician who partnered with Saint Louis University to open a free medical clinic for northcity residents. Roberts says he aligns more with Joe Biden than Bernie Sanders and distances himself from some of Bush’s most progressive stances, such as defunding police. Addressing crime will remain one of his goals as senator, he says. “I think me and Cori have different interpretations as far as the best way addressing crime should be done, but I think voters saw something in her and they want to give her another chance,” Roberts told the RFT after last week’s election. “I’d be glad to work with her on that.” Roberts in the past argued he would work collaboratively with legislators outside of his party, that he knows “the importance of building coalitions regardless of party” and “finding compromise where he can.” Bush detractors point to her vote against a bipartisan infrastructure plan.

At the time, Bush said the legislation did not support separate Build Back Better proposals to address childcare and climate change. She also opposed a bill in March that would ban oil imports from Russia — a rare Democratic stance during the height of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Bush supporters were OK with that. They say they’ve watched politicians toe party lines at the expense of their constituents in the past, and want no more of it. “Cori values her constituents so much, she’s willing to vote against her own party to stand up for all of us,” said Marquis Govan, a Bush campaign volunteer. The same thinking brought Bush to protest the end of the federal eviction moratorium last year by sleeping on the steps of the Capitol. The Biden administration swiftly acted to extend the moratorium after her action — only to see their extension struck down by the courts. Whether Bush’s protest actually achieved anything has been a point of contention. But Bush did what she and other legacy St. Louis activists have learned brings about change in times of turmoil. She protested. “And so again, St. Louis and I rise,” Bush said following last week’s victory. “We rise once again to accept the Democratic nomination to continue our service to the United States.” n

Water leaks from the ceiling after the recent rain storms at Raphael Apartments. | VIA ALEX

Residents at Raphael Share Horror Stories Landlord CityWide/Lux Living doesn’t fix broken elevators, leaks and more, residents say Written by

BENJAMIN SIMON

roblems started the day Phillip Clay moved into the Raphael. He didn’t have heat for nearly a week, he says, and when the heat did come on, the knob on the radiator didn’t work. He didn’t have hot water, and when that was fixed, it was too hot to use. He didn’t get a mail key, some lights didn’t turn on, and when his fridge broke, it took about six maintenance requests to fix. Speaking to a reporter eight months after he moved into the apartment complex, Clay talks for nearly seven minutes straight, without interruption, about the issues. “So overall, it’s just been a hell of a time living here,” he says. Dog friendly and located in the Central West End with reasonable rates, the 75-unit Raphael apartment building is an attractive spot for many renters. But Clay joins a long list of residents who are calling out their landlord. They say dust coats their hallways and the ceiling leaks if it rains enough. They say mysterious liquid spurts out of their sinks and maintenance requests take days, sometimes weeks, to fulfill. “They count on people not staying here for a long time,” says a resi-

“I can handle a lot, but this is next level.” dent named Alex, who asked that his full name not be included for fear of repercussions from the company. “A lot of the people here are nursing students or students at the college of pharmacy or they had just graduated college.” The issues have led the apartment residents to organize and create a renters’ association. They’re active on social media, posting pictures of their apartments and calling for help. One of the largest concerns on the social media page centers around the elevator. Residents say the elevator is old, with a gate and a door. If the gate doesn’t close all of the way, the elevator won’t move — a problem for people with disabilities, some of whom use wheelchairs. Alex has a dog that cannot use the stairs, and he compares the elevator to “Russian roulette.” Their action has captured the attention of various local stakeholders, including state Representative Kimberly-Ann Collins (D-St. Louis), who visited the apartments last Wednesday morning. City property records show the building is owned by Gothics Three LLC. State records show the company’s manager since 2019 has been Vic Alston, one of the brothers behind Lux Living, which has become one of the most notorious apartment companies in St. Louis. A Riverfront Times cover story in 2016 revealed complaints from numerous people leasing apartments from what was

The Raphael Apartments located on W. Pine Blvd. in the Central West End. | VIA GOOGLE MAPS then called Asprient. Many dealt with similar issues as the Raphael’s tenants. But the company, which now markets rental properties under both Lux Living and STL CityWide, has not slowed down since 2016. In fact, they’ve ramped up. Alston and his brother now own apartments across the city, pouring over $150 million into nearly 1,000 units in DeBaliviere Place, Lafayette Square and Soulard, according to the St. Louis PostDispatch. In recent years, public complaints have become loud enough that city officials have threatened to reject their future requests for tax subsidies. That’s why Clay says he wants people to know about the problems at the Raphael. “It’s just important to know that because they have other buildings that are being run the same way around the city,” he says. Ira Berkowitz, the lawyer for Lux Living and designated agent for the Raphael’s ownership group, did not respond to an email and phone call seeking comment. Alex McCoy is a travel nurse who stayed at the Raphael for three months. With 13 travel-nurse contracts under her belt, she has lived all across the country, but the Raphael, she says, was “probably the worst.” “I can handle a lot, but this is next

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level,” she says. Less than two weeks after moving in, McCoy found inches of sewage in the sink and leaking onto the floor. Every time her family showered, the sink spit out more gunk, seeping into the dishwasher and drawers. McCoy says it took two weeks for the landlord to clean up the mess — and that only happened after she posted negative online reviews. “I was just appalled at how much they just didn’t seem to care at all,” she says. “They didn’t really seem to be concerned about the health and safety of me or my family. They didn’t seem concerned about making sure things were done in a correct and timely manner.” McCoy moved out in April, but the issues have continued. Recently, doctors found elevated lead levels in her oneyear-old daughter. McCoy says she’s “99 percent sure it came from the apartment.” Before staying in the Raphael, the little girl had only lived in a Kansas City home built in 1997. McCoy understands the Raphael is an old building — and a business. She didn’t want anything extravagant, she says. She just didn’t want sewage in her apartment and her daughter to get sick. “We just wanted a clean, safe place to live,” she says. n

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MISSOURILAND

Meet Me in St. Charles The St. Charles County Fair included turtle races and baby pageants Words by

ROSALIND EARLY Photos by

REUBEN HEMMER

t the end of July, St. Charles embraced its farmer’s side with a nearly weeklong hootenanny known as the St. Charles County Fair. There were carnival rides, award-winning eats and a beauty pageant — for babies. There was also plenty of livestock in the spotlight with a petting zoo, breeding contests and races with turtles and frogs. Other highlights included ventriloquist acts, magicians, a circus, mimes and two demolition derbies: one for riding lawnmowers, the other for cars. 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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On the morning of June 11, 2003, 30-year-old Dawan Ferguson called 911. In a conversation that lasted less than 30 seconds, he calmly told the dispatcher his severely disabled nine-year-old son had been in the backseat of his SUV when it was carjacked just moments ago from the corner of Page Boulevard and North Skinker Parkway in the north-county neighborhood of Wellston.

When police arrived, Ferguson told them his son, Christian, had a rare condition that required life-saving medication be administered multiple times a day. Christian had been throwing up all last night. That morning, when Ferguson tried to wake Christian, he’d found the boy unresponsive. As Ferguson rushed his son from his home in Pine Lawn to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, he stopped at the pay phone to call ahead to the hospital to let the staff know they were on their way. He said when he looked back from the pay phone to his car, it was gone. Vanished. Frederic Wolf, at the time a 15year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, was one of the first officers to respond when Ferguson’s call came in. He directed the initial search for Christian, whom police believed to be in the back of a car that was most likely being taken for a joy ride. “Time was of the essence,” Wolf later testified. The latest information we had was that the vehicle was headed east on Page. I wanted officers to start searching the two to three blocks immediately to the east headed toward the city.”

Dawan Ferguson.

Wolf described Ferguson as upset, nervous and pacing. Police cars from other districts and even other police departments joined in the search. “We were tearing everything apart trying to find this , Wolf said. When Christian’s mother, Theda Person, heard that her son had been taken, she suffered a breakdown. Her husband at the time (she and Ferguson were divorced) took her to DePaul Hospital. “I remember crawling on the floor at the hospital, she tells the RFT. “I didn’t know what else to do.” On one of the televisions in the hospital, she saw a news anchor reporting live about Christian’s disappearance. She knew immediately that her son hadn’t been in the back of the carjacked SUV. “I’m a mother, and I know Dawan,” she says. In just two hours, police found Ferguson’s SUV parked in a residential neighborhood about five miles away (to the west) from where Ferguson made the initial 911 call. When police found the car, they expected Christian to be

VIA ST. LOUIS COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

in the back seat. But the nine-yearold was nowhere to be found. This immediately raised red flags. ar thieves want a ride, not a kidnapping charge,” Wolf later testified. Police requested that Ferguson accompany detectives to the police station downtown “due to the suspicious nature of the case,” according to a police report. When they asked him to take a polygraph, Ferguson declined, “adding that he did not wish to make any further statements and wished only to speak with an attorney.” Police asked Ferguson’s thenwife, Monica, if she or Ferguson knew anyone who lived near where the SUV was recovered. They did: Lakisha Mayes. When police went to interview Mayes at her Ferguson home, her car wasn’t in the driveway. She told investigators that for a short while she had lived with Ferguson and been involved in a menage-atrois with him and his wife. The living situation had fallen apart, but Ferguson still had keys to Mayes’ Chevrolet Malibu. Police asked her where the Malibu was and Mayes said that she assumed either Ferguson or Monica had taken it to look for Christian.

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Later in the day, Mayes spoke on the phone with Ferguson and he acknowledged he had borrowed the car without asking. ayes later testified that she asked how Ferguson had been able to get to her car if his SUV had been stolen many miles away. Ferguson’s reply was ominous: “He said he didn’t want to involve anyone else,” Mayes recalled. Then “he told me that I didn’t have to talk to police . News of an abducted, severely disabled child spread fast throughout St. Louis. By 8 a.m., Fox 2 was at Page and Skinker reporting live about the incident. Later on, when investigators took a closer look at the news footage, they saw the very Malibu Ferguson had borrowed parked at the intersection. Ferguson said he borrowed it to look for Christian after he left the police station. But what was it doing already parked at the intersection where the whole bizarre kidnapping saga began? Meanwhile, law enforcement and volunteers scoured north county and beyond for Christian, who couldn’t survive for more than a day or two without his medication. Civilian search groups were quickly organized. People waded into drainage ditches and underbrush. They searched vacant buildings. thers distributed fliers. earch coordinators made maps of north county with already-searched areas shaded in. “I’m expecting a miracle,” Person told the Associated Press the Monday after her son’s disappearance. “Please bring my angel Christian back to us.” However, after a week without finding hristian, a grim reality set in. He couldn’t survive without his medicine. The search parties switched from using dogs trained to find missing people to dogs

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trained to find cadavers. Christian’s disappearance remained a blot on the city’s conscience. The public was befuddled by the lack of charges brought against his father, who seemed so clearly guilty. He’d gotten away with killing his own son, and for nearly two decades it appeared as though he always would. Then suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, Dawan Ferguson found himself on trial, and his depravity was shown to be greater than anyone in the public would have ever guessed.

heda Person, now 50, has spent nearly the last two decades raising awareness about missing children and working with parents of missing kids as they navigate the impossible. She’s a poised and resolute self-described empath. She can’t help but feel other people’s pain. And when she feels that pain, she can’t help but do something about it. She’s been trying to put pen to paper to record all that she’s been through, but she doesn’t think the story can fit in a single book. Person and Ferguson met in high school where she played volleyball and he played soccer. A little older than Ferguson, she was already a student at Harris-Stowe State College when she became pregnant in 1993. Ferguson was 19 and working odd jobs. The two weren’t married. Christian was born October 9, 1993, and went into a coma on the second day of his life. Christian was so sick, doctors thought he was going to die; they diagnosed the newborn with citrullinemia, a rare inherited disorder that left him unable to digest protein. Christian had to take six medications a day and eat a strict diet so that he never ingested more than a few grams of protein per day. The young couple also had to be on constant alert for vomiting, loss of balance or confusion — telltale signs that Christian was entering a coma and needed to be rushed to the hospital. lready faced with the difficulties as a young couple of raising a baby, now Ferguson and Person found themselves cajoling an infant to swallow medicine from a syringe multiple times a day. Person and Ferguson married on Valentine’s Day 1994, when Christian was four months old. They welcomed a second baby, Connor, eight months later. And

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With a regimen of medicine and a strict diet, Christian could have lived a normal life. | VIA THEDA PERSON their efforts at keeping Christian healthy were not only paying off, but being noticed. KSDK did a story in 1995 about the couple caring for their son. The report, filed by reporter ay Quinn, shows Ferguson and Person at a doctor’s visit and later at home with Christian. Christian drinks from his bottle and squirms in his mother’s lap. Anyone watching the piece with the sound off would have never known the boy’s health was so perilous. In the piece, Person tells Quinn her biggest worry is that when Christian eventually heads off to school she won’t be able to monitor his diet so closely. Quinn ends the piece, “If Christian takes his medicine and sticks to his diet, he should lead a normal, healthy life.” Christian would later become known across the city as the severely disabled boy who had gone missing. But as the KSDK piece demonstrates, his disability hadn’t always been so severe. “Even though he had special circumstances, he could play like a typical child. He could talk, walk, dance, sing, get in trouble,” Person says with a laugh. Home videos from when Christian was a toddler show him clowning for the camera, walking around while wearing adult shoes

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Theda Person fought to keep her son’s death in the public awareness. | VIA THEDA PERSON

Even those who thought Ferguson killed Christian had no idea how depraved the man was. It would take almost 20 years for the full extent of his crimes — more gruesome than anyone could imagine — to come to light. too big for his feet. In another, Christian giggles as he shakes and squirms happily, his socked feet sliding around the floor as uther Vandross plays in the background. At one point, he falls down only to gamely get back up again and run toward his mother, a smile on his face. “You can’t slam dance to a slow song,” Person jokes in the video. When Christian was four, Person and Ferguson separated. We were fighting all the time, Person recalled in a 2009 Riverfront Times article. The fights even became physical. A few weeks after Christian’s birthday on October 26, 1997, Person left Ferguson’s house with Christian and Connor to move in with her parents. By 1998, Ferguson had filed for divorce and wanted full custody of the children, plus child support. At the time, Ferguson’s legal representation, as well as his life in general, was being bankrolled by John Steffen, a construction magnate who met, fell in love with and married Ferguson’s mother, Dawana, in 1989. (Person recalled double dating with the couple in the early days of her and Ferguson’s relationship.) Steffen grew up in north city and, in 2010, the St. Louis American said Steffen mixed more naturally in Black business circles in t. ouis than any other white businessman. Ferguson worked periodically for Steffen’s company, lived in a house Steffen owned and was represented in court by Steffen’s attorneys. One year after Christian’s disappearance, Ferguson was heard ominously saying that there was no jam so big that his stepfather, a “powerful white man,” couldn’t get him out of it. This did not bode well for Person. “There were so many lawyers who showed us right to the door when they heard we were up against the Steffens,” Person told

the RFT in 2009. Still, when Ferguson and Person divorced in November 1998, Person originally got full custody, with Ferguson receiving visitation rights. owever, only five weeks later, the judge reversed course. Ferguson claimed that Person was not bringing the children according to the agreed-upon schedule. Person said Ferguson was touching the children inappropriately and not taking care of Christian, who routinely got sick within 24 hours of visiting his father. The judge gave Ferguson full custody on the advice of the guardian ad litem, leaving Person with visitation rights three Saturdays a month as well as an obligation to pay child support. erson continued fighting for custody. She called Child Protective Services on him frequently, but most of her calls were deemed harassment. Even a doctor calling CPS on Ferguson did not change the custody agreement. “They all were disrespectful to me,” Person says of the judge and court staff. “They all told me I would not get my children.”

fter Ferguson got full custody, Christian found himself living with his father at 3720 ylvan lace in ine awn in what would later be called a “house of horrors.” The horrors began with Ferguson’s carelessness and neglect, but eventually progressed to egregious, inhumane abuse. On several occasions when Ferguson took Christian to the emergency room, doctors discovered that Christian had not received his medication for several days. This medication was lifesaving and was supposed to be administered multiple times daily. Citrullinemia causes ammonia to build up in the blood, eventually to toxic levels. During the emergency-room visits, hospital staff

recorded Christian as being dehydrated and smelling of ammonia. Because Christian was on medication that lowered the ammonia levels in his system by removing it through his urine, the hospital records indicated that Ferguson must have been allowing his son to soil himself again and again. Christian’s pediatrician later testified that she should have seen him for checkups at least once every three months, yet an entire year lapsed without her seeing him for care. Pharmacy records indicated that Christian’s medication refills were so behind schedule that he was missing as many doses as he received. At this time, Christian shared a room with his younger sibling, who at the time went by Connor but now goes by in. in remembered in the early days of her father having full custody that Christian still enjoyed a relatively normal life. “We’d watch Pinky and the Brain and play a Rugrats computer game. Christian was more active than me, she later testified. Everything changed on January 16, 2001. Christian was lying in a pool of vomit that morning and unresponsive when his father tried to wake him. At the hospital, Christian suffered a three-minute-long seizure in the emergency room. As hospital staff attended to Christian, Ferguson and Person came to blows. erguson filed a restraining order, and Person was limited to 12 hours a week of supervised visitation at the hospital. Christian fell into a coma and didn’t wake up for a month. When Christian came out of the coma, he’d suffered severe brain damage due to a prolonged lack of oxygen. The ability to talk, walk, read and write — things that had been hard won for Christian — were now completely gone. The debilitations defined the final two years of his life. Ferguson, never a particularly diligent or doting father, resented the extensive care his now severely disabled son required. “Christian was an inconvenience Dawan didn’t want to be bothered with,” said the prosecutor who eventually put Ferguson in jail. The conditions at Ferguson’s household deteriorated further. hristian’s condition ualified the family for at-home nursing. In that capacity, Trdell Overbey was a steady presence at the house. Christian “never had clean clothing,” she said later at Ferguson’s trial. “I would let him wear my son’s clothing. I didn’t mind. I wouldn’t let him go out like that.”

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Overbey said she bought food for Christian to eat. Often there were no sheets on the bed in Christian’s bedroom, which typically smelled overwhelmingly of the ammonia-heavy urine. Overbey tells the RFT that Ferguson was a profoundly selfish man who refused to do anything for his son. Ferguson refused to expend his time, energy or money even when it came to basic necessities, like food, for the boy. “It was always no. Everything was just always no,” says Overbey. “He did not want to have any responsibilities.” Overbey says she also went out of her way not to make Ferguson mad. “He was intimidating,” she says. Ferguson, who was working as a bounty hunter, routinely wore a gun tucked into a shoulder holster around the house. Overbey worked to conceal from Ferguson where she lived, always watching when she left his house to make sure he didn’t follow her home. She had two small boys at the time and worried Ferguson might do something to them as they waited for the school bus. One weekend when Overbey wasn’t at the home, Christian’s feeding apparatus fell out and was on the floor on onday morning when she arrived at the house. She says she took Christian to the hospital herself. Ferguson said he did not want to go. “He was very, very thin,” Christian’s sibling in testified. You could see the notches in his spine, his pelvic bones. You could see his bones basically.” During this time, Ferguson had married onica inwood- erguson. She and her two daughters moved into Ferguson’s house, but according to witnesses, onica did not like Christian and did not concern herself with his care. in testified that hristian was often tied to the bed in their room. “There was a comforter that was usually tied around his abdomen area, and it was tied in a knot behind the bars of the bunk bed, so he could not get away from that bed or out of a cross-legged position,” she said. She recounted one time when Ferguson took the rest of the family to the Renaissance Hotel for dinner, leaving Christian tied up in the dark. It took almost two decades, but it would eventually come to light that Christian was fed so little he resorted to eating diapers. “I never knew that my child was eating [his] own diapers. Diapers?

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How inhumane,” Person says. “And to think my other child was in that room, slept in that room, too.”

heda Person continued to fight in court for more access to her children. By 2003, with erguson failing to show up to court hearings, she seemed increasingly close to being granted partial, if not full, custody of Christian and Lin. erguson was often late bringing the kids to the court-appointed resource center where he was to drop them off for their limited time with erson. taff at the center described erguson as agitated and on edge. uring this time, erson’s sister haron Williams acted as a gobetween for erguson and erson. Williams later testified that in , when erson was trying to regain partial custody of hristian, erguson told her he didn’t want to go back to court. he added that erguson was so agitated about the situation that he told his e -wife she would see hristian over my dead body. Williams didn’t recall the e act date when she heard erguson make the comment. But she knew it was only a few months later that she got the news erguson was claiming hristian had been kidnapped.

n the weeks after hristian’s disappearance, newspaper articles referred to police being openly skeptical about erguson’s caracking story. is story’s inconsistencies as well as the fact that he had a cellphone on him when he stopped to use the pay phone became public knowledge. n arrest seemed imminent. olice searched erguson’s home in Pine Lawn multiple times. Court records later revealed that erguson instructed his cleaning lady to bar officers from entry when they showed up, but she allowed them in anyway. ater, erguson hired his own private investigators to sweep the house and remove any potential evidence. n ctober , friends and family gathered at erson’s house to mark hristian’s th birthday. awan erguson was not among the attendees. Whether or not to prosecute Ferguson would have fallen to t. ouis ity ircuit ttorney ennifer oyce. ut because erguson had worked as a bounty hunter for the city, she asked the county’s prosecuting at-

When her son Christian was born, he almost immediately became severely ill. | VIA THEDA PERSON torney to handle the case. erson says that prosecutor ob c ulloch wanted to find hristian’s body before bringing charges. Current St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley ell, whose office would eventually put erguson behind bars, says that it is e tremely difficult to prosecute a murder case when there’s no body because the person on trial has a readymade defense. ounsel for the defendant can argue the victim might still be alive or that the alleged crime did not happen the way the state is claiming. Those can be powerful defenses and arguments to a ury, ell says. erson recalls, thought that if ust go to the police and tell them the truth, they have a system and everything would be taken care of, done, it’s over. ut it’s really not like that.” Years passed. ublic awareness of the hristian’s story faded, but never died. erson wouldn’t let it. tarting in , she began holding annual remembrances on the anniversary of hristian’s disappearance. The walks and other events always received media attention, which Person used to keep her son’s name in the public conscience as well as spread the word about other missing children. he said at the time that finding hristian and helping families of other missing children consumed her life. ven as erguson remained a villain in the public’s memory, he hid from the public’s eye, going to work for his stepfather, whose business was booming. y the mid-aughts teffen was being called a real estate baron by the Post-Dispatch. ven those who thought erguson killed Christian had no idea how depraved the man was. It would take almost years for the full e tent of his crimes more gruesome than anyone could

imagine to come to light. y , teffen’s construction empire began to crumble. e was federally indicted for fraud, though the charges were later dropped. is holdings included million s uare feet of real estate in downtown St. Louis. Over-extended, the company had to transfer million worth of assets to other developers. n , ell then a erguson ity ouncil member was elected as St. Louis County prosecuting attorney, replacing c ulloch, who had held the position for almost years. n addition to promising overarching criminalustice reform, ell also vowed that his office would bring a fresh set of eyes to old cases. Bell tells the RFT that when he took office, his chief investigator Ron Goldstein approached him about the case. oldstein had been an investigator for the office back in . “He made it clear that reopening this case is going to be tough, that we were going to have to put resources into it,” Bell says. “And it was going to be hard to bring home a case that was, what, at the time, , years old. We knew erguson was guilty, ell says. ut given the age of the case and that there was still no body, it was a very real possibility ell’s prosecutors could end up losing at trial. ell says he knew bringing charges was the right decision. can live with what comes.” lowly the wheels of ustice, previously so completely stalled, began spinning again. n ctober , erguson was living in the astle oint neighborhood when police took him into custody. He was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse. Until recently, what exactly Ferguson had been doing for most

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of the years between une , , and his arrest remained shrouded in mystery. n , onica inwood- erguson, awan’s wife when hristian supposedly disappeared, filed for divorce after years of marriage. er divorce filings came with horrific allegations that erguson had se ually abused two minors and had even fathered a child with one them. Three weeks after being charged with murdering his son, erguson was charged with two counts of statutory sodomy, child molestation and two counts of statutory rape. ook at what he was doing in and and look at the other stuff he’s accused of more recently,” Person says. “You then, think, can understand what he’s been up to.

he two and a half years after erguson’s arrest were filled with preliminary hearings and other delays, but after years, awan erguson finally stood trial in the last week of June this year. Outside the courtroom, Person saw the guardian ad litem who was supposed to be responsible for hristian and in when they lived with erguson during the custody battle. e was there to testify. erson wanted to go up to him and not-so-gently remind him that the whole ordeal was in large part because he didn’t do his ob. “But you still have to keep your composure and keep your cool, stay focused, erson says. You don’t want to be a diversion in the midst of a criminal trial. o that is hard.” Though it was two decades in the making, erguson’s five-day-long trial was mostly an anti-climax. o longer en oying the largesse of teffen, erguson was being represented by public defender Jemia Steele. teele rightly pointed out multiple times during the trial that the state’s case was entirely circumstantial, that it was theoretically possible hristian erguson was still alive. n her opening argument, teele outlined to the ury a theory of the case in which all the witnesses who would speak disparagingly of erguson in the coming week had been coached by erson. n essence, erguson was a victim of a conspiracy perpetrated by a bitter e -wife. The strategy made sense given the circumstantial nature of the state’s case. ut by the second day of testi-

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mony, it crumbled entirely. On that day, the prosecution focused on Ferguson’s story about what had happened on the morning of his son’s supposed abduction. At the core of the day’s testimony was that Ferguson told police that a little after 6 a.m. his SUV was stolen with Christian inside. However, multiple residents of Ronbar Lane in erguson testified that erguson’s vehicle had been left on their street about an hour earlier, and it remained there until being discovered by police later in the day. Andrea Murphy-Johnson lived on Ronbar at the time. She testified she was awake at a.m. when she heard a noise and looked out her bedroom window to see the parked by her house. Another resident of Ronbar, ark llis, testified that he also saw the SUV in the early dawn hours. t seemed unlikely, though conceivable, that Person may have persuaded several friends and family members to conspire against erguson. ut llis and urphyJohnson were essentially random people, their only connection to the case being that Ferguson had arbitrarily chosen their street to ditch his before making the call. The public had long considered the kidnapping story to be bogus, and by the second day of testimony it was looking increasingly likely that the jury would as well. In addition to having what the prosecution called Ferguson’s “cover story” contradicted in court, his fitness as a father was called into question by witness after witness during trial. verbey, the nurse who worked with Christian in Ferguson’s house, took the stand. t times she struggled to fight back tears as she described the signs of abuse and neglect she said she witnessed on a nearly daily basis as Christian’s caregiver. On day four of the trial, Lin testified that the day before her older brother was allegedly abducted, he had an arduous day in which he was clearly in severe pain, moaning loudly. The moaning continued into the night until her father came and took hristian into the living room. t that point, in testified, she heard what sounded like her older brother struggling, gasping, then there was silence. A few hours later, shortly before daybreak, in testified that her father wrapped her silent brother in a bed comforter, took him outside to the car

and drove away. On the penultimate day of testimony, the defense produced their main witness, Dion Dupree. Dupree told the court that in 2003 he was years old and attending a summer day camp near kinker and Page. Dupree stated that on the morning of une , , he saw a maroon taking off from the intersection around 6 a.m., the time when Ferguson says his SUV was stolen. owever, the proceedings took an unusual turn when, under cross-examination by prosecutors, it was revealed that Dupree’s brother Ja’Vonn had been represented by Steele in a quadruple homicide case in which Ja’Vonn had been found guilty. The trial was called to a halt. The jury was dismissed. Both defense and prosecution met with the judge in his chambers. When they returned, Steele was visibly upset, drying her eyes with tissue. The witness Dupree was not called back to give any additional testimony, and the sight of Ferguson’s public defender in tears portended the guilty verdict that came after only a few hours of jury deliberation the next day. “God already told me the truth was coming out, it was just a matter of time,” Person says. “When the ury said murder first, already knew we’d won. After the guilty verdict, Person appeared outside the court with a host of family and other supporters, standing beside Wesley Bell and the prosecutors who had successfully tried the case. heard the words know it’s real, but I’m still allowing it to sink in. ’m so grateful this day has come,” she said. “When you have the right people in the right places at the right time, then things like this can happen.” She added: “I always had Christian in my heart, in my mind.” Ferguson is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, September 27. Most court watchers expect he’ll receive a life sentence.

ne month after the guilty verdict, Ferguson was in court again, this time on the sexual abuse charges. While he was abusing Christian, and after Christian’s disappearance, Ferguson was also abusing two other minors — from 2000 until . The first victim, whom erguson attacked in , was over the age of when the assaults took place. he took the stand and described Ferguson groping her and

getting into bed with her. Later, he said that is what happens when adults drink. The other victim was when erguson started grooming her in and when she became pregnant due to Ferguson raping her. The victim, now 26, recounted happening across Ferguson while he was masturbating. This started her “sex education” which included showing her pornography on her Minnie Mouse TV. e raped her first when she was and regularly after that. When she became pregnant, Ferguson took the victim to an abortion clinic, but she was too far along in the pregnancy to safely have the procedure. Ferguson then instructed her to conceal the pregnancy by wearing a tight girdle. He told her to start exercising, running up and down hills, as if she were just trying to lose weight. He also told her to say that some boy from her school had gotten her pregnant. Later on, Ferguson visited the victim again at her college. He had sex with her, and she became pregnant a second time. This pregnancy ended in abortion. “I can only imagine the terror that those children dealt with and had to live with for most of their lives, living with this individual,” Bell says. The victim’s daughter is alive today and a paternity test established that Ferguson fathered the child. When the daughter was eight years old, the victim told her that her father was actually Ferguson. “He hurt you,” the daughter replied while the victim cried. The victim testified that up until that point she hadn’t thought of Ferguson’s behavior as wrong, because the abuse had been so extensive and begun when she was so young. n the victim disclosed to her mother what had happened. Soon thereafter she told her story to police. Faced with this seemingly overwhelming evidence, erguson took the stand and testified in his own defense. He admitted that there was a child of which he was the father and the unnamed victim the mother; however, Ferguson denied having sex with the victim. Ferguson instead claimed that the -year-old found a condom Ferguson had used to masturbate, and inseminated herself with it. erguson testified that he often masturbated into condoms in the hopes it would cure his erectile dysfunction.) Bell referred to Ferguson’s far-

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fetched testimony as a performance put on by a man who is “a narcissist of the highest order.” ell adds, think, in his mind, he thought he was smarter than everyone and he could talk his way out of hard DNA evidence. “That performance, and that’s the word I’ll use for it, reminded me of a quote from one of my favorite movies, Pulp Fiction,” Bell says. “‘My name’s Pitt, and your ass ain’t talking your way out of this shit.’ The same day as that outlandish testimony, Ferguson was found guilty on all charges. Bell anticipates that not only will Ferguson spend his life in prison, but also that if he is reincarnated, he’ll spend those lives in prison as well.

hen the RFT talked to erson a month after Ferguson was found guilty of murder, she was still grateful her ex-husband had been served justice. But some of the ebullience that had been so apparent outside the courthouse on the day of the verdict had faded. Now she had her mind on all those who had failed Christian but who never faced any consequences for it. She mentions the family-court judge who awarded Ferguson custody and the guardian ad litem who was supposed to look after Christian’s well-being as two people in particular who haven’t been held accountable. There’s also the unanswered question of where Christian’s remains are. A prevailing theory is that Ferguson used his knowledge of teffen’s construction business to hide his son’s body beneath the foundation of a house that was being built. nly one man knows for sure where Christian’s body is, and it seems unlikely awan erguson will divulge the location — not so long as he thinks the secret gives him a modicum of power over Person, police and anyone else who takes an interest in hristian’s story. Person says that sometimes her son does come to her in her dreams. Sometimes the dreams have to do with her looking for hristian so she can feed him. She’s haunted by how he went hungry in her ex-husband’s house. “I want to relax, I want to be able to look at my pictures, and remember the precious memories, and not always be in fight mode [or] defense mode because the system failed here and the system failed there,” she says. t’s something she’s still working on. n

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CALENDAR

BY JENNA JONES

THURSDAY 08/11 Throwback Thursday The ’ s have called and the decade wants us all back. ForTheCulture STL will help you throw back with its ’90s Adult Game Night, the launch event for its Culture Kickback Fest. ForTheCulture STL highlights Black culture in St. Louis and aims to uplift Black-owned businesses, brands and people. The week of events will focus on mental and physical wellness, e uity in business and community engagement. Get ready to play games of Uno, Spades and more. Meet up for the ’ s dult ame ight at lue ine ounge elmar oulevard) on Thursday, August 11. The event runs from to p.m. and is free to attend.

FRIDAY 08/12 Yogis Unite Finding zen while working against abortion bans may be just the combo for today’s political climate. Brands Against Bans, organized by Planned Parenthood of the t. ouis Region and outhwest Missouri and Brick City Yoga, takes place this week. All levels of yoga practitioners are welcome at the event, which includes a community fair. The fair runs from 6 to p.m., and the yoga class is from to p.m. The yoga class costs tickets for yoga and a gift bag can be purchased for $50. All proceeds from the yoga class go to Planned arenthood’s Regional ogistics enter atient uity und. The fund helps abortion patients access travel, lodging, childcare, food and cash assistance. isit rick Yoga T Wyoming treet, st loor, on riday, ugust . o registration is re uired for the community fair. To register for the yoga class, visit Mindbody.

Roasted What better way to anticipate a fun event coming your way than

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Jessica Vosk plays the narrator in Joseph. | COURTESY THE MUNY with a pre-party f pregaming fun with more fun is your style, check out Roast in Francis Park. The inaugural event serves as a precursor to the annual Grub & Groove taking place on Saturday, August 13. Grub & Groove celebrates food and live music. Roast is ust sort of about eating a whole pig roasted on a spit luau style. Get some boba tea from the Boba Bitch truck, sip some cocktails from pirits or drink some Rockwell eer arden brews. There will be live music from Laren Loveless Music, and in addition to the pig, there will be coleslaw, loaded baked potato, salad and more, courtesy of Rockwell eer’s culinary director, Michael Petres. wing by rancis ark ichelberger Street and Donovan Avenue on riday, ugust , at p.m. Money raised will go toward the funds needed to improve rancis ark’s playground e uipment. Tickets cost $100 and can be found on ventbrite.

SATURDAY 08/13 Night Out The Night Market is sure to be your next favorite thing. The event, presented in partnership with Popup STL, will include a large food-truck lineup and more than local vendors for your shopping pleasure. f food and shopping aren’t enough for you, grab a drink and make a full night of it. Slated for Saturday,

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ANAAM: Solo Voice will perform at St. Lou Fringe. | COURTESY ST. LOU FRINGE August 13, the market will run from to p.m at ile arden ravois Road, milegarden. com). Four-legged friends are welcome, and the event is free to attend. isit ile arden’s acebook page for more information. —Jaime Lees

Bookish Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective celebrates the release of a new book this week with Not Another One! A Play For Peace release event, the launch of a collection of stories against gun violence and negative police-youth interactions. Young artists crafted

a performance for the event that includes community conversation with guest essi aRose, a reading and music relating to Not Another One! A Play For Peace. The book is about discussions young people had after police officer arren Wilson shot ichael rown in erguson in . The performances are a piece of a multi-year project that addresses gun violence; the book has been edited by over 100 local artists and young people. entral ibrary live Street, slpl.org) will host the book discussion and performance on aturday, ugust , at p.m. t’s free to attend.

WEEK OF AUGUST 11-17

Lillian Brown of the OREO Complex will perform at St. Lou Fringe. | COURTESY ST. LOU FRINGE

Burlesque star Lola Van Ella will perform at St. Lou Fringe. | COURTESY ST. LOU FRINGE

SUNDAY 08/14 Kick Back and Relax ForTheCultureSTL’s Culture Kickback Fest culminates this weekend in a family-reunion style event for the “biggest and Blackest” kickback yet. The festival celebrates Black culture and good vibes, while offering community resources for healing. The event includes free food, entertainment, DJs, yoga, a skate party and a therapy panel. There’s also a Back to School Giveaway for the kids. Black vendors will be on

site for the shoppers of St. Louis. Meet ForTheCultureSTL at Loretta Hall Park (1451 Cole Street) on Sunday, August 14, from noon to 6 p.m. The event is free, open and family friendly. Afrocentric outfits and protection measures are encouraged.

TUESDAY 08/16 Fringe Forty-seven shows span six days with St. Lou Fringe. Four stages and an outdoor street fair will host the shows, while topics range from fashion to music, theater,

storytelling and just about anything else you can name. Fringe Fest facts: Swear words aren’t off limits, but clean sets are also on deck; participation is open to both amateurs and professionals; tech for the shows is minimal and time is of the essence — most shows are 60 minutes, and sets are simple. nternational burles ue star ola an lla is scheduled to make an appearance. isit ringe est all over rand Center (stlfringe.org/home) and beyond: Scheduled venues include the .ZACK Theatre, Marcelle Theater, chlafly Tap Room and the High Low. The festival’s performances start Tuesday, August 16, with David AN Jackson at 6:30 p.m. and olo oice at p.m. oth will be at the chlafly Tap Room ocust treet . Tickets can be found on MetroTix and begin at $15; multiple-day passes are available as well.

Opera Appetizers eals sometimes need a bit of flavor that no seasoning can offer. That’s exactly what Opera Nights, Diner’s Choice is all about. Your favorite arias, musical-theater numbers and art songs are all on the menu for two nights, thanks to the Winter pera t. ouis. The event includes a four-course meal, with tax and gratuity in-

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cluded in the cost (beverages are not). All proceeds will go to support Winter pera’s th season. Tickets cost $85. Dominic’s on the Hill (5101 Wilson Avenue, 314-865-0038, winteroperastl.org) hosts the event on Tuesday, August , from to p.m.

WEDNESDAY 08/17 Colorful Coats A coat of many colors returns to the uny for the first time in a decade. Based on a biblical story, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells the tale of Jacob’s son Joseph (Jason Gotay) and his brothers. A wicked case of sibling jealousy strikes the family after Joseph receives a colorful coat from his father, leading his brothers to sell him into slavery — they had originally planned to kill him. oseph goes on a ourney filled with hardship, dreams and talent that you’ll want to experience for yourself. The Muny’s (1 Theatre Drive, muny.org/show/joseph-and-theamazing-technicolor/) season closes out with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Catch it the day before the show — and the Muny — closes on Wednesday, ugust . Tickets are free to $115 and can be bought on MetroTix. n

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AUGUST 10-16, 2022

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CAFE

Spec-taco-lar Rock Star Tacos at the Gaslight is as fun as it is tasty — and it’s mighty tasty Written by

CHERYL BAEHR Rock Star Tacos at the Gaslight 4916 Shaw Avenue, 314-625-7508. Tues.Thurs. 5-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-10 p.m. Sat. 5-11 p.m. (Closed Sundays and Mondays.)

t Rock Star Tacos at the Gaslight, you can order a dish called the Poutina Turner. Medium-cut fries, kissed with the warm heat of Chef Wil Pelly’s proprietary Rock Star Dust seasoning, are smothered in fiery chorizo gravy and large, luscious cheese curds that melt into the concoction and counter the spicy burn. A garnish of diced white onions, cilantro and limes cuts through the decadence. The only thing that could make this more delicious would be to enjoy it while listening to White Lion. Check. This Latin American spin on the classic Canadian bar food is mighty tasty. However, what makes it so special — what makes Rock Star Tacos so special in general — is how much fun everyone seems to be having. Pelly, alongside his partner in life and business, Rebecca Schaaf, work the room, running music-themed trivia and regaling guests with outrageous stories behind the irreverent artwork that decorates the space. Bartending powerhouse Naomi Roquet concocts libations and slings ice-cold Nicaraguan beer while cracking jokes with her best friend, Schaaf. Meanwhile, front-of-house veteran Jack Noecker playfully banters with his tables, who are clearly there to have a good time. In these dark times, the entire scene feels like a glimmer of light. You’d expect nothing less from Pelly and Schaaf, two industry veterans who spent a good deal of their careers playing the finedining game, only to come to the realization that they wanted to do something more carefree, whimsical and of their own making. They planted the seeds of that

Rebecca Schaaf and Wil Pelly are the owners of Rock Star Tacos. | MABEL SUEN

The Poutina Turner features Rock Star Dust-covered fries topped with cheese curds, chorizo gravy, onions, cilantro and limes. | MABEL SUEN vision three years ago in the St. Charles planned community New Town; after a night of boozing following a show, bandmates Pelly and Matt Arana hatched a plan to turn a vacant concession-standsized building in New Town into a taco shack. Anchored by Pelly’s culinary know-how and a small menu of punny-named tacos, Ara-

na, Pelly and Schaaf opened Rock Star Taco Shack to a level of success that exceeded their expectations. In the fall of 2020, the partners were approached by the owners of the small music production and events space Gaslight on the Hill to take over its existing restaurant space. The opportunity felt right,

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so Pelly and Schaaf (Arana has since amicably left the partnership) decided to go all in, transitioning the Rock Star Tacos brand from New Town to the Hill. In November of last year, the pair opened for business with an expanded menu, full bar and a determination to bring joy to their guests by not taking themselves too seriously. They have succeeded in that vision. It’s nearly impossible to dine at Rock Star Tacos without giggling at several points during the meal. From the intentionally bad portrait of Pelly and Schaaf that hangs over the entrance to the hilariously named dishes (Poutina Turner is just the start), everything at Rock Star Tacos seems designed to be smile-inducing. However, though the pair are silly when it comes to the vibe they’ve created, they are equally serious about the food. The dishes may feel approachable and easy, but they are actually prepared with the same exacting standards Pelly used when cooking in upscale kitchens. Thai Your Mother Down, for instance, is an excellent riff

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Continued on pg 24

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Tacos include Livin’ on the Veg, There Goes My Gyro and Fish You Were Here. | MABEL SUEN

The Hot for Pizza includes fried tortillas, beans, beef, cheese and enchilada sauce. | MABEL SUEN

ROCK STAR TACOS Continued from pg 23

on Thai Panang beef curry that features hunks of tender, yellow curry beef tucked into a flour shell. The curry has a stunning perfumy undertone, and pairs beautifully with the accompanying cilantro garnish. There Goes My Gyro is a shockingly successful take on the classic Greek pita sandwich, mostly thanks to Pelly’s housemade gyro meat. enerously seasoned with Greek spices and tender, the meat is stuffed into a flour tortilla shell and finished with lettuce, cheese, onions and fresh t at iki sauce. Though the tortilla is thinner than a pita, the dish is otherwise the uintessence of the form. elly’s fish tacos, dubbed ish You Were Here, nail the SoCal staple. oteworthy is the fried cod itself; its crispy exterior yields to wonderfully buttery fish. ikewise, the umber of the eef is everything you want in a Gringo-style taco: rich, seasoned ground beef that is so juicy you get a dribble of orange rendered fat down your hands when you take a bite. is irria ollar abies are another hit. elly’s rendition of the braisedbeef-meets-quesadilla dish pairs succulent shredded meat with gooey cheese and a side of delicate yet powerful consomme. In addition to an expanded taco selection, Rock Star’s Gaslight digs allowed Pelly and Schaaf to offer a number of other finger foods and entrees. The kinny uppies are perhaps the most noteworthy of the additions. or these bite-si ed wonders, Pelly takes a semi-sweet hushpuppy and fills it with seasoned street corn. The result is a delectable fritter that hits every

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Cocktails are available at the bar. | MABEL SUEN note sweet, salty, rich, warm. ven the guacamole is a thing of beauty thanks to its chunky texture and elly’s generous use of lime. Pelly makes an excellent shrimp and grits, whimsically called Putton on the rit . The creamy cornmeal is amped up with the warmly spiced Rock tar ust seasoning, a beautiful canvas for snappy shrimp and fried green chiles. is tamales, too, are absolutely stunning. elly credits his mother, a Cuban immigrant, with instilling in him her tamale-making prowess, which results in outrageously creamy masa that is stuffed with green chiles and covered in the restaurant’s rich ueso. nlike ev-

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ery other dish on Rock Star Tacos’ menu, the tamales do not have a funny name, showing how serious he takes his family’s tradition. owever, the tamales are only a temporary departure from the silliness, as evidenced by the ot for i a, a play on Taco ell’s e ican pi a. or this monstrous dish, Pelly takes two fried tortillas, fills them with rustic-te tured refried beans and seasoned ground beef, then tops the entire concoction with cheese, green onions, tomatoes and enchilada sauce. You wonder if the world would have not lost its collective mind when Taco ell temporarily discontinued its Mexican pizza if we knew

such a culinary wonder was available at Rock tar Tacos. The Hot for Pizza is nothing fancy — just some beans, a couple of tortillas and some sauce. owever, thanks to elly and chaaf, it becomes e traordinary. Taste has a lot to do with it, but more so, it evokes a feeling of comfort and lightheartedness that transcends its ingredients. That they can bring a smile to our faces when smiles are oh so needed is the ultimate marker of hospitality. n

Rock Star Tacos at the Gaslight Poutina Turner .......................................... $15 There Goes My Gyro .....................................$4 Green chile tamale ......................................$5

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SHORT ORDERS

“This is 100 percent North American, so the dollars stay here and support local fishermen and processors.”

[FOOD NEWS]

Midwest Lux St. Louis-based Karl Bruce produces top-quality caviar that’s sourced from the Midwest Written by

CHERYL BAEHR

hris Cochran insists that the origin story for St. Louisbased Karl Bruce caviar is not all that romantic. As the owners of the food consulting company Marginwise, Cochran and his business partner, Mark Schepker, were looking at the portfolio of clients one day and both came to the same conclusion: They were missing a luxury brand. Since creating brands was a main focus of their consulting business, they decided to launch one of their own rather than waiting for an already-existing one to approach them. Thinking of potential products readily available in the Midwest that might meet their requirements, they landed on caviar, found a world-class producer and dubbed their product Karl Bruce. It was a textbook brand-development endeavor that would hopefully round out their portfolio. However, when you dig a little deeper into Karl Bruce, you understand that its roots and importance go much deeper than Cochran’s initial recounting. It’s named after his father, who passed away as they were interviewing potential producers and tasting the caviars that would define their brand. t was natural that Bruce would be such a guiding force; a man who loved food, wine and travel, he instilled those passions in Cochran, who would go on to culinary school and work for some of the country’s most renowned chefs, such as Charlie Palmer and Alice Waters. Though he left the kitchen to get into the consulting side of the business, Cochran never left his chef’s mentality behind. Drawing upon his knowledge of caviar from his years in fine dining, ochran understood the art that

Marginwise’s Karl Bruce caviar is produced locally. | COURTESY CHRIS COCHRAN

The caviar is sourced from Illinois and Iowa rivers. | COURTESY CHRIS COCHRAN goes into its production, as well as the fact that truly outstanding caviar is not limited to the traditional big-name labels with caviar coming from Iran and Russia. “To be caviar, it has to come from sturgeon,” Cochran explains. rom my fine-dining background, I knew there was sturgeon in the Mississippi River being harvested for caviar, so we started buying from as many producers as we could find to see who had the best product available. It’s really a craft process. Even if it’s the same fish, one producer’s product may taste a lot different based on how it’s processed. We found a producer who we firmly believe is making the best product in North America that is not farmed and figured we could

build something that is beneficial to them and to us.” As Cochran explains, the majority of caviar that comes from Mississippi River sturgeon gets processed and shipped off in bulk, where it is rebranded, repackaged and shipped off in smaller increments. As a result of this model, the small producers get paid relatively low prices for their wares. By cutting out the middle man and working directly with Karl Bruce, these independent processors will make significantly more for their caviar. Cochran notes that they deserve the higher cut. A labor-intensive endeavor, the process of making caviar involves removing the eggs from the fish, then cleaning them with a sieve. The goal is to get the

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eggs as clean and individualized as possible: The cleaner the eggs, the less salt that has to be used in preserving the caviar, which allows for a more nuanced taste. ochran is confident arl ruce is an outstanding product. But it’s also attractive because it’s a Midwest success story. Because most of the product is sourced in Illinois, and in some cases Iowa, the money for the product stays in the region, rather than in less geopolitically attractive areas. “A lot of caviar is farmed in either Uruguay or Argentina, where they do not use the most sustainable practices,” Cochran says. “Also, outside of farmed caviar, the best places to buy caviar from are Iran and Russia, neither of which you particularly want to send your dollars to. This is 100 percent North American, so the dollars stay here and support local fishermen and processors. As for the quality of the product, ochran is confident that arl Bruce stacks up well against other luxury caviar brands, and he’s received a ringing endorsement that confirms his claim. ulrush chef and owner Rob Connoley has been so impressed with his initial experience that he’s continued to use it on his menu and has even agreed to provide a testimonial as to its quality. For Cochran and Schepker, along with their partner Nate Litz, who only launched Karl Bruce a couple of week ago, that endorsement is confirmation that they have found a way to celebrate the bounty of what’s available in the Midwest beyond their expectations. “This is really unique,” Cochran says. “I’ve been in the food business for a long time, and this is really great product.” n

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[FOOD NEWS]

Transformation Iconic St. Louis Bosnian restaurant Grbic to close dining room, transition to events space on August 28 Written by

CHERYL BAEHR

n iconic St. Louis restaurant is about to undergo a significant transformation: Grbic Restaurant (4071 Keokuk Street, 314-772-3100), the 30-year-old restaurant that introduced St. Louis diners to Bosnian cuisine, will close to the public on Sunday, August 28, to focus solely on the special-events side of its business. The Grbic family announced the closure in a Facebook post last week, assuring longtime guests that this is not a goodbye but simply a new way forward for the beloved restaurant. “This morning, I was in a sad place, but then all of a sudden, my brain stopped me and was like, ‘No, no. What are you doing? You are going on to bigger and better things here,’” said chef and co-owner Senada Grbic. “I just got this new jolt of energy. I’m so sad to see this chapter ending, but I am so excited about this new chapter.” As Grbic explained in both her post and to the Riverfront Times, she and her family have decided to wind down their restaurant operations so that they can devote themselves fully to their robust private-events business. For as long as they can remember, they have felt pulled in two different directions, dividing attention between their dining room and their banquets. Now, after a massive renovation of the private-events venue, they feel it is a good time to focus all of their atten-

[FOOD NEWS]

For Sale Nick & Elena’s owners seek someone to carry on the Breckenridge Hills pizzeria’s tradition Written by

CHERYL BAEHR

iting it as “one of the most difficult decisions we have ever made,” the owners of Nick & Elena’s are putting their restaurant up for sale. The news was announced on August 1 on the Pizza Connoisseurs of St. Louis Facebook page. “We are in search of a buyer that will take over the place with the love and tradition,” the post reads. “We are looking

Grbic restaurant has been a St. Louis institution since 1992. | ANDY PAULISSEN tion to that one side of operations. The changes are bittersweet for the entire Grbic family. After opening in Dutchtown in 1992, Grbic has become the most recognizable symbol of the Bosnian community’s impact on the St. Louis food scene, thanks to its warm hospitality and matriarch Ermina’s cooking, even though she was a reluctant participant at first. Senada Grbic recalls the day her dad, Sulejman, piled the entire family in their car and drove them to the building that would become Grbic, dropping it on her mom that he had bought a restaurant after years of her telling him not to. However, once Ermina realized it was a done deal, she devoted herself fully to making it a success, as did her children Senada, Ermin and the late Erna. From day one, the restaurant was a family affair, with everyone playing an integral role in its success. It didn’t take long for the restaurant to become known as the place in town for Bosnian cuisine, and it enjoyed a loyal following and

for someone who absolutely loves our place and would carry on our good name and growing business. After 37 amazing years, the time has come.” Over its nearly four decades in business, Nick & Elena’s has come to be considered one of the best examples of St. Louis-style pizza in the area. Known for a supremely flaky crust that strikes the perfect balance between thinness and enough heft to hold up to toppings, the Breckenridge Hills pizzeria is the gold standard of the form. Its sweet red sauce is a mouthwatering canvas for its fennel-kissed sausage, and its pizzas have exactly the right amount of Provel-style cheese — not so much that it weighs down and blends into the crust like pizza lasagna, but enough that it turns the sauce into a beautiful, orange-hued molten concoction. This superior product has given Nick & Elena’s legions of fans, and even garnered it a Riverfront Times Best of St. Louis award in 2019 for the area’s best St. Louis-style pizza.

increasingly significant private-events business. Senada Grbic is proud of what her family has created, but she is not shy about saying how hard it has been. Between the dining room, events venue and patio, it’s not uncommon for them to be serving roughly 600 people at one time. It’s a high-pressure environment that can be intense for the family and the staff to navigate. “We’re doing great business, and our employees are happy, but we want to make sure everyone stays happy, and we have to revisit our business model to do that,” Grbic says. “Plus, I’m ready to see my parents enjoy their life. The restaurant has been all-consuming because we are so hands on. We love the hustle and bustle of everything, but it’s consuming our lives, and we needed to make a change.” Grbic had been toying around with this idea for several months, but she found the push she needed to take the leap from a very special person: her late sister, Erna, who passed away from cancer in 2019.

“I really feel like a lot of this is because of my sister’s guidance,” Grbic says. “She [wanted] to do this six or seven years ago, but we never thought we could get here. Recently, I found her notebooks with all of these notes about closing — what she would do and how. It really opened our minds to what’s possible. Plus, she really loved working events. I know it sounds funny, but working events always makes us feel closer to her. When I’m working a wedding, it’s like I can see her in the space and have these ‘What would Erna do?’ moments.” Grbic notes that her parents are a big reason she and her brother, Ermin, decided to wind down the restaurant side of the business. Though both parents are getting older, they have been hesitant to walk away from the restaurant; this felt like the only way to convince them to retire. Senada Grbic laughs that they did not need much convincing; within a day or so after making the decision, her mom excitedly booked a ticket to Bosnia, something she did not have the luxury of doing in the past because of her restaurant obligations. Grbic also feels that these changes are an important way forward for her and Ermin. For her part, she is eager to design new menus and build upon the foundation her mother has given her. She insists she is keeping her mom’s recipes and will continue to offer traditional Bosnian dishes, though she plans on making them more appropriate for an elevated banquet format. It’s a big change but one she is ready to take on. “It doesn’t feel like an ending because this is truly what I have been wanting,” Grbic says. “I’m so excited to take on this new chapter and take everything my mom taught me and find a way to elevate it and incorporate it in a new way. I’m really looking forward to pushing myself and challenging myself. I have so much creative energy, and I am ready to unleash it.” n

Nick & Elena’s pizza is a St. Louis classic. | COURTESY PHOTO With a loyal following that regularly packs its house and causes its phones to ring off the hook with carry-out and delivery orders, the pizzeria is one of the

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area’s most popular restaurants. The post did not reference an imminent closure date or say what would happen if no buyer comes forward. n

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RIVERFRONT TIMES

ST. LOUIS STANDARDS

[ S T. L O U I S S TA N D A R D S ]

A Taste of St. Louis Russell’s has evolved from a single corner spot to a beloved neighborhood institution Written by

CHERYL BAEHR Russell’s Multiple locations including 5400 Murdoch Avenue, 314-553-9994 Established 2006

ussell Ping will never forget the frenzy that happened every Saturday and Sunday during brunch hours shortly after opening Russell’s on Macklind in 2013. Though the restaurant was built to be a casual, counter-service bakery and cafe with open seating, the sheer volume of people packing the place meant that there was not enough table real estate to accommodate. It was a sign he and his wife, Emily, had made the right decision to open a spot in their Southampton neighborhood. But it also called for special measures. When we first opened, the line would go from the counter all the way out the front door and into the street,” Ping recalls. “Our manager Faron [Huster] would be walking from person to person, trying to help. He’d tell one person he would take their purse and put it on a table as soon as it became ready, then move to the next and do the same thing. That’s just how it went in the beginning, and really, it dictated the way our business evolved.” Since those early weekend days, Russell’s has indeed evolved from the vision originally sketched out by Ping and his mother, Kate, 16 years ago. A culinary school graduate who spent time in a variety of upscale restaurants, Ping dreamed of opening a restaurant of his own, albeit a different one than his resume would suggest. Instead of a fine-dining, dinner-service spot, Ping envisioned a simple cafe and

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Russell Ping bought the Russell’s on Macklind location after the coffee shop that was there, Murdoch Perk, closed. | ANDY PAULISSEN sandwich shop that would serve familiar, approachable food done exceptionally well. Though such establishments are now commonplace, they were few and far between when Ping began to think through his idea. It seemed like a hole in the market he could fill when he was ready to do so. That opportunity came by chance much earlier than he’d expected. Around 2006, Ping was looking to move on from his job at a bed and breakfast but had no immediate plans for what would follow. When his mother’s longtime workplace, Casual Corner, went out of business, they both saw it as an opportunity to chart their own course. “I was over at my parents’ house for dinner and got to chatting with my mom,” Ping says. “My mom had all this retail and customerservice experience, and I had my own customer-service and food experience. I was really young, but we figured we’d take a little bit of time, find a cheap spot, do our own thing and see if it works.” The two of them opened the restaurant in 2006 in a small, 16-seat Fenton storefront, not far from where Ping grew up. They began with a small menu, a selection of baked goods and some simple yet

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“It’s definitely changed since we opened. Some things worked and some things didn’t, but we listened to the community and gave them what they wanted.” elegant cakes, hoping that people would respond favorably to their project. It didn’t take long for them to get that confirmation. “I had these cakes in the pastry case and remember crossing my fingers that people would spend money on good stuff,’ Ping says. Then we sold our first nine-inch round cake, and I was like, ‘OK, people will actually buy them.’” After a few years in business, Ping and his mom decided to in-

vest in a second, larger location not far away from their original, doubling the size of their space while also doubling their sales. Around that time, Ping and his wife, Emily, were settling into their Southampton neighborhood, where they’d become regulars at a corner cafe called Murdoch Perk. The small spot was Ping’s coffee stop on the way to work in Fenton until one morning when the space was dark and a For Sale sign hung in its window. The Pings thought it would be the perfect spot, so they purchased the building and opened their doors to a very welcoming neighborhood in 2013. “We really wanted to see what the neighborhood wanted and use our knowledge and experience as a brand from Fenton and evolve it, ing says. t’s definitely changed since we opened. Some things worked and some things didn’t, but we listened to the community and gave them what they wanted. Of course, you can’t give everyone what they want, but you learn where to draw lines and do the best at what you are doing.” That neighborhood input has resulted in today’s Russell’s on Macklind, a quintessential neighborhood gathering place that may not technically be located

[

]

ICONIC PEOPLE, PLACES & DISHES T H A T A N C H O R S T L’ S F O O D S C E N E

Brunch — which naturally comes with coffee — is a big draw. | ANDY PAULISSEN

Russell’s began its business with sweet confections. | JONATHAN GAYMAN

Russell Ping established Russell’s in 2006. | ANDY PAULISSEN

Russell’s has a legendary pastry case with contents made in house. | ANDY PAULISSEN on Macklind Avenue but whose full-service brunch is one of the area’s most popular weekend traditions. Brunch is one of several ways the corner eatery has grown in its nearly decade in business. Though the Pings never intended to open a sit-down spot, Russell Ping describes the situation as arising naturally due to demand and the space itself, which was remodeled a few years after it opened to include an upstairs bar and updated patio. As Ping notes,

the Macklind spot now feels like a second concept under the Russell’s brand rather than an additional location — something that happened organically over time. With the enton location firmly established and the Macklind spot beloved as a neighborhood institution, Ping is again growing the brand. This time, it’s not a new location but an expanded retail component, which will be the home for Russell’s nationwide shipping and online ordering — an endeavor

started a few years ago to roaring success. After launching delivery of its gooey butter cake in December of 2020, the Ping family has grown that side of its operation to meet the robust demand of those eager to have the St. Louis staple shipped around the country for a taste of home. And what demand there is. According to Ping, in mere weeks after launching delivery, Russell’s sold $100,000 of the dessert and shipped it to all 50 states. For anyone who’s

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tasted his version of the city’s unofficial sweet treat, it’s easy to see why so many are eager to sample it. Unlike the traditional or store-bought versions, Russell’s gooey butter cake has a thick shortbread crust that’s not overly sweet, which adds a pleasant texture to the decadent, buttery topping. It’s a decadent foundation upon which Ping and his family are building a mini dessert empire. That’s something he can’t help but find amusing considering their humble plans all those years ago. “Whenever my wife and I or my folks and I sit around and talk about the beginning days of all this and where it’s grown, it’s really neat to step back and see where it’s ended up,” Ping says. “There have been some bumps in the road for sure, but where we’ve ended up is pretty cool.” n

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REEFERFRONT TIMES

[REVIEW]

Into the Unknown Stability Growers’ Monkey Tape, for sale at Bloc Dispensary, is a sativa even an indica lover can inhale Written by

GRAHAM TOKER

n the marijuana world, there are two camps: the indica and the sativa. I’ve usually been entrenched in the indica camp, known for couch lock and purple nugs. Personally, the body high is what I’m after. I want to relieve the aches and pains in my meat-covered skeleton suit, and I’ve generally found more success with those types of strains. Sativas, on the other hand, have the stigma of leading to overthinking, and in my ventures haven’t had the same terpene pop as indicas. Then there’s the fact that almost everything’s a hybrid now. But I digress. I’ve only ever encountered one sativa strain that I’ve enjoyed: Green Crack. Although recalling tasting notes is impossible now, the strain had a powerful effect on me. It was a great antidote for writer’s block, and I also got a rush of energy in the morning akin to a cup of coffee when I did a wake and bake. Now it’s been years since I enjoyed a sativa-leaning smoke. And I wanted to venture outside the friendly confines of World Indica and blaze a trail across Planet Sativa. I jetted over to Bloc Dispensary, across from the Galleria in Richmond Heights. I was there to acuire some sativa flower from a new (to me) medical grower. I’d also never visited Bloc before. Uncharted territory. Ample parking is available on either side of the dispensary. The waiting area gives a panoramic view through glass of a large, spread-out sales floor and seven

Stability’s Monkey Tape strain comes in the form of tight, bright green buds. | TOMMY CHIMS registers. That’s different from most other dispensaries I’ve visited, which keep the sales floor behind a closed door. After Bloc staff checked me in as a new patient, I was whisked onto the sales floor and walked up to the register to finali e my transaction. Multiple TV screens behind the registers scroll through all of the options available in each category: concentrates, vapes, edibles, pre-rolls and flower. ince loc doesn’t make its own products, staff has curated a heady list of vendors to showcase its wares. A friend had recommended that I check out Stability Growers, and my budtender seconded the recommendation. Since Stability only had one sativa option available, my usually slow stoner decisionmaking was incredibly uick We would be smoking Monkey Tape. I paid $28.88 for the eighth, including a 15 percent discount since I hold a cultivator medical-marijuana card. Clocking in at 24 percent THC, the neon green buds are definitely not something I’ve encountered often. Underneath an even coating of trichomes and woven against the bright green flower were fiery orange pistils. The eighth was composed of two larger flowers, a medium-si ed one and several smaller buds. The

This fun, lighter high made for a great wake-andbake option on an off day. I got to enjoy a nice smoke and relax, but when it was time to run errands I wasn’t glued to the couch. scent from the jar leaned heavily towards a lemon Pine-Sol. Those same hints of lemon carried over after the grind, which coaxed out more of the fuel and rubber notes. After I hand rolled a Raw Black with paper tip, the smoke burned well with minimal kick, with the fuel notes coating my palate. The high settled in around my shoulders and temples, with a dash of tingly legs for good measure. Within the first hour after smoking, the Monkey Tape made my normally difficult task of deciding

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which YouTube video to watch stoned a nearly insurmountable challenge. As the cerebral effects ratcheted down, I had a mild case of the munchies — something swiftly overcome with a large handful of Oreo cookies. Another session after work provided a relaxed, cerebral-dominant high with no body effects. Not something I’m used to, honestly, but it did have some advantages. After smoking, I sat down to watch The Wire, and stayed more alert and engaged than my usual indica tokes permit. This fun, lighter high also made for a great wake-andbake option on an off day. I got to enjoy a nice smoke and relax, but when it was time to run errands I wasn’t glued to the couch. For the price point and the positive experiences I had smoking tability’s onkey Tape, ’d definitely be on the lookout to grab a few jars when possible. I’m also excited to circle back and try more of Stability’s offerings — at Bloc, that’s currently Tallymon and Larry OG. All in all, I went two for two in going out of my comfort zone for this review. Stability Growers might not ump out as a flashy flower option such as Cookies or Proper, but I’m hoping they continue to shine with strong value-flower options for Missouri patients. n

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RIVERFRONT TIMES

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CULTURE

[ H I S T O R I C A L S T. L O U I S ]

Secret Histories Neil and Veronica Putz dig into the stories of some of Soulard’s oldest houses Written by

BENJAMIN SIMON

n a recent Friday, Neil Putz took the day off from work, but he didn’t spend it relaxing at his century-old, redbrick Soulard home. He and his wife, Veronica, went on a date to St. Louis City Hall, where they scoured the papers at the Recorder of eeds office. t was uly, nearly five months before the Soulard parlor tours begin, but the Putzes were already getting started. As members of the Soulard Restoration Group istorical ommittee, they have a lot of history to dig up. “This is like walking out and turning over a rock, eil says. “You don’t know what you’re going to find. ut it can be so e citing. Since 2016, Neil and Veronica have helped to lead, and discover hidden histories for the Soulard Restoration Group parlor tours. Organized by the neighborhood association, house tours — or parlor tours as they call them in Soulard — are common throughout t. ouis city, where visitors walk through select homes in a neighborhood. Normally priced around $50, these tours are essential to the financial vitality of neighborhood associations, often serving as the main source of funding to keep them running. ut the ut es put a different spin on these tours. They don’t see them as open-house events. They see them as history tours. They do months of research to uncover the lives of these homes. They’ve turned up houses that once held a dancehall and a bowling alley. They’ve learned about people who emigrated through Ellis sland from avaria and eventually made their way to St. Louis.

Historical fire insurance maps, like these of Soulard in 1897, are some of the documents the Putz’s examine. | COURTESY BENJAMIN SIMON They’ve found the neighborhood lamplighter, who woke up every night and lit the street candles. They share stories about Pierre Laclede’s mistress and “Little Charlie, as they call him, who died in a World War I gas attack. “There are indicators all around us, eil says. When we start to investigate those things, all of a sudden it fits together. eronica and eil first started researching houses in 2015, when they were asked to show their home on the tour. They agreed, but they weren’t sure how to prepare. “We didn’t know what to say or what to do, eronica says. re they just coming through? Walking in and leaving What is it So they decided to learn the history of their home. They weren’t professional historians by any means. Neil spent 26 years in the military, and Veronica was a director of sales in the hospitality industry. ut they spiraled down the rabbit hole of historical research. They looked at census records and visited the issouri istorical Society. They learned that in 1865, for example, 27 people and seven separate families lived in their home. On the day of the tour, people wouldn’t leave the ut home, staying to listen to the history and ask questions. The Putzes slowed down the entire tour with their history, they joke. Shortly afterward, the Soulard Restoration Group asked them to

Veronica Putz examines historical records. | COURTESY NEIL AND VERONICA PUTZ unearth the history of every home on these yearly tours. ince then, the ut es have turned themselves into oulard historians. Each year, they research the six houses and one commercial business on the tour, which takes place in early December. They then write a synopsis of the history and collect historical documents for homeowners to share with visitors. They’ve developed a whole science to discovering the nitty-gritty details of these homes. They start by running through property records at City Hall, where they’ll find the first owners and any structural changes. They’ll secure fire insurance maps from the early 1890s and census records from the

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1800s. Then they’ll let the information guide them down a path. In the end, they’ll have a full portrait of the home who has lived there, where they worked, what changes they made to the house, who came after them and what it all says about the neighborhood. Their work has led them to start a historical committee within the Soulard Restoration Group. They hope to teach other residents in Soulard, and across the city, how to research their homes. ow could you ever be pleased with brand-new construction out in the county somewhere eil says. Yes, you might have a nice home and a swimming pool in the back and all that. ut how can you be happy with that, when you’ve lived in a home that has such a deep history Neil and Veronica don’t get paid. This is just how they spend their free time their vacation days, evenings and weekends s uinting at census records, huddled in the City Hall Recorder of Deeds office, trying to unearth the secrets of Soulard homes. They spend so much time doing research that the workers at the issouri istorical Society know them personally. “We walk in, and they say, ‘Oh, here’s the oulard people,’ eil says. “They know us because they’re always kicking us out at closing time because we’re there researching our little hearts out. We’re passionate, eronica adds, laughing. “We don’t want to leave. n

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

MUSIC

[THROWBACK]

A Sweet Return The Indie Rock Ice Cream Social brings “fuck yeah” energy back to Off Broadway Written by

CARLOS MENDOZA

fter a nine-year hiatus, the popular Indie Rock Ice Cream Social is returning to Off Broadway on Friday, August 12. The event features four indie rock bands and a free ice cream bar provided by Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream. Michael Tomko, the show’s organizer, announced the event’s return on social media at the end of June. He was buoyed by the positive reception. “It’s nice to hear they remember this niche thing. It pushes me to keep going,” he says. The last ice cream social was in 2013. Tomko started organizing the event in 2006 when he was the manager and guitarist/percussionist for the band Gentleman Auction House. He later played guitar for the band Via Dove, which performed at the social for multiple years. In 2007, Tomko also co-owned the Bluebird, later called the Firebird, a Midtown concert venue that is now closed. “Originally, the events were to push my own club or band further, but after 2013, I didn’t have either of those things going on,” Tomko says. “Life changed and other pursuits caught my attention.” Tomko’s daughter was born in 2014, and his software-development job was getting more demanding. Via Dove ultimately disbanded in 2015 and “my longest-running event, An Under Cover Weekend [an annual concert featuring local bands playing tribute sets], went on hiatus in 2019.” Tomko also organized the Tritone Expo, a 2016 music and tech expo at Cortex. He’s excited to bring the ice cream social back, saying he draws energy from creating “elevated experiences for bands and fans.”

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Bear Hive performed at the 2011 Indie Rock Ice Cream Social, which was at the Firebird. | JON GITCHOFF

The crowd at the fifth annual Indie Rock Ice Cream Social brought the energy. | JON GITCHOFF Reflecting on his event-running past, he says, “While I don’t expect to come back to doing events full time again, I personally missed that energy in my life and realized that some of the things that I had prioritized over musical pursuits were ultimately not as fulfilling. Can we expect more events to return in the future? “Maybe [the social] is a gateway to bringing back some other of my local faves of the past — like An Under Cover Weekend — and creating something new for a new generation of fans also sounds rather appealing.” Starwolf, YOUPEOPL, Jesus

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

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Christ Supercar and Amberskies are all performing at this year’s social. Tomko says the event and four-band lineup brings a “fuckyeah energy” because it is happening in an intimate venue where the crowd and bands can feed off of each other. The lineup is not homogeneous — rather, “there’s representation for different areas of St. Louis,” Tomko says. The lineup includes neo-soul, punk disco and psychedelic funk. In the past, the social helped people discover bands they wouldn’t have known otherwise. “It takes a lot for people to spend money on a

local artist; it’s a huge accomplishment for the band,” Tomko says. The enticement of free ice cream doesn’t hurt. The iconic dessert speaks “a universal language which brings a whimsical but familiar feeling,” Tomko says. “It’s like when you walk into a party where you don’t know anyone but see that one person you recognize.” Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream has been hosting the free ice cream bar since the beginning, serving an array of custom flavors and toppings. n years past, there were fancy flavors like Salty Caramel, Irish Cream and Bordeaux Cherry. This year, while the flavors are still being decided, with help from his eight-year-old daughter, Tomko mentions guests can expect a “few staples alongside a few more adventurous flavors Serendipity is known for.” With the familiar treat in hand at a familiar event, Tomko is hoping that everything clicks. “When everyone’s off doing their own thing and having their own worries, this is the touchstone of familiarity that brings everyone home.” n Check out Indie Rock Ice Cream Social at Off Broadway (3509 Lemp Avenue, offbroadwaystl.com) on Friday, August 12. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7. Tickets are $15.

STAGE [SHAKESPEARE]

An AfroFuturistic Midsummer The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s park tour boasts an all-Black, local cast Written by

JESSICA ROGEN

ome are born to the stage. thers find their ways there by chance. Tre’von riffith developed an interest in theater growing up in north city. t eight, he had his first professional role in the lack Rep’s production of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. niversity ity’s randin aughn might have never found the industry. fashion designer and owner of a herokee treet store, randin aughn ollection, he got tapped for costume design for the lack Rep’s Spell No. 7 that ran in early before being cut off by the pandemic . This summer, the two creatives, with their distinct paths, have come together for the production of t. ouis hakespeare estival’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which will stop in area parks. The tour kicked off last week and runs through aturday, ugust . The free, -minute show starts at p.m. every Tuesday through unday. The play follows preparations for the wedding of Theseus, uke of thens, to ippolyta, an maon ueen. our lovers, including Theseus’ daughter, enter a forest and run afoul of a dispute between fairy royalty as well as the trickster fairy uck. ilarity ensues, but as the tale is one of the comedies, all ends in marriage. riffith, a musician and composer also known as Tre , serves as director, and aughn as the costume designer. The producing artistic director is Tom Ridgely. The show has an all- lack com-

The production has an all-Black, local cast. | COURTESY ST. LOUIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

“The cool thing [is] going into the different communities in St. Louis, engaging with them in ways that probably haven’t been done before.” pany of local actors. That cast, the show’s accessibility and the way that theater has been a creative home for riffith and aughn are all related and feed into why each umped at the opportunity to take part. The cool thing is going into the different communities in t. ouis, engaging with them in ways that probably haven’t been done before, riffith says. lso, it’s about representation. oming up as a child, didn’t have a lack designer as a role

Tre’von Griffith serves as Midsummer’s director. | COURTESY ST. LOUIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL model, aughn adds. That wasn’t there. o ’ll be the catalyst for that. f you dream it, you can do it. To bring this dream to life, riffith decided on fro-futurist an aesthetic that imagines a future of lack e cellence through the use of technology and often includes sci-fi elements as the unifying concept. e says that it worked well for this show because so much time is spent in the dream world, a setting with plenty of creative room. want to be able to tell stories that are representative to the

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world that we live in now, he says. That theme came out strongest in the costumes and the music. riffith drew from a variety of music styles, including R and gospel, and unifies them with a future synth aesthetic and a driving beat. or the costumes, aughn used colorful frican fabrics for the human characters to give the actors a vibrant pop on stage. Then for the fairies, he went full futuristic, creating helmets out of motherboards, floppy disks and piping. e focused on differentiating cast members and making sure the costumes wouldn’t smother the cast performing outside in t. ouis’ muggy heat. ome favorite pieces include a -panel puffer vest with a pleated cape wings on the back and a mirrored, asymmetrical corset with agged edges that reflects light across the stage. ostumes really help tell the story, aughn says. hakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream is a story that we’ve seen over and over again. ut had the opportunity to show my vision of the story when read the script, and that’s the most important part to me. Though riffith didn’t change anything about the te t of the play, he says that he also did a kind of interpretation to make everyone watching feel welcomed and able to digest the action on stage. That process began with digging into the te t itself, then creating mood boards and finally talking with the creative team about how to bring the vision to life. lot of times, when you say hakespeare, you don’t necessarily think it is for everyone, riffith says. nd it really is. t’s not only this team’s specific approach that makes this a show for anyone, riffith says. t’s inherent in the story, which features a character, ermia, who wishes to marry the man she loves rather than the man her father has picked. This generation, we believe in doing what’s right, going against those social norms, riffith says. veryone wanted her to marry this person and she wanted to follow her heart. n Catch the next performance at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 11, at Shroeder Park (359 Old Meramec tation oad Manchester) or find future shows at stlshakes.org/production/midsummer-tour.

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

OLIVER TREE

PLUS JAWNY AND HUDDY

Sat, August 13

BOZ SCAGGS

SPECIAL GUEST THE ROBERT CRAY BAND

WED, AUGUST 17

THE DRIVER ERA

PLUS SUMMER SALT, ALMOST MONDAY

FRI, SEPT 2 89.1 KCLC PRESENTS OH, INVERTED WORLD - 21ST BIRTHDAY TOUR

THE SHINS PLUS JOSEPH

Tue, Sept 06 THE

AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW Sat, Sept 10 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

CHRISTOPHER CROSS Fri, Sept 16

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE Thurs, Sept 22

JUDAH & THE LION

PLUS SMALLPOOLS

Fri, Sept 23 KSHE KLASSIC CAR SHOW & CONCERT FEAT.

JACKYL & STEPHEN PEARCY OF RATT SUN, SEPT 25

WHEELER WALKER, JR. SAT, OCT 1

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

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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, especially in the age of COVID-19, so do check with the venue for the most up-to-date information before you head out for the night. And of course, be sure that you are aware of the venues’ COVID-safety requirements, as those vary from place to place and you don’t want to get stuck outside because you forgot your mask or proof of vaccination. Happy showgoing!

[CRITIC’S PICK]

THURSDAY 11

FARSHID ETNIKO DUO: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. GRADY PHILLIP DRUGG: w/ Nathaniel Carroll 7 p.m., . chlafly Tap Room, ocust t., t. ouis, . GRAYSON JOSTES: p.m., . lue trawberry howroom ounge, oyle ve, t. ouis, . THE HAMILTON BAND: 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo iergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, . IVAS JOHN: p.m., . ’s a , lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . JOHN CALVIN ABNEY: w/ Cole Bridges 8 p.m., $10. The eavy nchor, ravois ve., t. ouis, .

BACK POCKET BAND: 7:30 p.m., free. Steve’s Hot ogs, outh rand, t. ouis. BILLYE3: 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 ravois ve., t. ouis, . BLUES AT THE ARCH DAY 1: w/ Annika Chambers, arcia all p.m., free. ateway rch, Washington ve., t. ouis, . CITY MORGUE: w obe p.m., . elmar all, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . HANSON: p.m., . . The ageant, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . INDIE ROCK ICE CREAM SOCIAL: w/ Starwolf, Youpeopl, esus hrist upercar, mber kies p.m., . ff roadway, emp ve., t. ouis, . JEREMIAH JOHNSON BAND: 9:30 p.m., $15. BB’s a , lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . JUSTIN JAGLER & THE EVERGREENS: p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . MOON VALLEY: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. NEIL SALSICH AND BETH BOMBARA: 7:30 p.m., . lue trawberry howroom ounge, oyle ve, t. ouis, . PICKIN’ BUDS: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. RICKY NYE: p.m., . ’s a , lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . SLEIGH BELLS: 8 p.m., $30. Red Flag, 3040 ocust treet, t. ouis, . TIFFANY ELLE: p.m., . The ark Room, randel uare inside randel Theatre, t. ouis, .

SATURDAY 13

BLUES AT THE ARCH DAY 2: w/ Matt “The Rattlesnake esch, s. yresh tart, ircus armony, eremiah ohnson, eesha ratt and,

St. Louis ex-pat Allison Durham returns to the river city with art punk juggernaut Mesh this Saturday. | COURTESY THE ARTIST

Mesh w/ Haldol, Trauma Harness, Nick G Band 9 p.m. Saturday, August 13. CBGB, 3163 South Grand Boulevard. $10. No phone. The opening cut on Mesh’s 2021 selftitled EP has landed the Philadelphiabased group on many blogs and playlists since its release, including Henry Rollins’ Fanatic, a landmark punk show that airs every Saturday night on KCRW Santa Monica. The chorus goes “C-I-A … mind control,” and from there the anthemic song digs its hooks in and never lets up until a cathartic stop ends the single elwyn irchwood noon, free. ateway rch, Washington ve., t. ouis, . DOOBIE: p.m., . elmar all, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . DREW SHEAFOR AND THE SOUL RANGERS: 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., t. ouis, . THE GASLIGHT SQUARES: 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. GLORILLA: p.m., . . The ageant, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . GRUB AND GROOVE: 3 p.m., free. Francis Park, ichelberger t. onovan ve., t. ouis. HOT KOOLAID: p.m., free. ightshift ar rill, e ico Road, t. eters, . LADY J’S “MUSIC AT THE INTERSECTION SAMPLER SPECIAL”: p.m., . The ark Room, randel uare inside randel Theatre, t. ouis, . LOVE JONES “THE BAND”: 11 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . MAT WILSON / RICKY NYE: 3 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz,

with an exclamation mark. Yet that infectiously catchy song is just an intro to a tape that landed on Bandcamp’s Best Punk column on release — no small feat for a band that, at that point, only had a few demos and shows under its belt. A year has passed and Mesh has only built on that early momentum, as made evident by this summer tour through the Midwest, where the band will play with a who’s who of contemporary punk. The St. Louis date is no exception as hometown heroes Trauma Harness will perform hot off the release of two recent albums: Ten Years Of Trauma, put out by Lumpy

Records, provides a primer on the local group’s first 10 years as a band with a greatest-hits collection compiled by the brains behind Lumpy & the Dumpers, and Swimming in Plastic is Trauma Harness’ “pandemic” record of sorts, as the 18 tracks within were recorded during COVID-19 lockdown. Don’t Call It a Comeback: This Saturday night is also something of a homecoming for Mesh’s Allison Durham, a St. Louis expat who can be seen rocking a 12-string guitar and providing vocals alongside bandleader and singer Sims Hardin. —Joseph Hess

lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . OLIVER TREE: w awny and uddy p.m., . . The actory, uter Rd, hesterfield, . ROCKY MANTIA & THE KILLER COMBO: 7 p.m., . ’s a , lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . SISSER: w They eed achines To ly , agheera p.m., . lueberry ill - The uck Room, elmar lvd., niversity ity, . TIDAL VOLUME: w ave Radio, ads o. p.m., . ff roadway, emp ve., t. ouis, .

hesterfield. LOVE JONES “THE BAND”: 10 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . POLLY O’KEARY & THE RHYTHM METHOD: 7 p.m., . ’s a , lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . STARCRAWLER: p.m., . ff roadway, emp ve., t. ouis, . WALTER PARKS: p.m., . lue trawberry howroom ounge, oyle ve, t. ouis, .

SUNDAY 14

BOB ROW ORGAN TRIO: 3 p.m., $15. BB’s Jazz, lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . THE DEAL: 10 a.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, . LAKE STREET DIVE: p.m., . hesterfield mphitheater, eterans lace rive,

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MONDAY 15

COMEDY SHIPWRECK: p.m., free. The eavy nchor, ravois ve., t. ouis, . DOROTHY PINO: p.m., free. Ya ui’s on herokee, herokee t, t. ouis, . THIRD SIGHT BAND: p.m., . ’s a , lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, .

JAMEY JOHNSON: w lackberry moke, lla angley p.m., . . . t. ouis usic

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

ark, asino enter r., aryland eights, . SMILE EMPTY SOUL: p.m., - . op’s ightclub, onsanto ve., ast t. ouis, - . ST. LOUIS SOCIAL CLUB: p.m., . ’s a , lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, .

[CRITIC’S PICK]

WEDNESDAY 17 BIG RICH MCDONOUGH & THE RHYTHM RENEGADES: p.m., . ’s a , lues oups, . roadway, t. ouis, . BOZ SCAGGS: w the Robert ray and p.m., . . . The actory, uter Rd, hesterfield, . EL TEN ELEVEN: p.m., . ld Rock ouse, . th t., t. ouis, . VOODOO WOODSTOCK: p.m., . roadway yster ar,

. roadway, t. ouis,

THIS JUST IN

AL HOLLIDAY: Thu., ept. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis. ALLMAN FAMILY REVIVAL: Sat., Dec. 10, 8 p.m., . . . The actory, uter Rd, hesterfield, . AMY GRANT: W/ Michael W. Smith, Fri., Dec. 9, p.m., . The o Theatre, . rand lvd., t. ouis, . AS THE CROW FLIES: Fri., Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m., free. ri., ept. , p.m., free. The risco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. BAD SUNS: W ast inosaurs, uarters of hange, at., ct. , p.m., . Red lag, ocust treet, t. ouis, . BETH BOMBARA: Thu., ept. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis. BILLY DON BURNS: ri., ov. , p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . BILLYE3: Fri., Sept. 9, 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo iergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, . BLUE OCTOBER: Sat., Nov. 19, 8 p.m., $37-$50. The ageant, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . THE BLUE SPARKS: ri., ug. , p.m., free. as evo iergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, . BOOGIE CHYLD: ri., ept. , p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . BOXCAR: un., ug. , p.m., free. enton ark, rsenal t. . efferson ve., t. ouis. at., ept. , p.m., free. rooked reek Winery owntown, ak t, entralia, . THE BROKEN HIPSTERS: Thu., ept. , p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., t. ouis, . BROTHER FRANCIS AND THE SOULTONES: Thu., Sept. 1, 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 ravois ve., t. ouis, . BROTHERS LAZAROFF: Tue., ug. , p.m., free. teve’s ot ogs, outh rand, t. ouis. CARA DINEEN: BESSIE TO BJORK: Thu., ept. , p.m., . lue trawberry howroom ounge, oyle ve, t. ouis, . CARSON MANN & CREE RIDER: Thu., ept. , 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. CEMETERY GATEZ: THE PANTERA TRIBUTE BAND: W on uest Tribute to the etal ods, at., ct. , p.m., . op’s ightclub, onsanto ve., ast t. ouis, . A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS: Thu., ec. , p.m., . amily rena, rena arkway, t harles, . CHRIS REDD: at., ug. , p.m., . randel Theatre, randel uare, t. ouis, . CHRISTOPHER CROSS: ri., ept. , p.m., . . . The actory, uter Rd, hesterfield, . CONNOR SCHENK: at., ept. , p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . CONWAY THE MACHINE: Fri., Sept. 30, 8 p.m., . op’s ightclub, onsanto ve., ast t. ouis, . CORY WONG: W ictor Wooten, Trousdale,

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Chicago duo Hide will bring its sample-based, electronic industrial sound to the Sinkhole on Sunday. | COURTESY THE ARTIST

Hide w/ Janet Xmas Chicago industrial duo Hide crafts thought-provoking records that tend to focus on a central theme many would consider “dark” — if only because most bands wouldn’t spend their time on stage shining the light on such subjects. And maybe “dark” is the right way to describe, for instance, a 2016 EP dedicated to the memory of Reyhana Jabbari, a 27-year-old Iranian woman who was murdered by the state for killing an individual who was attempting to rape her. Power dynamics, human rights and systemic problems, such as the enforcement of the modern Western gender binary, are woven into the fabric of Hide’s sample-based, electronic compositions. The group’s 2021 release Interior Terror offers an expansive realization of Hide’s approach as the pair sculpts the

soundtrack to the real-life survival horror game that so many folks are forced to live out (and die from) on a daily basis. The Chicago band comes to St. Louis during a break between two European tours — the first of which was unfortunately cut short in May. Organized by Midwest Metal Punks, one of St. Louis’ most exciting show entities to emerge out of the pandemic, this event provides palpable feminine energy with an opening set by true St. Louis noise icon Janet Xmas. A Typical Sunday Sermon: As if Hide and Janet Xmas weren’t reason enough to make the trek to South Broadway, there’s a matinee show going down earlier in the day at the Sinkhole with Escuela Grind. The Pittsfield, Massachusetts-based grindcore outfit comes to St. Louis just a month and change before the release of Memory Theater, the long-awaited sophomore album recorded with the help of Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou. —Joseph Hess

Thu., eb. , p.m., . . The ageant, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . DAVID A. ARNOLD: Fri., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., . . . The ageant, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . DAVID GIUNTOLI: SINATRA, THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC: ri., ept. , p.m., . lue trawberry howroom ounge, oyle ve, t. ouis, . THE DEAL: un., ept. , noon, free. as evo iergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, . DIESEL ISLAND: at., ug. , p.m., free. as evo iergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, . ri., ept. , p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. DREW SHEAFOR: at., ug. , a.m., free. un., ept. , a.m., free. as evo iergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, . DREW SHEAFOR AND THE SOUL RANGERS: Fri., ept. , p.m., free. as evo iergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, .

DRUG CHURCH: un., ept. , p.m., . lueberry ill - The uck Room, elmar lvd., niversity ity, . THE EARLY NOVEMBER: W/ I Can Make A Mess, innie aruana of the ovielife, Thu., ov. , p.m., . ld Rock ouse, . th t., t. ouis, . ERIN BODE: Thu., ept. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis. FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS: at., ept. , p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . FALLING FENCES ALBUM RELEASE: ri., ct. , p.m., . elmar all, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . FARSHID, DAVE BLACK & SANDY: Thu., ept. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis. THE FORESTWOOD BOYS: Sat., Sept. 17, 7 p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., t. ouis, . THE FOUR HORSEMEN: Sat., Sept. 10, 7 p.m., $15. op’s ightclub, onsanto ve., ast

8 p.m. Sunday, August 14. The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway. $14 to $16. 314-328-2309.

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

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t. ouis, . FOUR YEAR STRONG: W icrowave, Tue., ept. , p.m., T . Red lag, ocust treet, t. ouis, . THE FUNKY BUTT BRASS BAND: Thu., ept. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis. THE GASLIGHT SQUARES: Sat., Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. THE HAMILTON BAND: ri., ept. , p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., t. ouis, . HARBOUR: W merica art Two, esley ou, Tue., ept. , p.m., . ff roadway, emp ve., t. ouis, . HATEBREED: W atecreeper, odysnatcher, ying Wish, ri., ov. , p.m., . . op’s ightclub, onsanto ve., ast t. ouis, . HITCHCOCK AND THE HITMEN: Fri., Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. HOT HANDS WONDERLAND: at., ug. , p.m., free. aggie ’ rien’s, indbergh lvd, t ouis, . HUNTER PEEBLES AND BAND: Thu., ept. , p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois ve., t. ouis, . HYAAHS & HAHAS COMEDY SHOWCASE: Thu., ug. , p.m., free. teve’s ot ogs, outh rand, t. ouis. IVAN & ALYOSHA: Thu., ept. , p.m., . lueberry ill - The uck Room, elmar lvd., niversity ity, . JACKYL & STEPHEN PEARCY: un., ept. , p.m., . . . The actory, uter Rd, hesterfield, . JAMPACT: ri., ept. , p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . JASON NELSON BAND: Wed., ug. , p.m., free. teve’s ot ogs, outh rand, t. ouis. JAY LENO: Fri., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. The Fox Theatre, . rand lvd., t. ouis, . JOE PARK & THE HOT CLUB OF ST. LOUIS: Sat., Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. JUSTIN JAGLER & THE EVERGREENS: Sat., Oct. 1, p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . KEVIN BUCKLEY: ri., ept. , p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster roves, . un., ept. , a.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois ve., t. ouis, . THE LADY J HUSTON SHOW: at., ept. , p.m., . lue trawberry howroom ounge, oyle ve, t. ouis, . LIQUID STRANGER: Thu., ov. , p.m., . . . The actory, uter Rd, hesterfield, . MICHELLE WOLF: un., ept. , p.m., . elium omedy lub, t. ouis alleria aint ouis alleria all, Richmond eights, . MISS JUBILEE: Sat., Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. MS. HY-C & FRESH START: Thu., ct. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis. THE MUSIAL AWARDS: at., ov. , p.m., . tifel Theatre, arket t, t. ouis, . NAKED ROCK FIGHT: Thu., ct. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis. NATIVE STATE: at., ug. , p.m., . lueberry ill - The uck Room, elmar lvd., niversity ity, . NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Wed., ay , p.m., T . lanche . Touhill erforming rts enter, Touhill ircle, t. ouis, . NOCHE DE VERANO SIN TI: Sat., Sept. 10, 8 p.m., . lueberry ill - The uck Room, elmar lvd., niversity ity, . OMAR APOLLO: Thu., ov. , p.m., . . The ageant, elmar lvd., t. ouis, . ONE WAY TRAFFIC: Thu., ug. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis.

[CRITIC’S PICK]

Nu-metal is back, even if it does call itself “trap metal” now, as proven by City Morgue, coming to Delmar Hall this week. | COURTESY THE ARTIST

City Morgue w/ SSGKobe 8 p.m. Friday, August 12. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Boulevard. $25 to $30. 314-726-6161. Everything ’90s is new again. Baggy pants are back, Rage Against the Machine is currently on tour and, disconcertingly for some, the nu-metal sound is starting to creep its way back into modern music. While that is understandably cause for alarm among those of us who lived through it the first time, this new (nu?) wave is decidedly different from the Limp Bizkits of yore. Coming foremost from a hip-hop standpoint that incorporates elements of metal into its sound (as opposed to the other way around), the music released by the likes of New York duo City Morgue contains many of the familiar elements of the oft-maligned genre, but with everything turned up to 11. Filed

THIS JUST IN

Continued from pg 42 P.R.E.A.C.H. & LOERKACE: Sat., Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., . op’s ightclub, onsanto ve., ast t. ouis, . PIERCE CRASK: Thu., ept. , p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. PIG & WHISKEY DAY 1: W ack Russell’s reat White, irehouse, ri., ug. , p.m., free. chlafly ottleworks, outhwest ve, aplewood, . PIG & WHISKEY DAY 2: W/ Sebastian Bach, Sat., ug. , noon, free. chlafly ottleworks, outhwest ve, aplewood, . PIG & WHISKEY DAY 3: W tory of the Year, Tech ne, un., ug. , noon, free. chlafly ottleworks, outhwest ve, aplewood, . PORKCHOP EXPRESS: at., ept. , p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . REAL TALK COMEDY TOUR: at., ct. , p.m., $59.50-$199.50. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton ve., t. ouis, . RIVER KITTENS: Thu., ct. , p.m., . lue trawberry howroom ounge, oyle ve, t. ouis, . RIVERBEND BLUEGRASS: at., ept. , p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. SKAMASALA: Sat., Sept. 3, 7 p.m., free. Das evo iergarten, ravois ve., t. ouis, . SLANDER: Thu., ct. , p.m., . . The actory, uter Rd, hesterfield,

more nowadays under the label of “trap metal,” City Morgue’s music sees its hostile lyrics scream-rapped over metal samples and punctuated by skittering high hats and booming 808s, marrying the fuck-everything nihilism of the SoundCloud rap scene with a dark metallic edge. It’s a sound that terrifies parents, thrills angst-riddled teenagers and gets the heads of metal and rap fans alike banging to the rhythm — proving that a nu-metal genre by any other name would sound just as sweet. Do Not Resuscitate: City Morgue rapper ZillaKami announced in June that this tour would be the group’s last, whereupon his bandmate SosMula confirmed that its next album would also be its final one. Catch the group now while it’s still alive, because death lurks just around the corner. —Daniel Hill . SONGBIRD: Wed., ug. , p.m., . The ocal oint, utton lvd, t. ouis, . STEVE EWING: at., ept. , p.m., . oe’s afe, ingsbury ve, t. ouis. SUPER MEGA LOCAL THROW DOWN: ri., ug. , p.m., . op’s ightclub, onsanto ve., ast t. ouis, . TAKING BACK EMO: Fri., Oct. 7, 8 p.m., $15. lueberry ill - The uck Room, elmar lvd., niversity ity, . THAYNE BRADFORD & GARY HART: Thu., ept. , 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. THAYNE BRADFORD & GARY HUNT: Thu., ept. , 7:30 p.m., free. The Frisco Barroom, 8110 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-455-1090. THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR: Thu., ug. , p.m., free. Das Bevo Biergarten, 4749 Gravois Ave., t. ouis, . TVBOO: at., ec. , p.m., . ld Rock ouse, . th t., t. ouis, . WC EDGAR: ri., ept. , p.m., . The ttic usic ar, . ingshighway, nd floor, t. ouis, . WE OUTSIDE COMEDY TOUR: Fri., Nov. 4, 8 p.m., . . . haifet rena, . ompton ve., t. ouis, . WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS: un., ct. , p.m., . ff roadway, emp ve., t. ouis, . WHIT.: at., ept. , p.m., . lueberry ill - The uck Room, elmar lvd., niversity ity, . THE WORLD BEAT MUSIC FEST: at., ug. , p.m., free. W ost , ig end Blvd, Richmond Heights, 314-781-3781. n

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AUGUST 10-16, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

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SAVAGE LOVE Choke Hold BY DAN SAVAGE This is a preview of this week’s Savage Love. The full version is now exclusively available on Dan’s website savage.love. Hey Dan: I have a question about choking. Or should that be simulated choking? I’ve recently discovered that being pinned down by my neck is a huge turn on for me. I love the feeling of being dominated and controlled and of feeling my partner’s strength on this part of my body. I’m much more interested in this feeling than in actual breath control or oxygen deprivation. I’ve been reading up on choking because I’m trying to make sure I can be manhandled in the way I like as safely as possible. However, all the advice about choking is about how dangerous it is. But most of the advice concentrates on the dangers of restricting oxygen (which is not what I am going for) or on damaging the windpipe by putting pressure on the front of the throat (which my partners avoid). So my question is … how dangerous is this kind of simulated choking play really? Play where one person is being held down by their throat with only mild pressure? What can we do to make it as safe as possible m having a hard time finding good answers and given how wet this makes my pussy, abstaining from this activity is not an option for me. Please I Need More Expertise “Choking and other forms of breath play used to be very uncommon,” Dr. Debby Herbenick said. “But over the past decade, choking has become extremely common, especially among people under 40.” Dr. Herbenick is a professor at Indiana University School of ublic ealth, a prolific and widely published sex researcher and the author of many books, including The Coregasm Workout: The Revolutionary Method for Better Sex Through Exercise. A few years ago, Dr. Herbenick’s students began asking her about choking, with some sharing harrowing stories of being choked

by sex partners without their consent. There was very little data out there about choking, which was all over porn sites, and that inspired Dr. Herbenick and some colleagues to undertake the first serious and scientifically rigorous studies of sexual choking. Disturbingly, Dr. Herbenick found that a lot of people — mostly male people — were choking their partners during sex without discussing it first. eaning, they weren’t establishing mutual interest, they weren’t obtaining unambiguously enthusiastic consent and they weren’t discussing the inherent risks and how to minimi e them. inimi e eliminate. any weren’t even cognizant of the risks, which makes sense given the dearth of research on choking (and, again, why Dr. Herbenick has been researching this now-mainstream practice . “The reason that so many sites say choking is dangerous is because it is dangerous,” Dr. Herbenick said. “That’s not a scare tactic. Although rare, people do occasionally die from being choked, which is technically a form of strangulation, and people have gone to jail for accidentally injuring or killing a partner during consensual choking.” ost people who’ve e perimented with choking describe the act as “consensual, wanted and pleasurable,” according to Dr. Herbenick’s research. Which raises another concern: the false sense of security many have about it. “Because most people experiment with choking without any obvious negative repercussions, they often think they’re doing it ‘safely,’ and that may not be the case,” Dr. Herbenick said. “And because people sometimes engage in choking frequently, there may be cumulative effects on the brain — in other words, negative effects that build up over time rather than from a single incident of being choked. umulative incidents are difficult to notice as they’re happening. However, even mild pressure on the neck/throat is likely to reduce oxygen to the brain because it involves compressing blood vessels.

JOE NEWTON The kinds of cumulative effects that may occur include greater likelihood of depression, anxiety, ringing in the ears, headaches,and memory issues, among others, though we need more research to say for sure.” So is there a safe way to create the sensation of being choked — or pinned down by your neck — without the risk? “Some people who are into choking but who don’t want to take on these risks ask their partner to lightly press against their collarbone but not their throat,” r. erbenick said. nd is correct that any pressure to the front of the throat is particularly risky, given how vulnerable the windpipe is to injury. Other people decide to ask their partner to choke them anyway but only rarely, to reduce the likelihood of cumulative risk.” Obviously, consent to a sex practice as risky as choking is only meaningful if everyone involved is fully informed of the risks. Someone who asks to be choked — when a person like you, , re uests to be choked during sex — has a duty to fully inform their partner of the risks they’ll be running. “It’s not fair to put someone in the position of doing something that could accidentally hurt or

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kill you, and making them potentially criminally or legally responsible, without their full understanding of the risks they’re taking,” Dr. Herbenick said. “All that said, adults can consent and opt into all sorts of risky things flogging, barebacking, sex with strangers, unprotected vaginal intercourse after forgetting a week’s worth of birth control pills, skydiving, rock climbing, and various watersports. Whatever risky activity we enjoy — whether it involves sex or not — we need to learn about potential risks, think through potential harm reduction strategies and proceed with caution.” And what would harm reduction and/or worst-casescenario reduction strategies look like where erotic choking was concerned? “If mild pressure is being used, make sure she can fully breathe, speak, has a safe word AND gesture — in case she does lose ability to speak — and that her desire for mild pressure — very mild pressure — is clearly understood by her partner,” Dr. Herbenick said. “Further, if starts to e perience visual changes, lightheadedness, dizziness, or euphoria, then that suggests she is likely experiencing lower oxygen levels and potential neurological effects.” nd that’s definitely a moment when you’ll want to use your safeword or gesture, , while you still can. You can follow Dr. Debby Herbenick on Twitter @DebbyHerbenick and find out more about her research into choking — and sexual pleasure and communication and vibrator use and more — at her website: debbyherbenick. com. Hey Dan: I’m a 23-year-old gay boy, and my best friend is a straight girl my same age. She likes to say we share everything about our love lives… Go to savage.love to read the rest. questions@savagelove.net Check out the Savage Lovecast @FakeDanSavage on Twitter

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

riverfronttimes.com

AUGUST 10-16, 2022

RIVERFRONT TIMES

Riverfront Times, August 10, 2022

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