The Color Purple is coming! I was minding my business ordering a family meal for myself in the Lee’s Chicken drive through Tuesday night when I noticed The Black Rep parking lot was full of cars. I decided to go over there to see what the fuss was about. Now let me start by saying that I am a professional and no one should try this at home – unless you want to encounter the police, or worse. And by worse, I mean Heather Beal. Those kicks are not just for dancing. Anyway, I popped my head in there and got downright excited about what they have in store for us as they open their 50th anniversary season with “The Color Purple.” I didn’t catch any of the rehearsal, but the energy amongst the cast was giving epic. I’m talking “The Wiz” 2000 epic. It will take place September 9 – 27 at The Edison Theatre. Y’all better get your tickets NOW. Anybody who tried to get a seat for the last two weeks that turn-of-the-millennium run of “The Wiz” will tell you first-hand about a sold-out run. I know I’m gonna have a front row seat. I’m also gonna clear my schedule in case they need me to step in as Sophia.
Education Salute 2026 is almost here. Now I know y’all are judging me for claiming I went to town on a ten-piece with a side of potato salad. It was my last cheat meal before my annual Education Salute diet. Can you believe it’s only two months (and a few days) away? And for the first time in 39 years, we have a new location. That’s right, The St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala will move from America’s Center to St. Louis Union Station Hotel. Expect the usual elegance overload as we honor those doing the work in the world’s most honorable – and unsung – field. It’s going down October 17th. Tamiko Armstead is this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and Dr. Paula Knight is the 2026 Stellar Performer. Y’all better get these tickets before the Cardinal Ritter mafia has y’all on the outside looking in. When I tell y’all that Cardinal Ritter is running neck and neck with U. City when it comes to supporting their alma mater by any means necessary. More details will be announced in the coming weeks, but stay posted on www.stlamerican.com for updates on the 39th Education Salute– and to get your tickets. All the analogs can use your landline to get the 411 by calling 314.533.8000.
Photo by Lawrence Bryant | The St. Louis American
Levitt Vibes was all the way live. I thought I had some friends out here in these streets. Why didn’t at least one of y’all tell me about the Levitt Vibes STL Concert Series that has been happening every second and fourth Sunday since MAY! I stopped through last weekend to catch Kalonda Kay take the stage at Phillip Lucier Park. It’s located at Delmar and Hamilton, but it felt like it was at the intersection of broil and air fryer. Kalonda Kay and ‘nem put on a show worth burning up for! When I tell you that band was cooking! It was to the point where I wasn’t even that mad that I left the park more brown and crispy than the top of my big granny’s macaroni and cheese. As y’all know Kalonda Kay is a part of the popular St. Louis band Fat Pocket. Most of them were on stage for her headlining set at Levitt Vibes. And when I tell you that Ozempic Wallet (my name for the modified version that performed with) tore it up! I knew that I wasn’t the only one who felt it when I saw J. Ross have the same reaction to the opening notes of Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady” as me when I hear “Cash Money takin’ over the 99 and the 2000s…” He was right to cut up like that! When I tell you my boy Mello was KILLING it on the bass. The whole set was cute. I’ll be back down there before the concerts wrap up at the end of September. I ran into a few of my favorite former radio divas, and I’m convinced that working in radio is the ultimate anti-aging method. Arika Parr, I’m gonna need that skincare routine. After catching up with Arika, I saw this lady and said to myself, “She looks like she could be Carol Mayfield’s daughter.” It was Carol Mayfield. Help! I know she is now Carol Fletcher. But I say Carol Mayfield, because she has no business looking the same as she did back when she was at Majic 108 on DeBaliviere…on DeBaliviere y’all!