Months after last spring’s tornado, St. Louis is still learning how to steady itself again. A new gathering hopes to help — offering residents a chance to pause, breathe and reconnect through art and music.
From March 20–22, the Grand Center Arts District will host “Stepping Into Peace,” a three‑day retreat that blends music, mindfulness and community connection. It marks the newest evolution of Music as the Message, the annual concert series created by Emmy Award–winning vocalist Adrienne Danrich, now presented in collaboration with the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM).
What began as a performance series in 2020 has grown into an immersive experience shaped by the emotional aftershocks of the May 16 tornado. Danrich said the expansion felt necessary.
“After the tornado, I asked myself how someone finds peace after tragedy,” she said. “Because this is my hometown, I want to bring an event that gives people tools to find their own individual path to peace in the midst of chaos.”
The retreat opens with demonstrations and interactive art tours at CAM on March 20–21. The schedule includes both free and ticketed sessions, all leading to a free hybrid concert at The Sheldon Concert Hall on Sunday, March 22, at 4 p.m., presented with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and led by Danrich.
Michelle Dezember, CAM’s Director of Learning and Engagement, said the retreat aims to give people a place to slow down and reconnect.
“‘Stepping Into Peace’ is meant to create a very restorative and communal space,” she said. “A space that art and music can provide in times when we need to remember the power of community and the power of art to heal ourselves.”
Guest artists from across the country will join Danrich to lead intimate sessions throughout the retreat. “Adrienne is bringing professionals to St. Louis who will facilitate an immersive experience,” Dezember said. “Those guest artists are also leading free public performances.”
The musical offerings reflect the breadth of Danrich’s vision — opera, contemporary gospel, R&B and soul — all woven together to underscore the retreat’s central message. Sunday’s concert will include “Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me,” performed by Danrich and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
“It begins with one individual finding their peace and then extending it out into the world,” Danrich said. “I believe no one outside of me can bring me peace. I have to be responsible for my own personal peace, and then I can extend it out into the world.”
For Danrich, peace is an active pursuit.
“Stepping is an action, and people think peace is going to fall off a tree,” she said. “Peace is something we have to actively look for. For myself, I turn to music. Music is my medicine, and that’s why I started Music as the Message in the first place.”
The retreat will incorporate meditation, movement and painting — practices Danrich uses in her own life.
“The activities we’ll be doing are things I personally do,” she said. “Things I do to maintain my own personal peace.”
While some sessions require tickets, Danrich and CAM have ensured accessibility remains central.
“Tickets help pay for the artists to come from out of town, but we do have scholarships available,” Dezember said. Instructions are available on CAM’s website.
“I did not feel comfortable charging and then not offering at least some tickets for free,” Danrich added. “I want this healing opportunity to be open to all.”
More information on the retreat sessions and concert is available at https://camstl.org/ or https://adriennedanrich.com/.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
