October brings big names and plenty of local flavor to St. Louis. This edition of STL Sites and Sounds highlights concerts featuring Tamar Braxton, Rakim, MC Lyte and Thundercat, along with comedy, theater, art and Halloween happenings. Explore the calendar for family outings, date nights and special celebrations, including the St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th annual Salute to Excellence in Education gala.
STL Sites and Sounds
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
Oct. 9-Oct. 30 (select nights) 5 p.m., Boo at the Zoo presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Hospital, The Saint Louis Zoo. For more information, visit stlzoo.org.
Sat., Oct. 31, 12 noon, Annie Malone’s Safe Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, Annie Malone Children and Family Services, 5355 Page Blvd. For more information, visit www.anniemalone.com.
Sat., Oct. 31 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Thriller Live! A Halloween Exclusive Michael Jackson Tribute Featuring Santana Jackson, The Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle. For more information, visit www.bluestrawberrystl.com.
CONCERTS
Sat., Oct. 9, 6 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., City Winery welcomes Tamar Braxton, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way. For more information, visit citywinery.com
Sat., Oct. 16, 6 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., City Winery welcomes Rakim, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way. For more information, visit citywinery.com
Sat., Oct. 17, 6 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., Winery welcomes MC Lyte, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way. For more information, visit citywinery.com.
Sun., Oct. 18, 7 p.m., The Sheldon presents in partnership with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves celebrate John Coltrane. Powell Symphony Hall. For more information, visit.thesheldon.org.
Thurs., Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., Thundercat: Distracted AF Tour, The Factory at The District, 17105 N. Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005. For more information, visit thefactorystl.com.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Thurs., Oct. 15, 7 p.m., The St. Louis County Library Foundation presents D.L. Hughley for an onstage conversation about his memoir Charlie’s Boy, The Pageant. 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.
Sat., Oct. 17, 6 p.m. (5 p.m. reception), St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala, St. Louis Union Station Hotel. For more information, call 314.533.8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com.
Tues., Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m., Beyond the Diamond: An Evening with Mike Claiborne and Bob Kendrick, Spend an evening with acclaimed St. Louis journalist and broadcaster Mike Claiborne and Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.
Thurs., Oct. 22, 8 p.m., The Rogue Route Tour with Sarah Jakes Roberts, Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www.stifeltheatre.com.
COMEDY
Sun., Oct. 11. 7:30 p.m., Grief Sucks: A One-Man Show by KevOnStage, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.
Fri., Oct. 16 – Sun., Oct. 18, Helium Comedy Club welcomes Tony Rock, Helium. For more information, visit st-louis.heliumcomedy.com.
Oct. 30 – Oct. 31, Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp, The Factory at The District, 17105 N. Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005. For more information, visit thefactorystl.com.
ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT
Sun., Oct. 25, 3 p.m., The Erykah Badu Experience featuring Crystal Lynn and The Black & White Band, The Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle. For more information, visit www.bluestrawberrystl.com.
Tues., Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m., Love is a Song – The music of Roberta Flack starring Margery Handy, The Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle. For more information, visit www.bluestrawberrystl.com.
THEATRE
Through Oct. 11, St. Louis Shakespeare presents Romeo and Zooliet, Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park (across from Saint Louis Art Museum). For more information, visit stlshakes.org.
Oct. 15 – Oct. 18, Soul Siren Playhouse presents The Niceties, The Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit www.playsiren.com
Through October 18, Stages Saint Louis presents Come Away with Me, Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Monroe Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org.
Oct. 23 – Oct. 24, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis presents Joshua’s Boots by Adolphus Hailstork and Susan Kander. COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre. For more information, visit opera-stl.org.
ART
Through November 8, A Hum Beneath the Surface by Lillian Stephen, on display through November 8. The Kranzberg Gallery, 501 N. Grand Blvd. For more information, visit kranzbergartsfoundation.org
Through February 7, 2027, Ayana Evans: Nobody’s Gonna Love You the Way I Do, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit camstl.org.
Through Dec. 12, Counterpublic 2026: Coyote Time, various locations. For more information, visit counterpublic.org.