A beautiful night with music in the air; children laughing and playing while their parents relax, listening to the sounds of their adolescence. These are the sights that can be found on a Thursday night in St. Louis Place Park where the Whitaker Urban Evening Series takes place.
The series is a six-week event that includes performances from a wide range of musical artists, face painting, magicians, and water activities, all available to the public for free. It is presented by Grace Hill, one of the ten largest not-for-profit organizations in St. Louis.
Grace Hill is divided into two sister agencies, The Grace Hill Health Centers, Inc, and The Grace Hill Settlement House. Part of the mission of the Settlement House is “to work in disadvantaged neighborhoods, creating strong, healthy, helpful communities by encouraging and supporting neighbors as they help themselves and each other.”
This is accomplished by hosting events like the evening series that will help build a sense of community and attempt to reduce the marginalization that plagues St. Louis.
According to the President and CEO of Grace Hill Settlement House, Roderick L. Jones, “The concert series allows us to bring neighbors together so they can get to know each other; it also allows us to invite other people into North St. Louis so they have a real understanding that there are people there who live in communities like theirs.”
Community reception of the evening series since it started four years ago has been very positive. The first show this year on Thursday, June 10 drew over seven hundred people. With a mix of blues, gospel, Brazilian, and Motown singers, there is a sound for everyone. The series will also have special tribute nights to Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Michael Jackson.
“We usually try to pick diverse artists that reflect the traditional music of people in the neighborhood,” said Jones.
The remaining line-up for the series includes:
June 24 – Charles Glenn
The son of an accomplished opera singer, Glenn has had extensive training in voice and percussion. This local musician has won an Emmy and has opened for acts such as Smokey Robinson, Huey Lewis and the News, and the Allman Brothers. In the evening series Glenn will pay homage to the infamous Stevie Wonder and Prince.
July 1 – Arvell & Co.
Lead singer Arvell Keithley has gained a great reputation over the last thirty years for his smooth R&B sound. He has opened for numerous big names like B.B. King and Gladys Knight. Arvell & Co. plays a wide range of music including Motown and other hits from the last several decades.
July 8 – The Funky Butt Brass Band
The Funky Butt Brass Band (FBBB) is six-man group made up of members from Gumbohead, The Feed and other well known local bands. The FBBB takes traditional New Orleans brass tunes and gives them a funky flavor. They enjoy mixing in Motown, Southern rock and a touch of straight-ahead Chicago blues.
July 15 – Boogie Chyld
Boogie Chyld is an energetic local group that plays a blend of funk, dance, soul, rock and jazz. This seven person band will end this year’s evening series with a tribute to the one and only Michael Jackson.
The Whitaker Urban Evening Series takes place at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Place Park (at Rauschenbach Avenue and St. Louis Avenue). For more information, please call (314) 539-9500 or visit http://www.gracehill.org/content/Whitaker-Concert-Series.php
