An award-winning journalist recognized for her media leadership and for promoting diversity, Trish Muyco-Tobin has more than 20 years of experience in print and broadcasting. She is also a dedicated community volunteer.
On Saturday, May 4, more than 600 people are expected to gather on the front lawn of the Missouri History Museum in an attempt to break the record for the World’s Largest Dance Class. The museum, in partnership with The Muny, is hosting its biggest exhibit closing celebration ever as “Muny Memories: 100 Seasons Onstage” begins to wind down, officially closing on June 2. To kick off the month-long countdown, a modern jazz dance lesson taught by Muny artistic associate and choreographer Michael Baxter will attempt to set a new world record as participants of all ages shimmy, shake and chasse their way into history.
“The Muny is known for its grand stage and show-stopping dance numbers,” Baxter told Gazelle. “This is our chance to bring that signature choreography beyond the footlights and get St. Louis dancing! Get ready to break a leg and cut loose!”
For tickets or more information, visit mohistory.org/world-record.
Kick your heels up and shout! The Isley Brothers are the newest stars on the St. Louis Walk of Fame! Ron Isley and Ernie Isley, who have called St. Louis home for more than 20 years, were inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in the Delmar Loop last week for their lifetime of musical contributions. Beginning with their 1959 hit “Shout,” the Isley Brothers appeared on the Billboard charts for seven consecutive decades with hits like “Twist & Shout,” “It’s Your Thing” and “Fight the Power.” The brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Other 2019 St. Louis Walk of Fame inductees include Henry Hampton (film) and Elizabeth Keckley (civil rights/art).
Fashion designer, reality show star…and now, author, Tan France, will appear at the St. Louis County Library at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, for a special discussion of his new memoir, “Naturally Tan.” The British-born France is the star of the hit Netflix series, 
“Queer Eye,” and is also the creative mind behind successful brands Kingdom & State and Rachel Parcell. Individual tickets for June 8, which include a pre-signed copy of the book, are $32 each; package tickets, which admit two people and include one book, are $36 each. A limited number of VIP Meet & Greet tickets is available. For details, visit slcl.org.
Also on June 8, all things Frank Lloyd Wright will be celebrated at a benefit party at Hotel Saint Louis downtown. The “Preserving What’s Wright” event begins at 4 p.m., with proceeds supporting the Frank Lloyd Wright House at Ebsworth Park. Located in Kirkwood, it is the only Wright-designed house in the region that’s open to the public. Built in the 1950s, the Usonian-style structure has been meticulously restored, complete with the original furnishings designed by Wright. The renowned architect, who died 60 years ago, was an employee and apprentice of another architectural giant, Louis Sullivan, who designed Hotel Saint Louis in the late 1800s.
The final weekend of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s 2018-2019 season will be led by none other than music director designate Stéphane Denève. The concerts, May 10 to 12, will open with the St. Louis premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Nyx. Described as “a rich and dazzling musical invention” by the San Francisco Chronicle, the tone poem draws its inspiration from the Greek goddess Nyx, a relatively-unknown figure in Greek mythology. The concerts continue with Ravel’s Shéhérazade, a song cycle based on the text of a Tristan Klingsor poem written in response to Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade Suite. Closing the season is Berlioz’s masterpiece Symphonie fantastique, considered among the most influential orchestral compositions of all time. Denève becomes the symphony’s 13th music director in the 2019-2020 season, beginning in September, the orchestra’s 140th. Visit slso.org for tickets.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ first season under new artistic director Hana Sharif will include a few other firsts: The Rep recently announced Amelia Acosta Powell as its new associate artistic director. Just like Sharif at artistic director, Acosta Powell is the first woman to hold the post of associate artistic director, succeeding Seth Gordon. Acosta Powell most recently served as line producer at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She also served as casting director and artistic associate at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.
Also in store for the upcoming season: The Rep’s first-ever production of Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America, the world premiere of the Miriam Makeba musical, “Dreaming Zenzile,” and Sharif’s directorial debut with a December production of “Pride and Prejudice.” The season opens Sept. 4 with Kushner’s Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, with the company presenting both halves of “Angels” in a rotating “rep” schedule throughout its run. Single tickets go on sale July 17. For more information, visit repstl.org.
