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.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is kicking off its upcoming season in a big way: The world premiere production of “Dreaming Zenzile” starring Grammy-nominated jazz sensation Somi Kakoma has been announced as the first show for The Rep’s 2021-22 season.
Based on the life of Miriam Makeba, the South African singer and activist known as “Mama Afrika,” the modern jazz musical will feature a live band playing original music and reinterpretations of Makeba’s extensive musical catalog.
Kakoma, known professionally as “Somi,” wrote and stars in the musical, taking the audience to Makeba’s final performance where she raises the conscience and the consciousness of a people. The ancestors are calling – transporting her through the music and fractured memories of her past on a spiritual journey of reconciliation.
Somi is the first African woman ever nominated in any Grammy jazz category. Her album, “Holy Room,” was nominated for 2021 Best Jazz Vocal Album and was also the recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocal Album. Her new album, “Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba,” will be released next month.
The world premiere of “Dreaming Zenzile” opens at The Rep on Sept. 10 and runs through Oct. 3. In addition to Somi, the production includes Lileana Blain-Cruz as director and Hervé Samb as musical director.
Following its St. Louis run, “Dreaming Zenzile” will travel to the McCarter Theatre Center toArtsEmersonto a New York City collaboration with theApollo Theater, National Black TheatreandNew York Theatre Workshop, all in partnership with Octopus Theatricals.
The remainder of The Rep’s 2021-22 season, along with ticket information, will be announced at a later date.
A war photojournalist, a longtime National Geographic contributor and President Obama’s official White House photographer are among this year’s inductees to the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum (IPHF).
Based in St. Louis, IPHF annually selects impactful photographers or photography industry visionaries who have demonstrated artistry, innovations and significant contributions to the art and science of photography.
The 2021 honorees are:
- Dawoud Bey, Fine Art Photographer
- Larry Burrows, War Photojournalist
- Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Fine Art Photographer
- David Douglas Duncan, Photojournalist
- Sally Mann, Fine Art Photographer
- Pete Souza, Photojournalist, author, and former Chief Official White House Photographer for President Obama
- Joyce Tenneson, Fine Art Photographer
In addition, Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer and fellow, and National Geographic Photo Ark founder, will be presented with the first-ever IPHF Visionary Award; and Professional Photographers of America, the world’s largest nonprofit trade association for professional photographers, will receive the Leadership Award.
This year’s induction ceremony will be a live/virtual event with a worldwide audience on Friday, Oct. 29. It will be held live from the .ZACK in the Grand Center Arts District.
An exhibition featuring the work of the 2021 inductees will open at the museum Oct. 30 and will be on display through Feb. 11.
The fireworks will be front and center this summer for Fair Saint Louis, which recently announced a Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular in celebration of its 40th year.
What’s being touted as the largest fireworks show Fair Saint Louis has ever produced will take place Sunday, July 4, beginning at approximately 9:40 p.m.
The show will feature 3,000 shells – star blasters, double rings and more – launched from three barges positioned on the Mississippi River. Fair Saint Louis is encouraging spectators to view the fireworks show safely, including by streaming live at home via KMOV.com with their families or by enjoying them from downtown restaurants and hotels in support of local businesses.
While there are no live concerts or other activities planned under the Gateway Arch for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend, organizers say live performances, food and drink vendors and other activities will return in 2022.
It’s a milestone year for St. Louis’ largest food pantry: The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, a service created by Jewish Family Services (JFS), is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021.
Located at 10601 Baur Blvd., the pantry currently serves residents located in 77 zip codes throughout the St. Louis area. Last year, it supplied 21,500 individuals with food – a 30% increase over the previous year.
Five days a week, the pantry’s 12 staff members and almost 200 volunteers work to register new families, stock shelves, sort food and load vehicles with groceries. In 2020, 85% of all households served earned incomes below the federal poverty level, with more than a third of recipients 18 years old and younger and 26% of recipients 55 and older.
The pantry serves individuals regardless of race, religion, ethnicity and gender, and supplies them with 10 days’ worth of fresh produce, dairy, bread and shelf-stable items every month.
Jewish Family Services created the food pantry in 1991, initially serving 40 local families. It relies on monetary donations, private food drives, grocer donations, and monthly food allocations from the USDA, Operation Food Search and the St. Louis Area Foodbank. For more information or to make a donation, visit the food pantry’s official website.
Save the date for Beauty Buzz 2021: The St. Louis Press Club’s signature beauty- and fashion-focused fundraiser will take place Saturday, Sept. 18, at Neiman Marcus.
Proceeds from the annual event support scholarships for journalism students and enterprise grants for working journalists to spotlight under-reported topics.
Event highlights this year include a high-energy fall fashion preview on the runway, as well as make-up tips and presentations by Neiman Marcus beauty experts, gift packages and prizes.
Stay tuned to Gazelle magazine for Beauty Buzz updates, including ticket information, coming soon!
