*Updated as information becomes available. Last updated March 20*
Institutions and public spaces across the St. Louis region are responding to federal, state and local restrictions that limit public gatherings, in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Here are the latest announcements/updates:
Taste of the Nation, slated at St. Louis Union Station for April 21, has been postponed. At this time, organizers are not committing to a new, rescheduled event date. The event supports No Kid Hungry, a program for some 22 million low-income children from communities across the country that rely on the free and reduced-price meals they receive at school. You can learn more about the immediate work to help communities meet the needs of low-income families and kids at No Kid Hungry Responds: Coronavirus.
South County Center and West County Center shut down operations at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. In an announcement through the malls’ websites and on social media, property owner CBL Properties says both locations will remain closed until further notice. A handful of restaurants, such as J. Gilbert’s at West County mall, remains open only for to-go orders.
Laumeier Sculpture Park has cancelled its annual Art Fair, slated for May 8 to 10. The fair has grown to be a Mother’s Day weekend tradition, highlighting the work of approximately 150 local artists, as well as dozens of musicians and entertainers and food vendors, every year. The park’s 105 acres remains open.
The annual Cinco de Mayo festival on Cherokee Street will not be taking place on Saturday, May 2. In light of the restrictions on public gatherings, festival organizers have determined it is no longer possible to move forward organizing a festival of this scale for May.
All Kranzberg Arts Foundation venues will temporarily shut down until at least May 11. They include: The Grandel Theatre; The Marcelle; The Kranzberg Studio, Black Box, and Gallery; .ZACK Theatre; High Low; Sophie’s Artist Lounge; The Dark Room. For the time being, the Kranzberg Arts Foundation’s tenant and resident organization offices remain open.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is postponing or canceling all performances through April 12.
*Update: On March 18, the National Park Service (NPS) announced the temporary closure of Gateway Arch National Park, which includes the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse, until further notice. Those who have pre-purchased Tram Ride to the Top and Documentary Movie tickets will receive full refunds. The Arch grounds remain open to provide the public healthy walking and biking options. (Previous story: The National Park Service has announced the temporary suspension of Tram Ride to the Top operations at Gateway Arch National Park beginning Tuesday, March 17, until further notice. At this time, the visitor center, museum, documentary movie, park grounds, The Arch Store, The Arch Café and the Old Courthouse remain open for visitors. Those who have pre-purchased Tram Ride to the Top tickets will receive full refunds. For questions regarding ticketing, call 877-982-1410 or email info@gatewayarch.com.)
The Missouri Botanical Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House and Shaw Nature Reserve temporarily closed effective 5 p.m. on March 16. All three locations will cease daily operations until April 3. As previously announced, events and programs, including the Orchid Show, are suspended through May 1. This time frame may be extended, if necessary.
The Sheldon (including the Sheldon Art Galleries) has cancelled all its events through May 10. Plans to reschedule the following concerts are underway, and ticket buyers should retain their current tickets – they will be honored for the new dates. Additional information will be provided to ticket buyers as events are rescheduled: John Pizzarelli: A Centennial Celebration of Nat King Cole, April 18; Coffee Concert: Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers, April 21 and 22; Asleep at the Wheel, April 24; Sheldon Classics: Bjorn Ranheim, April 29; Sheldon Speakeasy, May 1; Einav Yarden, May 6; Matinee: The 442s, May 9.
The Saint Louis Art Museum will remain closed for at least four weeks, effective March 16, although the closure may be extended. The museum will provide updates to this situation on its website and on social media as the situation develops. MetroTix automatically will refund tickets for the exhibition “Millet and Modern Art: Van Gogh to Dalí,” as well as other ticketed programs and lectures.
St. Louis County Library will close all 20 branch locations starting Tuesday, March 17, through Friday, April 3, and will re-evaluate, as needed. Check the SLCL website for updates, information will also be shared on the Library’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Due dates on materials will be extended during the closure. All holds will be left in place until the library reopens. Patrons are asked to keep materials at home until the library reopens. Book drops will not be available during the closure.
The Missouri Historical Society is temporarily closing all three of its locations— the Missouri History Museum, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum and the Library & Research Center — to the public. MHS currently plans to reopen its locations to the public on May 9.
Contemporary Art Museum’s public programs and events are postponed or canceled until further notice. Create, CAM’s 2020 Gala, scheduled for April 10, is postponed.
St. Louis City and County schools are closed from March 18 to April 2. School officials are monitoring the situation and will have updates, as needed.
The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is closed and will work with guests to reschedule tickets, if they selected a date between March 16 and March 31. All exchange and refund requests should be emailed to info@stlouisaquarium.com.
The Saint Louis Science Center is closed to the public through March 31.
The Saint Louis Zoo is also closed to the public, until further notice. All public and private events, as well as educational programs are canceled through April 3.
Six Flags is closed until the end of March.
*Update: The Fabulous Fox Theatre has announced “Cats,” scheduled for April 7-19, and Chaka Khan, scheduled for April 24, are postponed until a future date to be determined. Ticket holders should hold on to their tickets – they will be honored on the new date. For more information, call MetroTix at (314) 534-1111, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday. The box office will temporarily be closed until April 5. (Previous story: The Fox Theatre has canceled all events through March 31.)
