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May 14, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Kevin C. Johnson
Life is beautiful for St. Louis jazz singer Anita Jackson, though for a long time it wasn’t. The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene. COVID-19 ravaged her family and changed her life forever, ultimately and urgently leading to the recording of her new debut album “Life is Beautiful.”Jackson lost her mother, three aunts and two cousins to COVID early during the pandemic.
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May 13, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Kevin C. Johnson
St. Louis is looking really nice when it comes to concerts this year. But, it could be nicer. Usher, Jon Batiste, Aerosmith, Blink-182, Janet Jackson, Jelly Roll, Hozier, Pink, Lucky Daye, 21 Savage, Cody Jinks, Green Day and more are on the way. But there are still a number of anticipated tours skipping over the city. One of the biggest tour announcements recently is pop singer Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Soft and Hard: The Tour,” supporting her album of the same name (it's being released May 17).
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May 9, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Jane Henderson |Daniel Durchholz |Kevin C. Johnson |Daniel Neman
Laumeier Art ShowWhen: 6–10 p.m. May 10; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. May 11; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12When: Laumeier Art Show, 12580 Rott Road, Sunset HillsHow much: $10 ages 11 and up; 10 and under are freeMore info: laumeiersculpturepark.orgThe 37th annual Laumeier Art Show is a local mainstay for Mother’s Day weekend, with music, food, kids crafts and lots of possibilities for artistic purchases. More than 150 artists are expected at what is the sculpture park’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
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May 7, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Kevin C. Johnson
They say the more things change, the more things stay the same, whatever that really means. All I know is this – for the past 26 years, I’ve dedicated myself to documenting St. Louis’ music scene from its artists to sounds to venues and festivals and more, all to the best of my ability for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. But now that will change.
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May 7, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Kevin C. Johnson
As a teen growing up in St. Louis aspiring to make moves in the music industry, singer-rapper Ryan Trey used to camp outside the Pageant waiting for artists to arrive so he could pick their brains for advice. The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene. “I was manifesting myself performing there,” says Trey, who currently lives in Atlanta. These days, Trey is truly on the inside.
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May 6, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Kevin C. Johnson
The dream continues for Ruby Leigh, the Foley, Missouri, teenager who placed second on TV’s “The Voice” finale in December 2023. On Aug. 2, she’s making her singing debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where she and others will perform two songs each. “It’s absolutely been one of my biggest dreams. When you say you’ve played the Opry, you’ve made it, not that I’ve made it, obviously. To play there and make my debut in the Circle is going to be insane,” she says.
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May 3, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Kevin C. Johnson
It may be “The Quittin’ Time Tour” for Zach Bryan, but he’s clearly not quitting anytime soon. The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene. The country-edged star is way too hot to trot off into the sunset, as evidenced by his sold-out, two-night stand at Enterprise Center that began Thursday night. He returns to Enterprise Center tonight with the Middle East and Levi Turner.
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Apr 30, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Kevin C. Johnson
John Oates’ new album, which he’s bringing to City Winery May 7, is titled “Reunion,” but don’t get the wrong idea. The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene. There is no reunion in the works for Oates and his longtime music partner Daryl Hall. The two have been deeply embroiled in a legal battle over Oates’ attempt to sell his stake in their joint business to Primary Wave Music.
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Apr 25, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Daniel Neman |Rosalind Early |Kevin C. Johnson |Daniel Durchholz
Herb SaleWhen: 9 a.m-5 p.m. April 26Where: West Parking Lot of Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw BoulevardHow much: FreeMore info: missouribotanicalgarden.orgThe St. Louis Herb Society will start the day with 7,000 plants representing more than 125 varieties of herbs. Even so, there is a possibility they will sell out of some of the more popular varieties. Which brings up a point: Who knew there were more than 125 kinds of herbs?
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Apr 21, 2024 | 
stltoday.com | Kevin C. Johnson
Gospel-blues duo the War and Treaty, folk-inspired singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega and saxophonist Joshua Redman are just some of the performers the Sheldon Concert Hall will spotlight in its upcoming 2024-2025 season, which promises to be an "eclectic and diverse lineup," says Peter Palermo, executive director for the Sheldon. The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene.
