Celebrated Alvin Ailey dancer/choreographer Matthew Rushing's Uptown creates an episodic tour through 1920s Harlem, bringing to life the rich artistic activity of the era. The audience encounters both real and fictional scenes – a busy street, a rent party, a night at the Savoy ballroom – that highlight major moments in music, literature, the visual arts and dance.
Marking its 30th anniversary, COCA brings Uptown to life in a collaborative production between its five pre-professional dance, voice and theater companies as well as with musicians from Jazz St. Louis in a showcase celebration of the power of the arts.
For ages 7 and up.
Performances are Friday, April 7 at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, April 8 and 9, at 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $16-$30.
For more information and tickets: cocastl.org
Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, meet the wonderful bird ambassadors of the World Bird Sanctuary up close and much more.
The St. Louis African Arts Festival, held in Forest Park, celebrates the rich and diverse cultures of Africa and African people. Children's activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, mask-making and educational workshops. In conjunction with the festival, the Saint Louis Zoo will have special activities focused on a different African animal each day.
There are more than strawberries (but plenty of those too) at this festival! Kids can enjoy carnival rides, a petting farm, pony rides, the children's play area and lots more.
Families are invited to the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoon to participate in free hands-on art activities with fun themes and to explore the galleries. Each Family Sunday focuses on a different family-friendly theme.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.