Hey, my fellow Gleeks! If you’re just as excited about the return of Glee on April 13 on Fox as I am, flash me some jazz hands!
Why am I a Gleek? Glee blends together three of my pop culture loves – Queen songs, Jane Lynch and sudsy
, soapy storylines – into o
ne addictive package. Best of all, Glee shines a spotlight on the need for performing arts programs in our nation’s schools, not only to grow our student
s’ talent, but to build their confidence in all areas of academia.
I was curious to know how Glee is having an impact on today’s high school show choirs, so I turned to Jason Winter, director of choral activities for Marquette High School in Chesterfield and director of its show choir, Center Stage.
Said Winter via email, “We have been slowly building Center Stage over the past four years. Although enrollment has been growing due to the group’s success, I feel Glee is giving us a boost with promoting our show choir.”
The public can catch a real-life Glee on April 23 at 7 p.m. when Center Stage presents its spring performance at Marquette High School, 2351 Clarkson Road in Chesterfield. “All Nightmare Long” will feature songs from Metallica and Evanescence to Michael Jackson and The Charlie Daniels Band. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance at 636-891-6000 or at the door.
Show choir performances, like “All Nightmare Long,” are drawing in more fans than ever thanks to the talent of the stars, the dedication of the faculty advisors and the influence of Glee.
“High school show choir has been around for a long time and has been important in the lives of many,” remarked Winter. “I believe Glee is helping to bring the idea of show choir to the surface in places where it has not been as popular in the past.”
By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting
Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL
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Explore songs, finger plays, music and more during this Music & Movement class for ages 0-6. Some sessions are held in person at various branches of the St. Louis County Library. Some sessions are virtual.
Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!
9 Mile Garden presents family-friendly movie nights all summer long on Wednesday evenings. Enjoy a free movie on the 325-inch big screen along with food trucks, kiddie cocktails, slushies and more.
Romeo & Zooliet is a wildly fun, family-friendly stage adaptation of Romeo & Juliet! It explores what would happen if animals at the Saint Louis Zoo put on their own Shakespearean performance after zookeepers go home for the night. The show stage and seating area is designed as an enchanting version of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre within the Zoo's Historic Hill area. "Romeo & Zooliet" is produced as a partnership of the Saint Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. The production features dazzling animal puppetry by world-renowned Michael Curry Design, known for its work on Broadway's "The Lion King" and "Frozen," as well as Olympic and Super Bowl ceremonies.
