Folk and Ethnic Dance/ Music in St. Louis, Missouri

Who would have thought it, but over the past few years, the midwestern town of St. Louis, Missouri has become a rich cultural mix of people from around the globe. St. Louis has historically been home to large German, Italian, French, and Irish populations because of its location on the Mississippi River and importance as a trading center and the Gateway to the West. Add to that a swelling of Hispanic, Bosnian, Russian, and Asian immigrants, and St. Louis is rapidly becoming a rather cosmopolitan mix. As before, these groups tend to cluster in neighborhoods and you can see this by the increase in ethnic groceries, restaurants, and shops throughout the city.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the recent Festival of Nations celebration in Tower Grove Park. For the seventh year in a row, we have been able to experience the music, food, dance, and customs of over a hundred different ethnicities. This year there were over 30 different food booths, as well as gift booths, dance groups, and music stages. The festival also featured children’s activities; the Worldways Children’s Museum offered children the chance to try on fashions from around the world and learn the customs that are behind the clothing. A “Diversity Circle” was created giving people the opportunity to sit down face-to-face and learn something from a representative from a culture other than their own.

For those who were unable to attend the festival, there are still ethnic dance and music events scattered around the area that you can take in all year long. Some of them even feature some of the “heartland folks” themselves.

Folk and Ethnic Dancing:

Aalim Dance Academy offers weekly classes in authentic Middle-Eastern folk dancing and the art of belly dancing. Beginners through advanced classes are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at the St. Louis Academy of Dance in Creve Coeur. Lessons are also at the Center of Contemporary Arts. For more info you can visit the website at www.aalimdanceco.com

Both children and adults are welcome at the Avery School of Highland Dance, (314) 892-2293. Here you can learn the high kicking art of Scottish Highland Dancing. No kilt is required.

Head south on Mondays and Thursdays for some Brazilian Dance with the group Rueda de Sol, Brazilian Capoeira Dance/Percussion, at the Solar Yoga Center at Des Peres and Pershing. Perform a ritual dance with drums, bells, gourds, and the Berimbau. You can call them at (314) 726-5133.

On the third Friday of the month, you can dance the Dance of Universal Peace at the Unity Christ Church, 33 N. Skinker, (314) 355-3505. Share sacred songs and movements from many different traditions including Sufi, Jewish, Islamic, Pagan, Christian, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Hindu, Native American, and African.

Clogging is a versatile and energetic dance that is good exercise and a whole lot of fun. Come learn with the Missouri River Cloggers on Wednesdays at Olivette Community Center, (314) 469-3811. You’ll have a gay old hand-clapping, foot-stomping time!

Folk Music.

Play a little guitar? Got a couple of songs memorized? Then trod on down to the Cahokia Acoustic Jam on the second Saturday of the month. The gig takes place on the steps of the Historic Cahokia Courthouse in Cahokia, Illinois. You can play, dance, or just sit back and listen. The phone number is: (618) 337-7251.

The Focal Point is a wonderful little music venue at 2720 Sutton in beautiful downtown Maplewood, which is just a stone’s throw west of St. Louis. On Thursdays they have a great acoustic jam that is open to all, including beginners. All types of songs and any instrument is welcome, as long as you don’t have to plug it in. Use the electric phone to call them at: (314) 968-7064.

There’s nothing like a big, German brass band (except for the beer, of course) and you can meet the Duetschmeister Brass Band of St. Louis at the German Cultural Society, 3652 S. Jefferson, on most Wednesday evenings. Play and sing traditional German, Czech, Austrian, and European music. Grab your flugelhorn, put on your lederhosen and call them at (314) 541-4566.

The Missouri Area Bluegrass Committee promotes the education and enjoyment of traditional bluegrass music. You can check them out at the St. Ann Community Center on the second Tuesday of the month or visit www.bluegrassamerica.com

Storytelling.

Feel in the mood for a good story? Storytelling has recently become popular for children, but throughout history it’s been mostly for adults. Be enthralled by listening to the St. Louis Gateway Storytellers at The Crowne Center, 8350 Delcrest Dr. Various times. Call (314) 997-3474 for more information.

Head on down to Ravanelli’s Restaurant in Granite City, Illinois for a good meal and a good story, where the Riverwind Storytellers Co. is dedicated to promoting and teaching storytelling. Most of the time they do their thing at Ravanelli’s, but sometimes the location varies. Call them at (618) 234-9698 to be sure.

So go ahead and broaden your mind by stretching it across the globe a little, even if the people you meet are from your own back yard!