Grand Center Press
Press Contact: Susan Wedemeyer, Director of Marketing and Communications
Phone: 314-289-1591
Email: susan@grandcenter.org
Janis Ian in Grand Center
Live from Grand Center: JANIS IAN
June 19, 2008 at 8 pm
Janis Ian will take center stage at the Sheldon Concert Hall when Grand Center and KETC/Channel 9 bring the legendary Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter to St. Louis for a single performance. Ian’s concert will be filmed “live” and aired on Channel 9 on a June 27th as part of the ongoing — “Live From Grand Center” series. This special concert will feature Ian at her best, as she performs a retrospective of her work and shares her most current songs, all while providing anecdotes from her life.
Ian’s amazing career spans four decades. In 1965, at the age of fourteen, Ian recorded her first album. She gained notice in 1967 as a folk singing wunderkind when Leonard Bernstein featured her in his CBS television special Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution, resulting in her then controversial song “Society's Child," becoming a national hit that was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Ian’s 1970’s masterpiece “Between the Lines” was nominated for five Grammy awards (winning two) and featured the iconic lament of teen insecurity, “At Seventeen.” In Japan her album “Aftertones” was No.1 for six months and a disco collaboration with Giorgio Moroder went platinum throughout Europe, Africa, and Australia. She received her seventh Grammy nomination for a jazz duet with Mel Torme. With a musical range from folk to pop to jazz, Ian’s live performances have been called “overwhelming to the spirit and soul,” and “drenched with such passion, the audience feels they’ve been swept up in a hurricane.”
Ian, has become a legendary presence in the music world. Her remarkable oeuvre includes ethereal ballads and politically charged observations on such issues as loneliness, racism, incest, homophobia, and divorce. Her songwriting today continues to illuminate through a social justice lens.
In addition to her June 19 performance, Ian will be releasing "Society's Child: My Autobiography," in July. A new double CD (her 25th) will be released that month, featuring songs from her 40-year career.
“Janis Ian: Live From Grand Center” is an event reminiscent of the early days of television,” said Susan Wedemeyer, Director of Communications, Grand Center. “In this one-of-a-kind event, the Sheldon audience will see a live concert, plus the behind-the-scenes production and direction required to create a television broadcast. St. Louis television viewers will see a stage performance come to life… we’re excited to bring this level of entertainment back to St. Louis for a third year.”
This is the third “live” collaboration between Grand Center and KETC, including last spring’s “Live From Grand Center” concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall featuring well-known local musical talents and “A Grand Night in St. Louis,” which aired on New Year’s Eve and included highlights from First Night-Saint Louis.
“We are creating and producing ‘Live From Grand Center’ in the style of ‘Live From Lincoln Center,’” said Killacky, Grand Center’s art director, “Grand Center continues to enlarge its arts and entertainment reach with excellent musical performances for home viewers in St. Louis. Our hope is to take ‘Live From Grand Center’ concerts to a national audience,” Killacky added.
Ian’s show is being made possible, in part, thanks to a gift from Anheuser-Busch Companies. Tickets to “Janis Ian: Live From Grand Center” at the Sheldon Concert Hall begin at $20 and will go on sale May 1 through MetroTix (314) 534-1111.
Grand Center Announces 2008 Visionary Award Winners
Grand Center is proud to announce the seven honorees of the Sixth Annual Visionary Awards, which recognizes women for their contributions to the St. Louis arts and culture community. These seven women, in a variety of arts disciplines, were chosen by a selection committee chaired by Donna Wilkinson, one of St. Louis’ key fundraisers and founder of the Wilkinson Group, and Cheryl Polk, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of United Way of Greater St. Louis.
In celebration of its sixth year, the ceremony, now moved from fall to spring, will be returning to the Sheldon in Grand Center Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Judging from past responses from the community, it is evident that the Visionary Awards has quickly become one of the most prestigious awards for arts and culture in the St. Louis area.
“Each year this event becomes more widely known and the honorees’ selection increasingly difficult,” says Peg Weathers, Executive Vice President of Grand Center, Inc. “We knew six years ago that many St. Louis women had made significant cultural contributions — and the continued submission of such quality nominees has been truly gratifying!”
With the large number of nominations and recommendations submitted by members of the St. Louis arts community, the selection committee narrowed its choices by using the following categories: success and generosity in the areas of leadership, arts administration, visual and performing arts, lifetime contribution to the arts and for the first time, arts education and contributions by a young artist. Some past honorees include Mary Strauss, Nancy Kranzberg, Mae Wheeler, Joan Lipkin, Jill McGuire and last year’s National Honoree Niecy Nash.
2008 Visionary Award Winners:
• President’s Award: Peg Grigg
• Outstanding Arts Professional: Sue Greenberg, Executive Director of Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts
• Successful Working Artist: Carrie Houk, actress and casting director
• Emerging Artist (age 22+): Ashley L. Tate, Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer of Ashleyliane Dance Company, dancer
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Jeanne Trevor, jazz singer and actress
• Outstanding Arts Educator (New Award): Lois Conley, Founder and Executive Director of the Black World History Museum, historian and teacher
• Outstanding Arts Educator (New Award): Jane Ellen Ibur, poet, writer, teacher and community artist
• Outstanding Young Artist (ages 16-22): Emily Piro, actress and playwright
Grand Center created the Visionary Awards to highlight the wide-ranging work of women artists and arts leaders in the community. The organization also utilizes the annual awards program as a fundraiser to support its ongoing efforts to redevelop the Grand Center District.
The Sixth Annual Visionary Awards ceremony and cocktail reception, sponsored by Brown Shoe and A.G. Edwards, will take place on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Sheldon in Grand Center. The Sheldon is located at 3648 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri 63103. Reservations can be made by calling Jessica Stack at 314-289-1523 or emailing jstack@grandcenter.org.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Grand Center, Inc. is a charitable organization whose mission is to redevelop the Grand Center District into an exciting arts, entertainment, residential and commercial district, through arts programming and real estate development. The District hosts more than 1,500 cultural events and welcomes over 1.5 million visitors annually. With more arts, entertainment, dining and real estate projects under development, Grand Center is The Intersection of Art and Life™.
For more information about Grand Center visit www.grandcenter.org or call 314.289.1523.
The Woolworth Building to Re-Open in Fall 2008
The continuous construction on the corner of Olive and Grand ignites excitement. Soon to open as the newest addition to Grand Center, the former Woolworth Building, soon to be the Big Brothers Big Sisters Building, will house Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and the Kranzberg Cultural Arts Center. The Kranzberg Center, on the ground floor, will be home to a Craft Alliance satellite center and gallery, and two performance spaces seating 100 in the black box theatre and 75 in the cabaret studio.
America’s youth are taught they can be and achieve anything they desire. This belief is encouraged through the acceptance and creative energy of art. Grand Center aims to make art accessible to the widest possible range of constituents with the festivals and events it hosts. By bringing together the many different art forms and organizations for celebrations such as First Night®, Dancing in the Street and Grand Gallery Walks. Grand Center engages members from all corners of the St. Louis community with opportunities to experience the widest range of art forms.
The unified location of BBBS and the Kranzberg Cultural Arts Ccenter, adjacent to the Fox Theatre, near the Centene Center for the Arts and the corner of SLU’s campus is a unique opportunity for synergy in the combination of art incubation, educational opportunities, and the fostering of true St. Louis community. We hope you can join us to celebrate with BBBS and Craft Alliance at their grand openings in August.
2008 Grand Center Visionary Awards
Grand Center’s Visionary Awards 2008 • Call for Nominations
Grand Center, Inc. is proud to announce the Sixth Annual Visionary Awards, Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. The awards honor women dedicated to advancing the arts in the St. Louis Community.
We are inviting nominations for outstanding women in the following categories:
Major Contributor to the Arts, presented to a woman who has made a significant financial commitment to the advancement of the arts in St. Louis. She also participates on arts organization boards and raises funds for non-profit arts organizations. [Past honorees include: Mary Strauss, Helen Kornblum, Donna Moog, Nancy Kranzberg.]
Outstanding Arts Professional, presented to a woman who has dedicated her professional career to fostering creativity, and encouraging ongoing participation in the arts. She raises the profile of her organization by causing a widespread impact on the St. Louis arts community. [Past honorees include: Cynthia Prost, Francesce Herndon-Consagra, Jill McGuire, Stephanie Riven.]
Successful Working Artist, presented to a woman currently working and achieving great accomplishments in the arts. She has earned significant acclaim over an extended period of time and consistently displays excellence in the practice of her art form, enriching artistic expression and unique style. [Past honorees include: Kathleen Finneran, Jackie Masei, Linda Kennedy, Kim Massie, Joan Lipkin.]
Outstanding Arts Educator, presented to a woman dedicated to providing artistic instruction to a range of students, as both a profession and a lifestyle. She has made a strong impact on the individuals and community she has fostered through her role as an educator. [New Award]
Emerging Artist, presented to an up-and-coming artist (Age 22+) who has demonstrated her talent and a strong commitment to building her career in the arts. [Abby Birhanu, Sarah Gianobile, Lyndsey Scott, Jill Downen, Jenna Bauer.]
Outstanding Young Artist, young artist (ages 16-22) who demonstrates outstanding talent and enthusiasm regarding her art form. One who has actively engaged herself in this art form both within her educational institution and in the St. Louis community at large, setting an example for other promising young artists. [New Award]
Other Visionary Honorees include:
President’s Award: Virginia Weldon, Ann Ruwitch, Joanne Taylor Kindle, Susan Sherman.
National Woman in the Arts: Niecy Nash, Jenna Fischer, Deborah Borda]
To Nominate Someone:
1. Visit www.grandcenter.org/visionaryawards to find a link to the online nomination form which can be submitted electronically. OR
2. Download the printable submission form from the above website page. OR
3. Call (314) 289-1523, leave your name and mailing address and we will mail you a hard copy form for you to complete and return.
Selection Process:
Nomination forms will be reviewed and winners will be selected by the Visionary Awards Selection Committee, comprised of women leaders in the arts community.
Nomination Deadline:
Nominations must be received no later than 5pm on Thursday, January 31st, 2008. Completed forms along with supplemental materials should be sent to: Grand Center, Inc. Attention: Visionary Committee, 634 N. Grand Suite 10A, St. Louis, Mo 63103
First Night 2008
First Night
Come hear the beat of the Rhythm of the Night! Join us in celebration of First Night-St. Louis 2008 by turning Grand Center into a rhythmic cornucopia of music, art, dance, and festivities. This family friendly, alcohol free event held on December 31, New Years Eve 2007, draws almost 15,0000 people to Grand Ave. between Lindell and Delmar for entertainment and the traditional fireworks. This year’s highlights are sure to draw a crowd – between SQUONK Opera performing a Saint Louis operetta at the Scottish Rite Cathedral and Brian Olsen returning with his hand painted celebrities, we have surprises packed in every corner that will keep the crowd entertained (and warm!) as the night goes on.
First Night aims to “broaden and deepen the public’s appreciation of the visual ad performing arts through an innovative, diverse and high quality New Year’s Eve program.” Watch for updates on www.grandcenter.org. If you would like to get involved call the Volunteer Hotline at 314-289-1582.
The Rededication of Strauss Park
PLEASE JOIN US AS
GRAND CENTER CELEBRATES
KICKING OFF THE OPENING OF THE 2007-2008 ARTS SEASON
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
11:15 am Rededication of Strauss Park Marks 25th Year Anniversary Tribute
to Leon Strauss
Dine on Dance to Provide a Noontime Performance of Arts, Live Music and Contemporary Dance
Sneak Peak Rehearsal of the Internationally Acclaimed Aerial Dance Troupe, Project Bandaloop, a Highlight of Saturday’s Street Festival, “Dancing In The Street & Off The Wall”
Who: Vincent C. Schoemehl, Jr., President and CEO, Grand Center, Inc; Mayor Francis Slay; John Killacky, Arts Director, Grand Center Inc. Mary Strauss, a partner of Fox Associates and Grand Center Inc. Board Member
What: Rededication of Strauss Park
When: Friday September 28, 11:15 am (please arrive by 11:00 am)
Where: Strauss Park in Grand Center
Why: To recognize and pay tribute to Leon Strauss; whose vision 25 years ago, led to the redevelopment of the Fabulous Fox Theatre; which has provided entertainment to audiences from around the world in its elegant theatrical atmosphere. Mary and Leon Strauss’ vision contributed greatly to the ensuing development of Grand Center, the Arts and Entertainment District of St. Louis. The renovation of Strauss Park is complete thanks to the generous gift of the St. Louis Taylor family, the City of St. Louis and Grand Center, Inc.
ANNONYArts presents Dine on Dance, a unique performance that brings the visual and performing arts together. It features original choreography by Dawn Karlovsky, Becka Voigt, Summer Beasley, Mary Ann Rund and Alice Bloch with music by Joia and visual art installations by Bill Russell. They will perform at Noon for diners and visitors to Strauss Park.
Reggie’s Backstage, Grand Center’s newest restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor menu service and box lunches to purchase for dining outdoors.
Unveiling A Dazzling Neon Sign
Grand Center, Inc. Unveils Dazzling Neon Sign on Powell Symphony Hall
Centene Corporation and Taylor family Gifts Make Addition Possible
On Monday, August 27, Grand Center, Inc. will celebrate the latest addition to St. Louis’s Arts and Entertainment District with the lighting of a 35 foot neon blade sign installed on Powell Symphony Hall (718 North Grand Blvd.), the home of the world-class Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.
The neon sign was made possible by a combined gift totaling $176,500 to Grand Center, Inc. from Centene Corporation CEO Michael Neidorff and the Taylor family, founders of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The sign is the second provided for the District by Michael Neidorff and Centene Corporation and a portion of a larger gift made by the Taylor Family in September, 2006, to Grand Center, Inc. An anonymous donor provided a gift to Grand Center, Inc. for improvements to the interior of Powell Hall, which were completed earlier this summer.
“We are grateful to the Taylor family and Michael Neidorff and the Centene Corporation for providing this gift to the District,” Vince Schoemehl, President and CEO, Grand Center, Inc. said. “Building a District takes time and resources. And corporate and individual generosity like this makes a strong statement about support for the District.”
Towering 85 feet above the street below, the cantilevered sign hangs from the west side of the building and is a replica of the original sign installed in 1925 by prominent movie palace architectural firm Rapp & Rapp. Originally opened as the St. Louis Theatre, the building was re-named in the 1960s after a significant donation by the widow of local businessman Walter S. Powell.
SLSO President and Executive Director Randy Adams expressed appreciation saying, “The sign is a wonderful reflection of the musical excellence of the Symphony.” He continued, “We are grateful to our long-time supporters Michael Neidorff and the Taylor family, as well as Vince Schoemehl, of Grand Center, Inc., for so generously benefiting our patrons, musicians, and staff.”
The lighting ceremony will include Centene Corporation CEO Michael Neidorff, Grand Center, Inc. President and CEO Vincent C. Schoemehl, Jr., and SLSO President and Executive Director W. Randolph Adams. The ceremony
Visionary Awards - Nominate Outstanding Women in the Arts
Grand Center, Inc. is proud to announce the Fifth Annual Visionary Awards to be held Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. The awards honor women dedicated to advancing the arts in the St. Louis Community.
We invite your nominations for outstanding women in the following four categories: Major Contributor to the Arts, Outstanding Arts Professional, Successful Working Artist and Emerging Artist.
Download the letter and nomination form and brief guidelines for each award by clicking the link below.
Nomination forms will be reviewed, and winners will be selected by the Visionary Awards Selection Committee, composed of women leaders in the arts community.
Completed forms along with any supplemental materials, should be sent to:
Grand Center Inc, attn: Visionary Awards Selection Committee, 634 N Grand, Suite 10A, St. Louis, MO 63103.
Nomination forms are due no later than 5:00pm, Thursday, 06/28/07.
We look forward to seeing you at the Visionary Awards ceremony and cocktail reception Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 at The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd.,
from 6 to 8 p.m.
Should you have any inquiries or require further information, please feel free to contact our
Event Coordinator, Cheri Hutchings at (618) 398-1635 or chutchings@charter.net. As an informed member of the community, we truly hope you will help nominate candidates for this important recognition.
Hyatt Makes Plans in Grand Center
Starwood, Hyatt to expand in St. Louis
Story Images
John Steffen and Mike Mullenix are partnering on a $30 million conversion of the century-old Metropolitan Building in Grand Center into a Hyatt Place hotel and working on a plan to bring a Starwood 'aloft' brand hotel to the Arcade building downtown.
The Grand Center Hyatt Place will be the first historic rehab hotel for Chicago-based Hyatt's Hyatt Place flag, It also will be Steffen's first hotel development and Mullenix's first historic rehab project.
Jazz at the Bistro Gets a Nod from USA Today
Jazz at the Bistro gets a great review at USA Today as one of the "10 Great Places to Get Jazzed About Great Jazz."
St. Louis Artworks in Mayorslay.com podcast
Monday, January 8, 2007
St. Louis ArtWorks 
St. Louis ArtWorks takes the dreams and talents of two of the City’s most important populations – our children and our artists – and combines them in summer programs that teach young people the sorts of life skills they need to hold jobs as professional artists – or as anything else their imagination and initiative may eventually place them. And it gives jobs and psychic satisfaction to members of the local creative class.
Over the past decade, St. Louis ArtWorks has matched up hundreds of young St. Louisans with dozens of willing artists and arts-educators to teach important skills and attitudes, and to put paychecks into young — and older — pockets.
MayorSlay.com speaks to Priscilla Block, the executive director of the ArtWorks program and one of its most articulate spokespeople.
First Night In The Press
Check out some kinds words from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This will be updated with more articles as they are found.
Speakeasys Wine Cave Adds a Bit of Mystery to Newest Culinary and Entertainment Destination in Grand Center
An interesting discovery was found in the early development stages of the newest culinary and entertainment destination in Grand Center...
Grand PA - Grand Public Art Dedication - December 15
Grand PA, Grand Public Art is a collaborative project of the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts and Grand Center, Inc. Located immediately south of Powell Hall on Grand Blvd., Grand PA is a unique outdoor venue for interactive display of art.
Visionary Awards Now at The Sheldon
To make room for more VIP table requests that have been coming in, The Fourth Annual Visionary Awards has been moved to a different venue, The Sheldon.
Grand Opening 2006
Grand Center: The Intersection of Art and Life will kick-off the opening of the arts season in St. Louis with Grand Opening 2006, an evening of FREE fun and festivities for all ages, on Friday, September 29, from 5:30pm to 11pm. A celebration along Washington Boulevard between Strauss Park and the Contemporary Art Museum includes a Gallery Walk, Street Fair, Outdoor Movie, ArtsLounge Cocktail Party, and a Free Children’s Arts Festival.
Jenna Fischer named National Woman in the Arts at the 2006 Visionary Awards in Grand Center.
Native St. Louisan Jenna Fischer, of NBC's Emmy-Award winning show The Office, returns to her hometown on Wednesday, November 29, to be honored by Vince Schoemehl, Susan Sherman, and the Grand Center Board of Directors as the 2006 National Woman in the Arts at Grand Center’s Fourth Annual Visionary Awards cocktail party.
Schmidt Contemporary Art Opens with its Inaugural Exhibit
Schmidt Contemporary Art is proud to announce the Inaugural Exhibition of its new gallery at 615 North Grand Boulevard on Friday, September 29, 2006, from 5:30 to 7:30pm. This special opening will be held in conjunction with the Grand Opening of Grand Center's 2006-2007 season.
Bruno David Gallery announces an exhibition by Carmon Colangelo
The opening preview reception of an exhibition by renowned printmaker Carmon Colangelo took place on Friday, September 8, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The exhibition remains on view through October 7, 2006.
Carmon Colangelo uses a variety of printmaking processes including intaglio, lithography, collagraph, monotype, silkscreen and digital printing. "Using new methods and transformative materials such as wax and iridescent inks, he builds both physical and visual depth into a traditionally flat medium," writes Robin Dana, director of the Art Gallery of the University of Georgia’s Lamar Dodd School of Art. She continues, "The dissection Colangelo eludes to appear far less like a literal body because he uses a complex iconography of plants, animals, pills, and abstract forms alongside disfigured body parts. His codification offers a narrative that requires close examination of the symbols contained within, defying scale and species as he seams together monstrosities of a fantastic laboratory." His large scale digital and monotype prints use fragments from common kiosks and billboards, where the remains of flyers, post-it-notes, staples and other artifacts form a transitory narrative that Michael Slaven in Art Papers refers to as, "a flotsam and jetsam of our ordinary existence marking out the invisible layers of contemporary life."
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