Some of the art in St. Louis is available all day every day but may not be open to explore, This Friday night, however, by the light of a full moon, you can climb the 198 steps to the top of the Compton Hill Water Tower.
This is the youngest (built in 1898) of the city’s three historic and distinctive standpipe water towers. The others are the Corinthian column (1871) at 20th Street and Grand Avenue and the Bissell Water Tower (1885) at Bissell Street and Blair Avenue.
The festivities won’t wait for moonrise. The water tower will be open from 5:30 p.m.-midnight. Once at the top, climbers will find a 360-degree view of the city and musician Lizzie Weber.
Food trucks will be on firm ground in Reservoir Park. And a relaxing stroll there will give visitors a chance to check out the once-controversial statue “The Naked Truth.” As discussed on St. Louis on the Air, the nakedness was a bit of a surprise. But the sculptor persuaded “city leaders that the monument was actually quite chaste and the statue was completed in 1914.” A two-year restoration effort was recently finished.
When: 5:30-midnight, June 13
Where: Reservoir Park, South Grand Russell boulevards
Cost: $5, children 5& under free
Information: www.facebook.com/events/1620523114839896/
And if heading out on Friday the 13th isn’t your style, the Compton Hill Water Tower will be open two more times this summer.
Other new things to check out:
COCA
What: Breathe - Maria Ojascastro and Rudy Zapf
When: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 7:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Opening reception: 6 p.m. June 13 (artists’ remarks at 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Center of Creative Arts, 524 Trinity Ave. 63130
Information: www.cocastl.org/subpage.cfm?vSection=exhibitions&vPage=millstone_gallery
KARAMU: FIESTA OF LATIN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC
What: Music (Bosman Twins, Denise Thimes and Latin Fire Ensemble) + “Salsa con Salsa,” which combines dance – including lessons and salsa tasting + African drumming + art exhibit on Latin culture
When: Doors open 6 p.m. June 14; concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd.
Cost: $20; $18 for seniors and students
Information: www.gitana-inc.org
ST. LOUIS ART MUSEUM
Of course, there’s art, and the French Impressionist exhibit is extended to Bastille Day. But on Friday, when the exhibition is free, there is also:
Elsie Parker & The Poor People of Paris
When: 7 p.m. June 13
With: St. Louis International Film Festival presentation of the 1921 silent film ”Be My Wife” and “Max Wants a Divorce”
KODNER GALLERY
What: “Modernism: Art + Design”
When: June 14-Aug. 30, opening reception 6-9 p.m. June 14
Where: 9650 Clayton Rd.63124
Information: www.kodnergallery.com
