Sunday, 01 January 2006 15:45

“Night is a curious child, wandering between earth and sky, creeping in windows and doors, daubing the entire neighborhood with purple paint.” So wrote the poet Frank Marshall Davis, and so photographed the visual poet Eric Post. Post’s collection of moody snapshots, Ghost Town: While St. Louis Sleeps, recasts our city in mysterious shadows. Enter Philip Marlowe, Boo Radley, and the Boogeyman (Jan. 11 at Left Bank Books, 314-367-6731, www.left-bank.com).

Kim Humphries is the artist who erected a replica of the den of an obsessive collector and victim of pop culture at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis a few years back. Visitors could actually sit in the den, watch TV, read books from the “collection,” and completely immerse themselves in the freaky-yet-familiar space; it was brilliant. Humphries returns to form with Certain Areas, a new installation at the Bruno David Gallery (Jan. 13–Feb. 4, 314-531-3030, www.brunodavidgallery.com). Further description is futile; we’ll just have to go and see for ourselves.

Someday, I hope be separated by the same slashes as Ice-T. The actor/author/pimp/rapper/original gangster holds forth at UMSL’s Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center (Jan. 21, 314-516-4949, www.touhill.org). The former Tracy Morrow will discuss “life, death, entertainment, and religion,” and if we are lucky, mayhaps—bitches.

The Washington University Performing Arts Dept. tackles the tale of a real-life, 20th century witch-hunt in Brett Bailey’s Ipi Zombi. The drama, based on a 1995 incident in South Africa, concerns paranoia, persecution, and brains! Sweet, delicious, human brains! (Jan. 27–Feb. 5, A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre, 314-534-1111, www.metrotix.com)

Boxing not tough enough for ya? Try ultimate fighting, where a knee to the head is an acceptable form of “hello.” The Midwest Fight Fest brings all manner of martial-arts experts and would-be Van Dammes to the Stratford Inn in Fenton (Jan. 28, www.shamrockpromotionsllc.com). Submit!

The Missouri Botanical Garden has once again taken up the challenge of scattering cute props amid colorful blooms for a themed floral-adventure walk that mandates a camera, your grandparents, and a tolerance for that which is cuter than a circa–Jerry Maguire Jonathan Lipnicki. “Mr. Toad’s Orchid Adventure” features “Rat,” “Badger,” “Mole,” and “Toad” from the children’s classic The Wind in the Willows, cavorting amid some very rare flowers (Jan. 28–March 12, 314-577-9400, www.mobot.org). Visitors are invited to squash the rat, stroke the badger, blow on the mole, and lick the toad. Just don’t touch the orchids.

Listings:

Through Feb.: Wild bald eagle–watching opportunities in Alton, Grafton, Granite City, etc. (www.greatriverroad.com)

Fridays: Friday Nights Live featuring live music & open-mic performances at St. Louis Science Center (314-289-4444, www.slsc.org)

Jan. 1: Chanukah on Ice pageant with skating, games, crafts, & latkes at Brentwood Ice Arena

Jan. 3: Echo Theatre Play Reading Series presents staged reading of Amy & David Sedaris’ The Book of Liz at Soulard Coffee Garden (314-995-2123, www.echotheatrecompany.org)

Jan. 3-8: Eve “Vagina Monologues” Ensler performs her The Good Body at Edison Theatre (314-534-1111, www.metrotix.com)

Jan. 4: Strange Brew: Cult Films at Schlafly Bottleworks features giant mutant ants of Them!, sponsored by Webster Films (314-968-7487, www.webster.edu/filmseries.html)

Jan. 4–7: Trio “Fly” at Jazz at the Bistro (314-531-1012, www.jatb.org)

Jan. 4–29: St. Louis Black Repertory Co. & Hot City Theatre present Tony Kushner musical Caroline, or Change at Grandel Theatre (314-534-1111, www.stlouisblackrep.org)

Jan. 4–Feb. 3: Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents acclaimed Doug Wright drama on transvestite survivor I Am My Own Wife at Webster University’s Loretto-Hilton Center (314-968-4925, www.repstl.org)

Jan. 5: PLAYBACK:stl-sponsored Select Nights with music, $1 beer, & complimentary appetizers by Kitchen K at Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (www.contemporarystl.org)

Jan. 5: Readings at the Schlafly Tap Room featuring “The Five Aarons”: poets Aaron Belz, Aaron Kiely, Aaron Kunin, Aaron McCollough, & Aaron Tieger (belz.net/readings)

Jan. 5–March 30: Tom Huck exhibit at COCA (314-725-6555, www.cocastl.org)

Jan. 6: The Dali Dimension, film on surrealist painter, screened at St. Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, www.slam.org)

Jan. 6–8: Let’s Go Fishing Show at Collinsville Gateway Center (www.gatewaycenter.com)

Jan. 6–15: Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents chilling drama on stalking Boy Gets Girl (314-962-0876, www.theatreguildwg.org)

Jan. 6–28: Tom Huck woodcut show Bloody Bucket at Philip Slein Gallery (314-621-4634, www.philipsleingallery.com)

Jan. 9–10: “A New Line Cabaret, Episode 3: When Musicals Attack” at the Sheldon Concert Hall (314-534-1111, www.newlinetheatre.com)

Jan. 10: Author Lee Epstein discusses Advice & Consent: The Politics of Judicial Appointments at St. Louis County Library HQ (314-994-3300, www.slcl.org)

Jan. 10: Author of Getting Even: Why Women Don’t Get Paid Like Men & What to Do About It Evelyn Murphy at Left Bank Books (314-367-6731, www.left-bank.com)

Jan. 11: St. Louis Zoo Friends Speaker Series presents “Helping Save Asian Elephants in Indonesia” at St. Louis Zoo (314-781-0900, www.stlzoo.org)

Jan. 12–14: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs music of Elgar & Schumann (314-534-1700, www.slso.org)

Jan. 12–15: St. Louis RV, Camping, & Travel Show at America’s Center (www.americascenter.org)

Jan. 13: Extravaganza featuring opening of Typo anti-WIFI typewriter cafe, Beverly all-women art gallery, Snowflake space, Radio Cherokee concert, & Tin Ceiling theatrical show at Fort Gondo compound area on Cherokee Street

Jan. 13: Author of Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed Jared Diamond at Left Bank Books (314-367-6731, www.left-bank.com)

Jan. 13: Taoism in a Bowl of Water: The Chinese Composer Tan Dun, film on man who scored Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, screened at St. Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, www.slam.org)

Jan. 13–15: Battleworks dance troupe featuring COCAdance & interactive finale at COCA (314-534-1111, www.metrotix.com)

Jan. 13–15: Webster Films presents documentary on boozer photographer William Eggleston in the Real World in Moore Auditorium (314-968-7487, www.webster.edu/filmseries.html)

Jan. 13–March 26: Tom Huck wild woodcuts in Social Commentary in Black & White at Millstone Gallery at COCA (314-725-6555, www.cocastl.org)

Jan. 14: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Celebration with speakers, choir, & dancers at St. Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, www.slam.org)

Jan. 14–15: Trailnet sponsors Eagle Days with wild eagle–spotting opportunities at Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (314-416-9930, www.trailnet.org)

Jan. 14–16: Cardinals Winter Warm-Up at Millennium Hotel (www.stlcardinals.com)

Jan. 15: Jazz Ensemble Concert at Community School of Webster University (314-968-5939, www.webster.edu/cms)

Jan. 15: Toyman Toy Convention at the Machinists’ Hall (636-332-0807)

Jan. 16: River Styx at Duff’s Reading Series presents authors Eileen Myles & P.F. Allen (314-533-4541, www.riverstyx.org)

Jan. 17–Feb. 3: New paintings by Jennifer Klemp & Dallas Woodson at St. Louis Community College – Forest Park Gallery of Art

Jan. 18: Chuck Berry at Blueberry Hill (www.blueberryhill.com)

Jan. 18: Percussion Ensemble Concert at Community School of Webster University (314-968-5939, www.webster.edu/cms)

Jan. 18–22: Sesame Street Live’s Super Grover! Ready for Action at Savvis Center (314-241-1888, www.ticketmaster.com)

Jan. 18–Feb. 5: Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Studio Theatre presents Dael Orlandersmith drama on black-on-black racism Yellowman at Webster University’s Loretto-Hilton Center (314-968-4925, www.repstl.org)

Jan. 19: “Tango for Your Mind” dancing demo as part of Lunch & Learn series at St. Louis Science Center (314-289-4444, www.slsc.org)

Jan. 20: David Alan Grier performs at UMSL’s Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center (314-516-4949, www.touhill.org)

Jan. 20: Ovations! presents Turtle Island String Quartet with Ying Quartet at Edison Theatre (314-534-1111, www.metrotix.com)

Jan. 20: Tapies Tea, film on Spanish artist, screened at St. Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, www.slam.org)

Jan. 20–21: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs Mozart’s Mass in C-Minor at Powell Hall (314-534-1700, www.slso.org)

Jan. 20–21: Webster Films presents documentary on polyamory Three of Hearts: A Postmodern Family at Moore Auditorium (314-968-7487, www.webster.edu/filmseries.html)

Jan. 20–22: Dora (the Explorer)’s Pirate Adventure at Fox Theatre (314-534-1111, www.metrotix.com)

Jan. 20–28: Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Ira Levin’s Deathtrap at Kirkwood Community Center (www.ktg-onstage.org, 314-821-9956)

Jan. 20–29: Alton Little Theatre presents drama with mathematics, madness, and occasional sex Proof (618-462-6562, www.altonlittletheater.org)

Jan. 20–29: West End Players Guild presents Dylan Thomas drama Under Milk Wood at Union Ave. Christian Church (314-367-0025, www.westendplayers.org)

Jan. 21: Schlafly Ale Cabin Fever with 15 different beers for a single admission fee at City Museum (www.schlafly.com)

Jan. 21: HOT, HOT, HOT warm-up fun with crafts, games, steel-drum band, & sandcastles at Butterfly House (636-530-0076, www.butterflyhouse.org)

Jan. 21–29: Metro Theater Co. presents Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse at Mo. History Museum (314-997-6777, www.metrotheatercompany.org)

Jan. 22: Young People’s Concert Orchestra at Community School of Webster University (314-968-5939, www.webster.edu/cms)

Jan. 22: St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra performs music of Rossini, Vivaldi, Mozart, Dvorak, & Wagner at Powell Hall (314-534-1700, www.slso.org)

Jan. 23: UMSL Premier Performances presents Arianna String Quartet at Sheldon Concert Hall (314-516-5818)

Jan. 23: Washington Univ. Chamber Orchestra performs music of Mozart in Holmes Lounge, Ridgley Hall, Washington Univ. (314-935-4841)

Jan. 23–March 3: Layered, Stitched, Assembled group exhibition at Art St. Louis (314-241-4810 www.artstlouis.org)

Jan. 24: Tortured Films presents The Warriors & Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Grand Oak Hill Community Center (4168 Juniata, potluck snack buffet, BYOB, bring comfy chair, http://groups.myspace.com/torturedfilms)

Jan. 25: Sheldon Classics Series presents The Genius of Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik & Marriage of Figaro excerpts at Sheldon Concert Hall (314-533-9900, www.sheldonconcerthall.org)

Jan. 25: Burns Night bagpipes, poetry, haggis, Scotch, & Scotch ale at Schlafly Tap Room (www.schlafly.com)

Jan. 25–29: St. Louis Auto Show at America’s Center & Edward Jones Dome

(www.americascenter.org)

Jan. 26: Former British Prime Minister John Major at St. Louis Speakers Series at Powell Hall (314-533-7888, www.speakerseries.com)

Jan. 26: Crescendo Concerts presents cellist Manhatttan Brass Quintet at St. Charles Presbyterian Church in St. Charles (crescendoconcerts.org)

Jan. 27: Mozart’s 250th Birthday Music, Mirth, & Mischief Concert by various classical musicians, plus Austrian menu, at Holmes Lounge, Ridgley Hall, Washington Univ. (314-935-4841)

Jan. 27: Art After 5 with happy hour drinks, snacks, & live music at St. Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, www.slam.org); also tonight, screening of Danser Perreault, film on Canadian dance legend

Jan. 27: SIUE Arts & Issues series presents Alexander String Quartet at Southern Ill. Univ. at Edwardsville (618-650-2000, www.artsandissues.com)

Jan. 27–28: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs music of Mozart, Messiaen, & Ibert at Powell Hall (314-534-1700, www.slso.org)

Jan. 27–29: Dance Africa with Afriky Lolo & Yele at COCA (314-534-1111, www.metrotix.com)

Jan. 27–29: Dance St. Louis presents BLAST! percussion musical at Fox Theatre (314-534-1111, www.metrotix.com)

Jan. 27–May 14: Chicano art exhibition & interactive multimedia exhibits at St. Louis Science Center (314-289-4444, www.slsc.org)

Jan. 28: St. Louis Classical Guitar Society presents Duo Fresco at Ethical Society (314-567-5566)

Jan. 28–29: St. Louis Food & Wine Experience to benefit Repertory Theatre of St. Louis at Chase Park Plaza (314-968-4925)

Jan. 28–29: Harlem Globetrotters at Savvis Center (314-241-1888, www.ticketmaster.com)

Jan. 29: String Orchestra & Ensemble Concert at Community School of Webster University (314-968-5939, www.webster.edu/cms)

Jan. 30: Jazz guitarist Steve Schenkel & bassist Dan Eubanks at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (314-968-7128)