| We have finally kicked off festival season in St. Louis and I'm so excited that I can hardly stand it! Fennel Hudson said that May, more than any month of the year, wants us to feel alive. I agree with that statement, and my beloved St. Louis is offering many ways for us to enjoy life and live local! The New York Times recently wrote an article titled "St. Louis Is as Welcoming as It Is Budget-Friendly". Yes, St. Louis is an affordable market, not only for real estate, but for entertainment as well. I hope that you will join me in getting out and making it a great month! |
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May 4th - May 6th  If you are looking for something to do tonight, how about checking out the Building the Future Celebration at the opening of the 2018 MFA Thesis Exhibition!! Let's celebrate a new generation of artists and the upcoming expansion of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at the Building the Future Party. Also, DJ Agile One will be on the turntables, and this is the last opening reception before the museum closes for its spectacular expansion! You might also want to stop by Parker's Table for Maker's Marque where you can peruse and purchase inspired jewelry, ceramics, fashion, printmaking, and art made by St. Louis artisans. The best is yet to come with David Giuntoli as he presents "We've got a world that swings" at theKranzberg Art Center, featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Mel Torme and many other cool cats that make it swing.  Tomorrow, aka Saturday, you can join me at Cinco De Mayo: A Cherokee Street Festival , which happens to be one of my top 3 festivals in St. Louis, and you know I love a good festival! This one has evolved into one of the largest and most diverse festivals in the St. Louis area. Enjoy great music, food, drink, and people! You might also want to swing by theSt. Louis Microfest to enjoy beer tasting from several local breweries. They also have live music and fun events to keep you entertained as well. Of course Saturday also brings us the Kentucky Derby, and you can check out Cinco de Derby at the Atomic Cowboy and will feature the Funky Butt Brass Band! If you are looking for jazz on Saturday night, check out my man,Ptah Williams - one of the best jazz pianist's that you'll see. He will be blessing the stage at The Dark Room in Grand Center. On Sunday May 6th, help carry on a new tradition and join me in checking out a day full of different types of live music starting with the second annual STL Porch Fest, a self-guided music festival! With over 20 bands on over 10 porches, this event will feature a variety of musical styles held in my beloved Skinker- Debaliviere Neighborhood. This event is completely free but the bands do appreciate tips! You can also join me in enjoying an afternoon of art, crafts, music, food, & family fun at ArtFest in Richmond Heights. Don't miss this unique opportunity to stroll the Parkway to appreciate and support local artists. Later in the evening, you can check out Circus Flora as they present the Case of the Missing Bellhop. May 7th - May 13th  Twilight Tuesday's, the Missouri History Museum's free outdoor concert series welcomes Javier Mendoza to the stage at the museum in Forest Park! Also on Tuesday, you might want to check out Beth Bombara who has a folksinger's head and a rocker's heart, and blurs the lines musically. She will be on stage at KDHX: Live From the Listening Room. You might not want to miss an opportunity to experience The Remedy - open mic poetry at the Legendary Palomino Lounge in the Delmar Loop. Stellaaaaaaa, head over to the Grandel Theater on Thursday May 10th to check out A Streetcar Named Desire as part of the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. Also on Thursday night, what happens when you mix EDM and a Toga Party? I'm not sure but I can't wait to find out at the FREedm Toga Party at 2720 Cherokee Street. For Friday May 11th, you might want to start off the evening with Sauce Magazine's Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park. While you're in the neighborhood, check out the Grapes in the Garden at the beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden where you'll taste over 250 different types of wine while enjoying live music. Of course, if you do tase all of that wine, please don't drive. Because afterwards, The Contemporary Art Museum also has the opening of their Summer Exhibitions. Maybe afterwards you'll want to check the vocal talents of Leslie Sanazaro and the guitar styling of Jeremy Segel-Moss at Yaqui's on Cherokee Street. On Saturday May 12th, grab the kiddos and head over to Eckert's for the Strawberry Festival where you'll find food, live entertainment, pony rides, children's play area, petting farm, carnival rides, and I hear there might be strawberries. You may also want to stop by the Saint Louis Science Center for SciFest: Tornado Alley where local experts explain certain weather phenomena. While you're there you could also check out there exhibit Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission. If you are looking for another festival (and who isn't), you can head over to downtown Kirkwood for Mayfest where you will be greeted by live music, food, farmers market, Artists in Bloom, dancers and more!  If you are interested in a nice bike ride, you can join my fellow board members at Trailnet for a 40 mile community ride to Creve Coeur Lake and back starting from Urban Chestnut's Midtown Brewery and Biergarten. You'll return in time for... wait for it.. Another festival! This time , UCBC's 2018 Maifest which features Bock Biers, Specialty Casks and limited edition URB beers in addition to live local music and BBQ! All riders will receive one beer/food coupon to use at the fest. For a different flavor on Saturday, The Pageant will be welcoming the smooth jazz styling of Brian Culbertson, and also on Saturday night, STL Free Jazz Collective will be delighting the crowd at the 14th Street Artist Commununity. Sunday May 13th is Mother's day so you might want to bring your mother to the Gateway Arch Sunday Brunch Cruise for a relaxing Mother's day. This is a perfect family event that is welcome to all ages. Of course, there is also the Art Fair at Laumeier which promises over a 150 different artists work and a great time complete with some more live music. May 14th - May 20th On Wednesday the 16th, I will be in D.C. protecting private property rights at the National Association of REALTORS Legislative Conference, but if I was here, you would find me at the Ready Room checking out the Tune-Yards. Oh, how I would to love to see them perform Water Fountain live! On Thursday, Big Boi, half of the Outkast duo will be blessing the stage.  Enjoy a tasty variety of food at the 10th Taste of South Grand on Thursday, the 17th. Twenty well known restaurants from the South Grand area will be providing food, drinks, and desserts. Friday May 18th there will be yet another festival for different types of beers known as the Fest-of-Ale will be taking place on at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Hopefully you will still feel ok the next day on Saturday May 19th so you can be apart of the final Battlegrounds Mud Run. You can do either a 5k or a 5 mile course depending on your preference or maybe you just want to go to watch! Perhaps a chill and laid back festival is what you have in mind for Sunday. If so, how about a relaxing stroll to the Art on the Square festival in Belleville for a calming day of aesthetically pleasing art. May 21st - May 31th On Monday, the 21st I'll be in Pennsylvania instructing a course for REALTORS about Smart Growth and how we build our communities in a sustainable way. However, if I was here in my beloved St. Louis, I would be with the the Dirty Projectors at the Ready Room. Their song Two Doves is a classic to me, and although Bjork will not be there, their collaboration on All We Are is just breathtaking. If you are wanting to start your weekend a little early you could stop by Kiener Plaza for their Kiener Cocktails Happy Hour on Thursday May 24th.  On Friday, the 25th If you like to appreciate art while indulging in delicious locally brewed beer then you could join me at the the Schlafly Art Outside Festival. This will be held at their Schlafly Bottleworks location in Maplewood on Friday May 25th and continues through the weekend. Kaskade will be on the ones and twos for a DJ set at Ryse nightclub in St. Charles. On Saturday, the 26th, the St. Louis African Arts Festival , another great St. Louis festival kicks off to celebrate African culture. There will be plenty of performing arts,great live music, food, and drinks not to mention there will be some incredible history being shared as well. You could also take the kids to Raging Rivers for their opening weekend. The last day of the St. Louis County Greek Festival is on Sunday, where you can enjoy some great food and Greek culture. Monday is Memorial Day, so let's not forget to honor those in the armed forces who have sacrificed their lives while protecting our freedom. What an amazing month we have ahead in St. Louis! I'm looking forward to seeing you out and about. All the best. -Nate P.S. Here is the latest Housing Report for your review. Median sales prices are up 3.7% from March of last year. Inventory continues to be low, which is good for our clients who are selling homes, but a bit more of a task for our clients who are buying homes. However, we are up for the challenge! Let me know if you have any questions. Nate K. Johnson ABR,CIPS,CRS,GRI,SRES Real Estate Solutions Group Redkey Realty Leaders 314-575-7352 Direct 314-514-9600 Office nate@livingstl.com www.livingstl.com |
March Housing Stats
