I’m feeling dropped back into the present after a Bard-heavy weekend spent taking in the Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ gorgeous production of Romeo and Juliet on Saturday, followed by St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s enchanting staging of The Tempest Sunday evening. In addition to being lovely adaptations, both offer an opportunity to experience Shakespeare’s words with a musical bend. For those who lean toward the classics, Romeo and Juliet is beautifully sung (Emma Marhefka as Juliet is a season standout) and accompanied by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. If your musical preferences tend toward a more folksy, stomp-clap vibe, The Tempest may offer some welcome surprises.
If you prefer your dramas a bit more modern, this week’s edition also offers a look at a piece of local history with unexpected plots and wild characters than even our greatest playwrights could dream up. Read on to learn more about The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis, out next week from local author Devin Thomas O’Shea. Of the many twisting tales I’ve experienced recently, it may just be the strangest—and most gripping.
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Devin Thomas O’Shea. Photo by Judd Demaline.
New book examines the secretive and controversial history of the Veiled Prophet Society
Devin Thomas O’Shea’s The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis is out June 23 from Haymarket Books.
In the nearly 150 years since it first drew a group of prominent St. Louis men together in pursuit of power and prestige, the Veiled Prophet Society has waned in influence and reputation. These days, according to VP Saint Louis chief operating officer Michael Ruwitch, who gave a rare interview with St. Louis on the Air’s Danny Wicentowski in 2024, “VP is just letters. It stands for nothing.” But history is not easily erased, especially for those willing to troll the city’s vast libraries and archives, fishing for treasure among newspaper clippings and advertisements. Author (and sometimes SLM contributor) Devin Thomas O’Shea is one such person. Over a decade of research, an idea for a Thomas Pynchon–esque novel set in St. Louis morphed into a comprehensive look at one of St. Louis’ strangest stories.
A century-spanning story:The Veiled Prophet is a shocking, far-reaching, and often entertaining account of the Veiled Prophet, a secret society founded in the wake of St. Louis’ 1877 general strike. The story winds its way through the decades and a colorful cast of characters, from the chivalry-obsessed Confederates who hatched the idea to captains of industry and their scepter-toting daughters to power brokers in the White House, FBI, and CIA.
Looking to the past: Readers may come for the secrets and strangeness of the Veiled Prophet. In pursuit of the juicy details about CIA directors, odd rituals, and familiar surnames, however, they will also encounter fascinating stories of labor disputes, civil unrest, and environmental disaster. These pieces of local history are essential to understanding where we find ourselves now. Yet these details are often unknown or misunderstood. In the conclusion of The Veiled Prophet, O’Shea writes that he is “not disheartened by this ugly past. It is rancid and unnerving, but it’s also a necessary step toward building the kind of city people might want to live in.” In learning about the past, O’Shea hopes that readers might take steps toward a brighter future.
Live and in person: The St. Louis Public Library will host a book launch event with O’Shea, Jacqui Germain, and Leviathan Books on June 23. On July 7, Left Bank Books will host O’Shea in conversation with Kella Thornton.
QFest St. Louis, Cinema St. Louis’ annual celebration of contemporary LGBTQ+ film, is underway at the Hi-Pointe Theatre this week, bringing with it great screenings and thoughtful conversations. Centered on the theme “OUT, LOUD,” the fest includes feature films, documentaries, and four shorts blocks. Ahead of the event, SLM’s Max Havey spoke with CSL director of festival curation and education Emmett Williams, who shared some of the most exciting films on the docket at this year’s fest. For the chance to take a piece of QFest home with you, visit the Hi-Pointe on June 20 for the Trans Youth Art Sale, which gives young artists the chance to share and sell their works in a welcoming community space. Through June 21. Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland.
DO
Picturing Independence
The Saint Louis Art Museum is looking particularly patriotic this week, with a massive American flag hanging across its regal columns. Inside, the acknowledgement of our country’s 250th birthday continues with Picturing Independence, an exhibition that seeks to tell the story of how artists have communicated the ideas central to the American identity across the centuries. Several accompanying events are planned over the course of the exhibition, including Let’s Talk in the Galleries on July 3, Culture + Cocktails–Highlights of American Art on August 14, and SLAM Underground–REVOLUTIONARY on August 28. Through January 24, 2027. Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts.
LISTEN
Soul of a People
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is celebrating Juneteenth this week with a program featuring iconic works from Black artists across genres. “Soul of a People: A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music” will see the IN UNISON Chorus, led by Kevin McBeth, take on 17 songs alongside vocalists LaKisha Jones and Ryan Shaw. Selections include “Sir Duke,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Respect,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and many more. Check out SLM’s list of Juneteenth events for even more performances, parties, and learning opportunities to mark the day. June 19. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand.
READ
Midwestern Death Trip
Music critic Meaghan Garvey has gained a dedicated following through both her work published by The New York Times, Billboard, New York Magazine, and many more and her own Gonzo Substack, Scary Cool Sad Goodbye. Now, she’s offering up her first book, Midwestern Death Trip, a memoir/reporting project that sees Garvey flung around the Midwestern landscape with many strange and seedy stops along the way. To hear about it all from Garvey herself, visit Left Bank Books on June 18, when the author will stop by for an in-store talk and signing. June 18. Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid.
BRANDED CONTENT
How romance is the through-line of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis' 2026 Festival Season
The Pirates of Penzance, The Light in the Piazza, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Romeo & Juliet each offer a different lens on relationships, shaped by tone, setting, and character dynamics. Find out more.
Around Town
Former Circus Flora leader gets nearly 2 years for stealing from the St. Louis institution (STLPR): Last week, former board president of Circus Flora George Pace was sentenced to 22 months in prison for stealing from the nonprofit. Circus Flora's 40th anniversary show is currently underway in Grand Center.
Why God of Carnage still makes audiences laugh—and squirm (Jewish Light): Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage, a Tony Award–winning dark comedy about parents navigating their young sons’ playground fight, runs through June 28 at the New Jewish Theatre.
Where to eat before every Muny show this summer (SLM): Looking to grab a bite before Hairspray, Newsies, or South Pacific? SLM’s Madi Lee has great suggestions for themed bites to put you in the mood for some Muny magic.
MATI Festival & Conference moves to July 17-19, featuring 100+ national, regional and St. Louis-based performances across indoor-outdoor stages in Grand Center Arts District. Weekend and single-day passes on sale now! Buy passes now.
Praised by The Washington Post for taking bluegrass to “its next evolutionary stage,” Punch Brothers create music and lyrics that are both intellectually daring and emotionally resonant. Get tickets!
Screenshot via Google Maps.
GAME TIME
Where Art Thou?
Think you know St. Louis' art scene? Where was this photo taken? Put a pin on the interactive map based on where you think this art piece is located. The closer you are, the more points you earn. Play Now »
Last week’s photo showed “Window 1/3” by Jene Highstein on the Webster University campus. Congratulations to the readers who earned perfect scores: Chloe Sapp, Mary LaPak, Myranda Levins, Lemon, Nick McClane, Allie Magee, Sarah H., Natalie Stinsom, and Liz Simons. Keep playing for your chance to earn points and some free SLM swag.
In case you missed it
🏳️🌈 Celebrate Pride among drag queens and fine art at the Future is Femme Ball: The June 18 event at the 21c Museum Hotel will honor femme queens and trans folks with a party for a good cause. Read Now »
🪭 WerQfest will return bigger and bolder than ever this July: The annual festival celebrating the Black, queer, and trans communities returns to Atomic by Jamo July 11. Read Now »
🎸 St. Louis band Rachel is Kozi is launching an all-local music festival: The event on June 27 will highlight six St. Louis–based bands. Read Now »
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