I’m fairly sure I’ve shared my love of sharks in this missive before, but in case you’re new here, I’ll always take an excuse to extol the virtues of our finned and oft-maligned friends. Since I’m working from Destin, Florida, for the next couple of weeks, I’ll have better chances than usual of seeing my favorite animals in the wild. However, if you’d like a guaranteed animal encounter during Shark Week, look no further than the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, which is hosting plenty of festivities for the unofficial (unoffishial?) holiday. Summer editorial intern Ian Scholes got all the details on the aquarium’s plans for the week, including habitat tours, giveaways, and even breakfast with Shark Twain himself. Read on for more. As always, thanks for subscribing, and feel free to reply to this email with your thoughts, ideas, and questions. Until next time!
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Shark Canyon at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. Photo by Anna Duncan.
Shark Week tears into the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
Special shark-themed programming will be on offer through August 2.
Shark-loving St. Louisans can flock to the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station through August 2 for Shark Week, the aquarium’s celebration of the magnificent and ferocious creatures of the sea. The aquarium will feature a variety of family-friendly activities designed to delight youngsters while entertaining the adults as well.
Fun for the whole family: This week’s special events include a Shark Splashmallow giveaway from July 29–August 2 and breakfast with aquarium mascot Shark Twain in the 1894 Cafe from July 30–August 2, in addition to shark-centered daily aquarium programming.
Behind the scenes: The aquarium is opening the doors to Shark Canyon this week for a special look at the habitat. Visitors can walk the catwalk and peer down at the aquarium’s large shark species as they swim and feed. Guests will also be able to walk across a rope bridge that hangs over the water for a thrilling new view of the sharks.
Learning opportunity: “It’s a really great opportunity for us to highlight one of the more iconic open-ocean animals that people don’t know about,” says aquarium executive director Erin Clark. “If they come into the aquarium fearing sharks, but leave respecting sharks, we have succeeded.”
Fly North Theatricals is bringing a Stephen Sondheim favorite to life on stage this summer at the Greenfinch Theater. The bloody good musical sees exiled barber Sweeney Todd return to London to seek revenge for the wrongs against him. He’s joined by the baker of the “Worst Pies in London,” Mrs. Lovett, and the pair set off a strange and gory string of events that has had audiences singing along for decades. Chandler Spradling and Jennelle Gilreath Owens star as Todd and Mrs. Lovett in this production of the tale directed by Fly North artistic director Colin Healy. Through August 9. Greenfinch Theater, 2525 S. Jefferson.
DO
Bridging Worlds Through Art: An Evening with Basil Kincaid
Spend an evening talking art, ancestry, history, and memory with artists Basil Kincaid and Lamerol Gatewood at the Missouri History Museum this week when the pair come together for “Bridging Worlds Through Art” as part of the Missouri Historical Society’s African American History Initiative. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. with resource and vendor tables and access to Historian’s Corner, where visitors can learn about fabric history. Then, at 6:30 p.m. attendees can head to Lee Auditorium to catch Kincaid and Gatewood in conversation about the enduring legacy of the 1960s Black Artists Group and bridges between the past and present. July 30. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell.
LISTEN
Prokofiev: Miniatures
New from pianist Brian Woods, Music Director for Classical Programming and Artist in Residence at the World Chess Hall of Fame, is Prokofiev: Miniatures, an album in three collections featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s Visions fugitives, Tales of an Old Grandmother, and Sarcasms. "Through 30 concise musical portraits, the album reveals the composer's wit, lyricism, and uncompromising honesty," wrote Interlude in its praise of the new release from Navona Records. Find it on Apple Music and Spotify. brianwoodspianist.com.
READ
Biological War: A Scenario
Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen’s 2024 bestselling nonfiction release, Nuclear War: A Scenario, offered a highly detailed, heavily researched account of what would happen in the event of a nuclear event in the United States. It’s equal parts terrifying and strangely comforting, packed full of details about exactly what would happen where, and when, and who would be involved. Now, Jacobsen has turned her attention to a new potential event: biological war. Out today from Dutton, Biological War: A Scenario puts the spotlight on what could happen if a lab accident, bioattack, or—imagine—a global pandemic sends our planet reeling. Hear all the details from Jacobsen herself on Monday, when she heads to the St. Louis County Library’s Clark Family Branch as part of the Westfall Politics and History Series. August 3. Clark Family Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh.
BRANDED CONTENT
How cabinets across St. Louis are getting a second life inside new homes
Each year, more than 1,100 tons of materials are kept out of landfills. In-kind donations power new homes and new beginnings with Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis. Find out more.
Around Town
Niche Food Group to participate in nationwide Industry Night screening of Tony(Hollywood Reporter): A24 and OpenTable are teaming up to offer free Industry Night screenings of Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony on August 3. In St. Louis, Niche Food Group’s Gerard Craft will host the movie night for restaurant workers.
KMOV to add new channel with ABC content for St. Louis–area viewers (St. Louis Post-Dispatch): The new channel 32.1 will begin giving viewers expanded local news coverage on September 1, 2026.
Bach Society of Saint Louis announces 86th concert season (Bach Society of Saint Louis): St. Louis' oldest continuous choral society will begin its season in October with Haydn’s The Creation at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood.
Every August, Gateway Arch Park Foundation honors St. Louis’ blues heritage by bringing it home to the riverfront. Head to the festival for free performances, fireworks, educational activities, and more. Join the tradition!
Join the St. Louis County Library for its largest fundraiser of the year, Booked for the Evening—a night of library nostalgia, great drinks, and mission moments. Learn more.
Photo by Christine Jackson
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 »
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In case you missed it
🎛️ New Music Circle reveals its 68th Season with Horse Lords, Wadada Leo Smith, Vinny Golia, and more: The full 2026-2027 lineup features free-jazz pioneers and experimental ensembles performing at various venues. Read Now »
😂 Flyover Comedy Festival announces David Cross, Dropout Improv, Roy Wood Jr., and more for 2026 fest: The annual comedy festival is set to take over the Delmar Loop from November 11-15. Read Now »
🎨 Duane Reed Gallery’s Small Works Invitational returns to highlight regional artists: The exhibition returns to the Central West End gallery following a three-year hiatus. Read Now »
💬
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