I pride myself on my knowledge of good ghost stories, but Troy Taylor has me beyond beat. Taylor’s been poking around local haunted houses and strange locales for decades, and he’s built a business on scares and specters. Writer Dani Vanderboegh recently caught up with Taylor to learn about his path to becoming a master of the macabre. Vanderboegh also shares a roundup of events and activities for folks who want to get up close and personal with ghosts this season. 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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Ulises, a Mastercard employee, not only reveals the connection between magic and security but also showcases his deep passion for his Hispanic heritage. His choice to join the company was driven by Mastercard's dedication to diversity, which enhances the dynamism of his team.
Head to St. Charles’ Foundry Art Centre through November 18 to take in Sleep Faster, We Need the Pillows, a new site-specific installation from post-disciplinary artist Benjamin Kaplan. The immersive exhibition blends contemporary art and traditional cultural motifs inspired by the Jewish diaspora. For a further exploration of these themes, check out House of Blonsky, a modern Jewish design lab founded by Kaplan that “harmonizes tradition and contemporary aesthetics.” Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center, St. Charles.
The St. Louis County Library will host its 44th annual storytelling festival from October 18–28. The festival features nationally recognized storytellers, programming for all ages, and performances. The festival is spread across several library branches, with opportunities to participate in neighborhoods across the area. Check the events lineup for information about advanced registration for select events.
This Saturday, Off Broadway will play host to Fusia Fest, an evening of DJ performances in celebration of DJ Grandmaster Flowers, also known as the “Father of the Mobile DJ Movement.” Local DJs will guide fest attendees through some of hip-hop’s most celebrated sub-genres—including Boom Bap, Crunk, and Booty Bass—leading up to a tribute to Flowers’ contributions to the genre from The Time Traveler G. Wiz. October 21, 4 p.m. $20. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp.
LGBTQ+ educator and advocate Schuyler Bailar will visit the High Low Listening Room this Sunday for a discussion hosted by Left Bank Books. The author of He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters will be on hand to talk about the book and personalize copies following a presentation. For those who cannot attend in person, a livestream will be available on Left Bank Books’ YouTube page. October 22, 4:30 p.m. RSVP here. High Low, 3301 Washington.
The Mineral Springs Hotel, Alton, Illinois. Courtesy of Troy Taylor.
Explore the supernatural this spooky season with ghost story pro Troy Taylor
Taylor has built his business around spilling the gory, ghastly, ghostly history of Missouri and Illinois, and it’s become a spectral spectator sport over the past 30 years.
If The Exorcist was based on a “true” story—the 1949 case that happened here in St. Louis—then Linda Blair never would have played the lead in the movie. And Illinois native Troy Taylor never would have spoken on a panel with her at San Diego’s 2015 Comic-Con if he hadn’t been trying to chase down the truth for the past 25 years. Most people don’t know what actually transpired at an unsuspecting two-story home in Bel-Nor, which is what inspired Taylor to write The Devil Came to St. Louis: The Uncensored True Story of the 1949 Exorcism. He details speaking to every living person connected to the hushed case during that quarter-century journey in his popular supper speaking series, Dinner and Spirits. It’s just one of the many festive experiences the 30-year veteran ghost-storyteller is offering this Halloween (and throughout the year).
Whether you are looking for a new doctor, dermatologist, cardiologist, or plastic surgeon, browse our guide featuring top physicians across the metro area.
Enter your work for SLM’s 2024 Architect & Designer Awards by October 31. Don't miss out on the chance to be recognized among some of the leading names in the local design community!
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