What To Do in The Lou: April 16th

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
COCA

COCA (Center of Creative Arts) is a premier multidisciplinary arts institution located in the University City area that has served the St. Louis region for 40 years. The center provides a world-class environment for arts education and performance. The organization is dedicated to making the arts accessible to everyone through a vast array of classes, pre-professional training, and community engagement initiatives.

The center offers diverse educational programming for all ages and skill levels in dance, theatre, voice, and visual arts, including specialized summer intensives and spring break camps. These programs are supported by state-of-the-art facilities, including the Catherine B. Berges Theatre, multiple professional-grade dance studios, the Millstone Gallery for rotating exhibitions, and a dedicated culinary studio.

COCA also acts as a national leader in student development, maintaining audition-based student companies that prepare young artists for collegiate and professional careers. Its impact extends further through the COCAedu program, which integrates arts learning into local school curricula, and COCAbiz, which provides creativity and leadership workshops for professional organizations.

☀️ Weekend Highlights You Shouldn't Miss

• 17th Annual Mushroom Festival & Hunt (Pere Marquette Lodge)
  Every spring, foragers and foodies make the scenic drive out to Grafton for one of the region's most beloved outdoor traditions. The 17th annual festival celebrates morel mushroom season with guided hunts through the towering river bluffs, cooking demos, expert-led identification workshops, and a full day of nature-soaked family fun. Even if you've never hunted a mushroom in your life, you'll leave with a new appreciation for the woods. Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• The Tallis Scholars (Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis)
  One of the finest vocal ensembles is performing inside the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis this week. The acoustics, the mosaics overhead, and the Renaissance pieces create a magical evening. You don't need to be a classical music fan to be completely moved by this concert. Friday, 7:30 p.m.

• Animals Aglow Lantern Festival (Saint Louis Zoo)
  If you haven’t made it out yet, the lantern festival runs for one more month! The Zoo transforms into glowing wonderland of towering, handcrafted Chinese lanterns, with massive illuminated animals, lush botanical scenes, and intricate traditional designs. It's a perfect evening out whether you're bringing the kids or just looking for something magical to do after dinner. The festival runs all three nights this weekend. Friday & Saturday, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m, Sunday, 6:30 - 10:00 p.m.

What’s Happenin’ in St. Louis 👀

Friday, April 17th

• FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola (Green Space at Westport Plaza)- This is not a drill. The actual FIFA World Cup Trophy is coming to St. Louis as part of its global tour ahead of the 2026 World Cup this summer. As a host city region, STL gets a free, open-to-the-public stop where you can see the most iconic trophy in sports up close. 12:00 - 8:00 p.m.

• Candlelight Concert: Best of Bridgerton on Strings (The Link Auditorium)- If the Bridgerton soundtrack lives rent-free in your head, this is your night. A string ensemble performs the show's reimagined pop hits by candlelight in one of the most atmospheric rooms in the city. 6:30 & 8:45 p.m.

• David Koechner Live (Funny Bone) - You know him as Todd Packer from The Office and Champ Kind from Anchorman. Now catch David Koechner live and unfiltered for a night of stand-up at the Funny Bone. 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.

• City Nights: House Party (City Museum) - Adults-only after-hours at the one and only City Museum. Find a beer pong partner, enjoy the DJ, and belt it all out at the karaoke, all without a single kid in sight. 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 18th

• Arch Bark (Gateway Arch) - Bring your four-legged best friend to the Gateway Arch grounds for a dog-friendly morning of activities, treats, and pup-approved fun at one of America's most iconic landmarks. Check out Purina Incredible Dog Team performances, a Dog Fashion Show/Best Trick Contest, a tennis ball pit, and more! 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

• “Death of a Blackheart” - Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater (Historic Lemp Mansion) - Dinner, mystery, and laughs inside one of St. Louis's most famously haunted buildings. Solve a murder while enjoying a multi-course meal at a place that’s equal parts creepy and hilarious. Perfect date night energy. 7:00 p.m.

• Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer (Sheldon Concert Hall) - Two of the most decorated musicians in jazz and classical music share a stage at the Sheldon. This is a masterclass disguised as a concert. 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 19th

• Solar Sunday Telescope Viewing (McDonnell Planetarium) - The Saint Louis Science Center sets up solar telescopes outside the Planetarium for a free, guided look at our nearest star. This event is a sfe, fascinating, and totally free way to enjoy the sun! 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• From Mozart to Wagner (Powell Symphony Hall) - The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra takes you on a journey from the elegance of Mozart to the sweeping drama of Wagner. Shows run Saturday and Sunday. Sunday’s show is at 3:00 p.m.

• Paw Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure (Stifel Theatre) - If you have little ones, this is the move. The pups are on a roll at the Stifel for a fully immersive live show with all their favorite characters from the hit show. Shows run Saturday and Sunday. Sunday’s show is at 10:00 a.m.

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ST. LOUIS NEWS + UPDATES 📰 

Cousins Maine Lobster Opening
Cousins Maine Lobster, the fast-casual seafood brand famously backed on Shark Tank by Barbara Corcoran, is officially bringing its authentic Maine flavors to the St. Louis region. The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM at 2nd Shift Brewing on Sublette Avenue.

City-County Reunification Gains New Momentum
The conversation around reunifying St. Louis City and St. Louis County is heating up again. With major federal investments like Boeing's expanded presence and the new NGA headquarters raising the region's national profile, supporters argue that without better regional coordination, St. Louis will lose their chance to capitalize on opportunities. Whether you're for it, against it, or still making up your mind, this is a story worth following closely.

WEATHER FORECAST 🌡️ 

Friday
87° ☀️ | 15% rain | 🌬️ 13 mph

Saturday
59° 🌤️ | 24% rain | 🌬️ 11 mph

Sunday
68° ⛅ | 3% rain | 🌬️ 5 mph