The days are growing shorter, but 32 things every St. Louis Jew should do this September are just beginning to unfold. From the expanded Jewish Book Festival to live music, theater, festivals and art exhibits, the fall calendar is bursting with ways to celebrate, learn and connect.

Opportunities abound to hear music of all sorts — rock (Patti LaBelle, the Doobie Brothers, Kansas), country (Alabama, Ozark Mountain Daredevils), jazz (Branford Marsalis), classical (Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem”), hip hop (Common) and opera (Patricia Racette). John Legend, who likes to mix genres, also is coming to town.  

Special events include a live recording session Sept. 18 of “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me,” a return visit Sept. 27 from Phil Rosenthal (the charismatic star of “Somebody Feed Phil”) and Reese Witherspoon drops by Oct. 15 with her co-author Harlan Coben to talk about their new book. Two nights later, Adam Sandler arrives. In mid-November, American Ballet Theatre Studio Company performs here as part of Dance St. Louis’ 60th anniversary celebration. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Works of art are on display in local museums large and small, in an outdoor sculpture garden and in several noteworthy art shows. Local theaters will present dramas, musicals, a mystery and one downright eerie show (“St. Nicholas”) is on stage Oct. 2-5. 

The annual Balloon Glow is set for September in Forest Park, and starting in mid-November, the Garden Glow  lights up the Missouri Botanical Garden.  

There’s more — much more, so read on. Remember, arts organizations across the country are coping with deep funding cuts, so take special pride this fall in offering your financial (and moral) support.

Up and running

Two special exhibits are on display at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. “Triumph of the Spirit: Jewish Athletes Before, During, and After the Holocaust” runs through Sept. 14. This traveling pop-up exhibit “celebrates the power of sport and the resilience of Jewish athletes in the face of unimaginable adversity.” Through Oct. 19, see “Stitching History from the Holocaust,” which “brings to life the story of…a talented Jewish dress designer from Prague whose dreams—and life—were cut short by the Holocaust.” 

“In Search of America: Photography and the Road Trip” is on display now through Oct. 19 at the St. Louis Art Museum. The exhibition displays “work by artists shaped mainly by car travel in the 20th century, exploring how the automobile and the road mediated what the photographers discovered.” Expect works by significant photographers. See slam.org

Now through Dec. 15, see visiting Artist in Residence Renata Cassiano Alvarez’s newest piece “Passage,” which is “a celebration of St. Louis’ history,” inspired by the Gateway Arch. The Mexican-Italian sculptor’s work — an open-air construction of four interconnected archways, each adorned with hundreds of mosaics — is at Laumeier Sculpture Park. Admission is free. See laumeiersculpturepark.org

The National Blues Museum, located downtown at 615 Washington Ave., offers more than just engaging exhibits on the history and evolution of blues—it’s also a lively venue for live music. Don’t miss the popular Howlin’ Friday shows held most Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m., along with Soulful Sunday tribute concerts from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For schedules and details, visit nationalbluesmuseum.org

SEPTEMBER

The Black Rep opens its 49th season with “Raisin (The Musical),” a Tony Award-winning show adapted from Lorraine Hansberry’s compelling play “A Raisin in the Sun.” Ron Himes, the company’s founder and producing director, directs the musical, on stage Sept. 3-21 at Edison Theatre. Expect jazz, gospel and pop songs. For show times and tickets, see theblackrep.org/season-49

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens the 2025-26 season with Sandy Rustin’s “The Cottage,” a comedy about “the meaning of love, identity and marriage…served in a way only the British can serve it.” See it Sept. 3-28 on the mainstage at the Loretto Hilton Center. For showtimes and tickets, see repstl.org/events/detail/the-cottage

Listen to the music (see what I did there?) of the legendary Doobie Brothers along with the Coral Reefer Band at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. For tickets, see ticketmaster.com

“Somewhere Between Earth and Sky” displays paintings, bronze sculptures, woven baskets and works on paper by Teresa Baker, an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes in the Great Plains. See her work Sept. 5-Feb. 8 at the Contemporary Art Museum. Baker’s work “invigorates and expands European and American modern painting histories, offering a visionary approach to abstraction.” For hours, see camstl.org

At the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, two concurrent exhibitions that explore the art of the multi-disciplinary artist Jennie C. Jones open Sept. 5 and run through Feb. 1. “Jennie C. Jones: A Line When Broken Begins Again” celebrates Jones’ new and recent work, and “Other Octaves: Curated by Jennie C. Jones” is comprised of 34 works by artists who have been touchstones throughout her career. See pulitzerarts.org

“Hate Ends Now,” a traveling exhibition that takes place inside an historic replica of a railcar, is in town Sept. 10-14 at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. The multi-media exhibit offers limited seating, much of it on the floor of the railcar, and advance tickets are required. For details, see stlholocaustmuseum.org/hateendsnow

“The Wanderers” — Anna Ziegler’s “funny, moving and thoughtful play” — is on stage Sept. 11-28 at the New Jewish Theatre in the Jewish Community Center’s Wool Studio Theatre in the Staenberg Arts Building. The play explores two marriages, one an Orthodox couple and one secular, and asks whether “following one’s truth is worth it, no matter the cost.” Tickets cost $29.19-$64.54. For performance times, see newjewishtheatre.org

The Kranzberg Arts Foundation presents “Music at the Intersection” Sept. 12-14, a “festival and conference” that features Common, Patti LaBelle, Branford Marsalis plus many other national acts and St. Louis-based musicians as well, all performing throughout Grand Center. For more information, see matistl.org

Marshall Crenshaw — the Grammy- and Golden Globe- nominated songwriter and guitarist — takes the stage with James Mastro at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way in midtown. Tickets, from $38-$55, are available at citywinery.com/st-louis

The 47th annual St. Louis Jewish Book Festival has expanded into a lively season, with events scheduled from Sept. 16 through mid-December and right on into February. The heart of the festival is set for Nov. 2-9 at the Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex, with some earlier and later events occurring at different locations. Highlights from the expanded season include released hostage Eli Sharabi (Oct. 9), author Andrew Leland (Nov. 2), actor and advocate Joshua Malina (Nov. 8), viral storyteller Hunter Prosper (Nov. 17) and designer Nate Berkus (Dec. 6). For the full schedule plus all-access packages and single tickets, see stljewishbookfestival.org or call 314-442-3283.

Pack a picnic and bring a blanket for the St. Louis Symphony’s annual Forest Park Concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 on Art Hill. Admission is free. Music director Stéphane Denève will conduct. For details, go to slso.org

Wait — don’t tell me you haven’t heard “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me” will record live at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Fox Theatre! Yep, National Public Radio’s Peabody Award-winning comedy/news quiz show is coming to town, along with host Peter Sagal. Tickets are limited to six per person and are available in a wide range of prices. See fabulousfox.com

The annual Balloon Glow in Forest Park starts at 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at Emerson Central Fields. The next day, the field opens at 1 p.m. for activities that lead up to the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, said to be the oldest and largest free balloon event in the country. The opening ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. and the “Hare” is expected to launch at 4:30. For details, see greatforestparkballoonrace.com/schedule-of-events

Gather up the kids or grandkids for some child-friendly ice dancing! Disney characters exhibit fancy footwork Sept. 19-21 at “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance” at Chaifetz Arena on the St. Louis University campus. Show times accommodate many a family’s schedule. For more information, see chaifetzarena.com

Considered “a joyous tribute to one of the most beloved voices in American music history, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” closes the 2025 season at Stages St. Louis. See it Sept. 19-Oct. 19 at the Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. Expects songs you may already know (and love) and stories from King’s life you may not know. For performance times and tickets, see stagesstlouis.org/beautiful

The annual Old Webster Jazz & Blues Fest will fill downtown Webster Groves with “non-stop jazz and blues from two stages” from 1 to 11 p.m. Sept. 20. Admission is free. Expect food and drink from area restaurants, street entertainers and events for kids. See oldwebsterjazzfest.com

Now in its third year of sold-out shows, The Midnight Company’s “Just One Look” with the gifted Kelly Howe as Linda Ronstadt continues to draw enthusiastic audiences at the Blue Strawberry. See the “nostalgic rock ‘n roll cabaret performance” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20, Oct. 30 or Dec. 20. For tickets, see bluestrawberrystl.com

Savor the music at PorchFest, a “free community concert walk” on the afternoon of Sept. 21 in the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood. Bands will perform at more than 35 venues (including porches), followed by a mainstage concert in the early evening at Greg Freeman Park (aka Four Corners). For details, see porchfeststl.com

He’s on late-night TV, in movies and a veteran of a famous sitcom (“Parks and Recreation”), and now comedian and actor Ben Schwartz stops here on his national improv tour. See the show at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Stifel Theatre. For tickets, see stifeltheatre.com

“Masters of Vienna: A Musical Heritage” opens the 17th season of the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis. Hear six beloved musical selections at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 in the Pillsbury Theatre in the 560 Music Center in University City. For tickets, see chambermusicstl.org/concerts/masters-of-vienna

Now celebrating its 30th season, the Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz at 3536 Washington Ave. presents the 18-piece Jazz St. Louis Big Band at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26-27. Expect custom arrangements “ranging from Count Basie grooves to holiday favorites like Ellington & Strayhorn’s Nutcracker.” For ticket prices and parking passes, see my.jazzstl.org

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra joyfully opens the season with “Fanfare for Powell Hall,” three concerts Sept. 26-28 in the orchestra’s newly rejuvenated home. The programs feature Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, assorted musical “fanfares” and Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben.” Music director Stéphane Denève conducts. For concert times and tickets. See shop.slso.org

The fifth annual Clayton Jazz Festival features music, food and drinks from 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 27 along Brentwood Blvd. between Forsyth and Maryland in Clayton. Admission is free. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, except for water. See claytonmo.gov/government/about-clayton/clayton-jazz-festival

Rock bands Kansas and 38 Special team up with Jefferson Starship at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 for a night of classic rock at the Fox Theatre. Tickets cost $71.50-$179.50. See fabulousfox.com/events/detail/kansas

Feast on stories from mensch Phil Rosenthal (star of “Somebody Feed Phil” and creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond”) at 8 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Factory in Chesterfield. Expect a moderated conversation, followed by questions from the audience. For ticket prices, see thefactorystl.com/event/phil-rosenthal

The Tower Grove Pride Festival takes place Sept. 27-28 in Tower Grove Park. Expect local artists, businesses, two music stages, drag performances, dance parties, a parade (at 1 p.m. Sunday) and plenty of food booths and trucks. For a schedule, see towergrovepride.com

Sublime and Lenny Kravitz are the featured headliners at this year’s Evolution Festival Sept. 27-28 in Forest Park. Expect at least 25 other music acts plus “culinary experiences, craft cocktails and a beer/spirits garden.” All net proceeds from tickets, merchandise, concessions and parking benefit the United Way of Greater St Louis’ Storm Relief Fund. For single day or weekend passes, see evolutionfestival.com