Oh, What a Night! - Dec 18th Recap.

Go Directly to the December 2008 or Winter 2009 Calendar.

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My goodness gracious, it seems the weather did not keep everyone at home last night. We were among hundreds of other souls eager to see what the new Indigo Hotel of the Central West End looked like. First of all, that old Best Western needed something to happen to make it habitable. Second, I like organizations that 're-use and re-purpose'. Why take up more space? Work with what you've got. And let me tell you, the Roberts Hotels Group has created a phoenix with this property.

As you can see the property has a very Esoteric Caribbean feel to it. Three-dimensional silouettes of branches and bright colors of lime green, ocean blue and orange are through-out the hotel. Beautifully scripted phases written backwards in the lobby. Signs with words and phrases assembled in odd grammatical patterns. So, you know your hostesses, two scientists are taking everything too literally, so found Ms. Kathy Stuart who explained the whole Indigo theme to us.

Your Hostesses with Kathy Stuart

It starts with the Phi:- The Golden ratio. of 1.618. Most natural patterns fits this "perfect ratio" - the intervals between veins in leaves, relative proportions of our body - see the Man created by Da Vinci - and being inspired by Da Vinci is where the backward written phases come in. Da Vinci did all of kinds of mysterious things, including writing many of his human anatomy notes backwards because of the all of the detail. And the nautilus shell - hotel's symbol, is an example of a visual pattern of math, because it's segments adhere to the Phi ratio.So, words that begin in FI are re-spelled to begin with PHI - like fitness to phitness' and the directions are in Haiku form - 17 syllable poems. All of this visual math. Neat.

It was a nice time and we had a chance to meet some great people. Before we could get in the door, Mayor Francis Slay walked right up to your hostesses, smiled, introduced himself, and extended his hand. My camera was ready yet. I also met UM-St. Louis Chancellor Dr. Tom George (another scientist), but alas no picture. And we met Cheresse, of Cheresse Ink. Big Kudos goes to her and her team. They planned the entire event and it was SPECTACULAR. Her people were flashing away and took a picture of us with her. But we managed plenty of pictures of other politicians and key St. Louisians.

The Fête Society with State Senator Jeff Smith & State Representative-Elect Don Calloway

The Fête Society with Mr.Mike Roberts and State Senator Jeff Smith

Missouri State Senator congratulating Mr. Mike Roberts, Sr.

Me with Mrs. Roberts (mother of Mike Sr and Steven Roberts)

Crowd Shots

The open spaces hosted guest with free food and drinks, a live blues band, a 2-piece holiday songs ensemble, and a hip-hop DJ downstairs. And a local artist was there creating art live. He paints bird caricatures. Very colorful - like the hotel, perhaps that is why they invited him - and adorable. I tried to talk him into painting mammals. No dice, only birds. Check him out - Jeff Kapfer.

Artist Jeff Kapfer

The Fête Society Mixing and Mingling

with Virvus Jones - Roberts Brothers Co. Vice President of Real Estate

Amina Terry - Architect and Designer with the Indigo Hotel project. Standing in the room she designed.

with Person on the Move - Darcella Craven

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Later that evening, I stumbled upon "Political After-party". Local Aldermen are preparing for what will be an exciting and historical Presidential Inauguration. As a prelude, President-Elect Obama is encouraging everyone to keep the momentum and be a part of the Change We Need. MLK Day 2009 will be a Day of Service and there will be a grand community service project that Monday to get everyone involved and address this madness of violence in our city neighborhoods. So save the date, Monday, January 19th and stay tuned.

Alderman Davis discussing the MLK Day Service Event

Aldermen Quincy Troupe & Marlene Davis

Aldermen Sam Moore, Kacie Starr Triplett, & Quincy Troupe

Aldermen Sam Moore, Quincy Troupe, & Marlene Davis

Alderman Sam Moore and City Comptroller Darlene Green

Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett and Attorney Shira Truitt

A Classical Night at the Opera with Marlissa Hudson

Go directly to the December 2008 Events Calendar.

Who said classical music and opera were only for the certain audiences? Pish posh.
Tuesday, December 16, The Fête Society was treated to a wonderful exhibition of music and song presented by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Community Partnership Program (SLSO-CP). The SLSO-CP presents nearly 300 free concerts each year throughout the city.

The string quartet, featuring Violinist Jooyeon Kong, Violinist Eva Kozma, Violist Jonathan Vinocour, and Cellist Sebastian Gingras were lovely. They accompanied the outstanding voice of our very own –Soprano Marlissa Hudson. Oh, how we wanted to get you out to see and hear them. Despite the weather and road conditions the house was packed – beautiful. The program included works from Wolf, Puccine, Respighi, and Verdi. It was an Italian Dream theme.

We also bumped into a local celebrity – Gilberto Pinela – of City TV’s Best of the STL Show. No doubt he recognized the talent of Miss Hudson as the best of the STL.

The Performers (L-R)
Joyeon Kong, Sebastian Gingras, Marlissa Hudson, Jonathan Vinocour, Eva Kozma

Marlissa Hudson & Gilberto Pinela
Miss Hudson with fans

Marlissa Hudson & Eva Kozma
Marlissa Hudson & Sebastian Gingras

Gilberto Pinela & Concert-goers

Danielle Lee & Jonathan Vinocour (He has a BS is Chemistry. Had to pay homage to my science people.)

The Piper Palm House (Isn't it lovely? They do Sunday Brunch, too.)

Let me admit I had no idea that symphony and opera performances were being presented to the masses in style at Tower Grove Park. Piper Palm House hosts the weekly Symphony Tuesday s at Tower Grove Park. It’s a perfect date. The performances are only one to one and half hours; and afterwards you get to mix and mingle with the performers and enjoy wine and cheese – for free – in this lovely building. It is filled with various palm trees from around the world, which is why it is called the Palm House. I’ll be posting these free concerts on the upcoming calendars. And for those of you who say that you’re not a fan of classical music, I say nonsense. Many of us have been exposed to great classical music most of lives – subversively. Did you watch Looney Tunes as a child? Then you know classical music. So be sure to come out one of these Tuesdays. And don't be afraid of opera either. There is always an explanation before the piece and sometimes a written translation of the words in the program. Hey, if you can stand Anime, then opera is a walk in the park.

There are a lot of great programs being presented by the St. Louis Arts community; so stay abreast. Marlissa Hudson’s is listed on the sidebar under Culture and Arts Links. Also read about all of the buzz she’s creating – She was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (which has been syndicated across the nation) and a video interview on Stl.com.

See you out and about soon.

December Continues to be a Blast: Week 2 Recaps

Go directly to the December 2008 Events Calendar.

Sunday, December 7, the Green Living Expo at the Missouri History Museum was a very nice event. Several vendors were on hand to help you Green your life – your wardrobe, your home and utility costs, your gift giving and your hair care. We met Debra Small, a fabulous person and hair care professional who distributes HPO Spa Treatments.
Plus all of this is get you excited about the George Washington Carver exhibit at the Museum. Don’t wait until Black History Month when the museum is crowded with school kids to see the exhibit. See it now. It’s a great family activity. Adults: $10; Seniors/Students: $8; Children (6-12): $6. But I know a money-saving-secret. Email me to find out.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2008, the Fuel Holiday Party was more like a PAR-TAY! The celebration started at Urban Eats Cafe is a delicious little nook in Dutch town. There were door prizes and plenty of delectable num-nums like quish floratine, turkey panini, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Ooh. You must go there; it is so affordable and the staff is friendly and happy. Plus, there is a conference room (which customers can book for free), an art gallery and Free- WIFI. Sounds like a new office space has opened up in the city. Later, the Holiday party retired upstairs to the home of the proprietors of the Café. The wine and food continued to flow. Good times.

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Thursday, December 11th, the Ladies of the Fête Society enjoyed some pampering at the Salon and Spa at the Chase. See this is definitely why being in the know has its privileges. We enjoyed quality spas services – Caribbean Hand Treatment by Ms. Regina Williams, Caribbean back treatment and massage, make-up services, aromatherapy, and hair services for FREE! Yes. And they had a spread of delicious food – a cheese plate, fresh fruit, crab cakes, plus wine and champagne. Yes, FREE. Having a good time and being pampered, how can you beat that? I will be returning.

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Friday, December 12, I went to Stress Free Fridays that was hosted at The Place That Must Not Be Named. I was there to celebrate the birth one our own and to check out the digs of TPTMNBN. It is a lovely place. But I doubt I’ll set foot in it again.

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Saturday, December 13th we were “Walking in a Winter Wonder Land”. The US Bank presents the St. Louis Zoo Wild Lights. It is a winter exhibit of Holiday lights and activities for the family or as a cozy romantic date. It’s not too late, not just yet. The lights are up nightly December 19-23, 26-30. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Finally have you heard since Obama has been elected as the next President of the United States that diversity at gatherings and holiday parties are all the rage? I think the article is being satirical, but as you know, the Fête Society has been about diversity all the while. Why? Because fun and networking and saving money knows no class or ethnic bounds. Plus, St. Louis offers so much great stuff to do – for a night on the town, with family, for a date, or giving back.

See you out and about soon.