Join us at the outdoor amphitheater of the Tower Grove Park Stupp Center for a series of summer fun! Children and families will enjoy performances from storytellers, musicians, dancers, and more as they clap along and learn a few moves. Series takes place Fridays at 10:00am, June 7 – July 26, 2024. See the full series lineup here: https://www.towergrovepark.org/childrens-performance-series
The performance series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. In the case of inclement weather, please consult this event page.
friday, july 12: Magic flute
Explore the musical, magical world of fairy tales in this storytelling & music adventure! This dramatic narration will be accompanied by the piano score of "The Magic Flute” written by Mozart. Participants are encouraged to embark on this interactive storytelling experience by moving their body and using their voice alongside the performers. Performance by Johanna Ballou and Tai Oney.
Audio description services are available upon request with several weeks notice.
FAQ
Registration is not required.
Sprinklers are setup throughout the month of July in garden area to enjoy water before or after the show.
Guests may bring a small picnic blanket for sitting in the grass.
Water is provided on site, but snacks are not provided in 2024. Guests are welcome to bring their own to all dates except for the puppet show.
On most dates, restrooms are available on-site inside of the Stupp Center. In the case that the indoor space is unavailable, the nearest restroom is the Old Comfort Station (3621 Northeast Drive, St. Louis MO 63116), which is located on the northeast corner of the park.
In the case of inclement weather, guests should check Tower Grove Park’s media sites (website, Instagram, and Facebook) for current information.
About the performers
Johanna Ballou
An outstanding talent, American pianist Johanna Ballou has thrilled European and American audiences alike with her energetic musicality and magnetic stage presence. Currently based in St. Louis and performing throughout the United States and occasionally abroad, Ballou launched her career in 2006 in the United Kingdom with a masterful performance of György Ligeti’s Piano Concerto. She went on to play and tour alongside members of the UK’s top orchestras and dance companies, and also worked in music for independent film, TV, and theater. Ballou returned to the USA in 2008, and has a wide range of active projects covering many genres including rock, Broadway, chamber music, and solo piano performances.
Tai Oney
Hailed by Opera News for the “richness and pliability of his [voice],” American countertenor Tai Oney has been a prizewinner in several competitions, including claiming a prestigious Sullivan Foundation Award, a second place Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and a Fulbright Award.
Tai has performed with companies such as Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; London Handel Festival; Innsbruck Festival of Early Music; Finnish National Opera; Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Dallas Opera; Birmingham Opera Company; English Touring Opera; Opera Parallèle; Deutsche Oper Berlin; Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, and has been heard on the stages of Opéra Royal du Château de Versailles, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center. He has performed for a variety of artists and musicians including Bono - U2 lead singer and cofounder of ONE and (RED).
Tai holds degrees from Stetson University (BME), Boston University (MMus), the New England Conservatory of Music (GDip), the Royal College of Music International Opera School (ArtDip), and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Music Education at Boston University.