Historical November–December 2011 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
After a long day of shopping at the 2011 Rags to Riches, Skinker DeBaliviere residents came to Greg Freeman Park at Four Corners to settle in and enjoy the evening.
The St. Louis Guitar Society Orchestra played Brazilian, Spanish, Baroque, classical styles of music, also a drinking song and some original pieces. Guitarist Cliff Eise played a sample of his own musical creations on wooden recorders which he built himself, while other members of the orchestra kept time using their guitars as a gentle percussion section. Eise played music inspired by Native Americans and during some of his works the audience and even the children in the playground became so quiet you could hear a whisper.
In contrast to the mellow sounds of the classical guitars our final concert featured Misla, playing authentic Irish jigs, reels, and songs. Misla includes two neighbors from Skinker DeBaliviere; Kelly Winter and Mary Walsh.
An 8 foot by 20 foot wooden stage was added to our permanent concrete stage for the traditional Irish dances performed by the St. Louis School of Irish Arts. Dance Instructor Shannon Slecke taught the crowd how to do a traditional Irish ‘ceili’ dance called “The Siege of Ennis”. About fifty people participated in the dance which included turns, weaving, arches, smiling, and laughing.
The dance was as fun to watch as it was to participate in.
We hope you have enjoyed the diverse kinds of music offered in the 2011 BBQ Concert Series presented by the West End Arts Council of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council, with support from the Regional Arts Commission. Our audiences are a fine reflection of what a great neighborhood we live in, with friends enjoying each other‘s company and good sized crowds even in the hottest summer on record! Thank you to all who participated and to all our volunteers.
Original photograph caption
Irish dancing at final BBQ concert. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2011.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2011_11.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
