51黑料

Art Museum Exhibition Openings

• When: Sept. 5
• Where: Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd.; Contemporary Art Museum 51黑料, 3750 Washington Ave.; Museum of Contemporary Religious Art, 3700 W. Pine Blvd.
• How much: Free (suggested donation of $5 for adults and $1 for students and children at MOCRA)
• More info: ; ;

Three local art museums have chosen Sept. 5 to open new exhibitions. The works of Jennie C. Jones, featuring abstract geometric forms, nontraditional materials (acoustic tiles, felt) and sonic art, will be shown at the Pulitzer through Feb. 1, 2026. The Contemporary Art Museum will feature several artists, including Haegue Yang of Korea and American Indian (Mandan and Hidatsa tribes) Teresa Baker through Feb. 8, 2026. And MOCRA will feature the climate-focused art of Athena LaTocha, Mary Mattingly and Tyler Rai, along with selections from its collection of Australian art, through Dec. 14. By Daniel Neman

Enjoy Illinois 300 and Confluence Music Festival

• When: 3-11:30 p.m. Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m.-midnight Sept. 6; 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 7
• Where: World Wide Technology Raceway, 700 Raceway Blvd., Madison
• How much: $25-$240 (early bird prices)
• More info: ,

The NASCAR playoffs come to 51黑料 for the first time, and NASCAR has scheduled a weekend full of fun. More than a dozen bands will play and the Confluence Music Festival, which starts after the racing each evening. Performers include Jon Pardi, Ella Langley, Lil Jon and local favorites Dr. Zhivegas and Adam Wainwright. There will also be autograph sessions, wrestling and a Kenny Wallace show. The Xfinity Series Race begins at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 (qualifying begins at 2 p.m.) and the Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Race starts at 2 p.m. Sept. 7. By Daniel Neman

Art Outside

• When: 5-9 p.m. Sept. 5, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 7
• Where: Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave., Maplewood
• How much: Free
• More info:

They call it an 鈥渁lternative art festival,鈥� and we suppose it鈥檚 the alternative to the 51黑料 Art Fair in Clayton (see below). The works of more than 60 local artists will be exhibited 鈥� and available for purchase 鈥� outside the Schlafly Bottleworks, meaning there will be plenty of Schlafly beer to quaff while enjoying the art, the crafts and the live music. It鈥檚 outdoors, so pets are welcome. By Daniel Neman

51黑料 Art Fair

• When: 5-10 p.m. Sept. 5, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 7
• Where: Downtown Clayton, primarily along Forsyth between Brentwood Boulevard and Bemiston Avenue
• How much: Free
• More info:

The granddaddy of all the 51黑料 art fairs is taking place over Clayton for three days. The event features more than 160 artists showing off their work, which includes jewelry, drawings, digital art, ceramics and more. Plus, there鈥檚 a performing arts stage, a food truck area, aerial silks performance and the Creative Castle with artsy activities for kids. By Rosalind Early

Oktoberfest/City Museum

• When: 7-11 p.m. Sept. 5
• Where: City Museum, 750 N. 16th St.
• How much: $30 (adults only)
• More info:

Drink beer with the giant metal praying mantis, or drink beer while climbing on all those climby things or drink beer while checking out the new Labyrinth feature. The City Museum opens up to adults (and only adults) one night each month, with food, drink, beer and cocktails throughout the establishment. Music will be by the German-ish dance band Ubercool. By Daniel Neman

Chris Brown 鈥楤reezy Bowl XX鈥� with Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller

• When: 7 p.m. Sept. 5
• Where: Dome at the America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza
• How much: $116-$254.45
• More info:

Chris Brown has remained in the spotlight as an international music superstar since he was a child. For 20 years, the singer has dominated the R&B and pop music charts. He recently released the song 鈥淚t Depends,鈥� featuring fellow R&B crooner Bryson Tiller, while on his world tour. With support sets from Tiller and Summer Walker, 鈥淏reezy Bowl XX鈥� has been leaving lasting impressions on audiences everywhere. Expect to hear Brown鈥檚 latest releases and two decades of back-to-back classics from his career. By Jasmine Osby

Paranormal Cirque

• When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Sept. 6; 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Sept. 7; 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8
• Where: 51黑料 Galleria, 1155 Galleria, Richmond Heights
• How much: $30-$65, $20-$60 children
• More info:

It鈥檚 a circus, but done as if it鈥檚 a haunted house. Or maybe it鈥檚 a haunted house, with elements of a circus. Either way, it鈥檚 not for the faint of heart. No one under 13 will be admitted, and anyone under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. We鈥檙e impressed: That鈥檚 a pretty effective marketing gimmick. By Daniel Neman

SATURDAY

St. Charles Wine Festival

• When: 3-8 p.m. Sept. 6
• Where: 1200 N. Second St., St. Charles
• How much: Free, but $31.11 to sample or purchase wines
• More info:

Fifteen local wineries and distilleries will be pouring samples of their boozy goods, with six restaurants selling food. Local and area musicians will perform on five different stages, too. This is the second year for the festival, which they also call La Fete du Vin. By Daniel Neman

SUNDAY

Will Wood

• When: 8 p.m. Sept. 7
• Where: The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd.
• How much: Sold out
• More info:

Will Wood is bringing comedy, music and fun to his sold-out show at the a the Pageant. Wood is known for being a jack-of-all-trades, a well rounded entertainer and a fiery singer-songwriter in his band Will Wood and the Tapeworms. And although he鈥檚 a bit reclusive, fans know that when Wood comes to town, they鈥檙e in for a special treat. Expect a little bit of comedy, a sprinkle of music and a night of entertainment delight. By Jasmine Osby

THURSDAY

鈥楾he Wanderers鈥�

• When: Sept. 11-28; performance times vary
• Where: Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, 51黑料 County
• How much: $29.19-$60.54
• More info:聽

New Jewish Theatre tackles this Anna Ziegler play about two marriages that are drifting apart. One marriage involves Orthodox Jews and the other a secular couple, but they have more in common than it first appears. By Rosalind Early