2025 Entertainment
BLCK BIRD String Ensemble
The Blck Bird String Ensemble, established in 2023, is highly sought after for its dedication to diversity and education. The ensemble's focus lies in exploring new compositions and underrepresented works from the African diaspora. Throughout their musical journey, the ensemble maintains a dynamic balance by performing a mix of classical favorites, 20th-century gems, R&B hits, and commissioned works. As passionate advocates for the arts and education, the Black Bird String Ensemble sees chamber music as a metaphor for fostering communication and understanding among different races, cultures, and nations. Through their commitment to education and community engagement, the quartet continues to inspire and shape the musical lives of the next generation. Members (Rageen Washington, Violin/Erika Wilson, Violin/Monet Royal, Viola/Tai Davis, Cello)
Circus Harmony’s Circus Sisters
Circus Harmony proudly presents their first all-female acrobatic troupe, Circus Sisters, debuting at the 2025 Saint Louis Visionary Awards! Circus Harmony is St. Louis’ only social circus school – they use the teaching and performing of circus arts to motivate social change. Based at City Museum, Circus Harmony also offers recreational classes and pre-professional training along with outreach classes throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area that help children defy gravity and soar over social barriers..
Circus Sisters are fantastic, flexible, fierce females who are all members of Circus Harmony’s Performance Troupe. It seemed fitting to create this new troupe for an event that honors women in the arts! The young women range in age from 12 to 18. These acclaimed and accomplished acrobats appear year-round in their home ring at City Museum and at events throughout St. Louis and beyond. They each perform a wide variety of circus arts including acrobatic, aerial, juggling, and balancing feats of skill and daring.
Lyla Lawless, Poppy Sutton, Eleanor Corrigan, Violet Restivo, India Toohey, Mathilda Weingart, and Ellie and Therese Viehoever demonstrate that you can be both strong and flexible, artistic and athletic, all while showing how creative and capable you are. The Circus Sisters are the personification of Girl Power!