Program Type: Concert

Join us for a sophisticated evening of soul music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the vibrant legacy of the 1980s. Featuring the acclaimed Brian Owens, this concert is an essential cultural event for fans and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Soulful Reimaginations

Experience a journey through nostalgic joy as Brian Owens revisits the unforgettable sounds of the 1980s. The setlist includes:

• 1980s Anthems: Iconic hits reinterpreted through the lens of classic soul and contemporary artistry.
• Heartfelt Ballads: Inventive arrangements of the greatest songs from a decade defined by neon colors, video games, and MTV. Brian Owens reimagines these unforgettable sounds—soulful, high-energy, and full of nostalgic joy. Expect inventive arrangements of the greatest hits from the decade. 

The Performer: Brian Owens

This exceptional evening features the renowned vocalist whose voice is steeped in tradition. WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens has curated this unique program, selecting pieces that reflect our mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The Saint Louis-based singer and creative curator seamlessly blends storytelling and community spirit in every appearance. He has performed internationally alongside luminaries such as Michael McDonald and Michael Bublé. As the founder of the Life Creative STL ecosystem, he mentors young talent and develops innovative education initiatives.

Thematic Connection: Strategy and Soul

Just as a grandmaster navigates a complex board with intuition, Brian Owens navigates the intricate melodies of pop classics with soulful precision. This performance bridges the gap between the structured logic found in chess education and the fluid emotion of rhythm and blues.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for a lyrical evening of chamber repertoire as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the fiery works of Felix Mendelssohn. Featuring performers from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, this event is an essential cultural highlight on the Saint Louis summer concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Fiery and Lyrical Romanticism

Experience a journey through German Romanticism with:

• Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 58 (1843): A joyous display of virtuosic spirit and melodic grace.
• Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 49: Dramatic Intensity: A cornerstone of the genre featuring profound emotional weight.

The Performers: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

This exceptional evening features violinist Andrea Jarrett and cellist Bjorn Ranheim, both elite string players from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this unique program, selecting pieces that reflect the mission of the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble will bring technical brilliance and expressive depth to these cornerstone compositions. The guest artists represent the finest talent in the Saint Louis area, trained at the country’s premier conservatories and performing across the globe as soloists, collaborators, and educators.

Thematic Connection: Strategy in Composition

Felix Mendelssohn often balanced rigid structure with soaring emotion, much like a grandmaster executing a complex tactical sequence. Just as a brilliant player finds beauty within formal rules, these works showcase how creative spirit thrives inside mathematical boundaries.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions, art exhibits, and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Admission: $25 General, $20 WCHOF Members
• Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries is delighted to welcome the Sinta Quartet for a truly special evening of American classics. This concert is a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar and continuation of the United States’ 250th Anniversary Celebration.

Join us for an electrifying evening of classical music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the power of reimagination. Featuring musicians from the Sinta Quartet, the performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: American Classics, Reimagined

Experience a journey through seminal American compositions as the Sinta Quartet presents cornerstone works in a fresh, captivating light:

• Antonín Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 12, Op. 96 “American” (Transcription): A masterful translation of the famous chamber work, capturing the composer’s passion for American folk melodies with the rich texture of a saxophone ensemble.
• George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (with Brian Woods): A legendary work blending jazz and classical styles, performed with exhilarating instrumental depth by the quartet and Music Director Brian Woods.

The Performers: Sinta Quartet

This exceptional evening features the renowned Sinta Quartet. The group made history in 2013 as the first saxophone ensemble to win the Concert Artists Guild Competition, one of the United States’ most prestigious prizes for young musicians. The quartet has since performed in some of the globe’s finest venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Beijing Center for the Performing Arts. Their recent recording projects include new commissions and an album dedicated to transcriptions of Beethoven String Quartets.

Thematic Connection: Strategy in Sound

Just as a grandmaster must strategically place pieces on the board to build a winning position, a composer must carefully arrange the instruments’ voices to create complex harmony and form. These saxophone quartet transcriptions offer a fascinating new perspective, requiring the ensemble to employ a precise collaborative strategy to achieve a unified, compelling sound.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Location: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries (WCHOF)
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for an electrifying evening of modern soul and jazz as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates genre-bending artistry. Featuring musicians from the dynamic duo Brooklyn Saint and a live string ensemble, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Soulful Evolution with Cinematic Strings

Experience a journey through high-energy grooves and cinematic arrangements with this special collaboration:

• Brooklyn Saint + Strings: The electrifying duo of vocalist Shareef Keyes and drummer Emanuel Harrold joins forces with a live string ensemble for an evening that pushes the boundaries of modern soul and jazz.
• A Bold New Sound: Keyes’ bold yet melodic vocals, steeped in the spirit of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Janelle Monáe, meet Harrold’s polyrhythmic drive, inspired by jazz and hip-hop innovators. Together, they create a blend of R&B, funk, and hip hop with lush string arrangements.

The Performers: Brooklyn Saint

This exceptional evening features Brooklyn Saint, the dynamic duo of vocalist Shareef Keyes and drummer Emanuel Harrold, along with a supporting string ensemble.

WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens has curated this exceptional program in collaboration with Emanuel Harrold and Shareef Keyes, arranging pieces that reflect the WCHOF’s mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble will bring inventive and vibrant depth to these musical selections.

Thematic Connection: Strategy in Sound

The strategic nature of chess, which demands both calculated planning and creative improvisation, finds a stunning parallel in the music of Brooklyn Saint. Like a master chess player who anticipates the opponent’s moves while maintaining artistic flair, this ensemble blends disparate genres—R&B’s structure, funk’s rhythmic surprise, and soul’s emotional depth—into a cohesive, winning sound. It’s an evening where every note is a carefully considered, yet passionately delivered move.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits. The performance is held in one of the galleries.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink voucher.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for an expressive evening of chamber music as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the legacy of German Romanticism.

Featuring musicians from the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery, offering an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Romantic Masterworks

Experience a journey through profound emotion and expressive depth with:

• Robert Schumann: Märchenbilder (Fairy Tales), Op. 113: A work that represents Schumann at his finest, both expressive and heroic, as he stretches viola and piano to their technical limits.
• Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 3, Op. 60: Said to have been inspired by Schumann’s mental struggles, the quartet is both a tour de force for performers and a powerful staple of the chamber music repertoire.

The Performers: SLSO Favorites

WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods has curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the WCHOF’s mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy. The ensemble—including Assistant Concertmaster Hannah Ji, Violist Chris Tantillo, and Cellist Bjorn Ranheim—will bring exquisite and technical depth to these cornerstone works. These three are among the orchestra’s finest representatives, and continue to appear across the country as soloists, chamber musicians, and educators.

Thematic Connection: The Strategic Depths of Chamber Music

Schumann’s Märchenbilder is a series of four miniatures, each with its own character and emotional journey. Much like a chess match, each movement requires profound strategic vision: the performers must anticipate the next emotional shift, balance their parts, and execute precise musical ‘moves’ to convey the full narrative power of the composer’s genius. Join us for a listening experience where technical mastery meets emotional strategy.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.

Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held within one of the current galleries, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for an intimate and collaborative evening of contemporary soul, folk, and R&B as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates the art of songwriting. Featuring musicians from Saint Louis and New York, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar.

The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Collaboration, Craft, and Celebration

In celebration of his birthday, WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens hosts a Nashville-style writers’ round, uniting some of the finest voices in contemporary music. Experience a journey through the creative process as four acclaimed artists—Aida Ade, Malena Smith, Christiaan Padavan, and Brian Owens—trade songs and stories on one stage. This evening spotlights the region’s songwriting community alongside national voices in a spontaneous, genuine, and powerful collaboration.

The Performers: A Night of Master Storytellers

This exceptional evening features four acclaimed vocalists and songwriters, each bringing a unique blend of pop, soul, folk, and R&B to the stage.

• Aida Ade: A Saint Louis-based vocalist and songwriter known for her rich voice and captivating stage presence, fusing soul, jazz, and contemporary R&B to explore themes of love and identity.
• Malena Smith: A classically-trained Saint Louis singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose introspective original songs blend pop, folk, jazz, and soul, celebrated for her elegant phrasing and luminous tone.
• Christiaan Padavan: A vocalist and songwriter from Long Island, New York, with roots in pop, soul, and folk, who gained national attention as a finalist on American Idol.
• Brian Owens: The WCHOF Music Director and a Saint Louis-based soul singer and creative curator whose music is a modern extension of the Motown sound, seamlessly blending artistry, storytelling, and community spirit in every performance.

WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens has curated this exceptional program to celebrate his birthday, selecting an intimate format that reflects the WCHOF’s mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and excellence. The ensemble brings authentic and vulnerable depth to these original works.

Thematic Connection: The Strategy of Song

Songwriting, at its core, is a profound act of strategy. It requires the writer to move pieces—melody, rhythm, lyric, and harmony—with precision to capture an emotional truth. A writer’s round is the ultimate showcase of this strategic craft, where artists must choose not only what to share but how and when to share it, adapting to the collaborative environment. This evening celebrates the focused intent and deep preparation that define both musical composition and high-level strategy.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.

Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held within one of the current galleries, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

Join us for an exceptional evening of jazz and soul as the WCHOF Music Series celebrates a legendary vocalist. Featuring acclaimed artist Anita Jackson and her jazz quartet, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar.

The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Honoring the Fearless Artistry of Abbey Lincoln

Experience a journey through the powerful, swinging, and profoundly human legacy of jazz icon Abbey Lincoln with fresh, reverent interpretations:

• A Spiritual Legacy: Acclaimed vocalist Anita Jackson honors Lincoln’s fearless artistry with a rich tone and commanding presence.
• Jazz Illuminated: Jackson and her ensemble illuminate the influential singer’s work, bridging the spiritual with the soulful and swinging.

The Performer: Anita Jackson

This exceptional evening features Anita Jackson, one of Saint Louis’ premier vocalists and storytellers, known for her commanding presence and warm, soulful sound. Anita Jackson was selected for the 2026 Contemporary Music Series by WCHOF Music Director, Brian Owens, curating a program that reflects the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and excellence. Anita Jackson and her ensemble will lend powerful and expressive depth to these cornerstone works.

Thematic Connection: Voice, Strategy, and Soul

Abbey Lincoln’s music was characterized by fearless honesty and a commitment to storytelling, traits that echo the strategic, deep thinking essential to chess. Like a master chess player, Lincoln used her voice to execute complex emotional narratives with precision and soul, making this tribute a perfect alignment of high art and profound strategy.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Owens
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.
• Learn more about the life and music of the legendary artist.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries is proud to present a special sneak preview of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis‘ (OTSL) highly anticipated 2026 Festival Season. Step into our intimate, one-of-a-kind venue, where you can enjoy world-class voices surrounded by thought-provoking exhibitions. This is an evening for cultural connoisseurs to discover the next must-see theatrical events.

The Program: Four Operas, One Night

This unique performance offers a guided tour through the musical landscape of OTSL’s upcoming festival. Hear the most beloved arias and ensembles from four diverse productions:

• A classic comic operetta: The Pirates of Penzance
• A Tony Award-winning musical theatre gem: The Light in the Piazza
• A defining American opera: A Streetcar Named Desire
• A grand romantic tragedy: Romeo and Juliet

From classic to contemporary, you’ll leave humming some of opera’s most beloved tunes and eager for OTSL’s opening night in May!

The Performers: The Stars of Tomorrow

Experience the powerful voices of the OTSL Gerdine Young Artists, recognized nationally as some of the finest emerging talent in the opera world. More than 1,000 artists apply for the program each year, and just 30 are selected in a nationwide audition tour. Hear these stars on the rise in St. Louis before their careers take them to leading opera houses across the country!

Thematic Connection: Strategy on the Stage

Just as a master chess player plans multiple moves ahead, opera productions represent years of planning and production that come together to create a unified emotional experience. This preview celebrates that strategic and artistic depth, connecting the high-stakes drama of the opera stage to the intellectual intensity found within the Hall of Fame.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
• 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members.
• A complimentary drink ticket is included with every ticket purchase.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held inside our gallery, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.