Program Type: Concerts

Get into the holiday spirit with Blue Christmas, a soulful and heartwarming celebration featuring Brian Owens and special guest Matt Jordan. This festive concert brings a fresh take on holiday classics, blending Owens’ signature soul sound with Jordan’s rich country-influenced style.

From timeless favorites like “Blue Christmas” and “Silent Night” to original holiday tunes, this evening promises to fill you with warmth and joy. With a mix of soul, country, and holiday cheer, Blue Christmas is the perfect way to kick off the season and create new memories with songs that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.

*20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel

Each ticket includes one free drink.

The World Chess Hall of Fame is proud to welcome Zlatomir Fung, the youngest cellist ever to win the First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition. Zlatomir will be joined by cellist and composer Quenton Blache to present a brand-new composition inspired by recent chess tournaments, as well as several classical favorites. Don’t miss this one-night event celebrating the future of music and chess!

Zlatomir Fung is poised to become one of the preeminent cellists of our time, already touring globally as a soloist with orchestras in the United Kingdom, United States, and China. As a devotee of chess alongside his passion for music, Zlatomir is thrilled to perform for the first time at the World Chess Hall of Fame as part of this special Commission Concert.

5:30 p.m. | Doors Open

6:00 p.m. | Complimentary artist talk

6:30 p.m. | Break

7:00 p.m. | Concert

Limited in person seating available.

• *20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel
• Each ticket includes one free drink
• Watch online at youtube.com/worldchesshof

Join us for an unforgettable evening of chamber music! As one of The World Chess Hall of Fame’s most popular collaborators, the Arianna String Quartet will present an incredible evening of music to delight, entertain, and inspire.

The Arianna String Quartet has firmly established itself as one of America’s finest chamber ensembles. Their performances have been described as “radiant from the first moment” (A.M. News, Léon, Mexico) with “emotional commitment, fluent virtuosity, and poetic vision” (Pretoria News, South Africa). Based in Saint Louis since 2000, the Arianna String Quartet is celebrating 30 years of making music for audiences worldwide. For more information, visit ariannaquartet.com.

5:30 p.m. | Doors Open

6:00 p.m. | Complimentary artist talk

6:30 p.m. | Break

7:00 p.m. | Concert

Limited in person seating available.

• *20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel
• Each ticket includes one free drink
• Watch online at youtube.com/worldchesshof

Join us for an unforgettable night of soulful melodies and intimate storytelling as we present An Evening with Malena Smith. As a rising star and Next Move Artist in Residence, Malena brings her dynamic blend of soul, jazz, and folk to the stage, captivating audiences with her rich, emotive voice and thought-provoking lyrics.

With a sound that transcends genres, Malena Smith channels the spirit of the greats while carving out her own distinct identity. Her performances offer an exploration of love, growth, and resilience, inviting listeners on a deeply personal journey through the power of song.

This one-of-a-kind evening will showcase original works from Malena’s catalog and reimagined classics that have inspired her artistry. Don’t miss this chance to experience the raw talent and magnetic presence of one of her generation’s most exciting singer/songwriters.

5:30 p.m. | Doors Open

6:00 p.m. | Complimentary artist talk

6:30 p.m. | Break

7:00 p.m. | Concert

Limited in person seating available.

Watch online at youtube.com/worldchesshof

*20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel

Each ticket includes one free drink

Join Winter Opera Saint Louis for a special performance featuring beloved opera and Broadway favorites. Enjoy the vocal talents of world-class artists and delight in the beauty of the classics in an intimate setting!

Winter Opera St. Louis provides Saint Louis with world-class operatic performances during the winter season, showcasing nationally and internationally renowned artists performing classic operas in their original languages with English subtitles. The organization also highlights local talent and strengthens the artistic community year-round through outreach programs and workshops, fostering a deeper public appreciation and support of opera in Saint Louis. Visit winteroperastl.org to learn more.

5:30 p.m. | Doors Open

6:00 p.m. | Complimentary artist talk

6:30 p.m. | Break

7:00 p.m. | Concert

Limited in person seating available.

• *20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel
• Each ticket includes one free drink
• Watch online at youtube.com/worldchesshof

Join us for a special performance by internationally acclaimed Italian mezzo-soprano Benedetta Orsi. Benedetta will present a wonderful evening of song, joined by Russian pianist Alla Voskoboynikova and American classical guitarist Mark Akin.

Born and raised in Bologna, Italy, Benedetta Orsi moved to the United States in 2009 after being discovered by an American agent. Along with her appearances at Carnegie Hall and throughout Italy, Austria, England, Spain, the United States, and France, she has performed with Boulder Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Orchestra Filarmonica Emiliana, St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, Missouri Chamber Music Festival, and more. Her third and latest album, with pianist Alla Voskoboynikova and the Arianna String Quartet, was released in July 2023.

5:30 p.m. | Doors Open

6:00 p.m. | Complimentary artist talk

6:30 p.m. | Break

7:00 p.m. | Concert

Limited in person seating available.

• *20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel
• Each ticket includes one free drink
• Watch online at youtube.com/worldchesshof

Join renowned keyboardist and bandleader Dave Grelle for Summer Surprise, a vibrant and unpredictable evening of music guaranteed to keep you on your toes! Known for his masterful collaborations across genres, Grelle brings an eclectic mix of musical talent and styles for this special summer performance.

From jazz and funk to rock and soul, Summer Surprise promises spontaneous moments, unique arrangements, and unforgettable collaborations. Whether it’s a surprise guest appearance or an unexpected twist on a classic tune, Grelle’s energy and creativity will make this an exciting, unique musical experience perfect for a summer night. Prepare for a night of musical adventure and delight as Dave Grelle and friends deliver the ultimate summer surprise!

*20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel

Each ticket includes one free drink.

Join the IMI Chamber Players in a return performance at the World Chess Hall of Fame, featuring music inspired by international cultures. As part of a commitment to classical compositions by underrepresented composers, the Intercultural Music Initiative will surely inspire and delight with new and exciting works for classical instruments.

The IMI Chamber Players were founded in St. Louis 30 years ago and together form a community of interculturally-minded artists and educators from around the globe. The IMI (standing for the Intercultural Music Initiative) Chamber Players love it all from standard rep by Beethoven and Mozart to new compositions and with sharing their passion for performing chamber music by lesser-known composers, particularly of African descent and other racial minorities.

The evening’s concert showcases the beautiful sounds of the woodwinds, specifically the flute, oboe and clarinet, performing music by St. Louis composer Fred Onovwerosuoke, British composer Malcolm Arnold, Haitian-American composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and French composers Darius Milhaud and Camille Saint-Saens. Come enjoy this delightfully intimate performance experience and hear directly from these top-notch artists about their creative process.

5:30 p.m. | Doors Open

6:00 p.m. | Complimentary artist talk

6:30 p.m. | Break

7:00 p.m. | Concert

Limited in person seating available.

• *20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel
• Each ticket includes one free drink
• Watch online at youtube.com/worldchesshof

Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind artistic experience with The Commission Concert, a musical exhibition celebrating the latest gallery showcase. Led by Musical Director and Creative in Residence, Brian Owens, this unique performance brings together music and visual art in a powerful, collaborative experience.

With special guests and an eclectic mix of soul, jazz, and contemporary sounds, The Commission Concert reflects the themes and emotions of the exhibit, offering a rich tapestry of sound inspired by the art. Join Brian Owens and an ensemble of talented musicians for an unforgettable evening where music and art converge to tell a deeper, resonant story.

5:30 p.m. | Doors Open

6:00 p.m. | Complimentary artist talk

6:30 p.m. | Break

7:00 p.m. | Concert

Limited in person seating available.

• *20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel
• Each ticket includes one free drink
• Watch online at youtube.com/worldchesshof

Escape the summer heat and celebrate the 150th Birthday of one of France’s finest composers! Music Director Brian Woods is joined by St. Louis Symphony (SLSO) musicians Hannah Ji and Bjorn Ranheim for Maurice Ravel’s monumental Piano Trio in A Minor, a masterpiece of 20th-century chamber music. Filled with virtuosic displays and colorful effects, this trio performance will inspire and entertain.

Concert pianist and WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods is proud to collaborate with musicians from the St. Louis Symphony. SLSO Concertmaster Hannah Ji is an in-demand soloist and chamber musician who regularly performs with music festivals and orchestras around the United States. SLSO cellist Bjorn Ranheim is highly regarded as one of St. Louis’ most in-demand musicians, regularly performing recitals, educational programs, and chamber music performances.

5:30 p.m. | Doors Open

6:00 p.m. | Complimentary artist talk

6:30 p.m. | Break

7:00 p.m. | Concert

Limited in person seating available.

• *20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel
• Each ticket includes one free drink
• Watch online at youtube.com/worldchesshof