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:

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.