“The “Pick the City UP” Tour was a concept that I created in response to the plethora of negative experiences that has effected our community especially dealing with inner city youth and gun violence. I have personally lost several friends and family to gun violence and was a victim of gun violence myself.
Since the Ferguson unrest, St. Louis has earned a bad reputation as being one of the most racially divided cities in the country and the news media tends to cover more depressing events and perhaps even biased or exploitive narratives.
The “Pick the City UP” concept is designed to uplift, inspire, entertain, give voice to, heal, educate and help to reconcile grievances between different groups of people through art and word. The showcase subject matter reflects on public health issues, including gun violence and can be heavy, but the musical feel of the vibe is both exuberant and upbeat.
In this current time of protest unrest and injustice St. Louis needs an entity that is consistently supportive and will still actively give a strong platform to teenage and young adult African American artists while and when all of the smoke clears!
Peace, Love, and Unity are the messages that Story Stitchers represent. So please come and enjoy some captivating storytelling, socially conscious poetry, some raw, family-friendly hip hop, some fly B Boy dance moves and a strong message of hope!”
— KP Dennis, Artist in Residence
Pick the City UP is about St. Louis’s urban youth and gun violence prevention.
#DROPTHEGUN #KEEPTHEPEACE
2017 TOUR FINALE
Friday, September 29th, 2017 at 7:00
in the .ZACK Theater, 3224 Locust
Tickets $10 General Admission, available on MetroTix and at the door
Pick the City UP Tour presents Saint Louis Story Stitchers unique brand of urban storytelling, featuring live hip hop, spoken word and story magic on public health issues St. Louis cares about including gun violence. Pay tribute, join the fun, and make a difference.
The Tour has stopped at community centers, neighborhoods and cultural venues across St. Louis. Story Stitchers have performed throughout the Lou this summer starting June 3rd in Tower Grove Park, on to Make Music St. Louis in the Loop District June 21st, to the City of St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center, Mathews Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club, to Tillie’s Corner in JeffervanderLou, Co-Op City Market on N Sarah, Thomas Dunn Learning Center in 63118, Contemporary Art Museum, in August 3 nights of Glo Sho’s at Fringe Fest, and now on to the Finale at the .ZACK in Grand Center September 29th, 2017!
Special featured Guest Artists include Raven Fox of Radiant Studio Works, Caph Guei of Afryki Lolo Dance Company, SupaNova and PurpleReign, Story Stitchers Artists in Residence KP Dennis and Jarmel Reece and the Stitchers Youth Council with Guest Producer Joel P. E. King of JPEK CreativeWorks Theatre.
Public health care resources including Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Progressive Emporium and Education Center, Mothers in Charge and more will be available in the .ZACK lobby from 6:00-7:00 prior to the performance and during intermission.
For 2018 bookings please contact storystitchers@gmail.com.
