New Jazz St. Louis HQ makes national news

Thanks to an Associated Press story that's getting picked up by media outlets across the country, this weekend's opening of Jazz St. Louis' newly renovated performance space and headquarters is making national news.

The AP story has been run by dozens of newspapers and websites over the past couple of days, even serving as the basis for a brief mention in the New York Times.

Here in St. Louis, the two evenings of performances featuring trumpeter Wynton Marsalis (pictured) and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra that will open the refurbished and expanded Jazz at the Bistro space already are sold out. So, for the benefit of those who don't have tickets, Jazz St. Louis has made arrangements to offer live video coverage of the shows on both Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday, you can watch the evening's events unfold via an online video stream that will run on the websites of both Jazz St. Louis and HEC-TV, as well as that of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Marsalis' and JaLCO's home venue in NYC. Coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. with interviews and a dedication ceremony, with music scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Friday's show will be streamed live to the giant outdoor video screens at the new Public Media Commons, located in Grand Center at 3655 Olive between the offices of St. Louis Public Radio and the Nine Network. A live performance by the Jazz St. Louis All-Stars student ensemble will open the evening at 7:00 p.m., followed by video of Marsalis and JaLCO from the Bistro at 7:30 p.m.. Admission is free, but to attend you must reserve a ticket, which can be done online here.

Update, 5:00 p.m., Thursday 10/3/14: Friday's show also will be streamed live online at the Jazz St. Louis, HEC-TV and Jazz at Lincoln Center websites.

Also, the Bistro shows won't be only the performances by Marsalis and the band while they're in town, as on Friday morning, they'll be at Normandy High School to perform in concert with the Normandy HS Jazz Band.

The concert begins at 10:30 a.m. in the school's Viking Hall, and is free and open to "anyone living within the boundaries of the Normandy School Collective." No tickets are required, but since seating and parking are limited, Jazz St. Louis is requesting that anyone who'd like to attend make a reservation by calling 314-289-4071.