The Star, Edgar Degas, 1879-81

Saint Louis Ballet performed Love is in the Air last night at the Touhill. This dance concert featured a mix of classic and contemporary work by a range of different choreographers. Dancers swayed and plunged together in tuxedos and evening dresses to music that captured the spirit of Valentine’s Day, such as George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and music by other jazz greats. Before I got sick this week, I had the forethought to buy tickets to this performance. Anything at the Touhill is a joy and this one was no exception. The sight of a dozen young, svelte and limber dancers prancing across the stage all night was beautiful to behold. It also served to stir the ardor of many in this mostly couples’ audience. Leaning-in on my left was a woman, not my wife. Her unwarranted advances it soon became clearer, were actually a retreat from the advances of her date. It was all too subtle to make a fuss over, besides love or at least lust was in the air. It was a fine show that I did not fall asleep during, thank you very much. Dinner before the show was at Spiro’s, a Greek restaurant near UMSL. We got there early, both because of our early show time and it also being the biggest date night of the year. Fortunately, it wasn’t very crowded. The road construction on Natural Bridge probably had a lot to do with that, at least that is what the proprietor couple was complaining to us about, all the while we were trying to get out the door to go see the show.