Couldn't resist. Another spiral, maybe better than the last one. Interesting views all over the new Powell Hall.
We're in New Jersey now, visiting my three sibs, their spouses, kids and grandkids. We flew into La Guardia, which is a pretty nice airport these days. When we got in the rental car it was 106 F / 41 C, worse than back home. No outdoor activities here, but we all have AC.
When Powell Symphony Hall reopened almost a year ago, we found an ultra-modern new building surrounding two sides of the old one. It adds a lot of space for the public, but also adequate dressing rooms for the musicians, especially the women, who now make up half of the players. They have a comfortable lounge. There are proper executive offices, a music library, instrument storage and a large public education room. Lots of the inside views are pretty good, too.
Too little is trouble. Too much is trouble. Too hot or cold can be a problem. Yet we can't live without it. We are water based organisms on the water planet. The illustration is snow melt on the street beneath the Arch. See how wet other City Daily Photo members are at https://citydailyphoto.org/2026/06/23/july-theme-water/
Looking back and up from the edge of the stage at Powell Symphony Hall. I don't know how you would describe the architecture and decoration style (help welcome). I think that the ceiling is pink from the white LED lights reflecting off red upholstery. The balcony goes up much farther than you can see from this angle. You might be able to find an usher standing just below and left of center. Our seats are around there.
Powell Symphony Hall looks good after its restoration. The LED lights are adjustable, economical and cool. The new seats are very comfortable. We prefer to sit in the front of the balcony, however. We like to be able to look down at all the players, front to back. Everyone agrees that the sound is better upstairs.
Mrs. C and I have been subscribers to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for something in the upper 40s of years. Our first date in April 1973 was there (cheapest seats, Mahler's 1st). They had an open house for subscribers yesterday morning, coffee and pastries, short talk by an orchestra member, three pieces by a quartet drawn from the string section, go check out the view from your seats.
The century-old hall had been closed for two years for complete restoration, reopening last fall. We were not happy with our seat assignments, then moving around program by program. Long talk with the box office and our new ones are pretty good. I'll wander around the architecture for a bit.
A well-preserved but disused sign on Gravois Avenue. When I was young and the quality of cars was much worse, the fabric on seats could deteriorate. Repairs ranged from a complete re-upholster to slip-on outer covers. Shops like this were common. The seats are tougher now, or maybe their American occupants are softer.
