Get Social with Sips, Concerts, and Art in STL!

Special Guest Expert: Dr. Brian Yothers
Join us with Saint Louis University's Dr. Brian Yothers for a deeper insight into how chess relates to literature. Dr. Yothers is a professor of English and chair of the Department of English at Saint Louis University. He is the author or editor of a dozen books focusing on early and nineteenth-century American literature, Herman Melville, religion and literature, travel literature, the literature of slavery and freedom, and poetry, among other topics. He is the most recent past editor of Leviathan: A Journal of Melville Studies, and he is excited by the opportunity to discuss the Moby-Dick chess set by Jessica DeStefano (currently on view in Reading Between the Lines: Chess and Literature) as part of the tour.

Reading Between the Lines: Chess and Literature – From T. S. Eliot to The Queen’s Gambit, discover how the world’s greatest writers have used chess as the ultimate metaphor for life and drama.

Charles Houska: Master of Play – Step into a world of vibrant color and pop-art energy. We’ll explore how Saint Louis’s own Charles Houska brings whimsy and movement to the board with brand-new commissions.

Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition – See the game as you’ve never seen it before. From ancient Persian boards to modern twists, we explore 1,500 years of "house rules" and creative evolution.

The Social Hour

The tour is just the beginning! Once we’ve explored the galleries, we keep the good vibes going with:

• Boxed Lunches & Refreshments: Savor a delicious catered lunch and a selection of drinks on us (if you RSVP in advance).
• Community & Conversation: Meet fellow art lovers and history buffs in a relaxed, inclusive setting right in the heart of the Central West End.

Ready to make your move? Space is limited to keep these tours intimate and engaging.

Register Here

You're invited to the closing reception of Charles Houska: Master of Play on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. Meet the artist, peruse the immersive exhibition, and enjoy complimentary admission, valet, and refreshments by Brennan's. While you are here, be sure to stock up and save 15% on our limited-edition Houska merchandise, while supplies last!

Charles Houska: Master of Play is a retrospective of the artist’s work over his impressive 25+ year career in Saint Louis and beyond, including brand-new chess-themed commissions and a 3-D-printed chess set. Showcased inside an incredibly vibrant and immersive environment filled with his iconic floral, animal, and portrait motifs, this exhibition boasts more than 75 of Houska’s artworks. The show also explores Houska’s community projects and corporate collaborations with St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Herman Miller HQ, Absolut Vodka, and more.

RSVPs are requested. Please email events@worldchesshof.org for more information or to register.

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:

• Venue: World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries
• Tickets: $25 General Admission, $20 WCHOF Members. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket.
• Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held within one of the current galleries, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Purchase Tickets Here

• 20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel
• Each ticket includes one free drink

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.

The program has a $5 entry fee, but is FREE for World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries Members! Learn more about becoming a member.

Purchase Tickets Here

Current Exhibitions
While visiting the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries in Saint Louis, we also invite you to explore our other current exhibition:

• Game Plan: The Strategy of Chess & Sports