News

SEPT. 29, 2011 -- Dmac Sandoz, Hollywood dance choreographer and St. Louis native, will teach a "Hollywood Dance Intensive" on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Technique Studios.

Sandoz has dance with Pink, Missy Elliot, Brian McKnight and more. His latest choreography can be seen with Jill Scott, Jesse McCartney, Keri Hilson and Japanese superstar Al. Sandoz has also appeared on "Dancing with the Stars" with the Ballas Hough Band.

The intensive is open to ages 6 and up of all dance abilities. Three separate classes are offered: beginners from 2-3 p.m., intermediate from 3-4 p.m., and experienced from 4-5:30 p.m. The class costs $15 when attendees pre-register and $20 without pre-registration.

Technique Studios is located at 13645 Big Bend Road, Suite 103, St. Louis, Mo., 63122. Call 636-825-8324 for details or to register.

SEPT. 28, 2011 -- Kids of all abilities will soon have a new place to play in

The all-inclusive and accessible playground allows all children to interact and play together. The bug-themed playground includes traditional, toddler, ADA accessible and saucer swings; a splash pad (opening next spring); playground instruments, including a custom piano and three other instruments; fully ramped climbing structures; and special slides that are safe for those with cochlear implants.

The playground was named for 9-year-old Brendan Schmitt. Schmitt is a Westhoff Elementary School student who suffers from a rare genetic disease called Thompson Syndrome. Due to the effects of the disease, he has difficulty using traditional playground equipment. Schmitt has prepared a speech for the opening ceremony.

"Brendan's Playground is a dream come true for families who have a child with disabilities, because now kids of all abilities can play together," said O'Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy. "This unique playground will be a popular destination for all kids, because they are going to find that this is truly the best playground around."

Fredbird will make an appearance at the opening celebration on Oct. 1, which is geared towards families and includes refreshments, a cast of characters to entertain the kids, a band, singing by 250 students from J.L. Mudd Elementary School and Westhoff Elementary School, and the opening ceremony, which will be officiated by Hennessy.

Brendan's Playground is the result of a partnership between the City of O'Fallon and Unlimited Play. Unlimited Play is a local nonprofit that helps play, design and build fully accessible playgrounds.

"Simply put, children need to play with other children," Unlimited Play's website states. "Yet for so many children with disabilities, their days are spent with parents, doctors, nurses, therapists, and other adults. But on the playground, kids play with kids. And on accessible playgrounds, children can swing, slide and climb with friends -- as well as siblings and parents -- like they never even imagined."

Brendan's Playground is located in Paul A. Westhoff Park, 810 Sheppard Drive, O'Fallon, Mo., 63366.

Unlimited Play has also helped build accessible playgrounds in Hawk Ridge Park in Lake Saint Louis and Shaw Park in Clayton.

Pictured: Workers put the finishing touches on Brendan's Playground in Westhoff Park. Photos courtesy of the city of O'Fallon, Mo.

SEPT. 27, 2011 -- Yesterday our city lost a tremendous man, one who has helped transform St. Louis into a premier destination for families. Bob Cassilly, artist and founder of the City Museum, was found dead Sept. 26, 2011. He had been working at Cementland, a new attraction he had hoped to open in North St. Louis County.

While you might not have known his name, most St. Louis families have experienced his public art at places like Turtle Park, the Butterfly House and the Saint Louis Zoo, and if you've ever stepped foot in the City Museum, you've been mesmerized by his creativity.

As St. Louis collectively mourns this loss, at St. Louis Sprout, we turn to the people that forever give us hope: children. Cassilly's legacy will live on in those who experience his larger-than-life creations. Please enjoy this collection of photos. In them you'll find the children and the friends of Sprout staff doing exactly what Cassilly invited them to do -- enjoy his personal creations and the works he inspired.

City Museum photo courtesy of Liz Behan	City Museum photo courtesy of Jennifer Lin
City Museum photo courtesy of Laura Hewgley	City Museum photo courtesy of Jessica Pupillo
Mysterious Monarch photo courtesy of Ann Newman	Mysterious Monarch photo courtesy of Traci Jansen

Your family can visit Cassilly's public art. More information about some of his pieces is available through the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission. Also, visit the City Museum, founded and inspired by Cassilly.

Winter, a dolphin who is rescued after getting caught in a crab trap, has a severely damaged tail that eventually must be amputated. Despite round-the-clock care at the Clearwater Marine Hospital in Florida, the playful dolphin's prognosis is grim. Marine biologists doubted if she would survive, let alone swim again.

A determined boy named Sawyer (Nathan Gamble), a marine biologist (Harry Connick, Jr.), a prosthetics expert (Morgan Freeman) and a host of other characters help Winter defy these odds.

"I was really excited to see 'Dolphin Tale' because one of my sons has a disability, and I love inspirational, true stories about people overcoming challenges," said Jessica Pupillo, editorial director of St. Louis Sprout. "Winter plays herself in this film, and, frankly, she puts the professional, human talent to shame. Unfortunately, the acting left the film feeling campy and cliche instead of honest, emotional and real."

However, she said, it's still a powerful story for families with school-aged children to enjoy together.

"Dolphin Tale" is rated PG and is available in 3D.