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We ’re very lucky to have a theater dedicated to folk music and dance here in St. Louis. The Focal Point is a somewhat small theatre right in the heart of Maplewood — you might not have even noticed it driving by. But once you attend a concert there, you’ll never forget it!
The Focal Point Theater is open most weekend nights. It has fabulous acoustics, easy access to great food and drink, reasonable ticket prices — and top-notch entertainment from around the world. And far too few people have ever heard of it! The Focal Point Theater sits at 2720 Sutton Blvd., right next to the Maya Café.
A non-profit educational corporation, The Focal Point is dedicated to promoting folk music and other musical forms as well. And don’t just think of folk music as someone with an acoustic guitar singing Kumbaya. Recently, Tempest took the stage and totally rocked the place with its wild-man approach to Celtic rock. The whole place was on its feet.
Judy Stein is the dedicated soul behind it all who, along with many others, keep the place humming. It’s Judy’s smiling face you see upon arrival, and it’s Judy who introduces the artists every night. Immediately, you feel at home! She’s been around since it started, though in the beginning, she just helped out by making popcorn and coffee.
The Focal Point has actually been around since 1975, having started as a coffee house in the Old Orchard area of Webster Groves. The founders, Bill and Janet Boyer, owned Music Folk, a still-popular music store on Big Bend at Murdoch. Focal Point was originally just down the street. It went through several low-key years but always focused on music and dance. After Bill and Janet’s son was in a bad motorcycle accident, they had to give up their involvement in it. It was managed by Paul Stanler, then Jane Grosby, followed by Sister Roberta Hudlow.
When Judy Stein stepped in, armed with a $3,000 grant from the Missouri Arts Council, she had to find a new place to hold the concerts. She landed the YMCA in Webster Groves, the Holy Communion Church in Jackson Park, Graham Chapel, COCA (Center of Contemporary Arts), and even an antique store, also in Webster Groves. In those days, The Focal Point was everywhere!
In 2000, she ran into a friend, Jay Schober, who had just bought the building for Maya Café and had some office space next door. Judy and her husband Eric, along with Carol and Nick Kuntz (who also helped out immensely) transformed the place on a shoestring budget.
They tore out the walls and old shag carpet, and made frames filled with insulation. They covered them with bed-sheets to make acoustic cushion tiles to hang on the brick walls. Home insulation covers the entire back stage — totally hidden away. Vocals sound divine in this room. Judy and her gang obviously knew what they were doing. The seats were donated from an old lecture room in the University City Library. It’s not fancy — but it works. As a matter of fact, it works really well. And most folks wouldn’t want them to change a thing.
After she used up the $3,000, she asked for more. Judy became good at grant writing and started receiving more. The Regional Arts Commission has been a huge help with very generous grants. Judy also receives grants from private corporations.
Judy was obviously very dedicated — she says she succeeded because she brought in such great talent — even back then. “Most of these people are still performing, and traveling today. The real good ones don’t go away.”
The Focal Point has hosted Brewer and Shipley, Lou and Peter Berryman, Paddy Keenan, The Boys of the Lough, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Sileas and Natalie MacMaster to name a few.
Judy and her husband Eric, who runs the sound, have always invited the performers to stay in their home, and still do, to this day. “We have had the most amazing house guests from around the world” says Judy, who seems to gravitate toward the singers/musicians with not just talent, but a sense of humor as well. She really loves personalities that shine — especially those who really engage the audience.
Running the theater is a team effort. Carol Shahriary manages the website, www.thefocalpoint.org; Ellen Dorfman updates the website and cleans the place; and Carol Kuntz handles the business aspects of the theater. “It’s easy now. All I have to do is find the artists, put together the calendar and write the grants,” Judy says.
This is definitely a lady with a lot of energy. Judy works full time as a schoo teacher at Edgewood in Webster Groves, teaching emotionally-challenged children, ages nine to 12. She sometimes has a few cuts and bruises on her arms, but she loves her job. She also volunteers every Sunday morning as the DJ for KDHX Public Radio. On her two-hour program called Family Reunion you can hear a lot of the type of music featured at The Focal Point.
And if that isn’t enough, Judy heads a local dance troupe called Border Morris, featuring specific and rather amazing type of English dance. She offers free lessons to the public every Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at The Focal Point.
Judy can often be spotted emceeing at various places, promoting folk music and helping out within the Scottish and Irish communities with their events. But she’s most in her element when The Focal Point seats are filled and the audience is smiling and clapping — she makes a lot of people happy.
Java Journal’s tip on making your evening extra special: Book a dinner reservation at The Maya Café (right next door), (314) 781-4774. The food is excellent, and there’s a door in between the two places, so you don’t even have to go back outside! Tickets to the show can even be purchased at the Maya, and The Focal Point allows you bring your drinks into the theater as well.
Upcoming artists
Peter Ostroushko, May 9
Mother Grove , May 10
Joe Stickley and Sean Canan, May 16
Brewer and Shipley, May 30
River City Acoustic, May 31
Mitzi MacDonald, June 7
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