Kirkwood, MO January 2026 by City Lifestyle

THE

Health AND

Wellness ISSUE

BRIN GIN G A BAL AN CED LIFEST YLE INTO 2026

JA N UA RY 2 02 6

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

LIFE ACCORDING TO YOU WITH EVERTRUE CAPE ALBEON

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Cape Albeon

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Let It Be I don’t know the full story behind this piece of art from Mark Borella, the artist and owner of Seeds of Happiness. But it must have been a difficult time in his life because he titled the painting, “Let It Be.” Songs are the storytellers of the soul. Recently, I was watching a video of Jonathan Groff singing “Mack the Knife” from his musical Just In Time, and I said to my husband, “My heart has never felt happier.” Well... listen, he gets me and my Broadway music hyperbole. And I get his love of The Beatles. Although I did have to “thumbs down” his idea of naming our kids Lennon and McCartney. On November 29th, 2001, he had a British flag hanging on our front porch. I asked him why we were honoring Tony Blair? He said, “George died. Who’s Tony Blair?” That tracks. The number of hours-long conversations we’ve had about music, specifically Beatles music, is uncountable. We agree that we don’t change the Sirius channel during Breakfast with The Beatles, but disagree about Beatles cover songs. He’s a purist. I think almost every cover of a Beatles song is better than the original. But here’s the thing. We both were BLOWN AWAY when we heard The Pernikoff Brothers’ version of Eleanor Rigby. Listen... put this magazine down, pick up your phone, and search for their song on your music platform. Tell me their version isn’t the greatest you’ve ever heard. No, that’s not hyperbole. The last article in this issue features an interview with The Pernikoff Brothers. They released an album titled Ah Londres earlier this year. They recorded this album at the famous Abby Road studio, where The Beatles recorded. These songs, and the stories behind them, were meant to be shared because a shared musical experience is good for your soul.

January 2026 PUBLISHER

Renee Moore | renee.moore@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R I AL C O O R D I N ATO R

Kate Berry | kate.berry@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

Sydney Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sydney Taylor, Erin Kuhlmann, Lucy Rogers, Andrea Maddock C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Angie Wynne Brand Photography, Nate Burrell @ beforetheblink.com, Katrina Wright, Carrie Campbell

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley

RENEE MOORE, PUBLISHER @KIRKWOODCITYLIFESTYLE

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Kirkwood City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Kirkwood area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

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inside the issue JANUARY 20 2 6 | HEA LT H & W EL L N ES S

40 18

Featured

18 24 40 8

10 On the Cover

Bringing Balance into the New Year Katie Elizabeth’s Strong By Intention combines small steps in nutrition, strength, and balance.

The Method

Feeling good inside and out at The Method in Webster.

Smile and Sleep Eazzzzzzy

Dr. Holly Ellis is transforming sleep and wellness.

Songs, Storytelling For The Soul

A preview of The Pernikoff Brothers’ storyteller concert January 17.

The Kirkwood Community Center is open. Kirkwood City Lifestyle Magazine’s “Well Balanced Lifestyle” - a free, health and wellness series held on the second Wednesday of each month. Follow @ktelizabethwellness on Instagram to register.

Photography: Carey Campbell

Departments 6

Lifestyle Letter

Healthy Lifestyle HEALTH + WELLNESS

Self Care HEALTH + WELLNESS

Local Limelight HEALTH + WELLNESS

Must See LIFE + CULTURE

Our Town LIFE + CULTURE

Back Stage ARTS + CULTURE

Katie Elizabeth, owner of Strong By Intention

Katie Elizabeth’s Strong By Intention helps women create sustainable wellness by combining small steps in nutrition, strength, and balance.

ARTICLE BY SYDNEY TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAREY CAMPBELL

Bringing Balance into the New Year

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

Katie Elizabeth, the inspiring force behind Strong by Intention, is redefining what it means to live a balanced, intentional life. With a focus on mindful movement, sustainable nutrition, and personalized support, Katie empowers individuals to reclaim their strength and confidence—both inside and out. Whether you’re just starting your wellness journey or looking to elevate your routine, Katie’s balanced approach ensures that fitness and nutrition fit seamlessly into your life. Q: Women often ask whether nutrition or exercise matters more. What’s the real answer? Katie: You need both, and it’s a continuous balance based on your lifestyle. You can crush your morning workouts, but if your meals aren’t supporting your goals, progress will stall. And on the flip side, you can eat the cleanest diet imaginable. Still, without movement and strength training, you’ll miss out on the energy, resilience, and confidence that come from building muscle and staying active. Q: As we enter 2026, many people still fall into the all-or-nothing mindset. Why is that harmful? Katie: Because it leads straight to burnout. People think their meals have to be perfect, their workouts have to be intense, or their routine has to be structured to “count.” That’s a lot of pressure! Wellness is built on consistency and sustainability, not perfection. Balance is key. CONTINUED >

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H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

Q: How do you help women get started when they’re not feeling motivated? Katie: One of the biggest misconceptions is that motivation comes first. It doesn’t. Motivation is something you create through action. Most women know what one healthier step could look like. They struggle to take action when life is busy, stressful, or unpredictable (which is most days). When you wait for motivation or for life to “slow down,” you hand your power to a moment that may never come. That’s why I always tell clients: start small. Order a high-protein lunch. Do a 10-minute strength circuit. Drink water before coffee. Swap late-night scrolling for a chapter of a book. Small actions build momentum, and momentum builds motivation. Q: You’ve said before that nutrition is the foundation. What do you mean by that? Katie: You can spend hours in the gym, but if your meals don’t match your goals, progress will feel slow or nonexistent. Nutrition supports everything: energy, hunger, metabolism, and muscle. The first step is shaping your home environment. The foods you see are the foods you eat. Keep fruits, veggies, and CONTINUED >

Tim Schulze, CLTC Let’s build a plan that works for today and for the years ahead.

Over 30 years of experience creating tax smart financial plans to help clients grow wealth and prepare for retirement. Schedule a no-cost consultation. Office: (314) 619-1283 Mobile: (314) 249-8107 Email: Tim@pioneerwealthmgmt.com Web: www.pioneerwealthmgmt.com Investment advisory services offered through CreativeOne Wealth, LLC, a registered investment advisor. CreativeOne Wealth and Pioneer Wealth Management are unaffiliated companies. Licensed Insurance Professional.

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“Your health and wellness are built on consistency and sustainability, not perfection. Balance is key,” said Katie Elizabeth, owner of Strong By Intention. proteins visible and convenient. Keep treats tucked away so you choose them intentionally rather than mindlessly. Personalized targets matter. Many women thrive on eating 25–35 grams of protein per meal, along with plenty of fiber and solid hydration, but the exact amounts depend on your goals and lifestyle. That’s why individualized guidance makes such a difference. Q: You call strength training “your organ for longevity.” Why is strength essential? Katie: Because muscle is one of the biggest predictors of how well you age. As we get older, we naturally lose muscle unless we intentionally work to keep it. The way to do that is strength training. You don’t need hours a day; you just need to lift something heavy enough to tell your body, “She wants to keep me.” Strength training improves confidence, metabolism, energy, and daily life. It builds resilience mentally and physically. The most effective strength routine is tailored to your schedule, preferences, limitations, and stress levels. Strength isn’t just what you look like, but how you live.

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Q: What do you tell women who feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start? Katie: You’re not doing anything wrong; you just need a plan that fits your life. So many women try piecing together advice from the internet or old rules they picked up years ago. No wonder they feel stuck! By combining simple nutrition, strength-building movement, and stress-reducing strategies with supportive conversations, you can stay connected to your goals. Conversations with health and wellness experts are the key component for days when life feels off balance. Those conversations start here. Register for Kirkwood City Lifestyle’s “Well Balanced Lifestyle” series held on the second Wednesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Kirkwood Community Center. These free monthly wellness series feature good-for-your-lifestyle food, the latest health and wellness insights from industry experts, and tips and tricks to keep it all in balance. Follow Katie on Instagram @ktelizabethwellness to claim your space on January 14th for “The Body Reset: Wellness Begins with Knowing Everybody is Different.”

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THE

Method

ARTICLE BY ERIN KUHLMANN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE WYNNE BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Feeling good inside and out at The Method in Webster.

For Jennifer Jones and Shannon Wood, co-owners of The Method Aesthetics + Wellness in Webster Groves, wellness isn’t just a service—it’s a philosophy. Their practice was founded on a shared vision: to help clients look and feel their best by treating health and beauty as a continuous, connected experience. Both women bring deep medical expertise to their roles. Jennifer began her career in the NICU at Barnes before transitioning into dermatology and aesthetics, where she has spent 15 years as a nurse injector and allergen trainer. Shannon’s background started in the cardiac ICU before moving into dermatology and aesthetics, a specialty she’s practiced for over a decade. Together, they saw an opportunity to blend their clinical precision with a more comprehensive view of self-care—and The Method Aesthetics + Wellness was born. “We were always referring patients to outside practices for wellness services,” Jennifer explained. “It just made sense to bring it all under one roof—to treat the whole person, not just one side.” Their team offers a full range of aesthetic and wellness services, including injectables and facials, hormone optimization, peptide therapy, IV infusions, and comprehensive lab workups.

Clients can have their blood panels drawn in the office and reviewed with a nurse practitioner who personalizes care to each individual’s needs. “Every patient that sits in our chair is here for a reason,” Shannon said. “We want to help them feel good from the inside out.” That personalized approach extends beyond treatments. “Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Jennifer added. “For one person, it might be more energy. For another, it’s an improved mood, better sleep, or confidence in their skin. Our role is to listen and design a plan that fits their lifestyle.” It’s a philosophy that resonates with clients, many of whom are navigating busy lives, hormonal shifts, or the stress of balancing work, family, and life. “We see so many men and women who come in and say, ‘I just don’t feel like myself,’” Shannon said. “By identifying the underlying cause, whether it’s a hormone imbalance, a nutrient deficiency, or stress, it’s incredible how quickly people start to feel better.” Hormone therapy and peptides are among The Method’s most popular services, with patients reporting improved energy, mood, and focus. “There’s so much misinformation out there,” CONTINUED >

S ELF CA R E | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

“We want to help everyone feel good from the inside out,” Shannon said.

Jennifer Jones (l) and Shannon Wood (r) JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

“Wellness isn’t one-sizefits-all,” Jennifer said. “Our role Jennifer noted. “These therapies have evolved. They’re safer, more precise, and customized. And when you start to feel better physically, it affects everything: your confidence, relationships, even how you show up in life.” On the aesthetic side, trends continue to evolve. “Botox will always be a classic, but now we’re treating the lower face more and seeing great results,” Jennifer said. “We also love treatments like Sculptra and microneedling that stimulate collagen and help skin look naturally healthy,” Shannon added. Their estheticians and laser specialists collaborate closely with wellness providers to address everything from rosacea to fatigue, bridging beauty and health seamlessly. Education and trust are at the heart of their approach. “We’re not salespeople— we’re nurses,” Jennifer emphasized. “Our goal is for patients to feel safe, heard, and confident.” That commitment has built a strong referral network. “The best compliment we can get is when a patient sends in a friend or family member,” she said. “That means we’ve done our job.” Building on its first year of success, both women are proud—and humbled—by the growth they’ve achieved. “We have 17 employees now,” Shannon said. “It’s been incredible to see how far we’ve come in such a short time.” Looking ahead, they plan to expand with continuing education and staying up to date on the latest and safest treatments for their patients. “Aesthetics and wellness are always evolving,” Jennifer said. “We want to stay at the forefront so our patients get the best care possible.” And for two women balancing thriving careers, families, and a busy business, wellness isn’t just something they preach: it’s something they practice. “What truly matters is showing up for ourselves, supporting each other, and giving ourselves grace to pause and recharge,” Shannon said. “It’s a journey of progress, not perfection. We believe there’s a Method for everyone.” For more information, visit themethodstl.com.

S ELF CA R E | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

is to listen and design a plan that fits their lifestyle.”

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

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SMILE AND SLEEP EAZZZZZZY Dr. Holly Ellis is transforming sleep and wellness.

ARTICLE BY ERIN KUHLMANN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HEALT H + WE LLN E SS

When Dr. Holly Ellis opened Ellis Dental in 2009, she expected to build a traditional dental practice rooted in relationships, preventive care, and a commitment to treating every patient as an individual. She didn’t anticipate that her work would eventually expand beyond teeth and gums—and into one of the most essential, overlooked pillars of health: sleep. “Sleep,” says Dr. Ellis, “is one of the vital parts of our day, yet one that many people never get enough of, or get well.” Dr. Ellis not only runs her thriving dental practice in Kirkwood but also leads the Ellis Sleep Center alongside her associates. Together, they help patients understand their sleep studies, explore treatment options, and— most importantly—finally feel rested. Dr. Ellis didn’t learn about sleep apnea in dental school—hardly any dental programs offered coursework in it at the time. But around 2014, a patient came to her desperate for help. She couldn’t tolerate her CPAP machine anymore. Could Dr. Ellis make her an oral appliance instead? “I had never made one before,” Dr. Ellis recalled. “But she trusted me.” With that leap of trust—and a lot of late-night studying—Dr. Ellis created her first appliance at no cost, learning as she went. Soon, more patients began asking about alternative sleep therapies. Curiosity turned into opportunity. Determined to better understand the mouth–airway connection, she brought her entire team to a sleep dentistry course in Memphis. “We came back incredibly

motivated,” she said. “We started treating our friends and family, then our patients. And suddenly, we were seeing the difference restful sleep could make in someone’s life.”

WHEN SLEEP DISRUPTIONS BECOME DAILY LIFE

Many of Dr. Ellis’ patients don’t realize how severely their sleep affects their waking hours. “They’ll say they’re dragging through the day, they never feel rested, or they’ve had morning headaches for years,” she explained. “Sometimes they think that’s just what life feels like as you get older. But often, it’s simply untreated sleep apnea.” Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, cutting off oxygen and jolting the person awake—even if they don’t remember it happening. Dr. Ellis compares it to “trying to sleep next to a puppy that wakes you up every hour.” The interruptions prevent deep, restorative rest and can push blood pressure up, oxygen levels down, and stress hormones into overdrive. Untreated sleep apnea can worsen cardiovascular disease, contribute to memory issues, and increase the risk of stroke.

WHY ORAL APPLIANCES WORK

For many people, the standard treatment is the CPAP machine. But Dr. Ellis notes that while CPAP is highly effective, “most people we see simply cannot sleep with it long-term.” The straps, the pressure, the noise: they all add up.

An oral appliance, by contrast, fits in the palm of the hand. It gently positions the jaw to keep the airway open, making it easier to breathe naturally during sleep. And patients wear it. “They travel with it. They nap with it. They wake up feeling better, so they want to keep using it,” she said. “When you sleep better, everything gets better: your mood, your stress levels, your energy, and even your ability to show up in your day-to-day life.”

MAKING CARE ACCESSIBLE

Perhaps most impressive is Dr. Ellis’ commitment to removing barriers. Consultations at Ellis Sleep Center are free. Her sleep coordinators, Bailey and Megan, review sleep studies, help patients understand insurance coverage, and guide them through the next steps, whether that means a CPAP, surgery, or an oral appliance.

“We just want them treated,” Dr. Ellis said. Good sleep isn’t a luxury: it’s a foundation. For many patients walking through her doors, it’s the first step toward feeling fully alive again. For more information, visit ellissleepcenter.com.

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

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JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

ARTICLE BY SYDNEY TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WRIGHT

LISTEN UP. LANDLINES ARE BACK. Ruby Wright

M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

A C R E AT I V E K I R K W O O D M O M B R I N G S B A C K T H E L A N D L I N E T O C R E AT E H E A LT H Y P H O N E H A B I T S .

Ruby Wright

Maggie McAuliffe

Trends come and go, but the comfort of childhood memories never goes out of style. That’s exactly what Kirkwood mom Katrina Wright leans into as she introduces her children to a beloved childhood experience many kids today rarely encounter: a landline. Q: How did you come up with the idea of installing a landline telephone for your kids? Katrina: I grew up in a small town, and like a lot of moms today, I’ve been craving that sense of nostalgia for something simpler as technology keeps accelerating. We’re all trying to find the right balance: How much screen time is too much? What’s actually healthy? I kept feeling the pull to go back to the basics. As a former English teacher and a writer, communication really matters to me. I want my kids to be able to express themselves, carry on a conversation, and genuinely connect with the people around them. The big “aha” moment happened when I watched my kids FaceTime their cousin. They were so hyper-focused on looking at themselves in that little corner box - checking their faces, picking emojis, changing backgrounds that they weren’t actually talking. They couldn’t make eye

contact, couldn’t stay in the conversation, and honestly seemed more interested in how they looked than in engaging in conversation. It made me realize they needed a way to connect without all the distractions. Q: So you created that old-school experience we all grew up with? Katrina: Exactly. When we were younger, you just picked up the phone and talked. No filters, no emojis, no staring at your own reflection. So when I told my husband I wanted a landline again, he looked at me like I had fully lost it. But our home is over 120 years old, so honestly, a landline felt like it matched the aesthetic. It was practically begging for a corded phone! Q: How did you actually make it happen? Katrina: I started with our phone company, and they were ridiculously expensive. So I kept researching and found a company called Ooma. They mostly market to businesses and the elderly, but it turned out to be perfect for us. It was shockingly simple: plug a tiny box into the internet, connect any landline phone, and boom - we had a home phone again! No digging up the yard, no electrician, no drama. Just a good old-fashioned ring. CONTINUED > JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

Calloway Wright

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Hudson and CJ Ward

“ONCE WE GOT THE LANDLINE, EVERYTHING SHIFTED. THEY STARTED COMING UP WITH THEIR OWN IDEAS ... THE INITIATIVE CAME FROM THEM, NOT ME.”

Q: How did your kids react once you set it up? Katrina: They loved it right away. At first, it was just grandparents, cousins, and a few brave friends calling. Then the kids started asking to call their friends to set up playdates. Instead of “Mom, can we go to the park with Jack?” it suddenly became “Why don’t you call Jack and ask?” But I quickly realized there was an entire learning curve involved. We had to teach them how to actually punch in numbers,

how to answer the phone without freezing, how to ask for a friend, and how to talk to another parent. All the skills we grew up knowing without thinking about them. It was hilarious and a little chaotic at first, but so important. And now they are completely comfortable with it, which has been amazing to watch. Q: Has having the landline helped with their independence? Katrina: Absolutely. It has been a total game-changer for their independence. Before the landline, everything went through me. If they wanted to play with a friend, I was the one texting the other mom. If they needed to ask Dad something, they had to borrow my phone, and the moment they touched it, they were gone. Apps, photos, videos… they completely forgot why they had the phone in the first place. Once we got the landline, everything shifted. They started coming up with their own ideas. They would call neighborhood friends to organize a wiffle ball game at the school or set up a front-yard kickball game. They planned all of it themselves. The where, the when, the who… the entire logistics team was the kids. Of course, the parents approved everything, but the initiative came from them, not me. They even started calling Dad at work to tell him something exciting that happened at school, or leaving me little voicemails about very serious matters like “Mom, where is my red jersey? I can’t find it in the laundry.” They would help around the house by CONTINUED > JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

calling Dad to ask him to pick up milk on his way home. All these tiny things I used to handle suddenly became things they handled. Q: Have other families caught on, too? Katrina: They really have. After we’d had our landline for a few months, I started getting so many questions from families about how it worked. I finally made a quick Instagram Reel explaining how simple the setup is and shared it with our Kirkwood community. I honestly thought it would be a tiny thing, but now more than fifteen families we know have added a landline, and I keep hearing about new ones every week. It has turned into this adorable, unexpected little movement. It has been so fun to see how everyone makes it their own. One family hung their phone in the kitchen with a long coil cord like the ones we grew up with. Another went cordless so their kids can walk and talk. Every family picked what worked best for their home, which I love. At our house, the kids even created their own little phone book next to the phone, and they add new friends as they learn their numbers. It started with moms’ cell numbers, but now it is slowly filling with real landlines again. It has been such a sweet shift to watch. Q: Any funny stories from letting the kids take the lead on phone calls? Katrina: So many. The best part is that every single one of them feels ripped straight out of an eighties or nineties childhood. From the very beginning, the kids understood this was their phone, not mine. They are the only ones who answer it. Half the time they’re outside playing when it rings, and I’ll open the door and yell, “Your phone is ringing!” They come sprinting inside like it’s the most important call of their lives. We don’t have caller ID, so if they miss it, they just hope the person calls back or leaves a voicemail. When we’re gone for the day, they even check the blinking voicemail light when we get home. It is hysterical and very old-school. Of course, with all this newfound responsibility, we have had a few… learning moments. There have been calls where they accidentally overshared something that definitely should have stayed within the family. We’ve had to talk through things like, “We don’t answer the phone and announce that someone is in trouble” or “We don’t give full health updates to a friend calling about a playdate.” Those conversations turned into the funniest teachable moments. We have had so many of those situations, and the best part is that they are unbelievably relatable to any millennial parent who grew up doing the exact same things. It has been equal parts hilarious and nostalgic watching them learn phone manners the way we did: in real time, making mistakes, and laughing through it. Q: You have two boys and one girl. Do they use the phone differently? Katrina: Oh, absolutely. My boys are a little older, so they get more calls, and their conversations are hilariously straight to the point. It’s very “Should I bring a football?” “Yep.” “Cool.” Click. Zero fluff. Zero small talk. Just efficiency.

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Rosie Brown

My daughter, though, is my little communicator. I can already see her becoming a full-on phone-conversation girlie. Give her a few more years, and she’ll be the kid walking around the house twirling the cord, giving her friends a full play-by-play of everything happening at home. She’s definitely my future “let me tell you the whole story” caller. Q: Do you see a difference in how they interact with people in real life? Katrina: Definitely. Some of it is just getting older, but I really do think the landline has helped. Talking to adults on the phone has made them so much more confident talking to adults in person. Ordering their own food, greeting friends’ parents, asking questions… all those little social moments feel easier for them now. The phone has given them a way to practice conversation without the pressure of being face-to-face, and that has made such a difference. Q: Has it helped delay their ask for actual cell phones? Katrina: Definitely. Every mom I know is trying to delay the cell phone era as long as possible. If a simple landline buys us even a few more years of real kid life, of play and actual conversations, then it’s completely worth it. Follow Katrina on Instagram @kwright1206 for the official hookup video & details.

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

Alex Nashan George Martiniere Gwyn Stegeman

Ezra Nashan Jack Kendrick

Henry Stegeman

Marta Stegeman

Will Kendrick

O UR TOWN | L I FE + C ULT U RE

Jack McAuliffe

TALK HOOD

MJ Brandt

Charlie Martinere

OF THE NEIGHBOR

Colt Brown Estes Stadnik

These kids are giving the neighborhood something to talk about. ARTICLE BY ANDREA MADDOCK PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

As a realtor who helps families find the right home, I enjoy all the wonderful things that make our community a unique place to live. And these kids talking on their landlines is one of the most delightful things I’ve ever seen.

Evra Stadnik

Hudson Brown

ANDREA MADDOCK

realtor with Janet Mcaffe If your kids, family, or neighbors are doing something delightfully fun, email me at ahmaddock@janetmcafee.com to be featured in my next Talk of the Neighborhood. JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

S ON G S , S T ORY T E L L I N G F OR T H E S O U L

ARTICLE BY LUCY ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATE BURRELL @BEFORETHEBLINK.COM

The Pernikoff Brothers (Tom, Kevin, Rick)

B ACK STAGE | ARTS + C U LT U RE

Known for their soulful harmonies and improvisational energy, The Pernikoff Brothers invite you to experience their sound, and the stories behind their music. The Pernikoff Brothers is comprised of brothers Tom and Rick Pernikoff and Kevin Bowers, a drummer with a talent to turn anything into a percussion instrument. The group has a history as rich and layered as their music. From recording live at Abbey Road Studios to touring with The Bacon Brothers, the band’s music is best expressed through authentic live performance. “Music is good for the soul,” said Tom. Q: How does an independent St. Louis band end up recording at Abbey Road? Tom: Rick and I spent a month working in France. Kevin came over to join us, and we ended up playing open mics around Paris almost every night.

Kevin: I flew in and got to their Airbnb mid-afternoon, and they said, “We’re gonna go play an open mic tonight.” I didn’t have a drum, so the first night I played on a pizza box. Tom: He can play anything or nothing… Kevin: I’ve been caught air-drumming in parking lots. Tom: The next day, we bought Kevin a hand drum for 20 bucks, and that’s what he still plays on at our shows. But the pizza box was funny ‘cause when we came back to play at that bar, they were like, “Oh, you got the pizza box?” Q: How did you go from playing open mic in Paris to recording at Abby Road? Tom: Kevin and I wanted to go to London to walk across the crosswalk on the Abbey Road album. The Beatles have been our inspiration from the beginning. And then I was like, “Let’s see if we can get a tour of their studio.” I emailed to ask if we could get a tour. And they said, “No.” But then I asked, “Can we book a recording session?” And they said, “Send us a video of your band,” because we’ll need one of the house engineers to show interest. So, I sent them a video of us playing in Rick’s basement, and they responded, “We have one day available in studio two,” which is the famous studio where the Beatles recorded all their early songs. Q: What was your plan? Rick: We had a meeting to select about 15 songs, and we ended up recording 11. We released 10 of them, including our own version of “Eleanor Rigby.” Kevin: Eleanor Rigby was one take. Tom: We did the whole session live. No overdubs. We didn’t plan it, but we ended up releasing all the songs as an album titled Ah Londres. Q: What was it like to tour with The Bacon Brothers this summer? Tom: Surreal. Years ago, we’d played a show their agent had booked. So when I saw they were touring, I reached out to their agent to see if they needed an opening band. He said, ‘Let me see if I can make it happen,’ and that was it. We played 12 shows with them. Kevin: We learned a lot- like how to soundcheck very quickly. Also, don’t travel too far to play an outdoor show in the Midwest in the summer. Tom: It’s gonna rain. And the show might get cancelled. CONTINUED > JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / KI R KWO O D

Kevin: Another thing we learned: stay out of the headliner’s way out of respect. Sometimes there wasn’t a second green room, so we got dressed outside or in a back alley. Rick: We wanted to be easy to work with. We’re there to support the main act. Tom: Kevin Bacon would bring us up for the Footloose encore. Rick: I didn’t know the song. I wrote the lyrics on my hand. Kevin (Bacon) told me, “Can you play the tambourine on the other beat?” In the end, Kevin Bacon taught me how to play tambourine. Tom: Some nights we didn’t know if he’d call us up. Rick: One night, he walked by and said, “See you __ there.” We spent 15 minutes debating if he meant up there or out there. Tom: They were so kind. They told us, “We’re gonna be opening for you guys one day.” Q: What can people expect from your storytelling concert? Tom: Stories like these. The Abbey Road story. The pizza box. The Bacon Brothers tour. Opening for Rufus Wainwright. We want people to walk away feeling like they were part of it. Rick: It’s intimate. Acoustic. Harmony-focused. Some songs you know, some you don’t. Kevin: It’s us at our most real. Rick: We’re excited to share how these songs were born — the emotional stuff, the funny stuff, the weird stuff. This is the kind of show you remember. For show tickets, visit pernikoffbrothers.com/shows

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