The Central West End Cocktail Party, which came roaring back in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, is (in my opinion) one of the best events the CWE North Community Improvement District produces. (To refresh your memories, the event commemorates what is believed to be the first-ever cocktail party on record, which reportedly occurred in 1917 at the home of Mrs Julius S. Walsh, Jr., 4510 Lindell Blvd.)
The lineup of activities included a kids’ area featuring a bubble machine and attempts at hula hoop twirling—or usually, just tossing—under the direction of Candace, middle above.
The competition for best cocktail always attracts a large crowd of observers. This year’s winning cocktail, “Sweet as a Georgia Peach,” was created by Little Saigon Cafe’s Anna Grindeanu, middle right.
Street performers included stilt walkers and aerialists from “Stilts & Fire.”
It’s guesstimated that there were approximately 5,000 people enjoying the party on Euclid, which stretched from from Maryland to McPherson.
Artists set up easels throughout the party-zone, including Nick Fozzy, above, Tiêlere Cheatam and Jillian Kelshaw (not photographed).
Golliday, which had many in the audience singing along, was the first act on the Main Stage, followed by Sean Conan’s Voodoo Players.
Photographed above, from left: CWEnder Doug Ong, Liz Toolens, Heather Clark Piskorowski, Mike Brownstein, Mickey Evans, Leifann Brownstein, Anne Stark, Reggie Evans (partially hidden), and Elliott Sherman.
A day after the event, when tents had been cleared and Euclid was opened to traffic once again, Kate Haher, executive director of the CWENCID, summed up what many of us have thought for the 6 years the event has been a fixture on the summer calendar, “The diversity and spirit of the event is really amazing and something to celebrate.”
Thanks to all the generous sponsors of the 6th annual CWE Cocktail Party, including those listed on the banner above, plus Luxco and Brake Landscaping. Local sponsors included Taste of Lebanon, El Burro Loco, Vino STL, Up-Down, Brennan’s, Maryland House by Brennan’s, The Preston, Chase Club, drunken fish, Twisted Ranch, and St. Louis Arc.