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Hear The Future: STLPR's Annual Celebration

STLPR's Annual Celebration

Join us at the Four Seasons Hotel on Friday, April 19, 2024 for our Annual Celebration. This year we will celebrate with fun entertainment, lively conversation, a delicious meal, and special guest Eric Deggans, TV critic and media analyst for NPR.

6 p.m. Cocktails
7 p.m. Dinner

Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
999 N 2nd St, St. Louis, MO 63102

Registration Closed


Golden Ticket Raffle

Try your luck in our 2024 Golden Ticket Raffle! From the glorious landscapes of Tuscany or the sparkling beaches of Mexico, the winner of the Golden Ticket Raffle gets to choose their own adventure! We will announce the winner at Hear the Future on April 19.
*You do not need to be present at the event to win!

Get Your Ticket!

The Golden Ticket is sponsored by Polsinelli.


Special Guest Eric Deggans

TV critic and media analyst for NPR

Eric Deggans is NPR's first full-time TV critic, also serving as media analyst and guest host for the network.

Deggans came to NPR in 2013 from the Tampa Bay Times, where he served as TV/Media Critic and in other roles for nearly 20 years. A journalist for more than 30 years, he is also the author of "Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation," a look at how prejudice, racism and sexism fuels some elements of modern media, published in October 2012 by Palgrave Macmillan.

Deggans also serves as an adjunct instructor at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and Indiana University's Media School and he is a member of the National Advisory Board for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies and chair of the Media Monitoring Committee for the National Association of Black Journalists.

Our Guest Speaker is sponsored by John Brase and Ed Giganti.

All Things Considered host Juana Summers

The Premium Silent Auction

Our Premium Silent Auction is open to the public for the first time ever! Browse the exciting packages and experiences below. Anyone can participate, you do not have to attend the event to bid or win one of these fabulous packages. Bidding opens at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

Enter the Auction Now!

Presented By



Event Sponsors

Dowd Bennet LLP Ruben Brown Twain Financial Partners Polsinelli Wacker Financial Group The University of Missouri—St. Louis
John Brase and
Ed Giganti
Tina Pamintuan & Gijs Grotenbreg
Ken & Pat Schutte
Gina & Travis Sheridan

Gene Dobbs Bradford Blues Experience

Gene Dobbs Bradford Blues Experience

For years Gene Dobbs Bradford has electrified audiences with his hard-driving harmonica playing and soulful blues vocals. The Gene Dobbs Bradford Blues Experience, is a fusion of blues, rock and funk; guaranteed to satisfy the soul.

The Gene Dobbs Bradford Blues Experience is sponsored by Gerritzen & Gerritzen.

NPR Wine Club Wine Pull

Don't miss your opportunity to take a bottle or two from the popular NPR Wine Club wine pull! Hear the Future Co-Chair Kit Watson showcases one of the many delicious vintages available.

The wine pull is sponsored by Russell Jackson.

Generation Listen member Kit Watson holds a bottle of Nina Totenburg Red Blend wine.
A display of wines surrounding a floral bouquet. Among them, a Vintage NPR and a Wait Wait Don't Tell Me Cabernet Sauvignon. A row of wines includes a Tiny Desk blend, a Hear Every Voice NPR 50th Zinfandel, and a Wait Wait Don't Tell Me Cabernet Sauvignon.

Live Auction

Take a sneak peak at some of the exciting experiences that will be available in our live auction at Hear the Future on April 19th!

A photo wall where Nina Totenberg stands next to S-T-L-P-R guests

Be the STLPR VIP For a Year

You can be the STLPR VIP for a year! You and a guest can join us for exclusive, behind-the-scenes STLPR experiences AND you are guaranteed two reserved seats to ALL STLPR events that tickle your fancy!

Join the producers of St. Louis on the Air for a live show and spend a morning in the studio with Mike Schrand for a behind-the-scenes look at Morning Edition

A collectible sunburst acoustic guitar

Collectible Taylor Swift guitar

This 38-inch Sunburst acoustic guitar features a repurposed CD cover pickguard. This is a 38-inch (Sunburst ) acoustic guitar and this guitar is intended to be utilized as a collectible and display guitar.

This item has a JSA Authentication tamper proof hologram attached to the item, and its signature is registered in their data base. JSA is one of the premier third party authentication companies, worldwide . You can view this authentication on the JSA website,

Members of the Arianna String Quartet. From Left to Right: violinist John McGrosso, violinist Julia Sakharova, cellist Kurt Baldwin, violist Joanna Mendoza.

Private Performance from the Arianna String Quartet

This is an exclusive opportunity to bring the internationally acclaimed Arianna String Quartet into your home (or other venue of your choosing) for a private performance.

  • Formed in 1992, the Arianna String Quartet is recognized as one of America’s finest chamber ensembles. They first garnered national attention by winning the Grand Prize in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, First Prize in both the Coleman and Carmel Chamber Music Competitions, and were Laureates in the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition.
  • The Arianna Quartet has appeared in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and in South Africa. They have collaborated with many of the world’s finest musicians.
  • Since 2000, the members of the Arianna String Quartet have been the full-time string faculty at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and offer an annual subscription concert series at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Additionally, the quartet performs a regular lecture series at STLPR called “First Mondays with the ASQ.”
Stone igloos are covered with greenery at the Igloo Beach Resort

Experience Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Join Limitless Planet on an adventure to beautiful Manuel Antonio! Costa Rica is a world leader in sustainable development, taking great care to conserve its tropical jungles, beaches and marine life. The Igloo Beach Resort fully reflects this vision. Covered in tropical vegetation, the cabins harmonize beautifully with the surrounding fauna.

The beaches inside and around the Manuel Antonio National Park feature wide shores and calm waves perfect for beach day activities like snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and even trying your hand at some surfing lessons. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy getting a close look at the hundreds of plant and animal species that are native to the National Park, while those passionate about hiking and sight-seeing will find a lot to love along the trails.

Whether you’re a nature buff or you’re just looking for a secluded spot to relax, you’re in luck: in Manuel Antonio, vacationers can always find a way to soak in the scenery and thoroughly enjoy themselves!

The Rep show calendar. From Top: Dial M for Murder Sep 18 to Oct 13, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas Dec 4 to 22, Clyde's Feb 5 to Mar 2, Sherwood The Adventures of Robin Hood Mar 19 to Apr 13

An Unforgettable Season with The Rep

For over 50 years, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has worked to create bridges between people in the St Louis region and beyond through expertly crafted theatrical experiences that are joyful, unique, inspiring, and thought-provoking.

Enjoy the 2024-25 season of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis up close and personal! This package includes four season tickets for opening nights + invitation to the cast parties. Additionally, the winner has the exclusive opportunity to host a backstage dinner party. In the spirit of the season opener, you can even make it a murder mystery party!

A collection of dessert delicacies from restauranteur Ben Poremba

Exclusive Ben Poremba Dinner

Enjoy dinner for four with wine pairings at two beloved St. Louis restaurants. The Benevolent King has been an STL staple since opening in 2018, in 2024 the menu has been reimagined to reflect chef Eliott Harris's passion for authentic Japanese cuisine.

Nestled in the Delmar Maker District is Poremba's new concept -Esca. Poremba says the style of eating at Esca closely mirrors the way he cooks for loved ones at home. Dedicated to the exploration of Mediterranean fare from the French Riviera to Sicily, Esca is "a restaurant for people who love restaurants".

A 29-foot voyager canoe with 8 people paddling on the river

“Magic Hour” on the Missouri River

Host a private Rivertime Supper Club as we paddle the Missouri River and enjoy twilight with a campfire gourmet dinner!

No paddling experience is required for this unique river adventure. Big Muddy Adventures's guides will lead the way as you (and 8 of your friends) paddle in an extraordinary 29 foot voyageur canoe to a beautiful and remote spot along the river where you’ll have time to explore, search for arrowheads, spot wildlife, take a swim and enjoy snacks and refreshments. You’ll then hop back in the boats and paddle back to our starting point to enjoy an unforgettable gourmet campfire dinner prepared by BMA’s chef.

An aerial view of Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe

The clearest blue water. The brightest green mountains. Tahoe awes visitors year round. This freshwater treasure offers entertainment, activities, and accommodations. In the warmer months, visitors enjoy a water-sports playground surrounded by epic hiking and unforgettable camping. Once Lake Tahoe weather gets snowy, the area transforms into a winter wonderland, replete with skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and many other wintertime sports and activities. When it comes to things to do in Lake Tahoe, there's no shortage of adventure above and below the surface.

Experience Tahoe for 5 nights for 2 adults (or 2 adults and 2 kids) at your choice of Tahoe resorts.



The Golden Ticket is sponsored by Twain Financial.


2023 Photos


Event Co-Chairs

  • John Brase & Ed Giganti
  • Kit Watson

Event Committee

  • Andrea & Dave Cannon
  • Maria & Michael Gerritzen
  • Keri & Matt McBride
  • Suzie Nall
  • Jenifer & Willem Schilpzand
  • Pat & Ken Schutte
  • John and Rebecca Sheehan
  • Diane Sher
  • Kristin Sobolik & Scott Peterson