Stingrays glide back to zoo’s Caribbean Cove

Stingrays at Caribbean Cove, an interactive favorite for kids and adults, will return to the St. Louis Zoo on Friday.

Cownose rays and southern stingrays, along with bonnethead, brown-banded and white-spotted bamboo sharks will swim in a 17,000-gallon warm saltwater pool under the Edward Jones Pavilion. Guests are encouraged to dip their hands into the water and allow the animals to touch them. Occasionally, there will be opportunities to feed the stingrays, a hardy species that interacts well with people in a safe and fun manner.

Mercy Kids will sponsor the exhibit through Oct. 2.

The bonehead shark is the smallest member of the hammerhead family. It has a semi-circular head, resembling a shovel or bonnet. Bamboo sharks are sometimes called “cat sharks” because the barbels, or sensory organs, near their mouths resemble cat whiskers.

The sharks are small, shy and docile fish that pose no danger to humans. The bottom-dwellers range from 2 1/2- to 4-feet long and prey on small fish, crabs and invertebrates. Visitors will be allowed to touch the sharks as they swim by.

Cownose rays and southern stingrays are related to sharks. They have flat bodies, long pointed fins and long whip-like tails that can be used for defense against predators. The stingrays at the zoo have had their stinger or barbs clipped back.

Zoo intrerpretors and educators will be on hand to help visitors and share information about the animals and conservation.

Admission to Stingrays at the Caribbean is $4 per person. Zoo hours are 9 a..m;. to 5 p.m. through May 26.

‘Voices of Spring’

The 19-voice Masterworks Children’s Choruses will raise their “Voices of Sping” in a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Belleville.

“‘Voices of Spring’ will include music that emphasizes harmony and part singing,” said Dr. Stephen Mager, who directs the choruses. “It will be a very nice variety of classical pieces, joyful spirituals and a surprise encore. I really believe that out Children’s Chorus and Youth Chorale are the premier group in the metro-east, and right near the top in St. Louis.”

Advance tickets are $15 for adults; $5 for students, seniors and military; $20 and $10 at the door. Tickets are available from chorus members or by calling 618-304-9094.

Auditions for the Children’s Chorus, grades 3-8, and the Youth Chorale, grades 5-12, are by appointment. Contact Angi Klohr at 618-593-0895 or mcc@singmasterworks.org.

St. Paul is at 115 West B St. in Belleville.

Community Chorale

The Metro East Community Chorale, under the direction of Stephen Wilson, will present its spring concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Belleville.

The chorus of approximately 50 members from surrounding communities and churches, will be accompanied by Carol Brookshire, music director at Crossroads Christian Church in Caseyville.

St. Teresa’s Church is at 1201 Lebanon Ave.

Circus in Albers

The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will entertain kids of all ages with shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Lehrter/JC Park in Albers.

The 90-minute show features animal acts, acrobats, a contortionist, trapeze artists and clowns. Rides and concessions are also part of the action.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for ages 2-12 and 65 and older; free for children under 2. Get your tickets at Village Hall, 206 W. Dwight St. and FCB Bank, 201 N. Commercial St. in Albers; Centru Bank in Aviston; Germantown Trust Savings Bank in Germantown and Breese; FCB Bank in New Baden.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 8:19 AM with the headline "Stingrays glide back to zoo’s Caribbean Cove."