Just as a painter’s use of contrast brings depth to the canvas, periods of absence create a greater appreciation for what returns. For Cheri Rezek, that “return” was to Saint Louis, the city she loves to the core. 

Her first email address bore I💙StLouis as its username. She was born there and stayed there through high school. She got married, moved to Monterey, to Omaha, back to California, hoping to find her way back to her beloved hometown. In 2012, Cheri finally did.

“I missed it terribly. I couldn’t wait to make it back, Cheri said. “I’m a Saint Louis fanatic.”

For Cheri, Saint Louis isn’t just where she lives — it’s where her passions come alive. She lights up when talking about the city’s thriving comedy scene. She treasures just walking the streets and their playful escape into the arts, imagination, something flavorful, or something completely new.

If she were to create a collage of Saint Louis, a piece that paints the city as a colorful blend of scenes and experiences, here’s just a few swaths from her brush.  

A Funny Place to Be.

Since she poked her head in front of the TV at 10:30 p.m. to catch Saturday Night Live as a child, Cheri has long had an affinity for comedy and more specifically, stand-up. Who knew that so many of these hilarious folks she’s finding on YouTube and comedy specials (Pete Holmes, Taylor Tomlinson, Jim Gaffigan, Mike Birbiglia, to name a few) are also coming through her city on a regular basis?

“I’ll never forget, seeing Eddie Murphy playing Gumby, I was hooked. I was into comedy from a very young age. And it seemed like every comedian that I would become obsessed with, it turns out they are touring here.”

The Multicultural Fabric of Saint Louis.

Italian flavors in The Hill, Bosnian pride in Bevo, German roots in Soulard, African American artistry along the riverfront, and countless others. From food to architecture, together, these cultures don’t just coexist; they weave the city’s identity, making St. Louis both deeply local and wonderfully global. Cheri absolutely loves that.

“You wouldn’t expect the Midwest to have such a diverse community, but I feel like Saint Louis in particular does. We have so many different cultures, and ways to experience things that are different than your own. It’s easy, and fun, to travel 10, 20 minutes from where you live and it’s a totally different type of community.”

Exploring the City by Foot.

Whether it’s strolling through the Renaissance Fair, stopping by the neighborhood record store, a visit to the famous zoo, or happening upon the Italian Heritage Parade, there’s plenty to explore on any given day without an itinerary.

“It’s great just to not have a plan for the day, set out on foot and find things to do,” Cheri said. “There are performances and live music and food to explore… I just feel like you never run out of things to do around here.”

Family Comes First.

Cheri’s family roots run deep in the Saint Louis area. Her grandparents have lived inside the city their entire lives. To this day, they’re five minutes away from Cheri. Her dad and his three brothers all live there. Her mom lives in Columbia, IL, a mere 20 minutes away.

Saint Louis? It’s a family kind of place.

“Especially if you have kids. There are so many different events that are kid-friendly; in fact, most things that Saint Louis offers are very inclusive of the entire family.”

Which is a big reason why she loved it in the first place. Why she longed to make it back, and why, as Cheri considers her collage of the city she loves, there’s much more painting left to do.