ST. LOUIS (AP) — A five-day celebration of English playwright William Shakespeare begins Wednesday in St. Louis with the first of 38 free performances at 38 different venues across town.

"Shake 38 Live" opens with a 10 a.m. outdoor reading of the Bard's "King John" at Tower Grove Park. The official kick-off happens later Wednesday with a 6 p.m. performance of "Love's Labor Lost" accompanied by a live orchestra at the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis headquarters. Other performances and readings take place at libraries, restaurants, coffee houses and city parks.

The organization will also present free performances of "Henry IV" and "Henry V" in Forest Park starting in May.