News Roundup, 1/30/2025

For its Classics V Concert, The San Antonio Philharmonic will play Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.1 in F Minor, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 in E Minor. Jeffrey Kahane will conduct and pianist Natasha Paremski will perform “Chokfi” by Jerod Impichcchaachaaha Tate, described as a “mesmerizing composition.” He is an American (Chikasaw) Indian composer who expresses his native culture in symphonic …

Review of “Non-Monolith” a Group Art Exhibition

By Jean Hackett DreamWeek Exhibit Painter Mav Pascal describes “Non-Monolith,” an exhibit featuring works by fifteen Black male artists as “a creative space for Black men to express themselves in real time. An expression Pagainst the stigma of being a Black man with no emotions, being all the same.”  The DreamWeek pop up gallery at La Zona Cultural, sponsored by …

News Roundup, 1,16,2025

The San Antonio Philharmonic’s Classics IV: “American Voices – A Symphonic Journey” will be performed Jan. 17 and 18 at the Majestic Theater. The list of composers is impressive and it certainly makes us curious and eager to hear their music. This “journey” will be led (conducted) by music director Jeffrey Kahane, and will feature two soloists: pianist Jon Kimura …

News Roundup, 1/10/2025

The San Antonio Philharmonic has announced that it plans to relocate its upcoming concerts to the Scottish Rite Concert Hall. The restored former Scottish Rite Temple will now host the concerts originally scheduled for First Baptist Church. This “strategic move is driven by artistic and economic considerations,aligning with our long-term vision for stability and sustainability,” says the announcement. This move …

Book Review

“SAVE OUR SOULS” By Matthew PearlReviewed Steven G. Kellman Survival in the North Pacific             In Johann Davis Wyss’s novel Swiss Family Robinson (1812), William, Elizabeth, and their four sons are shipwrecked on an idyllic island in the East Indies. They learn important lessons about resourcefulness, cooperation, and faith, and the experience is so positive that when, ten years later, …

News Roundup, 1/3/2025

Though the holidays are behind us at this point, there are new and interesting arts happening coming up. Many admirers of the late singer Selena are looking forward to “Selena Vive!” the musical tribute to her memory. Selena’s songs will be performed by Isabel Marie Sanchez accompanied by the San Antonio Philharmonic orchestra, conducted by Felipe Tristan, a GRAMMY-winning conductor. …