Day of the Dead Fest, Special Shows, Music and Poetry

News Roundup

Celebrations of Dia de Los Muertos are fairly familiar to most San Antonians but the new Day of the Dead San Antonio festival intends to mark the traditional day of remembrance with a huge city-wide lineup of events, including a new river parade,(Nov.1, 7 p.m.), three days of activities in La Villita, special art exhibitions, a 5K race, and installations of calaveras (decorated skulls), catrinas (skeletal human figures in costumes) and altars in a number of locations in and around downtown. Though conceived and produced by a private company, the fest has received support from the city and the Visit San Antonio agency, as well as a sponsorship from H-E-B.

One exhibit we can recommend is Almas Creativa: A Tribute to Mexican Huichol Art at the Briscoe Museum of Western Art. Newly created in Mexico by Huichol Indians, the calaveras and catrinas in the show are decorated with millions of tiny beads in colorful intricate designs. The dress that the Frida Kahlo figure wears, for instance, is the handiwork of 30 artisans who worked six months to complete the fanciful attire.

Also interesting are the giant calaveras made by prominent San Antonio artists, including Joe de la Cruz, Andy Benavides, Christina Noriega, Alex Rubio and others. You will find these in La Villita, at the Pearl and downtown. And there’s a huge figure of Selena in a beaded dress at the corner of S. Alamo and Market streets. (For more information, see related article on this site).

Remembering the departed is a both a Christian and pre-Columbian indigenous tradition and it can be both solemn and festive. The new festival takes care of the latter. You are on your own when it comes to the former. If you want to learn how to create your own altar to honor a loved one, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center can teach you how (Nov. 1, 6-11 p.m.; Guadalupanita Patio, at the corner of El Paso and Brazos streets; 210-271-3151)

For a different Dia de los Muertos experience you can attend the closing performance of Bunnicula – the classic tale about a dancing cat, a howling dog and a vampire bunny- at the Magik Theater. Lobby activities begin at 5:30 p.m.; show 6:30 p.m. (Magik Theater, 420 S. Alamo; magiktheatre.org)

In the same spirit, the Agarita Chamber Players, is planning to present Muertitos Fest Con Musica event in collaboration with Say Si Spoken Word Young Artists, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. According to the announcement it will be an “exploration of Mestizo, the convergence of cultures and indigenous roots of this region.” That means a lot of good music by composers from different cultures such as Williams, Ponce, Ravel, Molly Joyce, Jessica Meyer and Ginastera. (Say Si, 1518 S. Alamo, 78204; free)

For more good music, buy tickets to YOSA’s Russian Fireworksconcert at the Tobin Center (Nov.3, 7 p.m.). Joining the gifted young musicians will be YOSA alumna and 2018 Sphinx Medal of Excellence Winner, cellist Christine Lamprea. On the program: Dmitri Shostakovich’ Cello Concerto No.1; Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird, and two pieces by contemporary American composers, Stella Sung and George Walker, who won the Pulitzer Prize for music (died in 2018). www.tobincenter.org, www.yosa.org

And here’s something that will blow your mind: Aerial Horizon, a company of performing aerial artists who, just like the name implies, perform high in the air using silks (fabric bundles suspended from the ceiling), or other contraptions such as harnesses, cubes, or loops. It’s a little like what you have seen circus artists do but a whole lot more sophisticated, more artistic and breathtaking. The company is presenting its adult students’ showcase Sunday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. (Aerial Horizon, 6203 Krempen Ave., Suite 101, 78233; 210-908-7816, aerial-horizon.com.)

A very different performance will happen Friday at 7 p.m. at the Blue Star Contemporary where artist Joey Fauerso will activate her large black-and-white installation in the main gallery. We assume she will not be challenging the laws of gravity. Three other smaller exhibits are currently also on view at Blue Star. (116 Blue Star; www.bluestarcontemporary.org

Poets and aspiring poets may want to check out Popcorn & Poetry, a regular program of Voices de la Luna which is both a writing workshop and an open mic reading. It’s taking place Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Franklin Park Independent Living, 230 W. Sunset Rd. You can also join the regulars for a “no-host” meal beforehand at Taco Garage, 8403 Broadway. www.voicesdelaluna.org

And here’s a bit that Ballet lovers will appreciate: Ballet San Antonio is offering a 20% discount on tickets for the upcoming performances of “The Nutcracker” except for the most expensive box seating. The offer is valid until Dec. 8. You have to use the discount code “Comeback.” However – pay attention! – if you buy your tickets before midnight on Nov.1, you get a 30% discount. Contact the Tobin, 210-223-8624 or tickets@tobincenter.org

———————————————-