News Roundup, July 27, 2023
Summer is a time for festivals and there two coming up.
The fun and lively, Balcones Heights Jazz Fest returns to the Wonderland of the Americas Mall’s outdoor amphitheater this Friday, for one night only. It’s the 30th anniversary for the popular fest, organized by the City of Balcones Heights, which is also marking a milestone – the 75th anniversary of its founding.
The evening will start with San Antonio Transit, a 10-member local band that has made a name for itself as a Chicago tribute band. According to news commentary, they sound just like the iconic band they are honoring. All the hits are there, from “Saturday in the Park,” to “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is.” They will be followed by saxophonist and composer, Marion Meadows, who will play in the second part of the show. Radio personality, David Munoz will host.
This is an outdoor event, where the audience sits on a grassy hillside overlooking a small lagoon, just outside of the mall. There’s no reserved seating; it’s strictly on a first-come, first served basis. Beverages will be available for sale. Additional refreshments are available inside the mall. (July 28, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.; Wonderland of the Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg RD., 78201; for more info, call 210-957-2992 or info@bhtx.gov; free)
The other festival is the San Antonio Film Festival, which celebrates 29 years of bringing the independent films to the big screen. The six-day fest will be held August 1-6, at three different screening locations: the Tobin Center, the Radius Center which is across the street from the Tobin – and the Palladium Santikos Theater. More than 200 films will be screened, including feature films, documentaries, blocks of short films and films by San Antonio filmmakers.
The opening night film is “THE ADAULTS,” a new comedic drama, directed by Dustin Guy Defa, and starring Michael Cera, Hannah Gross, and Sophia Lillis. It will be screened at the Palladium on opening day.
Other features are: “American Teen,” “American Meltdown,” “Dangerous Ones,” “Stag,” “Golden Girls” of Texas,’ “The Dancing Monkey,” “I Am Not,” and “80 Years Later.”
Maverick Award winner and native San Antonian, actor Kevin Alejando will return to SAFILM with the film “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” a story of two teens as they explore their friendship and the challenging road to self-discovery. Eva Longoria has a role in the film. This one will be screened at the Palladium on Aug. 2.
There is also a foodie film category, showing short, culinary-themed films. In addition to film screenings, the festival also provides opportunities for filmmakers to meet and interact. To see the full schedule and but tickets, go to www.safilm.com.
So, what else is going on?
There are two great dance events coming up: a tap dance festival and a flamenco show. The former is a long tradition created by the Third Coast Rhythm Project, a studio and company founded by Barbara
Phillips to teach and enjoy this very American dance art. The 24th Summer Tap Festival is scheduled for July 27-30 at the Art Beat Dance Center in Cedar Park, TX., a suburb of Austin. Truly in central Texas!
Among the featured stars of tap who will be part of the fest, are big names, such as Jay Fagan, Nicole Hockenberry, Karissa Royster, Sarah Savelli, Tre Dumas, Brenna Kuhn, Terrence Bennett, and Barbara Phillips. They will both teach and perform in the annual showcase. (For more info and to register to participate contact TCRP at 210-348-8005 or info@thirdcoastrhythm.com); Should you want to take classes, visit TCRP at 1923 Lockhill Selma Rd., Suite 101, 78213.
The other dance showcase is Celebrando Tradiciones, at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center that features the Guadalupe Dance company, masters of flamenco. The dancers will be accompanied by guitarist Steve Arispe, percussionist Edwardo Rios and the terrific singer Chayito Champion. Not to be missed for fans of Spanish dance, especially since this is the last chance to see these wonderful artists on stage before the renovation of the Guadalupe Theater starts. And we all know that those renovation projects go on for longer than predicted. (Aug. 11 at 8 p.m., Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., 78207; 210-271-3151; tickets are $15-$30; $150 for a table for four; by phone, 210-271-3151 or online at
www.gudalupeculturalarts.org)
And, since we are talking about dance, let’s remind our readers that Fiesta Noche Del Rio, the colorful and dynamic showcase of Mexican song and dance at the Arneson River Theater on the River Walk, will soon conclude its season. But you can still see it this weekend and for a couple of shows next weekend.
(Friday-Saturday at 8:30 p.m.; tickets are $8-$20, at HEB or online. For more call the Alamo Kiwanis Club
at 210-226-4651 or visit https://fiestanochesa.com)
The Tobin is bringing to town Benise, who started playing as a street performer. He, too, likes flamenco.
“I wanted to push the boundaries of traditional Nuevo Flamenco/Spanish Guitar, while combining the elements of dance and theater. This show is a celebration of music, love and life,” he said. He has produced his own music-and-dance shows that included drums, Gypsy violin, flamenco dancers, Brazilian samba, African tribal drummers and more. So, we should be curious to see his show. (July 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Tobin Center HEB Performance Hall; 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets start at $39.50; tickets@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8624)
Blues-Rock artist Eric Gales, who was named “Best New Talent” by Guitar World Magazine’s readers in 1991 released his first record at age 16 “to an amazing response from the media and music fans.” According to reports, his guitar playing works listeners into a frenzy and big names like Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton and B.B. King are admirers. You have the opportunity to see him perform his musical magic at a concert in Humble, TX this weekend. (Eric Gales in Concert, July 29 at 7 p.m.; Charles Bender Performing Arts Center, 611 Higgins St., Humble, TX 77338; 281-446-4140;https://www.humblepac.com/)
The rock band, Imagination Movers is kind of unique.The New Orleans-based group specializes in music for the whole family, with music that parents can enjoy and lyrics that children can relate to. You may take your kids to their show this weekend. (July 29, 2-3 p.m., doors open at 1 p.m.; Arcadia Theater, 717 Water Street, Kerrville, TX; tickets are $24.50 -$34.50 at www.ci.ovationtix.com)
And for something different again, there’s The 2023 San Antonio Reggae Festival, with a number of bands and performers, plus food and “cultural vendors.” Several performers are actually from Jamaica, like Alex “Rebel” Marley and the Link & Chain band. There are covered pavilions in the park to shelter you from the sun. (July 29, 2-11 p.m.; Rosedale Park, 303 Dartmouth St.; tickets: https://ticketstripe.com/2023-SAN-ANTONIO-Reggae-FEST)
Let’s look at the Visual Arts scene!
Bihl Haus Arts is opening a new show: Pearls of Wisdom, showcasing the work of two of its arts education groups – the GO! ARTS program, and the FORWARD ARTS program. The former is oriented towards retired adults, while the latter was founded to help military veterans and their families. Both groups have very accomplished artists in their midst. (July 29, 7-9 p.m. opening receptions; 2803 Fredericksburg RD., located inside the Sorento Apartment complex.; According to the release, “creative writing” is also involved. That may mean reading of poetry or something similar. Free.)
And here’s something unusual: Cochineala – nature and art series. It’s also described as a “Bioluminescence” event. You’ll learn about organisms that emit light in the dark, and Glow-in-the-dark painting and live screen printing. Not much is explained, but it sure tickles curiosity. The best description is this: “Cochineala is a new quarterly performance series blending nature and the arts. This series utilizes art as a medium for exploring scientific endeavors, all through the creative lens of local artists and musicians. If you go, please share your experience with us, via a comment below. (July 30, 7-10 p.m.; Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell, 78210; for more info call 210-224-2694 or email sara@sariverfound.org)
We are going to include two theater events here. The Classic Theater of San Antonio is currently presenting “Peter and the Starcatcher,” based on a novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and adapted for the stage by Rick Elice. It’s described as a re-interpretation of “Peter Pan” and even as its prequel. Author Pearson will visit virtually for a talk-back session on July 28, after the performance. You can also enjoy pre-show musical entertainment every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Shows take place at the Radius Center, across the street from the Tobin.For more, visit www.classictheatre.org.
The other thespian event is part of the 100A, atheater producing program at the Tobin Center. It’s a brand-new initiative under the supervision of Rick Frederick. (To read more about it, see the article about 100A on this site.) The upcoming event is a reading of a play – “A Dog’s House” by Micah Schraft – by actors in the presence of an audience, most likely, a lot of their colleagues. Readings will be followed by discussions. The readings are referred to as Industry Night Readings that will take place on Monday nights when actors are not likely to be on stage in other local shows. You can purchase a ticket, like for any other show. (July 31 at 7 p.m.; Alvarez Theater; Box office 210-223-8624 or tickets@tobincenter.org.)
On the literary scene, there’s Josh Rountree in Conversation with Johnny Compton, talking about his new book, “The Legend of Charlie Fish” (July 27 at 6 p.m.; Nowhere Bookshop, 5154 Broadway, 78209; 210-640-7260; www.nowherebookshop.com)
“Brewing History is American History, Too,” is a talk presented by Theresa McCulla at the San Antonio Museum of Art in connection with the current exhibit about the museum’s history as a brewery. (July 28 at 6 p.m.; SAMA, 200 W. Jones Ave., 78215; free for members; $5 for all others.