Arts Alive San Antonio

The official dissolution of the San Antonio Symphony has concluded nearly a year of unsuccessful would-be negotiations between the SAS management and the musicians, and brought the 82-year history of the organization to a sad end.

“By unanimous vote, the Board has initiated the requisite steps to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy,” said the official SAS statement. “The assets of the Symphony now lie in the hands of a Trustee who will liquidate then, pay what creditors remain and close the doors.”

But musicians don’t seem to be too perturbed by the unfortunate development.

“It wasn’t what I was hoping for but I wasn’t terribly shocked,” said Mary Ellen Goree who headed the musicians’ negotiating team. “We are looking forward to the future and making plans to continue bringing the highest caliber of concerts to San Antonio.”

As readers of ARTS ALIVE SAN ANTONIO know, the musicians created their own non-profit, The MOSAS Performance Fund, which produced several well-received concerts recently at the First Baptist Church of San Antonio.  Fundraising will be in their hands from now on.  But right now, it’s summer time and following long-standing tradition, most musicians are leaving for their summer gigs at various festivals and other events. In fact, Goree was on her way out of town when we spoke. Let’s hope for the best!

There’s still some classical music in town this weekend and two festivals are coming up: The Cactus Pear Music Festival and the Annual Mozart Festival, later in July.

The Classical Music Institute is concluding its 2022 Forbidden & Forgotten season with a concert conducted by Leonardo Pineda, featuring music of Franz Schreker, Karl Amadeus Hartmann, Bernard Herrmann and Arthur Bliss. Not familiar with these names? That’s the point of the entire series: to showcase the music of the “Forbidden & Forgotten” composers.  (June 25 at 7:30 p.m.; AlvarezTheater, Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets $10-$35, tickets@tobincenter.org or 210-223-8624)

The County Line Community Band will perform its Concert Favorites and Solos, featuring world renowned saxophonist, Andy Wen, and Tyler Neufer, French horn instrumentalist with the U.S. Air Force Band of the West. Also on the program are favorites of band repertoire such as “Funiculi, Funicula,” “Bugler’s Holiday” and “Lassus Trombone.” (Jube 26 at 3 p.m. at the Buena Vista Theater on UTSA’s downtown campus, free and open to the public; parking is free at the Cattleman’s Square lot across from the theater.)

San Antonio songstress, Azul Barrientos, will be on stage again this weekend at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center.  She is always great, no matter what she sings. This time she is paying tribute to Mexican and Ranchera music pros, Chavela Vargas and Juan Gabriel. She will be accompanied by musicians Juan Cabrera, Emilio Alvarez and Nina Rodriguez. (June 25 at 8 p.m.; 922 San Pedro Ave., 78212; Tickets are $7 at Eventbrite; masks required)

Do you remember Miss American Pie? It was a huge hit back in the 70s. Well, the man who wrote and sang it, Don McLean, is in San Antonio today, June 24. Hurry to get tickets (7:30 p.m. today, June 24; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets $19.70 – $125; 210-223-8624,
tickets@tobincenter.org)

Another concert you may not want to miss is Robert Earl Keen. The veteran performer is planning to retire from touring, so this may be your last chance to see him in a live performance. (June 25 at 8 p.m. Whitewater Amphitheater, 11860 FM 306, New Braunfels; Tickets $50, www.whitewaterrocks.com)

And it’s time again for Fiesta Noche del Rio, the lively show of Mexican song and dance presented every summer at the Arneson River Theater on the River Walk. Lots of mariachi music. (June 24-25 at 8:30 p.m.; You can access the outdoor theater from both the River Walk and La Villita; $20; www.fiestanochesa.com)

A very different kind of stage show will be presented at the Majestic Theater Monday, when the physicist Brian Cox brings his Horizons: A 21^st Century Space Odyssey to San Antonio. He uses LED screens and other tech marvels, to create galaxies, blackholes and other galactic entities in order to answer the most profound questions about existence. The spectacle and the musical score have been praised by reviewers. (June 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; digital tickets only at box-office 210-226-333 or ticketmaster.com, 800-982-2787)

The visual arts are always alive and well in San Antonio. The news from Ruby City is that the art center has just acquired a new work by Isaac Julien that recently premiered at the Barnes in Philadelphia. Titled
“Once Again… (Statues Never Die),” the work is a five-screen film installation. Ruby City also features another Julien work “True North.” The artist, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth on June 1 of this year, will engage in a talk with Ruby City’s director Elyse Gonzalez to discuss “the research process and development of “True North.” (July 14 at 5 p.m.; it will be streamed on Facebook Live. “True North” is on view at Ruby City through July 24. To find out more about “Once Again…” visit www.barnesfoundation.org)

A new exhibit at the Art Gallery Prudencia features San Antonio artists Stefani Job Spears and Joseph Hammer under the title of “Reflections on Nature/Reflection on Humanity,” opening Saturday. Spears is also included in the current GAGA exhibit at the San Antonio Art League and Museum. GAGA is an organization of women artists who work in a variety of media and styles. {Opening reception at Art Gallery Prudencia (2518 N. Main Ave) is scheduled for June 25, 2-4 p.m.; on view till July 30. The GAGA exhibit will be on view through July 18. The artists included are Dona Walston, Barbara Felix, Bibi Saidi, Lesta Frank, Paula Sussman, Nancy Wood, and others, including the organization’s founder Sylvia Benitez. SAALM is at 130 King William, 210-223-1140}

“Wow: Wonderful Old Women” is on view at the Bihl haus Arts. With this show, artist Gabbe Grodin, pays homage to the inspiring and powerful women in her life. (Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd., on view through July 30.; www.bihlhausarts.org)

And there a newcomer on the visual arts scene: Estancia Del Norte Hotel, which is volunteering to host arts events. Currently you can see an exhibit by San Antonio artist Allison Gregory called “San Antonio.” It will be on view through Aug. 15. (37 NE Loop 410 at McCullough Ave., 78216)

An artwork by well-known San Antonio sculptor, Bill FitzGibbons, has been chosen by Codaworx as one of the 100 best international public art pieces for 2022. The title of the work is “Stockyard Spectrum.” Now he needs help from y’all in casting votes for the organization’s People’s Choice Award.  To vote  https://www.codaworx.com/codaawards/2022-codaawards-top-100/

And here’s something that all nonprofit arts organizations may benefit from. The San Antonio fundraising guru, Jim Eskin, has restarted his series of webinars, and one is coming up. It will feature Margi Helschien, who apparently knows how to make things happen. (June 29, 4-5 p.m. For more info and to register, go to www.eskinfundraisingtraining.com)