A SHORT HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY – and Poems We all know that on Veterans Day we remember and honor those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed forces. But do we know how the tradition started? Quick! What’s the correct answer? Here’s a hint: The first Memorial Day was observed in 1868. Now you know, right? It was …
As summer approaches, performing arts organizations are wrapping up their 2022-23 seasons, and so is the San Antonio Philharmonic. For the final concert of its inaugural season, the orchestra has something special for music lovers, promising to end “with a bang.” And for this special occasion, SA Phil has brought to town conductor Akiko Fujimoto who once served as associate …
By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor Traditional artists painted landscapes, still-lives, religious themes and portraits of mythological and real heroes. San Antonio contemporary painter, Mary Helwick paints heroes, too, but her heroes are working men who work in essential but risky jobs like construction. As a construction manager for the City of San Antonio, Helwick knows and interacts with these men, and …
By PHIL HOUSEAL, Contributing Writer When Chad Matthews, then a Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and producer, decided to start an independent film festival back in 2010, why did he choose Fredericksburg, a tiny Texas town far from the hills of Hollywood? “Fredericksburg is kind of like my second home,” he said in an interview at the time. “As I was …
The big event this weekend is the Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival, the oldest and longest-running conjunto fest in the country. Organized by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, this year’s event “Is shaping up to be an incredible Tejano Conjunto Festival a great line-up and more enthusiasm than ever from conjunto fans,” according the GCAC executive director, Cristina Balli. Most of …
By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor Not long ago, many music lovers feared that San Antonio would be left without a symphonic orchestra after the dissolution of the former San Antonio Symphony. But that did not happen. The musicians of the defunct Symphony didn’t let it happen. They marshaled their talents as both musicians and organizers, and re-created a symphonic orchestra, which …
The San Antonio Philharmonic will present a great concert this weekend! One of the classical repertoire’s most famous and admired symphonies – Beethoven’s Symphony No.3, “Eroica” will be the centerpiece, conducted by Noam Aviel, the former San Antonio Symphony associate conductor. Since leaving San Antonio, Aviel has gained recognition on the international scene with engagements in Iceland, Israel, and with …
By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor The moment you step into Susan Toomey Frost’s house, you notice colorful tile pieces, from practical tables to two-dimensional sculptures and exquisite smaller artwork on the shelves. This lady loves tiles, and she’s been collecting them for a few decades. “I think it’s been part of my life-long interest in old things,” she explains as she …
BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor Shakespeare wrote “Measure by Measure” in 1604 but the Classic Theater of San Antonio is bringing the story into the 21st century. “Measure for Measure” has always been a favorite play of mine,” said Artistic Executive director Jimmy Moore, “and I chose it for this time of the season because I felt it was a really …
NEWS ROUNDUP, May 4, 2023 Lots of good music coming up! Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW) is closing its season with a very promising concert, Expedition, featuring two Russian artists, cellist Boris Andrianov and classical guitarist Dimitri Illarianov. The two will combine classical music with folk tunes in a program that will include music by Albeniz, Vivaldi, Piazzolla and …
