News Roundup, Aug. 24, 2023
As the end of the summer is approaching, the arts scene is getting livelier. So, let’s get right into it.
SAY SI, the arts education program for middle and high school youth, will have its annual fundraising auction event: Small Scale – Big Impact. The auction features a wide range of art works by both well-established artists and the rising stars. The proceeds benefit the arts education programs of the organization. Events schedule: Free previews: Aug. 25, Sept. 1, 8 and 15; 5-7 p.m. Final auction day, Sept. 22, 6-9 p.m., $100 at the door. The free previews also feature special presentations with artists. (Say Si,
1310 S. Brazos, 210-201-4950; https://saysi.org)
Another art auction is “Sacred Art of Altars: One People, Many Paths,” taking place at the San Antonio Art League and Museum. SAALM is only hosting the exhibit that’s organized by Celebration Circle. It’s a show of small, portable “shrines,” all created by individual artists. The themes are left to the artists. The only unifying aspect is the size and shape of the wooden box (shrine). If we remember correctly, most sold out last year. (Meet the Artists Reception, where bidding begins, is Sept. 1, 5:30-$7:30 p.m. The show closes Sept. 16. (SAALM, 130 King William St.,78204; 210-223-1140, www.saalm.org)
The Witte Museum is opening a significant photo exhibit featuring the work of Al Rendon, who has been documenting Tejano life in South Texas for decades. Titled “Mi Cultura – Bringing Shadows into the Light,” it is a 50-year retrospective exhibition of Rendon’s work. A commemorative book on his career has also been published. The show features more than 40 photographs, beginning with the touring rock & roll concerts “he hustled to capture in the 1970s.” He later focused on conjunto and Tejano musicians of San Antonio, including the legendary Selena, and people and traditions of this area. The exhibition also includes a re-creation of his darkroom and equipment that, in the age of digital photography, may be educational for young visitors. (Opens Sept. 2; closes January 7, 2024, the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway; www.wittemuseum.org)
Last week, we promised to tell you more about the current McNay Museum’s exhibit: “Dreamland: Tim Burton’s’ ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.” As described, it’s a fairly large show that includes small-scale maquettes, used for the 1993 film, with artworks from the museum’s collection that in some way resonate with the movie’s themes. We found the art by far more interesting than those models but children were obviously attracted to those 3D Constructions. Older children seem to have fun, urging the accompanying parent to linger in front of a maquette scene longer, until they, the kids, could take it all in. Some of the art is pretty spooky, too. Represented artists are Pablo Picasso, Eugene Berman, Marilyn Lanfear (the late San Antonio artist who made “cute” little dresses made of led); Willem de Koonig, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Mel Casa, Ken Little, Seymour Lipton, Carl Rice Embrey, and others. It’s an interesting and unusual show. Ken Little’s “Red and Turquoise Elk” is an impressive presence at the end of the gallery. Oh, and there are Christmas Trees everywhere. (On view through Jan. 14, 2024; tickets $20, kids under 12 free; McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., 78209; 210-805-1754,
www.mcnayart.org)
As already mentioned, FOTOSEPTIEMBRE Festival is just around the corner. In fact, a few exhibits have already opened. The founder, Michael Mehl, curates a number of exhibits online, and you can already access those at https://fotoseptiembre.com. One in-person exhibit that’s already open is Juan O’Gorman, Architect of Reality, Painter of the Imaginary and the Fantastical at the UNAM San Antonio Gallery in Hemisphere. According to the UNAM press release, he is “one of the greatest Mexican artists whose work has left an indelible mark on contemporary art and architecture. (UNAM San Antonio, 600 Hemisfair Plaza Way, 78205; 210-222-8626; for more info, you can contact aavalos@unamsa.edu)
And the SA to SA photography exhibit is still going strong at the Centro de Artes in Market Square. It features the work of photographers from Latin American countries and from San Antonio.
The San Antonio Philharmonic and the chamber music groups have all returned home, so fall will be full of music. This weekend, however, only the Olmos Ensemble will have the final concert of its summer series. It will again take place at the Shepherd King Lutheran Church, 303 West Ramsey, 78216, on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 3 p.m.; free and open to the public.
Other music events that came to our attention:
“Mezclas Acustica,” featuring the great songstress, Azul Barrientos and flutist, Katchie Cartright. (Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. and Aug 27 at 3 p.m.; doors open 30 minutes before the show; (Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave., tickets $7-$21 at www.esperanza.eventbrite.com)
Jazz/R&B saxophonist Boney James brings his Detour Tour to the Empire Theater this weekend. (Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.; tickets are $49-$212; via Ticketmaster.
San Antonio talented guitarist and songwriter, Ruben V, will perform Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at the 4-Way Bar & Grill, 9742 FM 1283, Lake Hills, Texas.His music is a blend of blues, soul, Latin and rock, that audiences cannot get enough of.
The Dirty River Jazz Band Live will be at the Swing Shift, Sunday. Aug. 27, playing two sets of live jazz. First starts at 12:30 p.m. (1705 Blanco Rd.)
San Antonio Contra Dance & Song Society is going to throw a dance party Saturday, with the help of the Lone Star Pirates musicians. (411 S.W. 24th St., 78207; OLLU Multicultural Arts ad Recreation Center.)
The Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, known as YOSA, will hold auditions for mariachi musicians this weekend. The mariachi will be part of some of YOSA’s upcoming concerts. (Aug 27 at 3:30 p.m.; Alamo Heights High School, 6900 Broadway. To find out more about requirements go to www.yosa.org/events)
And speaking of mariachi, registration for the 29th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Competition opens on Sept. 1. Every year, students, directors and mariachi aficionados travel to San Antonio to experience one of the largest mariachi festivals in the world. The Extravaganza is a week-long event that includes workshops, competitions and a concert.
And here’s something that many of our readers may be interested in. That’s all of you Beatles fans! The company behind the Majestic and Empire Theaters – The Ambassador Group – is bringing to us
1964 The Tribute. (Aug. 26 at 8 p.m., Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; tickets are $35 to $49; via Ticketmaster.
Over at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, they are launching their new 100A theater program with a home-grown production of the hilarious play “The 39 Steps.” It’s a famous, fast-paced whodunit that will feature four actors portraying some 150 zany characters. That takes stamina in addition to talent. We can’t wait to see it. (Aug. 31 through Sept. 9, Carlos Alvarez Theater; tickets are $35 at Tobin’s box office, 100 Auditorium Circle or tickets@tobincenter.org; You can also call 210-223-8624)
Another comedy, though of a different type, will be presented at the Jewish Community Center. Titled “Senior Moments” and written by funny local playwright, Linda Kaufman, it’s a musical revue that features a cast of three: Cassandra Small, Kim Bianco and Phil Marzec. (Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 27 at 3 and 7 p.m.; Jewish Community Center, 12500 N.W. Military Highway; tickets are $25-$30; call 210-302-6827 or email cutlerc@jcc-sa.org)
“Into the Woods” will open at the Wonder Theater, Sept. 1. More about that show next week. The Wonder Theater is still in its old home, The Woodlawn Theater. They still plan to vacate those premises by the end of the year to move into new digs in the Wonderland of the Americas Mall. No word about what will happen to the Woodlawn, which is comfortable and a good-size theater.
Creekside Sessions: Comedy and Conversation is an evening shared with Texas-based comedians Avery Moore, Genivive Clinton, Sona Trevino and Angelina Martin, hosted by TPR’s Tori Pool. Following an-hour-long comedy show, the comedians will be joined by Stephanie Guerra who will moderate the conversation with audience Q&A on the state of women in comedy. On that topic, we have been watching quite a few funny ladies on Netflix. (Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.; Alvarez Theater, 321 W. Commerce St., 78205; for more info, call TPR at 210-614-8977.)
The San Antonio African-American Community Archive and Museum offers a monthly community film series. This month they’ll be offering both a screening and a panel discussion. The film is “Judas and the Black Messiah” which is described as “both compelling and thought provoking.” (6 p.m. Aug 25, at the Magik Theater, 420 S. Alamo, 78205; 210-227-2751)
Cinema Tuesday will screen “Red River,” a film in which John Wayne reportedly showed off a darker side of his screen persona as a frontiersman. (Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m., Santikos Northwest Theater, 7600 I-10 West, 78230.; for more info call 210-614-8977)