Arts Alive San Antonio

This weekend you have the opportunity to enjoy a very special treat. The Austin Baroque Orchestra is back in action after several years. The period-instrument ensemble focuses on the Iberian world: Latin America. Spain and Portugal; also, France and Italy. They have done a lot of research about music predating the 1755 devastating earthquake that practically destroyed Portugal’s capital of Lisbon.
They explain that one reason Portuguese music is so little studied by scholars outside of Portugal is due to the complete destruction of the country’s capital city. Along with tens of thousands of human casualties, the cultural and artistic loss was staggering. The upcoming concert is the result of two years of research. Artistic director, Billy Traylor, is a graduate student in musicology at the University of North Texas.

Austin Baroque Orchestra

The concert will give listeners a taste of Lisbon’s rich musical life in the years surrounding the earthquake. Some music did survive the disaster. The upcoming program will feature some of these “survivors,” including, works from the Patriarchal Chapel, the Royal Opera and the city’s other major churches and palaces. (Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.; St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 E. Nueva, 78205; tickets $10-$25 at www.austinbaroqueorchestra.org)

The New Braunfels based Mid-Texas Symphony is celebrating music and romance in a fun way. Patrons will be getting chocolates to taste during the concert. The music director is Akiko Fujimoto, whom many San Antonians will remember from her time here as the associate conductor with the San Antonio Symphony. She’s had a successful career ever since with three prominent orchestras, in addition to appearances with numerous others.

The program of the “Romance and Chocolate” concert holds many beloved compositions such as a segment from Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana,” Gershwin’s Overture to “Crazy Girl,” Mancini’s “Moon River,” Maxime Goulet’s “Chocolats Symphonique,” and other uplifting pieces. And the event is just down the road on I-35. (Feb 15 at 7:30 p.m.; New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center, 375 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130; tickets are $32-$57, www.ci.ovationtix.com)

As you know, February is Black History Month, and there are many special events. Musical Bridges Around the World produced a documentary film, “The Quilt” which explores African-American music history and musical genres. Screenings will take place this month at the Central Library and at some branch libraries. It’s an educational documentary and kids are encouraged to attend. Children can participate in activities that will be led by dancer Tanesha Payne, poet Andrea “Vocab” Sandersen and actress Cynthia Freeman Gibbs. (Feb. 17 at 1:30 p.m., 600 Soledad; to find out more check www.musicalbridges.org/quilt/)

“The Quilt” will also be screened at the University Presbyterian Church, Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3-5 p.m., free. (300 Bushnell Ave., 78212)

At the Carver Community Cultural Center there’s always a lot going on and this weekend is no exception.
Saxophonist, Lakecia Benjamin, who is described as an electric presence, will perform at the Jo Long Theater. She has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Christian McBride and The Roots. (Feb. 17 at 8 p.m.; tickets are $19-$39 via Ticketmaster.)

Black Violin is a hip-hop duo of classically trained instrumentalists: Kevin Sylvester (violin) and Wilner Baptist (viola). They have a distinct sound, apparently referred to as “classical boom.” According to concert announcement, NPR declared “Their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.” (Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.; The Espee, 1174 E. Commerce, 78205, you can get tickets in person at the Majestic Theater’s box office, 224 E. Houston; by phone 1-888-246-3185; the Espee box office on
Hoefgen Avenue is only open on the day of the event.; This is a bit confusing but here’s where to ask questions: questionstheespee@theambassadors.com)

The famous Gipsy Kings are also being brought to town by The Ambassadors group. The group is very popular throughout Europe and N. America and has sold more than 14 million albums worldwide. Their rendition of “Hotel California” was included in the film “The Big Lebowski” and the HBO series “Entourage.” Theirs is a music that extends through generations, to the sounds of their ancestors – the Spanish Romani – Gitanos – who fled Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War. (Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; tickets at https://www.majesticempire.com/events)

The DooWop Project covers a broad range of styles, from group singing developed by inner-city African-American singing tight harmonies on a street corner to big radio hits of today. The musical, The DooWop Project, recreates and reimagines some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history.
(Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, 290 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels 78139; tickets $45-$73; 830-708-6430, boxoffice@brauntex.org)

The San Antonio Brass Band is presenting “Meet the Family,” featuring the various sections of the British Style Brass Band, including their cornet-flugel, tenor horn-baritone, trombone and euphonium-bass-sections. The concert will also feature the entire band performing “some very entertaining pieces from our library.” That sure sounds interesting! The concert will help the band prepare for the upcoming North American Brass Band Championship in April. (Sunday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.; UTSA Recital Hall. 1604 campus, One UTSA Circle, 78249, 210-458-4011; info@sabrass.org)

There’s news in the literary community, too, which doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves! Gemini Ink, the best-known local literary organization, has a lot coming up for interested writers. We’ll list them by date. Feb.21: Veterans Writing Collective with Sarah Colby via Zoom; and, The Big Texas Author Talk featuring Mag Gabbert and her book “Sex Depression Animals.”
Feb. 22: Spring Open House, 7-8:30 p.m.; free, in person
Feb. 26: Open Writers Labs, in-person and via Zoom. For more info check out the Gemini Ink site,
https://geminiink.org.

Since it’s Black History Month, Gemini Ink is also offering “Unexplored Greats: A Study of Lesser Known African-American Authors” in a two-session-workshop where participants will study the works of non-mainstream African-American authors. Participants will explore those writers’ narrative and lyrical license, while learning to craft their own writing. Upcoming session is on Feb. 19. It will be led by poet and fiction writer Arrie Porter. (In person and via Zoom; for details visit the Gemini Ink link above.)

San Antonio writer, Juan Tejeda, has written a book about his relative and U.S. Congressman, Frank Mariano Tejeda, which he describes as “a family memoir and biography of the congressman.” It’s titled “Mi Carnal Frank” and it’s published by Flowersong Press. The book launch is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18 at the B&N Events Center. Conjunto music will be performed by Flavio Longoria and Armando Tejeda and refreshment will be served. Book presentation and reading. (Feb 18. 2-5 p.m. B&N Center, 3705 Roosevelt Ave.)

The Ekphrastic Poetry Contest is underway. Organized as part of the upcoming National Poetry Month in April, it is open to all poets, adult and youth. Deadline for submission is March 8. Ekphrastic poetry is poetry inspired by works of visual art. To find out more, read our article “Ekphrastic Poetry is Part of National Poetry Month” on this site. Send up to two poems to EkphrasticPoetryContest1@gmail.com. A reading of winning poems is scheduled for April 27 at Ruby City, at 10 a.m.

Did you know that the Latino Bookstore hosts a free Texas Author Series every second Friday of the month at 6 p.m.? Tony Diaz –“El Librotraficante” – is the literary curator at the store, located at 1300 Guadalupe St., 78207. The book store is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

URBAN-15 has officially selected 13 winners of the 17^th JOSIAH MEDIA FESTIVAL. The winners hail from five countries and are split into 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place among four film categories: Narrative, Documentary, Experimental and Animation. The awards celebration is on Feb 17 at urban15.org/live-stream (for more,
go to https://urban15.org or call 210-736-1500.)

More film news! The San Antonio Film Commission, a division of the City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts and Culture, has launched its annual #FilmSA Contest. The 2024 contest’s purpose is to inspire youth to explore the art and craft of filmmaking while expanding their knowledge of and appreciation for San Antonio. Submission deadline is March 25 at 4:30 p.m. A prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the highest-scoring entry in each category in two age groups: 14-17 and 18-21. The guidelines about how to enter can be found at www.FilmSanAntonio.com.