Arts Alive San Antonio

The COVID-19 pandemic may be on everyone’s mind, but the climate change issue is still the big crisis coming our way even if temporarily forgotten, it seems. The new exhibit at Bihl Haus Arts, Hot Pursuit: A Visual Commentary on Climate Change, featuring the work of artist Sabra Booth, is here to remind us. The show opens online Aug. 15 at www.BihlHausArts.org. “What better time then now when NASA declared the past decade “the hottest on record,” states the press release from the presenting gallery.

In her own statement, the artist cites a recent Stanford University study focusing on the plight of the world’s forests. The researchers found that “the destruction of forests into fragmented patches is increasing the likelihood that viruses and other pathogens will jump from wild animals to humans.” A sobering finding!

But Booth is an artist, dealing with the issue in the way she knows best: through her art. Hot Pursuit  will feature the multimedia  installation, Slick, which comments on the environmental degradation caused by the infamous BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as Light Works, another installation that focuses on the discoloration of coral due to warmer waters. The latter is installed in a specially constructed blackroom in the gallery.  There’s also a series of prints showing the reduced snowfall in Finland caused by global warming (she spent time in Finland thanks to a Fulbright travel grant), and the piece named Mariposa Machismo which looks at the explosion of male brown butterflies in Texas which is apparently attributed to extreme droughts followed by heavy rains.

To view this Hot Pursuit, go to www.BihlHausArts.org or call for more info 210-383-9723

Different stories are told through URBAN-15’s Hidden Histories, a Monday series initiated at couple of years ago. Each month features a different episode. Right now, and through the end of this month, you will be able to view the production team’s favorite segments from 2018-19. To quote the announcement: “For viewers who have only recently tuned in, our August 2020 episode will delve into the origins of and big ideas behind the series, highlighting our most thoughtful, insightful and powerful interviews, guests and performances from seasons One and Two.” To view go to www.facebook.com/urban15/live or www.urban15.org/live-stream

But the organization is also looking ahead to September, and they are inviting you to send your story about your first job for consideration. It should be recorded on a short 30-60 seconds video. THe stories will be incorporated into a new Labor Day episode. For more information call them at 210-279-5818 or email at findus@hiddenhistories.tv!

YOSA, the umbrella name for several young-musician groups, has been showcasing videos of past concerts for the past few months. Next on Aug. 15, will be Purple Rain Live, with YOSA’s Philharmonic conducted by music director Troy Peters, and featuring Alyson Alonzo, Nina Diaz, Fishermen, Mariachi Campanas de America, PM Soul, and a few others. The concert starts at 6 p.m. To view go to YOSA’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/YOSA49/ These youngsters are serious musicians and Peters is a top-notch conductor.

If you are looking for something to entertain the little ones, the Magik Theatre has just what you are looking for: Dragons Love Tacos, a show based on the popular book by the same name. The musical will be streamed, starting Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. To view: https://www.magiktheatre.org/location/online-ptogramming-2/. For information call 210-227-2751. The show will be accessible through Dec. 31, 2020. You can get a range of different streaming passes, from the individual $15 one to the $40 family one. There’s also the pay-what-you-can option, with a minimum donation of $5. A variety of “party packs” are also available.

 Thanks to its capable and hard-working general and artistic director, E Loren Meeker, Opera San Antonio is always coming up with interesting things to keep patrons and the public engaged. This week, we received the announcement that the company will be collaborating with the Houston Grand Opera on two digital projects: the film version of David T. Little’s Vinkensport or The Finch Opera, described as “hilarious,” and a “delightful update of Mozart’s The Impressario. (More about those later.)

For now, you can view OSA’s Explore Opera for Kids videos that are available online, a program that was a collaboration between OSA, the San Antonio Public Library and the San Antonio Opera Guild. You can learn a few things about opera and listen to four accomplished opera singers – referred to as apprentice artists – singing arias from Carmen and La Boheme, plus a rendition of O Sole Mio, the gorgeous Neapolitan song known throughout the world. And here’s a special treat: On Aug. 25, OSA is partnering with Texas Public Radio and the Symphony to present OSA’s 2019 production of Tosca on Tuesday Night at the Opera at 7 p.m. on KPAC. Not to be missed! And it’s free.

You may recall that Luminaria’s executive director resigned a couple of moths ago. The organization is currently seeking her replacement. Should you be interested, you can find out more about it at https://bit.ly/LuminariaED

Our last item today is not related to the arts but it’s important for all of us. Briefly, the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program or EAPP, is in danger of losing funding. Our city leaders want to take the tax money that had been dedicated to aquifer protection for other purposes, such as transportation and work force development. Both are important, of course,  but having access to clean water for us and future San Antonians should come first. If you agree, try to influence city council to put this to a vote in November. Right now, they are trying to avoid that. Yes, they are talking about other sources of funding for EAPP but they remain undefined and the ones mentioned would not be sufficient to do the job.