Arts Alive San Antonio

The Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, known as YOSA had to cancel the December showcase involving more than 400 young musicians due to growing concerns over the new wave of COVID infections. Needless to say, the musicians were disappointed as were their instructors and audiences. At the time, YOSA promised a virtual showcase in January and it is delivering on the promise. Named “YOSA High Notes,” the concert series starts Monday, Jan. 25 and continues through Jan. 31. Fourteen different ensembles will be featured, including string groups, a brass quintet, a wind instruments quintet, a “flute choir,” YOSA’s Symphony and two philharmonic orchestras. The music starts at 4 p.m. each day for seven days. To watch go to https://www.yosa.org/watchlive. After they premiere, the performances will continue to be available on YOSA’s Facebook page and on YouTube.

This Sunday, Jan. 24, another concert should draw your attention: “Il Favorito,” a virtual event which is part of Musical Bridges Around the World’s Musical Evenings at the San Fernando Cathedral. Italian pianist Leonardo Colafelice earned the “favorito” moniker (meaning “favorite”) a year ago when he won the Audience Favorite Award at the 2020 Gurwitz International Piano Competition here in San Antonio. He also received the bronze medal at that time. The concert is part of DreamWeek San Antonio. The performance was filmed in Italy in the city of Altamura where Colafelice lives. (7 p.m. Jan. 24; free ticket link to be included in raffle prizes: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/119768489777; Livestreamed on MBAW’s website: https://musicalbridges.org/watch/) No program information is available.

Other arts-related DreamWeek events are: “Using Poetry to connect in times of Displacement,” on Jan. 22 at 11 a.m., a free virtual discussion on Zoom, https://uiw.zoom.us/j/93642086392; The 2021 African Market Festival at Brick in the Blue Star Complex. Admission $10; and “Emerging to My Secret Self,” a virtual poetry event sponsored by the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, free. In addition, a flamenco dance program, “Gritto de los Arboles,” presented by Arte y Pasion, will be streamed Saturday at 7 p.m. ($10 at www.arte-y-pasion.com; the Zoom link will be sent to ticket buyers.)

A Night of Music with Paul Cauthen and special guest William Beckmann is on the calendar at Sam’s Burger Joint for Sunday, Jan. 24. The Tyler native has made a name for himself as a gritty country/Americana singer/songwriter who writes songs inspired by his own life. Doors open at 7 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m. (Tickets – all seating at tables 6-feet apart from each other) $140-$300. Buy through www.eventbrite.com/e/paul-cauthen-tickets)

The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts is inviting you to join in the worldwide virtual viewing of the 1981 Sam Raimi classic “The Evil Dead,” this Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. The screening will include live commentary by Bruce Campbell who will share memories and anecdotes from the film, and will, apparently, even answer a few questions from the viewers. The video will be available to view for 48 hours after the live event. (Tickets $25-$50; check Tobin Center’s site www.tobincenter.org.)

The City of San Antonio has unveiled another public art installation at Comanche Lookout Park. Designed by artists Carlos Cortes and Doroteo Garza, Najo Jam (Our Home) is a multi-piece installation that features stylized benches, a planter and a monument symbolizing “peyotism” used in indigenous religious ceremonies. The artwork pays tribute to Native American ancestors of South Texas. It is executed in a style known as trabajo rustico, which makes reinforced concrete look like wood and stone.

The San Antonio Art League and Museum is currently showing its delayed 2020 Artist of the Year exhibit, featuring the unique work of photographic artist Ansen Seale. Known for technical and artistic innovation, Seale’s photography transforms the medium itself to create semi-abstract images that “record a hidden reality” and “expand our ability to perceive more about the nature of reality.” His artwork is in the permanent collections of the San Antonio Museum of Art, The Harry Ransom Center at UT Austin and in a museum in Salta, Argentina. He also creates 3-D works that combine sculptural and light features. Seale is going to be at SAALM on every Friday afternoon in February from 1 to 3 p.m. (SAALM, 130 King William St., 78204; 210-223-1140; open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free admission. Exhibit closes March 25)

Artpace will be screening the “performance trilogy” “Tell Me When You Die” Thursday, Jan. 21 at 5 and 7 p.m. on the Artpace YouTube Channel. The artists involved, Amber Bemak and Nadia Granados, will be “in conversation” with Laura August at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The trilogy consists of three films: “Tell Me When You Die,” “Borderhole” and Goodbye Fantasy.” Viewers are warned that the films contain nudity and graphic sexual content. Register at www.artpace.org.

Performances of “Thurgood” continue at the Public Theater of San Antonio through Jan. 24. See last week’s NEWS ROUNDUP.

San Antonio poet laureate, Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson is a very busy person these days. In addition to her many current engagements, the Carver Community Cultural Center has just announced that she will be the 2021 Artist-in-Residence at the iconic cultural hub on the East Side. In that role, she will be hosting a series of events, classes and performances, said the news announcement. As a performing arts presenter, the Carver had to cancel or postpone a number of scheduled performances, including the much-anticipated Hiplet Ballerinas, a show that was already postponed once before due to the pandemic.

The Woodlawn Theater’s first outdoor event of the new year, Tacos and Talent, will take place Jan. 26 on the patio of the Los Barrios restaurant, where you will be treated to performances by a talented bunch of performers – Jillian Sainz, Isidro Medina, Derek Bacerott, Madeline Gutierrez and Michael Salinas. Every $25 ticket includes an appetizer and a drink. Seating is limited due to social distancing. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. but you should arrive by 7 p.m. Some of these artists will also be part of Woodlawn After Dark Virtual Cabaret Friday at 8 p.m. For tickets/registrations go to  www.woodlawntheatre.org and click on Experience. (For information call 210-267-8388)

Last but not least, we would like to remind everyone that National Poetry Month is coming up in April. If you and/or your organization would like to be include an event in the Poetry Month calendar, now is the time to submit your entry. Deadline is Feb. 26. Submit to the city’s Department of Art and Culture – https://events.getcreativesanantonio.com/login/