Arts Alive San Antonio

There is exciting news on the music front!

One of the world’s best classical guitarists, Sharon Isbin, is coming to the Alamo City to perform Sunday at the San Antonio Chamber Music Society concert at Temple Bethel. A multiple GRAMMY winner, Isbin was also named the 2020 Musical America Worldwide Instrumentalist of the Year, the first guitarist to be so honored in the organization’s 59-year history. But those are just two of her many honors and awards. She has performed in cities across the world, recorded more than 30 albums, appeared as soloist with some 200 major orchestras, and served as artistic director and soloist at festivals that she created for Carnegie Hall and the Ordway Music Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota, her hometown. She also performed at the White House for President Obama and his guests.

What’s even more important, Isbin has commissioned new works from a number of contemporary composers who seldom – if ever – write for the guitar.

At the Sunday concert, this exceptional artist will present a repertoire that includes pieces by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, Agustin Barrios Mangore and the beloved Asturias by Isaac Albeniz.Appearing with Isbin will be soprano Jessica Rivera. This looks like a must-see concert to us. (Feb. 6 at 3:15 p.m.; Temple Beth-El, 211 Belknap Place; tickets $25, www.sacms.org/concert-3/.
for more info go to www.sacms.org)

Another promising concert is the fully made-in-San Antonio collaboration between the Agarita Chamber Players and glass artist extraordinaire Gini Garcia. How do you unite music and glass sculptures? Well, this creative bunch found a way. (Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.; Warehouse on Burleson, 221 Burleson St., 78202; free; to reserve free seats email agaritachamberplayers@gmail.com; To read more about it see our feature story on this site.)

In celebration of Black History Month, the Carver Community Cultural Center is bringing to town Dee Dee Bridgewater, a Tony Award winner and triple GRAMMY winner, for a single show Saturday night. The jazz, blues and soul diva, is also a Goodwill Ambassador to the U.N Food and Agricultural Organization, who advocates for international efforts to finance grassroots projects to help fight world hunger. This classy lady is touring in support of her latest album, Memphis. (Feb. 5 at 8 p.m.; Carver Center, 226 N. Hackberry; call box office 210-207-2234, or go to www.thecarver.org)

Speaking of Black History Month, the Overtime Theater had selected a play, Coco Queens by black playwright LaDarrion Williams for a staged reading which was scheduled for Feb. 3. The event is now postponed to Feb. 10. (For more info read our article from Monday, Feb. 1 on this site)

Also in connection with Black History Month, the San Antonio African-American Community Archive and Museum in partnership with the Ella Austin Community Center will screen two vintage Black Cowboy films: The Bronze Buckaroo and Two Gunmen from Harlem, both starring Herb Jeffries. (Screenings start at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ella Austin Center; 1023 N. Pine, 78202; free and open to the public. To find out more about SAAACAM, go to www.saaacam.org.)

Something is always going on at the Tobin Center, and the thing that’s on the schedule for Feb. 8 is Disney Princess, The Concert. Four such princesses of the Broadway variety will take over the stage singing the songs that “have been the soundtrack of our lives” and telling behind-the-scene stories about Broadway shows, all with Disney animation in the background. The four stars are Susan Egan, Arielle Jacobs, Annelise van der Pol and Syndee Winters. The music director of the spectacle is Benjamin Rauhala. And there will be a Prince Charming, too, in the person of Adam J. Levy. Sound like a great show for kids. It is recommended for ages six and older. (Feb. 8 at 7 p.m., Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle; $ 34.50 – $79.50, tickets@tobincenter.org or call210-223-8624)

Unfortunately for fans, Diana Krall’s Feb. 5 show at the Majestic Theater has been postponed. Nate Bargatze is still on the schedule for Feb. 9 and 10.

As we have pointed out multiple times, tribute bands are the thing these days, and here’s another example: Austin-based DeadEye inspired by the Grateful Dead. We don’t know much about them. (Feb. 5 at 9 p.m.; Sam’s Burger Joint, E. Grayson St., 78215; $15-$18, 210-223-2830, www.samsburgerjoint.com)

For something completely different, visit the Asian Festival that celebrates the Asian Lunar New Year. It’s the year of the Water Tiger and the fest will roar during two days of dance, music and martial arts performances at the Rolling Oaks Mall. In addition, you can sample Asian foods and purchase traditional and not-so-traditional craft products. Many cultures and nations will be represented, including China, Japan, Korea, India Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Hawaii. Six traditional dance groups will perform, plus seven Asian pop culture groups and five martial arts experts. (Feb. 5: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Feb. 6: noon – 5 p.m.; Rolling Oaks Mall, 6909 N. Loop 1604 East; free admission and free parking)

Lots going in the visual arts!

In addition to its main exhibit on Georgia O’Keefe and the American modernists, The McNay Art Museum has just added two new presentations focusing on visual artists living in San Antonio. And there are lots of them. San Antonio has a rich and lively visual art scene.  One of these exhibits, Drawn in San Antonio – Today showcases the work of 22 local artists who are redefining the concept of drawing. Beyond drawing on paper, these works embrace computer animation, photographic imagery and elements of collage. The other exhibit, Artists Looking at Art: Jenelle Esparza , features a new series of textile pieces by Esparza who happens to be the McNay’s Museum Educator for Family Experience. (McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels, 78209; 210-824-5368, www.mcnayart.org; free admission every Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., and the first Sunday of each month; $10-$20 during the rest of the week)

The San Antonio Art Museum is about to open a new exhibit showcasing the work of Wendy Red Star, a Native American artist whose practice embraces a range of genres, including photography, textiles, mixed media installations and performance. In her art, she “explores her heritage and its relationships to mainstream American culture and historical narratives.” (Opens Feb. 11; SAMA, 200 W.Jones Ave., 210-978-8140, www.samuseum.org)

 In its Main Space, Artpace has installed artist Sabra Booth’s show, Snow Shadows. She received a City of San Antonio individual artist grant for 2022, one of three such recipients. The exhibition will be on view through May 8. The artist talk is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. According to the press release, “Booth’s studio practice offers interpretative observations of nature while addressing complex ecological issues.” This exhibit documents events of winter storm Uri by replicating shadows from frozen and dying plants. You can see the installation through Artpace’s street window. (Artpace will be open to the public beginning with Monday, Feb. 7; 445 N. Main, 78205, www.artpace.org)

AnArte Gallery & Studio will be opening a new exhibit as well – Sam Wilson’s solo show, It’s a Soft Life, Wednesday, Feb. 9. He’s a self-taught painter who wants to show a new and fresh perspective on the ordinary. The exhibition focuses on plush toys, “some of our very first friends.” The show is meant ro to bring back memories of younger days and a sense of joy, said the artist. (Opening reception Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.; art talk at 6:15, followed by music from DJ Jevonchi and guitarist Louis Davilla, plus refreshments; 7959 Broadway, # 202; 210-826-5674, www.anartegallery09.com)

Always y Para Siempre: Mujer Artes Exhibit & Sale is an exhibit of women’s art sponsored by the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. It will be on view through Feb. 14. This Saturday, Feb. 5 is a special day though it is nor explained further. (Mujer Artes Studio, 1412 El Paso, 78207, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Young filmmakers are invited to submit their cinematic creations for the 2022 Film SA Contest, a competition coordinated by the San Antonio Film Commission. The idea is to encourage young filmmakers to tell the stories of San Antonio and San Antonians. The call for entries is open to youngsters 14-21 in two categories: San Antonio, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and Public Art
of San Antonio. Deadline for submission is April 18 at 4 p.m. Winning films from the two groups – ages 14-17 and 18-21– will receive $1000 awards and a public screening on May 7 at Mission Marquee Plaza.
For questions go to arts@sanantonio.gov