Arts Alive San Antonio

Opera San Antonio (OSA) is opening its season with “Pagliacci” a short opera by Italian composer Ruggero Leoncavallo, which may be the perfect introduction to classical opera for people who are not familiar with opera. The story is engaging, the arias (songs) are powerful, and the staging promises to be first class. The opera is about a traveling theater company which arrives in a town to entertain locals with a tale of love and betrayal. Unfortunately, the tale becomes reality for the main characters, the troupe’s manager and his wife, with tragic results.

The lead role is portrayed by Jonathan Burton, a rising operatic star who is in demand across the U.S. OSA’s music director, Francesco Milioto, will conduct. Sets are designed by Laura Fine Hawkes, who is making her debut with OSA. Other singers in leading roles are Sara Garland, Ricardo Jose Rivera. The OSA chorus is led by Dottie Randall. (Two performances: Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets $40-$180 at tickets@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8624. (To read more about it, see our feature story from Oct. 25 on this site.)

For beautiful music of a different kind, there’s Music from St. Mark’s which will present John Rutter’s beloved Requiem in celebration of All Saints’ Day. Written for a soprano soloist and a chorus, it will be performed by the church’s choir with organ accompaniment, and an instrumental ensemble led by guest conductor, Gary Weighman of Trinity University. The seven-movement work weaves together texts from
“Missa pro Defunctis, the Psalms and the Book of Common Prayer, in “an arch-like format” with the celebratory and affirmative Sanctus as the keystone.  The composer indicated that he wanted to write a requiem that’s “intimate rather than grandiose, contemplative and lyric rather than dramatic, and ultimately moving towards light rather than darkness.” In this production, two sopranos who are choir members will share the soprano parts. (Nov. 6 at 4 p.m.; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan St.; free with free parking)

Jazz lovers will rejoice to have the opportunity to see vibraphonist, composer and band leader, Stefon Harris, who was called “one of the most important jazz artists” by the LA Times. (Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.; Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry, 78202, 210-207-7211; tickets are $35 through Ticketmaster)

Speaking of jazz, there’s an unusual educational program focused on jazz at the Tobin Center. Presented by the nonprofit organization, JazzReach, it will be an overview of jazz history, highlighting a number of great performers such as Dizzy Gillepsie, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Fort Apache, and a number of others. The program is for kids in grades 5-12. JazzReach is dedicated to the promotion, performance and creation & teaching of jazz music. (Nov. 7. Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets $5 for students, $9 for adults; tickets@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8624)

The Tobin Center is also presenting Ryan Adams, who is touring for the first time since 2019 but he has been busy issuing new albums, including three this year. The tour started in Austin and will be in San Antonio Nov. 5. The show will feature “Adams and his guitars and piano in an acoustic tour de force,” says the announcement. (Nov. 5 at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.; Tech Port Arena, 3331 General Hudnell Dr., 78226; Tickets $28.40-$75.50;1-800-514-3849 or www.techportcenter.com/events)

Throughout Europe the Romani people are known as good musicians but the French-based group, The Gipsy Kings, has become a huge musical success on at least three continents. They will be in San Antonio next Tuesday. Not to be missed! (Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; tickets are $42 – $285 at 210-226-3333; www.majesticempire.com

Mexican pop star, Yuridia, who has 23 gold albums in Mexico and three in this country, will also appear at the Majestic Theater this weekend. (Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.; venue info same as above; tickets are $54.40-$184.50)

The festivities connected to the observance of the Day of the Dead often included Mexican folkloric dance, and a couple of flamenco shows, as well. This weekend, the flamenco organization, Arte y Pasion is presenting two shows that feature one of the most admired flamenco dancers in the world – Belen Maya. The first one will be Thursday at the Brick at Blue Star, to be followed by a Friday performance at a private outdoor amphitheater. Other participating artists include: Arte y Pasion’s founder, dancer and artistic director, Tamara Adira, dancer Genevieve Obregon; singer La Memphi, musician Jose Manuel Tejeda and San Antonio’s poet laureate, Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson. (To read more about it and get ticket information, see our feature story from Oct. 31, on this site.)

And for something that comes from another part of the world, you may want to attend the Diwali SA Festival at the Arneson River Theater and at the Hemisfair Park, downtown. It’s an opportunity to experience a bit of Indian culture – “Indian” as from India, not American Indian. The river parade will showcase the distinct cultural differences among the states within India, which all have their own traditions, culture and clothing styles. It’s a lesson delivered in 3-D, accompanied by music. That “lesson” also includes a couple of “classical” dance styles from India: Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Years ago, San Antonio had the opportunity to see several Indian classical dance shows, and we even had San Antonio-based experienced Indian dancers.

The DiwaliSA festival will also include example of folk dances, film dances (India has a huge film production industry), percussive instruments performances and interactive activities, and floating “diyas” lights. In addition, there will be demonstrations of sari and turban wrapping, Indian food, a bazar selling hand-made crafts, jewelry and clothing, a maze that you can get lost in -or not – and a “Fireworks Spectacular.” (Nov. 5 from 4:30 p.m. to midnight.; free)

On the visual arts front, the most interesting event must be “50 Years of Fiber Art” an exhibit that celebrates half-a-century of fiber arts in San Antonio. Organized by the Fiber Artists of San Antonio, the show brings together the work of 38 local artists plus the art contributed by artists from other parts of the land. Each artist was invited to contribute three images inspired by one of the decades of FASA’s community involvement, from the 1970s to the present. That inspiration could be anything from the color palette and music of a particular time, to fashion, heroes and memorable events in the city, the world or in their own lives. San Antonio artist and former Southwest School of Art president, Paula Owen served as juror. She made the selection for the exhibit from 198 submissions.

The opening reception will feature an awards ceremony and a fashion show showcasing attire from several past decades. In addition to the juried exhibition, there will be a second exhibition of works by artists who were not interested in responding to the chosen theme. In fact, they have their own theme – “The Reflection Ladder, What FASA Means to Me.”  This exhibit is “educational” for the public “to see that all kinds of material and processes can be considered fiber art, from paper and palm fronds to recycled clothing.” (Opening reception, Nov. 6, 3-6 p.m.; Kelso Art Center, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway; exhibit on view through Dec. 9; free; for more info https://fiberartistsofsanantonio.org)

Speaking of fiber arts, here’s info about a quilt show: “These Ain’t Yo Big Mama’s Quilts: Art Exhibition by the African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio. One quilt, lovingly quilted by members of the circle, will be raffled off. It’s called “Black Angel” and it’s valued at $1000. Raffle tickets are $20.(Ongoing through December.; Carver Community Cultural Center,226 N. Hackberry, 78202; to buy raffle tickets go to https://bit.ly/AACSATX5yrs;  The exhibit is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

 The San Antonio Art League and Museum is about to open “Traveling the Globe for Insight, Bringing it Back Home,” a show featuring four San Antonio artists who can find inspiration everywhere – West Texas, Finland, Spain, Italy and even Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. The four are Sabra Booth, Vikki Fields, Ovidio Giberga and Sandy Whitby. The eclectic exhibit includes figurative and abstract work in different media, from sculpture to printmaking. (This invitational show opens Nov. 8 and stays on view through Dec. 17, with an artists’ reception on Sunday, Nov. 13, 3-5 p.m. SAALM, 130 King William, open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; free admission.)

One of San Antonio’s most successful galleries, Ruiz-Healy Art, is currently showing the work of Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, though the artist will not be present at the opening reception as expected. However, one of the authors of the book on Jimenez Underwood will indeed be present in-person Saturday Nov. 5 at the San Antonio gallery. The exhibit is fully installed. To see the show and participate in the conversation with one of the authors of the book, Marie Leimer, just show up at the gallery at 1 p.m. Saturday. (Ruiz -Healy Art, 201-A E. Olmos Drive , 78212; RSVP to info@RUIZHEALYART.com or 210-804-2219.)  

There is news from San Antonio Theaters, too.

While The Public Theater, is closing its production of the “A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of The Great Lakes, a “quirky comedy that transforms an extended family’s Thanksgiving into a competitive sport,” the Overtime Theater is opening a new play, “Overlap,” a dramatic play by San Antonio-born writer Catie Carlisle. (The former closes Nov. 6, so you still have a few chances to see it. tickets are $19-$49 (including fees); Cellar Theater, 800 W. Ashby, 78212. To buy tickets go to www.thepublicsa.org or call 210-733-7258.)

“Overlap” is a brand-new play, a new sci-fi drama by Catie Carlisle.  Carlisle was active in local theater since 2009 before she moved to New York City where she began writing “in earnest.”. Earlier this year her full-length drama “100 Days” was produced in NYC by Scantic River Productions at an off-Broadway venue. In her new play “Overlap” people in a small West Texas town begin experiencing deja-vu episodes, personality changes and even rapid physical changes. They must come together to find the common strand binding their strange ordeal before it’s too late. Suspicion and emotional entanglements become overwhelming. It sounds intriguing! The play is directed by Bryan Stanton. (Nov. 4 to Nov. 26; Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m.’ Overtime Theater, 5409 Bandera Rd., Ste 205, 78238; 210-577-7562; tickets are $18 general admission, at the door or online at www.ShowTix4u.com. Distanced seating and masks encouraged. For more ingo go to www.theovertimetheater.org)

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