BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor If you are like most Americans, you are at least somewhat familiar with movie and comic-book characters such as Ironman, Batman, Spiderman, Dart Vader, Wonder Woman, and others like them. Invariably, these characters are brave “defenders of truth, justice and the American Way. They are better versions of ordinary Americans,” as it says in the text …

The official dissolution of the San Antonio Symphony has concluded nearly a year of unsuccessful would-be negotiations between the SAS management and the musicians, and brought the 82-year history of the organization to a sad end. “By unanimous vote, the Board has initiated the requisite steps to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy,” said the official SAS statement. “The assets of …

BY JASMINA WELLIGHOFF, Editor When I interviewed Rosemary Catacalos some years ago when she was the executive director of Gemini Ink, one thing repeatedly came up in the conversation: her concern for the community. In that article I wrote: “Whether she is talking about personal memories or the goals of the literary center she’s led for the past four years, …

We told you last week about the interesting music festival, Forbidden & Forgotten produced by the Classical Music Institute. The name refers to works by composers who were either ignored (mostly We women) or composed music that the people in power did not approve of. The concert series continues this weekend with Forbidden Exiles, featuring the music of Paul Hindemith, …

Just as the Musicians of the San Antonio Symphony (MOSAS) wrapped up their short “season” at the First Baptist Church of San Antonio, the Classical Music Institute San Antonio is starting its series of concerts presented under the title, “Forbidden & Forgotten.”  That title refers to composers whose works have been either ignored or have provoked governmental authorities. The opening …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor We are all familiar with the term “modern art” but defining it and its beginning is a bit of a challenge. “That’s a tough question. Different people define it in different ways,” said Lyle Williams, the McNay Art Museum’s Curator of Prints & Drawings, and Curator of Modern Art. “Some people say modern art began with …

San Antonio thespians have been talking about creating a festival in honor of the late Sterling Houston, for at least three or four years but this spring it will become a reality. Houston was a playwright, director, producer and all-round theater artist, who died in 2006. During his long career, he wrote more than 30 plays and four short novels. …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor The Witte Museum is always alive with interesting new exhibits but the current show featuring the work of James Ferdinand McCan stands out because of its history. More than a century ago, this Irish immigrant arrived in Texas and fell in love with Texas landscapes, native flora and fauna, and the whole Texas experience. He proceeded …

The horror and tragedy that took place in Uvalde on Tuesday when 19 school children and two teachers were killed by yet another disgruntled and armed young man, have had a huge impact on all of us in Texas. Some artists and art organizations have already voiced their support for the devasted families in Uvalde. We received this morning the …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor Back in 1957, when a group of nine black high schoolers tried to integrate the Little Rock, AR, Central High School, they were met with animosity, including pressure from the state governor to deny them access. The situation became so tense that President Eisenhower decided to place Arkansas National Guard under federal command. This historic event …