Comedy Fest, “Fred” Tour, Elegant Music, and more
NEWS ROUNDUP
Many of you will probably remember the Latino Laugh Festival of 25 years ago. It was entertaining and fun but it didn’t last. Now, some of the same folks, who were instrumental in making the old fest happen, are back with HA Comedy Festival, which will take place this weekend over three days, with more than 20 shows in several venues downtown and near downtown.
Produced by WarnerMedia Entertainment and Hollywood-based New Cadence Productions, the event is billed as “the biggest Latinx comedy festival in the world.”.
“We’re thrilled to present a new mainstream comedy festival, featuring an incredible lineup of Latino talent, that connects us all and proves that funny is funny,” said co-producer Jeff Valdez in the press release. Valdez was the founder of the old fest, too, and is now part of New Cadence Productions, together with San Antonio businessman and comedy club owner Bruce Barshop, businessman Sol Trujillo and Vince Cordero, formerly affiliated with HBO and 21st Century Fox.
But, when asked in a live interview why he wanted to launch another Latino comedy showcase, he said, laughing: “Because I am a sucker for punishment!” He has other good reasons, however. “When we started the first one, we were trying to create a place for us (Latino comics) to come together and share ideas. Hollywood was saying there was no talent, se we wanted to show them the talent. Twenty-five years later, Hollywood is still saying that. That’s why we are doing it. We are going to showcase tons of talent.”
Indeed! The lineup of comedic talent is impressive, with 45 performers participating. The fest kicks off Friday night with a party at the St. Anthony Hotel, followed by a screening of Witness Infection, a spoof of zombie movies, starring Rob Belushi. Other Friday shows are The Fresh Faces of Comedy at the Empire Theater and Comedy Chingonas, also at the Empire, featuring “hysterically talented women” who will talk about their lives. in fact, Valdez singled out Chingonas as the one show he wouldn’t want to miss.
Another “Fresh Faces” showcase is scheduled for Saturday night, again at the Empire, followed by Funny is Funny, that will spotlight comics who first appeared at the Latino Laugh Fest a quarter of a century ago, including Chris Fonseca, Gene Pompa, Jesus Trejo and Carlos Alazraqui. It will be hosted by Mark Viera. Also scheduled for Saturday is Prinze, a one-man show featuring Jose Sonera in a celebration of Prinze’s life and career. (At Pearl Stable)
Sunday highlights include Love, Lust and Lunacy with comedian and talk show host Debi Gutierrez, at the Pearl Stable, and the HA Special TV Taping at the Empire, billed as an “all-star packed lineup of comedians and celebrities, all on one stage” plus the best of up-and-coming new faces. The HBO TV special will be hosted by actress and comedian Anjelah Johnson who will share the stage with Carmen Lynch, Gina Brillon, Jesus Trejo and Alazraqui.
LOL Comedy Club and The Cavalier Room at the St. Anthony will also serve as host venues. Laughter is good for your health, so catch at least a couple of shows!
(For a complete list of events and ticket information go to www.hacomedyfest.com; a few events will be free)
Big as HA Festival is, it’s not the only attraction in town. Another kind of fest is happening a few miles north of downtown in the Deco District, where the 13th On and Off Fredericksburg Rd. Studio Tour will be in full swing Saturday and Sunday. It officially opens with a Friday reception at the Bihl Haus Arts, the organization that founded and continues to organize the event that seems to be getting bigger every year. The tour provides a unique opportunity for art lovers, and all San Antonians, to visit artists’ studios, galleries and homes within the district, get to know the artists and purchase art directly from the makers. With its fame spreading, a growing number of Austinites and Houstonians travel to San Antonio to take part in the “Fred” tour.
Some 60 artists and artisans are participating this year, including painters, sculptors, fiber artists, potters, metal smiths, and many others. Get a map at the Bihl Haus where you can also view the current exhibit. (2803 Fredericksburg Rd.) For more on “Fred” see feature story on this site.
And speaking of visual arts, we also want to draw your attention to Songs of Continuity, an exhibit of recent works by one of our most original sculptors, Danville Chadbourne. It’s opening Friday, Feb. 21, at the Semmes & Condos Galleries on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word. The show includes 50 works, including paintings and relief wall pieces, as well as his whimsical, colorful sculptures that are so uniquely his that they are easily recognizable wherever you see them. A highly respected artist, Chadbourne has had more than 100 solo shows here in San Antonio, across the state and nationally. Songs of Continuity is part of the upcoming Contemporary Art Month. (UIW Kelso Art Center, 4301 Broadway; 210-829-3852; gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; opening reception Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.; free.) On March 7, the Agarita Chamber Players will present a special concert, Synergy: Music and Sculpture at 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception; also, free.)
On the literary/publishing front, the Word Design Press is inviting everyone to a book signing and reading at the Twig Book Shop, Monday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. Well-known San Antonio doctor and writer Mo Saidi will present and read excerpts from his new novel Esther and the Geniusthat tells the tragic story of a family that falls apart after an accidental shooting. Weaving elements of Persian culture and history, with the contemporary American lives of his characters – and enriching his narrative with knowledgeable details and insights into both the academic world and the world of criminal justice – Saidi has created a highly readable book that you may not be able to put down until you reach the end. (Twig Book Shop, 306 Pearl Parkway #106. In the Pearls Brewery complex; 210-826-6411)
If you love classical music you are probably familiar with Musical Bridges Around the World’s Sunday concerts at the San Fernando Cathedral. One is coming up this Sunday though not exactly as originally planned. Both mandolinist Avi Avital and his supposed replacement, violinist Francisco Fullana, were unable to appear, leaving harpist Bridget Kibbey to perform solo. Which may work out quite well. Called the “Yo-Yo Ma of the harp,” Kibbey is an award-winning harpist whose repertoire spans several music styles including Baroque and contemporary compositions. According to the New York Times, she “…makes it seem as though her instrument had been waiting all its life to explode with the energetic figures and gorgeous colors, she was getting from it.”
Kibbey will perform on a special podium made by furniture maker Frank Strazza. It has an internal soundboard which enhances the instrument’s tone. (7 p.m., San Antonio Cathedral, Main Plaza; free; you can register for a free ticket if you want to participate in a ticket raffle. One person will win a prize www.musicalbridges.org)