Arts Alive San Antonio

Remembering the dead has become a huge arts-happening in San Antonio. From artist-built altars to performances and a river parade, the calendar is full of things to see or participate in.

Let’s begin with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center where an array of colorful altars will be on display every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Dec. 12. Installed at the Progresso Community Building, 1300 Guadalupe St., the exhibit will welcome visitors from noon – 6 p.m. on those days. The altars are the handiwork of community groups and individuals, including artist Theresa Solis-Camero. Following tradition, altars may honor departed family members or public figures and community leaders.

But there’s more! For one night only you may also have the pleasure to meet the Aztec Lord and Lady of the Underworld, Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl, via Zoom on the center’s Facebook or YouTube Channel. (Well, it’s 2020. Even the Underworld royalty must follow safety rules!) Titled La Vida de los Muertos the gathering will also include the wonderful Guadalupe Dance Company, the center’s academy, and the Mariachi Guadalupe band.

And believe it or not, there will be a parade, The Day of the Dead River Parade, similar to the one from last year. How’s that permitted in this time of COVID? You may ask. Here’s the story. A parade was organized and recorded in secret at night, and will be broadcast Friday night at 8 p.m. on KSAT TV. It’s a collaborative effort of the city and chef Johnny Hernandez who was one the founders of the city-wide Day of the Dead festival. Obviously, no spectators were there to cheer the 20 participating barges.

A new exhibit, Love and Death in Times of Pandemic, at Bihl Haus Arts, will open virtually Nov. 2, at 5:30 p.m., at www.BihlHausArts.org. Featuring the work of David Zamora Casas, the show is described as a multi-media installation, including paintings, photographs, altars and dioramas inspired by the Day of the Dead celebrations, while also commenting “on contemporary social and political issues.” The gallery plans to host a number of related virtual events Altar by DAvidduring the next six weeks, until the show closes Dec. 12. On some weekends, a limited number of visitors will be allowed to view the exhibit in-person, during 30-minute slots from 1-6 p.m. Your first chance is Nov. 7-8. Reserve your spot online through the website.

Another gallery, AnArte Gallery, is hosting a two-day celebration with special receptions for Dia De Los Muertos Sunday & Monday, Nov. 1 &2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Showcasing Catrina sculptures, the show includes five artists: Veronica Castillo, Kathy Sosa, Ana Hernandez, Magdalena Guajardo and Gio Dizurita. A mariachi group will join the fun Sunday at 4 p.m. (7959 Broadway, #202, 78209; 210-826-5674; www.anartegallery09.com.

Ruiz Healy Art, will also have a special Dia de los Muertos event this Saturday, Oct. 31, 1-4 p.m., honoring the late San Antonio artist Chuck Ramirez. Pan dulce and mimosas will be served, and children and costumes are welcome. This will also give you a chance to see the current exhibit Manos (Hands) before it closes. Gallery artist, Richard Armendariz will be present to discuss his work in the show, which he shares with another excellent artist Andres Ferrandis. Since the number of visitors must be limited to 20, the gallery asks you to make a reservation. (201-A East Olmos Dr., 78212; 210-804-2219 or email info@ruizhealyart.com

Ramirez’s Metaphorical Portraits show is scheduled to open Nov. 12. A must-see!   

On the music front, the adventurous Agarita Chamber Players has teamed up with the current San Antonio poet laureate, Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson for its next pair of concerts – An expression of Poetry Through Music,which will be held live and in-person at the Radius Center downtown Oct. 30. In addition to Sanderson poetry and music, the program will include compositions by John Adams, Beethoven, Paul Wiancko, Pablo Casals, Missy Mazzolini, Arvo Part, and an original piece, The Noveaux, by Sanderson, arranged by YOSA’s music director Troy Peters. To enforce social distancing, only 100 tickets will be given out for each performance. (Oct. 30, 6 and 8:30 p.m.; the second concert will be live streamed; get free tickets at www.agarita.org/shows)

For a very different type of music, there’s End of Days Fest, at the Sunset Station this weekend, Oct. 30-31. That will be heavy metal music from noon to midnight, presented by Anthem Entertainment TV. Performers include the multi-platinum artist Saliva; Grammy winner, David Ellefson, from Megadeth; Austin-based Hanna Barakat; Ignescent from Chicago; San Antonio’s Last Battle and Ammo for My Arsenal, and others. Tickets: $17.50 – $250, https://salivasa.eventbrite.com

Live theater has suffered a great deal during this pandemic, but producers are not giving up. The Jump-Start Performance Co. is presenting Allerseelen, which is the German term for All Souls’ Day, Nov. 6-7. It looks like this will be the European version of the Day of the Dead. Families visit cemeteries and gather at the gravesite of their departed relatives to remember, break bread, cry and laugh. Written by Sheila Sister-Currie, the play will be presented via Zoom. (Tickets at www.jump-start.org, and on Facebook www.jumpstartperformanceco. For info call 210-227-5867)

At the Tobin Center, you can join actor, producer, writer and director, Bruce Campbell, in a viewing of the 1981 Sam Raimi cult-classic Evil Dead. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Campbell. (Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.; Tickets: $29.50 – $39.50; www.tobincenter.org/box-office/2020-10/conversation-bruce-campbell. And you can still see/participate in Art Heistthrough Nov. 1. (see previous NEWS ROUNDUPs.)

Looking ahead: Ballet San Antonio has announced that its 2020 production of The Nutcrackerwill be presented live at the Tobin Center Nov. 27 – Dec. 13 – a total of twelve performances. The story is tweaked a little but all the beloved characters and adventures will be there. Tickets are on sale now at the Tobin’s box office.