Arts Alive San Antonio

By KATHY MOLGA, Contributor

For nearly 50 years, San Antonians and other Texans, have looked forward to the Texas Folklife Festival, a unique San Antonio celebration of the rich cultural heritage of multiple ethnic groups that call Texas home. Showcasing authentic foods, crafts, music and colorful traditional dances, the fest has been the place to have fun, learn about each other, sample yummy dishes and buy a few souvenirs.

But not this year. Like so many large events, the June festival was canceled, as was another ethnic celebration, the San Antonio Folk Dance Festival (SAFDF) that normally takes place in March. For traditional musicians and dancers who care about preserving their cultural roots – and for their audiences – it was a big loss. Not only were performances canceled but even practice sessions and classes had to stop as well.

To make things worse, the future prospects for Texas Folklife are unclear. UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures, which sponsors the fest, has recently laid off some 20 employees, among them JoAnne Andera, the devoted director of the fest who has been there since 1981.

Andera is hopeful, however. When we spoke with her recently, she told us about new efforts by folk arts groups to form online gathering places to dance, play music, teach and learn. “Maybe we cannot hold hands and dance together, but there are certainly virtual opportunities that will allow us to meet with our friends, dance and hear great music,” she said. “There are even special classes that allow us to learn from the most talented folk artists in the country, right from your living room.”

The same is true for groups that were scheduled to perform at the Folk Dance Festival, a significant showcase not just for local ensembles but for dance troupes from other cities, too, representing a truly diverse range of cultures. Though cancelling the celebratory festival was not easy, according to spokesperson, Mona Lisa Montgomery, there may be a silver lining to going virtual. “That way, everyone can participate in international dancing,” she observed. The first Online SAFDF is planned for later in the year. For more information and to register to participate, visit SAFDF’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SAFDF/. You can also consult the website www.safdf.org

But there’s more good news. A new organization with a wider scope has recently been founded largely thanks to the efforts of one man, Charlie Lockwood, the executive director of the Austin-based Texas Folklife, which, despite the name, should not be confused with the San Antonio-based Texas Folklife Festival. Called the Texas Folk and traditional Arts Action Network, the new entity intends to function as an umbrella organization that “will provide members with the opportunity to meet other organizations across the state to discuss strategies that will strengthen folk and traditional arts in Texas,” said Lockwood.

Online meetings have been taking place since April, focusing on how to support artists during and beyond the pandemic “Our goal is two-fold,” stated Lockwood: “To provide aid in the form of an artist emergency relief fund, for those who are in need of financial support; and secondly, to create an online interactive map of folk and traditional arts artists, stakeholders and practitioners across Texas.”

Lockwood is well positioned to oversee such efforts. He brings to these initiatives an impressive background of knowledge in ethnomusicology in addition to his experience as the leader of his Austin organization, Texas Folklife. The latter has provided performances, exhibitions, community artisan residencies, and radio and TV projects since 1984. Its purpose is to explore the diversity of the cultural traditions that exist in our state.

“Those traditions were passed down within communities across Texas, and it is important to preserve and honor them as part of our state’s true cultural treasures,” said Lockwood. “We produce programs that bring these traditions to life for new generations to come.”

During his tenure at Texas Folklife, Lockwood oversaw a variety of flagship programs, such as “The Big Squeeze,” which highlights accordion players, and the National Endowment for the Arts Apprenticeships in the Folk and Traditional Arts. This year, the participants of the Apprenticeship program will share their talents with the public in a big online event scheduled for Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. It will be available to everyone free of charge at https://www.facebook.com/texasfolklife/

San Antonio members of the newly formed Network include Norma Cantu, a Trinity University professor and academic folklorist, who is also the president of the American Folklore Society. “The arts unite us,” said the professor. “It’s the traditional arts and cultural expressions that are the social glue that makes us see our common humanity.”

In addition to Mexican and Tejano heritage organizations, San Antonio is also home to groups that cultivate Irish, Indian, German, Czech, Hawaiian and other cultural traditions. There’s also a group, San Antonio Folk Dancers, who dance traditional dances of many countries. (see listing below)

Many folk artists are volunteers, but others are professionals who make a living performing at parties or restaurants, or by teaching, Cantu pointed out. And they need to be helped to survive this difficult time. Cantu personally supports several local groups and she’s on the board of directors of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, which hosts quite a few arts events.

“Artists and tradition bearers must be supported. We need their stories and their art to enrich our lives,” said Cantu.

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Interested in joining in on some online folk arts classes from home? Here are some organization that offer them.

Aloha Entertainment San Antonio offers Hula dance classes and performance opportunities via Zoom. “You’ll learn the graceful movements of the Hula dance, which tells stories about the rich heritage of the Hawaiian Islands. It’s great fun and it’s a great workout,” says founder Renee Parks.Classes are free.
For information and to register email Parks at alohasa9933@gmail.com

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center has a terrific dance company that specializes in Flamenco and Mexican folkloric dances, which, unfortunately, you cannot see on stage right now. But the center also has an academy that’s currently offering classes online for all ages and skill levels. Once students register on the Guadalupe’s website, they will receive an email from the online education platform, ClassDojo. When students log on, they will have access to pre-recorded instructional videos they can watch anytime. Zoom meetings with instructors and other students are part of the deal. Classes are available for both children and adults; $25 per month. Contact education director Belinda Menchaca at belindam@guadalupeculturalarts.org or call 210-271-3151; also check out https://www.guadalupeculturalarts.org

Natyanjali Dances of India teaches the classical dance of India, known as Bharathanatyam. It’s very different from European folk dances that we are more accustomed to, yet beautiful and mesmerizing. Zoom classes are offered for different skill levels. Veteran teacher and performer, Bana Shastri Ramanath, teaches all the classes. Summer sessions are already in progress but you can sign up for fall  by emailing natyanjali@hotmail.com. More info at https://www.facebook.com/Natyanjali-austin-san-Antonio-668449263294586

Inishfree School of Irish Dance This school is listed as one of the top-rated schools for Irish dancing in North America. Its dancers regularly perform at a variety of events, such as the San Antonio Folklife Festival, the Austin Celtic Festival, the North Texas Irish Fest, at Riverwalk events, at Spurs’ halftime shows and for corporate celebrations. This fall, some classes will take place in the studio and some online. For information and registration go to www.inishfreetx.com or call 210-416-2627. All ages; $80 per month.

San Antonio Folk Dancers is a group of folk-dance enthusiasts who normally meet every Tuesday night on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word. Now they meet through Zoom from 7-9 p.m., also on Tuesdays. The sessions are designed for all ages and they are currently free. Info: www.sanantoniofolkdancers.org or call 210-493-4629. To receive an invitation to join, email host@sanantoniofolkdancers.org