Museum Month, “Rio Bravo” and More
By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor –
October is Museum Month in the U.S. and 15 San Antonio institutions are participating. Throughout the month, members of any of the participating organizations can enjoy two free admissions in all the other places. It’s a good incentive to become a member at the museum of your choice and then enjoy free visits at the other fourteen. It’s seems like a win-win strategy. The cultural institutions gain new members while citizens get to see and learn a lot.
Participating organizations are: San Antonio Museum of Art, McNay Art Museum, San Antonio Art League Museum, Briscoe Western Art Museum, Witte Museum, DoSeum, Artpace, Blue Star Contemporary, Southwest School of Art, UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, Edward Steves Homestead Museum, Villa Finale Museum & Gardens, San Antonio Botanical Garden and the newly opened Ruby City, a brand new – and beautiful – building housing the late philanthropist Linda Pace’s art collection.
For special events and current exhibition information, go to www.museummonthsa.org
And there’s so much more all over this lively city of ours!
For outstanding dancing, you shouldn’t miss Rio Bravo at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. First created in 1994, it’s a spectacular theatrical showcase of mostly Mexican folkloric dance, complete with great sets, and, of course, music. Dancer and actor Jesse Borrego will join the excellent Guadalupe Dance Company Oct. 3 & 4 at 8 p.m. The show is marking its 25th anniversary. I saw the 20th anniversary version and was blown away. Tickets are reasonably priced at $10-$25, with tables going for $125. (1301 Guadalupe St., 78207; 210-271-3151)
Also this weekend, URBAN-15 will host the second weekend of the Manhattan Short Film Festival for the 17th year in a row. Moviemakers from 73 countries entered their work into the competition. Screenings of the top ten selections are taking place in 400 cities around the globe, and we are one of those cities. What’s unique about this fest is that audiences vote for the Best Film and Best Actor awards. (Oct. 4-5 at 8 p.m., URBAN-15 Studio, 2500 S. Presa, 78210; presale tickets $10, at the door $15)
Blue Star Contemporary is opening new fall exhibits this Saturday, featuring three well-known San Antonio artists – Margaret Craig, Joey Fauerso, and Larry Graeber – plus Austin-based Sterling Allen and Japanese artist Thiyoshi Anzai. The opening reception is planned for 6-9 p.m. Friday night. At 7 p.m., Fauerso will present a “performative activation” of her installation in BSC’s Main Gallery. Performative activations are quite in vogue lately. What it means is that the artist interacts with her creation in a live performance. (Blue Star Contemporary is at 116 Blue Star off S. Alamo Street)
And for lovers of flamenco, there’s a special treat: the WeFlamenco Fest co-produced by the Carver Community Cultural Center and Paula Sullivan of the Carmen De La Calle club. It will feature local flamenco star, La Sonya, as well as guest artists from New York and Spain, and emerging San Antonio talent, including new singer Genevie Casillas, and two now-accomplished former students of La Sonya – Gabriela Rodriguez and Isabella Longoria. In addition, the Fandango ensemble of young dancers from the Parks and Recreation Department’s dance program, will showcase their own considerable dancing skills. Well known guitarist Steve Arispe will accompany the dancers. (Saturday Oct.5 at 8 p.m.; Carver Center, 226 N. Hackberry; tickets at www.universe.com
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