Arts Alive San Antonio

San Antonio theaters have been struggling through this period of shutdown but at least a couple of them have strived to provide virtual classes and interesting virtual programming to stay connected with their audiences.

Here’s one event you may not want to miss this weekend: The Public Theater of San Antonio is presenting a reading and discussion of “Underground,” a play that, though written a couple of years ago, seems quite relevant to current concerns. Authored by Austin playwright Lisa B. Thompson, the play is part of Public Potentials, a series of new play readings by local and regional playwrights.

The action revolves around two former college buddies, Kyle and Mason, who used to be radical activists in their youth but have become successful professionals approaching middle age. During a visit at Mason’s house, they eventually get around to discussing how best to help black people in their struggle for equity but discover they have different ideas on how to go about it. As their argue, a news report informs them that there’s a police search for the leader of a black radical political movement.

The two protagonists will be portrayed by Jeffery Da’Shade Johnson and Marc Pouché, the actors who originated the roles in Austin. They will be performing live, each from his own house.

The event is free but you are “encouraged” to make a contribution to the Austin Area Urban League.

Sunday, June 14 at 7:30; to watch, register at https://bit.ly/3f8T4f4 To donate go to https://aaul.org/donate-austin

Over at the Magik Theater they are bringing back the show that had to close earlier in the spring due to stay-at-home restrictions. Based on the bestselling children’s book, the stage version of “Dragons love Tacos,” will run through June 21 before a real, live audience.

“Simple joys like enjoying a show can be especially meaningful right now. Magik has carefully considered how we can resume providing quality family entertainment for our audiences while still practicing social distancing,” said CEO Frank Villani, in a press statement. Only 144 patrons will be allowed inside the 579-seat auditorium. You can see the complete list of safety measures on the theater’s website.

Shows: Wednesday-Friday at 10:30 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.MagikTheatre.org. Questions 210-227-2751.

Unable to put its own live musicals on stage due to COVID-19, the Woodlawn Theater has come up with a next best thing: movie musicals! After all, the Woodlawn used to be a movie house, so, why not!?  Starting June 19, the Summer Movie Nights will showcase “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls (June 26), “Hairspray” (July 3), “Evita (July 10) and “Little Shop of Horrors (July 17.)

Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance online. Doors open at 6 p.m., screening starts at 7 p.m. And again, social distancing and other safety rules will be observed. www.woodlawntheatre.org/summer-movie-nights

As you probably know, most museums and visual arts organization have cautiously reopened, and individual galleries are now doing the same. At Ruiz-Healy Art you can view “More Than Words: Text-Based Artwork,” featuring the works of prominent San Antonio contemporary artists, such as Richard Armendariz, Nate Cassie, Andres Ferrandis, Katie Pell, Ethel Shipton and Gary Sweeney.

“Text… demands we read the visual composition of a painting or sculpture and interpret bits of language simultaneously. Text pulls viewers in, slowing them down to consider how the text and its imagery inform each other,” states the press release. From what we have seen, it looks like an exceptionally rich and attractive exhibit.

Ruiz-Healy Art is open Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment; 210-804-2219.

And there’s news from Luminaria. The organization’s executive director, Kathy Armstrong, is leaving after five years of capable leadership. Her last day on the job will be June 27. Under her leadership, Luminaria won national recognition, diversified its funding base, and introduced thousands of people to the arts. More recently, Armstrong has been instrumental in organizing relief efforts for artists affected by COVID-19 cancellations, and she also shepherded the merger of Luminaria with the Artist Foundation of San Antonio. The now-renamed Luminaria Artist Foundation will continue the legacy of its predecessor by supporting the creation of new, original artistic projects. No word about what she will be doing next. 

This week’s special treat is this extraordinary opportunity to explore 32 national parks – from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone – via 3-D tours, right from “the comfort of your home.”
https://www.insider.com/national-parks-america-virtualtours