Arts Alive San Antonio

We are fortunate to always have some good music in our concert halls.
The Chamber Music Society is celebrating its 82^nd season with the debut of a new ensemble:
the all-star 3Esprit Trio that brings together violinist Joseph Lin, cellist Raman Ramakrishnan and pianist Daniel Anastasio who usually plays with the AGARITA chamber quartet. The tree musicians formed the 3Esprit Trio in 2023. Lin, a Taiwanese-American virtuoso, was First Violinist of the Julliard String Quartet, and currently serves on the violin and chamber music faculty of the Julliard School. Ramakrishnan holds a master’s degree in music from Julliard and is currently on the faculty at Bard College Conservatory of Music. And Anastasio, a brilliant pianist, is artistic director of the San Antonio-based AGARITA Chamber Players. They will play the music of Beethoven, Kodaly and Dvorak. And the concert is followed by dinner for those who want to participate. (Jan. 26 at 3:15 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church; 319 E. Mulberry Ave., 78212 tickets are $25 at the door; students & Active–Duty Military free; $35 for dinner; for more info call 210-408-1558 or email@sacms.org)

And AGARITA will also join forces with the OLMOS Ensemble in another concert featuring the music of Aaron Copland, Paul Wianko, Martin Bresnick, Laura Vega, Alexander Glazunov and Miguel del Aguila. The players are: Eric Gratz (violin); Ebonee Thomas (flute); Stanislav Chernyshev (clarinet); Jeff Garza (French horn); Sarah Silver (violin); Marisa Bushman (viola); Ignacio Gallego (cello) and Daniel Anastasio (piano) (Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.; Diane Bennack Concert Hall, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, 78209; free and open to the public; reception to follow)

Also, a reminder: The next concert of the Caritas Concert Series presents prominent organist, Damin Spritzer. His program will include mostly 20^th century works. (Jan. 26 at 3 p.m., the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, 4503 Broadway; free and open to the public)

The Tuesday Musical Club “proudly presents” William Westney in a piano concert of “the most loved masterpieces” by Beethoven, Mozart and Grieg. Westney is the top prize-winner of the Geneva International Piano Competition. He has also given solo recitals on four continents. (Jan. 28 at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday Musical Club, 3755 N. St. Mary’s, 78212); free.; for info call  210-410-9146
or email maromel129@gmail.com.) He will also perform Jan. 26 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church; (Jan. 26 at 4 p.m.; the church is at 7150 I-10 Frontage Rd., 78213; 210-344-4695)

This Saturday, the Carver Community Cultural Center will present Lee Fields with Monophonics. Fields
is considered to be “an unassailable force of nature,” hailed by Rolling Stone for his “classic American soul sound.” He is considered the greatest pure soul singer alive today. Teaming up with Fields is the modern soul sensation, Monophonics. (Jan. 25 at 8 p.m.; Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry, 78202; tickets are $37 at box office; 210-207-7211; https://thecarver.org)

Laura Anglade, a French/American jazz singer, described as “a powerhouse of a voice,” will be accompanied by jazz pianist and accordionist Ben Rosenblum and his trio for a concert in Kerville. (Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.; Arcadia Live Theater, 717 Water St., Kerrville, 78028; 830- 315-5483; boxoffice@thearcadialive.org)

The Broadway hit musical, “Ain’t too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations” tells the story of the legendary group’s rise to fame. “With iconic music, stunning choreography and a powerful narrative,
the Tony Award-winning musical is a must-see,” says the announcement. The Temptations created 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one.  (Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle, tickets start at $35.50; can be purchased at www.tobincenter.org, via phone 210-223-8624 or in person at the box office.)

The Magik Theater is planning to open a new show, “Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play” a play by Mo Willem. (Feb. 1 – March 23) On opening day, there will be a pre-show Party in the Park starting at 4:30 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite animal. (420 S. Alamo St. 210-227-2751; www.majiktheatre.org)

On the visual arts front, we recommend visiting The San Antonio Art League and Museum to see an exhibit of art pieces from years past that were considered exceptional. For nearly 80 years, the prestigious JULIAN ONDERDONK MEMORIAL PURCHASE PRIZE celebrated exceptional talent in Texas art at the annual Juried Artists Exhibition. Now, the San Antonio Art League + Museum invites you to experience a comprehensive time capsule that showcases the perception of artistic excellence in the Lone Star State through these yearly “best in show” awards which were selected by the jurors of those exhibitions. Among the included artists are Danville Chadbourne, Frank Hein, Billy Keen, Cecil Lang Casebier, Agnes Eyster, Bill Bristow, Fritz Ozuna, Richard Conn. (The exhibit will be on view every day through Feb. 9. SAALM is at 130 King William St., 210-223-1140; http://www.saalm.org)

Centro Cultural Aztlan has produced and presented the annual Segundo de Febrario exhibit since 1977 in an effort to preserve Mexican American history and culture. This exhibit commemorates the 177 anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the ending of the U.S. Mexican War, and the redistribution of a border, creating a new bicultural citizenry, with a new consciousness of Mexican American dual identity. More than 30 artists are participating. The opening reception is on Feb. 2, from 4-7 p.m.; www.centroaztlan.org

At URBAN-15, The Josiah Media Festival continues with “Locals Only Screenings” this Saturday, starting at 2:30 p.m. “A coffee talk” mixer precedes the screening at URBAN-15, 2500 S. Presa, 78210, 210-736-1500; events@urban15.org

The Contemporary at Blue Star is welcoming visitors to “Back from Berlin” an Artist Talk with two of the 2023-24 Berlin residency program artists – Theresa Newsome and Juan Carlos Escobedo. (Jan. 30 at 6 m.; Contemporary at Blue Star; 210-227-6960; 116 Blue Star, 78204)
                                           ——————————————————-