Arts Alive San Antonio

NEWS ROUNDUP, 2,14,2025

 Camerata San Antonio will present its annual Camerata Recital featuring guest violinist Laura Scalzo. She and pianist Viktor Valkov “will team up for a duo performance of their own design,” says the press announcement.  This will include music by Coleridge-Taylor, Bartok, Beethoven and Prokofiev.
Scalzo is no stranger to San Antonio as she was a member of the first violin section of the former San Antonio Symphony from 2011-2021, and also served as assistant concertmaster of the Mid-Texas Symphony until 2024. She has performed with Camerata San Antonio since 2023. Valkov is the winner of the 2012 New Orleans International Piano Competition, and frequently appears as a recitalist and soloist internationally. (Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.; Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place; tickets, $20, can be reserved at www.cameratasa.org or by calling 210-492-9519. Student are admitted free)

In an earlier article we told you about SOLI Chamber Ensemble’s 30x30x30 project that aimed at discovering promising new contemporary composers. The work of the selected composers will be featured in two Showcases, the first taking place Feb. 15-16. The Showcase event will offer opportunities for audience members to interact with the composers and performers, including the ability to post questions online during the event for the Q&A sessions. It will also be an opportunity to experience the inner workings of the composer-performer relationship, leading up to the final performance at 5:30 p.m.
(Showcase 1, Feb. 15-16 at Trinity University Ruth Taylor Recital Hall, from 1 to 5 p.m., and a full performance at 5:30 p.m. This will be followed by an audience Q&A’ all of it, free and open to the public.) Another showcase will take place in May.

The Kenny Barron Trio “offers a transformative jazz experience led by NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron, who has spent decades captivating audiences worldwide. Joining him are bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Jonathan Blake. Together, they deliver “performances that are both innovative and steeped in jazz tradition.” (Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.; Jo long Theater, CARVER CENTER, 226 N. Hackberry, 78202; 210-207-7211; https://thecarver.org)

Chief Adjuah (Christian Scott) is a multi-talented musician, a trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer – and sonic architect – who is known for pioneering the “Stretch Music” style, a genre of jazz music. (Feb. 15 at 8 p.m.; Carver Center; tickets are $82. Carver Center, address above)

Musical Offerings presents “Romantic Reverie” a Valentine’s Day Serenade featuring the Pearl Trio.
The three Musicians will play music by Mendelssohn, Piazzolla, Rachmaninoff and Schubert.
Three Concerts are planned. Go to www.mymusicalofferings.org for details.
 Feb 12 at 7:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church; 510 Belknap Pl, 78212;

Valentine’s day is here and if you want to be in the romantic mood, you may want to attend “Isn’t It Romantic?” a Parlor Concert featuring the popular San Antonio vocalist, Ken Slavin.  He’ll perform an array of popular love songs, “ideal for sweethearts, hopeful romantics and lovers of romantic melodies,” among them songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Cole Porter, and, more. (Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m., Villa Finale Museum & Garden, 401 King William, 78204; $25 for members/$30 for non-members; for more info call 210-223-9800 pr billafinale@villafinale.org)

On the visual arts front, there’s news from Ruby City. The new exhibit, titled “Synthesis & Subversion Redux” celebrates the legacy of Frances Jean Colpitt and the evolving conversation around Latinx art. This new exhibit revisits Colpitt’s  ground-breaking 1996 show: “Synthesis and Subversion”  and its influence on contemporary art practices of today. In 1966, she brought together a group of San Antonio artists, including Jesse Amado, David Padilla Cabrera, Alejandro Diaz, Franco Mondini -Ruiz and Chuck Ramires, who explored identity, abstraction and the every-day through conceptual approaches. The show challenged norms and sparked debate. Now her vision is being remembered and revisited. At least two other galleries have installed Colpitt-inspired exhibits. (The Ruby City exhibit will open Feb. 15 and be on view through Sep. 28, 2025 at the Studio Gallery located inside Chris Park (111 Camp St.)

Romance & Ruin: Valentine’s Day Tours: Enjoy special themed tours at the San Antonio Museum of Art, celebrating the highs and lows of love. You can choose “Romance” or “Ruin.” Afterwards, engage in hands-on art experience and make a heart to take home. (Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.; SAMA, 200 W. Jones Ave., 78215; $30-$35)

On Theater stages: “Jersey Boys” is at San Pedro Playhouse through March 2; The Playhouse is in San Pedro Park and its next show, “Romeo and Juliet” will be staged outdoors and it will be a short run, March 25-30; For more go to www.sanpedroplayhouse.org/shows. Another theater show closing on March 2 is the musical “9 to 5” produced by the Wonder Theater; for tickets call the box office at 210-267-8388; tickets are $18-$32.

“Talleys Folly” is being staged by the 100A production company at the Alvarez Theater at the Tobin Center. The play was written by Lanford Wilson and is described as “funny, sweet, touching and marvelously written.” (Feb. 12 – 16; to find out more and get tickets www.tobincenter.org)

In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is known as Dia del Amor y la Amistad – a day to honor not just romantic relationships but also bonds of friendship and family. The Brisco Western Art Museum is inviting you to an evening of creativity and connection as the tradition is celebrated through art. A guided painting experience helps you to create a heartfelt painting dedicated to someone you love. (For 21+; limited tickets are available at $35 for nonmembers and $20 for members. (Feb.3 at 6:30 p.m.; the Briscoe is at 210 W. Market St., 78205; call 210-299-4499 or contact marketing@briscoemuseum.org)

Luminaria, the Contemporary Arts Festival, has issued a call for artists to participate in the 2025 fest. All art disciplines are welcome.   Deadline to apply to participate is Feb. 23; https://www.anyartist.org/call.
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