News Roundup, 2,6,2025
San Antonio’s prominent chamber music ensemble – SOLI– will be presenting two concerts, “showcases” resulting from the 30x30x30 project, launched to celebrate the ensemble’s 30th anniversary and identify the talents and diversity of today’s emerging composers. The ensemble has been giving voice to 20th and 21st-century contemporary chamber music since 1994, ensuring the future of new music, created by living composers. And the group continues to champion new works, and new audiences for the music of our time. Two showcases – workshop/performance weekends are coming up.
Showcase 1 is scheduled for Feb. 15-16 at Trinity University’s Ruth Taylor Recital Hall, with individual composers’ workshops from 1 to 5 p.m. and a full performance at 5:30 p.m. This will be followed by an audience Q&A. The entire showcase is free and open to the public. Tickets may be reserved but :re not required. Another showcase is planned for May. (For more info call 210-317-8816 or check
https://solichamberensemble.com/showcase)
Musical Bridges Around the World- MBAW- is bringing to town the Kenny Barron Trio for Valentine’s Day. GRAMMY-nominated pianist, Kenny Barron, is known for his sophisticated melodies, infectious rhythms and lyrical artistry, and has captivated audiences across the world. Joining him are bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Jonathan Blake. Their performances “are both innovative and steeped in jazz tradition,” says the announcement. (Feb.14 at 7 p.m.; Carver Community Cultural Center; free but registration required at www.eventbrite.com/e/kenny-barron-trio-tickets-1104122824089)
Alamo City Symphony Viva’s Spring Concert will include Vivaldi’s Flute Concerto in G Minor and Copland’s timeless Suite from “Appalachian Spring.” Greg Obregon is the principal flutist.
(Feb. 9 at 4 p.m.; St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 11 Saint Lukes Lane, 78209; 210-828-6425;
www.alamocityarts.org)
Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group; A singer, composer and actor, Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that includes 14 albums. The Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues and breaks down barriers. (Feb. 8 at 8:30 p.m.; doors 7 p.m.; Arcadia Live Theater. 717 Water Street, Kerrville, Texas 78028; 830-315-5483; tickets at boxoffice@thearcadialive.org)
An Intimate Evening with Gregory Alan Isakov. The Grammy- nominated indie-folk musician will perform songs from his critically acclaimed discography. Including his latest album, “Appaloosa Bones.”
( Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.; Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, 78215; tickets are $55-$119 info@stablehall.com)
New Wave Icon, Howard Jones, and synth pop stars ABC are joining forces for a co-headlining tour this month. They will be at the Tobin Center on Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.; tickets can be bought at www.tobincenter.org, via phone 210-223-8624 and in person at the box office, 100 Auditorium Circle, 78205; tickets start at $49.50)
The Ballet Folklorico De Mexico was founded in 1952 by Amalia Hernandez, who wanted to ensure that the traditional dances of Mexico would be preserved for generations to come. You can enjoy the vibrant dancing and the music on this journey from ancient Aztec era to modern day. (Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets can be purchased online at www.tobincenter.org; via phone 210-223-8624 and in person at the box office.)
At the Aztec Theater you will participate in something called Trap Karaoke, which puts you in the center of the concert experience by bringing you close to the artists and the music. It is considered a subgenre of hip-hop. (Aztec Theatre, 104 S. St. Mart’s St.; Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.; tickets at
www.theaztectheatre.com/shoed)
On the Visual Arts Front: The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture, in collaboration with the World Heritage Office, presents “Confluence of Cultures: Nuestra Gente, Cultura y Comida,” an exhibition that brings together 20 San Antonio artists who explore the merging of cultures that made their home and shaped their people. Through paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and installation pieces, these artists explore the legacy that has created a World-Heritage-designated city.
Included artists are Kat Cadena, Manuel Davila, Ronney Stevens Cruz Ortiz, Blas Lopez, Eva Marengo Sanchez, Ashley Perez, Bria Woods, Ursula Zavala and others. The exhibit will be open to the public, free of charge, from Feb.13 through Jan. 16, 2026, at the Culture Commons Gallery at 115 Plaza de Arnas. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Dining with Rolando Briseno” – a 50- year Retrospective” will be closing in a few days, Feb. 9, 2025. To see it, visit Centro de Artes Gallery (101 S. Santa Rosa Ave, 78207) It is also supported by the Department of Arts & Culture.
At the Un Gritto Gallery, you’ll find an exhibit by Guillermina Zabala, which is an interdisciplinary installation consisting of a series of linocut prints, mixed media, photography, and digital video, exploring the transformation from childhood to womanhood. (Opening Feb. 7, 7-10 p.m.; Un Gritto Gallery is the upstairs Studio at Blue Star, 1420 S. Alamo St., 78219; free.
Another interesting exhibit is “Sensorial Cartography” by Lisa Alvarado. It brings together trajectories in modern and contemporary conceptual art and abstraction with popular artistic traditions that welcome viewers to consider personal and shared cultural geographies. (Russell Hill Rogers Galleries, 1201 Navarro St., 78205’ 7-8 p.m. through Feb. 28; art.events@utsa.edu)
“Do you really believe that? is an exhibition celebrating the power of abstract and minimalist art and honoring the legacy of Dr. Frances Colpitt, who was a UTSA professor for 15 years. She was “enormously influential in Texas and nationally. (UTSA Main Art Gallery through Feb. 28, 2025; 1 UTSA Circle, 78249; artevents@utsa.edu)
Black History Film Series February – “Miles of Smiles”; focuses on service workers in luxurious sleeping car train service. Porters had both the highest status in the black community and the lowest rank on the train. They were trapped in the dual roles of charming host and obedient servant. And smiles were part of the job. (Feb. 7 at 6 p.m.; The Little Carver, 226 N. Hackberry; free but registration required; A panel discussion will follow the screening; for info 210-724-3350; San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum.)
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