Arts Alive San Antonio

The Gudalupe Cultural Arts Center is opening its new season by celebrating the 30^th anniversary of “Rio Bravo” which premiered in July 1994. This writer was the dance critic for the daily newspaper back then and remembers the beautiful show. The dance company danced to the music of Mariachi Azteca de America. Colors and rhythms and great dancers captivated the audience. The performance unfolds through five chronological suites of dances, showcasing the vibrant music and dance traditions of the Texas-Mexico border region.

The Guadalupe commissioned Rafael Zamarripa, one of Mexico’s most distinguished visual artists and folkloric directors, to create the choreography, costuming, scenery and lighting for the original “Rio Bravo” production.  Each suite offers a glimpse into different aspects of life and history along the Rio Grande. This time, the performance will be filmed live on two consecutive nights, courtesy of the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts. (The 2024 performances will take place at the Buena Vista Theater, 501 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd.; 78207; Sept. 20-21; at 7:30 p.m.; most tickets are $30, with some costing $50 and $75, and can be purchased at the Buena VISTA site by calling the box office at 210-458-3288, or at www.buenavista.live/box-office). For more info contact 210-271-3151 ext.250).

And there’s another dance event – “TEMPORAL” – that will be screened by URBAN-15 from 9/16 through 9/23, 2024. Originally performed at the Teatro de la Ciudad of Monterrey in 2006, the 10-movement piece was conceptualized and choreographed by Myrna Renaud, a choreographer with decades of dance experience. The work is described as “a vibrant visual and sound tableaux of life on a small Caribbean island.” For more go to http://urban15.org.

But when it comes to dance, the show “not to be missed” is Twyla Tharp Dance – Diamond Jubilee at the Tobin Center. Tharp has been an innovative – even “revolutionary” choreographer for decades, easily one of the best known and respected in the U.S. and beyond. She is celebrating her 60^th anniversary with a boundary-breaking program featuring two new pieces and a revival of “Ocean’s Motion,” a work she created in 1975. The pieces to be presented premiered at the Joyce Theater this past February. (Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Tobin Center; tickets are $39.50 to $59.50, by calling 210-223-8624 or at tickets@tobincenter.org)

The South Texas Symphonic Orchestra will present the first concert of its season, featuring the music of George Gershwin and Aaron Copland to celebrate “music of the Americas.” Pianist, Paul Jensen, will be featured in “Rhapsody in Blue.” The South Texas Symphonic Orchestra is now in its 8^th season and it still performs without charging admission, except for $20 for the VIP seating. (Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, 227 West Woodlawn, 78212; for more info, see the website
www.stxso.com)

The San Antonio Chamber Choir has announced its 20^th Anniversary Concert Season, starting with “When the Violin Sings”, a work by contemporary Indian-American composer, Reena Esmail. Other represented composers are Ralph Vaughan Williams and Andrea Clearfield. (Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.; First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville; 800 Jefferson St.,78028. The concert will also be performed Sept 29 at 3 p.m. at the Basilica if the National Shrine of the Little Flower, 1715 N. Zarzamora St., San Antonio 78201;
For more info visit www.sachamberchoir.org)

And here’s an interesting program offered by the AGARITA Chamber Music Ensemble: “Details in Classical Music – How music became so specific and why it matters.” The group’s pianist and lecturer, Daniel Anastasio, will explore the issue. “How a composer chooses to write has massive effects on the performer’s interpretation,” states the announcement for the event. In this lecture, Anastasio will explain the pros and cons of writing less versus more; how seriously to take extreme detail, and what to do when the composer hardly provides instruction. (Sept. 22 at 2 p.m.; The AGARITA Loft, 724 S. Alamo St., second floor, accessible only by stairs; free parking nearby; a meal will be served for $35.)

“MJ the Musical” is about Michael Jackson, one of the best- known entertainers of recent times. The multi-Tony Award-winning new musical is centered around the events of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. This new musical goes beyond the moves and sounds of the star, offering a look at his creative mind and spirit that propelled MJ to legendary status. (Sept. 24-29, Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston St.; check website for times which are not the same every day of the run.; tickets are $49-$199 at
www.majesticempire.com/events/mj-the-musical/)

Lionel and Kathy Sousa have been working on a special project for a year and now it’s a reality.
They have organized the first ever group exhibition of San Antonio artists at a major international museum, in Queretaro, Mexico. The exhibit features many well-known SA artists, including Mel Casas. Cruz Ortiz, Chuck Ramirez, Kathy Vargas, Al Rendon, Carolina Flores, and more, including the Sosas. It is hoped that this project will lead to a Sister City designation between San Antonio and Queretaro.
(Open Sept. 20 through Jan. 31, 2025; for more info visit website: www.othersideofthemirror.com)

The San Antonio Art League and Museum has named Margaret Craig as its new Artist of the Year.
“Her work is deep, rich and unforgettable,” says the announcement. We’ll tell you more soon.

 Alamo City Arts has news! It is launching a new Theater Division, Alamo City Stage Company, which will be dedicated to bringing diverse theatrical productions to the city. The new expansion will make Alamo City Arts the most diverse arts organization in San Antonio. Heading the new company is Shawn Kjos who has served as the artistic director at the historic Ft. Sam Houston Harlequin Theater for the past 13 seasons. During his tenure, he has directed and produced more than 50 productions, including original shows he conceived and staged.

Over the years, Alamo City Arts has become the home of a number of arts groups, including a concert band, a dance company and a symphony. For more, visit www.alamocityarts.org.

Teatro Audaz will be presenting the Southwest premiere of “Bernardra,” a play by Emilio Willaims, described as a new take on the classic by Federico Garcia Lorca. It deals with a mother’s strict control of four daughters, giving rise to a great deal of tension. A note warns that “this show deals with depiction of suicide and physical and verbal abuse. (Sept. 9-29, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. & Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; The Little Carver Theater, 226 N. Hackberry, 78202; tickets are$17-$37; at Carver Box Office.)

You may not know this, but the San Antonio Airport features a great deal of art created by San Antonio artists. The current travel-themed exhibit honors Hispanic Heritage Month. The featured artist, Nain Leon, once worked at SAT as a baggage handler. His exhibit of photographs, called “The Man with the Gray Suitcase,” depict whimsical images of his journeys between Mexico and the U.S. (Look for the art at Terminal B, Baggage Claim.)