Arts Alive San Antonio

Let’s start with literary news. April is not only National Poetry Month but in San Antonio it is also Book Festival month. But, while NPM lasts a month with events taking place all across the city, the San Antonio Book Festival is packed into a single day. The festivities take over the Central Library premises and the former Southwest School of Art, now called UTSA Southwest. The number of featured authors is close to a 100. Fiction and nonfiction of many genres are represented. It’s impossible to see it all, so, our advice would be to go to the fest’s website and make your choices.

Among the featured authors are Pulitzer-Prize winning writers, Matthew Desmond and Geraldine Brooks; National Book Award Finalist Rebecca Makkai and McArthur Fellow Kiese Laymon.  Some familiar names are Henry Cisneros, Sandra Cisneros (not related to Henry), Lewis Fisher, Kimberly Garza, Char Miller, John Kerr and our mayor Ron Nirenberg. In addition to authors’ appearances, discussions and book signings, there will be no shortage of family entertainment, such as children’s theater performances, art stations, a technology area and, of course, food trucks. (April 15, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free and open to the public)

The day before, SABF will be hosting an adult event called Lit Happens, described as “a night of engaging literary entertainment” featuring some of the authors, with libations on the side.” (April 14 at 6 p.m.; La Zona, downtown)

According to city-issued information, the event generates more than $1 million for the city’s economy.

Other literary news:

 An Evening with Friends at the Twig Book Shop will feature two poets laureate – Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton of Houston and Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, the immediate past San Antonio poet laureate. The two will discuss Mouton’s book “Black Chameleon: Memory, Womanhood and Myth.” (April 14 at 5:30 p.m.; Twig Book Store, 306 Pearl Parkway, Ste. 106, 78215)

VOICES de la LUNA, the organization that publishes the city’s premier literary magazine, also called VOICES de la LUNA, is inviting poets to submit their work to the VOICES De La LUNA’s Annual Poetry Contest: “The Healing Balms of Lyric & Light.” It’s a bilingual contest for youth and adults, open to residents and visitors. (Winners must be present to win.) There are three categories for youth – Grades 7-8; grades 9-10, and grades 11-12. Deadline for submissions is April 16. Winning entries will be published in the magazine.

Gemini Ink, San Antonio’s Writing Arts Center, will be presenting Literary Movements with Rod Carlos Rodriguez, a popular class that examines literary movements from Transcendentalism to SLAM poetry.
(April 15 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Government Canyon State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Road.)

Bihl Haus Arts is celebrating National Poetry Month with “Fred Reads,” the annual intergenerational NPM reading featuring the participants of its Go! Arts Program and Young Women’s Leadership Academy – Young Poets Society. The instructors join in. (April 14 at 6 p.m.; Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd.; free)

Unfortunately, there’s sad news, too, from our literary community. The wonderful poet, Carol Coffee Reposa, the 2018 Texas Poet Laureate, and one of the long-time editors of VOICES De La LUNA died a few days ago. In our opinion, she was one of the very best contemporary poets in Texas. We highly recommend her last poetry collection, “The Underground Musicians.” To honor her, ARTS ALIVE SAN ANTONIO re-published today the poem that Carol wrote for our series “Life in the Time of COVID-19,” which became the anthology, “Yellow Flag Poems.” It’s a big loss for our literary community.

News from other fronts:

The San Antonio Philharmonic will present the eighth classical program of its inaugural season this weekend, April 14-15. American conductor, Kazem Abdullah will fly in from Germany to conduct the orchestra. Soprano Vanessa Becerra is the guest artist. The program will celebrate the master of the baroque style, Mozart, with his dramatic concert aria “Bella mia fiamma” and his symphony No. 40 in G minor. Also on the program, are works by Barber: his Adagio for Strings, and “Knoxville: Summer 1915,” a prose poem in which Pulitzer Prize winner, Kames Agee, reminisces about his childhood in Knoxville.

Venessa Becerra is a Peruvian and Mexican-American singer who recently graduated from LA Opera’s Young Artist Program where she was praised for her “bold and bright” singing by Opera News. Despite her young age, she has already performed with prestigious opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera. (April 14 & 15 at 7:30 p.m.; First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough Ave., downtown’ tickets are $30-&65, student RUSH tickets are $10 starting one hour before the performance.)

The Philharmonic will also perform with guest artist, flutist Elena Duran, to kick off events celebrating the Old Spanish Trail Cultural Corridor designation for a portion of Fredericksburg Rd. (April 18 at 6:30 p.m.; Grace Cathedral Christian Church, 1001 W. Huisache Ave., 78201; the festivities start at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7:15.; free)

Camerata San Antonio is closing its season this weekend with three concerts in three different places and the same program titled “Postcards. According to Camerata co-founder, Emily Freudigman, the concert will be a treat “for anyone who appreciates the artistry and beauty of classical music.” She took the lead in programming this concert. The program consists of works by Kevin Puts, Peter Schickele, Errolyn Wallen and Richard Strauss. (April 14 at 4 p.m.; First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson St., Kerrville; April 15 at 3 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 11093 Bandera Rd., San Antonio; and April 16 at 2 p.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Pl., San Antonio.; tickets are $20 and can be reserved at www.cameratasa.org or by calling 210-492-9519.

Agarita Chamber Players will present two Humble Hall concerts this weekend. Those are outdoor concerts open to all, that the musicians perform from a platform of a truck. It’s wise to bring a blanket or a folding chair. The programs vary. Both concerts will be on Sunday, April 16, the first at 1:30 p.m. at Roosevelt Park, and the other at 5 p.m. in District 1 at the Beautify San Antonio Park in the King William area. The concerts are 45-minutes long. The musicians talk with the audience between performances.

The folks at the Carver Community Cultural Center are clearly excited to host a concert by legendary singer Oleta Adams, “whose voice has enraptured audiences for more than 45 years.” She has released nine albums and received four Grammy nominations. She was raised on gospel music as a preacher’s daughter “and those roots shine through in her music.” (April 14 at 8 p.m.; Carver Center, 226 N. Hackberry; 210-207-2234; www.TheCarver.org)

If you enjoy band music, you’ll be in heaven on April 15 when a number of bands will perform at the 2nd Annual Greater San Antonio Community Band Festival, presented by the Greater San Antonio Community Bands Association.Participating bands include: Alamo City Community Marching Band, Jazz Collective from SACWE, San Antonio Brass Band, County Line Community Band, American Legion Band, Beethoven Concert Band and Beethoven Dance Band, and others. (April 15, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Beethoven Halle & Garten, 422 Pereida St., 78207; donations accepted; food and beverages will be for sale.)

And speaking of bands, a very different kind of band – The Josh Abbot Band – will wow the audience at the Espee, April 14 at 8 p.m.; 1174 E. Commerce St., 78205; www.TheEspee.com

And again, for yet another kind of music, there’s Chicago – The Musical at the Majestic Theater. It’s been around for 25 years and it still draws audiences across the land. Has some cool songs, too! (April 14 at 8 p.m.; April 15 at 2 and 8 p.m., and April 16 at 2 p.m.; tickets are $35-$125, via Ticketmaster.)

Another stage show, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” is openingat the Magik Theater, inspired by ABC’s Emmy-Award-winning programs from 1970s and 80s, a series of short animated videos that combined education with entertainment. The Magik’s show, directed by Anthony Runfola, follows a teacher anxious about his first day of school. To calm himself, he turns on the TV where his favorite show “Schoolhouse Rock,” suddenly comes to life right before his eyes. (April 15-June 4; Magik Theater, 420 S. Alamo, 78205, www.magiktheatre.org)

A very different play, Alice Childress’ “Trouble in Mind” is playing at St. Philip’s College right now, staged by the theater department. The work tackles racial issues during a stage production featuring a Black cast being directed by a White director. It’s an older play that only reached Broadway in 2021, decades after it was written. (Fridays-Saturdays and Sundays through April 23. Watson Theater, 1801 Martin Luther King DR., tickets are $10; to reserve call 210-486-2205)

And here’s something new – at least new to us. This Saturday, fans of the late Selena will gather for a singing session, called Y’all Sing! at the Mercury Project on Roosevelt Ave. The idea is to mark Selena’s birthday by singing together one of her songs, in this case, the song “Como La Flor.” Anybody can join but it’s recommended that they learn the song in advance. It will be sung in 3-part harmony, so the event includes time for rehearsing. The final version will be recorded and posted online. Singing together is a wonderful thing to do, so there may be more projects along this line. All skill levels are welcome. (April 15 at 3 p.m.; Mercury Project, 538 Roosevelt; $10-$20, via www.Eventbrite.com.

For lovers of dance and Mariachi music, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center has the right thing: Noche de Romance, with Mariachi Azteca playing for people to dance and enjoy traditional songs of Mexico, outdoor on the Plaza Guadalupe. (tickets are $35-$50; Guadalupe Center, 1301 Guadalupe St., 78207; 210-271-3151, www.guadaluprculturalarts.org)