Arts Alive San Antonio

Although Fiesta is about to take over the city, this is still National Poetry Month and time to attend a few poetry readings. San Antonio happens to have a significant number of good poets, and – unlike what you might have heard – a great deal of contemporary poetry is not at all intimidating. Just go enjoy it.

A good place to start is Mega Corazon 2023, a performance poetry showcase presented by URBAN-15.  Organizers refer to it as “the annual spoken word marathon” that combines classical poetry with street poetry and the slam performance type. The poets to be featured include Carmen Tafolla, Anthony “the Poet” Flores, Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, Octavio Quintanilla, John Philip Santos, Jennifer Alaniz, the new San Antonio poet laureate, Nephtali De Leon and others. There’s also a Mega Corazon for teens/young adults. You can see the performances on the URBAN-15’s website. Two different shows will loop for 24 hours throughout the month of April. To watch go to https://urban15.org/live-stream/. The adult version will be streamed every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; the youth program will stream every Tuesday and Thursday.

A couple of other events: “April is the Coolest Month” presented by Voces Cosmicas founder, Fernando Esteban Flores. Participating poets include Ed Cody, Alicia Zavala Galvan, Suzanne Green, Carlos Loera, Gerardo Carrasco, Rod Carlos Rodriguez and Susana Nevarez-Marquez. (April 22 at 2 p.m.; Bazan Branch Library 2200 W. Commerce St., 78207; free)

The Mouth Dakota Poetry Project is an “open mic” reading session that welcomes poets of all ages and experience level. The organizers’ message is: “Come share or come listen.” (April 23 and April 30 at 5p.m., Dakota East Side Ice House, 433 S. Hackberry, 78203)

And here’s an outdoor event that sounds wonderful: “Words for Birds,” a reading to celebrate “our feathered friends,” will take place at the Mitchell Lake Amphitheater, described as a spot with “dappled shade, with stone-steps seating.  If you decide to attend, you are urged to arrive early to enjoy the peace of nature, hike the trails and explores the gardens around the Visitor Center. Featured poets are: Marisol Cortez, Alicia Galvan, Zan Green, Jean Hackett, Jim LaVilla-Havelin and Rod Carlos Rodriguez. (April 29 at 2 p.m.; Mitchell Lake Audubon Center Amphitheater. For more info contact co-host Norma Jean Moore at njmooresa@gmail.com)

To enhance a poetry reading or a story-telling performance, you may want to learn how to use puppets – yes, puppets. Gemini Ink is offering a class with skilled puppeteer and poet, Mobi Warren. She will demonstrate how puppetry can greatly enhance your delivery.(April 22 and April 29, 10.a.m. to 12 noon., Gemini Ink Writing Arts Center, 111 Navarro St., 78205; www.gemiiink.org)

Plenty of great music is coming out way. This weekend, the San Antonio Philharmonic will perform its Pops 3 concert Viva la Musica.”  Who would disagree with that title?! Not only is music most likely the most popular of all arts, but SA Phil is going to “crack open a giant cascaron full of joyful musical confetti.” They are not telling us what they are, however. Still, they promise that conductor Lanfranco Marcelletti and guest flutist Elena Duran, “will get you into a lively mood.” (April 21 &22 at 7:30 p.m.; First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough Ave., 78215; tickets are $30-$65; sales@saphil.org)

The Heart of Texas Concert band, however, is more than happy to tell us in advance what it will be playing this weekend: happy music featuring the compositions of Leroy Anderson who was a master of tune and melody. Almost everyone knows his song “Sleigh Ride” and you’ll probably recognize a lot of his songs. The band will perform Anderson’s “Irish Suite,” written for Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops as part of the annual St.Patrick’s Day celebrations in Boston, plus “The Penny-Whistle Song,” “Clarinet Candy,” and “Bugler’s Holiday.” (Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m.; Texas A and M University, One University Way, 78224; for info call 210-860-3177; https://heartoftexasconcertband.org)

The San Antonio Chamber Music Society is bringing to town the Isidore String Quartet, which recently won the top honor in the 2022 Banff International String Quartet Competition. The upcoming San Antonio concert will include “a vibrant mix of familiar and contemporary string music that traverses a landscape remiscent of the multi-faceted journey of life, and evokes a familiar sense of human empathy and compassion.” Quite a promise! (Sunday, April 23 at 3:15 p.m.; Temple Beth-El, 211 Belknap Place, 78212; 210-733-9135; tickets $25; 210-408-1558; https://www.sacms.org)

The CARITAS Concerts at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word is presenting a concert by the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio. The performance includes a mix of songs about nature, longing and jubilation, conducted by the group’s artistic director, Carolyn Cruse, who is concluding her first season with the ensemble. The singers are members of several subgroups, depending on their age. Founded by Marguerite McCormick in 1983, the Children’s Chorus is dedicated to providing musical education for San Antonio youth. (April 23 at 4 p.m.; Chapel of the Incarnate Word, 4503 Broadway; free)

Fans of Shakey Graves get a chance to see him live onstage tonight at the Tobin Center.  Born Alejandro Rose-Garcia, he got his stage name at the 2007 Old Settler’s Music Festival. Coincidentally, the 2023 festival is taking place this weekend in Dale, Texas., devoted to Americana/roots music, as always. (April 20, starting with a performance by Daniel Nunnelee at 8 p.m., with Graves following at 9:15 p.m.; Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets start at $33.50; tickets@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8624.)

Now, let’s look at Fiesta music.  It starts tonight with Fiesta Fiesta at Travis Park, featuring Chris Perez and Grupo Metal as headliners; free. Selected other events include our favorite Fiesta Arts Fair, where classical guitarist George Gaytan will perform, but there will be lots of different music, including country and blues. (April 22, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and April 23 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. UTSA Southwest Campus, 300 Augusta St.; $20 at the gate.)

 Another notable event is the Chaparral Music & Heritage Festival, showcasing the popular Asleep at the Wheel band and more country music. (April 22, noon-midnight; Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo; free; presented by the San Antonio Parks Foundation.) There are also multiple Fiesta events sponsored by business and civic organizations and neighborhood associations. (More Fiesta events in the next ROUNDUP)

San Antonio will be hosting the Texas Association of Museums Conference during Fiesta. Presented by the city’s Department of Arts & Culture, the meeting is scheduled for April 23 -26. According to the press release, TAM was created in San Antonio, at a meeting at the Witte Museum 50 years ago. That was news to us!  The organization has more than 1,000 members and offers support by nurturing and training museum leaders, developing and celebrating the museums and promoting the public worth of these institutions. About 500 members are expected to attend. Venues include the Witte, the Alamo, the Briscoe Museum and the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Speaking of Fiesta, we want to let you know that The Witte, San Antonio’s oldest museum, currently has an exhibition of Fiesta Gowns called “Fiesta: A World of Inspiration.” The title reflects the fact that the designs have been inspired by a variety of cultures over the years. The exhibit will be on view through Oct.1 of this year. (Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, 210-357-1900, www.wittemuseum.org)

On the visual arts front: Gallery Prudencia is opening a new exhibit of works by artist, Vikki Fields titled “From Life.” “I hope I carry the light and space of South and West Texas into my paintings,” says the artist. (Opening reception is on April 22, 2-4 p.m.; Gallery Prudencia, 2516 N. Main Ave., 78212; 210-422-8681)

On the same day, the Musical Bridges Around the World Gallery will be opening, Looking for Spring, showcasing the work of Gwen Rhea Cowden. Nearly 40 of her pieces will be there, from figure studies and still-lifes to dynamic drawings and colorful wild garden scenes. (Opening reception April 22 at 5 p.m.; MBAW Art Gallery and Offices are located just north of 1604 at 23705 Frontage Rd., Suite 101, 78257; 210-464-1534; https://musicalbridges.org/)

And here’s an interesting project: Uvalde Love Project. Participants will create original clay tiles that will be incorporated into a community memorial mosaic mural, a gesture of support for the Uvalde families. Open to all ages. (April 22: Open Art Studio 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Ecumenical Center, 8310 Ewing Halsell Dr., 78229; and May 6, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Grace Lutheran Church, 504 Ave. E, 78215. You can also donate at https://www.uvaldelove.com. The events are organized by Celebration Circle, 210-837-2866, www.celebrationcircle.org)

Two artists, Akaimi Davis and Kwanzaa Edwards are exhibiting their work at the Carver Community Cultural Center through May 26. Davis is known for her bold graphic lines and strong imagery, while Edwards blends personal history with fantasy to create a romanticized understanding and appreciation of all life holds. (Carver Center, 210-207-7211’ https://thecarver.org/gallety/)

Bihl Haus Arts will close its 2023 On & Off Fred Studio Tours with a reception at the gallery – with more art to see – April 21, 6-8 p.m.; www.BihlHausArts.org.

The Briscoe Museum of Western Art is celebrating Earth Day and the 100^th birthday of its namesake, former Governor, Dolph Briscoe, who died in 2010. A new program offers free admission to centenarians, Dolphs and Briscoes throughout 2023. The admission special kicks off April 22 in time for Earth Day. Lots of educational and fun activities are planned for Earth Day. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market At.; 210-299-4499, www.briscoemuseum.org)