Arts Alive San Antonio

NEWS ROUNDUP, August, 22, 2025

San Antonio has more than one symphony orchestra. This other symphony is called Symphony Viva, and it is celebrating its 10^th season with a new concertmaster, landmark performances and expanded community outreach. This orchestra is part of Alamo City Arts and the performances take place at the Travis Park United Methodist Church, which will serve as the ensemble’s new home and community partner. The orchestra also welcomes violinist Brendan Speltz as the
Symphony Viva’s new concertmaster, alongside an expanded slate of performances designed “to connect music, community and education.”

 Symphony Viva was founded in 2016. The 2025-26 season, titled “Bringing People Together Through the Arts,” features diverse programming that includes works by Bach and Beethoven, Sibelius, Ravel and Stravinsky, and other composers, with collaborations with other ensembles, such as the San Antonio Choral Society, Campanas de America, Alamo City Dance Company and Alamo City Ballet Folklorico. For more info about Symphony Viva and Alamo City Arts, go to
www.alamocityarts.org.

This is the time of year when new seasons are announced, and that includes several smaller, chamber ensembles and presenters, including Musical Bridges Around the World; Agarita Chamber Players, Camerata San Antonio and others that we’ll cover separately as well. An exception is the Olmos Ensemble that performs its season in the summer. Two more concerts are on the summer agenda: A Trio of Trios (Aug. 24) and Anton Nel Returns (Aug.31). Contact Olmos at olmosensemble@gmail.com.

Ozark Mountain Daredevils with Pure Prairie League will perform at the Tobin Center Sunday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $48; info@tobincenter.org. This group has a unique sound that echoes the spirit of the Ozarks.

San Antonio’s “beloved alternative rock quintet, Hydra Melody, will be at Stable Hall Sat. Aug 23. Formed in San Antonio, Hydra Melody quickly made waves with its eclectic genre of blending synth-pop, alternative rock, Latin rhythms and vibrant harmonies (Aug. 23, 7 p.m.;
Stable Hall; 307 Pearl Parkway; tickets are $20-$75; for more info go to www.stablehall.com

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is honoring the life and legacy of the late Flaco Jimenez with a special remembrance exhibition in the Progresso Community Gallery (across the Guadalupe Theater) located at 1300 Guadalupe Street; Jimenez was a trailblazer of conjunto and Tejano music whose influence spans generations and borders.

An advance notice: The Temptations and the Four Tops will play at the Tobin Center Sept. 23.
And the Ultimate Tribute to the Fab Four will be there on Sept. 19.

On the visual arts front the big and most engaging event at present is the exhibit The Sacred Art of Altars: One People, Many Paths at the San Antonio Art League + Museum. A number of participating altar-builders (read artists) is huge. The exhibit honors the rich Southwest tradition of nichos – small, handmade shrines rooted in both sacred and everyday spaces. The altar artists in the show include first-timers and long-time creatives, each exploring personal meaning, spiritual connection or storytelling through a shared altar format (12”x 14”)
(Opening Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.; San Antonio Art League and Museum (130 King William St. 78204; free entry; Another intriguing exhibit is “Food Stories” opening Sept. 6 at Bihl Haus Arts.

Let’s look at the theater scene: Inspired by Euripides’ “Medea,” “Mohada” is a powerful and heart-wrenching reimagining of the Greek tragedy, set in modern-day America, staged by Teatro Audaz.  Author, Luis Alfaro, masterfully blends ancient myth with contemporary struggles, telling the story of an immigrant family’s journey to the United States and the sacrifices they must make to survive. The press release says: “This play is raw, emotional and deeply relevant.” (Through Aug. 31; UTSA ARTS CUBE, 1518 S. Alamo; inside the old Say-Si building, with free parking on site. For more, contact www.teatroaudaz.com.)

Classic Theater is presenting “Real Women Have Curves,” the hilarious play by award-winning playwright Josefina Lopez. (Sept. 4 through Oct. 5; Classic Theater, 800 West Ashby Place, 78212; Contact the box office for information and reservations (210)733-7258) or email
boxoffice@sanpedroplayhouse.org

An Evening of Spoken Word: Three poets: Anthony the Poet, Amalia Ortiz and Rooster Martinez will offer an evening of performance poetry. (Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.; At the Beacon at Midtown, 1136 W. Woodlawn; free.
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