Arts Alive San Antonio

Music and celebration are in the air.

We want to start with a sacred music concert that will be performed in a beautiful sacred space: the Chapel of the Incarnate Word. Though the name of the place makes you think of a picturesque and intimate little church, this Chapel is a glorious sanctuary with great acoustics that will help the music soar.

Part of the CARITAS Concert Series, the concert, Laud to the Nativity, is presented by the San Antonio Chamber Choir under the direction of artistic director, Rick Bjella. They will be joined by the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, led by Carolyn Cruse. The centerpiece of the program is a seldom performed composition of Italian composer, Ottorino Respighi, titled “Laud to the Nativity.”

“This work is certainly in the center of how we went about programming this concert,” said Bjella. “It struck me as the perfect piece for these singers who have very expressive voices. Respighi has done a wonderful job of mixing the Renaissance, Baroque and the more contemporary periods together to make a picture of intertwined carol-like pieces” The work presents the story of Christ’s birth from the viewpoint of the humble shepherds, and unfolds like a play with the soloists portraying the Angel, Mary and Shepherd, while the chorus represents the people and angels. (Dec.16 at 7 :30 p.m. and Dec 17 at 3 p.m.; Chapel of the Incarnate World, 4301 Broadway, 78209), free)

The Heart of Texas Concert Band will be joined by the Dianne Brumley Chorale and River City Ringers
for “A Crystal Christmas” this Sunday. They will join forces for Robert Shaw and Russell Bennett’s “Many Moods of Christmas,” Suite 3. A highlight will be a setting for narrator and band of “Yes Virginia, there’s a Santa Claus.” Old and new Christmas favorites will be included. (Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.; Trinity Baptist Church Sanctuary, 319 E. Mulberry, 78212; to reach the Alamo City Arts Heart of Texas Concert Band, call 210-860-3177, or go to http://HTxCB.org; suggested donation $10)

You can join the St.Mark’s choirs for A festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, an Anglican tradition shared by millions around the world since 1918. Readings, carols, hymns and anthems will be included. A reception will follow the service. (Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan St., 78205; 210-226-2426)

The 44^th TubaMeister Christmas Concert downtown is scheduled for Saturday. It has been a holiday tradition since 1979. The performers are volunteers playing the tuba, euphonium or baritone horn. Anyone who can read music and play one of those instruments is welcome to join in the fun. Others groups performing include the UTSA Boom squad and Bassline Brass from St. Mary’s University.
(Dec.16 at 12,noon; Arneson River Theater, 418 Villita St., 78240; 210-378-6549; https://thetubameisters.com)

Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez will present Merry-achi Christmas, at the Tobin Center next Thursday. This is a group that likes to fuse different styles of music, and cooperates even with symphonic orchestras like The Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony and others. Their music  has also been part of movies and the group has been nominated for ten GRAMMY Awards. (Dec. 21 at 8p.m., Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, 78205; tickets are $29.50 at
tickets@tobincenter.org or by phone210-223-8624)

And there are more Christmas-related arts events.

 We told you last week about “John Denver Christmas” a show that features Rick Schuler singing Denver’s beloved ballads in this tribute to John Denver. (Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, tickets are $65. See ticket info above.)

There’s also DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular that promises to take you “on an unforgettable musical journey through the most beloved holiday classics. Gospel, jazz, soul, Motown rhythms – and the Nutcracker Suite – are mixed with a hip-hop beat and marching bands. This production comes from Producer, Don Roberts, and the musical team behind 20^th Century Fox’s hit movies. (Dec. 15 at 8 p.m.;
Tobin Center; tickets $29.50; see box office ingo above.)

And here’s another “spectacular”: “A Magical Cirque Christmas,” A Holiday Variety Show. Unfortunately, no specific info is provided. (Dec.16 at 5 and 8 p.m.; Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston; $39.50 at
www.majesticempire.com/events)

But here’s something better: The fabulous singer, Sarah Brightman, will be at the Majestic the next day. Years ago, she shone in Loyd Webber’s musicals, especially the “Phantom of the “ and had a spectacular Vegas show.  She is also an UNESCO Artist for Peace Ambassador who received awards in more than 40 countries. On the Majestic stage she will be joined by singers from the San Antonio Choral Society (Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston; tickets starting at $69;
www.majesticempire.com/events/sarah-brightman/

The Majestic Theater is on Houston Street, which is being transformed this month into a holiday venue over five street blocks. It’s a new event called Holidays on Houston Street. Twinkling lights will be everywhere and the street will be decorated with oversized “décor elements.” Restaurants and shops will stay open and entertainment will make the festivities lively.

And here’s another European musical phenom that people love: Il Divo. In Italian “Il Divo” is the masculine version of La Diva, meaning an exalted star of the stage. Although there are four guys in the Il Divo quartet, the name is catchy and easy to pronounce. They will perform holiday classics, operatic arias, and famous Italian/ Napolitan songs. Current members are Urs Buhler (tenor), of Switzerland; Sebastian Izambard (tenor) of France, and David Miller (tenor) from the U.S.  Mexican-American baritone Steven LaBrie will be the new addition. The group lost one of its members to COVID in 2021. Il Divo is the most successful classical crossover group in international music history, since they started to perform in 2004. (Dec. 16 at 8 p.m.; Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets via phome at 210-223-8624 or online and in person at the box office.)

There’s also one more “Nutcracker”! The San Antonio Philharmonic has teamed up with the San Antonio Ballet School, YOSA and the Buttercup ensemble, to produce a “Folkorico” version of the traditional “Nutcracker.” (Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at the ESPEE’s new outdoor venue in St. Paul Square. The program consists of selections from the ballet. For more info and tickets $65, go to www.theEspee.com)

Opera San Antonio is generously bringing a full production of “Amahl and the Night Visitor” to four venues across the community. “Amahl” is a 45-minute opera composed by Gian Carlo Menotti. The family-friendly story takes place on the night the Wise Men are following a star in Bethlehem. They stop for shelter at the home of Amahl, a shepherd boy who lives with his widowed mother. The four collaborative venues are the Magik Theater, Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, the Carver Community Cultural Center and the Edgewood Fine Arts Academy. The production will also include the Classical Music Institute Orchestra. (Public ticketed performances will take place Dec. 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Magik Theatre, and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church;
For more info and tickets visit www.OperaSA.org)

On the visual arts front: Artpace has announced that San Antonio artist Kathy Vargas will have a solo exhibit in the Hudson Showroom. Titled “Shopping for Bargains/My Mother Taught Me to Shop,” will be on view through May 19, 2024. The show marks Vargas’ return to Artpace 26 years after her participation in Artpace’s International Artist-in-Residence program. She creates photographs from multiple exposures and she hand-colors them. A native San Antonian, she has exhibited her work in Rome, Mexico City and Buenos Aires, as well as at the McNay Art Museum. (Artpace San Antonio, 445 N. Main Ave.,78204.; https://artpace.org; phone 210-212-4900; free)

In the gallery called The Main Space, artist Joe Harjo is showing his work in an exhibit titled “Look Now What I’ve Become.” A multidisciplinary artist, he continues to expose the realities of Native Culture in America. And there’s more: The Fall 2023 International Artist-in-Residence Exhibitionsare also on view.

As usual, at this time of the year, the Centro Cultural Aztlan has its annual exhibition that celebrates La Virgen de Guadalupe through works of art in a range of media – acrylic, oil, watercolor, sculpture and more. This exhibition is the oldest and most revered visual arts program featuring the Virgen de Guadalupe as the main theme. Participating artist this year include: Richard Arrendondo, Zet Baer, Santa Barraza, Celeste DeLuna, Miguel Gonzales, Frank W. Harris, Victor Tello and others. The art is available for sale. (Centro Cultural Aztlan, 1800 Fredericksburg Rd, suite 103; 210-432-1896. www.centroAztlan.org)

Another centro – Centro de Artes Gallery – that is operated by the city’s Arts &Culture Department had record-breaking attendance this year. Pre-pandemic the gallery saw about 10,000 visitors per year. This year, that number is closer to 24,000. The gallery exhibited 320 artworks by 60 artists. Congratulations are in order. We’ll tell you what’s coming up in 2024, next week.

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