Arts Alive San Antonio

We are still in holiday mood and there are few arts events opening this weekend.

Fortunately, there are exhibits that continue into January, and this relatively quiet period would be a good time to visit museums.

At the San Antonio Museum of Art, you can still see the remarkable exhibit, Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malincheuntil Jan. 8. La Malinche is an enigmatic figure from the past, a girl who was good at learning languages and became the translator and cultural interpreter for Hernan Cortes when he and his soldiers arrived in the New World. In this exhibit you’ll see how artists saw and interpreted La Malinche, who also became Cortes’ mistress and the mother of his first child. But there’s a lot more to explore and see at SAMA, San Antonio’s most comprehensive museum. (SAMA, 200 W. Jones Ave.; 210-978-8140, www.samuseum.org)

San Antonio has a lively contemporary art scene and right now the best place to see the work of some 100 San Antonio artists is at the Contemporary at Blue Star, in the Blue Star complex just south of downtown. Called the Red Dot Art Show, the sales exhibit is the main annual fundraiser for the organization, and with so many artists participating, you are bound to find something that you would like to have in your home or office. (Open every day through Jan. 8, 2023, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 116 Blue Star, 210-227-6960; www.bluestarcontemporary.org)

The Briscoe Museum of Western Art’s exhibit A Life in the Wildwill be on view through Jan. 20, 2023.
It consists of more than 40 photos by the famous wildlife photographer, Thomas D. Mangelsen, who has travelled throughout the natural world for nearly 50 years observing and taking pictures of animals in their own environments, from polar bears to herds of game in Africa. (Briscoe Museum, 210 W. Market St.; $14, kids under 12 free; 210-299-4499, www.briscoemuseum.org)

You’ll also find lots of interesting things at the McNay Art Museum, including the exhibit, True Believers: Benny Andrews & Deborah Roberts, which explores the historic and contemporary experience of Black Americans. The McNay also has beautiful, park-like grounds featuring large outdoor sculptures. (6000 N. New Braunfels, 78209; $20; 210-824-5368, www.mcnayart.org)

The music scene will be quieter than usual. Local choral and instrumental ensembles are clearly taking a break. But here are a few things we found: The mighty Trans-Siberian Orchestra will raise the roof at the AT&T Center in two live concerts on the same day. (Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; AT&T Center; tickets  $49-$110; 210-440-5000, www.attcenter.com)

The Austin-based electronica duo, Ghostland Observatory, which likes to play with lasers,will perform that same night in San Antonio, plus cover bands. (Dec. 30 at 8 p.m.; Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St.; $40; www.papertigersatx.com)

And there will be lots of music downtown on New Year’s Eve during Celebrate San Antonio, our city’s official NYE party, with plenty of dancing in the streets. (Dec. 31, 6 p.m.- midnight; S. Alamo St, Villita St., Arneson River Theater; fireworks at midnight)

On Jan. 1, you can enjoy the country/Americana music of The Mavericks at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels. The group won a number of Academy of Country Music Awards, including Best Vocal Group and Trailblazer (Jan. 1, 10:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m., Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Rd., 830-606-1281, www.gruenetexas.com)

The San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Lightscape will stay ablaze through Jan. 8. (5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $16-$60)