Arts Alive San Antonio

Lots of music, sacred and celebratory, will fill our halls in the coming weeks.

And there’s, of course, a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” which will be performed by the
choir, soloists and chamber orchestra of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. It’s free and open to all.
(Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.; St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 11 Saint Lukes Lane, 78209; 210-828-6425;
www.slecsa.org)

The Basilica of the Little Flower invites you to join A festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in singing of hymns and carols of the season “in a grand cathedral-style setting.” (Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.; Basilica of the Little Flower, 1715 North Zarzamora St. 78201; 210-735-9126; www.littleflowerbasilica.org)

The First Presbyterian Church in downtown San Antonio is once again hosting its free “gift to the city –
“Midday Noels concert series,” for three Thursdays at noon- Dec. 5, 12 and 19. This church has an excellent choir. (First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, 404 N. Alamo St., 78205; 210-271-2730;
www.fpcsanantonio.org) For in-person attendees, all three performances also offer lunch choices.

“A Journey to Christmas” a Choral Christmas Concert by the San Antonio Liederkranz – an all-male choir established in 1892 – will take place at the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church (Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.; 300 Mt. Cavalry Dr., 78209; tickets are $20; www.saliederkranz.org)

The Symphony of the Hills annual holiday concert “Glory Hallelujah” will feature the guest chorus, The Hill Country Chorale, and the Grand Symphony Chorus directed by Andrea Runnels. The annual sing-along is always fun. The second half of the concert includes holiday movie music. (Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.; Cailloux Theater, 910 main, Kerrville, Texas, 78028;  tickets are $34-$64; call Symphony of the Hills at 830-792-7469; http://symphonyofthehills.org)

The Trinity University’s Annual Christmas Concert features the combined Trinity Choirs, the Trinity Symphony Orchestra, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Handbell Ensemble. (Dec.6 at 7:30 p.m., Laurie Auditorium, 1 Trinity Place, 78212; free; for info call 210-999-7011)

For a different style of music, you may enjoy The TubaMeisters playing Christmas, folk and popular music. (All their concerts start at noon on the first Friday of each month, September through May, and are presented in St. John’s Lutheran church’s sanctuary at 502 E. Nueva, 78205; 210-223-2611; https://stjohnssa.org/)

And the San Antonio Recorder Society also has a holiday concert (Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.; Oak Meadow United Methodist Church; 2740 Hunters Green, 78231, and Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake University, Annunciation Chapell, 411 SW 24^th St., 78207) To reach the Recorder Society call 210-445-4816 or  email to sanantoniorecordersociety@gmail.com; concerts are free)

And here’s something different: Joy to the World – A Global Celebration Festival. It’s an indoor festival filled with festive cheer, live music, dance performances by a number of ethnic ensembles; food, shopping, a toy drive and more. (Dec.7 and 8, noon to 5 p.m. on both days; Rolling Oaks Mall; free admission/free parking; Organized by Heritage Festivals of San Antonio that you can reach by calling 210-822-9933. The unique part is the authentic folk dancing. (Rolling Oaks Mall, 6909 N Loop 1604 E, 78247, 210-651-5601; 210-651-5601. (more info at HeritageSA@gmail.com)

The ballet event of the season is, of course, “The Nutcracker” by Ballet San Antono. There will be eight performances at the Tobin Center, where BSA is a resident company. This production has been choreographed by Haley Henderson Smith and her husband Easton Smith, both of whom have been involved with BSA’s earlier productions. So, make the journey through the Land of Snow, and the Land of Sweets, Meet the Nutcracker Prince, Clara, and the Sugar Plum Fairy…. This production features a cast of more than 100 children. They will all dance to the live music by the Orchestra San Antonio. BSA has established another tradition of choosing a local personality to portray Mother Ginger, the one with a huge skirt that little dancers hide under. There will be multiple Mothers Ginger- eight for eight performances.
The opening performance is on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Check website for the schedule. Tickets are $25 –
$132; at tickets@tobincenter.org or by phone at 210-223-8624 and in person at the box office, 100 Auditorium Circle.

The Folklorico “Nutcracker” will intertwine “the rich tapestry of San Antonio’s diverse traditions and unique cultures, from Charros and Cowboys to today’s cultural mosaic. The San Antonio Philharmonic will be conducted by Felipe Tristan (Dec. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 East Houston; 78205; tickets are $55-$110, at https://saphil.org.)

Theater News: The Wonder Theater is presenting a holiday show: “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. “One of the most enduring shows of all time” is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, 11 brothers and the coat of many colors. Every week through Dec. 23, 2024; Sunday at 3 p.m.; Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Wonder Theatre, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd., Ste. A-90, Balcones Heights, Texas 78201; 210-267-8388; info@wondertheatre.org

“The Perfect Gift” is a newOvertime Theater’s production written by Susan Cain McQuilkin, and directed by Mark McCarver. It’s a family story. Married couple, Neil and Sally Dugan’s Christmas Eve at home with Sally’s enfeebled mother, Rosemary, is already wild enough with the outdoor display of their eccentric neighbor Dolores. When a stranger arrives, the family is forced re-examine its seemingly uneventful lives. (Every day through Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. (Overtime has moved to a new address: 4335 Vance Jackson, 78230; 210-557-7562 the www.overtimetheater.org)

“Phantoms After Dark”: An Evening of Performance and Film, presented by SALA Diaz; Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m.
Exhibiting artists are Sarah Fox and Jonesy and Megan Solis. Join them for an outdoors screening; “Things may get spooky, steamy and a little bit gory” says the announcement. (Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.; exhibition on view through Dec. 20^th. By appointment)