Arts Alive San Antonio

The San Antonio Museum of Art is opening the exhibit, Roman Landscapes: Visions of Nature and Myth from Rome and Pompei, that has been in the works for several years. The brainchild of Interim Chief Curator, Jessica Powers, the show had to be postponed like so many other projects due to COVID-19 restrictions.  Though most of us think of ancient art in terms of statues of gods and heroes, this show focuses on images of the countryside, houses, temples, and imaginary scenes featuring both mythological figures and ordinary people. It covers the early period of the new millennium, as the Roman Republic was about to become the powerful Roman Empire. That transition occurred in 31 BC. We attended the press preview and highly recommend seeing the exhibit, which, so far, is the first exhibition in the United States to present landscape scenes as a genre of ancient Roman Art. (Opens Feb. 24; will be on view until My 21, 2023; SAMA, 200 W. Jones Ave.; 210-978-8140, www.samuseum.org)

Jump back into the 21^st century with another exhibit, this one featuring contemporary artists who have been represented by the Ruiz-Healy Gallery. Diversity of themes and approaches is in evidence here, and all the works are for sale, so it’s a good opportunity to buy a unique gift or to add to your collection. Included artists are Cesar Martinez, Cecilia Paredes, Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Leigh Anne Lester, Ethel Shipton, Jesse Amado, Margaret Craig and others. (Feb. 23 – April 1, 2023; 201-A East Olmos Dr., 78212, 210-804-2219; open Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

The San Antonio Art League and Museum is opening the the 19^th Annual Collegiate Exhibition that features “outstanding artwork from area colleges and universities.” More than three dozen works in a range of media are included. Sounds like another opportunity to acquire original art!  In addition, SAALM Small Works Gallery – aka the Gift Shop – will offer even more items for sale inside and outside the museum. (Free admission; SAALM, 130 King Willian St., 78204’ 210-223-1140, www.saalm.org)

On the music front, you are looking at excellent choices.

The San Antonio Philharmonic is getting ready to entertain you with movie music, from films like Star Wars, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, and other film scores, composed by the talented and productive John Williams. Also on the program: music from West Side Story, Cinema Paradiso, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Magnificent Seven, and other selections. The orchestra will be conducted by David Cho. (Feb. 24 & 25 at 7:30 p.m.; First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough Ave., 78215; tickets are $30 -$65; 210-201-6006, sales@saphil.org)

The South Texas Symphonic Orchestra will perform an original work by the San Antonio composer, Brian Bondari, who is a professor of music at Trinity University. The orchestra will play his Symphony No. 2. In addition, STXSO will play music by American composer Jordan Jinosko, as well as Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.

“There is some wonderful music written today that is not performed that often, but should be,” said STXSO’s founder and artistic director Ronnie Sanders. Jinosko composes both concert and movie music. The piece that will be played, Three Sketches of an Unblemished Earth, “transports us to the Appalachian Trails and describes a trek I traveled a couple of years ago,” said the composer. “The third movement is perhaps the most important; it is my love letter to the mountainous regions of the United States. I hope it inspires people to live at peace within our planet.”

The 76-member South Texas Symphonic Orchestra is a professional-level orchestra, founded in 2017 by Sanders. Each year, STXSO provides educational symphonic concerts to more than 14,000 students across Bexar County. (Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.; Thomas Jefferson High School Grand Auditorium, 723 Donaldson Ave. 78201; free; www.stxso-online.yahoosites.com)

The adventurous SOLI Chamber Ensemble is continuing its season with VOICED, “giving voice to our cultures and traditions with the guest artists ensemble NEWSRQ.” The concert will feature works by Kevin Puts, Lou Harrison, Jared Tate, Ludmila Samodaieva and Trevor Weston. Lots of new music! The most recent piece is Yesterday and Tomorrow, by Samodaieva, written in 2022. SOLI is known for performing contemporary and new music. (Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.; San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl., 78209; tickets are $25 for patio seating, $15 lawn seating, at www.solichamberensemble.com)

The energetic Agarita Chamber Players, seem to be everywhere! The quartet will present yet another concert Saturday with guest artist, guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas.  This, too, will take place at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. (Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. the Betty Kelso Center, 555 Funston Pl., 78209; free but reservation required.
https://www.agarita.org;

San Antonio Wind Symphony has also announced a concert, Power and Grace, The Band Music of Brian Balmages. Balmages is a “world-renowned composer of music for band, orchestra and chamber ensembles. The Wind Symphony plans to play seven works: Arabian Dances, Colliding Visions, Breaking Point, Rippling Watercolors, Moscow, 1941, Grace and Raging Machines. (Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.; Southwest High School Auditorium, 11914 Dragon Lane; free)

Art dance does not have a strong presence in San Antonio, so we were delighted to hear about a performance of Indian classical dance, called Bharatanatyam. The performance will be telling a “sacred Hindu love story.” Indian classical dance is considered the original source of inspiration for now common dancing styles, like flamenco, for instance. It’s a very precise and controlled dance style  the gestures the dancer makes convey specific meanings. The performance is directed by Dr. Sreedhara Akkihebbalu of Kaveri Natya Yoga Bharatanatyam School. (Feb. 26 at 4 p.m., ; Ruth Taylor Recital Hall, Trinity University; for more info contact the Sol Center at University Presbyterian Church, 210-732-9927 or https://www.upcsa/Sol­Center)

A new play, Fabulous Monstersis opening at the Public Theater of San Antonio/Cellar Theater. From what we understand, it’s a world premiere. It’s about two young women who are very involved in the LA punk rock scene. They eventually part company but reunite years later, The San Antonio-based punk band Fea created the music for the show. The script was written by Diana Burbano. If you like punk, this play seems tailored-made for you. (Opens Feb. 24, runs until March 19; Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.; The Public Theater of San Antonio/Cellar Theater, 800 W. Ashby; tickets are $19- $50; www.thepublicsa.org)

And remember the Rodeo! Only a few music shows are left: Nelly is claiming the stage at 7 p.m., with Gary Allan closing the festivities on Saturday.

An immersive “sonic art performance” will take place at the Roosevelt Tunnel Outlet Park, presented by local artist and composer Pamela Martinez. She leads a rotating cast of collaborators to create sound and ceremony under the name Teletextile. The performces are sponsored by the city’s Department of Art and Culture. The press release says the following: “A celebration of nature, infrastructure and performance, this free public series seeks to bring awareness about local waterways and their importance in cultural connections.” (Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m.; guests will be invited to parade with singers and musicians, along the river.)