Arts Alive San Antonio

Let’s see what’s going on our stages! The always popular Magik Theater whose programming is oriented toward young audiences, is opening a new show with an amusing title: “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.” It’s a musical based on Mo Willems’ bestselling books.

When the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers late, the wily bird sees his chance to take the wheel, says the press release about the show. The musical will be presented with both actors, puppets “and feathers.” Songs are by Deborah Wicks La Puma. Suitable for children ages 4 and up. For the opening party in the park (Hemisfair), show sponsor VIA will be rolling up in a classic 1966 GBC Dreamliner for the kids to tour around and be entertained by live music and live pigeons, among other things. (Feb. 10 – March 17, Saturdays at 2 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.; Majik Theatre, 410 S. Alamo, 78205; 210-227-2751; tickets are $20-$25;  www.magiktheatre.org)

For adults, we would recommend “Agamemnon,” the first tragedy of Aeschylus’ trilogy “The Orestia.” This will be presented by the Trinity University Theater at the Stieren Theatre on the school’s campus.
The story: King Agamemnon arrives home triumphant after Greek armies conquer Troy, slaughter its citizens and desecrate the city’s temples. The king’s wife Clytemnestra, seething from her husband’s sacrifice of their daughter in order to get favorable winds for the Greek fleet, orchestrates her bloody revenge. (Well, it’s a Greek Drama!) The play is directed by Kyle Gillette, with scenic design by Martha Penaranda and costumes by Kellie Grengs. ( Feb. 16 – 24; Friday/Saturday at 8 p.m.; Wed./Thurs at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.; free admission, One Trinity Place, 78212; 210-999-8873; for more info email dconnell@trinity.edu)

“A Raisin in the Sun” by Loraine Hansberry is opening at the Cellar Theater of the San Pedro Playhouse. It’s a production of the Classic Theater of San Antonio. The play deals with a Black family’s dreams and struggles, living on the south side of Chicago in the 1950s. It is considered an American classic.
“Hansberry’s defining work may not be radical in form, but it remains a landmark of radical truth-telling in the theater.” The comment is attributed to Time Out. (Feb. 8-25, San Pedro Playhouse, 800 W. Ashby, 78122, box office 210-589-8450; the run is sold out but there may be cancellations. www.thepublicsa.org)

The always lively Overtime Theater, will be presenting its version of “Cinderella” – #Cinderella –  a new comedy by Jessica Roberts. “Audiences of all ages should expect laughter, social media magic, and of course, a fresh take on a classic,” says the press release. The play is directed by Kareem Abu Dahab, who has a successful track record at the Overtime, including last year’s “Seeing the Egg-riss, which was nominated by the Alamo Theater Arts Council (ATAC) for best original script.

“When I read the script, I thought “finally! I can get stylish women in heels fighting over a man,” he said, as reported by the press release. (“#Cinderella”; Feb. 16- March 9; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with one Sunday matinee on March 3 at 3 p.m.; Pay-What-You-Will night is on Feb. 22 at 8 p.m.; 5409 Bandera Rd., Suite 205; general admission is $18; $12 for military, students and SATCO members. You can buy tickets at the door or online at www.theovertimetheater.org)

Broadway in San Antonio at the Majestic Theater will present “Beetlejuice the Musical” next week. Based on Tim Burton’s popular film, the hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange teenager whose life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple  and a demon “with a thing for stripes.” Variety described it as “Screamingly good fun.” It is also a touching show about family, love and making the most of every Day-O! Recommended for ages 10 and up. (Feb. 13 – Feb. 18, times vary, so go on the theater’s website.; tickets are $55-$210, www.majesticempire.com/events/beetlejuice/)

You can still catch the colorful and spectacular Shen Yun at the Tobin Center through Feb.18; (tickets are $84-$184; 210-223-8624, tickets@tobincenter.org)

For other kinds of music: The Colombian group MORAT, a Latin pop-rock band that has shot to the top will perform Feb. 10 at the huge Boeing Center at Tech Port, 3331 General Hudnell Drive; (Feb. 10 at 8 p.m.; tickets are $39.50 – $249.50; 210-600-3699, www.boeingcentertechport.com)

In the newly refurbished Stable Hall at the Pearl, you can catch Portugal.The Man, the curiously named band from Alaska, now based in Portland, Oregon. It’s a five-member ensemble led by lead singer and guitarist John Baldwin Gourley. Their big hit was “Feel It Still.” (8 p.m., Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway; may be sold out, www.stablehall.com)

For classical music lovers, Camerata San Antonio has a special treat: Las MUSAS, which will feature a soprano, piano and a string quartet. It’s a rich and diverse sonic landscape that is both intimate and powerful. Sounds promising! Among the compositions on the program are Joaquin Turina’s “Las Musas de Andalucia” and Gabriel Faure’s “La Bonne Chanson.” Also, the interestingly-titled “Are You Concerned about the Rising cost of Funerals” by Errollyn Wallen. Guest artists are soprano Sarah Davis, who is a Hill Country native and a rising international star, and Grammy-nominated pianist and opera conductor Kristin Roach. We are not going to miss it!  (Feb. 9 at 4 p.m.; Kerrville First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson; Feb. 11 at 2 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap, San Antonio; tickets are $8-$20 at www.camrata.org/tickets/)

Another distinguished chamber group, the SOLI Chamber Ensemble, has announced that it will be receiving a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant will support SOLI’s signature project for its 30^th anniversary: 30x30x30.

On the visual arts front, there’s always interesting activity.

Touched by the senseless death of 53 migrants abandoned in a hot truck in June, 2022, Bexar County Commissioner, Rebeca Clay-Flores has commissioned local arts nonprofit, Luminaria, to create a poignant mural at Mission County Park. The mural seeks to pay tribute to the lives lost, and raise awareness of the challenges that migrants face. Led by fine arts curator, Adrian De La Cruz, and artists Andrea Rivas and Mauro de la Tierra, the mural team tried to capture the essence of the migrants’ experience. Among other design elements, the mural features 53 stars representing the people who perished. Once completed, the mural will be on display at Mission County Park, with a plaque listing the names of the men who perished on June 27, 2022.

On a lighter note, Bihl Haus Arts is inviting San Antonians to check out new exhibits and participate in upcoming workshops.  The exhibit will feature the work of artists: Daryne Rockett and Lisa Nigro, plus the works of the San Antonio Calligraphers’ Guild. (Opening reception is scheduled for Feb. 10, 5-7 p.m.)

For those who would like to learn how to do things themselves, there’s a Gelli Printing Workshop to learn the art of monoprinting on gelatin plates. (Feb. 10, 5-7 p.m.) And there’s also a Calligraphy workshop on Feb. 17, no times listed. Find out more at https://bihlhausarts.org.

At Clamp Light Studios & Gallery, you can see “Shadows of the Daylight, Glimmer of the Nighttime,”
an exhibit of works by Dongyi Wu. The exhibition features wearable artwork and sculpture. Most works are presented in black. Opens Feb. 9; will be on view through March 3. (Opening reception Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.; 1704 Blanco RD, ste.104; https://clamplightstudios.com/)

The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts and Culture invites the community to explore two new exhibits at Centro de Artes Gallery located in Market Square. The large gallery is free and open to the public. “Pop culture captures the essence of everyday life and trends but these exhibits go a level deeper by also exploring diverse cultural expressions,” said Krystal Jones, executive director of the city’s Arts & Culture Department.  “The exhibitions blend playfulness and color while inviting visitors to explore new ideas and perspectives on social issues.” On the first floor: “Millennial Loteria” by guest artists Mike Alfaro and Gerardo Guillen; on the second level: Permanencia Voluntaria by guest artist Froy Padilla
Aragon.

And there’s the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, with a parade of Country Music stars, including Wynonna Judd, Brad Paisley, Robert Earl Keen, Gary Allan, Brooks & Dunn, STYX, Clint Black and others. You have to buy a rodeo ticket to hear these performers; tickets start at $33 at SARODEO.Com; Ticketmaster, or by calling 210-985-4748. The tickets include everything – animal events, fairground displays and offerings, shops, etc.
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