News Roundup, February 1, 2024
The San Antonio Philharmonic is playing at the Majestic Theater this weekend while the “Harty Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” film plays on the screen. You are invited to “watch the wand choose the wizard, a troll run amok, and magic mirrors in high-definition, while a live orchestra performs John Willaims’ famous score. The score is the best part of it. (Feb. 2 and 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 The arts scene is getting livelier every week. Music choices abound.
E. Houston St.; tickets are $69-$109; box 0ffice 210-226-3333; info@majesticempire.com.
At the smaller Empire Theater, it’s also nostalgia time with Mania – The ABBA Tribute -50th Anniversary Tour. It’s a two-hour recreation of one of ABBA’s most memorable concert. Fans of the original Swedish band will be happy. (Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Empire Theater, 226 N. St. Mary’s, 78205, tickets are $35-$250; www.majesticempire.com/events/ or call box office at number above.
Another tribute band, The Fab Four, will play the songs of – dah! – the Beatles. The L.A. Times has called them “the best Beatle show in the world.” (Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Tobin Center, 115 Auditorium Circle, 78205; 210-223-8624; www.tobincenter.org)
The Gurwitz International Piano Competition is still going on. In the final round, the three finalists will each perform a full piano concerto with the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of the orchestra’s artistic director, Scott Yoo, a violinist and host of the PBS TV series “Now Hear This.” At the end of this final round, the jury will select the winners: Gold medal winner gets $30,000; Silver medalist gets $20,000 and the Bronze medalist receives $10,000. (Feb 3 at 7 p.m.; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts; 100 Auditorium Circle, free but you must register for a ticket; www.tobincenter.org/gurwitz)
Jazz pianist, Marta Sanchez is also part of the Gurwitz. (Feb. 2 at 7 p.m., Coates Chapel, UTSA Southwest Campus, 300 Augusta St., 78205; 210-464-1534; www.musicalbridges.org)
The Tuesday Musical Club will present organist and GRAMMY winner, Nathan Laube, who has performed in recitals all over Europe and N. America, and has two CD recordings. He was associate professor of organ music at The Eastman School of Music for seven years. (Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.; Trinity University, One Trinity Pl., 78212; 210-999-8170; music@trinity.edu; free; you can reach TMC at 210-710-7582)
The SOLI Chamber Ensemble will play at the Botanical Garden on Monday. The concert is titled
“GALAXIES” featuring works by Jennifer Hidgon, Carl Schimmel, Kyle Rivera, Jennifer Bellor and Peter Lieuwen. “The works of this program encourage the listener to surrender to a vast array of soundscapes, from chaotic and busy to serene and meditative,” says the press release. The SOLI group performs music by 20th and 21st century composers. The ensemble has won several national chamber music awards. The four musicians are: Stephanie Key, clarinetist; Ertan Torgul, violin; Davod Mollenauer, cello and Carolyn True, piano. (Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.; San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, 78209; tickets $15-$25; to reach SOLI call 210-393-6103 or check the website www.solichamberensemble.com/)
The Youth Orchestras of San Antonio’s Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Intermezzo Strings, will perform a showcase that will include the works of Faure, Granados, Handel, Haydn, Mackey, Sousa and others. The young musicians will be joined by Daniel Orban, a retired trumpeter from “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band for the YOSA Winter Showcase. (Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.; Tobin Center; 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets $5 -$10 at www.yosa.org/showcase)
The Heart of Texas Concert Band has a major treat for young concertgoers. Its Children’s Concert 2024 will feature “The Story of Babar” as its centerpiece. The work will be performed through music and narration. (Feb. 4 at 3 p.m.; Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. Mulberry Ave., 78212; suggested donation $10)
On the visual arts front, the big news is the 70th anniversary of the McNay Art Museum. It begins this month with the celebration of Marion Koogler McNay’s birthday. She was born on Feb. 7, 1883, died April 12, 1950. She was an artist, collector and educator. The community is invited to enjoy a day of events that honor the museum’s history and Mrs. McNay. What’s planned for Feb. 8: Architecture Tour of the McNay Residence led by architect Dan Wigodsky; Marion’s Art: Watercolor Painting Workshop (Education department-led workshop, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. (included with admission price, free for members); Marion’s Collecting and Beyond (Talk with Lyle Williams, curator of Prints and Drawings, and curator of Modern Art, 6-7 p.m.; $15, free for members) You can register to participate on the museum’s website: https://www.mcnayart.org/event/founders-day/
February is also Black History Month and the museum has an exhibit of prints and drawings by contemporary Black artists. (The McNay Museum, 6,000 N. New Braunfels Ave., 78209, 210-824-5368, www.mcnayart.org)
At the Contemporary at Blue Star, you can see the work of artist Joe Harjo: “Indian Removal Act II: And She Was” This is the second part of a three-part exhibition series that looks at historical and contemporary issues impacting Native American communities. (Opens Feb. 2 at 6 p.m.; 116 Blue Star, 78204; free; 210-227-6960; https://contemporarysa.org)
A solo exhibition featuring the work of Delita Martin, a master printmaker known for creating representations of Black women in complex and luxuriant narrative portraits, is installed at the Russell Hill Rogers Galleries, 1201 Navarro St. The exhibit is part of UTSA Arts. (For more info art.events@utsa.edu)
If you like landscape art, the San Antonio Art League & Museum has the perfect exhibit for you:
Lone Star Horizons: Texas Landscapes Past, Present and Future. It will be on view through Feb. 16.
(SAALM, 130 King Willian St.; open Tuesday-Saturday 10.a.m. -3 p.m.; free but donations are welcome.; 210-223-1140, www.saalm.org)
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is celebrating Black history month with an array of programs aimed at engaging and educating museum goers on the rich history of black cowboys, and contemporary Black artists in the Western United States. In fact, one in four cowboys were Black in that part of the country. There will be educational programs, stories, and hands-on projects that you can tale home, and more. And, of course, you can view the museum’s art collection. This Sunday admission is free for local residents. (Briscoe Museum, 210-W. Market St., 210-299-4499, www.briscoemuseum.org)
Deadalus – An Ancient Tale with Modern Applications is a collaboration between glass artist Glen Andrews and cellist Joshua Younke. Andrews creates art with molten glass to stand the test of time. In the Daedalus Series, the artist delves “into the life of a mythological inventor whose achievements and folly yield hope, fury, hubris and acquiescence.” (122 Madison St., 78204; free, outdoors; for info call 210-227-8786, the King William Association)
The Stieren Arts Enrichment Series at Trinity University has brought internationally known artist, Lampo Leong to speak about “Bridging Time and Space with Art.” (Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., Chapman Center Auditorium (CC152), Trinity University; for more info call 210-999-7011; https://www.trinity.edu)
Artpace has announced that it has a new board chair: Caroline Harte Staudt who succeeds Patricia Ruiz-Healy. Staudt joined the board of directors in 2020.
On the thespian front, the best news is that the Public and the Classic Theaters, both housed at the San Pedro Playhouse, are resuming their seasons. The Classic is ready to open “A Raisin in the Sun,” by Lorraine Hansberry. Set on Chicago’s South Side, the play revolves aroud the dreams and conflicts experienced by a Black family in the 1950s. The play is directed by Darcell Andre. It is truly an American classic that deserves to be seen again. (Opens Feb. 8 and runs through Feb.25; San Pedro Playhouse, 800 W. Ashby, 78122; box office 210-733-7258; www.thepublicsa.org)
The Rodeo is just around the corner and big stars will follow: