News Roundup, Jan. 25, 2024
The GURWITZ International Piano Competition is back for another round of piano fireworks, events and festivities. Seventy-six young pianists from around the world applied, and 12 were chosen to take part in the 2024 Gurwitz IPC, organized by the local music organization, Musical Bridges Around the World. The goal of the competition is to discover the next generation of top young pianists, “with a unique focus on programming that bridges the art of Western classical piano music to a diversity of musical traditions from around the world.” The 12 chosen contestants are from China, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea and the U.S.
It all starts with the Grand Opening on Friday when both contestants and jury members will perform. (Jan. 26, 7-9 p.m.; Coates Chapel, UTSA Southwest campus; reception is included, $75, tickets at
www.musicalbridges.org/gurwitz/attend)
Then come the multiple rounds of competition, each with special requirements that the contestant had to follow, starting with Round 1 for which the players had to prepare a 50-minute recital program of their choice (Jan. 27-28, 6-9 p.m., Diane Bennack Concert Hall, UIW).) Round II will feature the six semifinalists who, according to the rules, must choose a repertoire that has at least one piece by a composer from their country of origin, and at least one work from a Latin-American or Spanish composer. (Jan. 30, Diane Bennack Concert Hall)
For the next round, the three finalists must include contemporary works in their repertoire (Feb.1) and for Round IV, each finalist will perform a piano concerto with the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Scott Yoo at the Tobin Center. (Feb.3) Tickets to these competition concerts are free but must be reserved. The gold medalist wins a $30,000 prize, with the other two prizes being $20,000 and $10,000.
Superstar Dionne Warwick is the IPC’s honorary chair and she will have a solo show at the Majestic Theater on Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m., for which you can buy tickets at the theater’s box office. In addition, you can also get free tickets to see jazz pianist, Marta Sanchez (Feb. 2 at 7 p.m., Coates Chapel, UTSA Southwest Campus.) Lots to choose from!
And there will be more music elsewhere!
The AGARITA chamber music quartet is always looking to partner with other artists, so, this Saturday they will perform with sumRset Movement, featuring Tanesha Payne. The collaboration will center around movement. Guest violinist, Brendan Speltz will also be part of performance that will feature the music of several composers, including Bach, Shostakovich, Couperin, Tina Davidson, Gabriella Smith and more. Sounds promising! (Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m., McAllister Auditorium, 1300 San Pedro Ave, free)
YOSA stands for Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. Its most advanced ensemble is the YOSA Philharmonic which will present “American Rhapsodies,” described as “a symphonic event celebrating America’s diverse and culturally significant heritage.” The program includes Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” –
in collaboration with GRAMMY-winning pianist Michelle Cann – to honor the centennial of the composition’s premiere in 1924. The evening also includes the Texas premiere of Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Jennifer Higdon’s orchestral suite from her Civil War opera “Cold Mountain.” (Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.; Tobin Center, tickets are $18, $5 for students at box office or tickets@tobincenter.org)
Tribute shows have become a regular part of entertainment, and here’s one coming to the Majestic Theater this weekend: “A Tribute to Elton John: The Rocket Man Show.” (Jan. 26 at 8 p.m.; Majestic Theater, tickets are $29-$90 at www.majestic/empire.com/events)
“Pretty Woman” was a super-successful movie years ago, and now it’s a successful stage musical.
“Pretty Woman: The Musical” will be at the Tobin next week. The Musical features an original score
by GRAMMY winner, Bryan Adams and a book by movie director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton. “If you loved the movie, you’ll love the musical,” says the TOBIN’s announcement.
(Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., tickets are $39.60 – $124; tickets@tobincenter.org; 210-223-8624)
There are some local productions that you may want to see. The Overtime Theater is presenting
“Murder, She Barked: A Debbie Dog Walker Mystery” by prolific San Antonio playwright Scott McDowell. It’s a comedy/noir mystery, and audience members can choose how the mystery ends. One of the characters, a sleuth named Debbie Steele, can talk to her three dogs that help her with the investigation. (Through Feb. 3; Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m.; matinee Sunday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m.; The Overtime Theater, 5409 Bandera Rd., #205, 78238;
The Wonder Theater Academy is presenting Disney’s “Descendants” – the Musical for only a few performances. It’s a musical “filled with comedy, action and hit songs from the original Disney movie. They know musicals at the Wonder! (Jan 25 – Jan. 28; all tickets are $10, call box office at 210-267-8388 Wednesday-Saturday, 2-5 p.m.)
And here’s something for poetry lovers: An Evening of Poetry with poets Ire’ne Lara Silva, the 2023 Texas State Poet laureate, and Octavio Quintanilla, the 2018-2020 San Antonio Poet Laureate. Silva will present her new collection, “The Eaters of Flowers” while Quintanilla will read from “The Book of Wounded Sparrows,” his forthcoming new collection from Texas Review Press. (Feb.1 at 6 p.m., Dicke Hall Auditorium, Trinity University, One Trinity Place; 210-999-8373)
News from the Visual Arts sector: Artpace has announced the 2024 Spring International Artists-in-Residence, and they are: Melissa Joseph from Brooklyn, New York; Patrick Quarm, from Ghana; and Jose Villalobos, from San Antonio. They will begin their residency on Feb. 5. Their exhibition will open to the public on March 28 and will be on view through May 19, 2024.
To kick off the year in a wild way, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is inviting you to its “Wild West Wildlife“ Festival. The fest highlights the animals and natural beauty of the West. The free community event includes free admission to the museums and all exhibitions, as well as a “beastly day of animal fun.” Local wildlife experts will be on hand to share details about the animals that call San Antonio home, and animal-themed art activities Saturday will give everyone something “wild to enjoy.” It sounds like fun! (Jan. 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; The Briscoe is located on the River Walk at 210 W. Market St.; free)
The San Antonio Art League and Museum has issued a call for entries in the 94th Juried Artists Exhibition. Deadline for submissions is Jan. 31. All Texas-resident artists are welcome to submit. The exhibition will open April 14. More than $10,000 in monetary awards will be available. All media are welcome except video and jewelry. For more, visit https://www.saalm.org/94.html.
We want to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Dock Space Gallery and Annex, on Lone Star Blvd. The area is developing as a new art complex. Sculptor Bill FitzGibbons has a substantial operation there, including two galleries that are open to other artists. The current exhibits feature works of Meredith Dean and Paul Martin, respectively. A good opportunity to see the interesting exhibits is
the upcoming closing reception on Jan.27, 2-5 p.m. To get acquainted with the art scene in the area, you can take part in a Second Saturday Artwalk, a family friendly event that happens on the second Saturday of each month, 6-10 p.m.
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