News Roundup, July 18, 2024
Prominent arts organization, URBAN-15 is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of Antonio’s community events commemorating the arts and history of the dynamic non-profit led by two San outstanding artists – George and Catherine Cisneros. The organization first attracted attention of the broader public with its Carnaval de San Anto, which performed in parades and city events.
It has grown over the years and now has a number of different and eagerly anticipated events, including two holiday laser shows, film festivals, and a poetry festival called Mega Corazon.
The 50th anniversary festivities will begin with “Images in Motion,” a photo exhibit of URBAN-15’s evolution as an experimental performance ensemble presented by Ramin Samandari of Magical Realism Studio. The exhibition focuses on the motion dynamics captured by Samandari and other photographers, such as Al Rendon, Todd Johnson, Antonio Cisneros, Mike Greenberg, Pedro Luna, and Michael Jay Smith. Both stills and videos are included, covering the period from 1974 to the present day.
On July 20 the anniversary celebration continues with a reunion mixer hosted at URBAN-15 Studios, 4-8 p.m., and the celebration ends July 21 with a reunion party to which all supporters and all interested individuals are invited to come and socialize. DJ Despeinada and a performance by the local Latin Rock band, Los de Estas Noche, will provide entertainment. (2500 S. Presa. 78210; 210-736-1500, https://urban15.org)
And speaking of URBAN-15, the organization has issued a call for entries for the 18th Josiah Media Festival (for youth filmmakers, 21 and younger; deadline for submissions is Aug. 1)
The Cactus Pear Music Festival continues this weekend with two different programs: ““On the Fly” and “Off the Cuff.” The first will feature works by Rebecca Clarke, Beethoven and Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” arranged for two pianos. (July 19 at 7 p.m.) The second features works by Sanuel Coleridge Taylor, Fanny Mendelssohn, Kenji Bunch, and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Stoey” arranged for two pianos and percussion. (July 20 at 3 p.m.) All concerts take place at the Bennack Hall on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word.; free but reservations are required. www.cpmf.us; 210-838-2218.
The AGARITA Ensemble is inviting chamber music fans to an “evening of masterpieces for violin and piano,” featuring pianist Daniel Anastasio and violinist Sarah Silver Manzke. They point out that the violin sonata repertoire is one of the richest in all of classical music. (July 25 at 6:30 p.m. Agarita Loft, 724
S. Alamo Street # 2 (second floor, accessible by stairs only), 78205. Parking available nearby.
For a different music genre, there’s Liverpool Legends Beatles Experience which marks and celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Beatles in America. Liverpool Legends, is a globally acclaimed Beatles group curated by Louise Harrison, George Harrison’s sister, who also provides narration. According to the announcement, the show features “note-perfect” vocals, meticulous musical details, costumes and vintage instruments. (July 18 at 8 p.m.; Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, 78215; info@stablehall.com)
Jason Isbell will, once again, appear with the 400UNIT band at the Whitewater Amphitheater with a repertoire of Americana songs, folk and Southern root music. The NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND is a special guest. Isbell, who won six GRAMMYs, will perform grown-up songs about love, change, the danger of nostalgia, cruelty and regret and redemption. (July 26 at 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.; tickets are $65-$128.; tickets at www.tixr.com)
The terrific Benise, referred to as “the prince of the Spanish Guitar,” will raise the roof at the Tobin Center when he brings his Emmy-winning production “Fiesta” here, as part of his s global tour. The production showcases songs from his 7th PBS Special. Performing classic rock pieces and fusing them with Spanish guitar and dance brings “fierce intensity” to his interpretations. But he also adds his touch to melodic compositions like “Ave Maria,” the “Moonlight Sonata” and Vivaldi’s “Summer” from “The Four Seasons.” (July 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Tobin Center; tickets are $49.50 – $109.50; tickets@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8624.)
San Antonio Reggae Festival will have more than ten live Reggae bands performing, including Droop Lion, Crucial Prophet, The Contrabandits, Ras YAMA, Lutan Fyah, and others. (July 27, starting at 2 p.m.;
Rosedale Park Pavilion, 140 Dartmouth, 78237; tickets $30 at the gate or in advance; free parking.)
For something more unusual, you may want to check out San Antonio’s 2nd Annual “Texas Kirtan Festival.” Kirtan is a form of singing that involves chanting of sacred mantras or hymns in a group, usually accompanied by musical instruments such as the harmonium, table and drums. It’s basically meditation music. The organizers promise to have expert guest musicians to guide you. Dancing, chanting and food will be part of the event. (July 20 at 5 p.m.; Woodlawn Pointe; 702 Donaldson Ave., 78201; for more info contact Bliss House Meditation Center of San Antonio at 210-995-7377 or email satxbliss@gmail.com or visit www.satxbliss.com)
If you love musicals, here’s a funny one for you: Shrek the Musical, a Tony-Award-winning fairy tale adventure featuring songs from Jeanine Tesori, and a sides-splitting book by Pulitzer Prize winner, David Lindsay-Abaire. The show brings all the beloved characters you know from the movie, to life on stage.
The little ogre finds himself on a journey with a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists being rescued, and some other fairy-tale misfits. (Tobin Center; July 23 and 24 at 8 p.m.; tickets are $26.62 – $110; at tickets@tobincenter.org or 210-223-8624.)
The Wonder Theater, a San Antonio-based theater- producing company, is offering half-season packages for $75 per person, for the following upcoming shows: “The Wiz” (8/16 – 9/8); “The Prom” (10/4 – 10/27) and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (11/29-12/23). That sounds like a good deal, indeed. These half-season packages are available now through August 21; contact the company
at info@wondertheatre.org)
The Children’s museum of San Antonio, known as the DoSeum is accepting applications for an artist-in-residence position for an artist who works in miniature. The chosen artist will be tasked with the updating of the beloved train table, DoSeum Express. Applications are due by July 20. For more info, call 210-212-4453 or write to info@thedoseum.org.
And here’s another festival: SAFILM- San Antonio Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary, July30-August 4. “It’s a milestone” said founder and executive director Adam Rocha. It will be a six-day celebration with independent VIPs, and parties all over the city. More than 200 film screenings will be divided between the Tobin Center and the Radius Center nearby. Seven feature films are included. The festival is a proud recipient of a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. (For more
information visit www.safilm.com.)
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