Arts Alive San Antonio

Did you know that there’s a National Day of the Cowboy?

Neither did we but, yes, there’s one and this year it falls on July 24. Not every state has officially adopted a special day to remember and celebrate the cowboy legacy but Texas has, and the Briscoe Museum, here in San Antonio, is ready to celebrate. And you are invited. The free community event, which includes free admission to the museum, will have all sorts of indoor and outdoor activities “for cowpokes of all ages.”

To begin with, visitors can tour the exhibits of Western Art, and the special exhibit, “Still in the Saddle: A New History of the Hollywood Western” that features Western movie posters from the 1960s through the 1980s. Young visitors will be able to explore games and crafts, learn how to rope and brand cattle, herd some (balloon) animals and, maybe do a little “bull riding.” Bruce Morgan, a veteran Hollywood stuntman will be on hand to share behind-the scenes stories about movie stunts. That would probably be interesting for kids and adults alike. And a real cow and “milking parlor” will also be on the premises to show kids where milk comes from.

Come evening, the adults can take part in grownup fun, such as “Sips and Sounds of the West” which starts at 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s comfortable Sculpture Garden. Live music will be provided by singer/songwriter Marcy Grace and her band. Grace was nominated by the 2021 Texas Radio Music Awards for Best New Female Artist and has had three Top 40 singles on the Texas Regional Radio Chart. Tickets are $15 – $25 which includes two complimentary beers. Sips and Sounds of the West- July 24 (salsalabs.org)

If country music is not your cup of tea, there’s lots of other music around town.

The Cactus Pear Music Festival is wrapping up this weekend with another three concerts, all online and all free. We have watched a few of the video concerts from previous weekends and we can tell you that they are well presented and enjoyable. Here’s what’s coming up: Friday, July 23 – Simrock Selections (Beethoven and Dvorak); Saturday, July 24 – An American Twist (several American composers), and Sunday, July 25 – “The Young & the Restless” (Clara Schumann, Chopin and Richard Strauss). If you have no idea what “Simrock” is, here’s the explanation. N. Simrock was a German music publisher. All concerts are at 3 p.m., and there will be no post-concert e-receptions.

It’s been ten years since singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse died from alcohol abuse, and the folks at the BangBang Bar thought it would be right to remember her by performing her music. On Friday, July 23, two DJs will spin her songs, starting at 10 p.m. (BangBang Bar, 119 El Mio Dr.; 210-320-1187;
https://thebangbangbartx.com)

Also on Friday, a quartet of Mexican singers, calling themselves DIVAS, will share the stage at the Majestic Theater. The four- Lucia Mendez, Dulce, Rocio Banquells and Manoella Torres – will perform some of their best-known hits. (8:30 p.m., Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; 210-226-5700;  www.majesticempire.com; tickets $54 – $125)

The beloved San Antonio-based Two Tons of Steel band is continuing its summer series at the iconic Gruene Hall in New Braunfels. The country-meets-punk musicians will be there Tuesday, July 27, starting at 8:30 p.m. (Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels; 830-606-1281; www.gruenehall.com)

Christian music will be center stage at the Tobin Center Friday, with You GOD’s Music Showcase “Where Christian Superstars are Made! You God’s Music is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create “a place of unity and joy through the power of music and the promotion of Christian talent.” For the Talent Search Showcase, artists submitted videos of their performances for judges to evaluate and choose the most talented ones. The Tobin show is the Showcase Final. The concert will include performances by Jason Crabb, Jordan Feliz, Blanca, Jordan Smith, and the five Showcase finalists. The headliner is Colton Dixon who was one of the top seven contestants of Season 11 of American Idol. (tickets $24.50 – $69.50; tickets@tobincenter.com)

More music of yet another type will be the main attraction in “Some Like it Hot,” a musical evening at the Cherrity Bar, July 27. The event is a fundraiser for the Woodlawn Theatre, a non-profit organization that specializes in musicals. There will be no shortage of talent as a number of featured performers are among the city’s best. The show will be directed by Tim Hedgepeth, with piano accompaniment by Andrew Hadley. Seating is at tables for two or four. Guests are asked to arrive by 6:30 p.m. (Cherrity Bar, 302 Montana St.; July 27; tickets $25. www.woodlawntheatre.otg/some-like-it-hot-at-cherrity-bar)

If you are curious about cutting-edge contemporary art, ArtPace has reopened and it has three new exhibits installed, created by their recently departed summer 2021 artists-in-residence: Ivan Argote, from Colombia but now living in Paris, France; Nao Bustamante from Los Angeles, and San Antonio artist Michael Menchaca. The three shows are very different from one another; two address the latest “controversial issues’ while the third is in a category of its own, and somewhat peculiar. (More about these exhibits in an upcoming story) (Artpace, 445 N. Main Ave., 78205; 210-212-4900, info@artpace.org; free)

At the Carver Community Cultural Center, you’ll find a more traditional exhibit, “Points of View,” featuring the paintings of the husband-and-wife team, Ric and Pam Slocum. (Carver Center, 226 N. Hackberry; open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., M-F; through Sept.1)

The Bihl Haus Arts is currently showing the work of a mother-daughter team, Carmen Oliver and Daniela Oliver de Portillo. Named “Botanical Sensations” the exhibit consists of two parts, both focusing on plants and flowers but with different perspectives and styles. The two artists will speak about their work and life in semi-isolation Saturday, July 24 at 2 p.m. (Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd.; 210-383-9723; www.BihlHausArts.org)

We already told you in a past NEWS ROUNDUP about the art niches at City Hall. The art was created by local artists and installed in shallow niches over several floors of the building. Originally, the public was not allowed to see these installations, but now you are invited to take a self-guided tour through City Hall to view the art. There are all sorts of security requirements and registration is required. You can choose between two time slots, both Saturday, July 31 – 9-10 a.m. and 10-11 a.m. To register:  Art at City Hall Tours Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

And speaking of tours, here’s another one: The Black History Walking Tour.  You’ll be taken on a tour of some of the city’ black history landmarks on near East Side, including the Carver Center on Hackberry Street, the Carter Taylor Mortuary, the oldest black mortuary in San Antonio, a historic African-American church, the Myra Davis Hemmings Resource Center and more. ($10, email melaneyes3@gmail.com if you would like to participate.)

                                                             BEYOND SAN ANTONIO

 Most Americans have seen Tennessee Williams’ famous play “The Glass Menagerie” at least once on stage and on the film screen, but now comes the news that the play will be staged in the Central West End building in St. Louis, where the playwright lived and where the play was first “imagined.”

“A year ago, we brought Tennessee Williams into your home… this year we bring you into his” said Carrie Houk, the executive/artistic director of the annual Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. And the director of the production, Brian Hohlfeld, declared that “If theater is ritual, our production of “The Glass Menagerie” is the equivalent of going to mass in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.”

Granted, it’s kind of cool – and highly unusual – to have such a unique opportunity. Should you want to experience Williams’s play in his former home, the performances of “Menagerie” are scheduled for Aug. 19-29 at Central West End. To find more info about the entire festival, go to www.twstl.org