Arts Alive San Antonio

Classical music ensembles seem to all go on vacation in the summer. Fortunately, there’s the Cactus Pear Music Festival that fills the void left behind, at least for two weekends each July. And it has done so for the last 25 years. CPF is back again in 2021, live on-stage, for the first weekend, July 8 – July 11, with four free concerts at Trinity Baptist Church. How generous of them!

The selections include a wide range of composers from the great Beethoven, whose 250th anniversary was celebrated last year, to Clara Schumann, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland and Amy Beach. Performers include festival founder and violinist Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio, cellist Oded Hadar, violist Molly Car and pianists Jeffrey Sykes and Ryo Yanagitani.

In addition, the Young Artist Program Fellows will perform Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. All evening concerts are at 7 p.m. (Trinity Baptist Church, 319 Mulberry Ave.; online registration is required, up to two people per concert) To learn more go to www.cpmf.us.

Classical music may go on vacation, so to speak, but lots of other music is offered throughout the city.
The Cherrity Bar has announced that it will present a summer live music series, similar to the one it offered in the spring. The series features San Antonio artists, starting with singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Brendon Padier this Saturday, July 10. Others scheduled for the summer are the jazz fusion band, Xenobia, the country group Band of Bandits, and the cumbia ensemble, Volcan y Grupo Frackaso. Tickets are sold for two or four sitting at tables: $30-$60. Single, general admission tickets are $10 but are limited, for the time being. Visit www.cherritybar.com.

San Antonio’s blues/rock guitar virtuoso, Ruben V, will be at Sam’s Burger Joint this Sunday, July 11 at 8 p.m. with Jimmy Spacek. Ruben V has recorded 8 solo albums and performs about 120 shows a year. He made a big impression on us years ago. (Sam’s Burger Joint, E. Grayson; tickets $15-$65; 210-223-2830, www.samsburgerjoint.com)

Austin-based soul & retro rock musician, Donovan Keith, will appear at the cozy and comfortable Luna Music Bar & Lounge Friday, July 9, to be followed by Chris Cuevas Project (soul & blues) Saturday. Doors open at 8 p.m., music starts at 9. (6746 San Pedro Ave., 78216; www.lunalive.com; no reservations)

Texas country music veteran, Pat Green – who was born in San Antonio – is back in our area. He will perform at the Whitewater Amphitheater Saturday with special guest Hunter Thomas.  (8 p.m.; 11860 FM 306 Suite 1, New Braunfels; for tickets call 830-964-3800 or go to https://www.whitewaterrocks.com)

On our theater stages, there are right now at least two musical productions worth seeing: “On Your Feet” at the Woodlawn Theatre and Charlotte’s Web” at the Magik Theatre. It’s the last weekend for “Charlotte’s Web.” The July 10 performances are “Pay as you wish.” (Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo; 210-227-2751, www.magiktheatre.org) (Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Rd. www.woodlawntheatre.org)

On to visual arts!

The McNay Art Museum has opened two new exhibits focusing on two artists who have “shaped art genres in America.” They are John Baldessari and Richard Anuszkiewicz, who, respectively, helped shape the Conceptional Art and OP Art movements.

“Optical Dazzle: OP Art at the McNay” explores the sensation of looking at art, says the press release. Its main representative was Richard Anuszkiewicz who created richly colored geometric compositions that may appear as if they were vibrating or pulsating. “I am interested in making something romantic out of very, very mechanistic geometry,” he is quoted as saying. For the most part, his prints are eye-pleasing as light, color and line combine into abstract images. The Op Art show also includes works by a couple of other artists from that period (1960s) and a rarely-seen sculpture by Venezualan sculptor Jesus Rafael Soto.

“John Baldessari: California Dreaming” features Baldessari’s work that is “focused primarily on the idea of art and how it is made.” It’s “conceptual” art. One of the works in the show, which the McNay owns  is a photographic collage that shows seven circular photographs glued to a gray board under the title “Nine Feet (of Victim and Crowd) Arranged by Position in Scene” from the Violent Space Series. According to the press release, all other displayed artwork “can be traced back to this collage from 1976.”   

It’s an interesting coincidence that both Baldessari and Anuszkiewicz died in 2020. (McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels, 78209; www.mcnayart.org)

On July 15, Artpace will officially open the Summer 2021 International Artist-in-Residence Exhibition with a reception and artist talk. The three artists are Ivan Argote (France/Colombia), Nao Bustamante (Los Angeles), and Michael Menchaca from San Antonio. Artist talk at 6:30 p.m.; performance by Bustamante starts at 8 p.m.; free and open to the public. The event will also be streamed on Artpace’s Facebook page.

The Bihl Haus Arts gallery is reopening this weekend with “Botanical Sensations” an exhibit of plant and nature inspired work by the mother-daughter duo Carmen Oliver and Daniela Oliver de Portillo. Both created their respective paintings during this pandemic period, finding inspiration and healing in art. The opening reception is planned for Friday, July 9 from 6-9 p.m. The celebration includes live music by Lucero Villa and light refreshments. (Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd.; 210- 383-9723; www.bihlhausarts.org) Related events: July 24 at 2 p.m. Gallery Talk featuring both artists; and Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. Family Art Workshop with both artists.

If you have any extra free time this weekend, visit the Art Gallery Prudencia to see the beautiful work of Susan Masinter Riley, “Vintage Beauty.” Starting with old black & white photographs of glamorous divas from the past, Riley skillfully colorizes the images and adds embellishments such as crystals, faux pearls, micro glitter and hand painting to transform and bring new life to the images. It’s remarkable, detailed work. Unfortunately, the last day to see it is July 10. (2516 N. Main, 78212; 210-422-8681; www.prudenciagallery.com)

Have you ever wanted to enhance your sense of humor? If so, here’s your chance: Gemini Ink is offering a workshop in joke writing. It will be taught virtually by comedian Tori Pool July 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (See article from July 7 on this site.)

The Overtime Theater was closed for a long stretch but now seems to be making up for it by being super active. The latest announcement is about The Denials Comedy Improv on Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. after the main stage show. To see it costs only $5 for those who also buy a ticket to the main show. Right now, that main show is Scott McDowell’s brainchild “Flash!!”  an adaptation of 1932 public domain Flash Gordon radio episodes. Rumor has it that it’s pretty funny. (Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sunday July 11 at 7 p.m.; show not intended for youngsters under 16 years of age; Overtime Theater, 5409 Bandera Rd., Ste. 205, 78238; 210-557-7562, www.theovertimetheater.org)

And here’s a reminder that Gabriel Iglesias, known as Fluffy, is still making people laugh at the Tobin Center through July 17. In fact, Fluffy’s upcoming Netflix Special will be filmed during the July 17 performance. (Wed.-Thursday. 8 p.m. ($55); Fri-Sat. at 6:30 & 9:30 p.m. ($65); Sunday 8 p.m. ($65); tickets@tobincenter.org, 210-223-8624)